When you first arrive on set you want to make sure that you present yourself to the Photographer and Client. Normally you will have received a Call-Sheet and schedule for the shoot ahead of time. The Photographer will be mentioned, the other Talent on the shoot, and the Production Company who will have drafted the Call-Sheet. Familiarize yourself with important people: Photographer, Client, and the Producer/Organizer of the entire shoot, for example.
The full schedule of the shoot will be shown on the Call-Sheet. This will give you an idea if you may be needed in Make-Up & Hair right away. If you’re a male Model, for example, it is more likely that they start on the female Model first. But this is not your call. This all depends on the order of shooting. Avoid being pushy! Your job is to be ready and close-by when called upon. Your job is not to direct and to decide when you should be in Make-Up. Sometimes Talent can be over eager to know everything. But this is not your job as the Model. If you’re a bit of a controlling person/A-Type personality, this is the time to chill and take a back seat, and let go of control. I have been on shoots with Models who were actually over eager to be professional wanting to know everything and ending up a hinderance and an annoyance… Models are on a ‘need-to-know’ basis. You’re much better going with the flow, and simply being available at a moment’s notice.
Mood Boards/ Story boards: Often, included in your Call-Sheet will be the Mood Board. This is a series of images, and/or hand sketches – A Story Board – of the images they need. It may be a separate doc or pdf. If you didn’t receive it before, they will have something to show you on the shoot. This includes the feeling or mood to portray.
Tips about filming Backstage/ and “selfies” on location: Be aware that if you’re making videos to post on social medias, and again be discreet! At some point you may want to ask production if you are allowed to post behind-the-scenes on your feeds. Find out if they want social media attention on the shoot, and whether you should tag them. Until you know: it’s always a good idea to not give too much information on your posts. And don’t show the product. Just keep things general as a normal ‘shoot day’, and don’t tag people right away. Later you can get a feel for the client, and the production, to see if they are open to it. You never know if a brand or company doesn’t want their competitors to know that they have an advertising campaign publishing soon, nor the theme or concept behind the Ad.
Socializing on set: Perhaps you know some people on the shoot and start socializing too much sharing stories etc. There will be plenty of time to chat on a shoot with people you know. Don’t start this too soon. And when you do it, keep your voice down. Being discreet is almost always the key. Remember, that everyone else’s role on set is far more stressful than the Models and Talent typically. Keep a low profile until you’re in front of the camera! This will be your time to shine and do your ‘thang’!!! Don’t worry, you’ll get the attention that you, as a Model, usually love! (Admit it).
Tips in front of the camera: When you’re finally doing your Model thing in front of the camera, keep in mind a few things. If the image sought after is a natural situation and you’re shooting a lifestyle brand, or some commercial product that isn’t overly fashion oriented, then your job is to be well …sorry…. “Natural”! Always find ways to keep it as “real” as possible. If you’re playing in a couple one thing that is almost always requested by the photographer is to have a real conversation. But be careful, if you’re the one talking all the time your mouth and lips will be in an ugly position. Respect the rhythm that is being established by the photographer’s clicks, and learn to speak in between. Use a few words, then hold, then resume. In general people’s faces and expressions are really engaged and natural when one is listening. Also, remember that you want to make sure about ‘eye-line’s that are required/ optimal. If you’re partner has no charm and isn’t engaging or funny – or boring even – you better make your partner the most charming person you’ve ever met!
Finally at the end of the shoot, make sure you’re being officially released. Sometimes shots can be added, or shot’s need to be re-shot at the last second. Never listen to just one person. Even if it’s the Client! I have seen situations when the Client think’s you’re done, but the photographer needs something else from you. Or a shot needs to be added. The photographer often looks back at what they have captured almost in real time, but this can also be delayed. Sometimes things are caught at the last second that weren’t quite right. Or new idea’s spring up at the last second. Remember that you’re ‘theirs’ until they send you away.
We will be getting deeper into different situations in coming blog posts. Stay tuned Model Army!!!
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