How to prepare for a casting, grow your social media and get an agent. Interview with Alex B: Influencer, Actor, Model and DJ.
Hi Alex! Tell us a little more about yourself.
My name is Alex and I’m a model and DJ from Paris currently working between New York and Los Angeles for six years now! I studied acting at the Conservatoire du 8e arrondissement in Paris (Classical Drama), then at the ENSATT in Lyon for three years (National Acting School). I also completed workshops in Russia to learn Stanislavski’s Method and trained with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. I have worked as an actor in Theater and film in France before coming to the U.S to work as a DJ and commercial model. I also directed a couple of independent movies in France and the US.
Before you were signed to an agency you were independent. How did you learn and find jobs to prepare?
Before finding a Modeling Agent to represent me, I underwent intense body training and collaborated on photoshoots with lots of photographers worldwide until I had what was needed. By building a strong portfolio, I eventually convinced Brian To, a great photographer from Los Angeles – who has also shot Kendall Jenner – to shoot me as well. That helped me gain visibility and I used all of that to attract the attention of an agency.
When I arrived, I stayed with that agency for five years, but It wasn’t a great agency so I started booking most castings myself (notably a voice-over job at Lime Studios in Santa Monica, which saved me during the pandemic !) and fought again. Eventually, I switched to a smaller agency as I felt a real connection with my agent this time. I’m excited to be signed with EMG Models today where I have a very supportive team by my side! We booked a campaign for A Magazine in collaboration with Diesel in our first few months!
I see you have lots of followers on social media. How did you grow your social media platform?
For social media, I first began posting creative, engaging content with reputable photographers to attract some followers. I also connected with everyone I met in person in the U.S. and started collaborating with brands and restaurants to get reposted and gain visibility (It is a lot of work and investment, but it pays off!). Doing something other than acting or modeling also helped me a lot: DJ-ing, especially with numerous shows at major venues like Nebula, boosted my visibility. By the way, you should follow me if you’re reading this—aha—@alexbplanet! You see, that’s another way to connect—sharing during interviews, podcasts and live shows. Basically anytime, anywhere!
You are a pretty famous DJ and artist. Does that help your actor and model career? How do you use one to balance the other?
Fame isn’t important to me… I’ve reached a point where I love what I do so much that I just need to create to be happy and in peace. At first I focused more on my modeling career in the U.S., where speaking wasn’t as essential. With the SAG strike and the film industry’s shift towards TV, I wanted to wait for the right moment to return into acting. My English has improved significantly, and recent film releases have inspired me to act more again!
So, I’m now back in the grind – like you all – returning to the film industry but with a huge network from modeling and music to push my career.
You now work in the USA, how hard is it coming from another country? What can a foreigner expect?
Changing countries has been the hardest thing… I didn’t know anyone in the USA and had to start from scratch again. It’s a real challenge to put aside what you built before, who you were before and all you have achieved to accept being a beginner again – especially after 10 years in your field when competing with top people worldwide.
This was particularly challenging as I arrived during the pandemic. It’s been a constant hustle to learn the language, understand the culture and keep working hard every day! As a foreigner, be prepared to reset your life and start from zero -even if you were at level 10 before. It’s an ongoing fight!
How do you prepare for castings and what was your most recent booking?
The best way to prepare for a casting is to actually prepare every day! Don’t wait until you’re booked to be ready : you’re booked because you’re ready. I go to Equinox Hudson Yards EVERY DAY to keep my body and mind ready to take high-responsibility jobs.
For my most recent booking, I was lucky to be directly booked for a fashion e-commerce but the shoot was the next day. You don’t have time to get ready or prep — you have to be ready! Being booked is something, doing the job well and keeping the client is another thing. For a magazine shoot, you have an entire team of 20 people; you need to show up on time, be polite, quiet, and patient. Then, when it’s time to shoot, you need to be quick and creative with your poses. And if you’re lucky to have an amazing creative team, like I had with Diesel, it can be a lot of fun!
Any advice for all the readers that are applying to the castings?
My advice is to keep going! and when you think it’s time to stop, keep going even harder. Whatever happens will help you in the future. This industry is highly competitive so it’s essential to build a personal life that makes you happy outside of work to stay balanced also. Those personal moments with family, friends and loved ones will also inspire your artistic career.
LINKS:
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/alexbplanet/?hl=en
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lundibleu8088?app=desktop
Modeling Agency: https://www.emgmodels.com/new-york-men-main/alex-barbosa
