Hey yall. I'm workin on the Customs Producer Reviews section (almost done!), and I thought it might be helpful to offer some sample contracts to download... ones that might be used between the model and producer to protect both sides and nail down the terms in your private negotiations.
Do you customs models and producers have such a contract that you like to use routinely? Or do any of you customers have a contract that YOU prefer? If so, would you be willing to share / donate it? I'd stick it up somewhere as a free download in case anyone needs it.
Beyond that, and this question is also for producers and customers: Do you have any simple tips based on your experience, to help guide the expectations for new people entering into this? Maybe I could compile a little guidelines section or something.
Thanks for your help. Messmaster
Stay messy, my friends
Moved from Store Owners forum to Wammasters forum by Messmaster
Initially, discuss the outline idea with the customer, and quote a sensibly high ballpark price, to ensure the customer is serious. Explain the deal will be 50% in advance, 50% on completion, and that nothing else will happen until the deposit is paid. Don't ask for it yet though.
Set reasonable expectations - a set of general outlines for what's wanted with a few specific things is much more likely to be shot as requested than a complex and elaborate script. Make sure you know exactly what substances are to be used, in what order, and any important specifics - things like "she should fill her trousers right in the middle, not to one side or the other", "the jeans must be traditional high-waist that come to her navel", that kind of thing.
Contact the selected model(s) and check if they like the outline idea and are available in a sensible timeframe. Set a date that suits model, producer, and customer.
Once a date is agreed with everyone, book the model(s) and ask the customer to send the 50% deposit. If the money isn't forthcoming within a week cancel the shoot, and tell the customer there'll be a 10% surcharge to re-schedule. This can be waived if there's a really good reason for the non-payment (people get ill, family members die, things happen) - but at the same time don't get suckered by timewasters with endless excuses, models will not appreciate being booked then cancelled unless the reasons are compelling.
Shoot the scene, as close to the customer's request as possible. Some deviation from script is inevitable, but keep it as tight as possible to what's been requested - these are people's treasured fantasies we are playing with, it's important to get them right. Pay the models at the end of the shoot.
Create a short sample clip of the video and sample set of photos, just as you would with a scene for sale on the UMD. Send them to the customer as proof you've shot the scene. Request the remaining 50% balance.
Once the customer pays, make the scene available for them to download.
Note this method splits the risk 50/50 betwen customer and producer, the 50% deposit should be enough to cover costume and supplies, so the only risk the producer is taking up front is the model fees.
One tip I'd add - only ever accept a custom order for a scene you would want to shoot anyway. That way, if the balance isn't paid then the scene will suit your house style anyway and you can recover the costs by selling it in your download store.
On pricing, make sure you are charging sensible rates - it's way too easy to undercharge for customs. In our case we pay our models 60% extra for custom scenes, as working to other people's scripts is harder work than just mucking about in the dungeon, and we tend to use industrial quantities of custard and other gunge. All of that needs to be covered in the price - the ideal custom just about breaks even (i.e. customer is really only paying the cost price), and the profit then comes from selling it in your download store or site later on, we usually leave at least 6, usually 12, months between delivering a custom to the original customer and making it available for sale.
I've been thinking about startng t do customs. Before I do, though, I want to have all my ducks in a row. I trying to come up with flushed out terms of service. I'm also trying to come up with a questionnaire for my participants so I know better to ask them to do something they would refuse to do, such as nudity. I'm really surprised how long I've been able to go and keep having people participate. I'm living in a part of the US which isn't really known for its wild and uninhibited side.
Also, I like the idea of someone else making a contract I can use. The less brainpower I have to use, the better. Thanks for the work you do, MM.
Thanks for the help DM1. I actually started a new Wiki, and plagiarized one of your first sentences. I'll refine it later with help from you and others. I hope other folks will edit it as well.
I just put up a basic model contract submitted by BW1. Anyone can download it by going to your Add Download section, and scrolling down to the Helpful Links section. The direct link is here: http://umd.net/media/model_release.txt
Thanks BW1, I appreciate it. If anybody else has any contracts they'd be willing to share, I'll put those up too. Does anyone have one that might help with doing customs?