When creating modeling portfolios, a model must co-ordinate each part of her body to the proper amount of tension demanded by the over-all picture.
She must learn to express the message with all parts of her body so the director can evaluate it in the light of the viewer's point of command.
The director must be ready to correct weak spots in the tell-tale areas or change any part that is not in keeping with the situation.
He must be ready to arrest these tensions at their inception.
Tension is electricity that runs throughout pictures and the amount of voltage each pose contains depends upon the mood to be evoked or the impact to be gained.
Though the degree of tension is modified to fit each character and situation, it can be observed, as it mounts ...
in four distinct stages ...
NO-TENSION lets the viewer find the body in a completely relaxed state.
It denotes a complete lack of either mental or physical stimulus.
It is serene and tranquil.
Nothing is happening to disturb the model in her state of drowsiness or blissful dreaming.
LOW-TENSION conveys the feeling to the viewer that the mind is working although the body has not yet been moved to noticeable action.
It is a sort of pre-action picture in which one senses the stirring of the mind and that more movement will be forthcoming.
Low-tension pictures include those of leisurely action in which you feel the body is moving with ease as the mind reflects upon direction and control.
Current flows through the picture in soft waves.
TENSION indicates to the viewer that the body has been brought into vibrant and alert action.
The mind has stimulated and motivated the body so both are keyed to the same degree.
Good models control mental and muscular tension balancing them so that the viewer looks at the action and is not conscious of the effort.
Tension projects a feeling of reality in which action and energy are well directed.
HIGH-TENSION makes the viewer conscious that the body is vibrating with energy that is (or almost is) out of control ...
sparks are flying and the body is in a state of such strain, it cannot contain itself with the extreme mental or physical burden placed upon it.
Violent emotion exudes from the entire body and is visible in every muscle.
Modeling portfolios created with shots like these can be very exciting.
When pitching an emotion ...
think not only of the direction it is to be thrown but also, how far it must go! The distance at which any of these tensions will be viewed also affects the degree to which they must be emphasized or underplayed.
Close up camera views require restraint -controlled but effective gestures and action.
For when the audience is close it sees small details and can read tight movement.
Full length camera views of the body call for slightly stronger gestures to project the same reaction.
Fine points of facial expression are no longer distinguishable as the head now shares the picture with the whole figure.
Distant views of the body require broad gestures and exaggerated tension as delicate expression is no longer visible.
Physical and mental tensions must balance to look right.
When working on modeling portfolios, you as the director of your model must see that the degree of tension is right.