Your booker sends a message: a go-see tomorrow at 11, with an address, a name and not much else. If you have just signed, or you are thinking about applying to an agency, this is one of the first appointments you will be sent to, and nobody always stops to explain it. This guide covers what a go-see is, how it differs from a casting, what to bring and wear, what happens in the room and what to do afterwards.
What a go-see is
A go-see is a meeting set up by your agent with a client, photographer or casting director. The name comes, quite literally, from the phrase "go see someone". It is often the first meeting between a model and a potential agency, photographer or future client, a chance for both sides to see whether they are a good fit.
Often there is no specific job attached. A go-see is when an agent asks a model to visit a client or photographer so that they can remember your face for future work. You are being introduced, not auditioned.
Go-sees come in a few forms. There are three main ones:
The classic go-see This is a short meeting where the client looks at you and your book
A go-see with a test shoot This runs longer because photos are taken there and then
A catwalk go-see The client wants to see how you move and walk
Go-see or casting?
The usual difference is this: a casting is normally for a particular job, and a go-see is a general introduction, a chance to see clients and photographers with no specific job in mind.
In practice the words are used loosely. A go-see can also mean seeing someone who is casting for a particular job, and "casting" can also mean a go-see itself. So do not rely on the word alone. Read the details your booker sends, and if you are not sure whether there is a job attached, ask them. If it is a casting, our guide on how castings work covers that side in more detail, and the model's handbook of industry terms will help with the rest of the vocabulary.
One more thing worth knowing early: in most cases models are not paid for going to a go-see. Payment comes when you are selected for an actual job.
Before you go
A little preparation makes the whole thing easier.
Read the brief properly Note the address, the time, who you are meeting and anything they have asked you to bring or wear
Look up the client Research the client beforehand so you can dress for them. A quick look at their website and social channels also gives you something to talk about
Plan your route and arrive early Aim to be there 10 to 15 minutes before your time. If you are going to be late for any reason, tell your agent straight away
Keep the night before quiet Avoid a big night out so you look fresh
What to bring
Your book Your portfolio should hold only your best work
Comp cards Bring a few comp cards, the printed cards with your pictures and measurements
Recent digitals on your phone Keep them easy to pull up. Our step-by-step on nailing your digitals explains how to get them right
A pen and notebook Use them for names and anything you are asked to follow up on
A small grooming kit Use it to touch up hair and skin before you go in
A charged phone, water and a snack Waits can run long and most venues will not have anything for you
If you are under 18, bring a parent or guardian. If you are over 18, go on your own and treat it as you would a job interview.
What to wear
Keep it simple so the client sees you, not your outfit. A good default is jeans, high-waisted if possible, with a white or black singlet-style top, and small heels if you are comfortable in them. Choose neutral colours that will not distract.
For grooming:
Clean, natural hair.
Natural make-up, or very little.
No fake nails or false lashes, and natural or no nail polish.
Our castings guide gives the same basics for men: a plain T-shirt, jeans and clean, plain shoes. If the client works in swimwear, lingerie or sportswear, the brief may ask for something specific, such as plain matching underwear or gym kit. Whatever you wear, make sure you can move and walk comfortably in it.
What happens in the room
Every go-see is a bit different, but the pattern is usually familiar.
Waiting: A one-to-one meeting with an agency is often quick, usually under 15 minutes. Brand appointments with lots of models can be slower, and you could wait up to a few hours. Do not leave while you are waiting; if your name is called and you are outside, you can miss your turn.
Meeting the client: Expect them to look through your book, ask a few questions and perhaps take some photos or measurements. Make eye contact, listen properly and feel free to ask questions about the work. If you are asked something you do not know, such as your availability for a date or your rates, say you will check with your agent and get back to them.
Walking: If they ask to see your walk, do it properly, even if you are in an office with no runway. Walk like it is the real thing.
Leaving: When they say thank you, that is usually it. Say thank you back and head out.
What happens after
This is the part new models find hardest, because often nothing happens straight away.
Tell your booker how it went Who you met, what they asked, whether they took photos and anything they mentioned about upcoming work. It helps your agency follow up
Do not expect an instant answer The point of a go-see is to be remembered. A good impression can lead to future casting invitations and bookings, sometimes weeks or months later
Watch for options and direct bookings An option, or hold, is when a client asks for first refusal on your time for certain dates. A direct booking is when a client hires you from your pictures or a recommendation without seeing you again. Both can come out of a go-see that seemed to go nowhere
Check before you contact a client yourself You may want to send a thank-you email. If you are with an agency, ask your booker first, since contact with clients usually goes through them
Make a few notes What went well, what you would do differently, what you wished you had brought. It gets easier every time
If you do not hear back, try not to take it personally. Clients choose for all sorts of reasons that have nothing to do with you.
Thinking about applying?
If you are not signed yet and want an agency to send you on go-sees, you can apply to 22 IMPACT. You can read more about how we look after the people we represent on our model management page, and find more guides like this one in the models section of the Journal.
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