Skip to main content

The Importance of Booking Out

(This post is for agency represented models and does not apply to freelance models).

"Booking out" is an industry term for letting your agent know which dates/times you are not available for castings, shoots, etc. While most agencies operate in their own way, the concept of booking out is an important one that all agency represented models should take seriously.

As you may or may not know, being signed to an agency means being ready to attend a casting or modeling assignment at the drop of a dime. Oftentimes you can expect your agent to notify you of a casting with less than 24 hour's notice. Because of this, it is crucial that you keep your agent up to date on your weekly availability.

Booking out was created to prevent agencies from submitting you to a casting or gig that you cannot make it to. Nothing is worse than telling a client/casting director that a model they have submitted suddenly won't be showing up because you are not able to attend. In this situation no one wins.

It is up to you to find out how your agent prefers you to book out. This could include emailing your booker at the agency directly to say what dates during the month you will be busy/unavailable or using an online system of keeping track.

For example, my agent uses an online site outside of the agency's official website, where I can login to not only update my resume and add photos to my digital portfolio, but also book out. This is in the form of an online calendar that allows me to highlight the days I won't be available and lets me write a brief description of why I am not open for work or castings (out of town, doctor's appointment, sick, etc.).

Because I tend to plan my events and work projects outside of modeling well in advance, I make sure to book out certain dates months ahead. Now all my agent has to do is login, check out my calendar and make sure that the work she submits me for fall on days when she knows I will be available.

Booking out may sound tedious but it is an essential tool that allows you and your agent to be on the same page, communication-wise. The last thing you want is to tell your agent that you can't go to a casting, shoot, fitting or fashion show because you're busy with something else at the last minute. Making that a habit is the quickest way to get on your agency's bad side and could cause them to turn to other models within the agency to give the work to instead of you.

So plan ahead as best you can and book out whenever you think you won't be open for a modeling assignment. This concept is especially helpful for models that are in school, participate in extracurricular activities or have other commitments that they can't miss. If you're not sure how to book out, contact your agent and find out.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Modeling and Weight

One of the first things I hear potential models ask is what the weight requirement for modeling is. Sometimes that is the main issue they worry about when it comes to pursuing modeling. Let me tell you right now that weight should NOT be one of those concerns. Obviously, the height requirement reigns supreme when measuring up to the modeling standards sought out by agencies. If you meet the height requirements--whether it's for fashion and runway or commercial/print--that is the first step towards starting on the path to modeling. How much you weigh shouldn't be your biggest fear. It is rare that anyone can look at someone and say, "Oh, my gosh, he/she looks like they are 5 pounds over our weight requirement!" It just isn't realistic. If you look at many modeling agency websites, they clearly list the age and height requirements--rarely, if at all do they list any weight restrictions. The general rule of thumb when it comes to weight is that for models who ...
6 comments
Read more

Modeling & Pay Rates: How Much Should You Charge?

(This post is more targeted towards freelance models and not those with agency representation, although it may apply to those that have an agent but continue to find their own work.) A part of being a successful model is making money from the jobs that you book. However, being a freelance model comes with many challenges--figuring out what you should charge is one of them. I will say upfront that there are no established black and white rules when it comes to pay rates. Each modeling job is different, each client is different and budgets vary. Ultimately the factors that should influence what you charge should be the amount of experience you have, the strength of the images in your portfolio and the client's budget/needs. Not every client is going to pay what you want to charge. There may be times when you will be skipped over for charging too much or taken advantage of for charging too little. It's going to happen so be prepared for it and do not take it personally. It...
37 comments
Read more

What Are Male Models Supposed to Look Like?

The modeling world is filled with women. That's never been a secret and sadly, that often means male models fall by the wayside. There are successful male models in all categories across the industry but the fact that the modeling business revolves around women can make it challenging for newbies to figure out how to pursue their goals of male modeling. It is important to know that because there are different types of modeling categories out there, that means there are also different types of male models. They aren't all supposed to look alike and what ends up being in demand does change every year. Let's break down the common attributes that come with male modeling in various popular categories, shall we? THE MALE FASHION/RUNWAY/EDITORIAL MODEL These are the typical types of models most of us tend to think of when it comes to men in modeling. What is important to know and understand if you're an aspiring male model is that agencies have all different looks ...
4 comments
Read more