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18 Years and counting...Got SL News? Get it Published! Contact Lanai Jarrico at lanaijarrico@gmail.com

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Spotlight on DJ Sofie Knoller-Exonar (sofie.knoller) – CeciliaRosalie Reporting..





Sofie Knoller – Exonar first joined SL in 2007 by chance while she was researching for alternative networking methods. Since then she has tried different career moves as she is very energetic and full of innovative ideas. She has been a successful model in the past, however, as she states being a DJ was always her ambition. She has a wide range of genre including Arabic and Egyptian tunes. Let’s see what Sofie has to share with us.

Interview with Sofie Knoller Exonar
Cecilia: Hello Sofie thank you for your time. Let’s start by answering a few questions about yourself so we know who you are.
SOFIE: You are very welcome! I am doing great. I hope you do too!
Cecilia: When did you first join Second Life?
SOFIE: I started SL late 2007. I stumbled upon it while doing some research on online networking methods.

Cecilia: What careers did you follow before you discovered your passion for music?
SOFIE: I was a hostess and then I did some modeling at Calamity haute and Arai agencies.



Cecilia: That is Great! When did you started feeling that is time for a change and why did you pick a DJ career?
SOFIE: I started DJing early 2008 at an Arabic venue that no longer is around. It was quite an accomplishment for me. It opened a whole new world of opportunities. I always admired DJs and their work and to be one has been a dream come true! I didn't really replace modeling with DJing I do all sorts of things on SL as much as my time allows. In fact I recently joined MVW modeling academy to brush up on my skills and increase my opportunities and I'm still a model for Solo Evane agency.
I first started to DJ to provide Arabic entertainment mainly in a world where the Arab culture hardly existed and I wanted to introduce it to Second life in the form of music but it has opened a whole new world for me introduced me to new music from all over the world.  Can't deny it also provides nicely for my shopping addiction :)
Cecilia: When was your first time DJING? How did you felt at that moment tell us about your experience at that time.
SOFIE: I was too excited and nervous at the same time! but after a few songs I totally got in the mood and got really calm and started to really have fun.

Cecilia: Sofie, how would you describe yourself?
SOFIE: I'm a very dedicated person who strives to perfect anything I do and this applies to all my jobs including Djing I'm also a very friendly and outgoing person and I get along easily with people.
Cecilia:  What do you think it takes to be a good DJ?
SOFIE: I think DJs need a good ear and a sense of rhythm also a DJ needs to be very perceptive to what his audience like and I find a good memory an essential perk to a DJ who has regulars. Being a good performer with good audience rapport is definitely a bonus :)
Cecilia: Do you have wide range of genres and what do you prefer most, mixed sets or each set to be represented by one specific genre?
SOFIE: Yes, I have a wide range of genres that I play, ranging from Techno and Trance to Jazz and romantic ballads!  I love being international with my sets and I play songs in several different languages.
I usually use mixed sets to accommodate all kinds of listeners but it really depends on the venue where I'm playing and the general attitude of the audience


Cecilia: Tell our readers where you DJ at the moment so they can come enjoy your sets.
SOFIE: I currently play weekly sets at Habibi Arabic club also at Frank's Elite jazz and BPM club.
Cecilia: How can club owners contact and book you if they are interested? Do you have a manager who makes the arrangements or you are by yourself?
SOFIE: No, they can just drop a note card to Sofie Knoller. I usually answer in less than 24 hrs.

Cecilia: Is there anything else you would like to share with SLE readers?
SOFIE: “Music is the universal language of mankind” I absolutely believe in this and it's very prominent especially here on SL where all boundaries have been crossed and borders don't exist.

Additional Information
Group: secondlife:///app/group/3a82803c-2947-df2f-7bd1-37beda9fe1dd/about

Contact:  Sofie Knoller for bookings

Saturday, June 20, 2015

MACKENZIE’S MUMBLINGS-FRIENDS WILL BE FRIENDS?


You, gentle reader, like me, have quite a few friends on that friends list of yours.  People you friend in a moment of madness and never quite remember where you met them or why you friended them in the first place.  People you want to stay in touch with because, well, they’re the business!  And then there are others who just mean a lot to you.  The kind of people you can have a laugh with, hang out with and just generally be crazy with.  Someone you can tell jokes to, or your innermost secrets.  Those special people you wish you had in RL.

However, those people who are in your inner circle (and you in their’s) are a fragile crowd.  After all, it takes just one incident to smash that bond forever and ruin what once was good.  So exactly how far can you go in a solid friendship without ripping everything to shreds?
I have a friend who is considering dating someone who I consider one of Second Life’s greasiest men ever.  There’s something about him that makes me want to be physically sick and it’s been that way since I had the misfortune of being in the same region as him.  He has a split personality it appears; one minute speaking his mind, the next trying to back away with apologies and token gestures.  There’s just something in the back of my head that doesn’t seem enamoured with him.  Is it jealousy?  Is it anger?  Is it genuinely fear for my friend?

So, do I step up and tell my friend about how I feel about this guy? Or do I step back and let her make her own mistakes?
I mean, ultimately, it’s none of my damn business what she does or who she sees.  But I’ve been around long enough to spot these kind of creatures so I know the signs.  He might prove me wrong, there is that chance, but there’s still that something that tells me I’ll be dealing with hurt feelings, broken hearts and tears in the near future.  I can’t shake it and I don’t know why…



If you were in this situation, what would you do?

Personally, I’ll be stepping back and letting her get on with it, despite my character aching to tell her otherwise.  Why?  Because a true friend lets their friends make mistakes, with the best will in the world.  A true friend will be there to patch up a broken heart, rub ointment on those tattered feelings and mop up the tears with their shoulders.  A true friend…doesn’t get involved.  It’s very easy to say “I told you so” after the event.  Everyone is an expert with hindsight; some choosing not to say anything, some choosing to break it gently and a few just coming out with it and saying “WHAT DID I SAY AT THE START?!?”.  I, dear reader, will be the saying nothing type, although inside I’ll be the other two as well, silently.
So what is the job of a friend really?  Everyone has their own definitions.  My definition is someone who is there no matter what, but stays out of personal lives.  Someone who watches from afar and observes when things go wrong, and is there to help out when needed.  And, most importantly, says nothing.


But what if I did voice my opinions about him and she took that badly?  Is it worth ruining a friendship just to be proved right/wrong in time?  In my opinion, no.  If/when she gets turned over by this guy and she asks me if I saw anything bad about him from the start, I will say no.  This negates the “well, why didn’t you say something?” conversation.  That could possibly be seen as lying, but what is a friend to do?  When things turn to affairs of the heart, nobody wins.  There is always a loser and you have to make sure it’s not you.
Just step back, watch and wait.


What do you think?  What would you do in this situation?  Feel free to leave your thoughts below.

Friday, June 19, 2015

Leeward Cruising Club’s Guerilla DJ: BennyThe Boozehound—Moonshade Pastorelli Reporting

 
DJ BennyThe Boozehound

If you’ve ever sailed the waters of Second Life with the Leeward Cruising Club (LCC) on a Tuesday at 5 p.m. SLT, you’ll know DJ BennyThe Boozehound. For over five years, has  brought a special blend of music to residents of the sailing sims.

At a recent after-cruise party, he played ‘50s and ‘60s tunes, such as “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” and “La Bamba,” but not the versions you might remember.

“I may have 16 or so versions of the same song and, sometimes, I lay a different version on the audience,” he said. “I just want people to get what isn’t in the original version.”

With more than 91,500 mp3s on his drive, Boozehound always has something new for a crowd. In fact, a brainchild of Boozehound was to recreate Woodstock in SL.

“I’d read this thing about the Woodstock Project, where people were collecting every bit of tape from Woodstock,” said Boozehound. “I have every existing recording.” So, two successful Woodstock events became a reality—in 2012 and 2013. The second Woodstock ran 13 hours, attracted 90 avatars on the sim at a time, had the highest traffic rating in SL for a sim that day, and earned L$500,000 for Relay for Life.   

Photo credit: Runa McMillan

2013 Woodstock Organizers Runa McMillan (left), BennyThe Boozehound, Fiona Haworth, and Charlz Price

Boozehound spoke about his music, his approach to DJing, and his influences.

Interview  with BennyThe Boozehound

Moonshade: What made you decide to DJ in SL?
Benny: It was the urge to perform. I had this dream for a while. Before I started doing anything, I did test recordings of playing live music. I was better than some people and not as good as others. I’m a tough critic. I decided I wasn’t going to do that. As Benny, I had access to the stream in Sailors Cove, so I told one of the owners that I’d like to stream Christmas music on all the public sims. I changed them to my stream and streamed it all Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then a St. Patrick’s Day party in Sailors Cove came along and I said, “Oh, I can do that.” Then I started doing the Leeward Cruising Club parties and got encouragement.

Moonshade: Why do you DJ, primarily, in the SL’s sailing sims?
Benny: DJing in the sailing sims is huge. I’ve had well over 350 shows at dozens of venues. At every estate, yacht club, the Galaxy cruise ship, the Blake Sea, and many private homes, I've played gigs for everyone. Not just with LCC and the many Sail4Life shows but also weddings, birthday parties, memorial services, special events, and huge shows like Woodstock and a Gatsby party [to honor the memory of Nantucket Yacht Club commodore, Francois Jacques]. I've played every genre of music.  A club DJ would never get this kind of exposure or opportunity. To be perfectly honest, why would I DJ anywhere else? Just like a certain club venue might be home to a DJ, the entire sailing community has been home to me, and they've kept me pretty busy over the years--happily.

photo credit: Runa McMillan

Woodstock 2013

Moonshade: What types of music do you typically play?
Benny: I’d say that the genres that I focus on start in the 1920s with the small band jazz to the ‘40s big band jazz to the ‘50s rock and roll, doo-wop, rockabilly, etc. I play a lot of the ‘60s music—all the psychedelia and all the ‘60s pop, Motown, and R&B. The ‘70s material I get into were maybe not the popular music of the day. There's a lot of reggae, folk, British rock, and, ultimately, disco and funk. I play quite a lot of ‘80s material as well--punk, ska, new wave, synth pop, and grunge. If it was recorded between 1920 and 1995, I probably have something of a collection of it. Nothing is off limits though. For me, all music is valid and worth exploration.

Moonshade: What genres are your favorite to play?
Benny: Blues, jazz, Dixieland, and zydeco. If I had to work at a club (this is the only way I can answer this question), where I could play only one kind of music, I would work at a blues club. It’s the music I know most about. It’s the music that satisfies my need to play something new for people, something I discover they haven’t heard before. Probably, one out of every four LCC shows is a blues show. Blues is a big genre. 

Moonshade: What influenced your taste in and love for music?
Benny: I grew up in the Philadelphia area. My parents were good friends with a primetime DJ and program manager for WFIL, George Michael, and his wife. They’d go out clubbing with my parents on Friday or Saturday nights. Guess who got to watch the kids? When they came back, Mr. Michael didn’t pay me [for babysitting] in cash, he paid me in records. He was a top DJ for a Philadelphia big market, top 40 radio station. Every record company sent him promotional copy albums. At the age of 9, I was listening to what is considered now as classic blues—Lightnin’ Hopkins, Booker. I had Dr. John’s first album. Mr. Michael would give me everything he wouldn’t use because he worked for a top 40 radio station. So at that early age, I was exposed to this huge diversity of music—everything from country, country blues, off the wall pop, off the wall folk, electronic music, and jazz. He gave me Miles Davis’ album Bitches Brew. So by the time I was 12 years old, I’d heard it all.


Benny’s LCC Show at the Nantucket Yacht Club

Moonshade: Why is "Leeward Cruising Club's Guerilla DJ" on your profile?
Benny: The reason for this is that doing shows with the traveling circus that is LCC requires some special skills. We never go to the same place twice in a row, and we go to new venues all the time. It isn't a finite list. This means that the DJ crew and myself have to do set up with property owners. Many times, this is a simple process and, just as many, it is not--securing media permissions, build permissions, finding just the right party spot or, in some cases, building one. Through the years, I've coordinated with dozens of venue owners, and they are always cordial and helpful if not downright excited. This is one of the pleasures of doing the Leeward thing for me. I have the utmost respect for those folks and their willingness to share, if only for a few hours, their piece of the grid with us."

Moonshade: Where did your name, Benny the Boozehound, come from?
Benny: That’s from a song. I was looking at names [for my avatar in SL] and I see “Boozehound.” It just popped into my head. There’s a song by Emerson, Lake & Palmer on the Brain Salad Surgery album. It’s called “Benny the Bouncer.”  And I was just like: “Benny the Boozehound.”

Moonshade: Tell us about the LCC.
Benny: I encourage everyone to sail with the Leeward Cruising Club. Everyone is welcome of course, and if you don't sail, we'll find you a spot on a boat to ride along. Our motto is "No one left on the dock." If you don't sail, swim; if you don't swim, fly; if you don't fly, drive. In fact, I have a VW hippie bus I drive on the sea floor. But by all means, join the group, come along and you get to hear everyone in our DJ crew. And best of all, you never go to the same place twice in a row and never hear the same music twice in a row.

Moonshade: Do you have a group that people can join so they know when and where you’re DJing?

Benny: I have two--Benny Tunes and Blue Pelican. The LCC, Second Life Sailing Association (SLSA), and Second Life Sailing Community (SLSC) make note of my Tuesday LCC shows weekly. I encourage people to join those. 

Thursday, June 18, 2015

ROCK 'n' ROLL PARTY AT DADDY-O's Thursday June 18th 6:00 - 8:00 PM


                        http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Almost%20Paradise/75/88/21


Join us at Daddy-O's for a Rock 'n' Roll Party! DJ Huey Walker and his lovely hostess Krissy Walker will be spinning those timeless Rock 'n' Roll songs - the ones that "stick in your head and you sing all day! Bring your song requests for DJ Huey and enjoy a night of good music and friends. No particular dress code. But fun imaginative costumes encouraged -  in good taste of course! Grab your significant other, your friends or just come alone and meet new friends at Daddy-O's. Daddy-O's...Where fun RULEZ!

Beach Fashion: Summer is Nearly Here! Are you Ready for It? - Tea Couturier Reporting...


Summer is one of the top seasons of the year where we break out of the the cooler seasons and show more skin. As we approach July we will definitely looking for our beach wear! If you are stuck on finding that perfect summer fashions then fear not! I am here with a few suggestions to get you started.



*B.D.R.* Beach Day (Aloha Version) / Dollarbie L$1

I love this bikini set as it is so versatile and enables you to change textures but yet keep the same style. For the price it is defiantly worth the purchase.
This bikini set comes with:
 Includes: 
 Bikini in 5 standard sizes (XXS-L) (Top and panties) 
 Alpha mask + Textures (Bagged) 
 HUD Driven outfit. 
 HUD texture options 
 Bikini in 6 colors 
 Metals in 4 colors



BE Designs: Amanda Bikini- Red. Dollarbie!!   L$1

This bikini set for only 1L. It is a little string bikini set which will fit nicely under your shorts or skirt when you head down to the beach. It included:
Bikini Top
Thong


[R3] - Kate Sarong [V3] L$199


A sarong is a must when at the beach and the Kate Sarong is a must have as it can change texture to mix and match with you swim wear.
It comes with a texture change HUD with 15 textures and of course is 100% Mesh



!Rebel Hope - Laguna mesh Sandal Rebel pack L$2,250


I simply love these sandals and will definitely get a pair for my beach wear even summer wear wardrobe. They are a bit pricey but with all the texture changes it will definitely work out and worth it for the price.
It includes all 8 leather braided lace colors. 6 bead and stone options and black or brown leather flip flop options.
IMPORTANT TO NOTE
These shoes are fitted for the following:
Slink Physique Mesh Body
Maitreya Lara Mesh Body
Belleza Venus Mesh Body



B&W - DIVINA Sunglasses – MESH  L$1


Sunglasses are so inexpensive in SL now days so there is no excuses to not have a pair. These sunglasses are only 1L but yet look so stylish no one will ever guess. It is made from mesh and has a size rezzer so you can either decrease or increase the size of your sunglasses to fit your face. The crystals I have been informed on these sunglasses have a special polishing treatment which shine with a unique and special way but can only be seen with viewers supporting this new technique.




Black & Red Racing Stripes Design Mesh Swimwear L$95

This tiny Speedo style swimwear with colorful racing stripes is 100% Rigged, built to show off your stunning physique & amazing attributes at the pool or beach! Look like you belong to the swim team with these hot trunks!
One of the 5 sizes will fit your body type. Alpha layer included.



GAS [Mens MESH Sport Swim Shorts Bahamas - 6 colors w/HUD] L$ 99


It comes in 6 Shorts Colors: blue, brown, green, orange, red and slate. With a texture Changer HUD and is 100% Rigged MESH and also comes in Standard Sizes of: XS/S/M/L/XL



THE DESTRUCTINATOR - 95% PROMO DISCOUNT L$10


You can get the latest 2015 Second Life Grid Poll for Best Sunglasses, the DESTRUCTINATOR came out as the Best Customers' Choice for Advanced Stylish Protective Eyewear for ONLY 10L


Remember fashion is what you make it. It should reflect your personality and make you feel and look good too


Happy Summer Shopping!

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Want a Career in Modelling?- Debby Sharma Reporting...


Modeling not new, many of us in our Second Life, would have tried a hand at modelling. Also, is it not a new topic that is discussed in blogs, magazines or newspapers. We have delved on it at some point or the other, either to teach ourselves or to teach others. From the avatar point of view, this career particularly sounds luxurious and glamorous to bag designer items and walk in public with fame. What we forget is the effort and time put in by the many models striving to reach the top.
Here are three avid successful models that I had the opportunity to interview with. The basic questions I asked them were:
1.    How has your modelling career been in Second Life?
2.     Is a Second Life modelling career similar to real life career?
3.    Where should one start at?
4.     What should a model expect during their career?
5.     What according to you are the pros and cons of pursuing such career?
Using there advice will guide new models in their future accomplishments on the catwalk.

Photography Credits: Averil


Averil: I have been a model in Second Life since 2012 and I am certified though MVWMA, MBMA and former UEMA. I am so honoured to have represented my country USA in the 2014 MVW pageant and I now have 30 sisters. I am an avid blogger and try to blog as much as I can.

My career has been very good and I have accomplished a lot of things with it. It is a lot of hard work and takes a lot of dedication. You have to be proactive about keeping your name out there and have to be willing to spend lindens on the newest trends and be a role model to sell the clothes the designers would like to sell. My suggestion is to start at by attending an academy whether is be Scala with Seashell Dench who is amazing or MVWMA with all of the teachers there.

A model should expect hearing no a lot. You hear no a lot more than you hear yes and it costs a lot of money to be a model in SL, you spend more than you ever make. You need to have a thick skin and be able to take criticism good and bad.

The pros are that you meet a lot of really great people and make some really good friends as well as getting a killer wardrobe. You work with some of the best people in the business and more projects open up to you. The cons are that said inventory can be a nightmare and needs constant cleaning out to make room for other things. My inventory has been at 200k twice! Another thing is, there can be a lot of dramas, if you let it, try to avoid the drama and keep your nose clean. You are under public scrutiny always and you have to be able to take that as well as keep your nose clean and most of all, remember to have fun with it all.

Photography Credits: Anik Etos (Erik Bayn)


Hethwen (Heth) Collinwood: I have been in SL now for 4 1/2 years. I have been a professional model for in SL for 4 years and have also done many pageants and contest. Currently -- I have just earned Top 5 in the Mr Virtual World pageant 2015, after earning the title of Mr Virtual World USA 2015. I am also with the BLVD modelling agency which is the most prestigious of all SL modelling agencies and by invitation only. I have represented the USA before when I earned the title of Mr. Avatar World USA 2012-2013 and went on to compete and earn a position there as a Top 5 Finalist in the Mr. Avatar World 2012-13 also. I am the Owner/ Designer for my own store in SL - Heth Haute Couture, catering to individuals with a more discerning taste in fashion. In 2014 I was thrilled to have received more nominations than any other individual or group in the 2014-2015 AVI choice Awards (9 nominations in total). I have just secured a teaching position with The Miss Virtual World Modelling Academy (MVWMA) which has been a dream of mine for many years in SL.
From the first time that I was pulled onto the stage because they need male models (and I had no clue as to what I was doing but thankfully got it all right. I was hooked; I learned as much as I could and I have been blessed to have done everything I set as a goal for myself. I now model exclusively for the BLVD Agency, and charity work only.

I have worked in RL and SL as a model and modelling teacher. Both require many hours of time and commitment to master the craft. It is not merely putting on an outfit you receive from a Designer, but you must also style the outfit, pose the outfit, make sure that you are prim perfect, etc. It is similar in many ways, and it brings the old adage to mind -- Anything worth doing is worth doing well. I would encourage anyone thinking about getting into modelling not to do this unless you want it with all of your heart. It requires a tremendous focus and most all of your time is devoted to long hours of work on developing your styling skills, appearances and performances. Most other people who come out to see our shows or who follow our blogs or even follow our modelling careers on social media see the end results, not realizing that what they see in the moment has actually take hours, days and sometimes weeks to cultivate.

I always urge everyone to begin with a strong learning set by choosing a modelling agency and enrolling into classes. There are many schools in SL that teach modelling, some good - some not so good. Make sure to ask many questions before you choose you pay to attend any school. Meet the instructors and ask them for their credentials and what you can expect to learn. After selling my own agency in January 2015, I will say that there is only 1 school in all of SL that I endorse and felt maintained the professional ethics that I insist on... and 2 days before this interview I was asked to teach with them. The Miss Virtual World Modelling Academy is truly the very best school on the grid with the only solid reputation and proven history of not placing an importance lindens over the education of the student. There have been many changes at MVW, MVWMA, and BOSL in the last few months, steering it all into a fresh new future. MVW and BOSL have always been the foundation of modelling in Second Life and we are taking great strides to ensure that we maintain that foundation while continually moving forward and leading the fashion industry in Second Life.

I think it is very similar to what any work requires of us in RL or SL; you educate yourself first to hone your skills and learn your craft and then you apply those things. You will take only what you put into your career as a model. There are more good times than bad and others will be jealous and create drama for you (as it goes in SL) but I teach my students to stay focused and that what other people’s opinions of you -- it is simply none of your business. Never feed into gossip, hate, or lies. Ignore all of that. Let others own their own drama. Remain focused, learn as much as you can, do your very best and work hard and you will quickly rise to the top if you maintain solid ethics. Once you are established as a model you might then begin to focus on social media by blogging, Facebook, Twitter, etc. This helps to promote yourself and have a wider audience. Once you feel confident that you have learned modelling well enough, done a few runways, print work and sharpened your social media skills you would then begin to consider entering contests and pageants. This is the part that many do but only few become known by. Pageants like Mr and Miss Virtual World always enable those making into the Top 5 to become the most sought after models on the grid.
It is important to NOT expect too much at first. Modelling in SL is very competitive. If you have the ability to style well and dedication to work hard while setting goals and remaining very focused on achieving your goals then it might be for you. But, expect to work long hours alone sacrificing nights out dancing with your friends or social gatherings. It is a lot of hard work... but it will pay off handsomely if you are willing to work for it.

Pros - When deciding why you want to become a model in SL and setting your goals, I quickly asked myself "What brings you joy"? My joy comes from teaching. I modelled first and then taught... teaching was always my ultimate goal. Teaching brings me my greatest joy in SL. There are a million schools that teach (or take) your lindens and then abandon you to learn more on your own then they teach. I think that it is most important to love what you do so you do it better than anyone else, and my passion for teaching is reflected to my students in the quality of their education and my total devotion to developing them to be their best. When I decided to become a model there was nothing available to me that I felt was a complete education that offered every aspect of modelling and taught it with clear and concise direction, so, over the next 2 years I developed my own syllabus and eventually opened up my own school teaching those things that I knew would develop others as models providing them the most complete education ever offered in SL. There is only 1 place you will ever find that now and that is within my classes at the Miss Virtual World Modelling Academy.

Cons - The drama, lies, deceit and what I call "The Game behind the Game". Simply put, avoid it all. Do not ever play into it under any circumstance. Block, Ban, Mute and get rid of the trouble makers in your SL who will only hold you back and you will quickly shine. There are so many unethical people in the world of SL modelling who are there only to take from you. Those trying to sincerely help you along your path will reveal themselves quickly. Just never listen to or take part in the gossip of others. Judge people on who they show you that they really are. And when they show you -- believe them. You have ONE (1) chance at modelling in SL because your reputation will/ does follow you, mess it up and you rarely get a second chance. In the "Game behind the Game" haters will try their best to take away from you what you have earned. Never feed their hate by even playing with them. Rise above and remember why you came to SL - to have FUN and escape the drama that fills RL. Stay focused, set your goals and you will be amazing.

In closing I would like to let the readers know that I am not a snob, I am very approachable and a very friendly person. If you ever have a question or need help understanding something about modelling please feel free to contact me. I always take the time to help others. You can look me up in search or contact me to enrol in modelling classes at the Miss Virtual World Modelling Academy (MVWMA) in Second Life. I wish you all the very best.

Photography Credits: Maria Eugenia Rodriguez


Maria Eugenia Rodriguez: I am a normal person or want to think I am. I started my modelling career in 2007 but I didn´t like it I felt that what they did back then was not modelling so I left it and I returned to modelling in 2010. I went to the best academy we had in those days and I learned from the best teachers of that time, of course I was very new but eager to reach the top. I was lucky enough to have Frolic Mills as my mentor and he gave me the opportunity to learn from him, especially from his criticism, which made me to be very demanding with myself and not allow myself nothing but perfection as this career deserve. As a person I am the same in SL than in RL I believe that our avatars are just a representation of who we are for real, so just as if you laugh in SL is not the avatar who laughs but the person behind it well I think also that if you are humble, responsible, reliable in RL you will be the same way in SL no difference so I am what you see, there is no mystery and what I love most in SL is to teach the new generations of models and my greatest reward is seeing them grow and shine in the fashion world.
I have been very active since day one. I knew I wanted to help others so I studied, was trained and prepared myself for it, I knew I had to work in different areas like walking many runways, participating in I don´t remember how many shows any more (lost count long ago participating in castings, competitions, winning some titles I considered very important for my career as Miss AZUL, print work in order to learn but also to have a good resume to offer. I think modelling career is pretty much the same in both lives but only in the fashion sense, for the rest there are many differences the environment, virtuality has limitations that ask us to be prepared in areas that real models don´t need to. Real models arrive at the back stage and they have a complete crew of people waiting to work on them, from hair stylist until someone who is going to put their shoes on. In SL we have to do everything ourselves and then we need to create a complete story a whole body language based on poses made by others, so it is not too similar to me.

I think that like everything else in any life we need to prepare ourselves for the profession we would like to work in so the first step has to be education, learn all about it and practice, practice, practice and then practice some more. Modelling is a never-ending learning process, it is not such thing like "I know all in modelling" we need to be humble enough to understand that we not just learn something every day but also from every one and be open to changes, updating ourselves all the time and never forget where we come from, always remembering we all were new once. A model should expect fame and glory but before that expect a lot of rejection, hundreds of "no" before you get your first "yes" and a lot loosing before you get your first winning, using the failures as gas to make it to the top, never looking the responsible of our failures outside because either you win or you lose there is always only one responsible yourself.

It is not different to any other career that make you be in the public eye, modelling it is one of the most rewarding careers you can choose in SL, beauty, creativity, talent, fame but not private life here, when you choose to be famous you must be ready for fans and haters, for complements and critics, for amazing people and nasty people but I believe life is like that in every way, it is for you to choose which part you want to embrace the good things or the bad ones.

*Note: The interviewees are listed in alphabetical order.

Summing up if one is interested in a modelling agency, refer to this site. https://agencyreport.wordpress.com, on the right sidebar a list of modelling agencies are listed, although it may seem an old list. It is definitely the one to start at. I would also advise dear fellow readers to take out guest interviewee’s guidance as is said in this article.

To contact them here is some additional information:

Averil:
Hetwen (Heth) Collinwood:


 
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