8/15 Rock the Runways 4.0

The fourth annual Rock the Runways show hosted by Semper Fashion.

Let me take you back to the audition. About a month prior, I read an ad for a runway show. Actually, there were two ads, one on model mayhem and one on craigslist. One of the ads mentioned the height requirements, and one did not. Women 5'8" and taller, men 6' and taller.

Now, for those of you who don't know, I am 5'7". I've been told many, many times about how I am not tall enough for the runway, or high-fashion work, from people who have been in the industry for years and from people who haven't. It seems to be the general consensus that one inch is much too short, and I am clearly not cut out for the runway.

It's a shame for all of them that my drive stems from proving people wrong. And it's amazing what high heels and good posture can do for you : )

So, I entered the audition confident and tall--at least for the first few minutes. We were seated in the waiting area (I arrived early because, well, that's what I do) and I got to watch everyone who was auditioning walk in. Of course, everyone else was 5'8" or taller, thinner, more exotic looking, what-have-you. It's incredible how insecurities can just creep from the depths of your soul and encompass your brain. So there I sat, 5'7" and shrinking.

Everyone arrived, we were lined up for measuring our stats (bust, waist, hips, inseam) and then sent to a photographer in the corner to get our names with a face. Then we were herded yet again into another line to audition with our "walk."

Tall posture, happy face, confident walk (shoulders back of course!). The owner of the agency Mode Models was there judging and helping us. As I watch these girls, the ones who look the supposed “perfect,” I can’t help but suddenly and slyly smile to myself.

There is a huge difference in being able to model and being able to walk.

One by one, we walked. We circled through about four times, and by the end there had been judges watching and getting our contact information if they liked our look and style of walking. Two information exchanges later, those who did not get the privilege to were sent home. The rest of us were gathered in a group and told “congratulations,” you are the next 20 models for the 4th annual Rock the Runways show.

A month and a practice run went by, and suddenly it was the day of the event.

Six o'clock call time for the first group of models. We sat and got our hair and makeup done which took about 30-45 minutes each girl. Photographers were trying to weave through the room, crowded with the Paul Mitchell school of hair design students, struggling to get an idea of what look everyone was going for. Struggling to know what make-up to put on everyone.

It was there that I found out the runway show started (yes, started) at 10:45. Post Meridiem.

Oof. If the day wasn't long enough, huh?

Four hours, sitting, waiting, talking, connecting.


Now, I'm shy by nature. Fortunately (or unfortunately--glass empty or full?), the industry I am trying to place myself in requires big crowds and unfamiliar faces; talking, connecting. Understanding that connections are what gets you places, I always force myself to be present in my mind, body, and soul...without having to talk too much, if I can help it :)

I was able to meet a few girls during the night. Surprisingly, for how many people are involved one really doesn't have the time to sit and chat unless through business matters (e.g. two models are waiting to get hair and makeup, they begin to chat). These girls kept me company as we waited, and we all had each others' backs during the show. That's always a good thing. Gotta get those shoes off!

It was over in about forty-five minutes. Truthfully, the show felt like it lasted ten. Lining up by designer backstage, the crew yelling at every model to "GO, GO, GOGOGO" while the crowd drowned out any mumble of talking behind the curtains, the whole experience felt rushed. I, however, thrive on over-working myself and thus was bouncing with excitement until the moment I stepped onto the runway.

Some people drink, some people do drugs, but ever since I was little I've just done life. Corny? Yes. Cheaper? Yes. More rewarding? I think so. Now, I do understand that some people need to loosen the *#$@ up, but when sober the experience is so much more...well, real. So, you'd think that I was completely in the moment while I strut.

Wrong!

In fact, I do believe my brain shuts off. There are lights blinding me, the rest of the room is dark, I know the crowd is there but their cheers and claps get drowned out by my own thoughts...or lack thereof. I swear my brain is so loud with not thinking that I can't hear anything.

No, this doesn't affect my performance while walking. Just like when I bake anything, I'm so used to every procedure that I don't need to think about it anymore. I just do it.

Side Note: I'm really glad the concentrated face I make while baking is not the same as the one I walk with

The night was over much faster than it had begun. I made some friends, hopefully got some good face time, but more importantly had a really fun night.

Thanks to Semper Fashion for putting it on. Here's to next year!

Total Time: 5 hours

8/13 Dr Tim's Stress Test Shoot

He tells me to meet at the north entrance, and he'll be wearing a tie-dye shirt so I can't miss him. Sure enough, as I pull into the mall's parking lot I see him, clear as crystal, an array of vibrant colors sticking out like a sore thumb against the flat, off-white building.

Dr Tim. He works for a stress management company, and wanted an alternative way to let people tell, on their own, if they were stressed or not. The company has basically a "mood card" which, when placing your fingertip on it, will change colors and let you know your stress levels. Unfortunately, these little cards cost a lot to make (ordering the cards, ordering the mood sensitive part, then having someone glue them together). So, this shoot was to come up with a card that showed people how to check their stress levels while doing anything!

Which is why we met at the mall. Cause you can do a lot there, right? Right.

We took pictures outside, inside, next to clothing racks, next to trash cans, and in hallways. The shoot went by so fast, and I got the final product via email the next day. I'll also be getting some in the mail, so anyone who wants one of these, let me know (ha!).





Total time: 30 minutes

8/10-8/12 Movie Filming: Cinderblock Dreams

I have found, throughout modeling and acting opportunities, that my default mood setting is either 1) angry, or 2) sexy but pissed off. Either way, there seems to be a deep inner-anger that resides deep in the depths of my subconscious, anxiously awaiting the open invitation of a camera. I have no idea where it comes from. I swear I had a good childhood!

I drove to the audition on the other side of town, and sat in a circle of actors and actresses as we took turns reading three or four different parts. Each part was open to any gender--the boss, the villain, the secretary, the doctor. The director, Nick Blacketer, was very open to ideas and suggestions. I had received a script earlier and was to mainly read for the roll of the Boss, but enjoyed the dialogue of the villain "Jude" to pass up the opportunity. Everyone read before me. I usually plan it this way (if possible) to see other takes on the characters, though I always use my gut instinct in the end.

"Jude" had a gun in this scene. Badass. Not angry, not sexy, just badass. I straightened my posture, pointed my hand-made finger gun, and read the dialogue. Sarcasm dripped through my teeth and out of my mouth; evil domination filled my being; my head tilts slightly down while my eyes stare straight into the lead's soul.

At least, I'd like to think so.

Either way, I did something right and landed the part. Filming took place this month over a period of three consecutive days which were long and exhausting, but calmly entertaining. Small cast of some extremely talented people, intense focus on the script, and a determined director with his always loving and helping girlfriend, you've got a short!

Without revealing too much, my character was quickly and uncomfortably developed. Rather than sarcasm and anger, there was collected acceptance, comfort, and stoic indifference towards the pleasurable act of murder.

After every take I forced myself to crack a joke, laugh, or smile and redeem myself as human, because I felt so awful pretending I was that thing; a cold, murdering robot.

Fun though! :)

Visit http://moonlightpictures.org to view the trailer!

8/9 Conceptual Project shoot for Meghan

I contacted Meghan (brooke brady) for her ad for conceptual projects. Intrigued, I soon discovered a very passionate young woman who truly lives for photography.

Now, I've seen photographers with the most expensive cameras, attached with only the most expensive lenses, and predictably I was engulfed with the most intricate set-up of lights; I've seen photographers with a brand-new camera that they're just testing out, using only natural light because they can't afford any stands; I've seen photographers who rent their cameras and lights, but they know what they're doing but can't justify buying a set because renting is a lot cheaper. But I have never seen what I saw with Meghan.

Through the doors in a parking garage, around the corner into a caged elevator and shaken up to the roof, I lay out my clothes and she comes up with a few different outfits that we'll change through. The setting is the Portland horizon and city line:


She stands on the edge of the roof, camera to her eye, searching for angles. Another camera hangs from her neck. She motions for me to look over the roof, concerned or "weirded out." Little direction is necessary--just the general idea is stated and however I move, she finds the best perspective. However I move, she also finds the right camera.

A digital canon, a 35-mm film camera, a polaroid, and a wind-up camera cycled through as we changed outfits and edges of the building; as I changed from standing to sitting to laying on the ground and only showing my yellow stocking-covered legs.

This is the kind of photography that I would take, if I photographed people. I do much better with inanimate objects than life forms, and the way she took pictures was purely for the art of it. A leg here, the back of my head there, sections of my body split between six polariods. It wouldn't have mattered if I were naked or completely covered--the ending image would of course be considered in all aspects: artistic.

Not knowing what to do or what section of my body is being photographed is always such a fun and interesting challenge. And, being a model herself, Meghan knows what she wants and how to get it. I was impressed and inspired by her. Before even seeing the pictures I knew I'd like them.


Total time: 1 1/2 hours

8/5 Yin Photoshoot with Aimee J'adore Makeup

After last night's fashion show, I was predictably and understandably exhausted. I stayed the night at my old college roommates' house, falling asleep too late and waking up much earlier than I had set my alarm for. Showered, got ready minus the make-up, and headed over to Aimee J'adore Makeup's house and arrived at 10 A.M.

I've never worked with Aimee before, but I have seen many, many photos of her work on Model Mayhem and had been admiring it all before she contacted me for this shoot. She does make-up, hair, modeling, and now she has taken up photography as of six months ago.

So, I was more than willing to do whatever it was she wanted me to do!

She presented me with a yin and yang concept. I had the general idea in my head, but then she showed me the inspiration photo:

[caption id="attachment_19" align="aligncenter" width="229" caption="Matthew Jordan Smith 2005"][/caption]

Much cooler than what was in my head :)

Off-Topic: She had two adorable kittens who were jumping around, loving and licking my plastic bag containing a brand-new dress that sat on the couch during the duration of the shoot. Adorable! They love the taste of plastic! Lick lick lick.

My hair and the yin took about an hour and fifteen to complete (so fast!). We went upstairs to her studio space and spent at most half an hour taking pictures (so fast!). The shoot was over at 12 P.M. Most definitely the fastest and most successful shoot I've done. It would be absolutely fantastic if all shoots were like this. I am so used to spending all day somewhere that I don't even realize how valuable my time is. I trust as I get more professional, the shoots will, too. After all, time is money, huh?



Final photo:

Total time: 2 hours

8/4 Dirty Fashion Show 3.0

It's 9:49 P.M. and I'm sitting at a pizza shop and bar that is tucked away someplace near Couch (pronounced "koo-tch") and 5th; that's actually the intersection for the club Dirty, but I'm too busy cautiously looking around at tweakers and guys who are cat-calling me to actually know the streets, let alone the name of this place. This is the 3rd time I've been here, and it seems funny to me that similar, if not the exact same things happen:

I park.
I walk into the club.
We change, wait, and do the first runway show.
I leave, some guy affiliated with us stops me to ask where I'm going, meanwhile chain-smoking in a group of people, to which I respond "going to eat!" as they continue the small talk until I slowly inch away and/or they become distracted with their Very Important Crowd.
I get cat-called (this either happens now or after I eat)
I arrive here at the pizza shop.
All employees and customers stare at me as if I don't belong--granted my hair and make-up are always ridiculous.
I leave.
I get cat-called (see above)
Do second show.

Now, of course even these events differ every time depending on who is currently present, and what I have done previously during the day prior to the show.

For instance, I very clearly and completely regret ingesting a bean and cheese burrito earlier today for lunch because I am very clearly and completely reaping the consequences. The wrath of the beans. Unforgiving. Unforgetting.

Aside: Always humorous, catching people trying to figure the meaning behind the hair and face...and why the clothes? Why so plain? If I had testes I would usually speak first and challenge their bemused staring. I try not to look at people, and I try to act the complete antithesis of how my head is portraying me. No room to judge, folks! Move along.

Anyhow. About the runway show. Lucy Lovette puts on a runway show at the Portland club Dirty every first Tuesday. This is the third show, and there will be more. Although we don't get paid for doing any of it, I'm still planning on driving up as often as I can, if not for the fun of it than for the study of planning and coordinating events. I have learned a few things within the past three months, which include:

Models will flake.
Designers will flake.
Salons will flake.

Basically, the world is a huge head of untreated dandruff. Fortunately, there are always enough other people to keep it running on this slightly bumpy road. I do admire and respect Lucy's hard work every time, and it's just unfortunate that so many people choose to be so unprofessional.

The Paul Mitchell School in Portland provides the hair and make-up during these shows, and Lucy brings in the models and designers.



It's always a blast trying to guess what thing will go wrong next. Model drives all the way from the coast, shows up for hair and make-up and then books it once we leave for the club? Designer promising a load of clothes and will be the biggest part of the show, but then doesn't show up? Salon team thinking we said meet an hour earlier than we were, so 75% of the team leaves?

Who knows, but we're ready for anything now!


Designers: Danelle Kay and Sean

Danelle sent us pictures for the style she wanted for her wardrobe:



Models: Niki, Angel, Anna Lee, Myself, Mia
Total time: 5 hours

8/3 Carol DeLange Grandaw

Allow me to introduce Carol.

Alright, now that you've got the basic gist of her I will continue.

I was first contacted by Carol last month to do a photo-shoot with her. We came up with this image:



She not only did the hair, but the make-up, wardrobe styling, and photography. Then she did it all again on Monday!

We met at her salon where she made me up, then we took off to go to a skate-park. The half-pipes were a perfect gray seamless background (brilliant!), and no one was in the park when we drove up.

As we unloaded the car, we noticed a group of little kids and counselors riding skateboards right outside of the park. And of course, thanks to Murphy, as we got closer they moved into the park.

Fortunately, they were in the opposite corner of where we needed to be, so asking the counselors granted us permission and accessibility into the park.



Carol had done my hair up into a punky sort of up-do with a tuft of hair spiking out from the side. Underneath the salons' silk black robe, I was wearing my Victoria's Secret swimsuit, which covers quite a bit more than a standard swimsuit.

We set up the tripod and reflector, and I removed by robe.

Allow me to interject--I hate being in a swimsuit, and I most certainly hate being in a swimsuit in public. I justified this inner-pickle with simple facts: 1) the audience was a bunch of little kids 2) no one would have recognized me, and 3) anything for the photo!

Before the robe could even slip off my arms, a little girl from across the park screamed, and yes I do mean screamed, "EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!"

Awesome. It was just what I needed, after all.

We continued to shoot until we tired out the look, had to talk with another counselor due to the kids complaining (come on, really?), and decided to vacate to change looks as well as locations. We had had enough little kids and their little glares.

The next part of the shoot I was to wear a bunch of vintage hats and big coats. 92 degrees outside in the gravel wasn't as bad as it sounds. I don't like complaining so I have a pretty high tolerance now of what I can handle. This doesn't compare to the 500-foot elevation above the city on a snow-covered hill in a little pink dress and heels, but I won't go there ;)



Final image:


Total time: 5 hours