Confessions Agency Spotlight is a section of the blog where we interview the CEO/Owners of Modeling Agencies in Second Life and inform our readers what they need to know about the agency. Are you a model that wants to be hired at a particular agency? Well, this is where you find the answers. 😉
Our very first Confessions Agency Spotlight is Catalyst of Fantasy Agency where we interviewed the always fierce and fabulous CEO Lacie Beningborough. Catalyst of Fantasy is a fairly new agency that started earlier this year but it has skyrocketed in fame recently due to their unique sense of style and ability to think outside the box. Catalyst of Fantasy Agency is not your typical SL modelling agency. CoF’s CEO’s Lacie Beningborough and Sparkie Funizza want the agency to be a very small and elite agency; unique in their management style, choice of clients and stylings. If you have seen a CoF show before, then you will know that fierce make-up, skin and wild hair are a must to show the look of unique high fashion style found in the runways of Paris and Milan. The Catalyst of Fantasy Team also have an Academy and a monthly Magazine.
CoF colours are black and gold, just like the bumblebee, which CoF have adopted as the mascot. Scientists say that the bumblebee cannot fly. Aerodynamically impossible. Scientifically impossible. The body is too fat and the wings are too small. Fortunately , the bumblebee doesn’t care what man has to say and gets up every day and flies merrily away.
Here at Catalyst of Fantasy, They have adopted the bumblebee’s philosophy and carry on everyday doing what it is they do best, bringing you live fashion shows, and live artists and doing our best to inform you of all the newest things happening on the grid via our magazine. They are always on the lookout for new designers, and artists to promote. Second Life is brimming with new, as yet, undiscovered talent, and they try to do their best to bring them to you.
We asked CEO Lacie Beningborough what models want to know.
Q: What attributes must a model possess in order to gain admission into your agency?
LB: Well, we can fix pixels, and we can teach them to walk and to style. What matters the most , in my humble opinion, is ATTITUDE, and the willingness to learn. Of course skill comes in as well, but that is not primarily why we hire. We want someone who wants to be here, who shares the vision and is excited about the agency and what we do here. Catalyst of Fantasy is very extreme in our styling and we love being that way. Not everyone is comfortable in this and would rather stay with a more “normal” or “natural” look. That’s fair enough too. There s room for everyone on SL.
Q: Is a potential candidate for your agency required to undertake training specifically with your model academy?
LB: No , of course not. We do only hire trained models though. We just don’t have the time to teach a model everything they need to know and more so, why should we have to? A career is an investment and every model on the grid has paid their dues via fees for classes. It is disrespectful to those who have spent so much time, hard work, and lindens to just give it away for free to any and all. Also, we make sure to pay our models here, not just in clothing, but for their actual work on the runway and print. We hire the best and that’s how we pay them too. Catalyst of Fantasy has one of the very best teaching programs on the grid ,especially now with the addition of the Advanced Elite class. Every model should know how to do this stuff and we aren’t shy to tell them so. Yes, it costs, but you will benefit in the long run by being able to do what other models cannot. You want to be unique and this is the way to do it. Go to classes. Learn. If not ours, then someone’s. Get the best teaching that you can find and if you have to pay real USD for it, this is the one thing that is worth it in the long run.
Q:There is a general perception amongst models that some agencies only hire those who have established a reputable name for themselves, whether it be with a top-tier agency or otherwise. Is this important to you? Model training aside, are you willing to take a chance on a model who is new to the industry?
LB: Yes of course. I want talent and the right attitude. I have hired quite a few models straight from school. If they have what it takes, we want them! We will help them make a name for themselves and we have done so with many models. There are quite a few here who had no name and are now considered top in the industry. That is what a good agency does… sees talent and promotes them. Every agency is only as good as the models they use, correct? We use only the best!
Thank You So Much Lacie and Catalyst of Fantasy for taking the time to share with us and our readers what CoF is all about. =) TYSM.
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