21 Los Angeles girls were selected to attend a casting to be a cover model for The LA Xpress. If selected, their pictures will be featured on the cover and they will also receive a 2 page spread in the magazine as well as be paid! L.A. XPRESS was established in 1972. It is a newspaper and publication company that is distributed in SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. They help models get exposed to the Hollywood Modeling Industry.

What an awesome opportunity for our talent! Good luck to all of our models!!!

We have some really exciting news to share with you, over 90, yes 90, of our California talent have been chosen to attend an upcoming audition for a photo shoot for a Microsoft Print ad! They were casting several different roles for the ad.

If any of our talent are lucky enough to book the shoot, they will be paid between $700.00 and $1,000.00 per day.

With summer just around the corner, you may be wondering what the new summer trends are. Right now ruffles are definitely in. We are seeing them all over the stores right now. It looks like the color of the season will be orange. The pant trends that are coming back are wide leg pants along with a flared jeans as well. Of course you can keep your skinnys though! Another trend we are seeing is florals, and crochet everything from skirts to dresses to tops. Long, floor length skirts are in this season too so break out your maxi dresses.

You may be surprised to find pajama like wear is in along with some punk fashions. Now that you are armed with some of the season's hottest trends, go pick some up!

You have probably heard the term "independent film" or "indie film", but what is it really? Some people may assume that because a film is independent, it means it is less than a studio film or not as good. That is not necessarily the case. An independent film is a film that is produced mostly outside of a major film studio. An independent film, may not be marketed as big as a studio film and sometimes but not always they are made with less budgets than studio films.

To be considered independent, less than 50% of the film's financing can come from a major studio. You will often hear of celebs doing independent or "art" films. If you have ever heard of the Independent Spirit Awards, these awards celebrate the art of independent film making.

What they are asking for you to do is state your name and the character you are reading for. Some casting directors may also ask you to show a profile view to the camera as well. Most of them will let you know if they would like you to turn for the camera before you start. The purpose is so when the director is reviewing the tape, they know who you are without having to sift back through headshots for every audition they are watching.

Make sure to give yourself a few seconds after slating to get back into character before you start your audition!

AFTRA stands for The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and is a national labor union representing over 70,000 performers, journalists and other artists working in the entertainment and news media. Any person who has performed or intends to perform professional work in any one of AFTRA's jurisdictions is eligible for membership. So when you see an AFTRA casting- they are looking for people who are in that union. You can join by going into your nearest Local AFTRA office or join online on their website.

New members must complete an application and pay a one-time initiation fee and dues for the current dues period. The initiation fee is $1,600 and minimum dues are $63.90. After joining, a member's dues are based on his or her AFTRA earnings during the previous year. Members who earned less than $2,000 annually pay only the minimum amount of $63.90.  Members are billed twice a year. It is up to you if you want to join. Make sure to check out their website to see all of their benefits. Since anyone can join, it is beneficial if you are looking to do AFTRA work.

One of the most frequently asked questions we get from new actors are what is SAG? SAG stands for Screen Actors Guild. They are the nation's largest labor union representing working actors.

There are currently two ways to become eligible to join the union. Actors are eligible to join after working on a SAG film in a principal role, gaining "Taft Hartley" status 15 days after the first day of work - or meeting background entry requirements. Background Actors may join SAG upon proof of employment as a SAG-covered background player at full SAG rates and conditions for a minimum of three work days and employment must be by a company signed to a SAG Agreement under which the Producer is required to cover background actors.

Once you are eligible to join, you have a decision to make. Once you join the union, you can no longer do any non-union projects unless approved by SAG. It is important to make sure you have built up your resume enough to compete when you join. Once you are in, you will be competing against the 120,000 members SAG has. You don't have to join once you are eligible, but you will after you book your next SAG film, you will be called a Must-Join, if you want to work in another after that. Once you are ready to join, you must pay SAG's initiation fee as well as their dues.

SAG is a great union, and being able to join is a great accomplishment, just make sure your ready when you do (and just becoming eligible can be a big task)! Once you are able to join, get ready to enjoy their many benefits. The guild protects actors wages among many other things.

You don't always have to fit the stereotypical model sizes to be a model. There is a category of modeling that has become very popular throughout the years. Even some top modeling agencies have plus size divisions. Many designers use plus size models for their catalog work, fashion show, live modeling, print ads and more. They recognize the substantial market of average size women. Plus size is normally only a category for women (sorry guys).

These woman have figures that are well proportioned. They are photogenic and are over 5'8 in height. The sizes for a plus size model are normally between a dress size 10-16, but can go higher depending on the client. There is a growing market out there for plus size models!

New models may wonder who is typically used for catalog and print modeling. Most of the time clients are looking for average, everyday looking people. Catalog and print models are used to sell products to consumers, so they tend to choose models that will appeal to the consumer. You would want to buy a product from someone you could relate to wouldn't you?

Normally these models are not overly attractive or stunning, because the client wants you to remember the product, not just the model. Typically, there is no height requirement for these models, although that may vary by client. Some more qualities these models tend to have are straight, white teeth, high cheek bones, clear skin - again this can all vary by client and what they are looking for.

Catalog models market an array of products. Almost anything that can be sold is featured in catalogs. The models tend to earn anywhere from $150.00-$300.00 an hour.

Commercial print models are used on everything from packaging, ads, billboards, magazines, newspapers and the list goes on and on. The more versatile you are, the more opportunities you have. Commercial print model can earn $50.00-250.00 per hour.

Now you know most catalog and print models are everyday looking people. They are the people you see in Windex ads, Car ads, Target ads and everything in between.

You may have heard the term "Showroom Model" or seen castings for such, but don't know what a showroom model is. Showroom models display collections, clothing and accessories in the privacy of the designer's showroom or store.

These models don't get as much exposure as if they were on the runway because most of the time the only people they are put in front of are the designer, the designer's clients and buyers. This is a tool designers use to get their clothing advertised, bought, and shown off.

Depending on the designer, showroom models can make anywhere from $45.00-$150.00 per hour. Not all exposure is lost while showroom modeling though, this is a great way to make an impression on the designer who may in turn use you for upcoming events or runway shows.