MODEL shows male and female models at work on TV commercials, fashion shows, magazine covers, and advertising for a variety of products, including designer collections, fur coats, sports clothes and automobiles. The models are seen at work with photographers whose techniques illustrate different styles of fashion and product photography. The business aspect of running an agency is also shown: interviewing prospective models, career counseling, arranging portfolios, talking with clients, and planning trips. The film presents a view of the intersections of fashion, business, advertising, photography, television and fantasy.
Direction
Wiseman's invisible hand — no narration, pure observation.
Production
Time capsule of pre-digital fashion industry machinery.
Director
Frederick Wiseman
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Filmed during the precise moment when supermodels were being invented — this is the factory before the product had a name.
Wiseman reportedly shot 60 hours for this; the 129 minutes that survived are his argument about what matters in the spectacle.
US
