Of all of the requests on the site as far as the models goes,the most
popular one would be without a doubt,Melissa. Just one look from her and you're wondering
why is she the most popular model on the site. The thing is that when she became invisible
for The House Of Yes'forerunner Chroma Dreams,fans were saying ooh and ah about her for
the reason that she brings the "girl next door" qualities to the show
and to the concept. I said this to her that if she was living in Pittsburgh more often
than in New England,she would be a regular mainstay for the show. When she became
"invisible",it basically freed her up because she is an engineer by trade and
she saw The Invisible Man years ago. Being that we couldn't get her to chat,
we sent her ten questions about herself and the usual things and here's what
she said....enjoy.
1.What inspired you to become a model?
I think this is something that most little girls dream of. I remember
winning a free photo shoot at John Casablancas when I was 15 but my
parents weren't willing to pay for modeling school. (Looking back, they were
pretty smart.) Anyway, as I got older and was living on my own, I thought
what the heck, and started posting to some of the on-line forums. Since then
I've done a bunch of stuff with local photographers plus I've been invisible
twice with Dennard. I may not be on the cover of Vogue, but I'm still
having fun!
2.What are the pros and cons of being an internet
model?
The cons are that I get email from quite a few weirdos as well as tons
of "adult" mail, even though my site says "no nudity" so it's clearly not
an adult site. Plus it's hard to deal with people via email sometimes.
On the pro side, there's the potential to meet and talk to people all
over the world. I've met most of photographers over the Internet and even
spent some time with another model in London when I was visiting there!
3.What kind of photographers have you worked with?
I've worked with amateur hobbyists to pros who photograph for a living
(or used to). I've worked with people who have studios and some where we
wander the streets looking for good shooting spots. There's definitely been
variety!
4.What did you think of the Invisible Man movie and
did it have an effect on you?
It was so long ago, but I remember thinking, "Wow! How'd they do
that?!?" I'm an engineer by day, so the technology side of things is very
interesting to me. I was so excited to see how the blue screen technology worked
on me!
5.5.What are your best features-according to
photographers?
Dennard thinks it's my cute butt! *laugh* I think my long legs
definitely help. I've also been told that I'm laid back and easy to work with.
6.how did you get involved with this project?
A while back, Dennard posted on a models forum looking for girls who
wanted to be invisible. I responded, we wrote back and forth, and ta-da!
I've been in two shows.
7.what was yr reaction when you saw yourself on TV?
It was great - I smiled, laughed, was embarassed, thought it was
cool...All kinds of good things.
8.has any of your friends seen your invisible work yet
on TV or on the internet?
They've mostly seen the pictures that I have on my website, but a
couple have seen the raw footage from my first shoot. I've also explained how
it works to some friends. They don't realize that when they see my
underwear on the screen that I'm actually covered from head to toe.
9.what's some advice you can give to a model starting
off on the internet?
Be courteous. Be cautious. Do your homework - look at photographer's
portfolios, get recommendations from other model's they worked with,
get a release signed to protect your rights. Don't pay for photos unless you
absolutely have to. Don't be pressured into doing work you aren't
comfortable with.
10.name some interesting experiences you had as an
internet model?
Well, the police once stopped me and a photographer when we were taking
night photos. After we convinced them that we weren't houligans and
that I was there of my own free will, they left us alone.
