Handling Casting Calls as an 18 Year Old College Model Girl
Going to casting calls as an 18 year old college model girl can feel like a wild adventure. You rush from a morning test straight across town to stand in line with dozens of other people. It is fast, exciting, and sometimes a little scary.
The secret to doing well is being ready for anything while keeping your cool. You do not need years of work to look like you know what you are doing. A few basic tricks will help you look great and feel relaxed every single time.
What to Expect at Your First Audition
Most auditions happen in small rooms with bright lights, a big camera, and a desk for the casting team. You might wait in a long hallway for an hour, but your actual turn usually lasts less than three minutes. They will ask for your name, your agency, and a quick glance at your hands.
Someone might ask you to walk toward the camera or hold a product. Sometimes they ask you to smile big, and other times they want a cold, blank look. I remember my first call where I accidentally turned the wrong way because I was so nervous. The director just laughed and told me to try again, which taught me that small mistakes are totally okay.
Keep your energy high even if you have been waiting on a folding chair for ages. The people in that room see hundreds of faces a day, so a warm smile makes a huge difference. If you want to see how I get ready before stepping out the door, check out my guide on 18 Year Old College Model Girl Campus Prep for quick ideas.
What to Wear to a Casting Call
Simple clothing is always the right choice for an audition. Casting directors want to see you, not a fancy outfit that hides your shape or your face. A plain black or white top with fitted jeans is the standard look for a reason.
Here are the five basic items you should keep in your bag for any audition:
- A plain black fitted t-shirt or tank top
- Skinny dark jeans with no rips or extra patches
- A pair of clean black high heels
- Hair ties to pull your hair back quickly
- A small bottle of water and a quick snack
Avoid wearing heavy jewelry or loud prints that draw attention away from your face. Keep your makeup very light so your natural skin shows through. They want to picture you in their clothes, so think of yourself as a clean canvas.
How Do You Handle College Classes and Model Auditions?
The hardest part of being an 18 year old college model girl is managing your personal time. Castings are often announced with only a few hours of notice, right when you might have a lecture scheduled. You have to learn how to speak with your teachers and plan ahead.
Be honest with your professors early in the school year. Tell them you do freelance work that sometimes pulls you away for an afternoon. Most teachers will help you if you turn in your schoolwork early and never miss major exams. I use a simple paper planner where I write all my class times in blue ink and all my job calls in red ink.
Keep a change of shoes and your makeup pouch right in your backpack. That way, you can drop your heavy textbooks in your car or a locker and run straight to the bus. You can read more about balancing school life on our main blog page for young models to get extra tips from other students.
Staying Safe on Location
Your personal safety is always more important than any job opportunity. When you are new to the industry, it is easy to say yes to every single call, but you must stay smart. Always check who is hosting the audition before you head out.
Tell a roommate or a friend exactly where you are going and when you expect to finish. If an audition location looks strange or is in a dark, empty place, do not go in alone. Real casting agents use real business spaces, photographic studios, or proper office buildings.
Never sign any paper or contract on the spot without reading every word carefully. Take a picture of the page with your phone and send it to your parents or your agent first. Trust your gut feeling every single time, because if a situation feels wrong, it probably is.
Dealing with Rejection Without Losing Your Mind
You will hear the word no far more often than you hear yes. In fact, most models get turned down nine times out of ten, and that is just part of the business. An 18 year old college model girl has to build a tough outer shell early on.
When a brand passes on you, it almost never means you did something wrong. They might simply need someone shorter, someone with dark hair, or someone who looks more like a athlete. It is not personal, even though it feels that way when you are standing right in front of them.
Treat every single call as good practice for the next one. Go in, do your best walk, give them a warm smile, and then leave the room and forget about it. Go grab a coffee with a classmate or hit the library to focus on your real life. When a booking finally lands, it will feel amazing because you worked through all those quiet moments to get it.
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