This FAQ relates to required elements within Level 4 Solo shoots but these elements are also encouraged within Level 3.
Each Level 4 Solo shoot shows models in an “extra” Setting, in addition to the “main” Setting (see FAQ What’s the difference between a “Location” and a “Setting”? for definitions on these terms).
For example if the model is shot principally in the living room she may do a single activity in the garage, to fulfil this requirement.
Other activities that could take place in a secondary Setting might include collecting herbs from the garden, carrying some stuff up the stairs to the apartment, walking along the footpath, washing her face in the bathroom, loading the washing machine.Secondary settings could be a different Location, for example the model may visit a local park, buy a coffee from a shop, or refuel her car. Different Locations are logistically more complex, but add a lot more value to the shoot.
What is the value of Secondary Settings?
Secondary Settings add variety and interest to shoots.
They allow customers to see models in a different context, which increases our ability to connect with a customer (“hey, I remember when I used to skateboard!”, or “That’s the same car I have!”). These small connections help customers see models as real people, in the real world. It positions abbywinters.com models as being attainable, as people the customer might meet in the real world, making them more appealing.
Changing a Setting in a shoot also creates more opportunities to show a model engaging in everyday activities (unlike in Level-3-and-below shoots, where models are often contained within a single room).
Secondary shoot Settings that show other Settings in the same Location (eg, the front entrance area, as well as the living room), help to show that the model is in a real home – not a dressed corner of a studio. This enhances the realism of the shoot.
The addition of another Setting further enhances the realism of shoots, and this variety helps us differentiate from our competitors.
Increasing the number of Settings also increases the likelihood of spontaneous or unexpected things happening – elements known to make shoots better.
How do secondary Settings impact the length of the shoot day?
Shooting in secondary Settings should not affect the length of a shoot day. Level 4 Solos are not intended to produce more content, but to guide SP’s to be more selective with the content they focus on within each shoot.
This is reflected in the changes in how shoots are assessed at Level 4 compared to Level 3. The Level 4 assessment system allows SP’s to spend more of a shoot focusing on one area of a shoot over the others (unlike Level-3-and-below, where all assessment areas need somewhat equal coverage).
Secondary Settings require 3 to 5 minutes of edited video and up to ten edited images, they are small peaks of exciting action within the whole. It is not necessary to formally light secondary Settings (as an SP would do for the main shoot Setting).
“Found light” will – in most cases – be enough to light a secondary shoot space.
Minimum technical requirements for secondary shoot Settings
- No hard / distracting shadows.
- The majority of the model and surrounding Setting are clearly visible (exposure).
- No key areas (labia, anus or highest Posing Level aspects of the model) are unclear.
Technical allowances for secondary Settings
- More-contrasty light is acceptable so long as the majority of the model’s form is clear.
- DoF can be shallower than usual, though should always be as deep as possible so all of the model is in focus
- Gain / ISO can be higher than usual: there is an acceptable tolerance for a certain level of grain and WB impact. As a guide, 9dB / ISO 1600 on modern cameras is acceptable
Possible secondary shoot Setting ideas There is no requirement for the model to be nude (or at a higher Posing Level) in secondary shoot spaces.
Some spaces will lend themselves to more revealing posing (for example, if the main shoot is in the bedroom and the bathroom is selected as the secondary Setting, showing the model washing her face in the nude is excellent. But if the model heads out to get a coffee, there’s no need for her to be nude, or even dressed provocatively.
Nearby public transport, roads, tourist attractions, public parks, shops or similar
The easiest secondary shoot spaces will be outdoors, where there is a likelihood of good light levels.
ABOVE: Samantha-Jane demonstrating the kind of fun that can be had (clothed) on a train. If a shoot Location was near a train, metro, tram or bus route the SP could arrange to travel one stop with the model or to meet the model at the station at the start of the day for an interesting – ‘the model is literally just arriving’ opening to a Solo.
Gardens, balconies, front porches
When travelling away from the main shoot Location is not possible, outdoor secondary Settings may be found within the property lines.
A model being shot in her own home may feel uncomfortable with her neighbours seeing someone capturing her with a production-sized camera. It is fine to switch to using a modern mobile phone (HD 1080 is acceptable) to capture content in a secondary shoot Settings , if that makes the model more comfortable.
ABOVE: Brandy and Olive both dressed in “No Nude Safe” outfits, doing nothing any neighbour could object to if they happened to look into the garden. Despite this, the bare feet and flash of naked legs on Brandy is very appealing and the hint of panties on the side of Olive’s shorts is excellent tease!
Shared or private pools
Pools can lead to great content! Some shoot Locations have private or communal pool hire as part of a Location booking.
When shooting in public spaces like shared pool areas, to avoid trouble, content should remain at No Nude Safe levels, unless the SP is absolutely certain no one can see. It is never acceptable to have children on the audio track for video or within frame for stills or video.
Elsewhere in shoot location: Kitchen, garage, bathroom, ensuite, cellar, walk in wardrobe, stairs etc
If shooting in a model’s real home, shooting in as many rooms as possible is essential to giving customers a sense of who the model is and what her real life looks like. Getting models to give a tour of their home is a great way to do this.
SP’s should not fear ‘shooting out’ a Location that a model owns. As it is her real home, it is fine for her to appear in the same Settings across multiple shoots although it is preferred to visit multiple rooms before repeating the use of a Setting.
When SP’s are working in hired spaces, they need to be mindful of how many shoots with different models they intend to get from that space across a number of different visits. It is not appropriate for different models to be shot in a space that has not been significantly dressed to look like a different Location since it was last used.
When SP’s need to be mindful of not “shooting out” locations, it is logical to restrict secondary shoot Settings to areas that would never be suitable for a main shoot. For example small bathrooms, laundry rooms, cellars, dressing rooms, stairs etc.
