I can't remember what this was supposed to be about. I know I said "lengthy", but this story isn't, so I have no idea what I meant.
Anyway...
For those of you that read my blog about the college telling me I missed a date...
The other week, I drove the minute and a half it took me to get to the art class. It was ridiculously cold out, and I'd never been there so I wanted to make sure I didn't walk in circles and end up late.
While walking to the building, I saw a lady asking for directions. I figured maybe she was a model too- the school is small and has several little buildings/converted houses in the neighborhood. After accidentally walking into a residential building, I found the art class at the back of the school's bookstore. I was about ten minutes early, and changed while students set up, and the teacher got situated.
He mentioned that "the last model" didn't show up, and I blushed and told him I was that model. We then talked about how I knew it wasn't my fault, and he admitted he often has trouble getting packages from the office.
A few minutes later, the lost woman from the street walked in with a yoga mat, water bottle, snacks, and slippers in tow.
Oh no, I thought.
Hi- confusion on her face as she stared at me in my robe - my name is _____. Is this room ____, are you James? I'm your model for today.
Me (loudly): SEE!!!? I KNEW it wasn't my fault!! SEE?
This poor lady had driven an hour and a half. I told her she could just do the class since I live so close. She declined because I had gotten there first.
When I went to the office to fill out paperwork, the model coordinator was on the phone with the model, and when she hung up she told me "That model has a lot going on in her head right now."
Yeeaah. And she just happened to show up at the right building at the right time on the right day, when there are ten other little buildings holding classes at different times on different days.
Right.
3.10.2008
sorry!
I am such a terrible blogger!
Had it not been for an email I got reminding me to update, it might have been June before I got around to it. Also, thank you Sofi for the nudge.
So...
Blog one- lighting workshop:
I adore workshops. Workshops are one of the absolute high points of being a model, because not only do you feel useful, they are very financially fruitful.
In September, I was asked by my friend Paul to pose for a workshop involving the painted figure. The model originally booked bailed out, and this was a short notice deal. I said YES, absolutely! However, someone else responded an hour before me, so I was asked to come as her backup in case she bailed too. Fifty bucks to show up, the rest if I actually posed.
I arrived at the same time as Paul, and the scheduled model showed up shortly after that...all of us early.
I noticed she had on tight jeans and I could see her lace bra through her shirt. My obsessive compulsive brain went "AHH!!! Why aren't you in sweats? I wear sweats. Why do you have underwear on? I'm not wearing underwear. What are you DOOOOINGG?" What came out of my mouth was:
"Did you bring a robe?"
"No, why?"
"Here, you can use mine."
She proceeded to set it down and sit around in her tight jeans until the painting began. In hindsight, for as long as it took for the painting to happen...the lines definitely disappeared...but that isn't how I work and it was driving me up the wall.
Anyway, rather than dwell on it, I took the opportunity to talk to all of the photographers at the workshop. Anyone not shooting had to be in the lounge area...we could still see the shoot, but we were behind French doors where the kitchen and seating is. For nine hours, I just got to know everyone, and let them get to know me.
Even though I didn't do any work, I met some lovely people, and the couple running the workshop asked me back, along with the model that posed wearing Paul's work.
I went to the studio a few days ahead of time to shoot for about an hour so Scott (workshop leader) could test the low key lighting, and put some promotional pictures up to draw in any last minute photographers.
Everything seemed to be a go!
The day of the workshop, I arrived about thirty minutes early (I was expecting more traffic), so I went to grab a bagel and figured we'd get started when I got back, as the make-up artist was already there. After I finished my food, I got started with hair and make-up, and we all just chitchatted while waiting for photographers to show up. Slowly, but surely, the workshop participants trickled in...but the other model did not.
She was called several times, but did not answer. I told Scott I could just pose the whole day; I hate to see people in a jam, and I definitely don't hate money. Win, win...but a thought entered my mind "Is she okay?" She did show up for the last shoot, so it seemed odd she was so late. The Boston area can be very difficult to navigate, and I definitely slipped up on my way to the studio the day of the trial run, but she hadn't even touched base.
About an hour or two into the shoot, she text-messaged Scott to say she'd been in a car accident the night before. I don't know what ever happened with that...I tagged her page to leave her well-wishes, but it was deleted about fifteen minutes later and she never responded. She's still working, so...she's alive. Hooray for that.
Anyway...
I had a really great day. Shooting for eight hours is exhausting, but, working with beginners is really interesting! I love how modeling has helped my communication skills. I love being able to work with people that are so drastically different, without any trouble.
One of the participants barely spoke. He literally just stood at the edge of the paper and clicked away. The assistant for the day, Jeff, tried to coach him along a little by asking him to try directing me...but he kind of just nodded and didn't actually do it. So, I just went on auto pilot every time it was his turn.
Others had very elaborate ideas, and I feel lucky to have enough experience to be able to make those ideas come to life.
My favorite person to work with, was a man named Yosu. He wasn't very confident about his English skills, so we sat down during one of my breaks so he could describe what he wanted. I didn't have any trouble understanding him at all, and we went to go shoot his vision. Basically, he was looking for very feminine poses. "I want a lot of cub." "Curve?" "Yes." So, that's what I gave him. Not only was he great at telling me what he wanted me to do, he was very animated, and showed me what he wanted if I was in one pose and he wanted another.
I love meeting new people, and I love feeling useful. After a workshop, so many people say thank you and shake your hand that you really feel like you accomplished something, and are reminded that your job isn't pointless.
Oh, and I got two checks. :)
Had it not been for an email I got reminding me to update, it might have been June before I got around to it. Also, thank you Sofi for the nudge.
So...
Blog one- lighting workshop:
I adore workshops. Workshops are one of the absolute high points of being a model, because not only do you feel useful, they are very financially fruitful.
In September, I was asked by my friend Paul to pose for a workshop involving the painted figure. The model originally booked bailed out, and this was a short notice deal. I said YES, absolutely! However, someone else responded an hour before me, so I was asked to come as her backup in case she bailed too. Fifty bucks to show up, the rest if I actually posed.
I arrived at the same time as Paul, and the scheduled model showed up shortly after that...all of us early.
I noticed she had on tight jeans and I could see her lace bra through her shirt. My obsessive compulsive brain went "AHH!!! Why aren't you in sweats? I wear sweats. Why do you have underwear on? I'm not wearing underwear. What are you DOOOOINGG?" What came out of my mouth was:
"Did you bring a robe?"
"No, why?"
"Here, you can use mine."
She proceeded to set it down and sit around in her tight jeans until the painting began. In hindsight, for as long as it took for the painting to happen...the lines definitely disappeared...but that isn't how I work and it was driving me up the wall.
Anyway, rather than dwell on it, I took the opportunity to talk to all of the photographers at the workshop. Anyone not shooting had to be in the lounge area...we could still see the shoot, but we were behind French doors where the kitchen and seating is. For nine hours, I just got to know everyone, and let them get to know me.
Even though I didn't do any work, I met some lovely people, and the couple running the workshop asked me back, along with the model that posed wearing Paul's work.
I went to the studio a few days ahead of time to shoot for about an hour so Scott (workshop leader) could test the low key lighting, and put some promotional pictures up to draw in any last minute photographers.
Everything seemed to be a go!
The day of the workshop, I arrived about thirty minutes early (I was expecting more traffic), so I went to grab a bagel and figured we'd get started when I got back, as the make-up artist was already there. After I finished my food, I got started with hair and make-up, and we all just chitchatted while waiting for photographers to show up. Slowly, but surely, the workshop participants trickled in...but the other model did not.
She was called several times, but did not answer. I told Scott I could just pose the whole day; I hate to see people in a jam, and I definitely don't hate money. Win, win...but a thought entered my mind "Is she okay?" She did show up for the last shoot, so it seemed odd she was so late. The Boston area can be very difficult to navigate, and I definitely slipped up on my way to the studio the day of the trial run, but she hadn't even touched base.
About an hour or two into the shoot, she text-messaged Scott to say she'd been in a car accident the night before. I don't know what ever happened with that...I tagged her page to leave her well-wishes, but it was deleted about fifteen minutes later and she never responded. She's still working, so...she's alive. Hooray for that.
Anyway...
I had a really great day. Shooting for eight hours is exhausting, but, working with beginners is really interesting! I love how modeling has helped my communication skills. I love being able to work with people that are so drastically different, without any trouble.
One of the participants barely spoke. He literally just stood at the edge of the paper and clicked away. The assistant for the day, Jeff, tried to coach him along a little by asking him to try directing me...but he kind of just nodded and didn't actually do it. So, I just went on auto pilot every time it was his turn.
Others had very elaborate ideas, and I feel lucky to have enough experience to be able to make those ideas come to life.
My favorite person to work with, was a man named Yosu. He wasn't very confident about his English skills, so we sat down during one of my breaks so he could describe what he wanted. I didn't have any trouble understanding him at all, and we went to go shoot his vision. Basically, he was looking for very feminine poses. "I want a lot of cub." "Curve?" "Yes." So, that's what I gave him. Not only was he great at telling me what he wanted me to do, he was very animated, and showed me what he wanted if I was in one pose and he wanted another.
I love meeting new people, and I love feeling useful. After a workshop, so many people say thank you and shake your hand that you really feel like you accomplished something, and are reminded that your job isn't pointless.
Oh, and I got two checks. :)
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