Allie
Finally, I can breathe. I've just finished the shoot with Hard Pressed. It was definitely not as bad as I thought it would be.
I love modeling and being on camera. It's during those moments that I realize I'm in the right career, even if things have been hard. Because even though I signed with a bad agent, I still have a love for the profession and that's what propels me forward. Keeps me pursuing dreams that the less passionate would have given up long ago.
This is finally a quality, high-paying job, and I'm grateful for the work. I only wish I could be doing this sort of thing every single day.
Back in a little dressing room, I take down my hair and gather my things together.
It's no easy work being a model. I guess I've learned that the hard way. Jobs for me are hard to come by and yet I know I deserve better. If only there was a way to make a name for myself.
In high school, my talents always came easily to me. I never had to work very hard at being popular, or being a cheerleader. But now, in the real world, as I try to make my dreams come true, I'm starting to see that it's a lot harder than it appears.
I look in the mirror. My makeup is applied perfectly, as they had a professional do it, so I think I'm in a keep it on for the day even if it is a little much. I take off my outfit, though, and fit my slim body into an oversized T-shirt and some black leggings.
I was kind of dreading today and I don't know why. Hard Pressed is a great place to work and I'm wondering if maybe there's a more permanent position for me here like my agent suggested.
They do a variety of media. And I think with such a big company, there might be a place for me to stand out.
I walk out through the hallway and run into a couple of producers.
"You did really good today, Allie," one producer says.
"Yeah, we like you a lot," another one says. "I think you might have potential here for more gigs. We'd love to see you again, and we'll contact your agent."
When they're gone, I allow myself to feel just elated. If I didn't have such a crummy agent, I'd be even more excited. If these producers do contact me for more work, I just certainly hope Cheri does her job and gets back to me. What I’d really love is to be able to sign directly with Hard Pressed and avoid Cheri altogether.
Some of the other actors and the crew are milling about, and I join them.
"Hey Allie," one actor says. "You did really good today. I think the shoot will be a huge success."
"Yeah, same to you. I never knew that Hard Pressed was such a cool company."
One of the other girls smiles at me. "I've been doing work for them for two years, and it's always an absolute joy to work here. I think you should come on board as a permanent member of the team, Allie, you'd love it."
Inside, I'm beaming. She doesn't even know how much I love hearing that. My time in the modeling world has been strained, to say the very least. Because I have such a terrible agent, I just can't score the kind of high-quality jobs I know I'm worth.
"Well, you guys," I say, "I'm actually hoping for a more permanent position here. I have an awful agent and I'm trying to avoid her at all costs."
"Are you bound to her by a contract?" the actress asks me.
"Yes, I am. Do you think it will be a problem?" I ask.
One of the crewmembers says, "It can cause a lot of problems. I've seen models come and go but whenever they break a contract with their agent, well, it turns out bad. An agent can sue you for breach of contract and any number of things to ruin your life."
His words rattle me. I knew it might be hard to get around my contract, but I didn't realize it would be such an imposition. How am I supposed to get ahead in my career when I'm bound to this terrible agent who doesn't seem to care about me at all?
I'm losing precious time. Right now, I should be at the height of my career. I should be getting job offers left and right. Instead, I find myself scrambling for even a little bit of good work.
"Well, I have to find a way around it. I wish I'd known she was a terrible agent before I signed."
"That's what they all say," the crewmember says. "Just be careful, Allie, because you can really get into trouble."
I appreciate his concern but I’m suddenly committed to the fact that I have to get out of this contract if it means I could have a chance at something permanent with Hard Pressed. Because I can’t rely on Cheri for that.
We continue to chat and to exchange stories. I love being surrounded by other people in the business. They can offer up really good advice and their success is inspiring.
Even the crewmembers seem to know more about what goes on around here than the management. Being on the scene of a real working set is so motivating.
"Hey, Allie," one of the actors says. "How'd you get into this business anyway?"
"Me? Well let's see, I was scouted, I guess you could say, by my agency. They saw me in high school and said I have the perfect form to be a model. I signed with them blindly, not even thinking to investigate their reputation. My agent was so smooth, and she seemed like she was telling the truth. Unfortunately, she doesn't get me as many gigs as I need."
It's the same old sob story I think everyone's already heard a million times over. I was a naïve girl anxious to get into the industry with the first person who approached me. I should've done a background check on my agent before I signed a contract with her. I should've known my worth and applied to some of the bigger agencies in town that have a better reputation.
But hindsight is everything. Now that I've learned my lesson, I just have to figure out what to do next.