Before Taking the Next Shoot Evaluate these Five Things

By: Abby DivDate: May 26, 2019

Getting your first assignment can be an exciting and gratifying experience. It's a sign that not only is your work valuable but has larger appeal to the audience you are marketing and distributing your content. It's easy to become wrapped up in exhilaration of success and forget about a few essential steps before accepting a new job. Before taking that assignment there a five basic considerations you should make into account so that every job will be successful:

Travel time

It’s common for studios to be located in the suburbs or outer reaches of cities. Because of the size of spaces this makes it more affordable to operate warehouse size facilities and store production equipment. With that in mind you may not be close to the studio and have to plan additional time into your schedule in order to arrive and depart on time. Also, there may be additional transportation cost (gas, Uber/Lyft etc) to calculate into the factor of time.

Hair, Makeup, and Wardrobe

Depending on the production size, hair, makeup and wardrobe may be components that are provided or you may provide them as part of your service. If the production is small, one-on-one or with a few set assistants, it’s likely that the model will provide one or more these components, many being versatile MUAs, art directors, and set designers. Asking on initial contact if these elements will be provided will go into contract negotiation for the services being provided.

Environment

Since shoots can range from a warehouse loft studio with centrally controlled thermostat to a beach location in the direct sunlight anticipating the spaces positives and negatives will allow you to plan accordingly. Knowing the model’s physical comfort with temperature, weather (if outside), and stamina will streamline the experience. Some are used to running around in their birthday suits in subzero temperatures while others are comfortable in humidity controlled studio facilities.

Concept/Theme

Everyone cannot do everything well. This may seem like non-point but just keep reading. As a model you’re more like an actor being cast for a part in a script. If you cannot pull off the character your performance will always fall short of the anticipated result. The last thing that you want as a service provider is not to deliver on the product you’re being hired to perform. Therefore, saying no to a “script” that doesn’t not fit your outward personality is not a loss but a refinement of the character you want to play.

Compensation

Lastly, and possibly the most important, is getting paid. This can be an uneasy topic of conversation when it comes to mixing art and commerce as there is a common conception of making “art for art sake”. But there’s also supporting the the arts which very naturally requires compensation.

There are more variables that change on a case-by-case basis that will come into play based on the individual scenario. These are the basics to start the process of discussing a shoot before bringing it to fruition. If one is not cohesive then it’s better to come to common terms agreeable to all parties then bypass them to have a later conflict on set or down the booking process.