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Know your words...

  • ARTIST RELEASE FORM: a contract in releasing your claim of any rights to images taken for a specific client for an agreed fee.
  • BEAUTY SHOOT: refers to full facial photo that could be used for cover shot or cosmetic advert.
  • BOOK/PORTFOLIO: a book-compila­tion of one or two of the best photos of every shoot and tear sheets of published work that a model shows to clients/casting directors.
  • BOOKER: liaises between casting director and model, the person in charge of handling client requests.
  • BRIEF: a brief is information a client/casting director gives to the agency regarding a casting, the brief is then conveyed by the agency to a model, the brief contains information on the casting or job and other details such as location, date, shooting times, wardrobe call hours, dress code and a cer­tain look required.
  • CALL BACK: after initial casting the casting director/client may need to see a model again to double check before they make a final selection and book the model.
  • CASTING: when the clients want to see models that fit a specific brief for a specific role or job, a casting will be held at a casting studio like Streetwize or Kayos, when attending a casting, one must dress accordingly.
  • CASTING DIRECTOR: the client appoints a cast­ing director to hold the castings enabling the client to find the most appropriate look/talent for a particular role, whether it be for a tv or cinema commercial, a film or a printed advert.
  • CASTING FEES: there is no such thing, if a casting director charges you a fee, turn the other way and run. Don't confuse casting director and casting agency, a casting agency might bill you for the photographs taken, that amount depends on whether there's a hair stylist and make-up artist involved and the amount of photos taken.
  • COPY BOOK: a copy of the model portfolio photographs in a separate portfolio book.
  • CREW: those who assist in the produc­tions, whether it's stills photographs, television commercials, including camera operators, make-up artists and hair stylists.
  • COMMISSION: the percentage that gets deducted by the agency on all jobs, you will be quoted a 'model fee' which includes the agency commis­sion and tax. Not to confuse the models, some agencies quote the models the amount after all deductions are made, make sure you understand the payment structure when joining an agency.
  • EDITORIAL: an "editorial booking" is a shoot for the fashion pages in a magazine and is only used once.
  • GO-SEE: when the model agency makes an appointment for the model to see a client or a photographer, a go-see is different to a casting where there are lots of models, like castings you won't get paid for going on go-sees.
  • LOCATION: when the shoot is not done in a studio, the model gets booked to shoot on location, normally location shoots take place out-doors.
  • MODEL ROMCARD: with latest technology a model can get photos on a cd, containing still, video images or audio clips.
  • N.A.M.A.: national association of model agencies, the governing body of the fashion industry.
  • ON CAMERA PERFORMERS AGREEMENT: contract for performance in front of camera for a particular job.
  • ON SET: where the action is happening, the location where the filming of the model's performance will occur.
  • OPTIONS: an option is made on a model by a client or casting director as a tentative booking, to ensure the model's availability for a shoot, the options are either: released if cli­ent doesn't want to shoot him/her, or confirmed by booking if the model gets the role.
  • PM: abbreviation for product manager.
  • PAYE TAX: every model, irrespective of age, pays 'pay as you earn' tax. This is deducted from your fee by your agency and paid to the receiver of revenue, some agencies brief models on the fee they would be receiving and that is after the tax and agency commission is deducted.
  • IRP5 CERTIFICATE: a model will receive an irp5 certificate for the tax amounts that his/her agency deducted from his/her earnings and paid over to the receiver of revenue.
  • STOCK IMAGES/PHOTO LIBRARY/PICTURE LIBRARY: a selection of pictures from which clients can buy or rent for the client's particular needs, the model is compensated for the workday in front of camera and does not receive usage fees for the images when used, the usage fees are normally split up between the photographer and client, except if otherwise negotiated.
  • TAKE: when the director says "this is going to be a take" it means rehearsals are over and the model's next moves will be recorded.
  • TEAR SHEET: the pages from a magazine in which the model is featured are examples of tear sheets to be placed in the model's portfolio, buy a few copies, since once magazines are off the shelf it'll be very difficult to get hold of those editions.
  • TEST: this is a shoot purely for the model's portfolio, a variety of outfits, moods, and stances are vital and will enable the clients to see the model's versatility, models don't get paid to test, they are the ones who do the paying, a fee is negotiated beforehand and it depends on the amount of films, outfits, location and other people involved, i.e. hair stylist, make-up artist.
  • WEATHER DAY: when clients are unable to film on account of bad weather.
  • Z-CARD/COMPOSITE CARD/COMP CARD: an A5 card with measurements & different photographs of a model.
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Modelling in Cape Town