YOU DID IT. You've been to a casting, an agency go-see, open call, zoom interview, etc. Now what happens?Â
You've put the work in to prepare yourself for the model advancement opportunity. You waited in line. You nailed the casting. And it's over... How do you find out if you got it?Â
IF THEY ARE INTERESTED
If whoever you just did a casting with is interested in signing/booking you, they will contact you (or your Agency/Mother Agency)Â directly via email (rarely by phone) and let you know what the next steps are. This could be a simple notification that you have been confirmed for the booking or it could be a welcome email with a contract attached.Â
Always be checking your email every 2-3 hours minimum to make sure you don't miss the email. Be sure to check your spam mailbox too.Â
IF THEY ARE ON THE FENSE
Be aware that they may need additional information or materials from you. They will communicate this via email (rarely by phone) so be sure to check your email frequently, to include your spam mailbox.Â
The items they may need from you (or your Agency/Mother Agency) will likely be model stats (measurements) or a comp card, a link to your model book/portfolio, your Instagram or socials, and perhaps dates you may be available to schedule a go-see (in person meeting/interview). Be prepared to share any or all of these materials immediately upon request. If you wait too long to provide these materials or respond to their email, they may make the decision to pass on you.Â
OPTION LISTED
You may be "Option Listed" for a model assignment. This means that the client has narrowed down their choice of models to a select few. Being option listed does NOT mean you have been confirmed for the assignment. But it does mean that you are in the top running models to be selected. Therefore you need to block the dates provided (as if you were chosen) until they decide to release you or confirm you for that assignment. If you are "released", it means you have not been chosen and you can unblock the provided assignment date from your calendar. You (or your Agency/Mother Agency) will be notified if you are Option Listed in most cases.Â
IF THEY PASS - (You were not chosen)
If they are NOT interested in you, then you will, in majority of cases, not be notified or communicated with at all. Nine times out of ten, model are not told or communicated with if they have decided to pass on you - meaning they are not interested in working with you at that time. It will be radio silence.Â
Nine times out of ten, they will not give you a reason why you did not make the cut. They simply don't have the time to communicate with all the models on reasons why. There are a TON of reasons why they may decide to pass on a model. Here are a few examples:Â
- They already have another model that looks just like you
- They have a very clear type of model (skin tone, size, hair color, ethnicity, etc) that they are seeking and you may not fit into that requirement at the time
- They thought your skills need to be refined or improved before having interest in working with you
- You did not follow casting requirements (ex: wore the wrong outfit, showed up in full glam so they couldn't see your natural look, you were late, you were obnoxious or distracting in line or during your casting, etc)
- Your personality (or lack thereof) may not have been the right fit for them
- Your stated height or measurements did not match what you really are in person during the casting (never lie about your stats)
- You did not stand out to them in a sea of other models
- Many more reasons
Whatever the reason is, we always say, "No" is not "NO FOREVER"... it may simply mean, "Not right now". Just because you were not chosen this time, doesn't mean you should give up. Give it some time, continue to practice your model craft, and re-apply or go to another one of their castings.Â
This is a tough industry and sticktoitiveness is an absolute MUST if you want to be successful. Sometimes the squeaky wheel gets the oil!Â
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
Everybody has their own timeline and process so there is not one definite answer to this question. However, What you can prepare for is last minute answers. Sometimes you may not hear back from a casting until the night before or the morning of a show/assignment. Be prepared to pack up in an instant and get where you need to be.Â
If it's an agency look (meaning an interview with an agency), then they will likely make their decision fairly quick - sometimes the same day or the next day. In some cases, it may take a week or two pending the time of year and events going on in the industry. If you submitted online or emailed, you may not get a response (if they are interested) for several months.Â
Our advice is that you keep on trucking, friend! You should always have several plans working at the same time. Go to many castings, apply to a ton of agencies, keep poking the bear. Eventually something will land in your lap and at that point, you can make the decision to move forward with that or not. Don't put all your eggs in one basket - It never ends well.Â
GOOD LUCK!