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They say I should quit
I'm very new at this. I started doing this because I have been in theatre all my life, and I wanted to get in the acting industry. A couple of people suggested that I should start modeling to get my face out there, and then I can venture into the acting business much easier. So I did... But now some people are telling me that I should quit...or that I never should of started. I usually don't listen to what others say when it comes to doing what I want, but now that more and more people are telling me this, I'm starting to think they might be right. My friends were really supportive at first, but now for some reason, all of a sudden the majority of them are telling me that I'm wasting my time(which is pretty mean and makes me wonder if they are really as close of friends as I thought they were). Some of them are still supportive...but just more and more people are telling me to stop, and its getting to the point where I don't want anyone to even know that I'm trying to start modeling, which sucks because I just got started and I'm really beginning to like it. Even one of my own sisters is telling me to stop. What should I do, any advice? Should I just ignore everyone, including my friends? Or maybe they are right? Any advice appreciated. Thanks. ~Millicent Dec 12 06 10:55 pm Link Ask yourself a few things. Do you feel like you are wasting your time? Are you enjoying yourself? Are you achieveing anything that you set out to acheive? Its all about you huni, not your friends, not anyone, only you can answer this for yourself. When you make your decision make sure its yours and yours alone and not influenced by anyone else. Best Wishes, Vixen. Dec 12 06 10:58 pm Link Screw 'em all! You're gorgeous! Don't quit. Dec 12 06 10:59 pm Link Well, having a quick look at your port, there are a ton of comments from great photographers and models who want to work with you. Since these are people in the industry and they are showing interest...go for it! You are a beautiful woman and if this is what you want to do, do it! Is it possible your friends may be somewhat jealous? Dec 12 06 11:00 pm Link I'm just an amateur (most here would probably classify me as GWC) but I think you've got a terrific look and a really nice looking port so far... I just enjoy taking photos and making art as a hobby and I've had people tell me "your photography will never go anywhere." (good thing, since I don't intend for it to and it is just something that I enjoy.) So, as the poster above says "Screw 'em. Go for it!" = ) Dec 12 06 11:02 pm Link Sinsazia wrote: I never thought of that...but I hope not. That wouldn't be right. Dec 12 06 11:05 pm Link All of my old friends, even a fellow model friend, think that I am now bulemic and grossly skinny, stupid for doing something with such a high failure rate, narcissistic, and selling my body in some sort of pornagraphic fashion. It hurts because I've known many of them since sixth grade and they have been my best friends since then. Modeling isn't worth loosing my friends to me in and of itself but it does show something about their character I never would have known otherwise. I think there are many stigmas about modeling but the only way to really know is to do it. Do what you want to do, of course be careful about GWC's and scams waiting to take your money, but as long as you are informed and having fun there is no reason for you to stop. Dec 12 06 11:10 pm Link F them. Dec 12 06 11:11 pm Link Milli wrote: It may not be right but may very well be true. I had a good friend in school who did commercial modeling but never told anyone about it. People found out when her image suddenly went up in some local stores. She was almost embarassed by it because some of her other friends started acting different towards her, as if they weren't good enough to be around her or as though she was "weird". She was the same person they knew before. I don' know. It never made any sense to me, she was/is beaufitul, had the right look for it and enjoyed it. Not to mention she made pretty decent spending money too. Dec 12 06 11:11 pm Link Milli wrote: To be successful at commercial print, editorial, fashion and "casual" (which probably means something like "lifestyle", I suppose) you need pictures that are in those styles. You don't have any. Dec 12 06 11:11 pm Link ...you gotta have heart. Dec 12 06 11:15 pm Link You can always tell who your real friends are, once you put your life in the RIGHT direction. Apparently you're doing what you like, what is in your heart. If you feel it, and you like it, keep at it. Dec 12 06 11:17 pm Link Sinsazia wrote: Quite a few of mine are actually. But I guess they're not really friends then... Dec 12 06 11:18 pm Link little apple blossom wrote: Thats pretty harsh of them....and you're right it does make you wonder about their character. I just hope it doesn't get to the point where they stop talking to me because of it....but if it does get to that point then maybe they were never true friends after all. Dec 12 06 11:19 pm Link TXPhotog wrote: I think I may take a short hiatus, fix some things that I need to improve, and then come back and work in those areas. Dec 12 06 11:22 pm Link TXPhotog wrote: You do understand that she's new to the modeling industry, right? Obviously she wouldn't have all the required pictures in her port as a beginner. Dec 12 06 11:22 pm Link everyone always tells me im wasting my time... my mom, dad, sisters, etc. I guess they think this little girl from Wv will never amount to anything. I think that if you like doing it then thats all that matters. I don't see why they feel that way, personally its not like your doing just porn and erotic stuff. I think that you were made to model- Dec 12 06 11:22 pm Link Art Schotz wrote: Dec 12 06 11:24 pm Link elisabeth eagle wrote: thats very nice of you to say, thanks. Dec 12 06 11:26 pm Link Thats pretty harsh of them....and you're right it does make you wonder about their character. I just hope it doesn't get to the point where they stop talking to me because of it....but if it does get to that point then maybe they were never true friends after all. that's how I felt, I thought perhaps we could talk, resolve any concerns and get past it, up until this point I thought I had the best friends anyone could ever had, I bragged about them constantly, I'd beat up anyone who hurt them, I loved them all so much and after talking didn't work I felt so betrayed I couldn't just let this one go. I finally had to make new friends. The worst part was that I was oblivious about what they were saying behind my back together for 5 months before my best friend couldn't take it any longer and had to tell me becuase she was sick of hearing it. Dec 12 06 11:28 pm Link elisabeth eagle wrote: Good attitude. Dec 12 06 11:30 pm Link Milli wrote: It might not be right, but it is a fact of life. People whom we grow up with do tend to get jealous when we start to get excited and comfortable with something we want to do. Those that are real friends will get over it though, they are the ones you want to keep. Dec 12 06 11:35 pm Link some people are jealous , some people are assholes. they should all just fuck off. Dec 12 06 11:39 pm Link There just hating becuase you have wonderful photos now they want to be u and have ur photos. Dec 12 06 11:42 pm Link Amanda Padilla wrote: lol Dec 12 06 11:43 pm Link Lelah G wrote: Of course I understand it. What you and she need to understand is that so far she has had at least two shoots, and neither of them have moved her in the direction of being a mainstream model. What she does not need is more shoots like those. She needs to pick a direction, choose photographers who can get her there, and shoot with them. Dec 12 06 11:43 pm Link I agree w/ everyone here - they are jealous and resentful. Obviously people in the industry are interested in working with you and those are the opinions that count. When I first started modeling my mom thought I was waisting my time because I'm not 5'10 and 120 lbs. Since I've been modeling for a few months she's realized there IS a market for curvier girls like me and she's actually gotten pretty supportive; when she looks thru catalogues she even points out poses she thinks I should try for future shoots! I say give your parents time - once they see it's something you're serious about that you can actually get work doing, they'll come around. Also something I've notice is that a lot of the general population is resentful of those in the entertainment industry. They seem to regard actors, singers, and models with the whole "What, are you too good to get a real job like the rest of us" mentality. Dec 12 06 11:49 pm Link I have had similar things happen with my "friends"...I say it just makes you stronger, its a few more people to do wrong. I looked at your port, you are beautiful but most of all the have the height to be able to succeed in this industry. Keep going for it, you have great pictures, and those alone mean you arent wasting your time. Dec 12 06 11:51 pm Link I think you should think for yourself. it's harder, especially when you're young, but you'll be better for it. trying to figure out the motivation behind free advice take lots of energy. Dec 12 06 11:54 pm Link Easy. Obviously you're not 'new' new, merely idling at an intersection in life. Envision your perfect future. Make note of destinations be they marked by a time or a place. Choose experences that will enrich that journey and enable you to become a very well rounded person once you arrive. Invest adequate time and resources to achieve what you've envisioned since proper planning prevents poor performances. It's a business plan for life. Since not all businesses run the same way, be thankful you're not like others. Now put a wiggle in it. bt Dec 12 06 11:58 pm Link Bruce Talbot wrote: The great one has spoken Dec 12 06 11:59 pm Link TXPhotog wrote: Very true. But what I'm getting at is that this thread is regarding how she should handle the opposition (coming from both friends & family), not a critique on her current work. Since she's new, I'm sure she knows that she has a ways to go to reach any type of success in modeling, which is the complete opposite of theatre. Dec 13 06 12:00 am Link Bruce Talbot wrote: hmm...now I think I'm beginning to think. I thought I was thinking previously, but now I know I wasn't....(sorry if this is confusing) Dec 13 06 12:07 am Link You are beautiful and I wouldn't quit. Honestly it all comes down to how you feel. To be successful you have to have heart and drive, doing whatever it takes to realize your dreams. One of the sure fire ways of failing is to lose heart and giving up on yourself and your dreams. From what I saw you have the look, not you just need to get out there and promote yourself. good luck and take care! Dec 13 06 12:08 am Link First and foremost, I'm a firm believer that no matter what career you're pursuing, you should be doing it because it gives you a sense of satisfaction, peace, and happiness. And if modeling does that for you, then do it! In regards to it helping your theatre career, I would definitely have to agree that modeling could be a big help; companies like to see talent with a wide variety of expertise in all sorts of art forms. However, one thing I might point out is to make sure you're putting in the right percentages of effort into the right aspects: if modeling actually takes away time from auditions, rehearsals, etc., then maybe cutting back might be a good idea. It really just depends on what YOU need to do to get what YOU want! I work fulltime as a music promoter (and my career background is actually in theatre too!) and I love modeling...I just have to make sure that I weigh the effort I put into modeling vs. what I need to do to get my job done; I'm sure a lot of people here would tell you that, too. Personally, I think you look great! Good luck! Laura Dec 13 06 12:10 am Link Lelah G wrote: ...........psssst Lelah, you pretty lil' thing you, is the OP 'new' or 'not new'? Dec 13 06 12:19 am Link Lelah G wrote: The thread is about whether or not she should quit modeling. My comments were directly to that point. Dec 13 06 12:19 am Link Millicent, Why do you place so much importance on what your peers are telling you? I take it that these are your fellow acting "friends". Most of which are probably doing little more than waiting tables while working on their "craft" in order to someday fullfill thier "pipe dream" of stardome. Take it from me, a former actor Yup...that's me (In Hollywood, not Houston), you have much to learn. If you truly love to model (in any capacity) than you should do that. But you also sound a bit sensative to certain issues when it comes to your "dream" of getting onto the screen. I will just come out and say it. You should focus your energy on your studies as a spanish/pre-med major. If you really want to pursue the acting on anything more than a "hobby" basis, you should set a specific amount of time in which to devote to that world. Because in the end, you stand a much better chance of winning your states lottery. Don't take this the wrong way, but do take it seriously, and from someone who did pretty well with acting at one time but unfortunately had to "wake up" to the reality of the situation on day. The situation that you've got to eat. So model. You will find in the end that it will not change anything drastically for you one way or another when it comes to the acting. By all means you should pursue your dreams. I just wish I could save more people from coming out to California in search of their dreams only to find that a few years down the road, when they are tired of starving while living with 6 other people in an apartment, that Starbucks already has enough employees. Stay in school. Have some fun with this while it lasts. Be realistic. Look around. Good luck. Dec 13 06 12:42 am Link maybe your friends are just jealous? be my guess Dec 13 06 01:47 am Link If they truly are your friends, they would be supportive or at least offer reasons why you should quit. If they're judging you based on the stereotypes of models, then they're not your friends; they should know you better than to judge you based on a stereotype Dec 13 06 01:52 am Link |