Model
Management Agency- MMA has grown to become one of the most respected talent agencies in the
Philadelphia and Tri-State area since it was founded in 1989.
Rachel
Platt-McMullan
is one of their many successful clients. She impressed me from the
jump as someone who has chosen to be happy and has naturally
projected that positive view into her full life.
The
early years
“My
parents are still married to this day and were always supportive of
my dreams. They never said that I couldn't achieve anything. The only
dreams that I ever had were to be on stage, or to be in front of the
camera.”
Making
an apt link between her childhood in rural Columbus, New Jersey to
her still-current nature she said, “Part
I was born with and part was nurtured. Making my own plays and
performing them at parties was something that I did when I was three-
or four-years-old.”
Having
an outgoing personality led her to play soccer and to being a
cheerleader. Both activities involve total teamwork. That character
trait helped build a bridge to her career path.
Making
the right career choices
“I
was looking for a strong agency and I had gone to some open calls. Model Management Agency's name kept popping up (among other
models/talent who were recommending that agency).
“MMA
advised me that they needed to see a few non-professional photos
submitted first, because their open call is by invitation.
“I
went back to the next open call with some photos, but they didn't
take me. I went to other agencies, but there was something about MMA
that just stuck. So, I had some professional pictures taken.
“By
not signing me right away, MMA showed me that they were a legitimate
agency and very selective. It felt professional,” Platt-McMullan
said.
She was highly motivated
and went again to MMA's open call and was signed. She was then guided
in her career and was booked for work.
“You
have to be the type of person who is willing to give. I received this
huge gift. MMA is like a family to me,” Platt-McMullan said.
“Rachael
is a talented model and actor. She is professional, lovely and
dedicated to becoming her personal best,” Ellen
Wasser-Hrin
(the Founder and Director of Model Management Agency - MMA) said.
“When
I sat down with Ellen, she really listened. It was like talking with
my mom.
“She
wants everyone to reach their dreams and is willing to take you
further in your career. There is something really sweet and sincere
about her and there is something different about the people who work
for MMA. If I met someone and that person didn't tell me that he, or
she, was working for the company, I would know it.
“Sometimes
people can be very cutthroat and cold. But working with them, it's
like a family.
“Having
MMA as my “Mother Agency” opened a lot of doors,”
Platt-McMullan said.
“Besides
booking her in the Philadelphia area, we also helped to get her
placed in New York with a New York agency. We also work as her mother
agent,” Wasser-Hrin said.
Everyone
remembers their first gig
“One
of my very first bookings was with H
C Gifts.
The photographer and I had such a great rapport. We have worked
together for 10 years now. I'm still working with them today,”
Platt-McMullan said.
Her
affable personality was evident during our conversation. So, it's no
surprise that she bonded with the first important person who was
connected to the client that she worked for.
Commercial verses high
fashion
“My
look is more commercial, than high fashion,” Platt-McMullan said.
She
defined commercial as a more natural look, whereas high fashion is
connected to specific measurements for certain garments. Megan
Irminger,
who is another Model Management Agency - MMA client, would be an example of
someone who works in the high fashion end of the business.
“With
modeling and acting, you need to be open to what the client needs
from you. If you want to be successful in this business, you need to
expand who you are.
“Be
a different character. You need to have a certain thought process.
Playing dress-up, or playing a part. You need to be willing to try
new things,” Platt-McMullan said.
Being
attractive gets someone noticed. Possessing that attribute, while
also making smart decisions, secures, develops and maintains
employment.
Anyone
who achieves true success in the field has done so because of who
they are, not just because of what they look like.
No Just Means - Not
Right Now
One
of the flashpoints in our conversation came when Platt-McMullan spoke
about rejection. Her philosophy is shared by all high-achievers and
can be adopted by anyone who wants to reach their goals.
“No
just means, not right now,” Platt-McMullan said.
Twenty-two
letters formed the six words that she offered. Consider how
fundamentally strong that laser sharp assessment is for just a
moment.
Everyone
faces rejection, or disappointment of some type in life. But, the
manner in which we respond to those moments sets the stage for our
immediate and long-term performances during each subsequent day.
As
we all know modeling is partially about numbers and also about
brains.
It's
Always Sunny in Philadelphia
Danny
DeVito became famous through his monstrously great portrayal of the
character “Louie DePalma” on ABC's iconic sitcom “Taxi”.
His most recent show, “It's
Always Sunny in Philadelphia”
has developed a strong following on FX because of it's outrageously
unique humor.
Competition for a spot on
that popular series is fierce, but Platt-McMullan landed a role. Yes,
she's a model and also an actor who was the 2010 Best Actress Winner
for “Unlock!” in the 48 Hour Film Festival in Philadelphia. She
was also part of a team that won a Best Film Award for “Half A
Sandwich”, in the National Hunger Awareness Contest during that
same year.
“My
first on-camera speaking role was playing a hooker with comedic
geniuses Charlie Day and Rob McElhenney on the set of the hit series,
“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia”. Those guys were welcoming,
down-to-earth and completely hilarious on- and off-camera.
“That
experience remains one of the funniest and most memorable days of my
acting career,” Platt-McMullan said.
Philadelphia
Fashion Fest, Brad and Ella
Being
open to possibilities often leads to moments that we could never
imagine.
Platt-McMullan's
work ethic also led directly to a life-changing moment. It was
inspiring and gratifying to hear this next part of her story.
“I
called Rachael for a last minute booking. We had already booked the
show models for Philly Phashion Phest; however, the client needed a
promotional model who would help with a spa booth.
“I
told her that I truly believe that when you do good and/or help
someone then something good will come out of it. Like the saying,
‘The good you do comes back to you multiplied.’ She was so
gracious and helpful. Rachael met a wonderful guy at that event who
later became her husband. The good she did came back to her
multiplied,” Wasser-Hrin said.
“I
was working at Philadelphia's Phashion
Phest in
September, 2006 when this man asked for my phone number. I had to
give it to him.”
That
man (Brad McMullan) became her husband in June 2009. By March of
2012, their daughter Ella was born.
“Being
married to the right person means that your career doesn't change
that much. Brad was even more of a cheerleader. He's been my best
friend and my biggest fan.
“When
a pregnancy and a daughter comes into play, things do change. You do
need to rest and your first priority is taking care of your child,”
Platt-McMullan said.
But
then something unexpected happened...
“Model
Management Agency has a children's department that is run by Lindsey
Catherine.
It was decided that my baby was going to be part of the family.
“Lindsey
asked if me if I wanted Ella to be in a commercial with me. Of
course, I said yes.
“It
was so cool because everything came full circle for me. Ella was only
five months old at the time. It reassured me that everything was
going to be okay.
“I'm
in nursing school now. Within the next year I'll be a registered
nurse. I believe that my modeling and nursing careers are going to
mold,” Platt-McMullan said.
Final
take
Rachael
Platt-McMullan has been dedicated to her profession for over a
decade. She smartly chose to work with a reputable agency during that
time and earned a positive reputation in the industry.
Her
openness has created a magnetic reciprocal cycle where a building
stream of positive people are connected to the personal and
professional parts of her life.
“I
look forward to being with my family and continuing to live fully and
truthfully.
“I
love the idea of being a nurse and helping others. Tomorrow, I could
also be playing a character on a television show, or modeling for a
client,” Platt-McMullan concluded.
(All photos used in this feature were provided courtesy of Model Management Agency - MMA.)
