|
Forums >
General Industry >
Potential No Show- what woud YOU do???
So, what do you do in this situation? I've had a shoot booked with a model since October 31. As the date has gotten closer, I've checked back in to make sure we are still on. A couple of those messages were read by her but no response. Then I do get a message finally but she's not clearly reconfirming our shoot. So, I ask again. She reads but does not respond. Then in the last week I send two more emails to her asking to confirm this shoot. Again, she reads but does not respond. (Modely Mayhem- I LOVE your read receipt function!!!) I sent my personal cell phone number to her twice. No phone calls either. So, here I am. The night before this shoot wondering what to do. I am booked out to February/March and lots of other people have been asking to get in sooner. I have three people that would gladly take this spot tomorrow. They are pros and I know they would be there with bells on. The space alone will cost me about 75 bucks. Add to that my time sitting there, waiting for someone that potentially will never show up. In fact the details I've described here certainly makes me think she has no intention of showing up. So what would YOU do? Book another model and say to hell with this person that is leaving me hanging to this point. Or go to the shoot and wait for her and take the risk she doesn't show??? I'm honeslty not looking for trouble here with models or togs. I am NOT trolling here. This is a real situation. Frankly, I'd like to say to hell with this person and book somebody I trust but I'm not totally sure that is the right thing to do. BTW... of COURSE... this is a TFCD. Nov 30 06 06:30 pm Link In your own words.... Book another model and say to hell with this person that is leaving me hanging to this point. You gave her many more chances than I would have  But you have the right idea....no communication, no shoot. You don't have time for someone who doesn't respect your time.Nov 30 06 06:44 pm Link If she doesn't have the decency to confirm, you should call another model. I would have done so after the first message she read and didn't reply to. Look at it this way, if you don't book another, you'll be pissed if she flakes. If you shoot with someone else and she shows, she can only blame herself since she chose not to confirm. Nov 30 06 06:54 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: A similar situation happened to me when I was the photographer. The model got back to me after midnight (the call time was for 9am) via instant message saying she didnt know how to get to the location. You would think she would have responded to my various emails asking for her confirmation. I cancelled it because I had a wardrobe stylist, hair stylist, makeup artist and horse wrangler all waiting for this model. I cancelled it and rescheduled it with two other models and I'm very happy with the outcome. Everything happens for a reason. Nov 30 06 06:59 pm Link Book another model, you've been more than reasonable! Nov 30 06 07:03 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: Well stop calling photographers "togs" and there won't be any trouble. Serevende Photography wrote: You have just answered you own question. Nov 30 06 07:03 pm Link 1. I like how you call it "Modely Mayhem." That made me giggle. 2. I would email her, tell her you think she's not interested in the shoot anymore and not to show up. Then book someone else who won't waste your time. Personally I respond to all my messages as soon as I get them, that's just polite manners. This girl sounds like a total flake! Nov 30 06 07:05 pm Link do a casting call for your neighborhood, find a replacement..i always get a phone number.. Nov 30 06 07:05 pm Link well if she never gave you a straight answer then book another model because most likely she wont show up... Nov 30 06 07:07 pm Link Alexis Silsbe wrote: HA! That is exactly what my wife (quick to let me know when I have my head up my arse) told me to do. Nov 30 06 07:11 pm Link Alexis Silsbe wrote: Nice thought, but it would be funnier if she actually did show, while he was shooting someone else LOL!!! Nov 30 06 07:16 pm Link Paz Crystal wrote: I got this from her on 10/31 when I asked for the first confirmation... "yes we are! For sure". Nov 30 06 07:17 pm Link If I don't hear back from he/she by phone the day before to confirm.... send he/her an email and cancel..... What is your time worth ? Guess she doesn't think it's worth anything... If she gets in touch with you again trying to schedule another shoot just tell her the facts of life....tell her that you had money and time tied up into the shoot and you couldn't afford a "NO SHOW". Now, maybe she probably will fell sorry about it and never do it again or most likely he will "Flake-Out" on you again and every other photographer she books with..... Make it a sted-fast rule that if there is no day-before confirmation by phone...cancel the shoot ! Tell he/she that when you make the initial contact....... Nov 30 06 07:32 pm Link Move on to the ones you know will show up....odds are HIGH she won't, and even if she does, it will be with mindless drama attached. Let her go, and set yourself free. Nov 30 06 07:36 pm Link Thanks folks! And it was especially cool to hear from models on this as well as photographers. FWIW... I sent an email cancelling the shoot with the model in question. I just got off the phone with another MM model I've been wanting to work with. We are good to go for tomorrow. So, here's to one cool Wisconsin model that saved me from sweeping the floors tomorrow night! And to the other one... yeah, well, best of luck to you. Nov 30 06 08:51 pm Link I think I might get flaked out on by a photographer here that I really would like to work with. We were trying to set up a shoot in the next few weeks- he contacted me expressing interest, I sent him a link to my portfolio and a few snapshots without fancy lighting and makeup, he requested that I contact him on AIM to work out the details.. and nothing. I'm not sure if he still plans to shoot with me or not. Nov 30 06 09:04 pm Link Just got flaked on by the last six models in a row, all from here. When it's obvious and they aren't returning messages or emails, just write it off and get on with your life. It is NOT a good idea to commit funds at all based on some "model" that says she wants to shoot until it's been confirmed, you've talked a lot, and you have confidence she's not a dipsh*t. Sorry about that, but this isn't really a place to find reliable models. -Don Nov 30 06 09:30 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: Her "manager" is probably reading them but not passing them on to her. Nov 30 06 10:04 pm Link I know flakes have been talked about to death, but I don't understand why anyone would accept a shoot then no calls, emails nothing? Why be on this site and why accepts a shoot if you're not polite enough to keep in contact to shoot with. I had this one girl email me for days before the shoot, we met twice and she called a couple of times, everything worked out fine, she's on my site now. I felt even with a dely because of weather everything would work because of her constant conatact. You can feel good about that. So what's so hard about doing that people, both photographers and models. It's not only professional, if you're not a professional model you should at least be polite! And there are other people involved, such as assistants, make up artists etc. and time and money. Your schedule is put aside for a shoot, doesn't a model think about this stuff. she wouldn't like it if you just didn't show, so why would she treat you like that, this happens too often with people who say they want to get started in modeling. On the other site I had one persone tell me I was nuts expecting her to call, she thought emailing for months was just fine. I said no commercial shoot ever happened only by email, there has to be phone calls clearing ideas, locations, etc. If you had a shoot in a couple of days and had to set that up, no commercial person would email you, they would pick up the fricking PHONE! But I'm not angry, just don't understand the lack of logic, and no just letting it go isn't good, becasuse no one should be treated that way and people should learn to that it's how you handle people as well that gets you work and referrals. Dec 01 06 03:17 am Link Wow, I don't even give boys that many chances... Dec 01 06 03:21 am Link D. Brian Nelson wrote: Don, my kitten really did get run over by a car! I swear! I was too upset to confirm or make the shoot! Fluffy died! Dec 01 06 09:28 am Link If I can't get in touch with them the day/night before, I assume the shoot is cancelled. Dec 01 06 11:14 am Link as tony curtis once said to marilyn monroe (in the movie 'some like it hot') "its not how long you wait, its who you're waiting for" i have given some models a mere 12 hours to respond after reading an email, while others i have waited for weeks so are you waiting for marilyn monroe, or are you waiting for rosie odonell? Dec 01 06 12:07 pm Link Paz Crystal wrote: I agree. This model is indicating a high risk for flaking. Dec 01 06 12:20 pm Link Book another model and if she shows up and still wants to shoot she'll have to wait till you're finished with the other model. Oh.. and one piece of advice. Don't put a bunch of money on the line (ie: Renting studio space, etc). Instead, reserve those special shoots for models you've worked with before and know will show up ready to shoot. Dec 01 06 12:26 pm Link We should have a place to post all of the interesting excuses models give us at the last minute for not showing up. Here's the latest one I received from a so-called professional model that had scheduled with me for over a month: "My boyfriend's car was in an accident and he is too upset to let me be photographed today" (And he was not even the escort). Dec 01 06 12:28 pm Link D. Brian Nelson wrote: I hear this a lot and it is embarassing to those of us who take this seriously. As a professional (outside of this modeling) my time is money and I know others are the same. I have to ask, are these "flakey" models typically younger in age (not that this excuses it in my opinion)? Dec 01 06 12:29 pm Link Chili wrote: Very good point Dec 01 06 12:30 pm Link No brainer for me ... book another Model if you're able. Why forfeit expenses and an opportunity with another available Model for the lack of courtesy. You've given the Girl ample opportunity to respond. I realize you're looking for the confirmation, seems you spent to much effort with forwarding emails inquiring about the session. My opinion. Art Dec 01 06 12:32 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: Why is this even a debate? Dec 01 06 12:33 pm Link Daniela V wrote: FTW. Dec 01 06 12:36 pm Link One of the things I have noticed in Dallas is that when a new model posts on MM, the same group of photographers (myself included) typically try to shoot with her. Most of the Dallas postings tend to be college-age students and I am afraid that many of them think that by posting on MM they just need to sit back and wait to be discovered. I dont think that many entry-level MM models understand the necessity of networking, door knocking, dialing-for-dollars, and all of the things necessary to build a business. They are self-employed individuals with themselves as the product. However, they dont see it that way. Dec 01 06 12:38 pm Link Icecold Images wrote: Serevende Photography wrote: Well stop calling photographers "togs" and there won't be any trouble.
Dec 01 06 12:45 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: uh, give up the practice of tfp might be a start. seems with the countless problems encountered with this process it has become nothing more than standing at a brick wall and banging the head into it. then again, some like the idea of such an encounter. Dec 01 06 12:45 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: The biggest mistake is letting the situation get to this point. A single confirmation message about 7-8 days in advance, and if there's no response, followed by another saying the shoot is cancelled if there's no response in 24 hours gives you enough time to book someone else. Dec 01 06 12:48 pm Link Surreal Eye Studio wrote: "1. FTW is an acronym which means "For the win"" Dec 01 06 01:05 pm Link Serevende Photography wrote: Are you kidding me??? You waited THAT long to consider saying "to hell with it?" I would say two emails would have been enough, MORE than enough. Your time is money and people need to respect that. I'm sick of unprofessional models giving the rest of us a bad rep 'cause they doen't have the business ettiquette to confirm, or return emails, phone calls, etc. Book a different model and send your unresponsive model an email and call her (if you have her number) saying that due to her lack of communication, you have booked with someone else. Dec 01 06 01:08 pm Link Hey Serevende, I'm dying to know who this is, because your situation and mine are nearly identical and I'm almost willing to bet that it's the same model...and I use that term loosely. Had to schedule a shoot out into November ("I'm just so booked out!"), was good about discussing content intially and then just stopped replying as we got closer. I'll also throw in my thanks here to Tyler and team for the "Message Read" notes. They are very useful. The funny thing is that I was going to shoot the images that she wanted TFCD and was going to pay her a MODESTLY subsidized rate to shoot the images that I wanted. she pretty much disappeared. Yep she read every e-mail just never took the time to acknowlege. Since she didn't reply to Mayhem mail or e-mails, didn't call me, and never gave me a phone number, I finally sent a Mayhem message 48 hours out letting her know that by failing to show any interest in the shoot or the final decisions regarding wardrobe that I was cancelling the shoot. Yeah it sucked, but it was better than wasting anymore time and energy on a girl that couldn't decide if she wanted to be a model or not. There is too much talent in this area to get bent over one wannabe. Dec 01 06 02:44 pm Link Mija wrote: Damn...business savvy in a model just makes me hot! Take me home and show me your business plan...I'll be out of control! LOL Dec 01 06 02:53 pm Link |
