People generally react positively when they feel cared for. When a model feels cared for, they are more likely to feel empowered and to put in effort into making a good shoot. They are also more likely to enjoy their time collaborating with the Shoot Producer in the future, and be more likely to refer their friends.
Some practical ways to help a model feel cared for include;
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Actively listen to the model when she shares stories
- Don’t just “wait for your turn to talk”
- Have a robe for the model to cover up with, offer at each stop point
- Even if the model has rejected it previously, still offer it – maybe the circumstances have changed
- Offer drinks regularly throughout the shoot
- Staying hydrated makes everyone look and feel better
- (and, if the model’s up for it, allows for more pee sequences to be shot!)
- Ask the model how she’s doing
- Ask open-ended followup questions; get more specific if the model responds with “‘I’m ok”
- Actively listen to their answers
- Invite the model set the meal break time
- Allow them to exert some control over the day, helps them feel a little more empowered
- Look for when the model is in difficult poses, offer relief
- For example, kneeling on a hard floor; holding a particularly unnatural pose; model hints at being sore or uncomfortable
- React to model’s flagging energy levels promptly
- It will likely get worse from here
- Suggest a break, music, open a window to let in some fresh air; consider a walk around the block
- Each new Posing Level the model progresses to, ask how she feels
- Micro changes (eg, bra on to bra off) as well as official change (eg, OL to EXP)
- Be aware that seemingly-innocent behaviours can accidentally negatively impact model experience
- We often hear from models that the Shoot Producer’s mood was poor – understandable, when there is so much to manage on a shoot day. But as always, the Six P’s apply.
- Models are very sensitive to a SP’s mood
- See also, What are some signals I might accidentally send to models?
- Try not to rush the model
- It is sometimes necessary to hurry along models who are dawdling, but beware of this backfiring (for example, you hurry a model who’s already taken 10 minutes to remove her makeup, and when she comes on-set, you can see she has not removed all her makeup 😾)
- Setting out a plan for the day, and when starting a new section a mini-plan for each part
- Treat models the same each time
- Models may roll their eyes if they do a lot of porn but will actually grow to appreciate small things Shoot Producers do, and will miss them if they don’t occur
- It’s been raining outside, the model comes to the location quite wet…
- The Shoot Producer offers a towel to dry their hair, a tissue for their glasses, suggests changing into dry clothes right away, so they feel more comfortable.
- Talking in the video about a personal experience, the model becomes upset.
- The Shoot Producer stops recording – camera-down – and suggests a cup of tea and a chat.
- The model seems a little grumpy – she’s obviously hungry – but she wants to “push through” until the Stills are finished
- The Shoot Producer gives the model some chocolate as a short-term energy boost, and moves the lunch break earlier than planned
- It’s a hot day, the model is sweating.
- The sweat looks good on-camera, but the Shoot Producer knows this can lead to dehydration so prompts the model regularly to drink water
- Over lunch, the model shares that she’s thinking of leaving her job because of a poor manager, but she’s nervous about finding a new job. She’s not sure what to do, and it’s obviously making her stressed just to talk about it.
- The Shoot Producer asks about her skills and abilities, along with her plans and dreams, helping the model verbalise her situation in a positive way.
- The Shoot Producer actively listens, and – if the situation feels right – provides some constructive and supportive ideas on how to proceed.
- It’s the model’s first time in the Shoot City, and first time working with the Shoot Producer
- The Shoot Producer is actively texting with the model as she travels to the shoot location, giving helpful tips (“at the train station, follow the signs to x”, “Get off at stop 36, and walk in the same direction as the tram was going, you should see a big clock tower on the left – I’ll meet you on the corner of Station St”)
- The Shoot Producer meets the model at the nearest convenient (for the model) intersection
- Be on time, or notify model if running late