Thread: hostesses, atmosphere, hanging around - gigs

I think i may have asked about this in the past but cant find the thread back

I finally got an advanced student troupe going again, and have a few professional level dancers in my company also. so i am in a position to advertise for and get work for groups of dancers.

we used to do these type (2-3 and many more dancers) gigs regularly before the economy tanked, and i'l glad to see it being picked up again

we're getting undercut though, by people sending out large group of 2nd year students for FREE to accompany their solo. i have girls with a lot more dance experience that are well rehearsed and we CHARGE for them damnit. i dont charge my solo price plus throw in the students for free. i ask for pay for the whole group. if it's a paying gig (free city festivals, community type gigs are a different thing).

anyway
that's another issue

i am getting several requests that ask for something on top of the show and i dont know how to respond, nor what to charge

* gig request one: ONE set of 5-10 minutes by a group of dancers (5-6)

BEFORE that gig, about an hour of "welcoming the guests", in costume

* gig request two: two sets of 15 minutes of two dancers

AFTER: going out in costume with the photographer, talk to people and have pics taken/ no i think usually i wouldnt charge extra for this, as going out after a gig for photo-ops is normal./ but this is a large club and this might take some time.


question: do i start charging seperately for this before and after atmosphere part of the gig. How MUCH?

the event agencies that call are used to hiring what they call "hostesses" for this type of work (standing around in an outfit, smiling, handing something out possible). and they get paid **** money. so i think they'll balk at our prices

but some of the girls in my group seem to be ok doing this kind of work. so i'm willing to give it a go, if it's accompanied by a dancing gig.

also,; will clients requirement of the girls "looks" be different for this kind of gigs? and can we do it in any type costuming? should i have the girls in different outfits for the meet and greet than for the actual performance

anyone does this type of work. any advice greatly appreciated.

I can't really help other than to mention that a friend has done a lot of those "be the attractive girl handing out samples" type jobs, and SHE said they get paid MORE on jobs where they have to wear more flesh-baring outfits, ie bared midriff, so the hirers should understand a higher rate is a matter of course when in a BD costume.

I think I would charge the same for hanging around (if in costume) as dancing. The photo ops should be built into the price, I think.

I think I had a similar request...

2 sets of only 5min. each, 2 dancers, costume change + 1 hour with the photographer

I have no clue what to ask either, never been asked to dance so little and yet be there that long :-s

I *think* I'm gonna charge our rate for a 20min. show + transportation + some extra to compensate for the waiting time...
But I just know they're gonna balk at that price ;-)

oh, whether they want 5 minutes or 10, i charge the full set price always.

The 'atmosphere' aspect can be handled by your 'interns' IF they look good in a costume. If they aren't dancing I'd charge your standard set price for one hour of 'atmosphere.' Plus mileage. And I'd go for a costume that covers the shoulders a bit (shrug, vest, veil) just because that seems more.. I dunno, hostessy.

Dancing: we charge the same for any amount of time up to half an hour (no costume changes). They want 5 minutes, they pay for thirty.

but what if they want the normal dancing PLUS hanging around. i charge twice the set price? or?

there was a thread about atmosphere gig pricing recently, would it be appropriate to basically charge for 2 services, your regular rate for the dance gig, and the hourly rate for atmosphere? maybe "discounting" the minimum hours requirement because you're already there and made up anyway?

i ended up asking our usual normal "small troupe performance" fee, plus an added fee for the "welcoming", before the act. and they accepted.