Halp me produce a photoshoot please!

[Evvie]

I somehow got wrangled in to managing a large photoshoot on the 17th. So far we are planning on having about 20 models and 3 photographers. All the models will have several outfit changes; possibly up to 24 for each model. There are also going to be a lot of working guns on site as props; best of all, the shoot location is 90 minutes out of town in the middle of nowhere.

My biggest concerns right now are,
1. Making sure all the models are shot in all the sets and outfits they need to be in, and
2. That the shoot not run for 15 hours.

There is also a concern for legalities, as some models are going to be in more "adult" scenes and some models are going to be strictly PG.

Here is what I'm thinking of as far as running the production.

Every photographer will have a helper who has a copy of a master spreadsheet detailing which models go to which set and what outfit they wear, as well as if they are cleared for adult photographs. The assistant will also help out the photographer with set dressing and directing the models.

We will have two women available to help with makeup and outfits (The models all have to change their makeup between every set). What I am worried about here is that A) because all the models are going to bring their own stuff, shit will get mixed up and lost, and B) some lady is going to take an hour every time she needs to change her eyeshadow. Any thoughts on how to handle this?

There will be a short demo before the shoot starts about the guns and dealing with them; only one person in the entire shoot will be allowed to handle, move, and check the guns. I am also thinking about having a back-up gun wrangler just in case. The models only get to hold them when they are under full direction from the photographer.

My concern is that we have 12 sets where each model may need to shoot two outfits. With 20 models (so far) even taking fifteen minutes per outfit may make finishing one set last two hours or more. I don't expect that every model will do every set or do more than one outfit per set, but I'm still worried.

I'm also thinking about how to rotate the sets and models between photographers. The project is a 12-month calendar. Do you think it would be a good idea to have say one photographer shoot an entire month (4 or 6 months each depending on how many photographers show up)? But if that were the case, then we would have to divide the models up and as soon as they're done they would have to rush back to wardrobe and get changed for the next month. I guess it can be done, it will just take a lot of organization.

On the other hand, I was originally thinking that every photographer could shoot January at once, then they all would do February at once, et cetera. It would certainly make the models less rushed I think - but then if one photographer finishes early and is ready to move to the next month, do his models just change month as well?

I think it would be a good idea to have all the models divided between photographers, so the photographer and his group of models go through all the months without the models moving to a different photographer. But very likely not all models will be able to shoot for all seasons and have all outfits. Damnit.

:help: :help: :help:

 

[Lala_Lollipop]

Maybe to keep track of what clothing belongs to who models could write some kind of code in marker at the tags or inside of the clothes. Or they could have stickers. Like one girl's stuff has pink stars on her tags and try to keep track that way.

The best way to deal with time is to make a very strict schedule. Instead of waiting for models to show up, do first come, first serve. As soon as you show up, you get a number. The schedule can be like "Mdl 1 = first set, Mdl 2 = first set, Mdl 3 = first set, Mdl 1 = second set, Mdl 2= second set... etc." So it's a rotation, but you could have a white board that says when they're next. Each model has an HOUR to get ready, go to the bath room, curl her hair, get a snack, practice poses, etc for every set. Also what number they are is what number they write on the inside of their outfits, so they're no mix-up. Supply plenty of sharpies and maybe tape.

So let's do the math. 20 models...let's say 21 and 3 photographers. 7 models for each photographer. Each "set" is TEN minutes and each model gets 6 outifts, therefore each model gets an hour. Each photographer is taking pictures for 7 hours and then there will probably be a lunch break. Plus you'll want a hour for the gun tutorial. So it'd be like a normal work shift. Realistically problems happen, but I'd say you're looking at 10 hours the most. Not 15. So don't stress.

As for the calendar, I think the first idea you had was the best way to go about it. Models are professionals, they can handle it.

One photographer can be wintery and fall, the other is spring and summer and the other are photos that can be both. It's hard for me to say without seeing exactly what you're envisioning.

This is the best I can think of. Good luck! Sounds like tons of fun.