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Veteran Model to Dispense Advise

Cheryl Bentley/SUNCOAST NEWS

Ro Martinez has been modeling since 1986. She will give a free workshop on modeling at the Palm Harbor Library Saturday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. until 3:30 p.m.

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By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: November 17, 2007

Ask Ro Martinez about modeling scams and watch her dark brown eyes flash as she recalls how she became a model.

In 1986, she paid $600 to an area modeling agency. The money was supposed to pay for professional photographs and a six-week course in modeling basics.

Martinez was impressed by the curriculum.

"The course could have been condensed into 45 minutes," she recalls.

As for those photos, she was able to use only one while seeking modeling work and had to chuck the others.

That story is only one of many Martinez will share during a Nov. 24 appearance at the Palm Harbor Library.

She will give a free workshop on modeling for girls. Attendees will get instructions on runway skills and hair, makeup and wardrobe done by professionals.

Participate in show

Afterward, they will participate in a modeling show.

Anyone may attend her introductory talk on modeling, at 11 a.m. Only girls ages 13 to 18 can model in the afternoon fashion show after receiving modeling tips from Martinez.

Plus-size girls will be welcomed, Martinez noted.

Registration is required to model in the fashion show.

With her black hair cascading in tiny curly tendrils and white teeth flashing in frequent smiles, Martinez looks younger than her 45 years as she sits in her Palm Harbor home. She has been a model for 21 years.

Casually dressed in jeans and a jacket, she delights in explaining she bought the ensemble, for only $2, at the HSN employee store.

Martinez worked 17 years as an on-air model for the St. Petersburg-based Home Shopping Network. She stopped modeling for the 24-hour cable channel in April.

Going younger

"They're going younger," she says in explaining her exit from HSN, a unit of media magnate Barry Diller's IAC/InterActiveCorp.

She has appeared in ads or commercials for Walt Disney World, Busch Gardens, AT&T, Nike and Bank of America and has been on magazine covers and billboards in her role as a commercial model.

Although she loves her work for the variety and ability to manage her own time it affords, she wants newcomers to know the ins and outs of a business that often feeds on the vulnerable.

"There are still businesses making money from everyone who doesn't know anything about the business," she observes.

Martinez decided to put to work the advice she frequently gives to friends and family about breaking into modeling.

Five months ago, she started her own business helping prospective models with the basics of starting to model: getting their photos together, finding an agent and preparing them for their first job.

She charges $125 for the service.

Editor, too

An editor is now working on her recently completed book, "Modeling at Any Age for Fun and Profit," in which she details the ins and outs of modeling.

Martinez warns against agencies that try to make money on model photographs by steering models to the agency's photographer. She recommends prospective models get a list of suitable photographers from agencies.

"If they have a photographer or insist you use a certain photographer, most likely they're getting a kickback," she says.

Models should be able to chose their own photographers because the chemistry they need with the person taking their picture is important, Martinez believes.

"If you're not comfortable with them, it's going to show in the pictures," she says.

She advises prospective models to look for agencies governed by the Screen Actors Guild because the guild has strict guidelines for agencies with which it works.

Nonexclusive contracts

When registering with agents, she suggests clients sign nonexclusive contracts that allow them to work with multiple agents.

Good composites are key, Martinez says. Composites are a single sheet with a head shot on the front and three to six photos on the back. Models give their composites to prospective clients.

Photos on the back of the composite should be shot in a variety of locations and show the model with different hairstyles and outfits to give the potential client an idea of the model's range.

"It's most important to show energy" in the photos on the reverse side of the composite, Martinez says.

She recommends having agents chose and arrange the photos for a composite. Beginning models probably do not have an experienced enough eye to choose photos that might appeal to prospective clients, she says.

In her own case, she often gets assignments portraying the girl next door, a business woman, a mom or a doctor.

Mostly commercial

Most of her modeling is commercial. Clients include businesses and organizations. She does a variety of print, television ads and promotions.

"Commercial models can be any age or any size as long as they are in proportion," Martinez explains.

To illustrate her point, she notes her 66-year-old mother and her 16-year-old son Evan both work as commercial models.

She laughingly says she expects to work until she is 90.

In this area, which is not as busy as other modeling hubs such as Miami and New York, both children and adult models can make from $75 to $250 an hour depending on experience and the client's budget, Martinez estimates.

To attend fitting, makeup and dress rehearsal – from noon to 2 p.m. on Nov. 24 – girls from ages 13 to 18 need to register by calling the Palm Harbor Library at 727-784-3332, ext. 206.

Fashion show

They will model in a fashion show to be held 2 - 3 p.m. The fashion show is open to the public.

Martinez will also give a talk on the introduction to modeling at 11 a.m. that is open to the public. All events are free.

The library is at 2330 Nebraska Ave.

For more information on Martinez's work, visit her Web site.

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