Models & Talents

Waleed_Alzuhair · #1 11-14-2005, 02:57 PM

Hello everybody..

For those who don't know Saudi Arabia, we don't have agencies that can provide us with models or talents to use in advertisements. Ad agencies depend on their and the photographer's relationships to provide characters in an ad.

I usually walk around the company that commissions me and start asking their own employees, and that's been very good for me.. Perhaps I was lucky to find employees willing to appear in ads or have their children, spouses, or parents appear in ads too.

Now, I've decided to make my own database of models and talents. So far I've prepared:
- A section on my website for registration.
- The required forms for applicants to fill and if they were minors, the form has a section for their guardian.
- A small document explaining the process and what's expected from all parties.
- A local newspaper ad asking people to register (I'll publish when all is ready to receive people)

All sounds ok?

Now comes the part of casting shots. I was thinking of upper-half and full-hight portraits in local and western outfits. What more would you include in a file? Hands and feet for jewelry and shoes ads too?

Thank you all very much.. You have no idea how much your kind comments are helping me..

Waleed

Eliot_Z_Cohen · #2 11-14-2005, 10:41 PM

Waleed, how do Islamic customs impede your search for talent? I hope that question isn't too ignorant or obvious. I'm interested to know.

Thanks.

Waleed_Alzuhair · #3 11-15-2005, 12:45 PM

Hi Eliot and thanks for your interest..

Islamic customs require the guardian of all females and minors to be aware of the photo shoot and attends it, so it's not really Islam related. A female guardian is usually her father, brother, adult son, uncle, or husband.

The problem here is regulation, there's no business license that would allow anybody to set up a talent agency. The search for talents is much more simpler and organized in other Islamic countries, which forced most businesses to leave the country for photography.. Local clients travel to neighboring countries to commission their photographers for jobs, simply because talent agencies are available there.

If I was able to present clients with local alternatives, it would be much better for everybody here (economically)

Barry_M_Robinson · #4 11-15-2005, 01:18 PM

Hi Waleed,
Sounds good except the newspaper ad. In Canada and the U.S. newspaper ads for models are usually indicative of a scam; respectable agencies don't advertise for models in the paper. However, in a country with no modeling agencies there is most likely no background in modeling scams.

One thing you might think about doing is setting up your database as a separate enterprise held at "arms length" from your own. By providing some autonomy you might be able to provide models for other purposes (e.g. films, other photographers, fashion shows). You might even be able to get a franchise of a well-known agency. You should consult a lawyer about proper release forms and other paper work you'll need. Review the privacy and personality rights in your country.

To get yourself up to speed on the history of modeling, see "Model : The Ugly Business of Beautiful Women" by Michael Gross. Although this book was published about 10 years ago, it is still relevant today.

One more, very minor, point. When you're using "talent" to refer to a group of people (e.g. actors, models), the singular refers to either a single person or a group of people; as in "models and talent". The plural of talent, talents, is used when describing the multiple talents (abilities) of a person; as in "Mary is a gifted actor with many talents."

Hope this helps

Waleed_Alzuhair · #5 11-15-2005, 05:06 PM

Thanks Barry..

You're right, that is the first time I hear of modeling scams, as models are not required to pay the studio any fee, they are paid per project after signing a simple contract/image-release-form. Not to mention, having the ad tied to a licensed studio, would give it some sort of truth since licensing is not an easy task at all.

That's a very nice and ambitious idea about having a sister company as a modeling agency. For now, of course, we have to wait for such an establishment to be regulated. Still, a very nice idea, I like it.. I also liked the book you recommended (it's in the cart).

Talent and Talents... Got it.. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Very helpful.. Many thanks,
Waleed

Barry_M_Robinson · #6 11-15-2005, 06:38 PM

Hi Waleed,
[ QUOTE ]
a licensed studio, would give it some sort of truth since licensing is not an easy task at all.

[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]
For now, of course, we have to wait for such an establishment to be regulated

[/ QUOTE ]

Are you saying that ALL establishments in Saudia Arabia are licensed and regulated? Over here (Canada) unless the industry is a regulated one (i.e. firearms, drugs, alcohol, food) or is illegal (i.e. robbing banks) you just start your business and you won't be bothered unless you do something illegal. The only thing you might need to do is register the name of your business (this is to help prevent fraud).

Why don't you set up the agency in another country and operate it through the Internet (with servers on foreign soil)? Your models would remain in country, you would too but the actual "business" would be registered someplace else.

Waleed_Alzuhair · #7 11-16-2005, 05:31 AM

Yes, all businesses are regulated..
It took me around 3 months just to get the photography license from the Ministry of Information, then almost a week at the Ministry of Commerce to get the business license. I was told that I needed a 3rd licenses from the municipality to put up a sign, so I didn't.. I pulled most of my hair chasing public employees around..