Booking Modeling jobs! a peek behind the scenes

I want to provide a little insight, as to what goes on behind the scenes, when as your agent, I am booking modeling/acting Jobs! As you are probably aware by now, MPI is the largest and most successful model and talent booking agency in the Southwestern United States of America, representing Plus-sizes for PRINT MEDIA, FASHION, RUNWAY, TV AND FILM PROECTS.

WE ARE LICENSED AND BONDED AS AN EMPLOYMENT AGENCY, To help you put that into prospective, or to help you better understand, exactly, what it is we do, when we go to work booking modeling/acting jobs for you, think of it like this.

Models Plus International, is just like an employment agency, again we are licensed and bonded as an employment agency, the only difference is when you think employment agency you think of filling temp positions on a clerical staff, at MPI we provide "temp positions" in the Entertainment Industry.

First of all we have 14 years of Marketing and positioning ourselves as leaders in the entertainment industry for providing quality plus people! So we are literally at the fingertips, in any resource guide or internet directory, for any client in the entertainement industry who needs Plus sizes for their projects.

Therefore, our day might start out with a phone call from a client who simpy says, "WE ARE LOOKING FOR 4 OR 5 MODELS, SIZES 12-18, FOR OUR BRIDAL EXPO BEING HELD AT THE MAGIC SHOW IN LAS VEGAS."

That's when the excitement begins, I pull out a form known as a "Booking Assignment Form", this way after all the blanks are filled in, I pretty much know what this client wants and which of my Models/Actors to call, to hopefully fill the position.

I go on to ask the client, the dates, the times, the locations, the job description, and exactly what is expected of the model/talent to make the booking assignment a complete success! I make it goal to become a friends with this client, so they will call MPI the next time they need anything in the entertainment industry. We have serveral clients who come to Phoenix each year, several times a year and call MPI, such as Catherines Department Stores, Torrid, The Avenue, Fashion Bug, just to name a few.

Additionally, If travel is involved, most of the time, I persuade the client to pay the airfare. There have been a couple of times, however, THEY WILL NOT PAY THE AIRFARE BUT THEY AGREE TO PAY DOUBLE THE RATE I WOULD HAVE ASKED! SO THEN, THE AGENCY PAYS FOR THE AIRFARE AND WILL REIMBURSE THEMSELVES OUT OF THE MODELS PAY. ALL OF THIS IS DISCUSSED WITH THE MODEL.

Once the terms are agreed upon, I BEGIN TO CALL MY MODELS (this is why it is imperative to keep your phone number & all information current with your Agent)! and hope I can find a MATCH! IF I CANNOT, I BEGIN TO ADVERTISE, LOOKING FOR THE MODEL WHO CAN FILL THIS POSITION.

More times than not, WE ARE SUCCESSFUL and fill the position, (The client has the final say in choosing the Model/Actor). Once that's done, WE CALL THAT A WIN, WIN SITUATION. THE CLIENT WINS, THE AGENCY WINS AND THE MODEL WINS!

These client phone calls and emails or walk-ins, happen as few as 4 times a day, and as many as 10 times a day, depending on the season. For expample Summer time in Arizona leads to very few calls for outdoor magazine photo shoots,or TV/Film projects for that matter (which is why we encourage you to update your photos and enroll in training workshops during the Summer, so you can be ready for "job bookings" in the upcoming season).

Then, during the Fall and Spring seasons, some Magazines shoot all of their catalog layouts for the rest of the year, in Arizona, because it may be and most likely is, snowing in their city! I sincerely hope this helps you see a different side of the business!
Best Wishes,
Pamela A. Young

Where do Models come from

Today, many of our models men, women, teens and children were in a Fashion Show Held in Paradise Valley, Arizona!

Two fashion shows at 11 am and 2pm at the Phoenix Bridal Expo, sponsored by David's Bridal and Men's Warehouse, were exciting and provided so much experience for each and every model. Our Agency provided flower girls, ring barrers, brides maids, Groomsmen, Mother or the bride and Father of the Bride.

At local fashion shows such as this, Models Pus International and The Young Agency have a booth to show a little about who we are and what we do. Some questions I am constantly asked are, how do you find your models, or where do your models come from, do they come to you, or do you have to go out and find them.

The very reason I outlined who modeled in todays shows, tells you the diversity we represent, that has made Models Plus International and The Young Agency such a success throughout the past decade. MPI and TYA are the largest Modeling Agencies in the southwestern United States of America representing models of all ages, sizes, and ethnicities, we provide every look for every project.

So how do we find our models, we let people know, WE ARE HIRING! what that means is, you who are interested in having a career or just having fun in the modeling business, now is a great time for you to inquire about how you can get involved,
because all looks are in, just turn on your television and look!

Where do our Models come from , all walks of life! We spend out time at trade shows and put up booths to share information about the modeling industry. The photos you see above were taken in 2007, at The Phoenix Bridal Expo in glendale, where we provided all of the Male models for the fashion shows. The concept being the same, that is, we find models where we find people who are interested in seeing fashions.

At Models Plus International, we provide FREE career counseling to help answer your questions about career opportunities and help you outline your goals in the modeling industry. We hold open call auditions every Tuesday evening, call us at 602-234-2628 to get started today!
Best wishes,
Pamela A. Young

Can You earn Money being a "Plus Model"

Can you earn money being a plus model? Yes you can, as in any career, there is an investment of time, classes, workshops, tools, what ever it takes to be a success. What you are willing to invest is what you can expect in return, in any career. For Example, if you decide to be a Doctor, do you expect to put on a white coat and enter into the nearest hospital and say here i am, take a chance with me, i know i can do it?...NO and it doesn't happen that way in the Plus modeling industry either..... You must do your homework, go with your gut when you meet with an agent, assess what you have been told and do as much research as you can about that Agency.

The advantage you have with Models Plus International.LLC is we are liscensed and bonded as an employment agency. We have been in the industry long enough (since 1996) to know our clients are not just hiring plus models because they think they can do the job. At MPI we extensively train our models and send them to the photographers we know will provide them with quality photos. (Not every photographer can pose "Plus Women" and not every photographer shoots Fashion Photography-it all makes a difference) Yes, a great Composite Card and Training are the next best thing to having experience, until you get experience. You get one change to impress the decision maker at any audition and thats all you get. Then you either get the GIG or you don't.....Dont let anyone tell you you will be discovered in a parking lot. Its like playing in the NFL, everyone wants it , but only 1 in a 10 million get it and those that get the opportunity are well trained and well represented.
So think about it, do you want to take your chances or do you want to be well represented. contact me at Models Plus International, get your career started today, WE ARE HIRING! 602-234-2628

FULL-FIGURED WOMEN ON THE RUNWAY!

As you may very well be aware of by now, I founded Models Plus International, LLC (MPI) in Phoenix, Arizona in 1996. I am remembering how very challenging it was to secure job placement for full-figured women in print ads, fashion shows, television commercials or film projects.....So, immediately i put my focus on empowering these women through, a division of MPI, which we called, "EXCLUSIVELY PLUS TRANING CENTER(S)". We enrolled "Plus women" and immediately began encouraging them to explore the possibility of loving oneself. Through self-acceptance, self-confidence and self-esteem workshops, we further encouraged each woman to believe she could be a Model or just Look like one. (period). Since inception, MPI was the stand, that we could create a change in the way full-figured women viewed themselves, from the inside and out! We began by educating these women, offering 16 week training workshops, Monday thru Friday from 6pm-8pm. Soon afterwards, we set out to change the way media portrayed full-figured women..... and as you have seen over the past decade, in print ads, fashion shows, television commercials and many films, we have succeeded! Models Plus International, LLC is a leader in the "Plus Modeling" Industry.

By enrolling in the training workshops at Models Plus International, LLC, women were introduced to, and bonded with other women who looked like them, who shared their same concerns, convictions and, who then discovered.............................. the secrets to being successful in the PLUS-SIZE MODELING INDUSTRY.

I look forward to sharing more of those secrets with you in an upcoming GUIDE, which will be made available online.....so stay tuned!

Truly yours,
Pamela A. Young

FYI: The first "Plus-size Model " to ever walk down the runway in Paris France was in 1997!

World Exposure for Plus Models

At (M.P.I.) Models Plus International, LLC one of the ways we encourage Plus Models to get maximum exposure in the Modeling industry is to come with us to Hollywood to an event called " The World Championship of Performing Arts. (WCOPA), celebrating its 12th year in existance.

WCOPA is much like the Olympics where Athletes compete against other countries for the Gold! at WCOPA we compete with 40-60 other countries each year for the Gold, Bronze or Silver metal in our respective catagories of Modeling, Acting, singing and dancing.

In 2008 (our first year participating) we took 26 talent to Hollywood, Six (6) of these, were PLUS WOMEN, each WON either a Gold, Bronze or Silver Medal!

I admit, i was so anxious waiting to see if any of their names would be called, at the awards ceremony (see Photo...) left to right Mercedes, Carolyn (age 60) notice the Gold metal around her neck for her Acting performance!, Kathy, Carolina, Laura (look at all the metals she won!...you can too!) and Yitka! It was worth the wait, The ladies from MODELS PLUS INTERNATIONAL, LLC excelled in all of their categories, which included: Modeling (casual, swimwear, formal, and Photo) as well as Acting (classical, drama, comical or open/tv) . These ladies were confident, and showed high self esteem.... congratulations!!

We spent 8 days in Hollywood at the Westin Boneventure, in July of 2008, during the last few days, some of our "Plus Models" were asked to go on actual Auditions.

Carolyn is currently working on a role in a film, Kathy was selected for a television commercial, all of the women are currently working and finding much success in the Modeling industry and of course, they are all signed as Models with MPI (MODELS PLUS INT'L, LLC.)

Models Plus International, LLC and The Young Agency is the only authorized Training Center in the State of Arizona. So call me soon, to get you career started, we can get you ready for Hollywood, where you will meet over 100 agents at one time......WE ARE HIRING!!