Spotlight Interview: Liz Russo

Liz Russo LizzAU@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Lizzau/home.html Washington, DC Beginning professional model Represented by: (all are non-contractual) Image International (PA), Pro-Models (PA), NOVA (MD), Three-D Entertainment, and a variety of others that keep me on file for occasional work.

Q: How did you get started in modeling?

Liz: Plus Size modeling must first begin with self-acceptance.

"You have such a pretty face" everyone would tell me, but I was always an overweight child. My heaviest weight was 270 at size 24/26. I lost the weight as a camp counselor at a summer weight loss camp called New Image. I started as a camper there when I was only 10 years old. Summers at Camp New Image were a blessing! I was with kids my age with similar problems and it was a fun and comfortable environment where I had my first kiss, first boyfriend, first love, and best friends that I still have today! But as a counselor and Theater Director for the camp (where I still work every summer!), I lost my weight with more permanence and gained the self-esteem to succeed in my endeavors to become a model and actress.

It wasn't until I lost over 70 pounds and went from a size 24/26 to a size 14/16 (within 2-3 years) that I felt secure enough to pursue my dreams. I had to become healthy and happy first before anything else.

I was 18 when I chose to educate myself about this fast expanding industry of plus size modeling and to pursue it as a career for myself. I started first by ordering a book called Ultimate Plus Size Modeling Guide by Catherine Schuller and Suzan Nanfeldt. This is a great guide for beginning models and gave me my start!

Q: What was your first agency visit/open call like?

Liz: My friend, and neighbor, Lauren was modeling at a local agency in PA, Image International. She later went on to sign with Elite. Her mother told me that the local agency represented plus size models and I should contact them. So I called, answered a few questions, and they asked me to come by for an interview and to bring pictures. I went to the interview, 18 years old, with a few snapshots that friends took and some glamour shots taken at the mall. Now I can look back and laugh! But they took a look at the pictures and said that I had a nice look and was photogenic, so they would like to work with me. I was young, so they wanted me to take some classes and get some professional photos taken. I was on my way to college at American University in DC and didn't have the money for the pictures at the time. So I declined but stayed in contact with them and pursued things further in DC.

Q: Did you have to take any classes before getting an agent?

Liz: I think classes are fun and can be extremely helpful for an aspiring model. I have an extensive background in drama, dance, and voice including classes in movement and film. I choose not to take classes that were offered to me because I had limited expenses and time because of college and because of my background, I felt I didn't need them. Sometimes I wish I would have taken the classes relating to the industry side and for test shoots, but I got lucky without taking them. I would say watch out for scams, but I would also recommend learning as much as you can in as many ways as you can about the modeling industry.

Q: How long did it take you to find representation?

Liz: It took about two years for me to educate myself about the industry, seek out agencies, get the interviews, get the professional pictures to make into a composite card, and be represented by an agency to get my first job. Of course I had to share the whole process with school, so it probably took twice as long as it should have. In any case, it is a long painstaking process, but worth it 110%! I'm still looking for representation in NYC with a bigger agency, and right now I have no contractual agreements with any of my local agencies.

Q: How did you find pictures to take to your first open calls/mail-ins?

Liz: I got pictures in 3 stages. As I said before, I went to my first interview, 18 years old, with a few snapshots that friends took and some glamour shots taken at the mall. But after that I realized that I wanted to go to more agencies with better pictures. So I took another big step by posting a notice on the bulletin board of our school's (American University) photography studio. My post said something like, "Plus Model seeking photographer to trade prints for time. Call Liz for an interview" I got 2 phone calls. I choose Iwan, a bright photographer who was once a European model. Although he's a bit "artsy", I liked his professionalism and his personality, so we went from there. We shot 4-5 rolls of film and I got all the slides and negatives, from which I made prints to send to agencies. Here is a sample of what Iwan took of me. I got lots of calls for interviews, and some rejections outright. Then once I got the agencies to take interest in me it was time to get professional photos taken to make a composite card and get me working!

Q: What was your very first paying job and how long did it take you to get it after you found an agency?

Liz: Luckily, it didn't take me long to find my first paying modeling job. I went to the NOVA modeling agency with the student photographer shots of me and they said they would call if they found anything for me, but I should get professional photos done so they could send my pictures to clients. So, in about 1 week Crystal at the agency called me with a job assignment. It was for a spring fashion promotion of plus size casual wear. They needed a size 16, and there I was ready to work. I got up at 4 a.m. to drive to WMAR in Baltimore, got in my ugly velvet plus size jumpsuit, went on the morning show, did my little turn and smile, and that was it! That was my first job! It was a great experience. Then again, anything that pays $$$, gets you exposure, and you can add to your resume is a great experience!

Q: How often do you work?

Liz: I'm lucky if I can work once a month. The work seems to be sporadic and I may not get paid for what I did until months later. So far I've done 5 runway shows (2 with Catherine Schuller!), a TV promotion, in-person product promotion, Boscov's Department Store catalogue work, and a thermal underwear package for Lady Morgan. Recently, I received a call from QVC for an open call I attended months ago informing me of their interest. I'll be sure to update everyone on what happens with that! I'm still a beginner and am looking for more print and commercial assignments, as well as acting work!

Q: What are your long term goals in the industry?

Liz: I would like to make modeling and acting my career. In the near future, I would like to sign with a larger agency in NYC and do more print work, possibly and hopefully with MODE magazine, and do acting work in commercials, sketch comedy, television, and film. I have big dreams -- and if you have a dream you have everything.

I'm a big fan of actor Jerry O'Connell (Sliders, Stand by Me, The 60's) and I think he says it best:

"All you can really do is ask for a consistent career. I'm not looking for superstardom, I don't need any of that. I'd just like to make a living at this."