London calling

A new year, a new city. Or rather, and old city. In december I returned home to London. it was quite a change from sunny relaxing Barcelona. London is so fast-paced. There is so much going on, and so much you can do. Opportunities are literally around every corner. At least thats how I feel. 

So I mentioned previously that I have signed to a new agency in London, that would be Bookings Models. Similar to when I was in Hamburg, I went around to every agency in London, and similar to Hamburg, my height got be turned down from all of them. When I started modelling in London, I was signed to Oxygen models back in April 2011, a boutique agency based on Kings Road. I signed with them because of one reason, Mark Rowley, the mens booker at the time. He was the one agent who actually saw me as a person rather than a marketable product. I like to think he saw my potential from the start. It was an exhilarating experience to have someone really pushing you and who seemingly believed in you almost as much as I believed in myself. Well, Mark left Oxygen in September, I followed suit a few weeks after. He moved on to bigger and better things, revamping the mens board at Bookings making it clear to me that I always had a spot with him; we have undoubtedly developed a friendship that goes beyond simply model and agent. I was honest with him about checking out the other agencies, he knew it was something that I felt I had to do. I wanted to see where I stood in terms of the London modelling scene. I wanted to see if I had progressed from the boy who walked into every agency back in 2011. Despite the knock-backs I suffered (please someone give me 2 inches on my height!) I was very happy to sign with Mark again, and Im looking forward to get back in the London modelling scene, testing myself in this far more competitive market.

More than just modelling though, London has provided me with the opportunity to get in the acting game. So far in my posts Ive shown you guys various photoshoots, video shoots, campaigns, commercials...all sorts from the world of modelling. These are all jobs I have got as a consequence of being signed to Trend Models, and them touting me and sending me out on castings. However, its a totally different ball game Im playing now. 

Acting is something I have done from a young age, always enjoying being on stage. This feeling has only been reciprocated through the various jobs I have done since embarking on this modelling journey. Maybe it sounds funny to you, but I feel my most exhilarated when I am on set, when I have a camera or two on me, a script to play with or even just an idea. I literally feel alive! In Barcelona, I was limited in what I could do to try and push this dream forward. I found an English Drama School out there, and attended classes every week to maintain my skills, and of course hopefully learn a thing or two more, but that was it. Since I have come back to London, I have found there is actually a lot I can do without an acting agent, or even a very good idea on where to begin. I have signed up with a couple of casting sites: StarNow, Casting Call Pro, and have been applying and getting auditions for all sorts of different roles, in different types of productions. In the six weeks since I have been home I have found myself and been casted in a short film, made by ex and current students from the University of Westminster, as well as two self-funded music videos. All footage that I look forward to sharing with you guys. Im thoroughly enjoying the new challenges that are presenting themselves to me. When it comes to casting for model jobs these days, I have to say, I don't feel nervous in the slightest. I know what my strengths are and essentially with these jobs, it boils down to the way I look and simply if I match the image that the client has in their mind for the position. With the acting auditions, like I said, different ball game. I certainly feel the nerves, excitement too, but nerves definitely. That being said, I do feel at home when Im casting. I know that there isn't a thing on this planet that I would rather be doing. Its quite a special feeling to think that everything you do, everything that I have already done, is leading me to a place that is literally something out of my dreams. Yes this is hard and challenging and highly competitive, but I know myself very well, and this lifestyle I have chosen, and it is a lifestyle not just a career, is one I believe I can achieve great success in. It doesn't come without its price though. 

From my childhood days, I have a very close group of brothers. I say brothers and not friends because I think thats really how we are. Thinking about it, there are quiet a few of us who don't actually have brothers, myself included, so its no surprise we are as close as we are. The point I was getting at is that obviously being at home, I am immersed into their lives again, I am witness to their everyday routines. It makes me aware of just how different my lifestyle is from theirs, but not only that, its when I look forward at the uncertainty in my future, and the stability they find in theirs, well, it can be daunting at times. I was imagining the other day what it would be like to have a salary...it was a nice thought! I guess all I'm trying to say is that there are pros and cons to every walk of life. Im proud to say I have an amazing group of friends, who constantly impress me with their achievements in such a variety of fields. When you work in a world that often gets swept up in itself, I think its incredibly important to constantly remind yourself of everything else going on outside that world. 


Thanks for reading,
Weasel out x