Mhendrix1968's blog

The Story of Sed Cards - The 80s and 90's

In the past, zed cards were not cheap to make, and design methodology were simple. Most runway models were short of the capital to print zed cards, so they got started with an uncomplicated 8x10, black & white glossy print with a quarter inch white edge. Stats were put on to the opposite side in plain text.

I remember those bygone days, printing a ton of copies of the same boring picture. Again and again. These 8x10 photographs were also somewhat costly, and this impeded the model giving them out. Models often sent them to businesses who were fairly likely to offer them some work, or to casting directors who were likely to give them work. Models most likely missed out on many jobs simply because they couldn't afford to distribute headshots to anyone who was interested.

With time, a model would be more successful and pocket more profit. This would make it possible for the model to print a monochrome sed card produced by an large printer. Only the most successful models in The big markets could manage to get full color. Offset printing needs a lot of money up front, but the investment became less expensive if a set of hundreds or thousands of sed cards was created. With this, a model had tons of cards in their bag - and the model could more readily afford to distribute a card to anyone who might be a little interested in interviewing the model. The composite cards were even cheap enough to use the postal service to dispatch to agencies around the world, making larger a model's market.

The composite cards of the past were a particular way as a result of  the techniques and requirements involved with printing. This called for a large photo on the front and a collection of photographs, all a quarter of the available space, on the reverse of the card. A location was also held on the reverse of the composite compard to hold vital stats for the model and a method of contact.

Printing standards got in the way of the photos on the reverse of the zed card from sharing space in the slightest way, and you weren't able to include any cool backdrops or designs. All composite cards were as a result made on a simple background, with quarter inch white strokes. These strokes also let the printing press to grab the sed card as it passed through the printing process. Designers couldn't print the image to the edge, the way present day cards and set ups do. Despite the fact that printing tools has come so far, the composite cards we design in the present are still founded pretty completely on this old design, which resulted from the realities of printing.

Warning Signs of a Fashion Modeling Scam

If you're trying to break in to the world of modeling, you need to keep an eye out for unscrupulous characters. Some people are looking to scam you, promising a great career in exchange for an up front fee. At the end of the day the only thing you'll have is an empty wallet.

Here are some warning signs that you need to keep an eye out for.

1. Classified ads. If you see an ad posted somewhere - in a newspaper, on Craigslist, etc - then think twice before responding. Successful modeling agencies have plenty of walk-in talent, and they don't need to scrounge the bottom of the barrel. You may want to heed open casting calls, but in general general adverts like these are a bad sign.

2. Charging money up front. If the agency charges you money up front before you can work for them, then turn right around and leave. This is a clear sign that they aren't making money on commissions, so they need to make money elsewhere. If they aren't making money, then neither will you.

3. Forcing you to use their in house photographer. A real agency will tell you to get a portfolio together along with some comp cards, but they aren't going to force you to spend tons of cash on their own photographer. You can shop around and pick a photographer or comp card printer who you like. If they really want a specific photographer, they'll pay for it.

4. They want you to pay to take their modeling classes or whatnot. It's simply a way for them to make money. It might seem more legitimate than a "signing fee" or something. But at the end of the day it's the same thing.

5. They guarantee you work. If only it were that simple. No one can guarantee that you'll get a job as a model, and anyone that promises that is just trying to sweet talk you. Chances are, they're trying sweet talk you into paying them some money.

After you've seen a few of these scams, they become simple to spot. The general idea is that they want to bring in as many potential models as possible, charge them money up front, and then throw them a few bones with a few open casting calls. As long as people keep coming in the front door, they don't care you're sitting at home not working. They made their money. Don't let that money be yours.

Beware of Modeling Scams and Rip Offs

Modeling is big business, but ripping off potential models is an even bigger one. These businesses are created to take advantage of aspiring models, who are usually young and eager and don't know any better. These scams promise fame, fortune, and a great career, but first you're going to have to pay them for the privilege.

Before long, you'll realize that your career in modeling is going nowhere and that your money was wasted. These rip-offs play on your hopes and dreams, and they take advantage of your relative ignorance about how the modeling industry operates. It seems like everyday, another one of these companies crops up.

Some of these businesses are true scams, and are illegal. They commit fraud, promising you a successful career and then not delivering anything. They take you for as much money as they can, possibly selling you on test photos and comp cards. Before you know it, the whole business has closed up shop and left town. Your money and your dreams are gone.

Other businesses fall into a category you might call rip-offs. They aren't illegal, as they don't commit outright fraud. However, they won't really get you anywhere in the business. Instead of being picky about who they "choose," they work with anyone who is willing to pay their upfront fees for their photographer and their "services". They build a reputation on one or two models who earned work, and then they suck cash out of the other hundreds or thousands of people they can.

Through sheer luck, someone they work with has to be slightly successful. You won't here about the other hundreds that aren't. These companies are becoming even more prevalent with the growth of the Internet. They offer to host your information on their website for a fee, and they get you information on casting calls. Often, they do nothing but provide you with information that is already freely available.

At the end of the day, if something seems too good to be true, then it is. If you have a bad feeling about a company, walk out the door. With a reputable modeling agency, you certainly might have to invest some money in your career for test shots or to print comp cards. However, if the agency is forcing you to pay them and not giving you another option... chances are they're just out to get you and your money. They aren't going to get you any type of career.