What a weekend... please read and heed.
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:01 am
Hey everyone,
Phew what a weekend I just had, I wanted to tell you all about it so that, I can sort out in my own head what the hell happened, and so that someone else can learn from my mistakes.
Firstly; I don't believe in apportioning blame, instead I prefer others to take responsibility. So for that reason, involved or not, I would appreciate your imput and reactions, I also wouds like to feel validated that I am both professional and reasonable.
I have been booked by a producer now to come and do a b/g shoot on Friday 25th of May. I agree a fee, which was reduced, as I had been referred and had not worked for before. The shoot is cancelled at less than 24hrs notice as the model for the day pulls out. So I miss out on a booking and at too short notice to realistically find replacement work. I did even further reduce my fee at the last minute just to ensure that some booking could be fulfilled on this original shoot, fortunately I can also waive travel as I have another expenses account for this.
The I am rebooked days later for the following Friday 1st June for 12pm.
I am preparing to leave around 11am to arrive early, I am called to say the shoot is pushed baclk to 2pm, I even offer to pick up my co-performer as her travel by train is rather awkward. We're pushed for time, but it looks like I should be able to do this and be back shortly after 2pm, with the model, to shoot.
I arrive at her place at 1pm, and it's a gorgeous place, but I can see there is a lot going on, there are four trucks in the driveway and it seems things are busy here. I call in and say that it looks like there will be a delay as trees are having to be cut down and that the model is flying abroad that evening.
We get away at 1.30-1.45 and it all starts going downhill from here....
The M25 keeps us occupied all of a sudden for 3+1/2hrs!!! But we keep in constant contact with the producer at the other end. anf finally arrive about 5.30 tired, but very keen to shoot.
The producer takes us to pick up the key to the location, before we head off... We leave all the cars around the corner as the building is not far from a farm, we shuffle by one of their workers on the way through, but without incident.
We arrive on set, and like all studs, chill out while the girls get ready and start putting my Game Face on... I'm mildly enjoying the solo scence that starts getting underway prior to my involvement in the shoot. Then the shit hits the fan...
I hear a comotion outside, and it seems a local wants to know whats going on, we had locked the front door to ensure privacy, but the back door was open for access. Suddenly there is a lot of shuffling, a local farmer bursts in the back door and comes striding in. I'm sitting there slightly sheepish, the producer tells us all it's time to leave?! He is muttering that we have an alternative location on standby, but despite my cool, this does leave me slightly alarmed... All the questions i should have asked myself earlier start to jump in my head; Is this someones private property? Do we have permission to be here?
So with bags, cameras and kinkyboots in hands we are making a hasty exit. A local yokel is apparently on the phone to the police and I become even more concerned... I take my passenger and co star in hand and suggest we make tracks pronto. By the time we get back to our vehicles, we realise it's even worse than I feared. There is a huge farmyard lorry blocking us in, peventing any of us from leaving... I try and keep calm and while some are panicking and arguing, not to mention an angry farmer who is, understandably, very upset there is obviously adult material being created not far from the countryside where his children walk their dog! I start to feel very ashamed for my involvment. Coming to the realisation we have been preparing to shoot on public property, close to children, and without nieghbours permission.
We had in fact so far done little more than take a few sexy shots, and started a brief solo scene, with a small amount of video. The solo model was fortunate to be with her partner, I was glad to be there and support the other model, who having only really met me properly that day, had only me for support.
The police proceed to take down all details, and finish by issuing Public Order fines to the majority of those present. One of the models has an outstanding speed ticket that needs tending to, so I offer to follow her to the Police Station, and then offer her a lift back into London. The models are asking for fees before leaving, the producer says he has not brought the cash to pay them. I assume this is not the case, and that he, again understandably, does not want to be seen exchanging cash with us by the police, and after a complete disater day, doesn't want to pay 3 models for a shoot that never really happened.
The Police quietly deal with our protestations, by tellingus that we are lucky not to have been arrested and that we have "got off lightly"... They allow us to finally move on around 9.30pm.
After all the arguing and tears and a look at the clock, my phone battery is dead, we're done at the station at about 10pm. I decide there is nothing more constructive to do that day than drop off my co-worker, make sure is ok and go home and try and forget about it all. I do wake up the next day with a voicemail from the director, late ast night, asking to catch up with us at 10.30pm to complete the shoot. At that late stage I just felt fed up with it and ignored it.
I must say that in all my days this is the most extraorodinary thing to have happened to me on a shoot... I do empathise for all involved.
Firstly for the locals that were uneccessarily disturbed by our prensence.
Secondly the Producer/Director who finishes the day with no material
Lastly for the Models who travelled and waited all day, only to leave with an ?80 fine and no booking fee...
I suppose I'm posting this to find out what others make of the day? How would the rest of you producers and models reacted in similar circumstances?
I should mention that my unbiased and objective viewpoint on this is because I'm a young solvent businessman, that enjoys doing porn, amongst other things, for fun. So I don't get upset with lost fees much, or waived travel... I just like to fuck sexy girls on film.
Your thoughts please....
Winkle
Phew what a weekend I just had, I wanted to tell you all about it so that, I can sort out in my own head what the hell happened, and so that someone else can learn from my mistakes.
Firstly; I don't believe in apportioning blame, instead I prefer others to take responsibility. So for that reason, involved or not, I would appreciate your imput and reactions, I also wouds like to feel validated that I am both professional and reasonable.
I have been booked by a producer now to come and do a b/g shoot on Friday 25th of May. I agree a fee, which was reduced, as I had been referred and had not worked for before. The shoot is cancelled at less than 24hrs notice as the model for the day pulls out. So I miss out on a booking and at too short notice to realistically find replacement work. I did even further reduce my fee at the last minute just to ensure that some booking could be fulfilled on this original shoot, fortunately I can also waive travel as I have another expenses account for this.
The I am rebooked days later for the following Friday 1st June for 12pm.
I am preparing to leave around 11am to arrive early, I am called to say the shoot is pushed baclk to 2pm, I even offer to pick up my co-performer as her travel by train is rather awkward. We're pushed for time, but it looks like I should be able to do this and be back shortly after 2pm, with the model, to shoot.
I arrive at her place at 1pm, and it's a gorgeous place, but I can see there is a lot going on, there are four trucks in the driveway and it seems things are busy here. I call in and say that it looks like there will be a delay as trees are having to be cut down and that the model is flying abroad that evening.
We get away at 1.30-1.45 and it all starts going downhill from here....
The M25 keeps us occupied all of a sudden for 3+1/2hrs!!! But we keep in constant contact with the producer at the other end. anf finally arrive about 5.30 tired, but very keen to shoot.
The producer takes us to pick up the key to the location, before we head off... We leave all the cars around the corner as the building is not far from a farm, we shuffle by one of their workers on the way through, but without incident.
We arrive on set, and like all studs, chill out while the girls get ready and start putting my Game Face on... I'm mildly enjoying the solo scence that starts getting underway prior to my involvement in the shoot. Then the shit hits the fan...
I hear a comotion outside, and it seems a local wants to know whats going on, we had locked the front door to ensure privacy, but the back door was open for access. Suddenly there is a lot of shuffling, a local farmer bursts in the back door and comes striding in. I'm sitting there slightly sheepish, the producer tells us all it's time to leave?! He is muttering that we have an alternative location on standby, but despite my cool, this does leave me slightly alarmed... All the questions i should have asked myself earlier start to jump in my head; Is this someones private property? Do we have permission to be here?
So with bags, cameras and kinkyboots in hands we are making a hasty exit. A local yokel is apparently on the phone to the police and I become even more concerned... I take my passenger and co star in hand and suggest we make tracks pronto. By the time we get back to our vehicles, we realise it's even worse than I feared. There is a huge farmyard lorry blocking us in, peventing any of us from leaving... I try and keep calm and while some are panicking and arguing, not to mention an angry farmer who is, understandably, very upset there is obviously adult material being created not far from the countryside where his children walk their dog! I start to feel very ashamed for my involvment. Coming to the realisation we have been preparing to shoot on public property, close to children, and without nieghbours permission.
We had in fact so far done little more than take a few sexy shots, and started a brief solo scene, with a small amount of video. The solo model was fortunate to be with her partner, I was glad to be there and support the other model, who having only really met me properly that day, had only me for support.
The police proceed to take down all details, and finish by issuing Public Order fines to the majority of those present. One of the models has an outstanding speed ticket that needs tending to, so I offer to follow her to the Police Station, and then offer her a lift back into London. The models are asking for fees before leaving, the producer says he has not brought the cash to pay them. I assume this is not the case, and that he, again understandably, does not want to be seen exchanging cash with us by the police, and after a complete disater day, doesn't want to pay 3 models for a shoot that never really happened.
The Police quietly deal with our protestations, by tellingus that we are lucky not to have been arrested and that we have "got off lightly"... They allow us to finally move on around 9.30pm.
After all the arguing and tears and a look at the clock, my phone battery is dead, we're done at the station at about 10pm. I decide there is nothing more constructive to do that day than drop off my co-worker, make sure is ok and go home and try and forget about it all. I do wake up the next day with a voicemail from the director, late ast night, asking to catch up with us at 10.30pm to complete the shoot. At that late stage I just felt fed up with it and ignored it.
I must say that in all my days this is the most extraorodinary thing to have happened to me on a shoot... I do empathise for all involved.
Firstly for the locals that were uneccessarily disturbed by our prensence.
Secondly the Producer/Director who finishes the day with no material
Lastly for the Models who travelled and waited all day, only to leave with an ?80 fine and no booking fee...
I suppose I'm posting this to find out what others make of the day? How would the rest of you producers and models reacted in similar circumstances?
I should mention that my unbiased and objective viewpoint on this is because I'm a young solvent businessman, that enjoys doing porn, amongst other things, for fun. So I don't get upset with lost fees much, or waived travel... I just like to fuck sexy girls on film.
Your thoughts please....
Winkle