Working with the SP Levels system
abbywinters.com needs high-quality shoots to attract and retain customers. We have a series of Levels that Shoot Producers progress through, based on the ongoing quality of the shoots they produce.
Shoot Producers on higher Levels enjoy several benefits, including;
- Earning higher shoot fees;
- Being afforded more creative freedom;
- Having submitted shoots assessed less-critically;
- Are eligible for higher Location Allowances.
Shoot Producers increase their Level for a given Shoot Type by consistently submitting a series of high quality shoots that meet the standards required for that Level (that is, a “winning streak”).
Shoot Producers may also regress (go back down) a Level, if, over several shoots, their submitted shoot quality is found to be poor and fails to meet the current Level. If that occurs, the Shoot Producer must meet the requirements of the reduced Level to advance back to the higher Level again (or risk regressing another Level).
Why we have Levels
We have Levels for Shoot Producers for several reasons:
- To be transparent with Shoot Producers regarding the company’s expectations;
- To acknowledge Shoot Producers’ ongoing hard work, and reward them appropriately;
- To provide a clear path of progression for Shoot Producers (“levelling up”);
- To encourage more experienced Shoot Producers to be more autonomous in shoot creation;
- To allow Shoot Producers to explore the paradigm more deeply, without risk of penalty;
- To reduce administration for the Company by streamlining shoot assessments.
We hope these reasons will help us attract and retain Shoot Producers.
In 2022, only Solo shoots have a completed Levels system. We’re working on making a Levels system for other Shoot Types.
A fundamental principle of our Levels system is the concept of “mastery”. When Shoot Producers can demonstrate they have mastered the requirements of a given Level, they can advance to the next Level. A major mistake leads to losing all accrued points, encouraging SP’s to be careful with essential elements of a shoot (as true Masters are).
We assess mastery by assigning points, which are assigned based on each shoot’s assessment.
Points assigned | Action |
---|---|
+1 | 🥇 The shoot meets all assessment requirements. |
0 | 🥈 One assessment area does not meet the requirements in a minor way. The SP's current points balance do not change. |
-1 | 👎 Two assessment areas have minor issues, or one assessment area has a major issue meeting the requirements. |
Reset to zero | 💩 Missing a Basic Requirement, or 3+ assessment areas do not meet requirements |
Some examples of applying points;
🥇 SP Dan makes a shoot that is well-assessed, and meets all the Basic Requirements of that Shoot Type. Good job, Dan’s assigned one point, and is one step closer to completing his mastery of that Level.
SP Kelly makes a shoot that is well assessed in most areas, but one assessment area has been addressed poorly. She’s assigned 0 points for this shoot, meaning she’s no closer to – or further away from – mastery of this Level. She chalks up this shoot as a learning experience.
SP Courtney make a shoot that has significant issues with two assessment areas. That indicates she is not aware of the importance of the assessment areas to making a quality shoot, and she’s further away from mastery than we previously assumed. She is assigned -1 points.
SP Robert submits a shoot that is missing a Basic Requirement (a fundamental need that all shoots of this Type must show). His points balance resets to 0.
Shoot assessments and a running balance of points is stored in a Google Sheet shared with the Shoot Producer. The points balance for a given Level is calculated on a per-shoot basis, and a running total is shown.
Major issue: Points reset to zero
Resetting a SPs point-count to zero could have a major effect on a Shoot Producer’s progress to the next Level. Imagine this scenario;
10 points are required to master Level 3 (that is, when 10 points are assigned, the SP graduates to Level 4).
A Shoot Producer had earned 7 points from the past 11 shoots, submitted over the past nine months.
The SP submits an Open Leg Solo shoot with only 40% at the maximum Posing Level (the Basic Requirement is 50%).
A Basic Requirement was not met, so the points counter resets to zero.
All that work over nine months is not wasted (the SP was paid for those shoots, and they added value to the site), but the SP is significantly set back in their mastery efforts advancing to Level 4.
Restting a SPs points balance to zero is always carefully considered by Shoot Reviewers, and decisions are not made lightly. Exceptions may be granted in some situations, and decisions can be appealed by Shoot Producers, to be reconsidered.
Examples of a Points Reset to 0 situation include;
-
Common to all shoots
- Significant tech problems
- Under-exposed in a way that cannot be fixed in post production without degrading the image quality unacceptbaly
- Audio track has unwanted audio (eg, kids screaming, construction noise)
- Video scene shot mostly zoomed-in (or with a long lens)
- Poor exposure thoroughout
- Significant tech problems
-
Solo shoots
- A pattern of missing Must Haves
- Posing Level percentage not met by a significant amount
- [Other Shoot Types to be added in the future]
The fees for Shoot Producers for Solo shoots are as follows:
Level 0: €400 (qualifying Locations Allowance, €25)
Level 1: €450 (qualifying Locations Allowance, €50)
Level 2: €500 (qualifying Locations Allowance, €75)
Level 3: €550 (qualifying Locations Allowance, €100)
Level 4: €600 (qualifying Locations Allowance, €125)
Level 0 overview
Level 0 only applies to Shoot Producers who have just graduated from Shoot Producer Training, and is limited to their first three shoots. It is designed to help them focus on making usable shoots for abbywinters.com.
Prerequisites for Level 0
When a Shoot Producer graduates from the initial Solo shoot training (Completed and Passed all training items on The Essentials), they are assigned to Level 0 Solo shoots. This is a three-shoot “grace period”, where mistakes in shoot production – even significant ones – are not penalised.
Conditions for Level 0
Shoot Producers earn a guaranteed shoot fee per Solo shoot, regardless of the shoot’s assessment, so long as:
- Shoot quality improves shoot-to-shoot; and
- There are no significant technical visual or audio issues.
If the Shoot Producer’s shoot quality seems to be decreasing, or the same mistakes are made after feedback has been provided, the per-shoot fee may be reduced while on Level 0 (historically, this has never been required). Additional unpaid training may be required, or we may decide to stop working with this Shoot Producer.
Each shoot Level 0 Shoot Producers produce are edited and reviewed in full before the SP can produce another shoot, or invoice us. We prioritise their shoots to be edited and reviewed promptly, so Shoot Producers are not waiting too long for their money, or for the next shoot to be booked. Three weeks is typical.
The Solo shoot Assessment criteria are strictly applied: we aim to strongly set good habits up front.
Shoot Producers are expected to read and digest shoot feedback provided, and submit a plan to the Shoot Producer Trainer for each subsequent shoot to address any shortcomings.
Locations Allowance for Level 0
Shoots made by Shoot Producers on Level 0 attract a basic amount for the Location Allowance, for applicable shoots.
Advancing from Level 0 to Level 1 (“Exciters”)
SP’s graduate from Level 0 to level 1 automatically, once three publishable Solo shoots have been submitted.
Level 1 Overview
Level 1 builds on the skills Shoot Producers have developed and has an increasing focus on the importance of Must Haves and the Posing Level percentage. It introduces the concept of “winning streaks”, where Shoot Producers demonstrate they understand and can deliver what’s required. Level 1 introduces the standard Solo assessment system, that’s also used in Levels 2 and 3.
Prerequisites for advancing to Level 1
Three releasable Solo shoots submitted as part of Level 0.
Conditions for Level 1
A strict interpretation of the 1-to-3 Solo assessment criteria is applied to shoots made on Level 1, with a strong focus on Must Haves and Posing Level percentage.
Shoot Producers must wait for the shoot to be assessed before they can produce another shoot.
On some occasions, we may choose to ignore this shoot’s assessment as a standalone anomaly, and have it not require the winning streak counter to be reset to 0. For example;
SP Marvin shot two 3-assessed shoots in a row. He then creates a Solo shoot that is really strong in several areas, but poo on the model’s anus meant the Anus XCU Must Have shot was removed during the Edit.
If Marvin’s next shoot meets the requirements (ie, is 3-assessed), Marvin increases to Level 2. If the next shoot also has a small error with Must Haves (or any other reason causes a lower assessment) then the winning streak counter resets to zero.
Shoot Producers are paid a fee Level 1 Solo shoot, regardless of the assessment.
Requirement | Standard expected |
---|---|
Must-Haves | 100% shot; at least 75% meet requirements. |
Posing Level percentage | Met for both Stills and Video components. NDE and OL Expected: 50% (acceptable minimum: 40%) EXP and INS expected: 35% (acceptable minimum: 20%) |
Tech | Up to three problems with tech assessment areas - Framing, WB, audio, exposure, lighting, closeups, focus / DoF, grooming, clothing selection, location selection (see full technical assessment criteria), but shoot is releasable on abbywinters.com. |
Solo assessment areas | These Solo assessment areas have a reasonable attempt made; 🐢 Sexiness, not continuity 🐢 Strongly fetish- and SUBA-based 🐢 Adopt a tease-payoff, tease-payoff approach 🐢 Clothing used effectively 🐢 Actively use very personal props 🐢 Video only: Conversation exposes model’s unique personality 🐢 Video only: Models moves and is active |
Locations Allowance for Level 1
Shoots made by Shoot Producers on Level 1 attract a modestly-increased fee for the Location Allowance, for applicable shoots.
Advancing from Level 1 to Level 2 (“Exciters”)
Shoot Producers remain on Level 1 Solo shoots until they make three 3-assessed Solo shoots in a row. For example;
✅ Shoot Producer Mark is on Level 1. He makes three 3-assessed Solo shoots in a row. He advances to Level 2. 🥳
We consider this a “winning streak”. Three 3-assessed shoots in a row demonstrates the Shoot Producer can reliably make shoots to a minimum standard. Consider this example;
❌ A Shoot Producer on Level 1 makes two shoots in a row that are 3-assessed, but their third shoot, is 2-assessed 😢.
Points are assigned based on each shoot’s assessment (see How do “points” relate to Levels?).
From experience, this can take a Shoot Producer between five and fifteen shoots to move to Level 2, depending on the Shoot Producer and how well they implement the feedback we provide.
When a Shoot Producer graduates to Level 2, one of the three shoots they graduated with gets a comprehensive shoot review. With this feedback, the Shoot Producer works to improve their subsequent shoots with a view to succeeding in the Level 2 framework.
Regressing from Level 1 back to Level 0 (“Depressors”)
Shoot Producers never move back to Level 0; Level 1 has appropriate benefits and penalties.
However, a Shoot Producer cannot be on Level 1 indefinitely. We will provide support for up to 15 shoots, but if the Shoot Producer cannot advance to Level 2 in that time, we may not be able to work with this Shoot Producer any more (historically, this has never happened).
Level 2 Overview
Level 2 builds on reliably delivering shoots suitable for release, and introduces additional requirements around communication standards. Problems with shoots created by Shoot Producers on Level 2 have some leeway for improvement before the Shoot Producer is regressed to Level 1.
Prerequisites for advancing to Level 2
When a Shoot Producer has made three Solo shoots in row that are 3-assessed, they move to Level 2 Solo shoots.
Conditions for Level 2
The main difference between L1 and L2 Solo shoots is that Shoot Producers on Level 2 are no longer required to wait for a shoot review before their next shoot or before they invoice us: they can invoice us at the end of the calendar month, for all the shoots they made in that calendar month. Thus, we assume their shoots are 3-assessed, and they charge us the 3-assessed rate.
The minimum standards for shoots at Level 2 are;
Requirement | Standard expected |
---|---|
Must-Haves | 100% shot; at least 85% meet requirements. |
Posing Level percentage | Met for both Stills and Video components. NDE and OL Expected: 50% (acceptable minimum: 45%) EXP and INS expected: 35% (acceptable minimum: 30%) |
Tech | One problems with tech assessment areas - Framing, WB, audio, exposure, lighting, closeups, focus / DoF, grooming, clothing selection, location selection (see full technical assessment criteria), but shoot is releasable on abbywinters.com. |
Solo assessment areas | These Solo assessment areas have a reasonable attempt made, and five of them are acceptable; 🐢 Sexiness, not continuity 🐢 Strongly fetish- and SUBA-based 🐢 Adopt a tease-payoff, tease-payoff approach 🐢 Clothing used effectively 🐢 Actively use very personal props 🐢 Video only: Conversation exposes model’s unique personality 🐢 Video only: Models moves and is active |
Shoot Producers invoice Solo shoots at the Level 2 rate.
Level 2 has a requirement for Shoot Producers to communicate well and be responsive to requests from Booking Model Liaisons for booking, to enable the efficient booking of future shoots. To be clear, the company does not expect Shoot Producers to be “always available” to make shoots for abbywinters.com, only to communicate their availability, so we can efficiently make bookings that suit models and Shoot Producers.
The requirements are;
- A response time of 48 hours to requests from the Booking Model Liaison (sooner is preferred);
- To make availability commitments for the next rolling 4 weeks; and
- Let the Booking Model Liaison know about changes to previously-notified availability, within 48 hours of the change.
Level 2 Shoot Producers must complete MMI for each shoot within 48 hours of the shoot concluding (or, for a back-to-back block of shoots, withing 48 hours of the last shoot in that block concluding).
The Shoot Producer may share their “blackout” times when they are not available and will not respond within the given timeframes (for example, on holiday; on another job), when this requirement will not apply. These may be recurring (eg, “I can never respond on Wednesdays”), or once off (eg, “next week, I am going hiking and will not have access to my emails or phone service”).
Level 2 has a requirement to communicate with models promptly;
- Send initial contact message to the model within four days of being introduced
- For example, “Hey Mary, I’ll be working with you as your Shoot Producer for your upcoming Solo shoot for abbywinters.com. I’ll be in contact with more details soon, but for now…”
- Or, “Hey Jane, great to hear we’ve been booked to make another shoot! I’ll be in contact with more details soon, but for now…”
- Provide the model with information on their accommodation / shoot location (as applicable) at least two days before the shoot day
- So, for a shoot booked for Friday, the Model needs to know the details no later than Wednesday morning
Locations Allowance for Level 2 (“Depressors”)
Shoots made by Shoot Producers on Level 2 attract a fee for the Location Allowance, for applicable shoots.
Advancing from Level 2 to Level 3 (“Exciters”)
Shoot Producers advance from Level 2 to Level 3 Solo shoots when they deliver three shoots in a row that are edited to have;
- All Must Haves for both mediums
- Posing Level met or exceeded
- No trend of assessment areas consistently assessed as 1 or 2
- Defined as, an assessment area assessed as 1 or 2 in three out of the last five Solo shoots created.
For example;
SP Laura creates three shoots in a row with perfect Must Haves and highest Posing Level % 🎈.
In shoot one everything was 3-assessed.
In shoot two, Laura gets a 2-assessment for Tease-Payoff.
In shoot three, Laura gets a 2 assessment for Personal Props (but her tease-pay off assessment is a 3).
The errors do not indicate a trend of poor results in any one assessment area, so SP Laura can increase to Level 3.
Contrast that with this example;
SP Dillan creates three shoots in a row that all have perfect Must Haves and highest Posing Level % 🎈.
In shoot one, everything was 3-assessed.
In shoot two, Dillan gets a 2-assessment for Clothing Use.
In shoot three, Dillan gets another 2-assessment for Clothing Use!
Dillan cannot increase to Level 3 – he needs to work on his Clothing Use in the shoots he creates.
When a Shoot Producer graduates to Level 3, one of the three shoots they graduated with gets a Thorough shoot review. With this feedback, the Shoot Producer works to improve their subsequent shoots with a view to succeeding in the Level 3 framework.
Points are assigned based on each shoot’s assessment (see How do “points” relate to Levels?).
Regressing from Level 2 to Level 1
Shoot Producers regress to Level 1 when there are serious quality problems in the Still or Video component of three shoots in a five-shoot run. We consider “serious problems” to be any one of:
- Have same Assessment area mistake made
- For example, MMaiA poor in shoots 1, 3 and 4 of last five shoots
- Significant ongoing lighting, exposure, audio issues
- Less than 79% Must Haves shot to spec
- For example, an OL shoot has 20 Must haves (when all are shot, we consider this 100% Must Haves). If only 15 Must Haves were usable in final edit, 75% of the Must Have requirement is met
- Less than 79% of expected Posing Level at highest level
- For example, OL shoot expects 50% of edited media at OL. Submitted shoot has 100 images when edited. Expected 50 OL images (100%), actually only 30 OL images (60%).
- A Shoot Producer has been on Level 2 for 15 consecutive shoots is regressed to Level 1
- This is to discourage Shoot Producers from “coasting” on Level 2.
Level 3 Overview
Level 3 continues to build on reliably delivering shoots suitable for release, and tightens requirements around communication standards further. The assessment criteria are interpreted more liberally, allowing Shoot producers more freedom during production.
Problems with shoots created by Shoot Producers on Level 3 have less leeway for improvement before the Shoot Producer is regressed to Level 2 (ie, more frequent or mildly serious mistakes around basic requirements have a greater effect).
The Company is comfortable with Shoot Producers remaining on Level 3 indefinitely if they choose.
Shoot Producers earn a set fee for Solo shoots made at Level 3.
Prerequisites for advancing to Level 3
Shoot Producers graduate to Level 3 Solo shoots when 6 L2 shoots in a row have all must-haves and meet posing level %, and those shoots are otherwise 3-assessed.
Conditions for Level 3
L3 Basic Requirements
The Must Haves, Tech and Posing Level % requirements are required to be met to these standards, called the L3 Basic Requirements;
Requirement | Standard expected |
---|---|
Must-Haves | 100% shot and included in the final edit, for both mediums combined (averaged). |
Posing Level percentage | Met for both Stills and Video components combined (averaged) NDE and OL Expected: 50% (acceptable minimum: 48%) EXP and INS expected: 35% (acceptable minimum: 33%) |
Tech | 3-assessment for each of the tech assessment areas - Framing, WB, audio, exposure, lighting, closeups, focus / DoF, grooming, clothing selection, location selection (see full technical assessment criteria). |
At Level 3, while Must Haves and Posing Level are counted separately for Stills and Video, they are assessed together, using the simple formula;
((Posing Level % for Stills) + (Posing Level % for Video)) / 2 = (% of total shoot at highest posing level)
For example;
A Shoot Producer made an Open Leg Solo shoot, where the Posing Level expectation was 50%.
Once edited, the shoot had 40% at Open Leg in the Stills, and 60% Open Leg in the Video.
Averaged out, the result is 50%, meeting the requirements. 🎈
Another example;
A Shoot Producer made an Nude Solo shoot, where the Posing Level expectation was 50%.
Once edited, the shoot had 36% at Nude in the Stills, and 52% Nude in the Video.
Averaged out, the result is 44%, thus not meeting the requirements. 😖
L3 communication requirements
Level 3 builds on the requirement for Shoot Producers to communicate well and be responsive to requests from Booking Model Liaisons from booking in Level 2. The requirements are tightened to be;
- A response time of 24 hours to requests from the Model Liaison;
- To make availability commitments for the next rolling 6 weeks;
- The Model Liaison will let the Shoot Producer know of planned shoots as soon as they are close to being confirmed.
- Similarly, the Shoot Producer will let the Model Liaison know about other (non-AW) new work commitments as soon as they are close to being confirmed
- Let the Model Liaison know about changes to previously-notified availability, within 24 hours of the change
Level 3 also builds on the requirement to communicate with models promptly;
- Send initial contact message to the model within 48 hours of being introduced
- For example, “Hey Mary, I’ll be working with you as your Shoot Producer for your upcoming Solo shoot for abbywinters.com. I’ll be in contact with more details soon, but for now…”
- Or, “Hey Jane, great to hear we’ve been booked to make another shoot! I’ll be in contact with more details soon, but for now…”
- Provide the model with information on their accommodation / shoot location (as applicable) at least four days before the shoot day
- So, for a shoot booked for Friday, the Model needs to know the details no later than Monday morning
L3 MMI requirements
In Level 3, there is a new requirement for Shoot Producers to complete the Media and Metadata Ingestion (MMI) promptly, within 24 hours of the end of the shoot (apart from the shoot being completely uploaded). For example;
The shoot ends at 5pm on Friday.
We prefer the MMI process is completed on Friday evening, but we require it being complete by 5pm Saturday evening (apart from the media upload being complete).
We accept that media uploads may take longer than this timeframe to complete, but our requirement is only that the upload is begun in the first 24 hours, and all the other MMI admin is completed. This will enable the Company to schedule the shoot for release and begin Post Production promptly, and look at organising more shoots for the model.
L3 Solo assessment areas
Level 3 Solo shoots have a reduced attention on the Solo assessment areas. Rather than counting occurrences of each Assessment Area (for example, “four occasions of Clothing Use”), we trust the Shoot Producer to apply the AW Paradigm and Solo assessment areas as they see fit.
We make spot-checks of each Solo shoot against the Assessment areas on a simple Pass / Fail basis as follows:
Assessment area | Pass condition |
---|---|
Pose variety and exploration depth at highest level | Customers can imagine penetrating the model in multiple body positions, to fulfil their fantasies. |
Sexiness, not continuity | The shoot is interesting and engaging throughout. |
Strongly fetish- and SUBA-based | Several fetishes are well covered. If a model has a significant fetish, it is well-covered in both mediums. |
Adopt a tease and pay off approach | The customer’s Emotion Over Time is consciously managed by the Shoot Producer. “Firsts” are captured for everything. |
Clothing Use | Meaningful and engaging Clothing Use occurs on several occasions. |
Personal Props | Several props are naturally integrated throughout the shoot narrative adding to the shoots realism and interest. Props are always Actively used. |
Model Moves and is Active | The model’s frequent full body movements are naturally integrated throughout the shoot narrative, several times, for extended sequences. |
Conversation | Customers get to know model from the in-depth stories they tell about their life, sex and experiences. |
At any time, a Shoot Producer can request a Brief review of a completed Solo shoot, otherwise all Shoot Reviews will be of the Hasty type.
Locations Allowance for Level 3
Shoots made by Shoot Producers on Level 3 attract a more significant fee for the Location Allowance, for applicable shoots.
Advancing from Level 3 to Level 4 (“Exciters”)
We track a counter for the number of shoots the SP creates that meet the Level 3 requirements. When the SP reaches +10, they are a candidate for Level 4. The counter never goes below zero, and all SP’s start with zero points when they move to Level 3.
Moving to Level 4 has two phases.
In Phase 1, each shoot receives a Hasty review. Each shoot is expected to meet the L3 Basic Requirements (Must Haves, Tech and Posing Level %). Each shoot that does not, resets the counter to zero. By Level 3, the SP is expected to deliver these results reliably and without exception.
Points are assigned based on each shoot’s assessment (see How do “points” relate to Levels?).
In Phase 2, once the Shoot producer is at 10 points, the last shoot produced receives a Thorough review. If there are areas that need improvement, feedback will be provided and more Solo shoots may be required to be submitted before graduating to Level 4 Solo shoots.
If that shoot meets the L3 requirements, the Shoot Producer is moved to Level 4.
Regressing from Level 3 to Level 2 (“Depressors”)
If the SP;
- Submit three shoots in a five-shoot run that do not meet the requirements of Level 3; or
- Takes more than 24h for MMI to be completed (except for media upload being finished) for five in ten shoots; or
- Is not responsive or appropriately communicative about shoot bookings or availability on three separate occasions.
They may be regressed to Level 2.
Level 4 Overview
Level 4 is a major change, where Shoot Producers are given significantly more free-reign to make shoots that meet the spirit of the AW Paradigm 💃!
There’s an increased focus on consciously improving through regular paid training, and Shoot Producers are expected to push themselves to refine their approach to improve the product (for example, exploring No Nude more extensively; including additional location elements; exploring fetishes deeply).
Expectations at Level 4 are very high, and the details specified on this page are “no joke”: even small issues will be harshly assesed at Level 4. For example, a sequence of 5 images in a 230 image set that had poor exposure would be assesed as unacceptable.
Prerequisites for Level 4
Level 4 Solo shoots are made by Shoot Producers who demonstrate they can consistently deliver high-quality shoots: they have produced 10 Level 3 Solo shoots in a row, and met other admin requirements specified in Level 3.
Conditions for Level 4
Shoot Producers at Level 4 are given significantly more free-reign to make shoots that meet the spirit of the AW Paradigm, applying the “Once you have learned the rules, you can break them” principle.
Level 4 Solo shoots should be radicallyt different from L3 Solo shoots. They may be “deep dives” into a given fetish (similar to Special Reduxes), and completely eschew some of the traditional Solo key areas. Each L4 Solo shoot must be significantly different to L3 shoots. Some examples of the amount of difference include;
- Use a radically different location (eg, bookshop, service station, warehouse, workshop)
- Use radically different lighting for the whole shoot (eg, TV, street lights, sunset)
- Be based on a “road trip”
Shoot Producers are encouraged to challenge the “status quo” of abbywinters.com Solo shoots, to test the limits. They will never be penalised for doing so, but really way-out 🌌 ideas may receive feedback to come back closer to the paradigm in future shoots.
The Solo assessment areas are no longer formally assessed (ie, those which apply in Levels 2 and 3), but they continue to provide an indication of the type of material that’s valuable to customers – the specific interpretation is left to the Shoot Producer. For example,
In Level 4 Solo shoots, we do not formally assess the number of MMaiA activities the model engages in, the duration of each sequence, or the fact she engages in activities at all for the MMaiA assessment area. But, Shoot Producers are expected to capture several sequences of the model actively using her full body in Level 4 Solo shoots.
Shoot Producers consider the core moments to be teased and paid off within the shoot, and ensure they are realised in the shoot.
This same approach is applied to the assessment areas Active use of Suitable props, Clothing used effectively, and Conversation exposes model’s unique personality.
Dressing Room is required for Stills.
Fundamental Technical requirements must be met (Exposure, White Balance, Focus, Audio, Grooming, Backstage), but experimenting with different approaches to other technical areas (Lighting, Framing and composition, Clothing, Environment) is encouraged, so long as it’s in-line with the principles of the abbywinters.com paradigm (ie, Wholesome young women in naturalistic settings with a sexual aspect, shot within the considerations of the Fundamentals).
There is no requirement on Must Haves (though they are preferred and logical, especially the first 12).
Raw media captured and edited shoot length is expected to be similar to L3 Solo shoots.
The amount of the edited shoot at the highest Posing Level remains an important factor of Level 4 Solo shoots, and the minimums must still be met consistently. Regular overages are expected (at the expense of lower Posing Levels), from having the model appear in more poses that are explored more deeply. For example;
For Levels 0 to 3, it’s required for an OL shoot to have 50% of the edited shoot at the Open Leg Posing Level. At Level 4, it’s expected that the SP finds ways for there to be even more – 55% or even 60%.
Shooting more OL will mean directing the model into more OL poses than is necessary for 50% of the shoot to be OL, and exploring each OL pose more deeply.
Extensive No-Nude material for lower Posing Level shoots (NDE and OL) is expected to be deeply explored at each of the three No-Nude sublevels (No-Nude Safe, No-Nude Pushing It, and No-Nude Extreme).
Regular paid training is required for Shoot Producers on Level 4. At least four sessions a year of around 4 hours per session. Passing the assignments is required to maintain Level 4. More info on how training works.
Location use must be more varied, including at least one secondary Setting for a segment of the edited shoot. The model is not required to be nude or for the shots to have any sexual elements, but it should be hinted at.
For locations that are outside in public areas – strongly preferred – some examples include:
- Visiting a café and buying a coffee
- Model wears a short skirt; some shots from lower down
- Model wears a long jacket, and it’s established she’s nude underneath
- Doing an activity in the hallway or stairway outside the apartment
- Model is in form-fitting active-wear
- Riding a bike in the park
- Model wears a dress, glimpses of her bra strap or panties
- Model goes for a walk around the block
- If raining, wet clothes are clingy to her body
Genuinely spontaneous elements (that is, unplanned by Shoot Producer and model) are strongly encouraged – these will usually come from the secondary Settings described above, by placing the model in situations that could unfold in a myriad of (safe) ways. Consider using Improv and / or roleplay scenarios.
Shoot Producers on Level 4 earn the highest amount possible for each Solo shoot submitted while the SP is on Level 4.
Feedback will be provided by the company and is expected to be implemented in subsequent shoots.
Communications standards established in Level 3 continue to apply.
Locations Allowance for Level 4
Shoots made by Shoot Producers on Level 4 attract the highest fee for a Location Allowance, for applicable shoots.
Regressing to Level 3 from Level 4 (“Depressors”)
Shoot Producers are expected to maintain these standards ongoing.
Regressing to Level 3 will occur if;
- Elements required for Level 4 as specified above are not evident for three or more shoots in a row (or a balance of -3 points)
- Two or more shoots in a row where the percent of the shoot has a Posing Level that is less than required for the Posing Level the model appears at for that shoot;
- One or more required Training Assignments not complete by the due date (more info).
If the SP regresses to Level 3, they’ll decide if they aspire to return to Level 4 – if they do, the SP Trainer will set the requirements for returning to Level 4. For example;
SP Jane has failed to differentiate her Level 4 Solo shoots from eachother enough, so she ‘s reverted to Level 3. Jane wants to get back to Level 4, so the SP Trainer requires that Jane submit three L3 Solo shoots that meet L3 standards (and are paid at the Level 3 rate) but also have a Level-4-amount of variety between them.
SPs in this sitatuion are not required to “re-qualify” for Level 4 shoots, by submitting 10 L3 shoots in a row.
Must Haves are images and video shots that we know our customers enjoy. They are required to be captured by Shoot Producers in Solo shoots made at Level 0, 1, 2 and 3 (but not Level 4). See the Must Haves training resources, and practical examples of each Must Have in Fetish Finder.
Because they are important to customers, they are important to us. We closely assess Shoot Producers on capturing Must Have shots correctly. Post Producers track Shoot Producers’ Must Have capture in PPCMS on a per-shoot basis, and this data is visible to Shoot Producers.
The percentage of Must Haves shot is what appears in Shoot Review reports, and what affects a Shoot Producer’s Level. The percentage is calculated as a simple formula. First, we ascertain the Number of Must Haves In Scope for this shoot;
(Total number of Must Haves) - (Number of applicable Must Haves for this shoot) = Number of Must Haves In Scope
For example, a shoot of a model posing to the Nude Only Posing Level does not require the Open leg Must Haves. A shoot where a model does not wear a bra does not require the “Both breasts in bra” CU Must Have shot.
Then we calculate the Percentage of Must Haves shot;
(Number of Must have shots captured to the requirements) / (Number of Must Haves In Scope) = Percentage of Must Haves shot
For example, consider in the shoot shown in the above screenshot.
The model posed at the Nude Only Posing Level, so only 12 Must Have shots are expected for Stills. If they were all shot and included in the final edit, the Shoot Producer would be assessed as getting 100% of the Must Have shots.
But in fact, the Shoot Producer made a mistake on one of the Must Haves (“Bum in underwear”) – they shot it “too close” (the shot should include the top of the panties the model is wearing, and some of her waist – see the actual shot below). A fine picture perhaps, but does not meet the requirements of this Must Have. The raw image number is referenced, so the Shoot Producer can review their work and consider improvements.
So, 12 Must Haves were expected, but only 11 were shot to the necessary standards. To convert that to a percentage, 11/12 = 91.6%. We always round up, so the final percentage of Must Haves shot is 92% for the Stills component of this shoot.
Note that when a PPCMS record is created (by the SP, when Shoot Starter in Homonoia is used), it is assumed 100% of Must Haves were shot, and the PPCMS interface will show this. This is only updated when the Video and Stills editors have done their work on the shoot – that is, the Progress state (top right corner of the PPCMS page) is set to “Waiting for upload to live server” or later. Shoot Producers are notified via the PPCMS when this state is reached.
On Level 3, Must Haves are averaged out between Stills and Video.
The Posing Level percentage of a Solo shoot is calculated based on the edited version of the shoot. That means, Post Producers can have a big effect on the Posing Level Percentage!
Post Producers are aware of the Posing Level percentage requirements for Shoot Producers, but they do not help SP’s reach this target – Post Producers never actively work against Shoot Producers – they effectively ignore the Posing Level percentage, until calculating it at the end. See the FAQ, How can I control the Highest Posing Level percentage when the Editor actually selects the it? FAQ for guidance on this.
Post Producers’ mandate is simple: to edit the best shoot for customers.
If the Shoot Producer provides ample unique and engaging material at the highest Posing Level, it will all be included in the edit. But if the Shoot Producer provides repetitive or redundant material (or, material that has low technical quality at the highest Posing Level), it will be removed by Post Producers (because our customers are not paying for that!). This will affect the SP’s assessment.
Example scenarios
Consider this example;
✅ A model is being shot at the Open Leg Posing Level. The Shoot Producer carefully plans each of the eight Open Leg poses before the shoot, and directs the model into each one. Each pose is explored deeply, with camera angles, poses, tasks, Layering in Clothing Use, MMaiA, Props, and Conversation to help.
When the shoot is edited, because there is such unique and varied material at the OL Posing Level, most of each pose is included. The Posing Level percentage comes out at 53% (the minimum requirement is 50%, so this is good!). 😃
Consider another example;
❌ A model is being shot at the Open Leg Posing Level. The Shoot Producer was not able to do any pre-shoot planning, trusting their skills to make it up during the shoot. They loose count of the OL poses they have done in the shoot, and only shoot seven of the recommended 8. One of the OL poses is very similar to another one. In another pose, the model needed to stretch out a stiff muscle and the SP forgot to go back into the pose to shoot the rest of it in depth when they resumed. The SP forgot to adjust the exposure correctly to suit the clouds passing over the sun, meaning a chunk of one pose is under-exposed.
When the shoot is edited, only 39% of the shoot meets the OL Posing Level (expected is 50%). There was not so much OL material to begin with, the editors removed the redundant and low-quality stuff – and one OL pose was missing any in-depth exploration. 😥
The calculation
The calculation for Posing Level percentage follows the same formula for Stills and Videos.
(Amount of media at the Highest Posing level) / (Total Count of media) * 100
The percentage is rounded up to the nearest integer.
For example, for stills;
When edited, a shoot has 178 images. 93 images are at the highest Posing Level.
(93 / 178) * 100 = 52%
An example for video;
When edited, a shoot is 58 minutes long (we round to the nearest whole minute). 30.5 minutes are at the highest Posing Level.
(29.5 / 58) * 100 = 51%
Note that decimal minutes are used for this calculation, so 30.5 minutes means 30 minutes and 30 seconds.
Calculations are shown on the Stills and Video tabs of the shoot in the PPCMS, in Shoot Posing Level panel. They are only added when the shoot has finished Post Production, and will show as 0% until then.
Posing Level is not assessable for some shoots (for example, some Special Redux shoots, some training shoots).
On Level 3, the Posing Level percentage is averaged out between Stills and Video.
The Editor’s mandate
SP captures too much clothed content in a park
Consider this scenario;
Model Mary is booked for an OL Solo shoot. She’s a talented rollerskater. She brings her rollerskates to the shoot, and the SP takes her to a near by park and gets some content there (great for MMaiA!).
The SP is inspired, spending a few hours getting a lots of upskirt and downblouse fetish content (Clothing Use!), as well as some impressive rollerskating action for Stills and Video. All the action covered is really high quality technically. Captueed from several angles, and is lit well. The model’s haveing a great time sharing her mad skillz!
The SP returns with the model to the apartment, sets up lights and rushes through the other Solo shoot requirements in the remaining time. Of course, the SP does not have time to explore all eight of the highest Posing Level poses in the necessary level of depth.
The Editor includes most of the excellent content shot in the park (on-paradigm, unique and high-quality). Unfortunately, some highest Posing Level content shot inside is discarded due to shadows created by the flashes in Stills, becasue the SP did not have time to perfect their lighting set up.
The final outcome: The clothed content created in the park is lovely, but the SP misses the highest Posing Level percentage (50% was required, they only hit 37%).
The SP either needs to spend more time capturing Open Leg material at the apartment, or limit the time they spend capturing clothed content in the park, to ensure the Posing Level % meets requirements.
The SP is welcome to suggest a Rollerskating Special Redux, or “bank” ideas for a Level 4 Solo (where there are fewer limitations). Taking the model to a location where she could rollerskate naked (or even in Open Leg poses) would also have resolved this.
Rollerskating shoot analysis
Planning to succeed
Planning a shoot in advance helps an SP to reflect on how well-balanced the shoot will be in terms of the number of creative elements they intend to cover at other Posing Levels and at the highest Posing Level.
When a model presents with multiple fantastic ideas for lower Posing Level content, SPs select only one or two ideas, the ideas that they feel best able to execute on that day based on the location, weather, clothing, lighting and model’s grooming.
Consider dividing the day into sections. If shooting NDE or OL (where 50% of the edited content needs to be at the highest Posing Level), ensure two thirds of the time shooting is at the highest Posing Level – “tip the scales”. Similarly for EXP or INS shoots, set an alarm to ensure 50% of the shooting time is at the highest Posing Level.
Consider capturing the highest Posing Level thoroughly first on the shoot day, then using the remaining time for the lower Posing Level content.
Plan interesting and creative ideas that can happen at the same time as the highest Posing Level (Layering).
Solo Levels 0 to 3 teach Shoot Producers the core principles of abbywinters.com Solo shoots, and provide tools for interpreting the wider abbywinters.com paradigm. These shoots are very structured, and all elements are required.
When a SP advances to Level 4 they are considered experts. Now an SP knows the rules they can break them when there is a benefit for customers. For example;
At Level 3, for the assessment area “Adopt tease pay-off approach”, the SP consciously directs and captures a tease and a payoff for each of the designated Firsts.
At Level 4, the SP could “break this rule” if there was a clear benefit to customers in doing so. For example;
❌ Nipples and breasts revealed together as it is easier and quicker for the SP
✅ Nipples and breasts revealed together in a spontaneous moment, where the model lifts up her top on a balcony, flashing the city below.
This flexibility allows SPs to;
- Deep-dive into interesting things
- In Levels 0-3, there is too much to cover in total to do this
- At Level 4 SPs, choose what to spend shoot-time on
- Structure a shoot to suit a models physicality
- For example, at L4 an SP can spend more time on shapely buttocks, while skipping over saggy breasts
- Make shoots radically different from each other
- Making shoots more exciting for customers.
L4 and Tease-and-Payoff / Firsts
Teasing and Paying off the first time a model reveals clothing or part of her body is still valuable, and should generally still be done unless there is a creative imperative to skip it.
❌ It’s never acceptable to start a model in a shoot visibly nude.
✅ The model could start the shoot wrapped in a sheet (nude underneath). Some “Firsts” will not be possible, but there are still many opportunities for teasing and paying off!
It’s at the SP’s discretion to decide which Firsts to Tease and Pay off, and how much time to spend on each event. It’s fine to skip some Firsts to allow more time for other aspects of the shoot.
L4 and Must Haves
Must Haves are required at Levels 0 to 3, but they are not required at L4. However, the reason we specify Must Haves in the first place is that they are imagery we know customers enjoy. They should still be captured, unless there is a creative imperative not to. Some examples of when a Must Have could be skipped include;
- There is a grooming issue
- The model is not a strong example of that Must Have
- Must Haves don’t fit with a creative plan (eg a shoot shot only using wides to create a voyeurism feeling; model nude under a sheet)
When a Must Have is captured, it is expected to still meet the established technical requirements.
L4 and Fetishes
Level 4 is where fetishes come to the fore and are expected to be explored deeply. This may be a physical attribute of the model (eg, large breasts, long legs), or situational things like wet clothes, or activities like yoga.
SPs are encouraged to make shoots “all about” a given fetish, while still showing the appropriate amount of the model’s highest Posing Level and managing the customer’s emotion over time.
The creative department can provide tips and ideas on how to best capture a fetish, and over time the Fetish Finder app will have more and more details in it as well.
L4 and MMaiA
Customers want to see nude young women moving and exercising their bodies. It’s never suitable for a Solo shoot to have no MMaiA elements, but the specific requirements of five two-minute vignettes are relaxed.
❌ The model sits at a potters wheel for the majority of the shoot – her arms hands and shoulders are moving a lot…
(If the model moved the potter’s wheel from one location to another, and kneaded the clay by throwing it on the floor 20 times, the model walks across the space a few times, carrying finished pieces to the drying room, walking to the far side of the studio to gather clay and to get a drink and to get the thing she is inspired by)
✅ The model dances for 15 minutes when nude.
It’s acceptable for this to “even up” over time, and as always, take advantage of models’ skills. For example;
- Monday’s model is un-athletic and resistant to trying hard
- SP plans and engineers walking in the shoot
- MMaiA focuses around the model slowly and casually walking between Settings and Activities, captured from a variety of angles and lens-lengths
- Wednesday’s model dances socialls
- The SP plans how best this skill could be utilised
- 20 minutes of shoot shows model dancing, a mix of clothed and nude
Planning L4 shoots is essential
Level 4 does not allow SPs to skip things with no consequence, or reduce the time a L4 shoot takes to shoot – it is only about making planned and deliberate choices to benefit customers, with less “restrictions”.
Shoot planning is an essential element of a successful Level 4 Solo shoot.
During planning, the SP can recommend to the CD to change the model’s booked Posing Level (within the model’s comfort level), if it meets a creative idea the SP has.
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End.
Customers are spoiled for choice, and many abbywinters.com shoots look “samey”. When customers perceive that “saminess” to be a detriment, they stop being our customer and seek entertainment elsewhere 😢.
(Other customers enjoy the “reliability” of our shoots – they know what they are going to get with an abbywinters.com shoot, kind of like a soap opera! We cater to them well, but we introduce variety less often than our customers prefer).
One way of addressing that concern is to make our Solo shoots radically different sometimes – this is why Level 4 was created.
Some techniques for making L4 Solo shoots radically different include;
- Change Stills vs Video content and balance
- Stills and Video never have to “match” at Level 4
- If one medium was radically different, the other might be in line with strong Level 3 Solo if the idea does not work well in both mediums (for example, Darya Solo standing in a street (video was not actually shot for this shoot, but could it have had a “normal” video component)
- If an idea ideally suited to one medium, pitch to the CD, who may approve one-medium-only Solo shoot
- Start at the end
- For example, show the model masturbating to orgasm but just seeing her face and covered breasts. Then work backwards to show how she got to that point before filming a full body nude orgasm at the end.
- Be sure to still manage the customer’s emotion over time!
- Apparently self-shoot
- SP operates the cameras, but the model reaches out to hold it
- Some “cheating” is allowed (SP holds the camera a little further away than the model could on her own, but the model’s arm is reached toward the camera in all shots);
- Wide-angle lens required for both cameras
- It is essential the model’s camera-hand-fingers are fingers never shown, to maintain the illusion
- Voyeurism theme
- Video shot in wides (to emulate hidden video cameras)
- Stills shot with long telegraphic lens, from a far distance, through a door or window
- Pitch idea to CD for approval of budget for hiring special equipment (go-pro, tele lenses)
- Implement a model’s sexual fantasies
- Review the model’s IM questionnaire answers, and plan a whole shoot (or part of the shoot) where we create one of those
- Use flashbacks
- eg, A model saying “One time I masturbated in my car…”, video cuts to the model masturbating in her car
- If a model shares that she has changed how she masturbates, we could flashback to how they used to do it in the beginning (in a different outfit and apparent location and styling); consider a split screen in post so old her and new techniques are shown side by side.
- Use voice overs
- The model shares what they are doing and thinking as they masturbate
- The masturbation scene needs to be recorded first, then watched by the model (with muted audio), while she does a “director’s commentry” recorded separately
- Our Post producers will overlay the audio with the video
- Audio must be extremely well-recorded for this to work well – ask CD for tips
- Deep diving fetish or single assessment area
- Insertions, larger and larger items with lots of lube; insertions, but anal insertions only; only with found objects; sex toy operated remotely by the SP
- Make shoots with an appealing theme, for example “The shoot where the model does hockey drills in her uniform, then again when nude”
- Explore different tech attributes
- Shoot (correctly) in full direct sunlight; or at sunset and magic hour
- Shoot with a particular lens (eg, Canon L-series 85 f1.2 outside; LensBaby)
- Shot entirely with “found light” in a darker environment (eg, mobile phone screen, tablet screen, TV, candles, desk lamps, floor lamps, light from the fridge); use very high ISO
- Shoot in a darker environment with on-camera flash as the only light source for stills, and a camera-mounted point source of light for video
- Shoot with a LED tube and colours (careful to have mostly-white front light)
- Shooting in a historic time period
- Collect props and select a setting that suits a specific period, with a model styled appropriately (eg, this shoot of Laney, 70’s theme)
- Make the entire shoot with a modern mobile phone
- Maybe shoot entirely portrait – video as well 🤯
- Consider if this shopuld appear to be “shot by a boyfriend” or self-shot (either could work well, but dont mix the styles)
- (Never mix portrait and landscape in video, however)
- Wear modest makeup
- But otherwise a “normal” L4 AW shoot
- Less foundation, but modest lips and eyes
- Start the shoot wrapped in a sheet
- Nude underneath; manage customer’s emotion over time carefully
- Make entire shoot in a constrained environment
- Eg in a car, Anthea, After Dark; never use a “fancy” car, the older and shittier the better!
- Eg, Melita in a cupboard under the stairs
- Combine with shooting with a mobile phone, to make it seem like “boyfriend shooting girlfriend”
- In a caravan, campervan, truck cab, tent or similar
- In a “tacky” hotel room
- Extensive hula hooping
- Model must be skilled and have a shapely body to suit; discuss with CD
- Range of clothing levels, but maximum nude-only
- Not fancy stuff (well, maybe roller skates), just around the hips and waist with one hoop.
- Underwater
- Or at least a mix, with many underwater shots
- At the beach, on the sand, in the water
- In the pouring rain
- Min outside air temp must be at least 22°C – a summer storm
- Introduce another model to appear in the “Solo” shoot (pitch required to CD)
- One musical model accompanies a dancing model on piano
- One model is just there, watching and engaging non-sexually, appearing in most shots
- Use lingerie provided by customers
This is not the definitive list but intended to get the Shoot Producers own ideas flowing!
Most ideas will not “carry” an entire shoot and so are best combined with others to make a very textured and interesting shoot.
Spontaneity in shoots is enjoyed by customers. It shows the model as being carefree and fun, attributes customers like to recall from their younger days, hanging out with young women – this is what the abbywinters.com paradigm tries to create. The sense of not knowing what will happen next is appealing for all customers – it’s what makes media entertaining.
The nature of many abbywinters.com shoots are designed and planned which means that spontaneity seldom occurs, but in Level 4 Solo shoots it’s a requirement.
A spontaneous element of a shoot is when something happens as a result of a sudden impulse or inclination and without premeditation or planning or direction. It comes when models have an open, natural, and uninhibited manner themselves, but also when Shoot Producers create an environment where models feel comfortable to explore their sexuality.
Some techniques include;
- Digging deep in the Pre Shoot Briefing (PSB)
- Understanding what the model enjoys about this kind of work (beyond earning money)
- Inviting the model to explore and collaborate in emotionally risky situations (but never physically risky!)
The results can include;
- Moments when it feels like the model and SP are “off script”, just “going with the flow”
- Unexpected events that “come out of left field”, with no build up
- Often fast paced, short-lived, with high emotions
Good examples are rare on abbywinters.com, but they can happen. Some examples include;
- All Nude in public series of shoots
- Ivana Solo, the whole video shoot feels improvised
- Ana Solo, shot in a second-story apartment, a window washer visits unexpectedly
- Paola Solo on the grass with a sprinkler (SP could have turned it on at unexpected moments)
- Oshun improv acting as a “secret agent”
- Helen S rides her bike nude outside
- Darcie A swan visits during a Video Masturbation shoot
- Olga V Taking topless selfies with random guys
- Tanya S It feels like the model and SP are making things up as they go when outdoors
- Samantha B posing with the ticket inspector (image 68)
- Gretel is visited by 15 navy recruits on a remote beach
- Fenna & Klara GGT3 – At the end just go to shower, not planned
The best spontaneous moments are genuine
The best spontaneous moments are genuine. That is, completely unplanned by the SP or model, just something that happens. We help models feel ready for this in the PSB, indicating to models that they have permission to do whatever they feel like once the camera is running as things come to them. For example;
38891 Lissa W Solo 3 @21:50 (due to be released on Sat 20 May 2023, will appear on her Model page) The model is interrupted as she starts talking while builders are banging in the distance. She uses the noise as music to dance to.
Spontaneous moments can be set up by the SP
The next-best spontaneous moments are set-up by the SP, which hopefully leads to unexpected action and real model reactions (spontaneous for the model, but not for the SP). For example;
✅ Setting the model up to get into a colder-than-expected swimming pool
✅ Handing the model a can of fizzy drink to open that SP has shaken up
✅ Getting the model to build a tower of as many boxes as she can (we know they will fall)
✅ Aiming the low-pressure hose at a model outside in the garden, “penalising” her whens he gets questions wrong on a quiz (or similar)
These things must be done with the model’s consent, but this can be done without “ruining” the genuine reaction we’re seeking, for example;
SP: Today, I’d like to experiment with your real reaction to cold water – how do you feel about that?
Model: Ok, but, how would that work?
SP: I was thinking some time during the shoot, I’ll introduce some cold water on you – you won’t know exactly when it’s coming, or how!
Model: Well it’s pretty warm today, so that might be quite welcome!
Of course, if the model indicates they are not comfortable with this plan, their wishes are respected.
Spontaneous moments can be “scripted”
While never preferred, spontaneous moments can be “scripted” with models who have a suitable personality. For example;
✅ Directing a model to suddenly jump in a pool at some point in the next five minutes.
If the model has responsibility for when the unexpected action will happen, there will likely be a moment where the model “talks themself into it” then takes sudden action, again making things appear spontaneous.
It is best if the SP doesn’t know exactly when a scripted event will come so the camerawork is “playing catch up” – adding to the feeling that the model suddenly decided to do something on her own.
✅ Including transitions into activities can make them appear to come from the model. For example;
A model moving about on an exercise ball is good content, a model entering a room, spotting a ball and leaping on it – that is spontaneous!
Techniques for capturing spontaneous action
Spontaneous actions should always be shot in full-body framing (similar considerations as for capturing MMaiA). , and never require CU “pickup” shots.
Spontaneous action can be emphasised with camera work. For example;
✅ Directing the model to, in the next five minutes, suddenly go to another room to fetch a prop.
When it happens, the SP is deliberately “left behind”, running to catch up with the model, rapidly adjusting camera settings to suit.
In the above scenario, the SP should select Conversation questions that would naturally lead to the model needing the prop they will go to fetch.
While never preferred, less-perfect tech is accepted during spontaneous moments (for example, poor exposure, shaky-cam, poor focus). It’s always fine to smash the video gain / still ISO up to the maximum to gain a few stops in dark environments (it’s better to see something in low quality, than to miss it entirely because it’s under-exposed).
Spontaneous ideas to explore
Some ideas that can lead to spontaneity include;
- Model flashes her breasts / buttocks from a window / balcony / while walking down the street
- Model runs to collect an item from a different room to better narrate the story she is telling (or to pee)
- Model jumping into a swimming pool with no warning (could be fully clothed)
- Model splashing toward the camera / SP with water – could be while in the bath / shower / pool / while washing up etc
- Model suddenly dancing / doing cardio based gymnastics
- Spontaneous laughter after something goes wrong (set the model up with an “impossible” task like stacking sofa pillows five-high on her head when nude)
- Model improv acting
- Give the model something outrageous to read out loud (eg, explicit erotica)
- The model drips hot wax on herself
- The model pees on herself
- The model (safeely) drives her car nude
- Have the model row a boat or kayak, with the SP as passenger, filming while the model rows