Frustrated

[MichinokuDriver]

So, when I created my account way back when, I had mentioned in my intro post that I had inklings of doing a video of my own. I had bought costumes sold off in the fire sale Logan did after Cross the Line went belly-up, did some test shoots and all that...

...but now that I’m ready to actually look into filming, I can’t get anyone to respond to emails. I’ve got an outline laid out, an idea of what my budget is (~$2,500), even a location I’ve talked to, but the main pieces - people to play the characters - are all just... empty.

It’s got me entirely frustrated and ready to give up on the idea of filming something.

For those producers who come through here - how did you find your models to shoot with? I’ve tried going after those who’ve got SHiP experience, but no dice, and shooting with someone inexperienced seems like an incredible nightmare.

[MightyHypnotic]

Thats part of the pain of the process. Since no one knows who you are, it's tough to get models to commit. You will get there eventually, like we all did but I went through the same thing you did when I first started.

There is a model in the industry now that I consider a good friend. We don't hang out every day but we can always send a funny txt or snap or whatever. But when I first started I couldn't get her to respond to me for over a year! I lived on the east coast at the time and whenever she would travel to my neck of the woods, I would send her emails, and it was frustrating just as you said.
What broke the ice for me was when I went to FetishCon the first year and that's what I would suggest to you. Go to a convention like AVN or FetishCon, it's the easiest way to wholesale break into producing.
Not for nothing, I still have issues with models that don't know me or never saw my sites. It's just the way it is.

A few other things to note, in your emails, come right to the point and if you are on a budget, set your rate for that model. Let her know exactly what you plan to do so she doesn't have a question about your intentions. That's the best advice I can give.

On a side note, I see you're in CA. send me a PM I might be able to help you get into contact with some models I've worked with.

[MichinokuDriver]

Thats part of the pain of the process. Since no one knows who you are, it's tough to get models to commit. You will get there eventually, like we all did but I went through the same thing you did when I first started.

There is a model in the industry now that I consider a good friend. We don't hang out every day but we can always send a funny txt or snap or whatever. But when I first started I couldn't get her to respond to me for over a year! I lived on the east coast at the time and whenever she would travel to my neck of the woods, I would send her emails, and it was frustrating just as you said.
What broke the ice for me was when I went to FetishCon the first year and that's what I would suggest to you. Go to a convention like AVN or FetishCon, it's the easiest way to wholesale break into producing.
Not for nothing, I still have issues with models that don't know me or never saw my sites. It's just the way it is.

A few other things to note, in your emails, come right to the point and if you are on a budget, set your rate for that model. Let her know exactly what you plan to do so she doesn't have a question about your intentions. That's the best advice I can give.

On a side note, I see you're in CA. send me a PM I might be able to help you get into contact with some models I've worked with.

Yeah, I’m in CA - I’ll send you a PM. Sadly, most of the time I don’t have the opportunity to go to FetishCon or AVN. Limited budget here. I could maybe stretch AVN, since it’s usually in Las Vegas (if I’m not mistaken, and that’s driveable), but FetishCon I’ve always seen on the East Coast, which adds in flight and hotel costs. That’s why my aim has always been to shoot with those who’ve got experience in it, like the ladies who were in the Heroine Legends/The Superheroines videos, or even someone like Akira Lane, since she did punch/kick stuff with Alex Bettenger for the Superheroine World videos she was in. I always balked at Akira’s rate (IIRC she was wanting 400-500 an hour, or something like that).

But this has been more of a headache than I was expecting. I can see why most fans don’t get into producing themselves and just go with customs. I’m the breed who’s crazy and controlling and wants to see it done his own way, through his own lens.

[Mr. X]

I have worked with Akira and she is top knotch. Understands the fetish fully. As far as rates some models propose high rates as a shit test to see if you're serious. Also Akira I believe is now out of the biz, at least that's what I saw on her twitter feed.

[MichinokuDriver]

I have worked with Akira and she is top knotch. Understands the fetish fully. As far as rates some models propose high rates as a shit test to see if you're serious. Also Akira I believe is now out of the biz, at least that's what I saw on her twitter feed.

Yeah, she's out of the biz and splitting time between Chicago and LA, and her real estate biz - which is good for her. I just wish I had knuckled down and at least did some photo stuff with her. On the price thing, yeah, I can definitely see that, though I haven't reached out to any AV models. Most of the people I've done photo stuff with have been reasonably priced, they're just not up for filming.

But I'd need to get responses from people before I can honestly get an idea as to how much rates are going to be. Could end up with reasonable rates, could end up with sky-high prices that would push me off from doing anything at all this year, unless I emailed TBFE to maybe team up with them on a shoot.

[Gus Goreman, Jr.]

For those producers who come through here - how did you find your models to shoot with? I’ve tried going after those who’ve got SHiP experience, but no dice, and shooting with someone inexperienced seems like an incredible nightmare.

Have you tried corresponding on the twitter. A lot of the porn and fetish models are very active and posts their travel availability.

[MichinokuDriver]

For those producers who come through here - how did you find your models to shoot with? I’ve tried going after those who’ve got SHiP experience, but no dice, and shooting with someone inexperienced seems like an incredible nightmare.

Have you tried corresponding on the twitter. A lot of the porn and fetish models are very active and posts their travel availability.

Akira I did (in fact, she ended up following me), and we talked back and forth via email about filming or photo stuff. But I have to look at it like this: if it's some random porn model, chances are they're not going to be interested in doing some punchy-kicky superhero video, and are more likely to do straight fetish stuff like Anastacia Pierce or Christina Carter's stuff - which, no offense to them, as they put out good stuff - isn''t what I'm looking to do. For that sort of stuff it's a lot easier to film, and there's little chance of getting hurt, since they don't have to throw punches or kicks, etc.

So you almost have to constrain yourself, if you're in my shoes.

[tamonicus]

It's my understanding that one superheroine producer used modelmayhem.com. I know many actresses he used were listed there. Might be worth a look.