A definition of terms
We define training as the pattern of us provding information about an area, standard or expectation of the business, and some sort of skill assessment to demonstrate the Shoot producer has that skill. Internally, we call this “training”, and group it by SDLPs (Self Directed Learning Packages).
Why is it important for SP’s to continue training?
There are a few reasons why we want Shoot Producers to continue up-skilling;
- We need to constantly improve the content we make for customers
- This helps us keep them as customers – their subscription fees allow us to make more shoots in the future
- Models having the same experience between Shoot Producers is valuable
- Models can expect consistently high standards regardless of who they work with – they’ll tell their friends, and choose to keep working with us
- Up-skilling supports Shoot Producers to “Level Up”
- The up-skilling assessments material we create feeds directly into the Levels system, which supports Shoot Producers to earn more money, and make higher quality shoots
- Consuming up-skilling assessments is required to reach and retain some higher Level
- Up-skilling enables us to be a world class company in our field
- Allowing us to update with changing technologies, tastes, work practises, safety norms, and societal standards
- Up-skilling is embedded with examples and reminders of related standards
- Thus, Shoot Producers can improve many aspects of their shoots by osmosis when consuming up-skilling assessments
- Have everyone on the same understanding makes it easier to communicate
- Especially for the Shoot Producer Trainer and Creative Director, when messaging with individual Shoot Producers, or writing FAQ’s, or making new up-skilling modules.
What does “consume” mean in the context of up-skilling?
In this context, to “consume” a up-skilling (“training”) module means to;
- Watch the nominated videos;
- Submit the associated assignments and receive a passing grade for them;
- Implement the learnings in subsequent shoots;
- Engage with the Shoot Producer Trainer and Creative Director on refining the application of the learnings.
Once a Shoot Producer has completed an SDLP, they will indicate in the next three Samples submissions, how the up-skilling was applied in that shoot, and ensure some samples show this (this is only required if the up-skilling is related to how shoots looks).
When assigning up-skilling modules, the Company will always…
We know that Shoot Producers can find up-skilling a burden. To alleviate that, we will always;
- Work to make up-skilling packages as engaging as possible
- Work towards making the time required to complete up-skilling be shorter
- Incorporate Shoot Producer feedback on up-skilling methodologies, to continue improving on subsequent up-skilling packages
- Have the up-skilling resources ready to be consumed when announced
- Never require “overlapping” up-skillings to be completed in the same time period, unless agreed on a case-by-case basis
- Fix reported errors promptly
- Indicate what Shoot Types are affected by this up-skilling
- Make realistic estimations of how long the up-skilling should take to complete
- Be available to support Shoot Producers with the up-skilling 24/7, via WhatsApp Groups
- Set a reasonable completion deadlines for when the associated assignments / assessments are due
- Set completion deadlines to be generous, with a minimum of four weeks
- Set smaller up-skilling modules to have sooner completion deadlines; larger to be further in the future
- Be flexible with completion deadlines if the Shoot Producer is unavailable for a period of time, agreeing on an alternative.
- Set a reasonable fee for time spent on the up-skilling module, fairly compensating the Shoot Producer for their time and commitment
- Include an “early completion bonus” (described in more detail below)
- That will be paid promptly upon completion, when the SP sends their invoice
- If we’ve made a miscalculation as to the complexity of the up-skilling, we’re open to altering the fee appropriately
- Provide an assessment on submitted assessments and assignments within two business days
- Clearly indicate when the up-skilling is complete, and can be invoiced
- Encourage Shoot Producers every few weeks to complete outstanding up-skilling
- Respond to Shoot Producer for requests for feedback on relevant aspects of specific shoots once up-skilling has been completed
Definition of a “Completed SDLP”
We believe that the full value of up-skilling (“training”) can only be extracted from the training when the SDLP is complete. We define a completed SDLP as;
- Nominated videos watched
- Athena (or similar) quizzes passed
- All assessments / assignments assessed with a passing grade
- Time log submitted
This includes all emails from the Trainer on the topic of the SDLP being responded to, all requested corrections made to assignments, and all followup questions responded to.
The Shoot Producer Trainer will always clearly indicate when a Shoot Producer has passed a given SDLP, and will provide a PDB ID for invoicing purposes – Shoot Producers can only invoice for up-skilling work when this has been provided.
Some assignments are based on submitted shoots after the up-skilling has been consumed. These are out of scope in this context of completing a up-skilling module, and billing for the up-skilling work. This distinction will always be indicated when the up-skilling is assigned.
Consequence for not completing up-skilling assessments on time
The consequence for not completing an up-skilling assessments on time is simple;
After the completion deadline, subsequent shoots of the nominated Shoot Types cannot be made by that Shoot Producer, until that up-skilling assessment is passed.
That is to say, the SP is no longer considered qualified to make those shoots.
A simple example;
The company asks the Shoot Producer to complete a simple up-skilling assessments: read a new set of FAQ’s around Intimate Moment Shoots, and respond to a short quiz. The up-skilling is specified to only apply to producing the Intimate Moments Shoot Type. The up-skilling assessment completion deadline is four weeks from today, April 16th.
The Shoot Producer chooses not to complete the up-skilling assessments by April 16th.
IM shoots scheduled for the 17th are cancelled, and future IM shoots are put on hold, until the Shoot Producer completes the up-skilling assessments. The Shoot Producer can continue making Solo and GG and GB shoots with no limitations.
A more serious example;
The company asks the Shoot Producer to complete the “Fetishes” up-skilling assessment with a completion deadline of two months from today – June 23rd – and indicates that this up-skilling assessment applies to Solo, IM, GG and GB shoots.
The Shoot Producer submitted some up-skilling assessments by June 23rd, but has not completed the specified up-skilling assessments yet.
From June 24th onwards, the Shoot Producer will not be permitted to create any Solo, IM, GG or GB shoots, until the up-skilling assessments are completed. Any booked shoots after June 23rd will be cancelled.
How does the “early completion bonus” work?
It’s valuable to the company to have Shoot Producers complete up-skilling assessments earlier, so the company offers a tiered early-completion bonus;
- +20% bonus if complete within first 25% of allowed time
- +10% bonus if complete within first 50% of allowed time
For example;
The company asks the Shoot Producer to complete the up-skilling assessments for a revised “Model Moves and is Active” SDLP. Today is June 26, the completion deadline for two months in the future is August 26. The fee is €550.
The SP completes the up-skilling assessments on July 20 – that’s 3.5 weeks, before 50% of the allowed time of two months has passed. The SP is entitled to a 10% early completion bonus, an additional €55.
(If the SP had completed the SDLP by July 10, that’s 14 days or before 25% of the allowed completion time had passed. The SP would be entitled to a 20% early completion bonus, an additional €110).