Forums > Model Colloquy > What makes a good Casting Ad?

Photographer

Photos by DeanR

Posts: 696

Nanaimo, 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..."


Do these ones work for you?

https://www.modelmayhem.com/casting/1663987
https://www.modelmayhem.com/casting/1663571

Thanks for all replies!

Cheers,

Dean

Jan 08 13 01:08 am Link

Photographer

WCR3

Posts: 1414

Houston, Texas, US

I know you're looking for responses from models, but I think they're great. (I might "borrow" the concept.)

Jan 08 13 08:44 am Link

Photographer

Shot By Adam

Posts: 8095

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

This might be a good place to start...

https://www.modelmayhem.com/education/u … ting-calls

Jan 08 13 08:52 am Link

Model

JessieLeigh

Posts: 2109

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

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.

Jan 08 13 09:12 am Link

Photographer

Photos by DeanR

Posts: 696

Nanaimo, 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

Jan 08 13 09:15 am Link

Photographer

Photos by DeanR

Posts: 696

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Jessie,

Excellent point! I missed that myself.
I will edit my ads now  NOW EDITED

Thank you.

BTW, he is  https://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.

Jan 08 13 09:20 am Link

Photographer

Awesome Headshots

Posts: 2370

San Ramon, California, US

Photos by DeanR wrote:
What makes a good Casting Ad?

I've found a 300% increase in serious responses when I use one thing: $

Jan 08 13 09:29 am Link

Photographer

Photos by DeanR

Posts: 696

Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada

Awesome Headshots wrote:

I've found a 300% increase in serious responses when I use one thing: $

As I wrote my question, I was thinking the very same thing!

Jan 08 13 09:33 am Link

Photographer

Supermodel Photographer

Posts: 3309

Oyster Bay, New York, US

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:

https://photos.modelmayhem.com/photos/120206/11/4f302725e26b6.jpg

Credits:  Leslie West & Rev Jones (with Dean guitars), & Uli Jon Roth

Jan 08 13 09:38 am Link

Photographer

Photos by DeanR

Posts: 696

Nanaimo, 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?

Jan 08 13 10:04 am Link

Model

JessieLeigh

Posts: 2109

Las Vegas, Nevada, US

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.

Jan 08 13 11:26 am Link

Model

Brightonn

Posts: 234

New Orleans, Louisiana, US

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.

Jan 08 13 12:20 pm Link

Model

I-dont-know-I-forgot

Posts: 134

London, England, United Kingdom

mostly look at photographers work , for test work .

Jan 08 13 04:49 pm Link

Model

StephBar

Posts: 165

Seattle, Washington, US

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?

Jan 17 13 01:06 am Link

Photographer

Mask Photo

Posts: 1453

Fremont, California, US

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.

Jan 17 13 01:39 am Link

Model

Axioma

Posts: 6822

Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium

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.

Jan 17 13 01:53 am Link

Model

- Aina -

Posts: 747

Redlands, California, US

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 llama (athletic, tall, short, curvy, etc)

Jan 17 13 08:21 am Link

Photographer

ArtisticGlamour

Posts: 3846

Phoenix, Arizona, US

GREAT thread!

I also wonder if this is a good casting call...does it tell enough to get the concept across?
https://www.modelmayhem.com/casting/1569996

Jan 17 13 11:08 am Link

Model

Nat has a username

Posts: 3590

Oakland, California, US

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.

Jan 17 13 11:17 am Link