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Too old to care
Industry Role:
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: On the sofa, watching TV or doing my jigsaws.
Posts: 52,943
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And some more.
Next vibrators or props, whips, chains, shoes, etc. to suit the style. Plan what you are going to do. Make sure there is a selection, don't use the same things in every set. Have everything ready before models turn up. Also make sure any toys or vibrators are washed before and after use and let the girl see it being done. They never ask a boy "When was the last time you washed that" But they will with a vibrator. Also have a couple of different sizes, do not get out a dildo the size of a baby holding a peach and expect her to use it.
So now every thing should be ready, equipment, posing book, location, clothing, and props. So what's missing? The girl.
This for the novice is one of the difficult things, which even though I'm going to tell how to find them, does not always work. Finding models and interviewing them is very important. This is when to establish first contact and make those very necessary first impressions. Who is this person, will they be suitable for the job, bored, frightened or going to try to be in charge. Remember they need the money, more than you need 4-6 hours with an attitude you would not take from a waitress. It's your money on the table. This is not the time for her to be in charge.
Establish credibility, firm but fair. "You know what this is all about."
Even though in charge you're an easy person to get on with. Always have a joke to ready, just make sure it's not derogatory or sexist. There are different types of people that model. To be honest most of them do it for the money. They either need a quick buck or are "Sex workers" which includes everything from models to hookers. And all need handling different.
Do not try walking up to girls in the mall, it will end in trouble. Try placing an ad in the local free paper or classifieds. In a big city it works, if you're in the mid west Bible belt they probably will not take your ad. Look at other ads and you may find agents that deal with "Erotic" modelling. But the most obvious is the Net, search for models and agencies. Try avoiding strippers and lap dancers. This is just a general rule but over the years I've found these girls to be difficult to work with and normally not worth bothering with. These girls work of an evening so when you want to shoot, she would normally be sleeping, she's used to being defencive, not thinking when she's working, working a crowd and not a single person, used to being in charge with men and other things. The most important is she does not need the money as much, think about it.
One of the ways that we find girls is through the girls we work with, they had such a good time they tell other girls to come and see us. Once you're established finding girls is the easy part. In reality there is no shortage of girls willing to pose nude, just a shortage of very good ones.
So far we have dealt with the easy part of of producing porn, now we move onto the tough part and the part that will make or break you.
When running a casting, explain precisely what you're doing, when, where, how much work, who will be present (Never shoot a girl without someone else there, preferably a woman) and most important, how much they will earn. You cannot tell precisely how long it will take because you do not know how quickly they can pose. It's best to say we do this, this and this and then we are finished. Leave nothing to chance. Get her to fill in a form with her name, sizes and lists the type of work you do.
To which she agrees or disagrees to each category, with a simple YES NO or NOT SURE. Models have a habit of suddenly stopping and saying "I did not agree to do that" and usually followed by "But will for extra money". She thinks she has you in a fix. I then show her the form and explain this is what she was booked and being paid for and she can always go home. In fact if she does not want to do it she might as well go anyway. They usually discover its no problem. Just determine that if it is a problem then you will not force her and she can go home. This makes sure she does it with the right look.
To resell the content you have to have copies of two forms of the models valid government ID, with name, date of birth and picture and sign a model release granting you the rights to resell her image as YOU see fit. Without the model having the right to approve sales or pictures. They is being paid to model for content to be sold.
Now they've been told everything, ask them to do a couple of test pictures. You need to see them nude, the last thing you want to discover on the day of the shoot is that she's had open-heart surgery. Or got a picture of Bob Marley tattooed on her back along with another Rastafarian who turned out to be her boyfriend. I kid you not, it happened to me!!
If they have problems showing them self nude, think why. The plan is to spend money, based on what they looks like and how they perform nude. Most will understand and strip off with no problems, so be warned this is a good time to establish how "Cool" you are about nudity.
So every thing is fine, book them and ALWAYS get them to confirm 24 hours before the shoot they is still coming. They have a habit of changing their minds or getting another better paying assignment.
When booking women check that she will not be menstruating that day. Ask coolly as if you are asking her what bus she catches to come to the shoot. For men it's a problem, for woman normal. Make it sound normal to ask.
Do not book girls 1-2 days before a period. It can turn out messy, or she could have PMS, which could be worse. Again a good way to establish your credibility, don't tell her the reasons, she's a woman and knows them.
The interview is where we find out who is or is not suitable. It's all about judgement and experience. If a model is scared but worth shooting, how do you make them feel comfortable. Or are they doing you a favour by modelling? Are they on drugs? Do they think they will be in charge? Or will they show what's between their legs, but not between their ears?
Porn is not just a model with their legs open, that's meat and we shoot the dream that they wants to satisfy our fantasy. Capturing this fantasy is all important, lose it and you're just another guy pointing a camera at naked people, capture the fantasy and you're a pornographer. What's the difference worth to you? $50,000 and upwards a year.
At last we are there, the day of the shoot. Ready?
Run a checklist
Equipment, locations, clothing, dressing gown, props, music, refreshments, model releases all ready.
Forgot to say, models normally do things better to music. They will want to listen to your Metalica or Frank Sinatra collection. Have some choices ready and before starting to photograph, ask what kind of music they like to listen to.
NEVER give a girl alcohol it leaves you open to giving her more and they will lose it or they could accuse you of making them drunk. Have juice, coffee, tea or sodas ready. Also get something light for a break midday. If it's an all day shoot.
They will need to get out of their day clothes into a robe or house coat, don't want to shoot them with underwear lines. Unless that's the style.
Is the location ready? Did you remove your dirty socks from behind the sofa? Best check. Got the right clothing, bedspreads and covers to suit her A mistake a lot of photographers make, is shooting a very pale model on a white sheet. It's unflattering. And beware of something that will give a colour cast, bright oranges and yellows are to be avoided.
When they arrive greet them, do not thank them for coming. Ask if they would like a drink. Give them the robe and tell them where change into it. When changed and sitting with a drink, go over what you agreed at the casting they were doing today.
Confirm that they have IDs with them. Then if you have make up artist it's over to her while you go check the lighting or a cigarette because everything is ready. Now the work starts.
The first shots to every set are the ID shots. Holding both IDs next to their face and photograph it all close as possible, got be able to read the IDs on the image. Never forget, do this at the beginning of the shoot. they may have forget to bring them and if the work is done has to be paid. It's your fault for not checking.
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