Modeling As a Career

You've just described every job I've ever had, just need to change a few simple words and Viola. No wonder I hate Architecture so much.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Jeff Herne In 2004, my model building work exceeded my museum director's salary (which was not chump change either) thanks to some large insurance restorations and repairs. It was a banner year for me. Yes, it can be done...but unlike a regular job, there's rarely a steady stream of work coming in to keep you busy all the time. You couple that with doing work for customers on subjects that you often times have little or no interest in (I repaired a cruise ship model, yuck), and add in unrealistic deadlines and conditions from the client, and it doesn't make for the happy idealistic dream job we all wish we had. In order to make a living at this, you need to offer something that the consumer can't find anywhere else, cheaper, or faster. Therein lies the problem. I still do alot of commission work, but the aircraft and armor side of the business has dried up because of the influx of die-cast models and pre-builts onto the market. A customer wants a Tiger I from me, with all the bells and whistles, he's going to be charged $750 to $1000 for the model. In the day, that was my rate, and was selling alot of them. Today, you can purchase the same kit in a pre-built for under $200, and from 3 feet away, it looks just as good as my $1000 model. It doesn't take a degree in finance to figure that one out. The average person is not going to spend $1000 on a model tank, but it took me almost 15 years to establish that client base. These were people who had more money than sense (in most cases) and wanted things that were unique. Does it mean I'm a better modeler than anyone here? Not at all. It just means that I had a client base that recognized what they were buying and were willing to pay for it, the same way people will spend thousands of dollars on a piece of canvas that someone has splattered paint on called it 'art'. Although I did as a full-time for about 2 years, I don't know anyone else who, as a one-man operation, builds full time to feed his family or pay his bills. Most guys either produce kits or have a real job to pay the mortgage. Even during the time I did it, the building wasn't fun. It was work. Just something to consider, that's all. Jeff

And then you have the top end of the market to compete against, just have a look at the level of detail that these guys put into their models.

http://www.fineartmodels.com/e/model/ships/

Well out of interest I can across this on Ebay. The standard of the models is very poor, but if this guy is making a few $$$$ with this maybe there is some hope for you? Have a look at the link.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZimopm

I've bounced the idea in my head a few times but for my personal preference and relaxation, I build for the fun of it. I've built/restored a couple models for other people but they were close friends and supported military aircraft like I did/do. In that case it worked out.

Alrite, Thanks for the advice!

It's not cool really...in hindsight, it was alot of work that almost ruined the hobby for me. I figured that because it was something I did well, that I could (and should) get paid for it. Now I know why it's a hobby...you do it because you like it, not because paying the bills depends on it.

Enjoy your time at Clarkson, it's a great school. Just be prepared for the winters, because it DOES get awfully cold up there!

Jeff

Wow thats so cool. I realize its not feasible to model as a full time job, I was simply pondering the idea of selling completed models on ebay to make a few $$. Was just wondering about the demand for such models which doesnt seem to be too great. Thanks a lot Jeff.

In 2004, my model building work exceeded my museum director's salary (which was not chump change either) thanks to some large insurance restorations and repairs. It was a banner year for me. Yes, it can be done...but unlike a regular job, there's rarely a steady stream of work coming in to keep you busy all the time.

You couple that with doing work for customers on subjects that you often times have little or no interest in (I repaired a cruise ship model, yuck), and add in unrealistic deadlines and conditions from the client, and it doesn't make for the happy idealistic dream job we all wish we had.

In order to make a living at this, you need to offer something that the consumer can't find anywhere else, cheaper, or faster. Therein lies the problem. I still do alot of commission work, but the aircraft and armor side of the business has dried up because of the influx of die-cast models and pre-builts onto the market.

A customer wants a Tiger I from me, with all the bells and whistles, he's going to be charged $750 to $1000 for the model. In the day, that was my rate, and was selling alot of them. Today, you can purchase the same kit in a pre-built for under $200, and from 3 feet away, it looks just as good as my $1000 model. It doesn't take a degree in finance to figure that one out. The average person is not going to spend $1000 on a model tank, but it took me almost 15 years to establish that client base. These were people who had more money than sense (in most cases) and wanted things that were unique. Does it mean I'm a better modeler than anyone here? Not at all. It just means that I had a client base that recognized what they were buying and were willing to pay for it, the same way people will spend thousands of dollars on a piece of canvas that someone has splattered paint on called it 'art'.

Although I did as a full-time for about 2 years, I don't know anyone else who, as a one-man operation, builds full time to feed his family or pay his bills. Most guys either produce kits or have a real job to pay the mortgage. Even during the time I did it, the building wasn't fun. It was work.

Just something to consider, that's all.

Jeff

The trick here is to try to see what some of the professionals on this board have to say. I know that HeavyArty does work on commission, although I don't think it's his full-time job. Hopefully you can get somebody with actual experience to let you know how it is.

I agree about the hobby/job issue. Stuff that's fun to do when you feel like it suddenly becomes work when you HAVE to get it done in time for a deadline, you cannot just give up on a kit that's not going well, etc. Good luck with it.

Selling models for a living doesn't seem very realistic. And those that do sell for extra money probably don't do it so well. When you consider the work and money you'll have to put into a professional quality model, what with the kit, all sorts of AM improvements, then the building and finishing to a very high standard, you probably won't be making any serious money, if any at all.

I see that some of the e-bay sellers make some money, but not in the amounts that one could live on. I was thinking about a museum job or an entertainment industry job creating models, that would be a dream job for me.

Steve

I'd hate to think that getting paid to build would turn my hobby into a job, but if I suddenly hit it big in the lottery, that's exactly what I would do! Then you'd have no cares about a client base, or not having kits on hand, or workspace...but it'll never happen. I'll stick to just building for fun.

Another thing-every time you take something you love to do and turn it into a job-it becomes a JOB. I used to love to paint and draw-but now as a commercial artist, I have not taken up pencil or brush for fun in over 25 years.

Clarkson eh? Used to live in Potsdam...great little town...with SLU, SUNY Potsdam and CATC nearby, you'll definitely know you're in a college town.

I've been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt. Ebay is a shark tank, and the vast majority of the time you won't get back what you put into the model.

It takes years to build a client base of customers who have the ability to pay what you feel the model is worth.

My advice, pay attention to school. With several of my family being Clarkson alumni, I can tell you right now you won't have much time for modeling.

Jeff Herne

Pnawrocki-I've seen a lot of completed and painted figures done by pro modelers for sale, many of them are from Russia. Dollar per hour earnings are not so good. If you're interested you may want to offer to build on commision-for folks who want a piece of their past-but beware-they can be fussy.

Yea k thanks wow that wasnt helpful. I was simply wondering if there was any demand at all for completed models such as putting them up on ebay or something. Not like Id quit my summer job and do it but I was just wondering if theres something I could do in college to make some extra $$. Im going to Clarkson University this fall as a freshman...woo!

stick to your day job