The Booking Process
Get booked. Get paid. Avoid Scams. Whether you are booking yourself independently, through a licensed agent, or PR manager, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure you know what to expect and what will be expected of you.
Taking an Agent
If you decide to go with an agent, make sure you thoroughly research them online.
See what performers who are already signed to that agency are saying about it or its agents online, especially Twitter.
Research their reputation. Sometimes a long standing existence within the industry doesn’t translate to a reputable agent that will treat you with respect.
Remember, the talent agent works for you, the talent.
Going Independent
If you decide to be an independent performer, know that establishing a professional reputation, one that is reliable and pleasant to work with, is of the utmost importance.
You do not have a vetted agent to speak positively on your behalf or securing jobs with producers or directors that have never met you before. Without an agent, you may have to meet the right director/producer who will take a chance on you, if you set a good impression so they can recommend you to other directors/producers. Sometimes using the right social media platforms to build your audience and gain followers is what will attract work. What you do online and how you say it will directly impact who will see you and whether or not they will hire you.
Being professional, punctual, reliable, pleasant, and, once again, professional are the tenets that keep independent performers consistently working.
Take an Agent or Go Independent?
Talent Agents work for a talent agency that is licensed by the state. That license gives them the legal right to solicit employment and negotiate contracts for their clients. By law, an agency must work out of an office. A manager can work anywhere.
Talent Managers or PR Managers, on the other hand, do not have to be employed by a management company. They can work on their own. Their sole function is to provide guidance.
Another very important thing to make note of is that you are your own boss, even if you are signed to an agency, they work for you, not the other way around. You need to be in control of your own finances because you are your own business.
Jiz Lee
WRITER, PRODUCER, PERFORMER
"Some companies work with agents to hire performers, but not all do. If you look at the talent roster of the top industry agencies, you might notice a lack of diversity — for performers who don’t fit the mold, being a self-agent is often the only choice. What makes you different can be your biggest asset. Develop strategies like a self-agent to secure work, whether it’s a niche genre or getting a rare booking with a large commercial company.
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Without a reputable agent to secure a gig, you’ll need to present yourself in the best light. Building a strong brand is a task that takes time and effort. But if you’re successful, you’ll carve a unique spot in the industry. Current strategies include creating a social media presence (such as on Twitter), attracting followers by having a good engagement. (Note: do not be tempted to buy followers. It’s easy to tell and will reflect negatively on your brand. Fake followers don’t convert.) Hire photographers or videographers to get a portfolio going, or if you’re strapped for cash, collaborate with trade shoots to acquire head shots, body shots, and photo sets, and even videos. Depending on your agreement with photographers and videographers, you might also post these videos and photosets on clip and membership sites like Clips4Sale, ManyVids, and OnlyFans and sell it for exclusive or non-exclusive use on sites that accept submitted content. This can help create a fan base attractive to studios.
If you’re a cam model looking to cross into pornography, build up your cam following. Some sites will have promotional contests, and all of these can help establish your brand, attract new fans, and develop a following that will be attractive to potential producers. You may want to consider buying a domain name and posting a few images and a bio there, as well as links to find your work online. This website will be your calling card and a safety net to secure your stage name. (Trademarks are also an option, if you’re committed to this career.)
Once you’re feeling some momentum, try applying to a few websites. Those which have application forms will accept performers without agents. Otherwise, attend conventions and put your best foot forward. If you strike a good impression on directors, they might want to hire you – regardless if you have an agent or not."
Scams: Protect Yourself
Unfortunately our industry attracts a lot of scammers who will attempt to take advantage of you from many different angles. There are fake performers that scam producers and fans. There are fake producers and directors that scam performers as well. BE AWARE!
Look for Obvious Signs of Affiliation With a Legit Company
If you are contacted by someone via DM (direct message) or email claiming to be affiliated with any company, most legitimate companies have an email signature which may include their logo, phone numbers, fax numbers, possibly a physical address and some legal wording about correspondence being confidential. These are all clear indicators that a person may actually work for said company. But it is still not everything!
Google & Wikipedia Are Your Friends
Do a quick Google search of that person’s name along with the company name to see if their LinkedIn or Wikipedia pages pop up to verify the information you were given.
Or type the phone number into Google to see who the phone number is registered to and what comments were left by other people that have been previously contacted by that phone number.
Do EVERYTHING You Can to Research a Person or Company
If information is not available when investigating their name, email or phone number, look up the company’s email address via their website or contact their social media accounts on Twitter or Instagram.
Try to DM (direct message) or tweet at the company directly to ask if the person you are being contacted by is really & truly affiliated with their company. You can even tweet at, or message performers that you may know work with said company, if you are unsure or unable to get a response otherwise.
The point is, do everything you can to ensure you are talking to a legitimate representative of a company before agreeing to anything or discussing anything at length.
Pre-Booking Expectations
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What is the scene? Is it Hardcore, Softcore, 3D, VR, 4K, Amateur, BDSM, Fetish?
What is being asked of you to perform?
What is the Pay Rate?
Is it paid in Cash or Check that Same Day?
OR
Is it a Payroll Check? (These get issued on a 2 wk pay period depending on what date your shoot lands on during the pay period for that company)Will you have to pick your check up from an office or will it be mailed to you?
What company is it for?
Research the company, make sure you are okay working for them & being associated with their brand. You can request a guest login so you can check out the type of content they make.
What are the wardrobe or makeup requirements?
Will they be provided or will you need to provide your own?
When
When is the Call Time? (The time you show up for work)
What Date & Day of the Week is it on?
When will it end?
What is the approximate Length of the Shoot? Is it a feature that shoots for long hours?
OR
Is it a quick shoot, where you’ll be done in a couple hours?
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When is the Call Time? (The time you show up for work)
What Date & Day of the Week is it on?
When will it end?
What is the approximate Length of the Shoot? Is it a feature that shoots for long hours?
OR
Is it a quick shoot, where you’ll be done in a couple hours?
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Who are your co-stars?
Research your scene partner/s, make sure you are okay working with them.
Are they in PASS?
Who is the director? Do they work with PA’s? Or do they work solo?
Is the director the scene partner? If so, who else will be on set? Producer? Makeup Artist? PA?
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Is it local or out of town?
Who’s paying for gas or Uber/Lyft?
What is the parking situation?
Is it on a hill or rocky terrain?
Where one needs to take special consideration of car tires?
OR
Being able to roll a suitcase?
OR
Walk in heels or a more sturdy shoe?
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Chelsea Poe
PERFORMER, PORN FILMMAKER
“Sometimes you have to be the boring ‘good’ porn star and go to sleep at 11pm before a long day on set instead of going to a party.”
Like any kind of job where you’re performing with your body, you need to learn how to take care of your body. You can’t be partying every night before shoots and expect every scene to go well. Sometimes you have to be the boring “good” porn star and go to sleep at 11pm before a long day on set instead of going to a party. I think particularly in porn when you’re entering the industry in your early 20s you’ll basically have access to any vice and its about finding a balance that will work for you long term.
The biggest thing [about] being an indie pornographer [is what] I’ve done to promote my work is take it into the communities that I know will enjoy it. For me that’s in queer, punk & DIY style venues. I really wanted porn to be something people went [to] see a band or a film screening in the queer punk scene. It’s kind of allowed me to get out of just the normal porn world [&] getting my films out to people who want to buy them.
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Missy Martinez
PERFORMER, COMEDIAN
“Always be careful what you post on social media.”
Always be careful what you post on social media. Companies, directors, and potential coworkers can see your public posts and that can help/hinder you being hired.
Be careful of who you surround yourself with in this business as well.
Also, it’s easy to get caught up in the “party” lifestyle with drugs and alcohol. If you’re going to partake, make sure you do so responsibly because it will not only take a toll on your appearance, but also your reputation.