Hard time recruiting in North East; Potential model scared off by 18 USC 2257 requirements
 

Hey, I've been lurking for a while, but otherwise I'm an absolute newb. I'm in the process of trying to recruit models so that I can shoot some amateur video content and either host it on a clip store, a pay site or sell the rights to outright further down the line (~2-3 years). I live and am kinda stuck in the Northeast (particularly around NY, CT and NJ, but I can make the trip out to RI and MA). I've put out ten Backpage ads in the past 3 weeks around here but in that time, I've only gotten 10 responses.

Of those 10, only 1 was attractive; a cute hipsterish girl from Brooklyn. After she responded, I made an in-person meeting with her over drinks in the city to discuss the finer details of the shoot, negotiate compensation, her requirements, etc.

She was fine with content of the shoot I proposed and the compensation (I have these boards to thank to help me determine what was a fair and reasonable amount to offer). The ONE THING that scared her off was the 18 USC 2257 requirements.

I told her that I would legally be required to retain a sworn affidavit from her stating her age and identity, as well as copies of her ID to prove she is a legal adult. She was very reluctant to agree to those terms. I tried to explain to her how 18 USC 2257 works; I showed her a printed copy; I explained that if she was afraid of identity theft, that I would keep one copy of her ID in my safety deposit box (unplugged from the net, totally unhackable) and another at a very reputable third-party Custodian of Records service that caters to a lot of adult websites.

She just said she was a afraid of the fact that there would be a document somewhere tying her full ID to an adult video shoot. I tried explaining that if she ever wanted to do any sort of adult work, that she would have to comply with the same terms, but she was backing down and I couldn't negotiate around it, so I cordially ended the meeting.

Has anyone ever had any trouble with potential models being scared off by 2257 requirements? If so, were you able to get around it at all?

Also, does anyone have any experience recruiting in the Northeast? These Backpage ads aren't really giving me good returns, and all the model agencies I can find online are either based out west, in Florida or are for mainstream, not adult-oriented gigs. I just want to shoot my very first amateur video, so any advice would be appreciated.

First off, do not use backpage as it is too scammy. Try sexyjobs and even model mayhem. Try to hire girls that have at least some experience since they know how it works and won't get hangups over 2257 stuff.

Try not to use scary words like "sworn affidavit." Just say that she needs to sign a form proving she is over 18 with a photo ID.

Based on your story, I would pass on this talent. Any girl that is dragging her feet should be avoided. Most girls who are in the business know the requirements or at least need to understand and agree to legal formalities.

Sexy Jobs looks like a great site; definitely will try setting up an account there. Thanks!

Question about Model Mayhem though; I know they bar adult recruiters on their site. Their forums section is even occasionally sprinkled with complaints from girls who were contacted by adult recruiters. Any tips on how to tell if a MM girl is open to adult work?

You should create an account there first and post some of your work. You need to show models that you are a "professional" as opposed to a "guy with camera." Once you build up your portfolio you can start asking them. Search for those that will do "erotic" and "nudity ok." Sometimes, not always, some of these models will be interested in taking the next step to adult. It doesn't hurt to ask.