Question

Topic: Other

Need "free" Models For Photo Shoot, Fast

Posted by babbsela on 8/14/2008 at 12:00 AM ET 500 Points
We have a new, fun product, targeted at the kid-to-young-teen market. We want to do a photo shoot with them using our product. Those photos will be used on the website and in marketing materials. We're under a deadline (end of August), and don't really have a budget for models. (I know. I know.)

We plan to screen the kids first to make sure we get a variety of ages and looks, that they meet some of the special requirements we have, and are photogenic, and then invite only the ones to the event that we'd like to shoot. One very important requirement is that they have a new cast on an arm or leg. (I know, sounds odd, but we have our reasons.)

We had planned on the casting call on a Friday, with the photo shoot the next day. Is this reasonable? Will parents show up with their kids 2 days in a row? Even on Labor Day weekend?

After our initial casting call, those kids we want to use will be invited to our exclusive party where we'll have food, drink and products for them to use and play with, and of course, we'll be photographing them.

Any stellar ideas on how we can quickly get a lot of interested kids, and their parents, curious or excited enough to show up for the casting call?

Once they show up for the casting call, what enticements will make this event worthy of their time? They will get food, beverage, and get to take the products home, plus, it should be a fun time. We can give them copies of the photos as well. Do we need to give them anything else? What would be sufficient, considering our meager budget?

(Before anyone mentions it, yes, we do have a professional photographer and a model release for minors that the parents will need to sign.)
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by Inbox_Interactive on 8/14/2008 at 7:31 AM Member
    Do the casts have to be real? Couldn't you make a fake cast? Your talent pool is going to be pretty limited otherwise.

    Good luck with your casting call!

    Sorry, couldn't resist...
  • Posted by michael on 8/14/2008 at 8:07 AM Accepted
    craiglist. list it under "gigs" there are plenty of people who watch this site


    Michael
  • Posted by Jay Hamilton-Roth on 8/14/2008 at 9:04 AM Member
    It's not going to be easy, since you need to both entice the kids to want to get their pictures taken and the parents to wait around. Therefore, you need to have something that each group wants. Food & product are good. Bigger prize is better. How about: free movie tickets, drawings for gift cards, cool play structures, limo ride (to/from the shoot), raffle for iPod/cell phone, free MP3s/CDs/DVDs, etc.

    Can you create fake casts for the kids? That would make the potential model pool much larger.

    Look for back-to-school sales in your community and show up in their parking lots.
  • Posted by babbsela on 8/14/2008 at 11:29 AM Author
    (Aditi_363 and Michael) - We have thought of using craigslist. We're also thinking about sending a letter or postcard to all the orthopedic doctors in the area. The casts need to be clean for the photos (or they won't look good), so we don't want to give a lot of lead time.

    Does anyone else have any ideas for ways to invite?

    We don't have a connection to a modeling agency, so can't offer that as an incentive. We also want real kids, acting like kids, so makeup is out.

    We do plan to make it sound like a big deal - announcing the party as an exclusive launch party that only a select few get to attend. There will be a professional photographer there with all the lights, umbrellas and whatever other equipment she deems necessary, and the area will be decorated for the party. It will be a big deal, once they get there.

    (All) - Fake casts are not an option. Yes, it does limit the size of the model pool. We've looked at that possibility, but getting good quality, real-looking casts would require bringing in a professional to make them. Plus, it would require a greater time requirement from the moms & kids. We're willing to draw from a smaller pool of possible models. If we can craft the right invitation, we should get as many as we need. We're only looking for about 12 kids, so plan to invite about 30 - we know there will be no-shows, and kids who don't work well in front of the camera.

    (Jay Hamilton-Roth) - We have thought about bigger giveaways. Would a $25 gift certificate for Toys-R-Us be a good gift? How about a box of gourmet chocolates for the moms?
  • Posted on 8/14/2008 at 2:01 PM Accepted
    I think if you make the pitch really creative and almost in your face, the media may have a good time with it. It's a highly unusual request, and if you invite the media to attend your follow-up even better (it will be a slow news weekend). Radio stations are a great way to announce casting calls - try partnering with your local radio stations and do some online partner promotions with them - they can also hook you up with some great swag in exchange. Network with the media and the hobbled shall come...

    Treat the parents well (have you dealt with diva parents before? - Beware...American Idol comes to mind). If you want the kids to be natural, then remove the parents from the photoshoot - put them in a nice room with lots of food and ask their opinion about something - then invite them back into the shoot after you've warmed up the room and the action has begun - you'll have less interference.

    Good luck!
  • Posted by babbsela on 8/14/2008 at 8:20 PM Author
    Good thoughts - my challenges: short lead time and no budget.

    Media showing up at the party could interfere with the purpose, which is to get a lot of shots to use for our marketing. We need to stay on schedule so I don't run into cost overruns on the room & photographer, and so we can get the shots we need before the kids get bored or too wired.

    The part of your response that makes the most sense is keeping the parents out of it. We need to have them nearby (only rented one room for the event), but if we can keep them otherwise entertained, they won't be in the way.

    Keep them coming, folks, this is great!
  • Posted on 8/15/2008 at 2:15 PM Accepted
    I have worked in the acting/modeling industry for more than 10 years. I don't know what area you are located in, I'm in Philadelphia - a market with decent work but certainly not enough. The item that means the most to aspiring models is a tearhsheet - a copy of the ad/brochure with their picture to use in their portfolio. The more tearsheets you have, the more 'bookable' you become.

    Place an ad on Craigslist with the casting and shoot date. Let them know the chosen 'models' will receive a tearsheet for their time and that lunch will be provided. Also reach out to the local casting directors - not modeling agencies. A list of casting directors can be found on the Screen Actor's Guild website www.sag.org. You can also call your local theatres and ask them to post the casting call or email it to their members.

    Hope this helps!
    Melissa

    Cassera Communications
    [Email address deleted by staff]
  • Posted by babbsela on 8/15/2008 at 7:53 PM Author
    casseracommunications - Thank you so much! This is inside information I didn't know before.

    Will I be able to find people to model who aren't expecting to be paid?
  • Posted by heidibisbee on 8/16/2008 at 4:08 PM Member
    I was just curious where this is located?

    Heidi Bisbee
    Bizzybee Marketing, LLC
  • Posted on 8/16/2008 at 5:13 PM Accepted
    yes - in the modeling world, the 'pay' is the tearsheet. It's also referred to as 'Time for Print' meaning they give their time in order to get 'prints' back from you of what came out of the session. A tearsheet is the ultimate 'print' though.

    Make sure everyone signs a model release as well! The parents will need to sign for them. There are standard templates online if you google them.

  • Posted by babbsela on 8/16/2008 at 6:44 PM Author
    This will be in Southwest Denver. Interview August 29, photo shoot August 30. We need to have the photo shoot right after the interview, to increase our chances of having a clean cast.
  • Posted by babbsela on 8/16/2008 at 6:46 PM Author
    Thanks again Melissa. Thankfully, my photographer is a pro and has the form we need. I'm having my attorney look it over just to make sure I'm covered.
  • Posted by babbsela on 8/18/2008 at 10:22 PM Author
    Thanks for all your comments. You've been very helpful.

    Here's what I've come up with:

    I've posted several ads on craigslist, all over the local areas in YourHub (both as events and stories), to the Meetup groups I'm in, and to Help a Reporter Out (HARO). I'm having postcards printed that I'm mailing to all the pediatricians, orthopedic docs and emergency rooms in the area, as well as the local LaPetite and KinderCare facilities (day care & after-school programs). I'm creating posters that I'm putting up around the area (SW Denver), and I sent a press release to all the local media. Oh, and I sent an email to all my contacts asking for their help.

    For the event itself, we're providing food and beverages, the products for the kids to take home, a box of premier chocolates from Roberta's Chocolates for the parents, and we'll do drawings for movie tickets and gift certificates. The photographer is bringing all the lights we need to make it a "Hollywood production" and I've enlisted friends to help herd the kids.

    Whew! What an undertaking. I've learned there's no such thing as a "simple" photo shoot.

    Now, what happens if I get too much response? That will be a good problem to have.
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