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Interview
by Edo Q ©
2010 CoverMen
Mag!
June, 2010
-Hello
Kirk, I'm really flattered you accepted to be interviewed
for my online mag, just to start this interview off,
please give me some background information
I
am from Canada originally, started working originally
with John Casablanca's in Canada as an agent, learning
the industry. I have gone to university studying communications
and law. I live on the Gold Coast in Australia otherwise known as Surfers Paradise
-Did you
do any specific training to become a model manager and
how did you become Director at What Model
Management?
My training I would say was having
a mentor in the business, Chris Forberg who I met
while he was working for the mens division with Wihelmina
Models in the 80's I would start submitting models to
Chris and he would direct me wether I was close or not
in choosing them. I then started to work scouting for
Scene Models in Sydney in 1998 sending models to them,
I then started having more and more success finding
models Chris Forberg then was with IMG in NY as the
head of the mens division, he then started to introduce
me to the directors of European and Japanese agencies.
I then started to handle the placement of model internationally
for Scene. Later I then after meeting agencies around
the world would scout directly for them. Bravo in Tokyo
then asked me to be their Australian scout at the same
time I went on my own to start up What Model Management
in Australia. My agency is a mother agency meaning I
find and manage the models careers but working closely
with the agencies in Australia and around the world
in the management of their careers.
-What
is the most glamorous part of your career and what is
the worst thing about it?
Not completely
sure if there is anything glamorous about being an
agent/scout but there is gratification when models
you have found start appearing in magazine editorials
and campaigns. The most boring part of the role is the
scouting...hours and hours in shopping malls and events
looking for the next big face and the best part is the
find... like striking gold!!
-What advise
you would give to an aspiring talent booker?
The
first thing is to care about the model and work closely
with the parents, at the end of the day you are managing.
-How do you recruit new models into your
agency?
I hand pick all the models from scouting
at malls and events, some from inquires and referrals
from friends or photographers I work with.
-Tell
me a little bit about the Australian guys you're scouting,
is it difficult to convince them to pursue a modeling
career maybe because they have to face some prejudices?
Australian
guys are pretty chilled out and dont really stress about
much, this is a trait which makes them so attractive
to the International markets, I get emails form agencies
now from all over the world asking for my models (boys
especially) which I have most success from. Now I am
getting emails from prospective models all over the
world to manage their careers, as far as Brazil and
Europe.
-What are the most important things
you look at when considering a new model?
Physically
there are industry standards, height and size and
healthy skin and teeth and body. Then there is the "X"
factor, something that separates them from just the
average Joe walking down the street "are
they memorable??" a model needs to be memorable
so another factor that makes them memorable is the natural
charm/character a model has which they will bring to
a shoot or to a show.
-How can you tell
if some model has star quality?
There are
models and there are models, star quality cant really
be described, you sense it!! But when they are the
complete package looks, brains, charisma and a good
heart and work hard then you have a star.
-Some
tips for aspiring models: how helpful are the model
training schools?
Modelling schools...I
am not in favour of modelling schools what so ever!!!!!
They are not necessary at all!!! They take advantage
of peoples dreams of being models, when at the end of
the day, all the top agents can tell you in a min whether
you can model or not. Plus I am of the mind...if
McDonalds wants to hire you, they dont make you pay
to learn how to work there they take you on because
they feel you can do the work and will teach you. Like
me.. I take models raw and spend all my time developing
them for International markets. Word of advice....
"If anyone asks for money in this business....
You know its not real"
-Thanks Kirk
for taking the time to reply to my questions, it was
a gift for me and my readers!
No .. I am
all about helping anyone who is passionate about this
industry and love it!!!
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