Matt Nathanson - Mission Bells Music Video

I recently had the chance to work with Billboard Top 100 artist Matt Nathanson on his latest music video Mission Bells. I played his leading lady inspired by Kim Novak's character in Vertigo. Mark Ripper and Karina Lomelin of Fort Ripper, a local production company, produced this Hitchcock inspired video. More details and behind the scenes coming soon!

Summer Skin

After arriving back in Portland from South Africa my wonderful agents over at Option Model and Media helped me hit the ground running. Kit got me booked for the Summer Skin kickstarter campaign, website and print ads. Luckily the jetlag worked in my favor. I was energized and ready to be back on set. The guys at Buck Studios made my job easy. Boone, Isaac, Liam and Darren are the dream team. They worked together to create the beautiful video, great stills and a funny BTS video. If you're ever in need of an awesome production team these should be your go to guys. 

Summer Skin is a clothing company that makes cute UPF protective clothing. Being as pale as I am, this was a match made in heaven. I only wish I had known about Summer Skin before I went to Cape Town, I could have saved a small fortune in sun block. Unlike most UPF protective clothing Summer Skin doesn't look like a rash guard or my grandma's golf clothes. The designs are fresh, wearable pieces that every woman wants in her closet. I donated to the Kickstarter campagin and got the Regan pull-over. It is a great piece for me because I have a tendency to reach for the sunblock only if I'm on vacation or if it is over 80 outside. In Oregon I can be out in the sun but, because it might be chilly, I don't even think to protect my skin. The pullover keeps me covered and also protects an often missed but vulnerable part, my hands. Have you ever really looked at your grandma's hands? Well if she didn't take care of them you wont want to. Our hands, necks and chest are some of the most telling places of our true age. "Hand Jobs" (where they resurface the skin of the hand so it appears tighter and without sun spots)  have now become a popular cosmetic procedure. The Regan pull-over takes care of that by covering the tops of your hands and leaves you mobile with the thumb holes. A little planning and care is all it takes to keep your skin looking radiant and healthy. 

Check out the Summer Skin Kickstarter for our video:

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1082321153/summerskin-sun-protection-meets-style

The behind the scenes video:

http://vimeo.com/63488178

Kahneeta

A while back I had the opportunity to work for Oregon getaway resort and spa Kahneeta. We spent several days filming TV commercials and a few days shooting some stills at the awesome grounds. Above is one of the stills from our five day fun fest! They ended up using this still on Billboards all over the state. The commercials will be on air this Spring.

Sun & Stripes

While enjoying my time under the white hot African sun I had the opportunity to shoot a few tests. Here is one look from my shoot with photographer Joseph Ou from Cape Town, South Africa.

Photography by: Joseph Ou

Styling by: Jackie Chantler

Hair & Makeup by: Tess Brown

   

Model Citizen

A day off in Cape Town .

I arrived to Cape Town on the 9^th January and was met by a generous driver named Brian, we exchanged a few words about all aspects of Cape Town, the rich and the struggling, the developed and undeveloped and I told him of how I wanted to see and be involved in it all. Brian (who m I am almost adamant was sent to be by the grace of god) runs and outreach program named Jorvan Outreach, which was set up to help those with disadvantaged backgrounds and everyday living. I knew instantly that I wanted in.

Within a week I was travelling to the Black Township of Khayelitsha, I was immediately greeted with smiles from small faces and, as I stepped out of the car at Mamma Rose’s community kitchen the children flooded in dozen by dozen. It was only by spending an hour with the children did I realize how grateful they are for nothing more than interaction. They did not ask for anything but their eyes asked for fun, so we raced, we played a few games and since that moment I cannot stop thinking about them, or Mamma Rose and her accomplice who run a non profit community kitchen, the joy in their eyes from helping the community was a multiplication of millions compared to the joy in mine who only spent an hour there.

It goes to show how helping someone who can never repay you truly gives you a true meaning of living.

I also visited three other projects that day with Brian, including a high school where I got to speak to the teenagers and hopefully induced them with as much empowerment as possible. We also stopped by at Philippi’s Children Centre, where all the children were having naptime, I loved what all the people involved in these projects where doing, but I was deeply moved by the community kitchen in Khayelitsha, I couldn’t help feeling like being there for a short amount of time was almost like observing a species, so I have agreed with Brian I will go back and commit more time there on my day off castings and work.

If you feel like you would like to get involved I almost encourage you speak to Jorvan Outreach – jorvanoutreach@telkomsa.net

Kirsty – Topco Models

Kirsty Parsons is a stunning model from Wales and a model citizen. Diving into volunteering in a new country, Kirsty is the type of person who touches the spirit of everyone she comes in contact with. I had the joy of being her roomie for my first month here is Cape Town. She wrote this in hopes to encourage other models visiting Cape Town to dive in and help. 

Model Speak

Just like any other industry the modeling industry has terms that newbies or outsiders might not know. Here is a list of key terms so you can walk into an agency, booking, casting or go see with confidence that you'll know what they are talking about.

Generally Used Abbreviations

DR: Day Rate
PM: Production Manager
C/T: Call Time (time due on set)
HF: Handling Fee/Agency Commission
HD: Half Day (4-5 hours no lunch)
W/C: Weather Call
W/R: Wardrobe Call
VAT: Value Added Tax (overseas VAT is similar to an income/sales tax, and depending on the country, you may be able to get it back after you leave or at the end of the year. Your booker or agent should know how this works for the country in which you are working)

Terminology:

Editorial: A statement or article by a newspaper or magazine where photographs are usually used to illustrate the opinions of the editors or clients. Not tied to a specific product. Rates are usually low, however editorials are great tear sheets for your portfolio.

Advance: Money that is paid to the model before the modeling job is completed. This is deducted at a later time from the model's pay. Advances can be given to cover modeling supplies such as portfolios and living accommodations.

Advertorial: An advertisement designed to look like editorial content whilst still offering valid information.

Advertising: Where an identified sponsor pays to deliver a message through a medium. Mediums: Billboards, magazines, posters, pamphlets, busses, web.

Book Out: Blocking out time that you're not available with your agent or on casting databases.

Booking: You have been confirmed for a job.

Catalogue: Product advertising in catalogue form. Each catalogue has set rates, although higher rates can be negotiated for more experienced models.

Castings: Auditions where clients review models or actors for the job. Make sure you are available for the job dates before you cast.

Commercials: TVC. TV commercials advertising a product. high rates

Day Rate: Your rate per day for jobs. If you work any time over the initial booking period you should advise your booker immediately.

Fittings/Wardrobe Calls: Done prior to the shoot. If the fitting takes longer than 2 hours overtime will be billed thereafter, however on condition that bookers are informed within 24 hours.

Go-See: Specific appointments that your booker has made with particular clients for future jobs. It is vital that you attend as the client will be expecting you.

Photo library/ stock photos: Photos that can be purchased electronically and be used in a number of ways for advertising. There are no set rates and photos can be used by more than one client. Shooting stock photos can be a good way to gain experience and build your book. The photographer will have the model sign a model release form so the images may be sold online. Most models don't get paid for these images or shoots but photographers will make money if/once the images sell. Most agencies will tell you not to shoot stock because it lessens your brand. My advice is don't shoot stock unless you really need it for your book.

Options: Client reserves you for a booking. If your booker gives the client a 1st option, this means that the you are available to work and will remain so as long as the 1st option exists. If you wont be free for specific dates you should "book out" with your booker that way they can place options on your chart.

Tear or Tearsheet: A page from a magazine from a completed shoot.

TFP: Trade for Pictures or time for prints. The model works with a photographer without a cash payment. If you're doing TFP and you're the less experienced person offer to take them out for coffee, drinks or happy hour.

Usage: And additional fee to the day rate, calculated as a percentage of the day rate depending on the country where the ad will be shown. Note: Usage is different in different markets, in South America usage is based on being featured in the final cut.

Weather Call: Talent is required to call and confirm that weather is ok to shoot. Calls must be placed at least one hour before the shoot.

Weather Booking: Done to protect the client against bad weather. The client can change the day of the booking due to bad weather without penalty.

Z-card Zed Card/Comp Card/ Composite Card: A card you give to casting directors or clients at castings. One side has a headshot while the other has your stats, agency, and some other images.

A Day At The Races

 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate at Kenilworth Race Course is one of the most exciting and exclusive events of the year. This high-stakes and high-fashion event is in its 152nd year. The dress code is always strictly blue and white.

The crowd is young, fun and ready to have a good time. People dress to impress for the best dressed contest. The event lasts from 11am to 11pm. Once the races finish there is a dance party in the central tent. With the champagne flowing the party just doesn't stop.

I had an amazing time at the races! I even did a little betting. I bet R50 on LoveStruck and won! I only won R250 but it was still a win. I recouped the money spent on drinks. Who doesn't love that...

The photos below were taken by the awesome Joseph Ou

Rep Me Right

Making the choice to leave my mother agency wasn't a difficult choice but where to place me was a bit harder. After the disaster that was mainland China I wanted to go someplace more... Me. Nina, being the genius that she is, knew I would love Cape Town. Placement with my agency here was all Nina's work, whereas in China where she did the leg work and then I went and interviewed agencies. Nina shopped me around and decided to place me with 3D Model Management, a hip boutique agency here is Cape Town, SA. Most agencies here have models joining them for Season; the busy work season that is summer.

Check me out on 3D Model Management's main board

My Portfolio/Page

BrokeGirlStyle Interview

My girlfriend Nicole Burron over at www.brokegirlstyle.com interviewed me for #FashionFollowFriday. Check out her blog for style tips, interviews and more. Here is the interview! 

Name: Emma Pelett

Connect with me! 
Instgram: Epelett 
Twitter: @Epelett
Facebook: www.facebook.com/emmapelett 
https://www.facebook.com/epelett

City of residence: Cape Town, South Africa

Zodiac sign: Cancer

You're attending the Oscars, which designer do you want to wear walking down the red carpet?
Versace atelier

Favorite shopping spot:
For high style: Rue Saint-Honoré, Paris 
Cheap thrills: 580 West Nanjing Rd, Shanghai 

Were you "discovered" or did you choose to get into modeling?
I guess you could say a little bit of both. I have been acting in television commercials since I was a little kid but my folks never wanted me to get into modeling. When I was in my early 20s I competed in a beauty pageant. After the pageant someone in the audience approached me saying I should enter a cover model contest. I figured what’s the harm and entered. Several months went by and I heard nothing. I totally forgot about it when they magazine emailed me saying I’d won. A few weeks later I flew to New York to shoot the cover of the magazine, with photographer Steve Azzara. I had such an amazing time and felt so glamorous I decided to peruse it when I returned to Portland. 

What was your first modeling job?
Yeyo Tequila campaign, shot by Quavondo

Who are you currently signed with? 
Mother agency:
Option Model and Media
Portland, Oregon
optionmodelandmedia.com


Current management: 
3D Model Management
Cape Town, South Africa 
3dmodelagency.com

Who is your dream photographer to work with?
Mario Testino
Which designer would you love to sign with for an ad campaign?
Dolce & Gabbana

Who is your favorite local photographer to work with as a model? 
In Portland, I love to work with Christine Shields. Her shoots are always relaxed. She makes me feel so comfortable and sexy. Christine really knows how to capture a woman’s beauty.

If you had to describe your "look" what are the best three words to describe it? Vintage sex appeal

What is the biggest complete you have ever received regarding your work?
Having Maxim publish my work in august of 2012. 

What is one thing about modeling you feel the public does not know or has the wrong perception?
That all models are tall and thin. I’m neither tall nor thin by model standards and I book lots of work as a lifestyle model and commercial actress.

What is a photograph that leaves you in awe and why? 
I love this photo, by Miles Aldridge, because it is a beautiful social commentary of the way women in our society are consistently looking outside themselves to be what society tells us is beautiful.

If you had one piece of advice you would like to pass along to other inspiring models, what would it be?
This is a job; if you treat it like one from the start it’ll make you life so much easier.

On The Move

Over the past few months I've been thinking about my carrier as an actress and model. While in China, for my day job as a buyer for City Liquidators, I visited agencies in Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing. Each city had a different clientele and feel. The agencies offered some great and some pretty crappy opportunities for work. In the end I decided that the quality of life wasn't worth it to work in mainland China. (I'll be posting some of my China adventures soon) Once home from China I met with my amazing agents at Option Model and Media to work up a plan. I wanted to increase my client list, resume, and eventually get awesome representation in Los Angeles. This isn't impossible but would take much longer working in the Portland market. Don't get me wrong, I love Portland. I love everything about it. The people, my family, my small business, the food and the creative culture. The sad reality is that there simply isn't enough work for me or my look. I'm not yet old enough for the young mom look and I'm not exactly the outdoorsy type. I do book work in town and I'm thankful for those jobs.  This is my passion and I want to be working all the time. I decided to go where the work is. I wanted to follow my dream and be working, auditioning, and stretching my acting muscles everyday. Simply being in class and auditioning a few times a weeks was no longer enough. So I packed up my apartment, moved my stuff into my parents garage, and left town.

I'm solo in a city, country and continent I've never been to but have always dreamed of visiting. I don't know a soul here and I'm terrified, but it's the best damn feeling in the world to jump into the deep end and start following your dreams. I'm embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. Wish me luck!

Photo from Visit South Africa 

Happy New Year!

Wishing you a happy New Year from London!