Thread: big shoot-putting your foot down

I'm doing a big interview and shoot on Saturday. Possibly the biggest/most important shoot I will do in my life. Really that big. I don't dream that I'll ever have an opportunity like this again.

Of course they are having a stylist and costumer design things.

Can I say "no" to certain elements if I don't approve? Or do I just go along with everything?

Where would you draw the line? I have no indication that they are going to do anything wacky but you never know. I want to be prepared beforehand. Advice?

Of course you have the right to say no. you havn't sold your soul to them have you?

In my former life when I was younger thinner and more beautiful I used to deal with the press a lot, and made good friends with some of them.

They will probably have an angle they want to work with, and if they don't arrive with some kind of preconcieved idea as to how it should work out, then they arn't doing their job properly. They may even feel a bit put out if you tell them it isn't going to turn out how they wanted it. However - it is you they are representing, and you have every right to be presented in a way you see fit, therefore you are completely within your rights to raise an objection if you feel that the style/portrayal is not "you".

There are ways of going about this though, you don't have to have a diva fit, but you can firmly but pleasantly explain that you don't feel a particular element is suited to you or that you are not comfortable with something, and offer an alternative approach. Think about how you want to be represented, and do speak up if things are going the wrong way.

As for interviews, I would ask for copy approval - so you can see what is written before it is published, again this is a pleasant thing, just to make sure there are no misunderstandings. During the interview keep on topic, and assume everything you say is on the record. I once made the mistake of getting chatty with a friendly reporter only to find the final article focussed entirely on a random, informal bit of conversation, which the writer found more newsworthy than the original focus. So if it is an interview about dance, talk about dance, why you love it, how you got into it, who taught you, how much you practice, where you get your costumes, keep it positive - mentioning how you hate being confused with strippers could easily turn your interview into an angry rant, mentioning that you grew up in a single parent family could turn the whole thing into a rags to riches sob story, so think about what you want to disclose beforehand and stick to it. If the topic of your interview is close to your heart it isn't hard at all to chatter away about it in a very positive manner.

This sounds like an awesome opportunity, so enjoy it, it will probably be great. Absolute worse case senario though, if you think they are going to portray you in a way that you think could be damaging, don't be scared to say sorry, this isn't what I expected, sorry to waste your time, and leave. I bet that won't be a problem though, even if their original plan was something not to your liking, you can probably charm them around, they want a story, remember you are doing them a favour ;)

It's hard to say, without any context or details. But it sounds like Kash13 has some great advice baed on experience.

My only input would be to wonder if maybe you should call and ask them what their angle is? Best-case scenario, it will be one that you also are interested in promoting, and then you can work to help it come across clearly. Otherwise, if you have divergent agendas, you can think about where your interests overlap and try to steer your repsonses in that direction.

Good luck, by the way!!!

I have zero experience with this...

But... people will judge YOU by what they see portrayed. "why would she pose like that? Why would she say that?" etc. Therefore, since your reputation is on the line, I think you absolutely DON'T have to go along with anything that's suggested.

I like Kash's advice a lot. You don't want to be bristly or appear to have a chip on your shoulder, but if something is suggested during the photo shoot or brought up during the interview, you could just calmly say "That's not how I like to portray the dance" "That's not really relevant to the topic" "I'd rather not take things in that direction" etc. If you smile a lot and are pleasant and soft-spoken, you won't come off as a diva at all.

Good luck!

Originally Posted by eshe

I'm doing a big interview and shoot on Saturday. Possibly the biggest/most important shoot I will do in my life. Really that big. I don't dream that I'll ever have an opportunity like this again.

Of course they are having a stylist and costumer design things.

Can I say "no" to certain elements if I don't approve? Or do I just go along with everything?

Where would you draw the line? I have no indication that they are going to do anything wacky but you never know. I want to be prepared beforehand. Advice?

Without knowing details of the purpose of the shoot, it's kind of hard to provide advice, but if there are elements you don't feel would represent you and your dance in a positive light, you can reply to those with a casual, "Oh I'm sorry, but that's not something I'd be comfortable doing. What if instead we ____?" If they push, you could say something like, "This dance comes from a particular culture, and what you're proposing would really misrepresent it. It would be much better to ____" or "I'm sorry, but I'm really not comfortable with that. Perhaps we could ___."

Hi Eshe,
As a former newshound, I can tell you, just because they ask doesn't mean you have to answer. Go ahead and deflect the questions you don't want to address, and they will eventually move on to something else. They need to get "a" story, even if it is slightly different that what they might have originally envisioned. It might be helpful to role play this with a friend, just to get a bit a practice and make it feel more natural.
I'm no expert on the photography end of things, but you will probably be asked to complete a model release form of some sort - make sure you read it carefully and are comfortable with the terms and conditions.
Best of luck to you!

nothing constructive to add, but congratulations on the opportunity!

Originally Posted by CFerhat

I'm no expert on the photography end of things, but you will probably be asked to complete a model release form of some sort - make sure you read it carefully and are comfortable with the terms and conditions.
Best of luck to you!

Ooh I knew I forgot something, and those are something I am very familiar with. Pay particular attention to how you are giving permission to use the photos; is it just for a single article in one issue, does is allow for reprints or use in edited versions of the article, online versions etc. If you sign a general release that gives them full rights to the picture then they can reprint them, sell them, you could find yourself advertising a restaurant, or gods forbid on a strip club flyer. When I was modelling I was once advised never to be photographed near a telephone, lest I found myself advertising dodgy phone lines

As usual, bhuz to the rescue. Thank you everyone!

It's a big international publication. I think I'll probably have to sign away my likeness but I'm ok with that (for them). I don't think they'll do anything dodgy with the pictures after.

The last time I did a big TV show I was asked to do some things that I wasn't comfortable with. I put my foot down about some things but I came off as the difficult diva dancer. I was just worried about that this time too. But you're all right if I stick to the dance I should be ok.

Thank you Kash! You're spot on about everything.
Thank you Kina! I'm VERY excited.

Originally Posted by eshe

The last time I did a big TV show I was asked to do some things that I wasn't comfortable with. I put my foot down about some things but I came off as the difficult diva dancer. I was just worried about that this time too. But you're all right if I stick to the dance I should be ok.

I'd only be worried about the costume, really...but that's what haunts me from the TV show...from what I know about this shoot....they'll be more clothing oriented.

Forget the TV show. You didn't sign on for the TV show, had no reason to want to do that gig, you were strong-armed into it. This will be totally different

Originally Posted by ozma

I'd only be worried about the costume, really...but that's what haunts me from the TV show...from what I know about this shoot....they'll be more clothing oriented.

Forget the TV show. You didn't sign on for the TV show, had no reason to want to do that gig, you were strong-armed into it. This will be totally different

..l;, I've been trying to forget it for a while...maybe I should try therapy?..c::

Originally Posted by eshe

..l;, I've been trying to forget it for a while...maybe I should try therapy?..c::

I would offer to call you and take you through a guided meditation of letting it go...but I fear you'd hear the sarcasm in my voice.

Has anyone at this presitigious shoot say anything like "And then there will be fire, maybe bombs, WHAAAAA! and the audience will be all 'oooooooh'" ...because you must remember there was NOTHING in the lead-up to the TV show that ever even hinted "a clue about the dance or respect for it."

This sounds much better, I think it's just be a continuation of the wonderful things Korea has opened you to.