Going to work abroad, new models think a lot about different questions regarding travelling and working on a contract. Here are some of them from newcomer Maria Dedova. The experienced model Anna Kolodkina answers them.
Maria Dedova:
— I’ve been dreaming about modelling since junior high, now I’m 19 years old. I graduated from modelling school and really want to explore foreign modelling. I have a lot of worries that I won’t be able to leave, or I won’t like it. Furthermore, I’ve never been abroad. All I know for sure is that it is better to try than purely sit and dream. Dad says I can do it!
Anna Kolodkina (@molisi), Velvet Management. She has worked twice in Singapore and Thailand, three times in China, as well as in Vietnam and Korea. Shot for Vogue, L’Officiel, A+, Avenuel.
— Does anyone meet the model upon arrival?
— It depends on which agency you work with and which country you are flying to. Some places they meet you, some they don’t. For example, I recently flew to Singapore, and nobody met me there. I had to call a taxi myself and travel to the apartment at my own expense, so I always advise you to take cash with you. In Korea and in China, we were met by individuals who stand waiting for you with a sign with your name on it.
— Are they sent alone or with at least one more Russian girl to make it easier in a foreign country?
— In all the time of my model work, another girl has never been assigned. Very rarely have I met a girl on a plane who is also flying to a contract, but maybe say, to another agency. Particularly within the group, one was never sent. Usually at the castings and at the apartment you get acquainted with other models.
— How do models spend their free time from casting and filming? And does it exist at all?
— Individually. Sometimes a lot of time. I walk, I draw.
— How do you calculate pocket money correctly?
— To be honest, I’m not an adviser on this topic. Upon arrival, you find yourself in new circumstances, in a new country, you do not know what the average prices are here, where it is cheaper, where it is more expensive. A simple tip: at first, have your money just in case and do not rush to spend it. First, go for a walk, see, compare, and then decide where it is more profitable to buy products. For example, there are a lot of cheap supermarkets in Singapore in the Little India area, where I can buy a bag of vegetables for 2 Singapore dollars. It is easier to cook the food yourself. I buy some vegetables, cereals and cook myself, and then I have money left for sweets.
— Were there any situations that the money was not enough, and you had to starve?
— To starve — no, loved ones can always help. But it did happen that there was no money left for a few days and the basic stock of products saved the day.
— Do all the care products, medicines and clothes fit in a suitcase for such a long trip?
— Yes, everything fits. The main thing is to carry all this not in hand luggage, but in a suitcase, because during the inspection all jars over 100ml will be confiscated. Even if something doesn’t fit or you forget, you can always buy it. The main thing is to carry the essentials.
— How did the shooting go if you don’t understand all the foreign words at first?
— There are no problems if you are not afraid to ask again. With a translator, everything can be translated. Usually, if a client sees that you don’t speak English very well, they won’t ask much. And not all countries speak English. In Singapore, everyone speaks English, in China, Korea, Thailand — very few people understand English well.
— Who notifies you about the castings, and have you been hired to shoot?
— Bookers. Usually, each country has its own social networks where you communicate with the bookers, as well as WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook. They add you to the conversation in the group and give the time and place. Most of the problems and fears can be avoided if you have a good mother agency that takes care of you and is constantly in touch.
