|
Like any professional industry, the modelling
business has its own unique terms and phrases that, for the beginner, can
be confusing. We’ve put together some common industry terms and
explanations for each, to give you a head-start in the business:
Time for CD (TFCD) – This is the
term used for an arrangement whereby you donate your time as a model in
return for a CD of professional images to use as part of your digital
portfolio. You can typically expect to receive approximately 20 individual
images a part of such an agreement.
Time for Prints (TFP)
– This is the term used for an arrangement whereby you donate your time
as a model in return for printed copies of professional images to use as
part of your physical portfolio. You can typically expect to receive
approximately 20 individual images a part of such an agreement.
Part-payment/part time for CD or Prints
– This is the term used for an arrangement whereby you donate your time
as a model in return for a CD or printed copies of professional images to
use as part of your portfolio, as well as a part-payment to compensate for
your time.
Tip – Exercise selectivity when
arranging TFCD’s or TFP’s to ensure that your time is spent procuring
images that are beneficial for your professional modeling portfolio, and
ensure that any photographer you choose to work with is equally as
selective with their models.
Tog – This is a commonly used
abbreviation for a photographer.
Lads Mag or Middle Shelf – These
terms refer to magazines such as Maxim, Nuts, Loaded, Front or FHM, which
are normally found in the middle shelf at a newsagent.
Men’s Mag or Top Shelf – These
terms refer to adult magazines such as Penthouse, Hustler and Men Only,
which are typically found on the top shelf at a newsagent.
G/G or Girl/Girl – These terms
refer to a shoot involving two female models and can be applied to various
shoot levels, from fashion to explicit adult. As always, YOLO recommends
checking exactly what is expected from a shoot classified by either of
these terms.
B/G or Boy/Girl – These terms
refer to a shoot involving a male and a female model and can be applied to
various shoot levels, from fashion to explicit adult. As always, YOLO
recommends checking exactly what is expected from a shoot classified by
either of these terms.
Glossary of modeling levels
As with any business, the boundaries and definition
of a particular role can be somewhat vague, and the modeling industry is
no different. Shoot levels can be tricky to define and are often
subjective, depending on which country you work within or which
photographer you work with. Regardless of the level or term applied to a
particular modeling job, as a professional you have a right to clarity,
so never be a afraid to ask exactly what is expected of you and make clear
your agreed limitations.
Portrait – This is the term
applied to simple, fully clothed portrait style shots.
Fashion – This term is applied to
shoots that generally fully clothed, with models expected to wear
particular set outfits.
Glamour – This term is one of the
most ambiguous and difficult to define. It may be used to cover anything
from lingerie to explicit adult nude levels. As always, we recommends
checking exactly what is expected from a shoot classified as ‘glamour’
level before making a commitment.
Lingerie/underwear – The term
‘lingerie’ is applied to a shoot level where the model is expected to
wear lingerie or swimwear. Under certain types of lighting conditions,
some garments may become see-through, so if you do not do nude work then
make sure that this is clearly communicated with the photographer and
dressing team from the outset.
Implied Topless/Nude – This term
is applied when you may be topless or nude as part of a shoot, but with no
nipples or pubic hair visible in the shots themselves.
Topless – When a shoot level is
classified as ‘topless’, models will be required to show their breasts
and/or nipples.
Artistic, Classic or Figure Nude
– This term is generally applied to a full-frontal nude shoot, with no
explicit poses showing the genitals. Models may be shot in a more artist
style with no provocative posing, but equally it is could be a more sexual
suggestive glamour style. As always, YOLO recommends checking exactly what
is expected from a shoot level classified by any of these terms.
Playboy Nude – Again, this is
another ambiguous level and term, often defined by the location or
photographer. It is generally regarded as mild adult glamour, but we
recommend checking exactly what is expected from a shoot level classified
as ‘playboy nude’.
Top Shelf Levels – Adult modeling is often referred to as ‘top shelf levels’, in reference to
the style found in top shelf magazines.
UK Magazine – This is an older
term that is used less frequently in today’s industry. It refers to the
open leg posing style favored by UK magazines, which used to be less
explicit than their US counterparts. This wide, open legged position
requires the genitals to be on display, but without holding open or
inserting anything. In the USA this level of posing is now more commonly
labeled as ‘Playboy nude’. In European countries its often referred to
as ‘erotic’, ‘spread-Leg’ or ‘met-art style’.
US Magazine – This term is
applied to a shoot level that involves open-leg posing with the genitals
held open. In the USA this level may also be referred to as ‘soft
solo’ or ‘pink’ and usually the latter in Europe.
Continental – This term is
applied to a shoot level that involves the insertion of sex toys, fingers
or similar items in to the genitals or anus. This level is often found on
the website counterpart to many top shelf magazines and on the majority of
pay sites. In the USA this level would typically be referred to as ‘hard
solo’ or ‘toys’, whilst in Europe it is generally referred to simply
as ‘dildo’. G/G or Girl/Girl Artistic – This term
is generally applied to a full-frontal nude shoot, with no explicit poses
showing the genitals, involving two female models.
B/G or Boy/Girl Artistic – This
term is generally applied to a full-frontal nude shoot, with no explicit
poses showing the genitals, involving a male and a female model.
G/G or Girl/Girl Soft – This term
can be applied to different levels involving two female models, depending
on who is arranging a shoot. It can be applied to the same level as G/G or
Girl/Girl Artistic, but often magazines and pay sites can be quite liberal
with this term and expect anything short of physical penetration. As
always, we recommends checking exactly what is expected from a shoot
classified as ‘G/G or Girl/Girl Soft’ level before making a
commitment.
B/B or Boy/Boy Soft -- This term
can be applied to different levels involving two male models, depending
on who is arranging a shoot. It can be applied to the same level as G/G or
Girl/Girl Artistic, but often magazines and pay sites can be quite liberal
with this term and expect anything short of physical penetration. As
always, we recommends checking exactly what is expected from a shoot
classified as ‘B/B or Boy/Boy Soft’ level before making a
commitment.
B/G or Boy/Girl Soft – This term
can be applied to different levels involving a male and female model,
depending on who is arranging a shoot. It can be applied to the same level
as B/G or Boy/Girl Artistic, but often magazines and pay sites can be quite
liberal with this term and expect anything short of physical penetration.
As always, we recommends checking exactly what is expected from a shoot
classified as ‘B/G or Boy/Girl Soft’ level before making a commitment.
G/G or Girl/Girl Hard – This
level applies to modeling/pornography shoots that involve penetration
with two female models. As a professional, we urge you to exercise your
right to Health & Safety precautions and the appropriate
certification.
B/B or Boy/Boy Hard – This level
applies to modeling/pornography shoots that involve penetration with a
male and male model. As a professional, we urge you to exercise your
right to Health & Safety precautions and the appropriate
certification.
B/G or Boy/Girl Hard – This level
applies to modeling/pornography shoots that involve penetration with a
male and female model. As a professional, we urge you to exercise your
right to Health & Safety precautions and the appropriate
certification.
Gonzo or POV – These terms are
coined from mainstream media and apply to an adult shoot that
involves sexual interaction with the photographer or videographer as they
capture you from a Point of View (POV) perspective.
As you can see, there are a plethora of terms
applied to modeling levels and they are often quite subjective. Reputable
photographers will make clear their expectations of you as a model for a
particular shoot, and they will respect you for doing the same. As with
any business contract, each party should make clear their expectations and
limitations as a professional courtesy so do not be afraid to make clear
what your exact boundaries are. Once the levels of a shoot are agreed, no
reputable photographer will ask you to exceed them during a shoot. If you
should receive any request beyond what was agreed, decline politely but
firmly and exercise your right to terminate a shoot if your agreement is
not being respected.
|
