Modeling Terms: ASAP, Booker, Buyout, Close-up, Casting

Like with every profession, there are certain keywords to know within the media industry. I collected the most important ones for you, which you might hear at castings, when receiving job inquiries or doing small talk. You will already know many terms. Some are from the world of agencies, some from fashion and lifestyle, and some are abbreviations. With the different terminology, you will understand your booking inquiries faster and won't have to ask many questions.

In this episode, we will talk about the keywords ASAP, booker, buyout, close-up, and casting. Let's get started.

What does ASAP mean?

ASAP means fast processing. You will always find this term in connection with time. Fully written out it will mean as soon as possible. "Send me Polaroids ASAP." "I need your feedback ASAP."

Within the world of agencies, being fast is worth a lot, because it will give you an advantage from your competition. That applies to agencies and models. So if you are reading in your inquiry ASAP, you should react as soon as possible.

What exactly is a booker?

A booker is also your agent. The booker of an agency is the connection of the communication between models and clients. He assures a smooth running of the booking and is the direct contact person for models.

The general tasks of a model booker would be the acquisition of clients and the maintenance and care of them. He is the direct contact for inquiries and knows the faces of their model board. He will suggest suitable models for the clients and is responsible for the entire handling of the booking. With a sense for wishes and requirements of clients, he will look for perfect suggestions and new faces. If a model was booked for a job and is not able to work, he will take care to find a suitable substitute.

He will also acquire jobs for the models of the agency. To acquire new clients for the agency is called acquisition of clients and is very important for the business. And besides all that, he will negotiate the buyouts, forward invoices to the accounting office, and arrange all details, dates, and traveling for the models.

What is a buyout?

A buyout is a limited usage of rights. The buyout is an additional payment for the usage of your pictures within the agreed term and publication of them. How high this buyout will be depending on the job and the usage of the pictures. There is a difference where the pictures will be published. You will get a higher buyout when the pictures have a bigger reach in the media.

The second part is the time. If a TV commercial will be shown for one more year, you will get another buyout payment for the year. If the TV commercial will be synchronized for a different country and shown there too, the buyout will increase too, which means the usage rights assures you as model that you will profit from a bigger reach.

The modeling agency surveys the usage rights, one of their main tasks. This controlling takes a lot of time and has to be done very carefully. A model should therefore work closely with the agency, because if not, there might be the danger that the respective model will not get the buyout payment.

There are exclusive buyout licenses which regulate the exclusive usage of the rights. The client buys these and will get a part of the rights, which allows him or her to use them for commercial advertising work if they are connected to the main product. All expenses will have to be calculated according to the so-called Velma guidelines. You will find all different buyouts there: billboards, posters, internet, movies, et cetera. It is an orientation for all parties involved.

Let's talk about the term close-up. A close-up is a close-up picture of your face. The close-up should show the face and facial expression of the model in detail. There are certain types of close-up pictures.

A classic close-up, macro picture, will show your head and maybe part of your shoulder. The facial expression of the model is the main focus of the picture. Such classic close-ups will be used to show the emotions of the model.

Head and shoulder close-up.

The head and shoulder close-up will show the body of the model from head to the middle part of your upper body. The facial expressions and your posing are the main part of this close-up. In such pictures, clients and people will see where the model is looking at.

An extreme close-up only shows certain parts and details of your face. The model only shows the mouth or eyes. The consumer should only look at this part of the picture. Between model and viewer, there is a certain intimacy due to these kinds of pictures.

What exactly is a casting in the model industry?

Actually, it is a contest or competition. A casting will decide who gets the job. At a model casting of one agency, the models will be able to show their skills and be accepted at the agency. The agents test if the model is suitable for the agency and take their measurements. Usually, the models introduce themselves to the jury and talk about their experience, and ideally show some pictures.

Snaps Polaroids will be taken, and the models will have to do a short test walk. The snaps Polaroids are clean, which means no makeup resp. Only a bit dark, fitted trousers, classic white or black tee without any branding, and for female models, high heels. The selection of the candidates will be done very quickly by an experienced jury.

That were five important keywords you have to be familiar with. In the next episode, we will talk about cover, cuttings, direct booking, dispo, and editorial. Tune in.