Jeanna Ridout - senior booker & Head of Women's Division, Premier Model ManagementFounded 20 years ago, Premier Model Management represents over 200 of the world's top female and male models. Premier has helped build the international modelling careers of Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer, Linda Evangilista, Karen Mulder, Kate Hudson, Cindy Crawford, and many more.Ms. Jeanna Ridout, senior booker and Head of Women's Division at Premier, explained us about the agency. Author: Jonathan.L - Owner Models Observer February 2006 * Ms. Ridout, How many years do you work as a booker at Premier model management? six years. * From your experience, what motivates new models? Is it their wish to be famous, their wish to earn money, or another? Usually to earn money. Only a hand full pursue acting or TV presenting. * Many girls and women want to be accepted to Premier and they come to your office. Can you estimate the percentage of the candidates who are actually accepted? Probably 2 percent. * Please describe the process of accepting a new model to Premier. Once we accept a model we take polaroids in our studio to then send the pictures to testing photographers and clients. We then arrange a test shoot for them to put in their portfolio. This helps the model to build her portfolio so she can get work. The model won't pay any money for this up front. * Who are Premier's leading models today, and from the agency's future faces, who do you think is going to be the next supermodel? We represent Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington. Our next big model is Gabriella Colthorpe. At just 16 she has already shot the pringle and top shop campaigns as well as various Vogues around the world. Other ones to keep your eye on are Andi Muse, Emina, Ciara, Agnes and Bobbi Weines. * What makes a booker, or an agent, successful? You have to have a passion for what you do to begin with. To be successful you must be a fantastic sales person! Its a tough job and a Booker is often juggling many models and clients at the same time. The key is to know your clients well enough to suggest the right model for them. * What should a model remember and do in order to succeed? I always tell my models that it isn't enough to be beautiful and to stay in shape, they must be professional at all times. The competition is fierce and if they are late to a job or act unprofessionally they will either be replaced or not booked in the future. * Special thanks to Ms. Lynn Crowley and Mr. Thomas Bunn from Mission PR and communications in London (www.mission-media.co.uk) for arranging the interview with Ms. Ridout. www.premiermodelmanagement.com modeling career |