Recently had a casting call on here to try and fill my time a little.
Thought I would share the outcome of it

4 applicants were geographically distant according to there portfolio's but being prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt, just in case they were visitingthe area, I emailed all. None responded to my mail

1 local applicant from Leicester promised to phone me to discuss, still waiting

1 almost local applicant was asked to let me know availability and any ideas they might want to shoot. Four days later, despite her logging on mail remains unread


Needless to say all of these have been blocked in the casting system, but one has to question the mentality of some of these people, why apply for a casting if you have no intention, and why if the person emails you do you either not respond or not read

I just wish there was a way to block them from any contact as they are obviously so reliable putting 120 % into all they do, that I really want to work with them (NOT)



Rob M


Remember: - If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing

Hope I don't sound patronising... but MOST models click apply button without even looking at the casting details (that's a fact), if you reply to their email they may read it they may not..if they read it and find it not beneficial somehow (in their own world) then they wont even bother reply..some models especially young ones they like to know they're good enough! they like to feel accepted..
I was about to start a new thread and ask if any other photographers feel the way I do..I drop models of my list right left and center as soon as I see any sign of negativity and I dropped some really good models-4 this week as I seem to be gaining more interest (elsewhere).. but I don't need to feel someone is coming down a step and doing me a favour even if they're more experienced than I am.. they're lucky if I give them my time and the energy I put into my shoots and the hours into retouching ... and you my friend should feel the same way..don't let the few wana bees or time wasters non-professionals get you down!


www.studioio.co.uk

I never bother putting up casting calls.  I look for the model(s) that have the right look for the shoot I am wanting to do.  From then I check how established they are (I tend not to bother with models that have not got a good track record).

That way I tend not to get too many problems.  Or at least, not as of yet.

Kevin
http://www.kevinjamesphotography.net

The internet attracts a lot of nutters.

I've had a bit of a mixed bag but have managed a few shoots.  I always ask in my casting call that those who are interested contact me.  I know that those who don't aren't serious and therefore give them as much thought as they did my casting! 

GCImages , Photographer  posted on 30/07/2010 18:53:59   Posted 663 times

Located:Gloucestershire,Hampshire, UK
Member Since: 03/10/2009

8 applicants to casting call on this website - but only one responded but couldn't manage dates.
Yet I was snowed under & turning models down from other modelling sites....   Why?

Quoting post from chris
The internet attracts a lot of nutters.

Amen to that..

Also as I calll them ' arm chair dreamer myspace models'.

Given up with this site.
Just use it to hose some pics and have a chat on the forums occasionally.
I'll bide my time until my subs run out.
And I sure as hell won't be adding any more castings.

Hey I have a cool idea chaps .....radical.....novel....conceptual....Offer money!

Its only life.

RedDove , Model  posted on 31/07/2010 14:44:17   Posted 493 times

Located:Chippenham,Wiltshire, UK
Member Since: 27/07/2009

Quoting post from RedDove
Hey I have a cool idea chaps .....radical.....novel....conceptual....Offer money!

Its only life.

Happy to offer money, when shooting for clients.

Same could be said back to the models. When was the last time a model offered to pay for a portfolio!

Rob M


Remember: - If it ain't fun, it ain't worth doing

Here begins a philosophical debate...an old chestnut eh? I appreciate that pro photographers expect to earn a living from their work and quite rightly so as indeed do pro models...Stalemate?

Here is a scenario.... I am approached by a pro tog asking for a tfcd shoot... pro because he/she does babies/weddings/passports and sustains a living from this... His nude work is lacking so he wants to brush up on this area for his portfolio.... should I shoot for a cd full of the standard I worked to 4 years ago and that I am not able to use?
I don't mean this as a criticism  in any way but can you see the conflict of interest? open question so lets throw it around without having an argument, this forum is for genuine exchanges after all.

I do lots of free shoots by the way so I am able to look at both sides.
After I return from Holland on the 10th I have four such shoots to do two of which are with photographers from this site so lets not blame NP eh?

Love almost each and every one of you delightful free thinking people.

Chat may now commence Its only life.

RedDove , Model  posted on 31/07/2010 15:24:22   Posted 493 times

Located:Chippenham,Wiltshire, UK
Member Since: 27/07/2009

If the right models answered the casting and were reliable I'm sure the quality of images produced would go up 100%

I find that the people who don't call are usually doing modelling as an additional venture and they have to fit it in around their other jobs.  I have found that sometimes they reply too late and are gutted as they have not checked their emails.  

Hope you find a reliable one.  Check out the model on my page who is very reliable and good. x

Alaina

BA (Hons) PhotoMedia; LBIPP; LMPA.

Hence I will e-mail professional full time models on certain projects rather that using castings.
Their reliable as it's their profession.

Luckily casting calls CAN sometimes be successful. If you look at my current casting call, (model required for beach shoot Sussex or Dorset on a TFP basis), you'll see two of the three applicants are from Glamorgan and Durham respectively! Yeh right. The model from Durham's sure going to come all the way down from the north east of England for a TFP shoot on the south coast, I don't think. But why they do it? - beats me! The third is from London however, and negotiations seem to be proceeding.

Quoting post from ianmacfadyen
Luckily casting calls CAN sometimes be successful. If you look at my current casting call, (model required for beach shoot Sussex or Dorset on a TFP basis), you'll see two of the three applicants are from Glamorgan and Durham respectively! Yeh right. The model from Durham's sure going to come all the way down from the north east of England for a TFP shoot on the south coast, I don't think. But why they do it? - beats me! The third is from London however, and negotiations seem to be proceeding.

This model http://www.net-portfolio.co.uk/Rosiebeever travelled 3.5 hours to London to do a full day shoot plus 30 minutes in the tube and that's each way. and she said it was well worth it. now that's what I call a professional model, they're like diamonds when you find them.


www.studioio.co.uk

The funniest casting I've ever read was for 'the sea of tranquility calender'. Locatiuon shoot.
Details such as beach wear/bikini, travell and passport were posted.

It may have been in the 100's that models applied and this was after some big clues were given as to the location.

I think eventually the mods took down the casting as it became embarrassing.

Quoting post from chris
Hence I will e-mail professional full time models on certain projects rather that using castings.
Their reliable as it's their profession.

Does this mean a struggling model who's doing a job on the side to survive does not have a professional attitude?, on this bases no one should use a photographer if he/she has a job on the side to live on..and maybe he has to have a studio too before he's considered professional or reliable?


www.studioio.co.uk

How many models are available mid week in the day, prepared to travell 100 miles and be 100% reliable also knowing I'll get the results that were planned by the art dir.
And it took less than 5 emails to arrange.