Models and Stage Freight?

[AnthonyDeAngelo]

I was thinking about this because we're doing a black and white still photo session this coming week with a "famous" CA still photographer who's publishing a new coffee table book. We're doing "soft" photos but I still get a little nervy in front of the camera - especially if I don't have control over the finished work.

I remember having a problem with some of our models in the past. Partly performance anxiety which can be brought on by loud talking on the set, or bright lights, or the feeling of being out in the open on a set, crowds of crew and on-lookers... etc. And when there's a case of "limp dick" on the set, it can spread like wild fire - even if the guys are all on Viagra.

I've worked with Cam on other studio's sets so we've always been able to provide focus. We've been able to minimize the jitters for some by sending them to the green room - or by turning down the lights on the set and clearing the set...

Has anyone else ever had to deal with extreme cases or have any other ideas to help remedy?

[gaydemon]

As a someone who doesnt produce porn or are in those situations its very interesting to hear.

had no idea, that if one goes limp the rest might soon follow.. But the way you describe the sets, i can easily see why its easy to not be able to perform.

Actually i think I can actually recall something similiar that happened at some of the wilder parties I used to be at years back.. But then the reason they lost the concentration would have been slightly different.


And when there's a case of "limp dick" on the set, it can spread like wild fire

[gaybucks_chip]

This happens all the time with our twinks but I suspect it generalizes to all models.

This won't help you in particular, but what we usually do is tell the models in advance, before they show up for a shoot, that most models, particularly first-timers, have trouble getting and staying hard and that we expect it and it's perfectly OK if it happens. That has the effect of helping them feel less self-conscious if it happens to them.

The other thing is, at the start of the shoot, we tell the model that it's fine for them to ask us to leave them alone for a little while if they are having trouble getting hard, and then if we see it happening, we offer to leave the room before they have to ask.

Reassuring them that they're easy to work with and the pics are coming out great and that they look great also helps... so much about getting and keeping erections is psychological and much of it is within the unconscious, so anything a producer can do to help the model relax and feel comfortable helps.

In 400+ scenes now, I think we've had maybe 3 people that haven't been able to deliver in the end, so I guess we're doing something right :)

[BabyMaker]

the limp dicks, just whack em off with an axe send them to the chinese, they will add some lead paint and sell them as toys to kids at walmart :D

[AnthonyDeAngelo]

personally, I thing I only threw a couple of fits - once was on one of Chi Chi's sets when she was screeching at me to spit and she was so loud and un-sexy - I had to stop because her voice was making me (and everyone else) soft... and then once I saw that all of my make-up (yeuch) had come off on one of the models jeans, I was totally turned off - but I got over it...

and then there was a horrible time (for me) on a huge set (a big award winning orgy) when there was tons of comotion and the 2 directors buzzing around and then... if everything wasn't already way crazy, the cast from the next scene started piling into the bar (where we shooting) and yapping and giggling and carrying on... - oh, and then the pizza started showing up!

basically, I clear the set and order everyone everywhere in the building to shut up! and leave the talent alone to get in the mood

the shear frustration of seeing everyone get anxious because of delays and time schedules also can effect the performers who can feel pushed especially when the directors are really pushy - I don't think we're pushy - actually, everyone seems to love working with us... but sometimes, the boys need more that viagra...

[raunchpup]

i think each shoot is extremely different. As my photographer/Master who will shoot erotica requires concentration during His B&W shoots. He has some images up on one of his sites at:
http://www.dlm005.cnc.net/
if interested to view His work
He looks for the erotica in the leather side of things this is just a thought to you all.
He relaxes models through re-assurance and does not mess with those models that seem to want to just crazed over every thing in the studio.
just my 2 cents worth.
as far as fright during shoots he tries to relax them thru re-assurance

[abostonboy]

Hmmm... I thought you were going to have some models move some freight. Sorry. I couldn't resist.

[AnthonyDeAngelo]

hahahaha..... OMG - you are absolutely correct -

no, not freight but fright - what a silly thing to write - and that goes to show that spell checkers don't work for context and meanings of words -

but as written, make sense too - considering that some of the old timers hanging out in studios (that we've been in) could be considered to be "freight" - oops, did I say that?