Well I’ve been getting a lot of questions for people that are looking to get into this industry and even heard a few horror stories that would’ve put me off of modeling for life if I had been in that person’s jimmy choo’s! It’s so hard to know what’s real and what’s not in second life when you’re just starting out so I’m going to answer a few questions that I know many have asked time and time again.

1. I want to be a model so badly but I don’t have any L to get a high quality skin or clothes. What should I do?

That can be a tough one and has many possible answers really. You’re not going to get by in the professional world of modeling off of freebies- sorry it’s a fact. You will have to spend lindens and if you are wary of purchasing lindens through market exchange then the only other option is to get an SL job. Now as a new second life resident the pickings for jobs are slim as some places only allow you to apply if you are a certain age- been in sl for X of days/weeks/months. But there are those that don’t require it so you might want to check out the classifieds for more information. Now while you may not reach any top of the food chains with freebies it is a great way to start so you’re not walking around in an avatar that you got on your rez day. Get a modifiable skin (if it’s copy even better) and start experiementing with your look. Make it your own!

2. I have the shape and clothes now how do I get a job as a model??

Another question with several possible avenues to explore. There are different types of jobs out there for models such as print, runway and live/in-store modeling, or commercial/television. The easiest would probably be an in-store model and it’s not a very hard job. I think a few good models started off this way. It’s a great way to get clothes and extra cash. Another way is to sign with an agency. This can sometimes be expensive depending on your budget but it’s definitely a perferred method for many models. Being represented sends a message to all designers that you are serious about your work and aspirations in this field. Agencies usually send out notices on contests, set up fashion shows, castings, job opportunities with various designers, etc. so it is definitely something you may want to look into.

3. Modeling Academies are so expensive! Do I really need it?!

Formal training is not neccessarily required but it’s definitely perferred by agencies that you sign with. Some agencies- like MPI Model Management- actually provide training for their signed models once they are accepted into the agency and cannot accept work or begin working officially until they meet the specified requirements of that particular agency. Having an academy name in your resume is nice and adds to the prestige of things but no it’s not neccessary. Most of what I have learned has been outside of the classroom from actually doing it and speaking with others. If you are not up to investing into academy training feel free to drop by the Model Workshops- free weekly seminars for models and aspiring models where the industry, tips, information, news is discussed or lectures given by the established working models and agency owners- to get information and to learn more on this career. Attend fashion shows, read SL fashion magazines to stay abreast on the news within the fashion world. Also join the Best of SL readers group and Starwalkers- two awesome groups for anyone that wishes to make it here.

4. I want to join an academy to get formal training but how do I make sure that they are not a scam that will run off with my money?

Gawd that’s the worst. There are so many scams in SL because everyone wants a quick buck and it’s hard to know the legitimate companies out there but it’s not impossible! If you have a school or schools in mind be sure to drop by their location to check out the grounds. Take a look at their application (don’t fill it out yet) and the classes they are offering and the topics that it covers. Talk to the owners and/or instructors about the course and how intensive it is, how does the scheduling go, do they have any post graduate help, etc. Another good idea is to ask for a few alumni of their academy and/or current students to get their take on things and their experience with it. Agency Report is also a great resource tool to see reviews of that school or program to make sure you are getting your money’s worth.

5. I’m looking for an agency to sign with, how do I know what to look for or which ones are the right ones to join?

This is actually a very simply answered question albeit a long one. As I said above talk to the staff and models that are signed with that agency. Take a look at Agency Report to get reviews, things can be quite revealing on that site and it’s a gold mine of information. Be sure to check out how long they have been open but also how active they have been. What have they done recently- shows that they have put on, jobs that they have gotten models, etc. Visit their agency in-world to take a look around- a lot can be said to how much care is put into their building and location.

6. Do models make a lot of money in SL?

Hmm…how best to answer this question of yours…How about I get all the rest of the models to say it with me: No Way in Hell! You’ve heard me say it before and I’ll say it for those in the back with cotton in their ears, you will not make a ton of money being a model in second life- it’s a fact of life. Whether you get paid in L or items depends on the agency and their budget and revenue. It can take quite a bit to run an agency- paying staff, tier fees, advertising, (maybe models). And well established models will tell you that you can get paid anywhere from 0 (the outfits that you wear) to 1K per show, photo shoot, or in-store modeling.

7. Why do we need tons of skin to be a good model?

I’m assuming that if you asked this question then you are REALLY to not only this industry but SL as well. If you haven’t noticed by now, skin in SL comes in varying shades and make up options- facial hair for men- so you have to choose several skins to get a variety of make up to fit the outfits that you wear. For instance, you do not want to wear a sunny yellow dress with a pale-as-computer-paper goth skin. That may be your every day look but it won’t work for that particular outfit so you have to change things up. It’s just like wearing your hair up with an elegant gown- it accentuates the design you’re wearing. So it’s necessary to have at least 5 skins in your inventory 10 to 20 is better. But we all know how expensive those things can be so buy wisely and I suggest buying ones that you can use for many different outfits and save the eccentric looks for later when you actually need them if you are on a budget.

7. Is there really a big deal with using AO poses and static poses on the runway?

Okay…Ao poses are cute for the runway but bad for photos which is why a lot of models choose to use static poses instead. There are always photographers at runway shows snapping pictures so you don’t want to get caught in the middle of your AO pose doing something very awkward that ruins the photo. I tend to use AO poses rarely or very discreetly, choosing posses with a lot of time between transitions. My advice is: Choose wisely!

Well I hope that these questions have cleared up a few misconceptions for those that are looking to be a model or had some confusion over this industry or even how to begin their career. I wish you all the best of luck!