Weekly Reporter: Aviva Scall

Model Management Group, based in New York City, specializes in discovering and managing careers of aspiring models and talent. MMG's industry professionals have been responsible for the success of many of today’s top models and talent, and Aviva Scall has contributed by spotting up-and-coming talent.

What is good about modeling and talent events/conventions?

Those events are a great source of talent from...

Weekly Reporter: Wendy McKenzie

Wendy “Wink” McKenzie has been in the entertainment industry for over 20 years, as an actress herself early in her career and now, casting everything from music video and TV commercials to editorials. Wendy also runs a popular acting workshop that aids fresh talent who are familiarizing themselves with the industry for the first time.

What is the “it” factor that models and talent must have when meeting...

Weekly Reporter: Simone Riva

Simone Riva is an Italian scouting agent for Way 2Morrow Model Management in Milan, Italy.

What challenges do agents face in the modeling or entertainment industry?

Sometimes, it's hard for us to market certain people. It doesn't matter if you have the “look,” certain markets and brands just need a particular face, so it's not always about...

Weekly Reporter: Rogelio Castillo

[As creator and president of the website: Secrets of the Modeling World, Rogelio Castillo has seen and heard it all. Rogelio comes from a family of models, has worked as a scout and in Public Relations for several large agencies, and has experienced life within the modeling industry himself. He knows the “in's and out's” through his own experience and his many, many contacts.]

Weekly Reporter: Eric Granwehr

Eric Granwehr is a professional photographer and booking agent for Major Models Women's Division. He has worked in the fashion industry in various capacities for years and continues to develop within the industry.

What are you looking for when you’re scouting new talent?

A personality that has a lot of confidence and individuality as far as the eye...

Weekly Reporter: Sid & Lynn Gold

Sid Gold has been in the Talent Management business for over two decades, is the National Treasurer of The National Conference of Personal Managers and founder of GoldStar Talent Management. GoldStar is a New York-based Talent Management Company representing young adults and children. Sid is also known for his excellent seminars on 'how to break into and maximize opportunities' in the industry.

What...

Weekly Reporter: Paolo Buonfante

Paolo Buonfante is the Director of Elite Model Management's Miami location, which is one of the world’s most exclusive agencies. He has over fifteen years of experience in the industry, and in the span of two years he has developed the Elite Miami location into one of the most profitable. Paolo possesses a slew of knowledge of the high-fashion and the fashion industry as a whole, and he has attracted clientele from all...

Weekly Reporter: Nolé Marin

Nolé Marin is a renowned stylist in the world of fashion. As a former fashion editor for ELLE magazine, he is known for his work on America and Canada's Next Top Model. He is also the fashion director for the international fashion and entertainment news agency Runway Magazine. Nolé is currently the head scout and creative director of VNY Model Management, based in New York City, and he can be seen judging the contestants on the reality show...

Weekly Reporter: Boyd Cordruff

Boyd Cordruff is an agent with Product Model Management and Take 3 Talent, located in New York, New York.

What is good about the opportunities that development center like Nijah / New Faces development can provide?

Well, it works for agents. We come to them because there’s such a great amount of talent and they already know a little about the industry because they’ve been developed. That...

Barry Godin is an actor, model and agent who represents Silver Models/Chelsea Talent. He has numerous television and theater credits and has been in the industry for over a decade. Silver Models/Chelsea Talent represent the models and talent in commercials, TV, soap opera, film, and theater.

What are the challenges of being an agent or casting director?

You always have to be looking for the people out...

Weekly Reporter: Marissa Surmenkow

[Marissa Surmenkow is the Agency Director for Passport Model Management in California, originally established in 2003. Prior to joining Passport in August 2008, she was the head of scouting at Elite Model Management in Chicago for five years. With over a decade in the modeling industry, Marissa has scouted and worked with many of the top faces in the industry.]

What does your agency typically look...

Weekly Reporter: Barbara Klein & Dawn Massamillo

[Barbara Klein has been working with children and adults for over two decades, specializing in newborns and young adults. She has worked with many top agents and casting companies in the tri-state area, and she also does direct casting for movies, TV, soaps, commercials and print work. Dawn Massamillo is now assisting Barbara as she looks to discover new talent. Many of their clients appear in principal and background roles, Broadway...

Weekly Reporter: Karen Lee

Karen Lee has over two decades of experience in the industry, as both a scout and agency owner. She was the head of the scouting division for Elite Models, and has worked with some of the top agencies in the world. She has seen a great deal within the industry and her answers provide information on how crucial development is to succeed in the industry.

You obviously get to see the results of the development that models and talent receive...

Weekly Reporter: Mac Folkes

Mac Folkes is one of the most frequently sought after runway coaches in the world. Having worked in the industry for many years, Folkes has provided development for famed supermodels like Chanel Iman and Coco Rocha. He has also put his skills to work for IMG, Elite and Ford Models.

What do you say to people who want to pursue a career in modeling?
A model is going to need development at some point...

Weekly Reporter: Joan Stephens

A one-time agency owner and casting director, Joan Stephens spent years auditioning new talent and deciding whom to cast. Now on the flip side of the audition process, Stephens develops aspiring actors and challenges them to perform their best. Her talent has been seen on and off-Broadway, in commercials, major motion pictures and soap operas. Her insight on talent in the entertainment industry is highly sought after.

What can...

Weekly Reporter: Shailah Edmonds

As a former high fashion model who turned her talents into assisting others, Shailah Edmonds now shares her knowledge of the runway with models. Shailah spent most of her life traveling the globe as a couture model, working with Yves St. Laurent, Armani, Valentino and Versace, to name a few. Now retired from the runway, Edmonds shares her industry savvy with teens, developing their presence as top models.

What is the benefit of...