Static Live Magazine February 2020

Runway Chronicles
Dreams of being in the modeling acting industry seem
to start when we admire a TV character, movie star,
magazine cover, or a social media Influencer. The idea
runs through your head: Why can’t I be like them?
And even the tiniest bit of inner confidence makes you
believe, “If they can do it, why not me?”
Well, unfortunately, many marketing moguls are
counting on you to start searching for fame. The vanity
business is viral. Watch out for the pitfalls and don’t
fall prey to the predators. I am honored to have met
and counseled by the legend Eileen Ford, co-founder
with her husband, Jerry Ford, of the world renowned
Ford Modeling Agency. We were in Los Angeles, at the
incredibly famous and equally scandalous, Chateau
Marmont hotel on Sunset Strip. The Ford Agency
hosted an event each year called “The Ford Supermodel
of the World Search”. They reviewed thousands of
submissions and selected one model to represent each
country. As it turns out, the US representative hailed
from New Smyrna Beach—she was my own client. One
evening, Eileen Ford offered invaluable advice to us,
newbie agents. She told me, to my face, “Christine,
never swim in murky waters. Only in the crystal clear.”
I wondered whether she knew that I reside in the shark
bite capital of the world. I didn’t dare mention that,
but after listening to the grandmother of modeling
ramble on about all the wolves in sheep’s clothing for
the next hour, it all became clear. Her wise knowledge
and experience have always stuck with me.
A clear, lucid path, simple yet structured,
will allow you to swim safely in a murky,
dark watered business. You should be able
to open your eyes in the crystal-clear water
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and trust that you’re in safe seas. One thing I advise
everyone who asks for guidance into this industry is
that there are never, EVER any promises. Success often
comes at random. I do not suggest idleness; idleness
never got anyone to LA. Have a plan to stay in the safe
waters, but when you feel a current leading you to a
new opportunity, take it.
Every new face that comes to me has an interesting
story. Some are so starry-eyed about becoming a
fashion model or actress; they would do anything.
Others have done everything, “invested” thousands
of dollars on trips to meet so-called “star-makers.”
Others have hopes of unattainable goals that they are,
quite unfairly, never able to reach for simply having
the wrong body structure or height. They trust anyone
who will make them an empty promise. Few come in
having already done the research and understand that
an agency and the model will win together, or not at all.
That said, every model-hopeful deserves to be treated
with respect, and discussions should be honest and
find their positive qualities that lead them to goals
within reach.
Our local model, back at the Chateau Marmont, was
the runner-up to the top contract offered, and surely
surpassed her minimum guarantee of $100,000! She
enjoyed a lucrative world career for 6 years with the
Ford Agency, while getting the travel experience of a
lifetime too! The crystal green-eyed beauty only swam
in the clear waters, and that’s how we treat each new
face.
By Christine Harris