How much to pay talent?
 

Hey I'm looking to produce niche porn. Anyone know how much should I be paying female talent for scenes? I'm not in a major porn production area to any extent

where are you located and what is the niche?

I'm in Chicago not sure on the exact niche yet, but may be ethnic, bbw, etc.

Is full nudity involved or is it just a crushing or tickeling niche?

Yes full nudity/sex involved

Hi, are you a good looking guy? Can you get good looking girls?

Ethnic and BBW kinda is not my thing but can you get just hot US girls over there in Chicago?

If so, I have some really easy solo shoots that I need someone in the US to shoot.

Oh... you should pay a girl for solo work $500 for 4 or 5 hours of work. I paid that back in 2008 and we are in a different era now where the value of content has really gone into the shitter. Doesn't mean the girls don't get paid decent, just means the person filming won't make the same.

If you introduce g/b likely triple the number above. If g/g likely same as above or maybe double... girls like to have sex with each other and they don't really want that much more then just masturbating... like a bonus to have another girl masturbate for her. :thumbsup

I'm not good looking as in physical shape, but I would definitely have to pay to get good looking girls like that. $100 an hour? That's alot after considering each girl will need to be there at least 2-3 for prep and after shooting. Then including cameras, lighting, website set up, editing, etc. How do I make break even at least? Maybe find partners and somehow find chicks to do it free?

In about 3, 2, 1 you are going to be ripped apart by all the pro's... but absolutely you need to pay a US girl a decent amount and do not do it by shoot. Do it by hour. Maybe you could offer $350 for half a day... many would likely bite.

Cameras, lighting is not an ongoing cost... you obviously need that to film. Film in your apartment if it looks decent and yes, get someone willing to split the costs with you... cough, cough... me

What do you mean by ripped apart? Ok, it's making sense now, I was factoring in equipment as the upfront costs, and I was taking in consideration how long it can take to actually make money in this business with tubes and torrents running wild. And you're in Chicago too?

Dude I'm a firm believer in going for your dream so keep at it. Based on what you've said so far, and how you've said it, you have many, many things against you.

The following is some advice that will save you a lot of time and money:

1) Define EXACTLY what your niche is. (I.E. BBW hairy anal. BBW shower sex. BBW food porn etc )

2) Research other amateur sites that are doing what you want to do, out of your state.

3) Document, shot for shot, the ones that connect with you most. Then change that formula to what you think people in that niche would also want to see.

4) Connect with those other content producers via their sites, their social media, and threads you create here. Tell them where you're located, that you're new, you have a passion for this niche & you love their site. Then ask them 2 important questions that you think you need answered to further your endeavors.

You are not at the point yet of paying models because you don't have a defined niche and you'll be wasting your money. The half a day rate Infected quoted was fair for where you're at, the extreme amateur level. But once you start making money, pay the models better, that's how it's done. :thumbsup

Also remember that you're on a business board and other advice you receive might be geared towards someone else's agenda and not necessarily yours, or in your best interest.

Holy shit, thanks for all this advice man! I forgot to mention this is more of a hobby for me as opposed to what I want to make a living doing. (Still want to be profitable of course). I'm actually thinking of financially stabilizing then doing it overseas as a hobby.

But yes, a LOT has been clarified for me as far as process. I'm still in research phase but was asking for pricing to factor in my projected budget ahead of time.

All of the above by Squirtit ... Plus if you are shooting it yourself are you any good? Don't start learning about photo/video shooting while paying talent.

I'd estimate that about 85% of the content I've shot in the last 4 years has been Ebony. This is what I pay the female talent:

Solo $300-$500 in most cases but as much as $1,000.00 per day.
B/G $300-$800 per scene
G/G $300-$500 per scene

Most of the girls I shoot are amateurs and they rarely have tests on hand or the money to pay for them. I've fronted money for testing and usually get screwed over doing that. In these cases, what has worked best for me is booking a model for a combination of solo and g/g-b/g work. Shoot the solo portion and pay the model enough to cover her testing and drive her to the clinic if she doesn't have her own car. When she says she can get a ride, she's relying on somebody else and their dedication to your business is obviously less than your own. Once she's cleared for work, shoot the g/g-b/g then pay them for that plus the balance of the solo work.

I pay by the project. NEVER by the hour. I've shot models who get the work done in 2.5 hours and others that have taken up to 7 for the same work. I'm not going to reward a slow or distracted model by paying her more than those who perform better than her. Usually, the slower models are a pain in the ass and IMHO, I should be paying them less since it makes me work more. :2 cents:

2, 1....

good luck with that :upsidedow

i can only assume you havent done your first video yet. get familiar with your gear first before you hire any models. practice filming ducks at the park or something. also if there are forums for whatever niche youre doing, get active on them and explain to them what you're up to. thats your feedback circle and future customer/affiliate/hater base. an explanation of what you're filming would help too. whatever it is categorize it

Even if it's a hobby for now, treat it as a business. Treat your models like your best boss ever treated you. Be upfront, fair and honest. Pay on time, be polite, and don't act creepy.

But DON'T offer anything a normal employer wouldn't. e.g., a "no call/no show" at an office job gets you fired. When (not if) a model ditches you when she or he is scheduled, they'll often come back when they run out of money and throw some sob story at you. Their current need is not your problem; getting your video done and not wasting your time and money is.

Keep your checkbook and your karma balanced.

A lot of top notch advice from true professionals in this thread.

Yes surprisingly there is. I'm going to add a little of mine own as well :)

1. Make sure you have model releases and 2257 documents!

2. Learn your equipment and have things set up before the model gets there.

3. Check websites like sexyjobs, modelmeyhem, etc. maybe some local strip clubs to find girls. Tell them it's just a hobby of yours that you want to try or they will expect to much.

4. Doesn't matter what they are shooting, Pay $500. to 1,000. a day rate or figure something out per scene. When shooting make sure only the people involved in the scene are on set. Make a relaxed environment for the talent and you will get better results. I never could understand why companies will have other talent or hair and makup people in the same room you are shooting.

5. Treat it as a real business, If it is a hobby you will not make your money back.

6. Edit and organize all of your content soon as you finish shooting.


When it's time to add the content online, there will be a whole new huge list of things for you to do. Good luck :thumbsup

all depends on amount of cash to invest, and after you will see profit and can rise or reduce payments ;)

+1 :thumbsup

Do everything POV. If it's shitty quality you can sell it as amateur. Plus no one will see it's you.

Good luck man!!

I agree with this. You don't even need fancy lighting.
But it depends on the type of product you are after.

In Europe, it's
solo - ?200
GG - ?300
BG - ?400+

with 20% agency fee.

I would not recommend talent scouting from craigslist or classified ads on your first go (once again, unless that is your type of thing). It's better to spend the extra money to get a girl from a reputable agency so you are not wasting valuable time and money, before you get your business off the ground.

Just pay them in crack and you will find tons of "talent" calling your cellphone

Good point. They are more willing to do everything.

pay talent a lot more than other producers shooting comparable content - the ripple effects of doing this will benefit you in many different ways

I'm sure this porn will be a game changer, like all of the other porn that looks like all the other porn.

DOH! As if on cue, a model who texted he'd be late then still no-showed last week just texted me:
"I'm so sorry. I know u hate me... I'm moving in 2 weeks n need cash before I go, so I'll do whatever"

L - O - fuckin - L

Hoes pay me to shoot them. Wordddd

Recently a friend of a friend wanted to meet with me for marketing advice. At first I said no, but they kept asking and asking. I finally said fine, buy me lunch and we'll chat. The lunch date comes around and the guy doesn't show up. Doesn't call. Nothing.

Week goes by. The apologies start pouring in. I say no, my time was already wasted, it's not happening again. The begging begins. Over and over again. I finally say fine, but this time you are buying me a bottle of nice whiskey upfront, and lunch. Now you pay for 2 meetings. Never heard from him again.

Don't let other people waste your time.

All of these guys have really good honest advice. Its also very obvious what is good advice and whats not.


The only things I would add is:


Really make sure this is what to want to do. This is a business, not a hobby. If you treat this as a hobby, do understand you will loose all of your money invested.


Keep in mind shooting porn isn't as easy as it looks. Cant tell you how many film students asked my advice about what to do, not do and still did what they wanted to do, loosing all of their money and friends money.


One story that comes to mind:


This film school graduate burned through 60K and didn't have one usable sex scene. He also had no distribution deal set in place prior to shooting his movie.


Every "Pretender" male performer told this kid that they can fuck on film. Every guy said they had 12 inch dicks.

The funny thing he had no clue or concept on how to actually direct sex. He never bothered to research it or learn how to shoot it. He said he was the top film student and that was light years ahead of anyone in porn. :1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Talent showed up and he would say " Action and lets just go with it". And they went with it, pumped up on blue pills and limp dicks in every scene. Was told that not one guy was able to do it and all of them were hung like hamsters.


My absolute recommendations: Take it serious, stick with POV and get some PA work with some pro shooters before you shoot anything other than POV or you will loose all of your money.


I held a C-Light on set when I started and I'm a decent OK shooter now. lol


Good luck buddy! If you have a dream, go for it!! Just really research it.


Just Dave

They don't really teach shooting porn in film school...they might learn lighting and even how to use a camera but it takes a natural born pervert like me to capture the raw sexual energy of people fucking in front of a camera.

A LOT of amateur porn is so much hotter than "professional" porn which looks fake because it's usually just 2 or 3 people fucking for money with no real lust.

"Lust is a must" - and yes, you can quote me on that!