AJScalzitti wrote:

They assumed their time was worth more then yours...

He/she who puts up the casting needs to look at the other's port. If I put up a casting I would darn sure be looking at their port. It seems the entitlement swings both ways.

Looknsee Photography wrote:
"Don't just say "Interested"",
   ... and...
"Clean your room",
   ... and...
"Get a job",
   ... and...
"Be home by 10:00pm".   

By which I mean that ranting here on these forums is not going to change anything.  They might be away from a keyboard, and it's difficult to text lengthy replies on a smartphone.

Or, they might not read your casting call, after all, "reading is soooo hard!".  (Full disclosure:  I didn't read the entire lengthy original post -- reading is for nerds).

Or you might be looking for young, young models who have very little experience in behaving professionally.

But I guess I'm saying, that's just the way the world is, especially when dealing with the very young.  Adapt to the world -- even if you can change the world, the people you change will be experience, and there will be a whole new generation of new models taking their place.



Note:  Alternatively, if you can afford to do so, you can ignore these one-word replies and reward the more appropriate responses -- that way, the universe will take care of everything.

oh, did you mean the geeks making all the money.

I bring this topic up because the "interested" response is a unanimous thing on model mayhem, and the only way anything gets changed is by speaking up.

model mayhem is a very innovative way of operating in this industry. The site literally provides people who would otherwise have a hard time getting any work in this industry a place to learn and thrive.

I don't think it's very productive to tell me i'm wasting my time, as you're sitting and replying to my post....there by also wasting your own time if that be the way to look at it.

That being said, it isn't wasting my time. i'm just one person who likes model mayhem and would like to see improvements in the site, the people that use the site and the ultimate values of the site regarding professionalism

Jules NYC wrote:
'Interested' means that they want the gig.
If questions need to be answered, photos sent, etc., that's a different story.

I really see no need on having a 10-page dialogue with someone who wants to pay you to model unless they require specific information.

Where, when, what and how much.
Done.

This. When I put up a casting I try to provide all pertinent info and if someone replies with interested I figure they are and take a look at their port. If i am interested I follow up. If I get no response big deal move on to the next one.

-JAY- wrote:
90% of the time, I prefer "interested"

Keeps everything organized and on one page (I don't have to manage a couple dozen emails) and once i am ready to cast... i just look through the list and pick who I want.

Then starts the communication.





Works well for me.

For me, I prefer email, if they can't follow that simple instruction, then chances are they are not going to turn up when based to or follow any other kind of direction.

Plus from experience those that pasted "interested" rarely respond. Those that compose a sentence usually do.

channing L M Photo wrote:
Those of you who use model mayhem know what i’m talking about. Those people that reply to a casting with one word “interested” as opposed to answering basic questions required for any photo shoot. It seems like a waste of time for me to have to then reply and ask these questions, and then wait a day and a half at times, and maybe longer for a response, to then have to respond again to confirm a date to shoot…….IT’S JUST TO MUCH.

I among others in this industry don’t believe in the idea of the “stupid” or “dumbfounded” model who just sits and looks pretty and has to have someone to wipe their ass when done on the toilet. To be honest; to be a good model is freaking hard work. people like to say that modeling is different from acting, and i’m here to correct that. It isn’t very different; we’re asking you to do the same thing, which is to act out a role that doesn’t necessarily match you’re own personality. The simple difference is that acting, in most situations, requires interaction and the capturing of this role in a time based medium, where as photography requires all of that to be in one frame. it is still acting in most senses of the word.

I mean look a modeling shows on TV; look at Americas Next Top Model for goodness sake. There is a clear divide in the show between the models while on a shoot and the models while at home….and the part they really don’t show is that those women are smart as hell. you think they’re just sitting and being beautiful. No they’re studying all of the top model magazines in the country…in the world. you ask them for a certain look, the good ones can tell you what that look entails, and what each body movement tells their viewers. Modeling isn’t just siting there and being some stupid object….and until people entering the fashion/editorial industry know that….until models on model mayhem really know that…and until model mayhem promotes that as their statute of liberation…..that is professionalism….Model Mayhem will always be looked down upon as utterly amateur .

It’s great that your interested in what ever casting call that you reply to, but honestly we already know that. This is one of the reasons why model mayhem has the cheap, amateur reputation in the industry now, because people don’t think about simple things, such as submitting to a casting.

When you go to a live casting, you don’t just go in looking any type of way and say “i’m interested”…….everyone knows that the casting director might put you out. Look at your model mayhem profile…study your images and in comparison study images printed in fashion spreads. think about what about those images look good…….look at how the models are posing, think about the character they are playing.

So Lets get real with the mess, i’m not using model mayhem because I want to be an amateur, i’m using it because I want to expand my portfolio, my name as a photographer, and most importantly my professional skills. And the only way to do that is to hold yourself to a professional standard. A casting call on model mayhem is equivalent to a casting or an interview in real life. Your response is your practice in the game of professionalism.

These are basic questions to answer right off the back when submitting to a casting call

do you have particular dates and times you’re available to shoot
do you have clothes you’re able to bring
do you need example images of what i’m looking for

The simple question to ask yourself, so as to not make a fool of yourself is “what will they want to know from me” because if your responding at all…we already know that you’re interested, what we really want to know is how can you be of help

I always say message me if this interests you and we can go over the details!!! However, atleast if someone is interested and happen to have that "look" an you like it, just because they didnt send you a message because they were not sure if their look suits your casting, doesnt mean they wont be professional. This just makes it easier to feed through the castings!!

And just to add,   I write interested, because if your looking for someone in particular, dont expect that certain someone to be able to read your mind... Why would we waste our time messaging you ALLLL that info to find out we never qualified to begin with?!   

Height... Is a big one... For me.     Id like to know if you have specific height and hair colour preference as well as length or measurements, and if i DO fit that, why do i need to explain everything to you, when you NOW know i am interested, by commenting, annndd i qualify for EVERY detail your looking for?

However, i do not leave it at interested... I add something to sell myself to make myself the better marketer... Buuut sometimes this is consider ego stroking or whatever... Soo i dont like to go there if i dont have to.

If i fit your criteria, i like your idea, YOU message ME, to tell me if you wamt to work with ME. Because frankly, your offering for almost anyone. Do you want a million messages from copies of barbies? And having to give out full blown explanations to you every time, to find out they dont fit the part?   I can understand an interview process, but your portfolio is like your resume as it is.... What more do you need?   You need or want more? Ask, we will oblige, either way, before or after, so whats the problem? Atleast they said they were interested and didnt just say, "cool".  Or "great idea... Hope you find your casting... P.S im currently looking for work!!"   That is already apparent, as youve said.


My $0.02

Autonomy II wrote:
And it's a holiday in Cambodia
Where you'll do what you're told
A holiday in Cambodia
Where the slum's got so much soul
Pol Pot

Please sir may I have some fresh fruit for rotting vegetables?

Michael Pandolfo wrote:
If they're not responding properly, maybe you should be asking those questions and make it clear that only those responding to the questions will be considered.

+1

I usually state for interested parties to contact me direclty - then it's clear, that simply stating "interested" is not a response that will result in any continued communication.

channing L M Photo wrote:
I bring this topic up because the "interested" response is a unanimous thing on model mayhem, and the only way anything gets changed is by speaking up.

model mayhem is a very innovative way of operating in this industry. The site literally provides people who would otherwise have a hard time getting any work in this industry a place to learn and thrive.

I don't think it's very productive to tell me i'm wasting my time, as you're sitting and replying to my post....there by also wasting your own time if that be the way to look at it.

That being said, it isn't wasting my time. i'm just one person who likes model mayhem and would like to see improvements in the site, the people that use the site and the ultimate values of the site regarding professionalism

Good luck with that.

So, it's okay for you to rail against models who only reply "Interested", but it's not okay for me to be skeptical about your ability to change that?  I don't get the distinction.

I'm just saying that if your casting call is anything like the OP novella, I can understand you getting brief responses -- it balances out. 

Or, you can choose to accept that an "Interested" response is an invitation to start a dialog.  There's nothing wrong with that, is there?

SweetGirlyGirl wrote:
I do this.
And the reason is, so you know I'm first, interested.
But, that way you can look thru my port and see if you really want me for that project.
If not, you don't have to contact me.
I thought that was a nice way of doing it.
I will def be changing the way I respond to castings now, so they know I'm serious.

That's why there's some merit to this thread.  I agree that I wouldn't get too lengthy in an initial contact, but one sentence isn't enough for me to take a model seriously.  I've had similar experiences.  So far, the ones who have disappeared only answered in one vague sentence, so that puts the yellow flags up for me.

Image Magik wrote:
Sometimes they are interested...

Sometimes they come back!

Ivanafox wrote:
Also, it seems really stupid to me to assume to know a persons entire personality from a single action.

I don't assume, but so far it's held true.  A vague one sentence reply has equaled no more correspondence, or suddenly stopped correspondence.  I'll keep replying, but I won't use as much energy for those.

SweetGirlyGirl wrote:
I do this.
And the reason is, so you know I'm first, interested.
But, that way you can look thru my port and see if you really want me for that project.
If not, you don't have to contact me.
I thought that was a nice way of doing it.
I will def be changing the way I respond to castings now, so they know I'm serious.

Woven Thought wrote:
That's why there's some merit to this thread.  I agree that I wouldn't get too lengthy in an initial contact, but one sentence isn't enough for me to take a model seriously.  I've had similar experiences.  So far, the ones who have disappeared only answered in one vague sentence, so that puts the yellow flags up for me.

+1   There are far too many models who use "interested" as a substitute for reading the text of the casting call and those who respond with a sentence of generalities/banalities are not much different

Ivanafox wrote:
Personally I think photographers on here simply expect too much. I rarely qualify for any casting call because photographers generally want skittish Thoroughbreds over a reliable work horse (then complain publicly when the thoroughbred throws them) and on top of that they want the model to work TF and supply the styling (ok i know there's a few that do commercial shoots for clients but the bulk of MM people are just folio building). The few calls i do qualify for I will usually send a brief message and a public "interested" or "message sent" so the whole world knows I'm actively looking for shoots. Given that I have had someone get back to me something like twice, in 7 years my confidence and optimism of getting to do that TF shoot is very low, so I keep it brief. Like I've said above theres no point in writing a 10 page essay if I don't even have the right look at step one. Generally I don't even bother responding to casting calls if they are offering pay or have more than 3 responses because despite my efforts to be everything photographers want in a model I don't have the essential "look' they want. It seems I'm the "last resort" model that gets ditched at the last second when something better comes along.

So yeah, if you insist on only working with the diamonds you're going to expect to dig through tons of dirt. That's life, get over it.

Also, it seems really stupid to me to assume to know a persons entire personality from a single action.

I sympathise with your experience because I can understand that it is equally frustrating on the other side of the lens if the average photographer is anywhere near as fickle as the average model.

However, for what it is worth, I spent last night prioritising the sixteen models who applied for a casting call  (it was not on MM - MM's response rate is routinely poor).  I consider looks, experience, evidence of posing ability, attitude, etc, but the thing that got Model X into pole position was none of those - it was the fact that she actually responded to the questions asked in the casting call.  All the others either ignored the questions or gave incomplete answers and several of them have far superior looks to Model X.

Hunter Wald wrote:
I respond, and I respond to everyone, no response is still the most likely response I get from someone who is "interested".  Figure that.

You are not alone in that in getting that lack of response.

Other websites actually provide response rates for their participants.  It is one of the many things that MM could do to improve its operation.

Danielle Kitten wrote:
Okay I'm confused. What exactly am I suppose to say? I say "Hey I'm interested in working with you. Could you give me more details on what exactly it is you want? Contact me if you're interested or want to know more" or something along those lines. There's only so much I can think of to say to a photographer. And no, I'm not stupid or uncreative. I just really don't talk much at all unless I really need to.

So saying "I'm interested" is a bad thing?

It will depend on what is in the casting call, but you could consider elaborating on your availability, your wardrobe (if one is required), your skill with make-up and hair, prior experience with a similar project, whether or not you feel the need for an escort (saying you don't will be a plus), etc.

natural beauties of qld wrote:

It will depend on what is in the casting call, but you could consider elaborating on your availability, your wardrobe (if one is required), your skill with make-up and hair, prior experience with a similar project, whether or not you feel the need for an escort (saying you don't will be a plus), etc.

Oh geez, I suck at makeup and hair unless it's just a flat iron and a stick of eyeliner. But I get what you're saying. Guess I need to rethink this entire thing

Autonomy II wrote:
It's a holiday in Cambodia
It's tough kid, but it's life
It's a holiday in Cambodia
Don't foget to pack a wife

Love this by the Dead Kennedy's.

BTW, not interested.

Danielle Kitten wrote:
Okay I'm confused. What exactly am I suppose to say? I say "Hey I'm interested in working with you. Could you give me more details on what exactly it is you want? Contact me if you're interested or want to know more" or something along those lines. There's only so much I can think of to say to a photographer. And no, I'm not stupid or uncreative. I just really don't talk much at all unless I really need to.

So saying "I'm interested" is a bad thing?

I disagree with Natural's response, in the context of this thread you are doing more than what the models are doing with the op. This thread is more about the ONE WORD responses, you are a really opening a dialogue with what you are saying so don't worry about it.

Darren Brade wrote:

I disagree with Natural's response, in the context of this thread you are doing more than what the models are doing with the op. This thread is more about the ONE WORD responses, you are a really opening a dialogue with what you are saying so don't worry about it.

Alright thanks. Because I really thought I had to start copying and pasting my life's story on people's casting calls just to get an eyebrow raise.

And I really hate that question "Why should I hire you?" or "What sets you apart from other models?" Well sir I'm not sure, maybe it's the fact that I look like an upside down chocolate covered strawberry! (Just kidding)

Danielle Kitten wrote:
"What sets you apart from other models?" Well sir I'm not sure, maybe it's the fact that I look like an upside down chocolate covered strawberry! (Just kidding)