Shanghai
Shanghai, China has grown into a hotspot for models due to the potential for high earnings. Known as the endless city, Shanghai has become a cosmopolitan city bursting with activity twenty-four hours a day. For the models who crave a bit more excitement in their daily routine besides castings and bookings, Shanghai could be a great potential market.
Market criteria
The standard for models in Shanghai has gone down over the last 4-5 years. After people became aware of the good money that agencies could make, people that weren’t familiar with the fashion and modelling industries opened agencies. In addition, bookers from older agencies decided to open up new agencies or become freelance bookers working for multiple agencies at a time. In order for these new agencies to start up, they would take on foreigners just to have a board of models. Although it sounds ridiculous, this is the reality in Shanghai. As such, you will see “models” with a wide range of looks and sizes.
However, the typical female model who works well in Shanghai is slim, fair skinned, has blue eyes, and a small V-shaped face. Both Chinese clients and consumers love models with small faces and chins; whereas Japanese clients and consumers have a preference towards models with rounder faces.
Although blondes work well in China, brunettes tend to fare better. This holds true for Asia generally, with the exception of Tokyo. The competition amongst blondes is high, and brunettes – even with blue eyes – are usually better at catering to Chinese consumers. However, a model’s bookings aren’t usually dependent on their hair colour.
Age
A model that is in her late 20s can continue to find success in the Chinese market as long as she looks young and has had previous success in the market. Clients in China love younger models and many models begin travelling to China for work at the age of 16.
Many models go back to Shanghai and China at least once or twice a year for several years. Models can go to multiple cities in China but should stick to going to each city only once per year. Clients usually will not want to use the same model again so soon.
Seasons
The busiest time in Shanghai is November-January and June-August. There are a lot of castings and jobs during this time but also a lot of models. Generally, Shanghai is busy year round except for February, where the entire month is dead due to Chinese New Year.
Arrival info
Most likely that Chinese agency will meet you at the airport and take you to your apartment but be prepared that after your 9-12 hours flight you might have a casting! To be prepared, have your grooming/makeup bag, shaving kit, casting clothes, high heels, and portfolio all either in your carry on or in an easily accessible part of your suitcase.
Transportation
In Shanghai, models will get to and from castings in a casting van. The agency has a driver that will drive the models around the city along with the booker(s).If the casting van is available, models will get a ride from the agency driver to their jobs. If not, the model will be asked to take a taxi, but will be reimbursed by the agency. If the job is on location and far away, the model will usually get a ride from the client and get dropped off at the studio or meeting point.
What to wear
Please wear make up for castings: lipstick, light colored eye shadow and mascara! Clients won’t pay attention to models without make up – its too hard for them to imagine how you can look with a make up and all European look same for Chinese, that’s why clients may mess your composite cards with other models… Wear simple, but cute dresses!
On the castings
When you come to the agency for a first time, bring something special from your country as a gift. The simple gesture of sharing something from your home will be greatly appreciated – think souvenir key rings, chocolate bars, and other treats only available in your country.
Your success in the Chinese market is largely depend on your posing ability. A beautiful face and portfolio are not enough to get you jobs from castings and could cost you a lot of potential earnings. Be sure to practice your posing in the mirror and if you are new, watch other models and learn. As long as you’re always moving, even a slightly different hand gesture than the last pose can help prove your professionalism to the client. Check out our posing guide and make sure you an expert before you go to castings because you have to show clients poses!
On the job
When you are on the job, it’s always good to be really professional and nice to the client and especially to the people who work at the studio you’re shooting at. If a model is nice, fun, and poses well, the studio will use a model upwards of 8 times during their contract period.
Even though Shanghai is a common market for new faces, the older and more experienced models tend to do better. This is because they often don’t need direction and clients appreciate a model who can deliver a new pose right after the other. Do your best with your poses and try not to think too much of it – just go.
During the shoot, models will find themselves experiencing a language barrier. Some agencies do have their bookers attend jobs with their models to help assist them with communication with the client. But there will be days when a model might have to go alone.
At a job that is 6 hours or more, you will have a lunch break. If you don’t eat meat, ask your booker (if they are not on the job with you) to write down on a piece of paper that you don’t eat meat so you can show the client. You can alternatively pack your own lunch, which many models choose to do.
In Shanghai, the work is hard, redundant, and dull. But if a model is just focused on earning potential, they’ll have no issues working in Shanghai.
Models can also be expected to have between 50-150 changes of outfits per day. Sometimes the client will just want a few shots for the campaign and spend the rest of the time on the catalogues or lookbooks, doing quick changes to shoot all of the looks.
Be happy – When you are at jobs, try to leave your personal life out of your work. This doesn’t apply just to Shanghai, but to all markets. Clients love it when a model has a lot of energy and is always happy and eager to shoot. The client or studio then feels more inclined to book the model again in the future.
Be open-minded – Models in Shanghai need to be open-minded. Many models will experience some degree of culture shock and this is normal. Models must be open to the new experiences and be understanding of the people and their customs.
General information
Agency Commission: 30-40%. This doesn’t include the mother agency commission that is an additional 10%.
Offer Guarantee: Yes! A guaranteed contract in Shanghai can be anywhere between $10,000-$20,000 gross, depending on the models experience and portfolio.All net earnings will be paid to the model in cash (USD) one day prior to their departure from Shanghai. This makes Shanghai and China in general an appealing market to some models because they don’t have to wait for months to receive their money.
Standard Contract: 30-90 days. A contract for Shanghai can be anywhere between 30-90 days. A model that has either a very strong portfolio or has been to the market before can come for a shorter period of 30-45 days and earn very good money.
Visa Status: Yes – Work visa required. Models interested in going to Shanghai will be required to obtain a Chinese work visa from the closest Chinese consulate to their hometown.
Languages Spoken: Mandarin/Chinese, Cantonese (some), Hokkien, “Shanghainese,” English (some)
Depending on which area of the city you are in, you will find that some people at restaurants or shops do speak English. On the outskirts of the city centre, many local people don’t speak English very well if at all.
Mandarin is the predominant language in Shanghai and is spoken by everyone. Not only does Chinese have three different dialects, each city in China also has some slang words that are distinct to that city or province, hence “Shanghainese.”
Model Apartments: The model apartments in Shanghai, for the most part, tend to be a really good size. Many also come with a swimming pool. But the apartments tend to get dirty quickly and become breeding grounds for cockroaches, so models should always clean up after themselves!
If you decide to go to China during the winter (November-March), the apartments get very cold. None of the apartments in Shanghai (and most of South-Eastern China) are insulated. Even though the apartments have large heaters, they usually don’t go past a certain temperature (e.g. 32 degrees Celsius) and the heat escapes out the window. Be sure to bring lots of sweaters and warm clothes!
People: Shanghai is home to more than 23 million people and you will meet a diverse range of people. Shanghai is also home to a lot of expatriates and foreigners as well. Chinese people tend to be very conservative and shy but for the most part treat foreigners well.
There are certain local mannerisms that models who have been to the market have found tough getting used to, such as the loud slurping when people eat or the constant spitting. These habits can be annoying but be empathetic and accept it.