Here is a list of recommendations Model Talent Orlando has put together to help you get started in the most professional way possible.

• Never talk money: with anyone but your agent (This includes the client and other talent at the job).
  
   
• Never give out your personal phone numbers unless first cleared by your agent: When asked for your number, give the number of your agent. If you are with many agencies give the number of the agency that referred the booking or go-see.
  
   
• Never sign any release: other than the voucher your agency may have given you, unless you have permission from your agent. You do not want to sign away your rights to additional money.
  
   
• Always keep a map handy: If you are even the least bit unsure of where you are traveling for a booking or go-see, grab a local map to prevent any surprises. It is helpful if you have access to a fax machine at home or work, where your agent or manager can fax directions or additional information about a booking or go-see to you if available. If you don't have access, find the closest Kinko's, Staples or other office store with a fax and make sure to have that number handy in order to receive a fax
  
   
• Never "no-show" for a job or go-see: Not showing up can cost you and your agent or manager a client and will not be tolerated. When you have committed to a booking or go-see you are expected to be there, regardless of traffic, bad weather or minor illnesses. Short of a major, serious medical emergency you are always expected to show up on time and ready to go. This is a competitive industry and many young models learned the hard way that they were replaceable when they failed to show for a major booking or go-see
  
   
• Never be late: If you are traveling to a job in a major city, assume there will be lots of traffic and a lack of parking. If bad weather, give yourself extra time. Bring a map to avoid getting lost. Treat bookings and go-sees like job interviews. You know how unprofessional it looks to show up late to an interview, or to rush in at the last minute huffing, puffing and sweating. Don't do it for modeling/acting assignments either. Give yourself at least 20 - 30 minutes before you need to be there (your "call time") so you can check your appearance in the bathroom, psyche yourself up and calmly walk onto the set. Never let them see you sweat
  
   
• Never lie about your experience: Our industry is very close knit and if you say you did a fashion show for "so and so," somebody in the client's office may have worked with that designer and knows you are lying. Remember to treat this like a job interview. Tell the client what you may lack in experience you more than make up for in enthusiasm.
  
   
• Bookings and go-sees are arranged for you: Never substitute a fellow model for yourself unless you have approval from your agent or manager. You were picked to go, not your friend. Also if you are over 18, attend go-sees and bookings by yourself. Leave mom, dad, sis, brother, boyfriends and girlfriends at home. lf under 18, you may bring 1 parent to the job or go-see, but leave everyone else at home. If you and a friend are both working the same job or were invited to the same go-see you may travel together, but walk in separately to meet the client.
  
   
• If an agent or manager sends you on a job, do not take a job from that same client without going through your agent or manager: You are free to take jobs directly from clients, but if you are approached by a client on a job or go-see that a manager or agent sent you on, always refer the client to that manager or agent if the client wants to rebook you. If taking a job directly from a client, make sure to discuss payment up front and remember to bring information like your social security number to the job so you can provide it for payment.
  
   
• Never alter your look from your digital pictures: Clients, managers and agents will be evaluating you by the pictures on our website. If you show up with your hair cut much shorter, a different color, or with a tattoo where there was none before, don't expect the client to be pleasantly surprised. Because you may not look like what they were expecting. Never make any major changes to your look without approval from agencies or managers who are working with you. If you are not signed with a manager or agency and desire to change your look, keep it conservative and you must immediately send a new photo to Model Talent Orlando. The best part is you can update your own pictures also in seconds.
  
   
• Never show up for a go-see dressed inappropriately: Again, think of a go-see like a jot interview, in that you want to keep it somewhat conservative.
  
   

For a go-see, generally go with a black dress that falls around the knee, to show off the legs. Keep jewelry to an absolute minimum and small "post" earrings are the only "piercing" acceptable at go-see. Black shoes with a 1-2 inch heel are fine. No clunky 4 inch stacked heels, please. Makeup should be understated and natural looking. Let the client see your face. For a booking, you should be told by your agent or manager if you need to come wearing make-up ("hair and make-up ready" otherwise come with a completely clean face (moisturizer only) and if a wardrobe is being supplied something a little more casual is acceptable than go-see wear.

For a go-see, generally a form fitting t-shirt with no logos or writing is fine, accompanies solid black or dark gray pants and black shoes (no sneakers). Dress shoes or Doc Marten style shoes are okay as long as you can walk in them. Men do not wear make-up for a go-see For a booking, generally men will come with a clean face (moisturizer only) and have whatever make-up they need applied by a make-up artist unless you are told it is hair and make-up ready.

• Always keep your numbers and address updated with your managers and agents: Update all numbers, including work, pager and cell phone numbers the minute they change. Nothing is more frustrating for a booker than to not be able to reach a model you want to book.
  
   
• Always list to the client's instructions: You may not necessarily agree, or you may think the outfit is hideous, but you are being paid to make it look great. Remember, the client is paying for you to do the job the way he or she wants. Short of something illegal, you should always follow the client's instructions.
  
   
• Always be very careful when wearing a client's outfits: Remember, some of the outfit at a fashion show or photo-shoot can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Never smoke, drink, or put on make-up when wearing a client's outfits. Be extremely careful!
  
   
• Use your head: Early morning job or go-see? Get plenty of rest. Drink lots of water. Fill the gas tank up the night before so it's one less thing to have to remember the day of the job. Look at a map or Mapquest.com to know your driving route.
  
   
• Travel expenses: Generally, expenses for local travel (varies by city, but generally 50-100 mile distance from your agency) are not reimbursed (this can vary by agency - always ask!) However as a model you are an independent contractor, not an employee of the agency, so you must keep every receipt for everything from cabs, subways, mileage, tolls, make-up, etc. and speak to a professional accountant or financial advisor to see what you can claim as business expenses.
  
   
• Payment: Your booker and/or manager and you are in the same situation when it comes to getting paid. They do not make a commission until they receive payment from the client and deduct it from your check, so do not bug them constantly about pay. They want to get paid as quickly as you do. However, by the time you (and any other models they booked) drop off the voucher (if you needed one for the job) or get the time sheet from the client, put together a bill, send the bill, have the bill reviewed by the client's accounting department and actually get a check in hand can be anywhere from a few weeks to even a few months. Believe it or not, the U.S. government (which hires actors for training films and print models for ads and brochures) is one of the most notoriously late-paying clients around! Rules vary, and in some states clients must pay within a few days of the job, but in most states when your agency or manager sends a bill, it is treated like every other bill. The client will pay it on their schedule, and your booker can't yell and scream at them just because you (and your booker) want their money.
  
  Knowing that your booker wants to get paid as much as you do, do not call and berate them about your check until at least 75 days from the date of the job has passed (unless you are in a state where talent are required to be paid within a certain length of time). Then, be polite and ask if your booker has been paid or if they are expecting the check on a certain date. Your booker will send the check as soon as he or she is able, but not before the client pays them. They are not in the business of floating loans; so do not count on a specific client to pay quickly so you can pay your car payment this month.
  
   
• Agency Etiquette: Agency bookers make a commission on jobs. Remember to keep conversations brief a by to talk to your booker or manager. If you are returning a call, make sure to ask for in reference any job they may have mentioned.
  
   

(c) 2006 Model Talent Orlando The Orlando Model Agency