guarantees / contract agencies / at the casting
Unlike most contract agencies that have anywhere from 5-30 models in Tokyo targetting specifically the modeling arena, freelance agencies have literally hundreds of persons on file targetting almost any and every arena. Along with models, they also promote actors, narrators, singers, dancers, jugglers, magicians, basically almost any foreigner with a particular "talent" (modelling is considered a talent in Japan). Freelance agencies very rarely offer contracts, pay little attention to age or nationality, and are an essential part of the Japanese entertainment industry. 
The reasons for keeping such a large pool of talent are simple. First, because they rarely sponsor visas, they do not pay guarantees or establish work minimums. Everybody works "freelance" with them. Secondly, they must be prepared for whatever that next call demands. Japanese clients tend to be very creative in their requests. They may ask for a baby girl with beautiful blue eyes, or body builder with enormous arms and a shaved head, or a Russian man that's over 55, able to jump rope, sing show tunes and... well, you get the picture. 
There seems to be an endless variety of work for foreigners in Japan. From stylish print campaigns, to very comical roles on TV variety shows, to playing military personnel in historical videos. These agencies cover the entire spectrum giving their clients a world of faces and talent to choose from. Freelance agencies definitely favor those that love to act, since a lot of the work is TV and film related. And the money is this arena is very good. But the beauty of working freelance and not under contract is that you are NOT tied to just one agency. Having more than 4 agencies promoting you at one time is not unheard of in Tokyo, and is probably a good idea since there are many jobs that will call upon just one agency for the talent. Very few people, however, rely solely on freelance agencies for work, as most have some other steady source of income. But this is what makes life in the city a little more exciting! Keeping yourself busy, doing lots of different things in Tokyo not only earns you a good whack of cash but also lets you experience more while taking in the city for what it's worth. 
I worked as a freelance model, actor, narrator, teacher and copywriter while in Tokyo. And it was a fantastic experience for me. But it didn't come easy. The key, without a doubt is to keep a flexible schedule, maintain a strong tie with your agencies, be patient, have great respect and work hard. Which is nothing beyond any one person's capabilities, believe me. Having worked closely with Atsushi in a freelance capacity was the smartest move I could have made in the city. Arts C's working visa contract, for example, offered me the combination of opportunity and flexibility. On the one hand I was being promoted by a top agency for top modelling jobs in Tokyo while on the other I was "free" to carry on with other pursuits that I was involved with. Arts C offered me the best of both worlds and I'm here to tell you that it can do the same for you. |