Photos by DeanR
Posts: 413
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
As I am casting for models (female), I thought I would ask here.
What do you look for in a Casting ad? What appeals to you, and what turns you off?
I would think that an effective ad should be:
--Well planned and written. It should actually tell you what I am looking for, and offering. When and where. Clear about nudity or not.
--Correct spelling and grammar. I'm an old geezer, so that is important to me. If I wrote it in netspeak, would that be a deal breaker? LOL ROFL
--Polite, relaxed tone. I have seen some ads that sound more like a rant, listing off a bunch of rules, etc. That stops me cold.
--Offering, rather than wanting. This means I start the ad by asking what YOU want, rather than what I WANT. I started the ones below by asking
"Would you like to explore..."
In both, you reference another photographer. Who is it? Models are told time and time again to check references. You have posted 2 castings that indicate there may be a second shooter, but you give the models no way to determine if they want to work with said shooter. If the other photographer isn't going to be involved with these shoots, don't mention him or her.
Photos by DeanR
Posts: 413
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Great article, Adam!
I did a search on the forum here, prior to posting this question, but didnt think to look in the Edu library.
What I get from your article is that I am on the right track, with the exception of not specifically stating what I am trading in a TF* deal. NOW EDITED
I like the Van Halen clause. I'm old enough remember that when it happened.
I recall Roth saying that every band sends out a list (I think its called a "rider") of requirements, so VH did theirs extra huge, just because.
And demolished a room when they found one stray brown M&M !
WCR3,
yes, please do use whatever you wish. And have a look at the article by Adam also
Photos by DeanR
Posts: 413
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Jessie,
Excellent point! I missed that myself.
I will edit my ads now NOW EDITED
Thank you.
BTW, he is http://www.modelmayhem.com/2291462 and we often shoot together. We find that we work very well together, often bouncing ideas off each other to the benefit of all.
Photos by DeanR wrote: What do you look for in a Casting ad? What appeals to you, and what turns you off?
As I look at your avatar photograph, Dean, it occurs to me that for similar photographs you should use people who know how to play guitar (especially Dean guitars).*
* as, for example, in this photograph of mine:
Credits: Leslie West & Rev Jones (with Dean guitars), & Uli Jon Roth
Photos by DeanR
Posts: 413
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
I certainly dont know how to play guitar, so I cannot give direction.
But the model in my avi does know how, the axe belongs to her.
In fact, she commented on seeing other photos of "posers" and didnt want to be one of those.
But thats not really what this thread is about, right?
Something that would make your boudoir casting more appealing to me if I was in your area is if you were able to get someone on board to handle hair and makeup. That style of shoot often results in higher quality photos when professionals handle the hair and makeup... and as the photographer, I personally feel that you should be the one making the arrangements with those people if the project will be TF, as only you can promise those people images in exchange for their work.
I would certainly be replying to the casting if I lived in your city, I knew all parties involved and some lingerie and all hair would be provided - I'm good with makeup but for boudour and vintage styles prefer to leave the hair to the experts (and mine is long and a bit challenging) I don't shoot much tf, but if there was a potential for a stylist team it might be worth it. The ad is worded professionally and relatively thorough. I would definitely like to know if any prints (I keep a 9 x 12" portfolio) are provided.
This is helpful!! I hope you found the models you needed.
However, if I may expand on the thread a little bit, but not derail it?
What about models posting casting calls for TF/Port work? How do we do it? Do we follow the same guidelines? How do we appeal to photographers, or should we just look in the casting calls made by photographers instead?
Photos by DeanR wrote: I like the Van Halen clause. I'm old enough remember that when it happened.
I recall Roth saying that every band sends out a list (I think its called a "rider") of requirements, so VH did theirs extra huge, just because.
And demolished a room when they found one stray brown M&M !
not "just because." They had lots of equipment that can be dangerous if not set up correctly, so they included weird but easy to spot riders in their contract. If the M&Ms weren't right, they knew that the venue was sloppy when they read the contract, and might have skimped on other, more vital, but harder to spot things, such as power cables that weren't rated for the kind of juice the pre-amps needed.
I'd be interested to know more about the "stray brown M&M". My feeling is that they probably trashed a room because there *were* brown M&Ms, just to make a public point about it, so other venues would be more careful when reading the contracts. I would be heartily surprised if they trashed a room because of one M&M.
I think your examples are fine, but it shouldn't get any longer or "selly" for my personal liking. To add:
- it might be handy to include a link with examples of the concept
- it might be handy to include information about the type of model you're looking for: type, build, height, hair-color, etc.
The factors that everyone mentioned above are all wonderful and helpful. I could "+1" them all, but that would be a very long post.
The basis that you have already is great and helpful.
- Mention what you want, nude/implied/clothed
- Mention TF/Paid
- Mention who, what, when, why
- Mention the type of model (athletic, tall, short, curvy, etc)
I'm also going to add that I like when casting calls list requirements for models.
If the concept only calls for someone who has long hair, that needs to be stated; I don't want to waste anyone's time by replying to a casting call that has very specific requirements that I don't fit. Same goes for whether the model has to be tall/short/freckled etc. Conversely, if the requirements are flexible, that should be stated.
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