MAD Agency blog has MOVED
Please be advised that we have decided to close MAD Agency blog and move it to MAD Image for easier management.
For most up to date information on MAD Agency shows and activity please visit MAD Image instead.
The Costa Rica Sims Announces Partnership with MAD Agency
The Costa Rica Sims is honored to announce a new partnership with MAD Agency, a subsidiary of KMADD Enterprise, to continue the Designer’s Showcase. A fashion extravaganza that features the brilliant designers of the Commercial District within The Costa Rica Sims, the Designer’s Showcase is a long standing event that has continuously set fashion trends and introduced the world to the fantastic designs of a collection of fashion forward designers.
Beginning in May, the Designers Showcase will be placed in the capable hands of Risa Bright, Kirk Claymore, and Maddox Dupont. This unrivaled trio is known throughout Second Life for producing some of the most amazing shows and events that have ever graced the grid. Risa Bright, director of MAD Agency, stated, “I am very excited about the new agreement between MAD Agency and Giancarlo Takacs of Costa Rica Sims for MAD to produce the monthly designer’s showcases. MAD Agency has revamped the runway show format to make for a more realistic and enjoyable experience and we are excited to combine our creative concepts and energies with the Costa Rica Sims team.”
On May 16th, The Costa Rica Sims will be treated with a feast for the eyes in the first of many shows that are to come. While the show will continue to be held on the third Saturday of every month, there will be a slight change to the normal schedule. In order to accommodate the traditionally large crowds of both the Costa Rica Sims Community and avid MAD Agency fans, there will now be two showings of each showcase. The Designer’s Showcase will be shown first at 10:30AM SLT, and once again at 12:00PM SLT. An after party in honor of the residents, friends, models, and guests will be held following the 12:00pm show hosted by renowned DJ Azu.
When asked about the newfound partnership with KMADD and MAD agency, The Costa Rica Sims CEO Giancarlo Takacs seemed overjoyed. “Kirk and Maddox have been some of my oldest friends in Second Life, even giving me my start as a model for MAD Agency. I owe much of the success of the Costa Rica Sims to them, so having them as friends, residents, and now business partners seems only natural. It always pleases me to involve residents in the growth of our estate, and my excitement is only heightened at the fact that it is a group of people whom I admire with such respect. I do believe that the KMADD events have made history throughout Second Life, and now with this collaboration we will make history once again.”
For what will inevitably be one of the most highly anticipated events of the month, The Costa Rica Sims would like to extend a heartfelt thank you and welcome to MAD Agency. We are overwhelmed with joy at this melding of families, once again allowing our community to grow closer as a whole.
Love and Light,
The Costa Rica Sims Executive Team
MAD Agency
| Written by Olyvia Zenovka | |
| Sunday, 12 April 2009 23:35 |
MAD Agency presents MECHANISM ~ TODAY @ 1pm SLT
Showcasing both male and female designs from Mechanism …
For all MAD Agency show invitations please join KMADD Enterprise Group
Walks & Poses – As seen in Runway Magazine Oct 08
Choosing the right poses for your outfit on the runway, in my opinion, is as important as choosing the right skin, hair or shoes.
Personally I prefer animated poses on the runway as they look smooth and flow well, giving you a more professional look. When I say animated poses I don’t mean AO poses that continually move, rather they are animated while moving into the final static pose.
As models we show off clothes for a designer, we are effectively a moving mannequin and it’s important to remember this when choosing poses.
Some poses twist the torso/limbs in turn distorting the texture on the garment. A designer has spent many hours, sometimes weeks working on the texture and will expect their designs to be shown to their best.
Try to avoid poses that make your body look unnatural. Tip toe poses not only look silly also unrealistic, how many real life models do you see posing on tip toes on the runway? Some poses will twist your avatars limbs and torso leaving rough bumpy edges that look totally unnatural. Arm over head poses (armpit poses) are a good example of this, as they tend to leave your shoulders looking rough with jagged edges. As a professional model I don’t like exposing my armpits on the runway, it doesn’t look natural (even if I have shaved…) and some agencies will specifically ask their models not to use them.
It is essential to make sure that you’re hands are not covering an important part of the design. If the garment has an intricate pattern on the torso make sure your arms/hands are not covering this and that it’s not distorted by the pose. Also ensure your hands are not sinking into a garment and that your legs are not poking through a prim skirt – make sure your legs are hidden completely inside the skirt. You wouldn’t see legs poking through a skirt or hands sinking into the body on a real life runway, so remember natural poses!
Choose poses to compliment the outfit, if you are wearing a formal gown find poses that are sophisticated, elegant and appropriate for a gown, a pose that shows attitude for example will not suit. Alternatively if you are modeling an urban/alternative outfit an attitude pose might suit better.
There are many different walks available but not all are suited to the runway. When choosing a runway walk think carefully about how it looks from the front, back and side, as the audience will view you from all angles. Some walks look great from the front and back but can look unnatural from the side, and vice versa. Avoid fast walks or walks that wiggle your hips too much, choose one that looks realistic, one that you could imagine on a real life runway.
Check out some of these links…
Some of my favourite animated poses and walks are from Maitreya, designed by the very talented Beauvoir Rousselot.
Luth Brodie of Real Expression is an exceptional pose designer and another favourite of mine. She specialises in modelling poses and has recently added/updated some super animated poses too.
Torridwear by Torrid Midnight is another firm favourite.
LAP – Long Awkward Pose by Dove Swanson have some lovely animated poses.
GRAVES Latex & Leather ~ Show follow up notes
Show start: 1.30PM
People started to arrive: 12.30PM
Sim full by: 1PM
Number of people on the sim: 70
Stats tell it all!
What a great way to start 2009 for MAD Agency. I think everyone had a great time and after show party ensured everyone had an opportunity to model their best fetish gear. If you have missed the show do not dispear. Click on the photo below to view our official show photos and visit KMADD Enterprise Flickr Pool, where our visitors and KMADD resident photographers always have extra snaps added.
[ click on the image to view official show photos]
Now, once again everyone was asking about music playlist for the show. All MAD Agency shows are accompanied with special music selection to bring show to life and create the atmosphere. Here is the list of songs used – please note that music from DJ Lenny is a mix given to me by our resident DJ – I am not sure of songs it contains, but the rest is there.
The Characteristics of Successful Models
Happy New Year!
New year always brings the promise of new experiences and a hope that we will improve on what has gone before. Our calendars are new and blank, the year stretches out before us filled with possibilities.
As the agency manager, I receive IMs daily – inquiries from models or those who are considering modelling as a profession in Second Life and would like to be part of MAD Agency. Allow me to share just a few of our agency policies and viewpoints on the hiring and retention of models.
Everyone who is a model or wants to be a model in Second Life is keenly aware of the intense competition amongst all models to be hired by the most reputable and busy agencies. We at MAD Agency are very fortunate that our business model and commitment to professionalism have positioned us as one of the agencies that many models would like to join.
The best place to start if you are looking at joining modelling agency in Second Life is with their selection criteria. MAD Agency selection criteria lists all our preferred characteristics and basic requirements we look for when assessing suitability of new applicants.
There are many agencies who will hire inexperienced models and provide training to you if you have not graduated from a modelling academy. Still other agencies will hire only the trained and experienced “runway-ready” models who can begin work immediately with no time spent on skill development. MAD Agency has a very busy schedule of runway events and photo work and due to the demanding schedule we keep, we are only able to hire models who are seasoned and capable with the ability and readiness to work immediately with no further schooling required. We require our MAD Agency models to attend casting and walk in a minimum number of shows each quarter to remain employed with the agency, we need this participation to meet the demands of our show schedule.
Along with experience and training we need the model to have a varied and vast inventory of shapes/skins/hair/eyes/shoes/poses to suit any type of look the client may be trying to achieve. As I mentioned briefly in my previous post, the models at MAD are all not only modifiable in shape, but very happy to morph any part of themselves with out a moment’s hesitation.
Each agency has its own culture and atmosphere. If you asked the models who work there to describe the working conditions or the environment, they would probably all say about the same thing when choosing words to explain that agency. At MAD Agency we pride ourselves in a very structured and professional approach to the production of each runway event. All shows follow a carefully thought-out sequence of check-listed elements that lead up to the day of the actual show. All models who work for us are informed at the outset of the time commitment we ask when they accept an assignment and it is imperative we are able to count on them to be present for all aspects of pre-production. Fittings, rehearsals and photo shoots all take place before the actual walking of the runway is done with the live audience and the models need to be present for all of those stages of the event. It is important to mention that we do value your time as a model and strive to do all our preparations in as efficient a manner as we can to make good use of everyone’s time. Being punctual therefore ( or early, even better! ) and always at your keyboard instead of AFK for long periods, are real job requirements. We also require models in shows to keep a close eye on their notices and SL email to be aware of any information that may be sent in a group notice or anything we may send that needs a response.
Reputation is a strong factor. If you are known for being professional, polite and reliable, this will help you when hiring selections are made. If a person has a history of no-shows or broken promises, those types of information tend to be well known by those who are in charge of hiring and that may hinder a model’s ability to be represented by an agency they may want to join.
Similarly, “drama” is a commodity in huge supply and with zero demand. MAD Agency has had from the beginning a very strict and enforced “drama free” policy. This means if a model is unable to behave professionally and politely at all times or if they are disruptive due to anything that could be construed as “drama”, there is no place for them in our model pool. We have a primary focus on the client’s needs and wishes and personal attention-getting or demanding types of behaviours are not going to contribute to that goal. The corporate culture has been very much like a family since the beginning. We have all been client focused, and worked as a team to help any one of us who may need anything. Often a model who may need some help with a particular skill set buddy up with a more experienced model to “mentor” them in that area and bring their skills up for a particular show. I am always so impressed and touched at the willingness of MAD Agency models to be there for each other. We are truly a great team.
A major factor in being chosen for work is being here! Availability is a must.
It has been said that “80% of success is showing up”, in Second Life there are often jobs that arise with little notice and we send a group notice to see who is online and willing to work, if you are not in game much then most of the work that is offered may pass you by. We also like models to be able to respond to IMs that are sent off-line to ask about their availability when clients request it. MAD Agency models are all very client-focused and understand that it is a very real business in this virtual world! Being responsive to messages and notices in a timely manner is something we all practice as part of the commitment to excellence.
Another characteristic of the models who succeed in the field is uniqueness and style.
Look carefully at the avatars who work the most in the busiest agencies, they all have a look that sets them apart. Modelling is a very expensive profession in Second Life , the amount you spend on your avatar’s appearance will far surpass your earning potential in the field. This fact is well known to the most successful models who have a passion for bringing the designer’s vision to life and using their creations ( the avatar of the model ) to enhance the creations of the apparel designer. It is not enough to have a great skin and some nice hair since new high-end skins and hair are being released every day, models must always be adding to their repertoire of skin choices and hair styles/colors. The savvy models know that while some of these skins and hair may not be their personal preference, they may come in handy for a modelling assignment and it is wise to acquire as wide a variety of these items as possible to be ready when the client asks to see what options you have to offer them. Range is very important, to be as in demand as possible as a model, your inventory should support your avatar’s transformations from high society debutante to edgy Gothic raver and everything in between.
One more characteristic which pairs with the depth and breadth of your inventory is the ability to style yourself.
The majority of runway events are styled by the designer or their staff, but there will be photo shoots and the occasional runway walk that will require the model to fit their outfit prim and style their looks themselves. The models must possess expert prim edit skills, the ability to edit a hairstyle to fit perfectly when the client has just given you a new shape to use is one example. Your personal style aside, the client’s clothing / skin / shoes/ hair must be the inspiration piece around which the styling is centered and the skill there is in NOT making that look your own, but instead keeping the spotlight on the product you are featuring. As you can see, the consistent theme in all successful models is the client focus. Look at all outfits as a puzzle with a few missing pieces… which hair/skin/accessories will complete this puzzle and bring this outfit to the pinnacle of the designer’s intentions?
This new year 2009 holds many exciting events for us at MAD Agency, our skilled and dedicated pool of models make all the difference in creating the runway events and fabulous print products we are able to provide to our clients.
As always, I welcome your suggestions for column topics, please send a notecard inworld to Risa Bright. For more information on MAD Agency and the entire KMADD Enterprise conglomerate, see our website at www.kmaddcity.com
Until next time, have a great time in SL and see you at the shows!
KMADD’s Winter Party
Join us! Everyone is welcome…
[ click to enlarge ]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
For exact location of the sim please join KMADD Enterprise group – additional invitations with LM will come out tomorrow.
Please read the event details carefully – for the enjoyment of everyone and for the sake of immersion dress code applies.
MAD Agency 
