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Model Melissa | by All Star
OMP Member #10270
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From photo sessions to video shoots to promotional events, Cleveland-based model Melissa
(OMP Model #59678) is keeping very busy these days – and that’s in addition to maintaining school, work, family, and a social life.
Melissa already has a long list of accomplishments for someone who just finished first year in the industry. After being discovered by a local manager in a nightclub, she attended a modeling convention where she met and had the chance to work with a wide range of photographers. "That event was like my modeling school," she recalls.
Getting ready for a shoot takes planning and preparation but can be pretty easy, according to Melissa.
"It’s mainly pampering yourself by doing the usual preparation -- hair, nails, eyebrows, moisturizer, etc. What do I bring for a shoot? The question should be, what don’t I bring? It actually depends on the shoot. If they have everything supplied for the models, I just bring myself. If not, I bring everything! All my clothes, shoes, makeup, accessories, pins, even scissors. I usually pack as if I was going on vacation for a week or two. It’s a drag carrying it all, but it’s so worth it!"
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These days, Melissa has also been carrying college textbooks. She has a full schedule with classes in psychology,
photography, dance, and acting.
"Acting definitely helps me with modeling. When you model, just like when you act,
you embrace a ‘role.’ When you are trying to go for a ‘high fashion look,’ your poses and facial expressions are
different than when you’re going for that ‘sexy, lingering look’ or ‘girl-next-door look.’ And it’s the same with acting.
Your attitude and the way you present yourself as the character is different from role to role."
She had the chance to combine her talents and create two distinct characterizations in a pair of recent music video assignments.
"I really enjoyed working on the videos. The atmosphere was awesome, and the people were so creative.
It was fun coming up with new ideas and getting into the roles. In the first video, I went from an angry girlfriend to a sweet
loveable friend to a sad soul who lingered in her lover’s presence. In contrast to that, in the second video I played a conniving,
sneaky, cheating girlfriend. My attitude, gestures, and expressions were completely different in those two roles."
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Her other studies also come in handy on a film set and in a photo studio.
"In my jazz dance class, I’ve learned that if you hold
a particular move while dancing, that becomes an awesome pose. You learn how to move your body, which can be incorporated when
you’re posing for the camera. Also, it keeps you in shape! I love my photography classes – it shows me what it feels like
to behind the camera. I had my friends pose for me – they were not models before but they are now -- so that worked out pretty well.
And psychology teaches you about people’s behaviors and why they act a certain way, and since you are always working with new
people in this industry, it helps you have a better understanding of them."
Savvy to the business side of the business as well, Melissa has sought out commercial outlets for her marketable people skills.
She recently made quite an impression as a convention spokesmodel when her appearance at a company’s booth attracted quite a
bit of traffic.
"Basically, all I had to do was draw customers to the booth. I was holding a product that they were giving
away, and people came by to fill out a survey in order to get the product. Doing promotion work is challenging but rewarding,
because I get to meet and interact with a lot of people."
One major reason behind Melissa’s rapid rise on the modeling scene is her manager Jessica Wagner of Exhibit A Models
(OMP Member #29758), who works with many
youthful clients in the Northeast area. Melissa is also grateful to have close friends who are fellow models for Exhibit A --
Sarah (OMP Model #66084)
and Sam (OMP Model #64969).
Melissa gives Jessica much of the credit for her success, and advises models to seriously consider working with a manager.
"I think it’s very important to have a manager, especially if you’re like me and have school and work to keep up with.
Having a manager is somewhat like having a bodyguard. My manager looks out for me, and makes sure everything is legit
before I go to an assignment. That’s very important. Also, having a manager definitely keeps my schedule more organized
and makes booking jobs easier. I don’t know what I would do without Jessica. She is always there if I have a question or
concern about anything. I really appreciate all that she’s done for me."
The model has plenty of creative ideas for future shoots.
"Wow, there are so many kinds of shoots that I would like to do --
I have about 1,000 images flashing in my head right now. I’d like to work with exotic animals, like a snake or some sort of wild cat.
I’d like to go to a sandy desert, or a country like India, maybe take pictures as an Arabian princess on a camel or elephant.
It would be great to wear vibrant outfits, jewelry, and feathers, and create a sort of gypsy or genie look."
As for her goals for the coming year, Melissa is striving to take her modeling ambitions to the next level.
"I’d love to start modeling full-time and doing all kinds of projects. I love everything about the business,
and I’m really going to work at making a career out of this. I know that there’s so much more out there
that I would love to do. Plus I would like to travel more and explore new things. I’m eager to work in this industry,
and I want the people in the industry to be just as eager to work with me. I’m so passionate about this industry --
I really just want to give it my all and do as much as I can."
Something tells us Melissa is well on her way to a successful career.
Check her out on OMP and as the premiere featured model on www.womenofbeauty.com
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by
All Star