Professional Models In Your Portfolio!!!

SHAUN ROBINSON OF ACCESS HOLLYWOOD...MAKEUP BY VAL!!

I've been working with Shaun Robinson for many years and it was great taking her from entertainment news to PADOW!!!

OK, so I know you have a sister, cousin or friend who is drop dead gorgeous and has been told by a million people that she or he should model or be on television. That's wonderful! Hey, I've been told the same thing, but guess what? I had to take some professional photos by a real photographer to find out if I had what it takes to ever be picked up by an agency to model or act. That's never been my heart's desire, modeling that is, but I LOVE making them beautiful! Here's the thing, if you have a relative or friend that you think has what it takes to make it in the biz and you want to use them in your portfolio, ask a reputable, professional photographer to do a test shoot with you. What you will need is a crew to make your model look her very best! The photographer finds the location or studio, but you need a hairstylist and wardrobe stylist to make sure your model is looking like a magazine ad. If the photographer is a REAL pro with a REAL eye he will make sure your lighting is perfected and your set is decorated to fit the subject matter. Check out http://www.dripbook.com/ for the REAL DEAL on how your portfolio should look. Also, check out Crystal Wright's book entitled Hair, Makeup and Styling Guide which will give you the 411 on how to make it in the business and what clients are looking for when searching your portfolio and resume. It also gives you pertinent information on how well you need to be groomed in every facet of the business. Crystal Wright is also on Facebook so she's a great friend to add and pick her brain for tons of important information that you'll need to be a success.

On Dripbook there are makeup artists, hairstylists, and wardrobe stylists with beautiful portfolios on the site that you can pattern yours after. You may have to join the website, and even if you join as a client instead of an artist right now, that's fine. What you want to do is look at all the portfolios and see how they're set up. Dripbook is a great site because they are very exclusive and particular who they allow on their site as artists and your portfolio has to be exquisite. Check out my friend on the site Bret Boreman, makeup artist and see how beautiful his portfolio is.

Now as far as getting your models, usally photographers can get the models faster. So, if you have a great photographer that you're shooting with ask him if he has access to PROFESSIONAL models. Photographers are very particular who they want to shoot for their own portfolios, so I can usually trust that they're going to choose a model of great caliber. You also want a photographer who is experienced in shooting fashion and beauty, not sex or porn.

A model doesn't always have to have a modern standard of beauty, but what you want is an unusal beauty that can capture the lense of the camera and sell what ever your brand is. You want him or her to captivate your audience and mesmerize your client. If they're selling a shoe, their feet must be pretty, or if they're selling a bathing suit their body must be fit. Their hair and skin MUST be in tip top shape and hair extensions MUST look like a million bucks.

Talk to as may professional makeup artists, hairstylists or wardrobe stylists as you can and ask them if they know of great photographers in your area that are doing test shoots. The idea of testing is to build your portfolio, but it must look like a story book or magazine. Each shoot tells a particular story about your brand. The photographer will be happy to help you in this area. Again http://www.dripbook.com/ will have a number of great photographers whose portfolios are displayed and if you like their work, you can contact them and talk about a possible shoot.

Feel free to ask any questions. Good luck and keep me posted!

GOING GREEN!!

Makeup by artist from Kett Cosmetics.

GREEN is one of my favorite colors and sometimes it's embraced and sometimes it's not. What I love about green is that there's a shade that will look great any skin tone. When it comes to eyeshadows you may have to try a couple of shades on to see which one suits your taste. You don't have to go as broad and bold as these models, but you can use the green as a pretty smudged liner around the lashes.
Makeup by Kett Cosmetics

Green shadows paired with black eyeliner and three coats of mascara is a very FIERCE look that anyone should be willing to try. The cocoa brown model below is rocking her green very boldly with a soft yellow shimmer on the brow bone that sets the look off quite fabulously. What I love about green eye pencils is that they're easier to use and you can smudge them to look like a shadow. So go for it and feel free to ask the pros at the your favorite makeup counter to help you achieve these looks!

GETTING PAID A FAIR RATE!

In the beauty game whether you're a hair, makeup or wardrobe stylist and you've worked for a number of years, you've probably gotten paid many, many day rates where some would be considered high, others may considered low. But at the end of the day, it's about what you consider fair and also what kind of financial position you're in. Some companies will automatically try to low ball you simply because they don't want to pay you. Even personal clients, whether they have wealth or not don't like to pay our day rates. I don't understand why it is some people feel that the beauty artists are not worth what we ask. It upsets me sometimes, however, if they don't have the budget for your $2500.00 a day rate, they just don't have it. The question you have to ask is, is it worth the huge jump down to the $500.oo rate that they're offering you instead.
I've taken jobs on a lower pay scale for a few reasons: If the client is a reputable name and I would like them on my resume then I compromise. If I know a relationship is building and we'll be working together on several occasions or, if they're really nice, honest people who really just don't have my rate, then I'll work their budgets. You have to make the decision. What you don't want to do is become a "DAY RATE SNOB"! Don't turn down money, especially if you're just starting out in the biz! You are trying to build your resume, a good reputation and future relationships so by all means, WORK!

Now once you've gotten to a status where you've become accustomed to your $2500-$5000.00 a day rate, it gets a little harder to work for less money, however, you still need to consider that if you don't do it, someone else will. Are you a super model artist and won't roll out of bed unless you're getting paid a certain rate? I think the best in the biz still work from time to time for less than their day rates, however, if they ask what your rate is....tell them! They're going to gag, but hey, they asked.! I've played the game where they ask my rate, I ask their budget, and we ping pong this conversation for a couple of minutes. I tell my rate and they gasp!! That's why I asked your budget because then I can decide if I want to take the job. See if you can negotiate a fair rate between their budget and your day rate, but don't be afraid to speak up. If it's just not working out, then you make the decision to work or not. Again, a true pro will probably take the job, and just trust something good will come from it.

Be strong, encouraged, and make every effort to get paid what you're worth! Just be WISE!

SET ETIQUETTE

Working on television and film sets can be a lot of fun, but this non glamorous job can be grueling with long hours and very little rest. It takes on average about 3 months to shoot a film and although you're working a minimum of 14 hours per day, the money can be quite lucrative if it's a high paying film. Television shows and commercials can have long hours as well. Sitcoms and television series shoot as long as 8 hours a day, however, you're usually only shooting 2-3 days a week. Soap operas and news are daily shoots and those hours can range anywhere from 8-12 hours.

I enjoy Access Hollywood because we only shoot 2 hours for our daily show. The show does shoot 5 days a week. Our long days are usually Wednesday or Thursday where we shoot two shows, the daily show and the weekend show. Sometimes we have set visits where we go to different television, film or music video sets and the talent interviews different stars between their shooting time. Or we have Press junkets at various hotels where stars are interviewed for their upcoming film. Red carpet movie premieres and Awards shows are also part of our job and I'm pulling my makeup bag along for the ride to make sure my talent, Shaun Robinson is always looking fresh.

With all this being said there is an etiquette that goes along with these jobs. As an artist, whether you're hair, makeup or wardrobe there is a professional protocol that you are required to adhere to. Working on music videos, film or sitcoms your days are quite long, however, you still need to maintain a very professional demeanor. I've seen artists talking on cell phones on set, sleeping, being disruptive talking with other artists, or cursing, causing the director or assistant director to reprimand them. You will lose your job. Yes, this really happens!

Unprofessional dress code such as wearing revealing clothes is also unacceptable. This can be a distraction and is just in poor taste. Always make sure you're dressed appropriately. On certain sets high heels or open toe shoes are forbidden because of the risk of falling on set with all the wires or possible equipment falling on your feet. Some sets are a little freer with their dresscode, but even still, you always want to display a professional look. Men this goes for you as well. Wearing bagging or sagging jeans is inappropriate so you too want to have a professional look at all times.
Always listen to the stage manager or assistant director and follow instructions without talking back or getting an attitude. Even if you have a difficult talent in your chair, try to maintain a professional demeanor at all times. If you are being disrespected by your talent, don't try to take the situation into your own hands, get the director IMMEDIATELY! Why? Because more than likely, the talent will usually win and you could be sent home.

Make your job as easy on yourself as possible by using great common sense and extremely good manners. These jobs are lots of fun and a real privilege so enjoy them but take them seriously. Have fun!

TELEVISION AND FILM SET ETIQUETTE

KNOW YOUR ROLE AS A PROFESSIONAL!

When I got the job working with Ms. Oprah Winfrey, I had already put in over 17 years in the business and had worked with a number of celebrities. That was in 2007 and she remains on my client roster along with Gayle King. The hardest part about starting the job with Ms. Winfrey is that she was already a household name and it was a small challenge keeping the television personality, "Oprah" separate from her then being my boss, Ms. Winfrey. First names are not an option unless they approve of such, even then ease your way into the new position. Don't become too friendly and familiar.

One thing I've learned working in the entertainment business is that before you develop a friendship, you need to develop a trusting and professional relationship. You may be required to sign confidentiality agreements by A list celebrities to keep their personal business out of the media and out of your mouth. They are trusting you to come to work and simply do your job, making them feel and look their very best. The moment you start revealing their personal information to your family and friends, you are putting your job at risk. Look at their lives the same way you look at your own and treat them the same way you want to be treated, with respect. Respect their privacy and their personal space. Don't ask ANY questions that are personal or talk about anything you've read in the media. I've seen so many hair, makeup and wardrobe stylists lose their jobs because they've divulged information to the wrong people. Once again, keep it Professional!

Watch your clients very closely and pay attention to detail. Pay attention to their moods, and always give them their space. Pay attention to how other professionals in their circle treat them, such as assistants, etc. You're most likely to see the utmost professional conduct and pattern your walk after theirs. If you're unsure, please ask someone to give you guidance. Get books that teach you how to conduct yourself around the Rich and Famous. Professional conduct may come natural to some, but not to everyone.

If you're invited to a celebrities home for the first time, trust and believe you're being watched. Don't ask for ANYTHING! Heck, bring your own water and if you must, you may use their bathroom. Don't make yourself at home or ask questions about anything in their home. Don't walk around picking up pictures of other celebrities or peering through ANYTHING! A simple compliment will suffice, because you know the home will be gorgeous! Believe it or not, this conversation has to be discussed!

Remember, hairstylists and makeup artists are still the best listeners and gossipers in the biz. The Talent love the hair and makeup room because it is where all the juice and dirt is discussed, you hear all kinds of gossip and a lot of venting, however, your job is to keep your mouth shut and don't engage...AT ALL!

When you get hired to work with clients it's because something in your personality has made them feel comfortable and at ease. They feel relaxed with your touch and with that, they begin to trust you. Your JOB is to make sure you keep them feeling trusting and respected and NOT take advantage of it. Don't initiate conversations that will cause them to become suspicious of your inquiries. In other words, just simply listen and if it gets too personal, don't become like an FBI agent or news reporter and soak up as much information as you can, just so you can say you KNOW them. It's even OK to inform your client that you're not comfortable discussing their personal business out of respect for their privacy, when in actuality you're protecting yourself. You can believe that if they tell you, they're telling someone else and if the information leaks, it could be on you even if you didn't say a word. PROTECT YOURSELF!

Friendships will be developed with your clients after you have endured a long relationship with them but this can take several years. So, don't become overly anxious to get too close and become their buddies. You have your friends and they have theirs. Know your ROLE!

MEN'S GROOMING!

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