I spent quite a bit of time lately on Marketing Tactics, and had left the performance stuff alone. I’m going to be returning to this topic briefly so that the ladies who are just getting into the business don’t think that my blog is all about dry business and marketing plans.

So today’s topic is Auditions. Many ladies thinking about getting into the business really don’t have a fount of knowledge in regards to where to find that first shoot. Inevitably they tend to go to sites that they know that are (1) free, and (2) a site they already know about. Enter Craigslist.

Craigslist is a wonderful place to find an apartment or home to rent, goods to sell and buy, and participate in message boards about a topic you might be interested in. It’s unfortunately also a place where predators and opportunists can lurk, either in fake rental ads for liveaboard boats, fake “dating” ads which are cleverly disguised ads for escorts and guys just looking to hook up instead of actually date, and lots and lots of “free” gig postings for jobs which probably are great for college students or people just entering a particular line of work.

If you’re going to go the Craigslist route in finding your first acting or modeling gig (and this goes for non-adult performers as well), just stick to one rule and you should be able to weed out about 90% of the bad eggs. That one rule is: NO FREE AUDITIONS.

Larger studios have casting offices that they go through, or they use agents to book models and actresses. In the case of adult performance, the “casting office” may be an agent or a casting office, but it may just be the owner of the production company or the director. In either case, all they will EVER do (and should do) is take some Polaroids of you – some clothed, some nude. They may ask you to take your clothes off, spread your legs, turn around, etc etc. But they will NEVER ask you to perform any act on camera, and will ESPECIALLY never ask you to perform any act off camera. You are completely free (and I personally encourage you) to say NO.

This isn’t to say that some producers and directors of reputable adult companies won’t ask. They’re human; it’s unfortunately going to be natural human nature for them to ask. But you are not REQUIRED to oblige. The act of not hiring you because you didn’t perform a sexual act is called sexual harrassment, and is illegal. The line is unfortunately very thin in entertainment, and especially in adult, and the producer or director can always just say “We just weren’t interested in your look” if you say no. But I still revert back to my Number One Rule: Keep Your Dignity. Respect yourself, and you’ll end up being happier in the long run.

Now, if you respond to a Craigslist ad posting (conveniently listed under “Adult Gigs” so you know where to look), and the guy either wants you to do the following, question them:

1) Wants series of nude pics of you

2) Isn’t interested in former work you’ve done

3) Isn’t interested in whether or not you’re tested

4) Wants to “talk” on the phone and wants to know all sorts of personal information

5) Wants to know if you’re single

You get where I’m going with this. If this sounds more like a guy trying to get laid, and less like a guy trying to make a living, the answer should be NO. Or, even better – you can remain professional and ask them questions like “Now, WHY don’t you care whether or not I have an AIM test?”, or “WHY does it matter whether or not I’m single?”

They shouldn’t also have to ask for a dozen nudie pics. Make sure that you have a non-glamour set of 4 pics that you can send out at any time: Face, Full Frontal, Full Side, and Full Rear. Don’t do your hair. Only have a minimum of makeup. Seriously – have your friend take them rather than a professional photographer.  What producers and directors want is to see if what you’re working with. They have makeup artists, camera people and lighting people who can make you look like a glamourpuss, and a director who can walk you through poses. What is required, from the pics that you send, is for them to make a determination as to whether or not you have too many tattoos or scars and how your body is built. Nothing more. If you send the snapshots to a guy from Craigslist and he asks for glamour pics, he’s probably a pic collector and therefore a waste of your time. (I talk about this in my previous blog post here.)

Your next set of questions should be financial. You’re NOT a slut. You’re a performer, an actress, an entertainer. You are NOT giving out free sex. That’s not why you’re here…are you? Then why would you drive 30 minutes after doing your hair and makeup and getting your Kit together (read my former post in regards to your Kit here) only to find out, once you get there, that there is no compensation?  So demand to know the rate. Be professional but sweet, polite but firm. Ask, “Is this an audition or a shoot?”, “What is the rate for this?”, etc.

If the answer is “Oh, there is no pay for this”, then make doubly sure that this is an audition-with no camera, no lights, no male talent, no paperwork. Make sure that THEY know that YOU know the difference between a shoot and an audition (also called a “go-see”), and that you will not be doing anything outside what is professionally expected. The LACK of paperwork actually also insures that they cannot use the scene for profit IF they shoot it. It’s a huge deterrent, and will make sure that THEY know that you have a mind for business and you’re not just a horny girl looking to “get some”. Also, without paperwork they cannot prove to the FBI that you are over 18 (regardless of how young or old you may look). Do NOT sign any paperwork if your visit is an audition.

I’ll cover what SHOULD happen on the day of your audition as well as your shoot in Pt2.

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