No Experience Required? What Beginner Models Should Know Before an Open Casting

A Current Lagos Opportunity Shows Why This Matters

Rhythm Africa Festival is currently promoting model auditions in Lagos as part of its 2026 fashion programme.

According to the festival’s official fashion page, men and women from different backgrounds are encouraged to audition, professional modelling experience is not required and complete beginners are welcome.

The festival also says selected participants will receive professional model training from experienced runway professionals and industry mentors.

View the official Rhythm Africa Festival fashion and model audition information
.

This is exactly the kind of opportunity that can attract someone who has always wanted to model but has never attended a casting before.

So what should a complete beginner actually do?

01

Read the Entire Casting Information

Do not stop reading after you see:

No experience required.

Look for:

• Date
• Time
• Location
• Registration requirements
• Age requirements
• Height or size requirements
• Dress code
• What you need to bring
• Whether registration is compulsory

If information is missing, check the organiser’s official channels before making assumptions.

02

Take Simple Polaroids Before You Need Them

Even if the casting does not specifically request polaroids, a beginner should start learning how to present their current appearance properly.

Polaroids are simple images showing what you actually look like without heavy styling or editing.

At minimum, practise taking:

• A clear headshot
• Full body
• Side profile
• Neutral expression
• Natural smile

You do not need a studio to start.

Read:

How to Take Modelling Polaroids at Home With Your Phone
.

03

Know Your Measurements

Do not wait until someone asks your height or clothing size before discovering that you do not know.

Know your current:

• Height
• Bust or chest
• Waist
• Hips
• Shoe size
• Clothing size

Accuracy matters more than giving the number you think sounds better.

04

Dress So They Can Actually See You

A casting is usually not the place to prove how creative your wardrobe is unless the brief specifically asks for that.

Simple fitted clothing makes it easier for the casting team to see:

your proportions,

your posture,

your movement,

and your overall appearance.

Follow the casting dress code whenever one is provided.

05

Practise Walking Before the Casting

You may have never modelled professionally.

That does not stop you from practising basic movement before attending.

Record yourself walking.

Look at:

• Posture
• Shoulders
• Eye line
• Arm movement
• Pace
• Turn
• Balance

You are not trying to become a finished runway model overnight.

You are trying to avoid encountering your own walk for the first time in front of the casting panel.

06

Do Not Memorise Twenty Poses

Beginners often panic and try to learn as many poses as possible before their first casting.

That can make you look more rehearsed, not more confident.

Instead, practise:

• Standing comfortably
• Changing weight between your legs
• Relaxing your hands
• Turning naturally
• Looking towards camera
• Changing facial expressions subtly

Good modelling is not a catalogue of frozen positions.

07

Expect to Take Direction

Someone may ask you to:

walk again,

slow down,

turn differently,

remove an accessory,

change your expression,

or repeat something several times.

Do not interpret correction as embarrassment.

Being able to listen and adjust is part of what the casting may be assessing.

08

Confidence Does Not Mean Performing for Everybody

You do not need to enter the room shouting, introducing yourself to everybody or trying to become the most noticeable person there.

Confidence can look much quieter.

Stand properly.

Listen.

Speak clearly when addressed.

Make eye contact.

Follow instructions.

Do not apologise for being new.

09

Professionalism Starts Before You Get Your First Job

Being a beginner is not an excuse for:

• Arriving extremely late
• Ignoring instructions
• Being rude to organisers
• Submitting false measurements
• Bringing unnecessary drama into the casting environment

You can be inexperienced and still behave professionally.

10

Do Not Assume Beginner Friendly Means Guaranteed Selection

“No experience required” means you are eligible to be considered.

It does not mean everybody attending will be selected.

Casting decisions can still depend on:

• The designer’s requirements
• Height
• Size
• Look
• Movement
• Confidence
• Availability
• How many models are needed

Rejection from one open casting does not mean modelling is closed to you.

Verify the Opportunity Before You Go

Beginner friendly opportunities can attract a lot of first time applicants, which also makes verification important.

Check:

the organiser,

the date,

the venue,

the current official announcement,

and any payment instructions.

If information comes through a screenshot or forwarded WhatsApp message, find the original source before acting.

Read:

An Official Casting Page Can Still Be Outdated
.

Your First Casting Checklist

No Experience Required. Preparation Still Required.

Every professional model had a first casting.

You do not need to walk into yours pretending you already have ten years of experience.

But being new and being unprepared are not the same thing.

Read the brief.

Know your information.

Practise your movement.

Present yourself simply.

Listen.

Be professional.

Then allow the casting team to decide whether what you have is something they want to develop.