Bikini casting problem at DVinfo.net

Paul Jefferies · March 8th, 2006, 06:37 PM

Hi,
I'm making a music video and I need (How shall I put this delicately?)... very attractive young ladies to dance around in bikini's - I know, its a tough life sometimes. I intend to put a posting on some of the casting sites but I am in a dilemma - how do I honestly put across the facts of the shoot in my job advert without sounding like a complete sleazebag? I intend to run the casting and shooting process in an efficient and professional manner but regrettably my budget does not extend to the sort of fees charged by model agencies. Unfortunately this is what the client wants so any advice would be appreciated

John L Scott · March 8th, 2006, 07:09 PM

hmmm maby let the client handle that part of the "budget"...
!----------> Just a thought. <--------!

Richard Alvarez · March 8th, 2006, 07:49 PM

Just be upfront. "Casting for music videos. Dancers required. Bikini and two piece, no nudity."

Don Donatello · March 8th, 2006, 08:09 PM

Richards suggestion is excellent .. also include if there is pay or no pay.

Reid Bailey · March 9th, 2006, 09:00 AM

You may also add that "chaperones are welcome" if you're real worried about appearing sleazy.

But yes, be totally upfront about exactly what you want.

Paul Jefferies · March 12th, 2006, 07:59 AM

Thanks for the advice, which I applied to the postings I made. To date, I have received over 100 replies!

Richard Alvarez · March 12th, 2006, 09:09 AM

Doesn't surprise me. Most aspiring actresses and dancers understand that they'll need to do some 'glamour' shots/modelling at some point. Most are comfortable with a professional approach to swimsuits or some sort of 'lingerie' wear.

The key word is professional.

Make sure their privacy is respected in changing into and out of their costumes. Make sure the crew is respectful. (NO HITTING on anyone, no comments about their appearance, no matter how 'chatty' or 'humorous' you might think they are.) Have a female assistant or P.A. whose sole job it is to assist them with dressing and makeup. Have robes handy if they need them WHEN THEY ARE NOT SHOOTING.

Same thing applies to an audition.

Interestingly enough, all of these rules go TRIPLE when you are shooting/casting for partial nudity or some nudity. (And yes, the same rules apply if the role is male.)

Donovan Cerminara · March 14th, 2007, 04:43 AM

I agree completely with Mr. Alvarez, and chime in with the truism that it is the director´s job to protect his cast, from everything.

You can´t have your crew EITHER complimenting or NOT complimenting your actors during your shoot... Even if it´s well-intentioned, the actor NEXT to the receiving party will feel diminished, and vice versa.

Your situation brings to mind the music video for "Owner of a Lonely Heart (Max Graham´s remix)"... Two boys set up a casting call for girls...

"GIRLS!
OWN A BIKINI?
LIKE TO DANCE?
CASTING CALL!"

Heh.... and then they sit in director´s chairs, and act like casting types... One dancer even gives them a resume, and they pretend to look at it... Funny stuff...

But yeah, protect your actors\models, and they´ll decide if they want to, or not.

My two cents.

Christian Calson · May 3rd, 2007, 02:45 PM

There are casting folks who do this kind of thing. They usually have a catalog of trade show girls and presenter/actors they know. I'm assuming you have a decent budget and can pay them. I used a service like this in Vegas to hire dancers/strippers/girls in bikinis.

March 8th, 2006, 06:37 PM	#1
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	Bikini casting problem Hi, I'm making a music video and I need (How shall I put this delicately?)... very attractive young ladies to dance around in bikini's - I know, its a tough life sometimes. I intend to put a posting on some of the casting sites but I am in a dilemma - how do I honestly put across the facts of the shoot in my job advert without sounding like a complete sleazebag? I intend to run the casting and shooting process in an efficient and professional manner but regrettably my budget does not extend to the sort of fees charged by model agencies. Unfortunately this is what the client wants so any advice would be appreciated

March 8th, 2006, 07:09 PM	#2
John L Scott Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska Posts: 86	hmmm maby let the client handle that part of the "budget"... !----------> Just a thought. <--------! __________________ "Finding Gold In Tailings" www.dredgingworld.com

March 12th, 2006, 07:59 AM	#6
Paul Jefferies Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Croydon, England Posts: 277	Update Thanks for the advice, which I applied to the postings I made. To date, I have received over 100 replies!

March 14th, 2007, 04:43 AM	#8
Donovan Cerminara New Boot Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada Posts: 16	Protect your actors... I agree completely with Mr. Alvarez, and chime in with the truism that it is the director´s job to protect his cast, from everything. You can´t have your crew EITHER complimenting or NOT complimenting your actors during your shoot... Even if it´s well-intentioned, the actor NEXT to the receiving party will feel diminished, and vice versa. Your situation brings to mind the music video for "Owner of a Lonely Heart (Max Graham´s remix)"... Two boys set up a casting call for girls... "GIRLS! OWN A BIKINI? LIKE TO DANCE? CASTING CALL!" Heh.... and then they sit in director´s chairs, and act like casting types... One dancer even gives them a resume, and they pretend to look at it... Funny stuff... But yeah, protect your actors\models, and they´ll decide if they want to, or not. My two cents. __________________ Donovan Cerminara Bull By the Horns Productions bullbythehorns@gmail.com

May 3rd, 2007, 02:45 PM	#9
Christian Calson Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Posts: 65	Seek out some help if you want it There are casting folks who do this kind of thing. They usually have a catalog of trade show girls and presenter/actors they know. I'm assuming you have a decent budget and can pay them. I used a service like this in Vegas to hire dancers/strippers/girls in bikinis.

March 8th, 2006, 07:49 PM	#3
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Just be upfront. "Casting for music videos. Dancers required. Bikini and two piece, no nudity."

March 8th, 2006, 08:09 PM	#4
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	Richards suggestion is excellent .. also include if there is pay or no pay.

March 9th, 2006, 09:00 AM	#5
Reid Bailey Major Player Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Fredericksburg, Va Posts: 220	You may also add that "chaperones are welcome" if you're real worried about appearing sleazy. But yes, be totally upfront about exactly what you want.

March 12th, 2006, 09:09 AM	#7
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Doesn't surprise me. Most aspiring actresses and dancers understand that they'll need to do some 'glamour' shots/modelling at some point. Most are comfortable with a professional approach to swimsuits or some sort of 'lingerie' wear. The key word is professional. Make sure their privacy is respected in changing into and out of their costumes. Make sure the crew is respectful. (NO HITTING on anyone, no comments about their appearance, no matter how 'chatty' or 'humorous' you might think they are.) Have a female assistant or P.A. whose sole job it is to assist them with dressing and makeup. Have robes handy if they need them WHEN THEY ARE NOT SHOOTING. Same thing applies to an audition. Interestingly enough, all of these rules go TRIPLE when you are shooting/casting for partial nudity or some nudity. (And yes, the same rules apply if the role is male.)