Honey Mayhem

Model Mayhem is a website I came across through a friend and I highly recommend this site to every photographer, model, and make-up artist I’ve come in contact with since. It’s a great place for networking, setting up gigs, finding casting calls, and viewing other people’s profiles for inspiration/admiration. I love it!  I recently came across another website that’s similar to it, but catered to a different kind of industry audience, music videos and men’s magazines.  The website HipHopvideomodels is a place where ‘hip hop honey’s/models’ can have a page displaying their stats, booking info, and pictures. Much similar to model mayhem. I’m not interested in the video vixen aspect of the industry because I don’t have the booty, I mean, ‘body’ for those jobs.   But, I reviewed the website to see if it’s something women can actually benefit from in the industry. I discovered that the pictures are not actually posted by the women themselves, but by the inventors of the website who find their pictures online and in magazines. If you want to join, you must email the website your bio/information. THEY decide who joins and if you’re worthy of being accessible via their website.  How beneficial is this to the models? Well, there are a few big names on this site including Melyssa Ford, Vida Guerra, and Hoopz & Buckeey from Flavor of Love.

The women definitely have bangin’ bodies, and their poses cater to masculine desires and fantasies. Whereas on ModelMayhem, there are more newcomers and professionals, plus there is no “screening process” for those who want to join. Your photos can be professional or non-professional (i.e. taken with a Polaroid or digital camera yourself), and the bio included on the site is what you write about yourself. The site is free of charge for 20 pics, and if you want VIP status to upload more pics you pay a small one time or monthly charge. HipHopVideoModels requires at least 5 professional photos, a $15-$150 one time fee to join after you’ve been approved to be on the site, and they charge additional for photo touchups. Which site would I use to get the best bang for my online marketing tool? The competition is steep on the Video website and I have to Apply/Pay, but I would potentially get the most exposure to casting directors and music video artists who want my body type. The models featured also appear to be more established with credits and magazine pages. ModelMayhem would be Free and nice to join for finding photographers to work with and build my portfolio, but may not have the type of exposure I’m looking for in the industry. Both sites I can look at other models and determine which poses, facial expressions, and backgrounds are hot and provoking.  Why not both! It all comes down to what models believe is the best decision for their career.

Personally, I have NO place being on the HipHopVideomodels website. My ‘features’ are just not made for the audience that desires those models. If you believe you’re a videovixen, I say try both websites and see where it takes you. I’m almost positive Hoopz and Buckeey were found/casted from the video website for their role in Flavor of Love. So good luck! One model I have always admired featured on the hiphopvideo website is K.D. Aubert. Her pics on the site are sensual, exotic, and sexy yet classy. Ultimately, the model has the power to create her image, and the website is merely a vehicle that exposes each to different audiences. Would I recommend HipHopVideomodels to a friend? Potentially, but only if she has stellar cakes .

Check out both websites to discover your own opinion:

www.modelmayhem.com

http://hiphopvideomodels.net/

Holla!

Fanta in the Sky

So, I’ve been hustling.I went to three modeling agencies and a commercial agency. All three modeling agencies said, “we’re sorry, but it’s gonna be a NO”. However, a little more than a week ago, the commercial agent from Sky Talent saw me and immediately had me fill out my profile, set me up on LA Casting for FREE, and explained my rights and how auditions for commercials work. When I left, he said, “expect to hear from me ASAP, we’re gonna get you work.”  I was so excited! This Wednesday I went on my first audition for a FANTA soda commercial – background extra. It would have been fun to be a FANTA girl, but they already booked the four girls to play the roles. The commercial geared towards the urban market (most of the girls/guys auditioning were wearing trendy, urban clothes) and we were expected to dance for the audition pretending like we were fans of one of the FANTA girls.  The guy filming asked me to say my name, turn fully around, give my side profiles, dance to a tune for about a minute, then say my name again. That was easy, right? I guess. I’ll only hear back from them if I book the job, so I’m waiting. 

Going to auditions and open calls is interesting, different, and so new to me.  The women at the modeling agencies were all tall, beautiful, but looked timid. There was no interaction amongst us while waiting to speak with an agent.  And the little talking that did occur was strained and superficial.  At the commercial audition I had engaging conversations with the women waiting. Two in particular were very down to earth, but one seemed like she was a “stereotypical” model but seemed insecure because she kept checking her makeup in the mirror, brushing her hair, and fiddling with her clothes. What was I doing you may ask? I was big kickin’ it! I fixed my hair and makeup in the car and didn’t need to look in the mirror anymore.  I talked with the other two women while we were waiting and discovered we had a lot in common. One is a dancer as well and the other is finishing her last year of college and applying to graduate school in Clinical Psychology. I too was a dancer a few years back, and I’m in the process of applying to Clinical Psych programs…so this was crazy for me to meet these girls. Next time, I’ll make the connects, because this business I’m realizing is ALL about networking and talking to people.  No more shy Daisy in modeling and acting. Although I’ll never get rid of that core part of who I am, I know that to book auditions and meet new people, I must step out of my comfort zone and make it happen. I lit my own flame, and no one can blow it out but me, and I’m definitely not doing that anytime soon.  “wanna Fanta!”

Greener Pasture: Being the Main Girl

 

Good luck Yung blood

I’ve decided not to work with the rap artist Yung Cash. Almost did it, but it would have been a mistake. Initially I was thinking that I would help him out, be nice, and possibly help my career with some exposure (which sometimes attributes to my naivety and green persona at this point in my career). But, I was feeling a bit cautious, so I wrote him a message via ModelMayhem asking certain questions about his lyrics and the concept of the video. He responded, but didn’t at the same time, having not really answered my questions. Thanks to some much needed advice from family and consulting with one LionStarr exec-thanks Jake I’ve recognized that it’s very important to always think about the consequences of my involvement and how it affects my image and future jobs/opportunities. My decision is purely based on my desire to maintain an uplifting and positive image to those who are watching. My sisters and I would always watch BET & MTV, commenting that if we were ever in music videos we would be the “main girl”. We all know who the “main girl” is in music videos because she stays in your mind along with the artist when the video is over. Take this trailer for example, Christian Rich’s “Famous Girl“ Directed by BBGUN (director of Jim Jone’s Day N Nite video) 

Ok, so that’s a little off the wall. But that’s the type of model I want to be, somewhat eccentric and unique, the kind that you can’t get out of your head. She beautifully compliments the artist, or background, or natural scenery. She also cleverly manages to secure her identity and make people wonder her name and what she’s doing. Well, I am She, and She is me. B.o.B’s “Lonely People” stimulated my curiosity about music videos, but now it’s time for some “main girl” action if I ever do one again.

God willing, if I do agree to a future music video, it will definitely be with an experienced or well known upcoming artist that I can work with creatively to stay in your head in a positive way.

Daisy Oliver a.k.a BrainyUrban Model

MPFREEE: Christian Rich – Stacks

“Spirit”

 

Photographers are so awesome! Especially when they’re talented and have vision because when that coincides with a models vision it makes magic! I’ve only worked with one female photographer, and she was such a pleasure and joy to work with. My experience was completly how I had imagined when I was little. She’s a petite, eccentric, artistic middle aged woman with an accent living in a large studio apartment in Downtown Los Angeles. I was skeptical because she contacted me on ModelMayhem talking about some special rates.  I was like, “nawwww, I ain’t payin!” LOL. Then I decided that I needed to expand my port and not be a cheapo.  Monetarily investing in myself was the best decision I’ve made. Look and see and tell me I’m wrong…haha. She captured the subtleness of my features and accentuated my femininity.

                                                          

The Female Touch

Male photographers are also cool, but slightly different. I recently worked with a long time family friend. He’s an amazing photographer, and his work could easily sell in the market if he really wanted.  His work captures the entire scene, (nature, trees, colors, etc.) and as his model my features are used to accentuate the natural beauty of the scene.  I couldn’t tell you which one is better, because I actually like working with them both. Both of them have their own vision and are able to capture my personality and artistic expressions in unique ways.  I’m totally blessed to have worked with these individuals and really hope to work with them in the future, because they’re so dope!

A Man’s Shot

Love,

Daisy O. (B.U.M.)

“Spirit”

 

This is a space for me to share my experiences as a spiritual, brainy urban model as I maneuver through the cracks and walls in the small world of the modeling/entertainment industry.  This journey will test my morals & values, my educational knowledge, my artistic expression, my spiritual foundation, and ultimately challenge me being “MADE”. This is the beginning of my plus mark to make a spark.

 So, a few months ago I did this video for B.o.B “Lonely People”. I was contacted through the director via Model Mayhem, a great website for networking in the modeling world. I agreed to do the video for 2 dollars!! Dude, I figured this is my first “paid” job, I better make the most of it, LOL. So I did the video, not knowing B.o.B’s reputation and never actually met him in person because it was done on green screen in the director’s apartment. The video actually came out to be super dope and although I was just an extra, I had multiple friends contacting me asking me about it after they had seen me.  I was lowkey excited!  The video is a bit raunchy for my taste, so I wondered how it would affect my reputation, and overall I believe I portrayed myself in a positive light, and maintained respect for my body while performing in the video.

 Now, I have this dilemma. Another rap artist, Yung Cash (who I also don’t know, lol), contacted me and wants to me be in his video for his song “Money Maker”.  It’s unpaid. I’m unsure because it’s unguaranteed exposure.  I also hope he’s not a creeper, lol, jk he has an official myspace music page. His image is a bit thuggish, which almost makes me want to work with him because I can relate to his swagger after growin’ up in my hood. I’m delighted to help out most times, but I’m conflicted because I want my work to reflect my attitude (sophisticated, sexy, and classy). If I accept this offer will I compromise the kind of reputation I’m trying to establish for myself, or will it open up more doors for networking in the industry and is just a means to an end?  What would you do? Yung Cash seems like a very nice guy, so I want to do some research and hear the lyrics to the song before I agree.  -I’ll have updates next time-

Not sure if he's quite at my level...

On another note, I had recent photoshoots that came out SICK! One I paid for, the other a family friend did it for free.  I started my port working with photographers for (TFCD-trade for CD). Based on the results, I will never be a cheapo when it comes to building my portfolio. Paying was well worth my money, and although my family friend did a great job, I can see the professionalism in paying vs. non-paying shoots.  Soon, I hope to be the one being paid though!  There is a difference between working with male vs. female photographers…read my next blog  ;)

 Thanks for stopping by

 Daisy Oliver