Model a summer hit in New York

Inexperienced, but still lands 9 jobs

When classmates ask 10-year-old Madelyn Cline what she did on her summer vacation, she'll have a lot to say.

With no previous modeling experience, Madelyn earned nine jobs with catalogs, department and toy stores and a magazine, and spent a dizzying but delightful eight weeks in New York. The rising fifth-grader at Pinewood Preparatory School was dressed up, made up, photographed and filmed for modeling assignments that took her and her mom, Goose Creek real estate agent Pam Cline, to New York City and the Hamptons in the upstate.

Mother and daughter had time for fun together and saw the Statue of Liberty, visited Rockefeller Center and trekked to the top of the Empire State Building.

"We are really proud of her, and of how mature and professional she came across," Pam said. She said the experience has helped Madelyn overcome her shyness.

The jobs Madelyn took included shoots for Toys R Us, T-Mobile Verizon, Elidel pharmaceuticals, Hatkoff department stores of Europe and Parent & Child Magazine.

Madelyn said she hopes what she learned in New York can help her reach a career in front of the camera.

"It's a very competitive business," Madelyn said.

Madelyn picked up the bug for the camera while appearing as an extra in the film "Nailed," shot in Columbia early this year and starring Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal.

Pam said she and her husband, Charleston Water System engineer Mark Cline, were surprised when Madelyn, who had not previously expressed interest in modeling, asked to be taken to an April casting call at the Millie Lewis Studio in North Charleston.

Madelyn said she found out about the casting call online. "I did some research," she explained. "I Googled it day after day, and came to a Web site for Millie Lewis. They sent us a flier that said I could be on stage in front of an agent."

At the audition, Madelyn and more than 20 other hopefuls walked a runway and were asked to read a commercial prepared for them, or one that they made up.

"I was too nervous to talk through the microphone," Madelyn recalled "Halfway down the runway I was sweating and could feel my feet tingling. I was so nervous, but I liked the feeling when I was up there."

To prepare for her future, Madelyn plans to take some ballet and other dance classes and voice lessons. "I want to improve my projection in front of crowds," she said.

"We are really supportive of her commitment to her goals," Pam said. She added that Madelyn also has made a commitment to keep her school grades up.

Reach Edward C. Fennell at efennell@postandcourier.com or 745-5865.