Working as model in Japan

[Homer]

This summer I went to Japan for the first time with a japanese summer study program. Anyway, on the first (and last) night out in Shibuya I remember that a japanese guy asked me to work as a model for him. I asked him for what exactly, and he said it was for a japanese clothing line. He appeared to have a date set already, which was way out of my travel schedule.

I've never really tought further about it. Until recently I became more interested in studying Japanese for a year or 2 in the future. It would be nice for me to have a part time job during that period.

My questions are:

- can you earn some money with modeling ? (let's say below average modeling jobs. I can't believe they would use me for really big jobs..)

- has anyone else been contacted like this on the streets in Japan ?

Thanks in advance

[jenl]

All my red flags just went up, and if yours didn't, then you need more practice at being suspicious of people, because sometimes people are scumbags. I'm not saying this to be harsh, I'm saying this I have three younger sisters and a great number of younger cousins and thus lots of practice at being a mother-hen.

Now, I don't know you or what you look like or if you've done any modeling before, so this isn't meant to reflect poorly on you, but think about what they'd probably be looking for if they were legit - a work visa would be required, for example. They'd go to a modeling agency (there are probably some which specialise in foreign models, even), look through their books, and hire someone appropriate. Much more efficient than trawling the streets.

At best, this sounds like a financial scam (we can get you modeling jobs but you have to pay for a portfolio first sort of thing), at worst... well, we won't go into it because this is a family board.

Can people earn money with modeling? Yes, or nobody would do it. Can you? I have no idea - try reading http://www.artscmodels.com/business.htm and ESPECIALLY http://www.artscmodels.com/business/visas.htm

[nabilahforever]

modelling needs money.$$$and i think i can't earn it.it's better for me to earn my money to study abroad.hope so. and if someone contacts me to be a model,i think i would disagree.i'm nooo good in modelling.but,if you want to be the model,do you have experiences in being model?i'm not saying this to reflect poorly to you.then, i think you shoul think about it.and i'm agree with jenl.it's a family abroad.my family members are many.and what about my cousins.they must be more than my family.so,i think you shoul think about it.

i'm sorry if my words make you fell hurt.

[spin13]

nabilahforever wrote:
i'm sorry if my words make you fell hurt.

It was not only your words that made me "fell hurt (sic)", but also your punctuation, your grammar, your spelling, and your capitalization -- in other words, the entirety of your language or lack thereof. Instead of apologizing, I would rather you simply didn't do it again.

Some pain never goes away.

-Eric

[Mike Cash]

Homer wrote:

- has anyone else been contacted like this on the streets in Japan ?

Countless thousands. If you are female, "modelling" generally means "nude modelling", "pornography", or "prostitution".

And even if you're not, it was most likely a scam.

[Yudan Taiteki]

spin13 wrote:

nabilahforever wrote:
i'm sorry if my words make you fell hurt.

It was not only your words that made me "fell hurt (sic)", but also your punctuation, your grammar, your spelling, and your capitalization -- in other words, the entirety of your language or lack thereof. Instead of apologizing, I would rather you simply didn't do it again.

Some pain never goes away.

Some people don't have English as their native language. How would you like it if every time you posted some Japanese, the native Japanese speakers mocked you and told you not to post anymore?

[two_heads_talking]

Mike Cash wrote:

Homer wrote:

- has anyone else been contacted like this on the streets in Japan ?

Countless thousands. If you are female, "modelling" generally means "nude modelling", "pornography", or "prostitution".

And even if you're not, it was most likely a scam.

or take it in another direction, how often are young women/men found dead on the side of the road and later it is found out a predator/serial killer is targeting them using the "modeling" thing as a way to entice their victims.

it's easy to fall into flattery when you think it is sincere.

[Homer]

Mike Cash wrote:

Homer wrote:

- has anyone else been contacted like this on the streets in Japan ?

Countless thousands. If you are female, "modelling" generally means "nude modelling", "pornography", or "prostitution".

And even if you're not, it was most likely a scam.

Actually I'm a guy, and I meant if there are any people on this forum who have been contacted like this.

I don't think it was a scam. Then again, I guess it's too risky to invest big money in it. I don't have any experience in modeling so far.

[two_heads_talking]

from experience, if someone asks you off the street to invest money into anything, whether it be modelling, oil, or gold, your best bet is to walk away. if you are not involved with a credible modeling agency (you can look these up easily and do research on the internet) I wouldn't put a whole lot of weight in whatever this person told you.

and on a similar track, being male does not exclude you from being put into nude modelling, porn (gay or otherwise), or male prostitution. so, don't think for a second that it couldn't or wouldn't be an option that the person was thinking of..

[Mike Cash]

Homer wrote:


I don't think it was a scam. Then again, I guess it's too risky to invest big money in it. I don't have any experience in modeling so far.

If it involved you putting out any money, then it was a scam. Japan is a scammer's paradise, with all sorts of folks running all sorts of scams.

Did the guy give you his business card? Did it have the name of a modeling agency that one could research the legitimacy of? If not.....scam artist.

[doinkies]

A lot of those talent scouts are rather sleazy (as Mike Cash said above), and doinkies would also probably be wary of this person. If you want to get into modeling, it's best to research legitimate modeling agencies and avoid the sleazy types.