Job Discussion Forums

standingbymorning · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Saitama

Hi everyone, new to the forum so I hope this topic isn't already covered. If so, sorry.

Im starting teaching in japan in august. and I was looking ahead to living cheap but I heard from other folks about opportunities for gajin to get work in certain areas. In particular, modeling. Does anyone know anything about this?

It'd be cool to see links, opportunities, what is asked out of guy models..etc.

Or if you know a better side job please let me know!

Laughing

Gypsy Rose Kim · Joined: 08 Dec 2006 Posts: 151

Are you modelling at home? Ask your agent.

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

couple of obstacles you might encounter.

1. Finding time. Unless you are on a University gig there is not a lot of time that you have free to chase the opportunities that are around.
2. Visa issue. If you are on a certain visa you are not supposed to work outside of that field. You maybe able to get special permission or do it on the sly but that carries its own risks.
3. Costs. You may have to travel to the other job which may eat into your earning.

Still it may be worth it and it may lead to something more worthwhile or rewarding but it won't be easy.

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

standingbymorning · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Saitama

ah nutz. ill be sure to use that feature in the future. thanks!

a picture...hmm. i gotta figure out this place still i hope to have one up in a bit for you to judge.

standingbymorning · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Saitama

holy crap. big picture. well, before i get yelled at for it.... any chance for the side job there you think?

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

JonnyB61 · Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Posts: 216 Location: Japan

standingbymorning · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Saitama

Quibby84 · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 643 Location: Japan

I think the only reason you wouldn't make it as a model here is because the guy models (like on ads and junk) look very skinny and feminine. You look neither. You are not ugly (lol) you just look like an American style model rather than a Japanese style...does that make sense? If you really want to do it though, stop working out, get really skinny, wear pink, and carry a purse...haha...also get a feminine face...lol.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Actually, there are a few places that take foreigners, and if you can speak Japanese the better as you can possibly land TV spots. Strangely enough, at one time I was wanted for a NOVA commercial, even though at the time I didn't work for NOVA and my boss would have fired me if she had seen it. I declined the job offer and haven't looked down that road since.

standingbymorning · Joined: 21 Apr 2007 Posts: 28 Location: Saitama

haha, fair nuf. yeah i don't know if ill be getting that feminite anytime soon. i like being big and badass. don't think i can get a feminite look. (it was bad enough wandering around shinjuku and people mistaking me for a drug dealer)

Im still learning the japanese language, using rosetta stone at home actually. still a long way from "good" conversation skills.

Really for NOVA? Im suppost to be back working for them in august. maybe ill ask around when i get there about that opportunity. haha, nice.

gaijinalways · Joined: 29 Nov 2005 Posts: 2279

Actually, the more I think about, the speaking Japanese helps, but the main thing is making yourself unique, in Japanese eyes anyway Confused

. Take a look at the following articles with tips on modeling and appearing on Japanese TV and 1 agency started by a foreigner for foreigners.

http://www.japantoday.com/jp/feature/1143

http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=429

http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/647/feature.asp

http://metropolis.co.jp/tokyo/647/faces.asp

Anyway, good luck!

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I say give the modelling thing a try if you want. As Quibby said, fashion models for a lot of clothing tend to be the skinny type here but there are other kinds of work.

I know an eikaiwa teacher who was chosen as the "campaign model" for a newly released beer because he looked like the company's image of a typical American beer drinker- slightly balding, bit of a paunch- he was scouted on the street in Roppongi and got paid quite well I believe.

dove · Joined: 01 Oct 2003 Posts: 271 Location: USA/Japan

If you look at the men's fashion magazines in Japan (Popeye, Men's Non-no, etc), the foreign fashion models seem to be Brazilian. I think they are half Brazilian/half Japanese. I think that dark, ethnic look is in vogue (no pun intended) and for Japanese models, it's like Quibby said--feminine and skinny. But you should still give it a try.