modeling in japan

Posts: 8

Ok, so I'm going to start this as a new topic...

I read that in Japan the requirements for women to model are 14 - 24 (and in one place I read 25) and 5' 7"- 5' 11", and I've read shorter than that too in some places. I don't have any experience really as a model, except once I did a photo shoot for some stock photos. Do you have to have professional photos in your portfolio? Am I too old and inexperienced to even consider starting up there? I'd really appreciate anyone's advice, especially if you know anything about this market, because I'm having a really hard time finding any substantial information on getting into modeling over there. thanks!

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/cutekitty82/?action=view&current=navypinaforelinked1.jpg&refPage=48&imgAnch=imgAnch51

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/cutekitty82/?action=view&current=P1010057smaller.jpg&refPage=336&imgAnch=imgAnch337

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/cutekitty82/?action=view&current=orangesmockdresslink3.jpg&refPage=48&imgAnch=imgAnch66

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/cutekitty82/?action=view&current=westerndresslinked1.jpg&refPage=216&imgAnch=imgAnch225

http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f393/cutekitty82/?action=view&current=IMG_4086smaller.jpg&refPage=384&imgAnch=imgAnch401

I included one photo of my natural hair color, which it is soon to go back to. Sorry about the clothes....it's vintage stuff I've sold on ebay. Razz

kitten

Posts: 31

can you speak japanese??
i think you can go to taiwan...top models there are older than you, like Chiling Lin, she's the hottest model in taiwan and now she's 30 or 31, and you really look good, people there love forgien models, if you want to try, i know some agencies, pm me

Posts: 8

Can't speak japanese, but I read that as long as you're polite and mature, it doesn't really matter...hehe. So is Japan a no go then? Sad

Posts: 31

thanx....
you can still go to japan....but i know nothing about their modeling culture

Posts: 412 Location: Vienna

I just know that the Japanese market is very selective.

>Do you have to have professional photos in your portfolio?
No.

I still see you more actress than fashion model Smile

and for that I'd suggest you the "United Talent Agency" in Beverly Hills Wink

Posts: 31

i think her pictures are very good
not everybody can act................acting is really really hard

Posts: 8

Hmmm...so should I give up on Japan then? The impression that I got from the stuff I've read is that it's a little easier to break into than it is over here (like if you're me..shorter and older) but then I haven't really come across a whole ton of stuff either. Do I just not have the look? Sad

If it is still worth considering, how do I even break into it? Do I just send a portfoloio over there? Do you HAVE to have experience? And once they get my portfolio, do I have to fly all the way over there just for them to interview me and possibly turn me down...? (That's what I worry about..)

Posts: 1

hey kitten! i live in japan, and i'm with some agencies here. do you have msn or anything? i think it would be quicker, if you do, just pm me your name ^^.

Caucasians are the 'in' thing right now, and more jobs are available to caucasian models in the field here. However that's not an always! So don't jump me ^^ I'm not caucasian at all. It's just agencies are always searching for Caucasian models here. Some agencies require you to be caucasian, slight racist hahaha, but whatever makes them money I guess. (they couldn't pull something like that off in the US hehehe) In japan, it's best to sign up to as many agencies you can, acting/talent, modeling, etc. For example, I'm signed up with Inagawa Motoko Office http://www.inagawamotoko.com/ and LAZARIS http://lazaris-net.com/ to name a few. There are -tons-, IMAGE, VOICE, axelle, HIP, etc etc. I'm just starting out too, I just had an audition for smaSTATION at TV Asahi station on wednesday. It's good to try to get acting/extra jobs as well to help your resume. Doing commercials, extra jobs, etc really help to get your name out.
But if you plan on coming here, you need a visa that allows you to work. You can get a student visa and the working permit that comes with it, or find a job to sponsor you. Otherwise look up agencies that will sponsor you to come here, they also provide model apartments, etc. You'll get an entertainment visa, which last for about 3 months and can be extended another 3 but you can come back on an entertainer as much as you want, so long as an agency is supporting you and guaranteeing you expenses to survive. But in order to do this, it's best you send them proof they're not going to waste their investment in you by doing that, soo a little experience would be good yea. But to start off, no you don't need any experience at all. Every place will help you get started, and help you get jobs. Like I said, the more agencies the better, accept as many jobs as you can unless it's something you feel uncomfortable with. Refuse from the beginning, because you absolutely -can not- cancel once you've accepted a job. Especially here in japan, being on time and keeping things on schedule is a big concern. Anyways, if you'd like to talk more just pm me a name and we can talk ^^. I have MSN and AIM right now.
Hope to hear from you soon!

Posts: 36

Well first you'd have to get a mother agency unless you plan on moving to Japan.

Posts: 8

Hi!

Dorami, thank you so much for all of the info...I sent you a pm!

Ariella, do you know of any mother agencies? I would still have to travel to New York or someplace wouldn't I? If I have potential as a model, I was thinking I could maybe get a teaching job over there or something while looking for work, because I've read that that's what some people do...but I don't know! Eek...