rsguiting_usmc Loc: Texas

Hello. I’ve been asked to take some head and body shots of actors for their resume in the entertainment industry. They are a couple that plan to have 6 wardrobes each to change into. Background is a simple black and white backdrop. Nothing fancy. I plan to use a 3-lighting indoor set-up provided by the studio I will be using. With prep time and wardrobe changes with simple poses, I’m trying to figure out how much studio time will I need. Right now I’m thinking 3 hours but I plan not to waste time and just get right to it. Is this timeline about right with 2 people?

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

An old Air Force buddy of mine had a saying.
“ Men plan, God laughs ”. Give yourself some extra time. You won’t feel rushed, your composition will look better and your actor clients will appreciate the extra time to prep and get into character for each scene.

Ourspolair

Agree with pmorin. Six costume changes is going eat up serious time, at least 20 minutes by the time they have fixed their attire and hair. So there goes 2 hours. Setting up the posing and adjusting lighting for each of the 6 changes will be at least 5 minutes - another half-hour. If you figure 4 hours you get 1 1/2 hours of actual pose-change-position-shoot-review-reshoot time. Probably just enough.

TSGallantPhotography Loc: SW Florida

I would say at least 4 hours, if HMUA is involved and 3 if not. Many variables, though, including how chatty they are, how punctual they are, how quickly they change, how many breaks they want, how well equipment performs (and be all set up and fully ready to roll before they arrive), how well you know your gear, how well you have planned posing, how well they take direction or perform on their own, etc.

I'll also add an aside: If you don't have full mastery over posing, lighting and your gear, take a pass on this one. An actor's (or model's) success in even getting an audition at all can very well depend on nothing more then that head shot so it has to have "wow factor".

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

HMUA?

jdubu Loc: San Jose, CA

Hired make up artists?

rsguiting_usmc Loc: Texas

Thanks guys for the input. Well noted and will keep everything mentioned in mind.

rsguiting_usmc Loc: Texas

No. Nothing like that but I already forwarded these folks that they are more than welcome to take their shots to someone who is an expert at retouching. I’m just there to give them the best shots possible.

rsguiting_usmc Loc: Texas

Thanks for the input but there will be no HMUA.

rsguiting_usmc Loc: Texas

I completely agree with you on having full mastery. I wouldn’t say I’m a full master at it but have played around in all areas to know what looks good. I did already tell this couple my background experience as an amateur photographer and since this is a TFP shoot, we had all come to an agreement about the outcome of this photoshoot.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Your going to shoot for actors resumes? Usually, the industry takes care of that. I have the feeling that these actors may not yet have been discovered. In fact, they may just be starting out.
And, really, the studio is providing you with a 3 lights to shoot these models? Interesting, how much time have you spent working with the three lights the studio is providing, have you ever used them before? What lighting techniques do you know? How many times have you shot with 3 light? Never? I have the feeling you have not since it appears you do not own a 3 light set up.
I have a suggestion for you, allow about 2 hours before anyone shows up to get the 3 light set up down, so you can get exactly what you want, that way, when the actors show up, you can start shooting right away with confidence.
As far as how long it will take, when I used to do that sort of thing, depending on what I was being paid, I allowed about 3 hours per person plus changes and hair, so about 6 to 7 hours.
Since your asking I'm assuming this is a new adventure for you. Good luck, and remember, take my advice and take more than 2 hours time fine tuning your studio's three light set up.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

prepare for more time with the females. LOL (oh I'm gonna get it)

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Use the Quote Reply option!!
That way we know which post you’re addressing.
Good luck with your project and please post some BTS (behind the scenes photos showing your set up) and some results.

ecurb Loc: Metro Chicago Area

Five minutes to infinity.
Going to depend on you, the models and will you have assistants. Will you have separate dressing rooms for your subjects, are you renting studio space? If you can, have your models get there an hour early to make up and dress, a wardrobe assistant or stylist for each model can help. Have two or three sets lit and ready to shoot in so you can be shooting one person while the other is changing. Consider using a production assistant to coordinate everybody. If you're renting studio space, remember setup time, shooting time and teardown/clean up time, all of which you will pay for.

Nicholas J DeSciose

Make sure you’re being very well paid for this amount of work. Preferably in advance. The actors will have very specific poses in mind that are very flattering to themDon’t worry about posing them they know what to do that’s why they’re actors