Model Behaviour: Rani Swamy On Modelling As An Older Adult

Silver Talkies Club member Rani Swamy has done almost 20 modelling assignments. She shares her experience.

I was a complete novice when I entered this exciting industry. My friend Kalpana Rao, a leading model and actor, referred and encouraged me. Kalpana and I met at a Silver Talkies event and hit it off, and we are good friends. I was so amused when she suggested I try my hand at modelling. It never struck me that I could even try! But then, life is full of opportunities, and I thought to myself, why not!

Kalpana shared some contacts in the modelling industry. I was apprehensive about my chances, but she encouraged me to give it a try. 

I did not know how to proceed at first. I just contacted a few people who asked me to send my pictures. I was unsure what pictures to send, so I sent them whatever was available on my mobile phone. They seem to have worked! One fine day I was called by a casting agent, and they told me that they had selected me to play a granny's role for Britannia Good Day biscuits - a print ad. 

It was thrilling and also intimidating. This was my first modelling assignment, and I was very nervous. I was asked to send a few pictures of the saris I possessed, and they selected 3-4 saris for me to wear. But I needn't have been nervous. At the shoot, everyone was relaxed and friendly. The little girl playing my granddaughter had already done many ads; I was in awe of her! She was confident and emoted her role with so much ease! In other words, an experience to remember. 

My Journey Onwards

If you wish to be a model, the details of many casting agents are available on Facebook and Instagram. You can contact them and let them know of your interest in modelling.

Casting agents ask you to send your pictures with details like age, height, languages spoken, place of stay, and so on; most of them ask you to send an introduction video where you can give all the information. Sometimes the casting agents provide tips on how they want the intro video. Once agents have your credentials and if you are good at what you do, casting agencies will contact you when there are suitable assignments. Many assignments also happen through word of mouth. Sometimes casting agents require you to make a professional portfolio, though I still need to do it. Many of them will create the portfolio for you for a price.

Once you have an assignment, you must be prepared to spend the whole day at the shoot. If the shoot is supposed to end at 6 pm, it may even go late into the night. Of course, as a professional, you are expected to cooperate without complaints. But the atmosphere is amiable and respectful, especially for older adults. Food is arranged, and some production houses arrange transport or pay Uber charges.

Modelling is a hobby for me, and I don't push myself, though I have given my hundred per cent every time I have worked in an ad. I do not contact anyone for assignments. If something comes up and I like it, I take it on. But if you wish to spread the word about yourself, there are avenues. For example, you can make reels and post them on Instagram or shoot small videos and post them on Facebook. I have not done it, but if any of my ads are published, I post them on FB tagging the agent who got me the ad.

When you start, the remuneration for print ads is about Rs 4,000-5,000 a day, depending on the agency. It goes up gradually. Digital ads could pay more, depending on the client and agency. Cities like Mumbai are supposed to pay better.

I have done about 20 ads now (including a small role in a Tamil movie), and each shoot has been an enriching experience. Seeing yourself on a massive billboard or an ad film is also a thrill.

Modelling is a hobby that came to me by chance, and though I haven't pushed for more work, it has been an enjoyable journey.

All images courtesy: The Author

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Here's another feature on becoming a senior model from our archives.