Everyone can participate. The casting day was packed, make sure you have a lot of time to wait. They measure you, give you your own a4 paper with your info. They categorise you into commercial or fashion model.
Standing in front of a desk with people per 4 models, they tell you which type of category you belong to and ask you if you want your makeup done - they highly recommend it because you need “a special type” of makeup for this shoot + surprise surprise: it costs money. I chose this option because I had already waited so long and wanted to make the best of it, but the makeup was nothing I couldn’t have done, just a simple base….<br />
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Shooting was a nice experience, kind female photographer, made lots of photos, I got the feeling they really took the time to take your pictures. <br />
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After the shoot you wait a long time, and eventually get called into a room with a woman and a computer. You look through the photo’s (I didn’t like the way I looked on the photos, but that’s a personal thing). You get smooth talked by the woman, that you are/certain photos are exactly what they are looking for. You get your hopes up, and than another surprise; to be able to get the all photos (instead of only a few you picked out with the woman) and get a profile on their website, they recommend you to pay €150.<br />
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All with all, I think it’s a cleverly / psychologically set up day, from standing in front of a jury, the waiting time, taking lots of photos and someone who tells you you are what they are looking for, for them to get your money. <br />
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I also think too many people are allowed to the casting days, no preliminary rounds (useful to earn more money ofcourse)<br />
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I think it’s more useful to send your photos to local casting agencies
