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1. Who is Invidia Talent and what do they do?
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A. We are an Adult Talent Management Agency based in Los Angeles, California.
We are in our 1st year of Operation and we serve the XXX Adult Entertainment Industry.
If you don’t live locally, we can help you with your travel arrangements to come to Los Angeles, you can travel, have fun and make money in a safe environment.
We will shoot a quality portfolio which we send out the pictures to all the producers and directors in town.
2. Why do I need a Manager or Booker? Can't I just put up an ad on Craigslist in my town and do it myself?
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A. Yes of course, you can. will it be a good experience? Probably not. If you don't know who is real and who isn't you will almost definitely run into trouble.
Here's the thing. 99% of the industry is in the LA, NY or Miami. The other 1% is scattered all over the place and is of questionable quality with a few rare exceptions. We've been doing this business for one year and even we don't know everyone who's legit in the smaller towns dotting the map outside of our own "turf".
There's no Business Better Bureau (BBB) in the industry. It's up to us the Agents and the Talent Managers to prescreen all jobs.
We know who and what is real, who is a waste of your time and who may be FLAT OUT DANGEROUS to work.
3. Aren't all managers about the same?
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A. Of course not. Quality varies tremendously. Not all talent managers are the same.
Let's get some of the most common questions out of the way right now.
A. Do you have to audition? NO Auditioning. Anyone asks you to audition anywhere else, it's time to leave.
B. Do you book escorting jobs? NO. And no, we don't know anyone to refer you to so please don't ask.
C. Do you charge for my portfolio? Yes, we want to make sure you are serious about the business. We don’t want to spend our money and time. You will get a copy of the entire shoot on disk.
4. What sets the various ads of Talent Agencies you will see and/or the folks that will approach you apart?
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A. How much work they will really get you. Anyone can toss a few images up on a webpage and send out an email. That's the easy part. Good Talent Agents have stronger connections & relationships and are touching base with production daily.
A good booker will push as hard as they can to get you in the door and may succeed where others fail.
B. The quality and pay associated with the bookings arranged for you. Some shoots are easier than others and some are harder. Sometimes the easy shoots pay more and sometimes they pay less. To be fair, you have to leave a generous amount of wiggle room.
Some girls may have thought it was a breeze but it may have felt more like a tropical storm for you.
Then there's the occasional day from hell that just gets chalked up. Everything goes wrong and it's not always within the power of the producer to control and they can not be judged fairly. Everyone gets a pass on the occasional bad day.
Other Talent Agents may be more willing to trade away your security and comfort for $$$$. Invidia Talent can't. If you are happy, we are happy, and the happy you are the more money you make.
We weed out the consistently lower quality bookings where we get consistent complaints and feedback does not correct the issue. If the pay isn't there, we'll take a pass. There are some production companies we just won't work with.
C. How they will treat you. Things to watch out for:
- Managers/staffers sleeping with the girls. Casting themselves in your shoots.
- Substandard, filthy housing in dangerous areas. Unsafe vehicles.
- Verbal/physical abuse if requests are not complied with.
- Unprofessional conduct. Sexual Harassment / Hostile work environment.
- Booking shoots without having current STD tests for all performers.
5. What is a reasonable expectation of earnings for adult models?
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A. Good question. This ranges a bit of course. Magazine still photo shoots vs. DVD /Cable TV productions vs. Websites etc.
Sometimes a gig may be $600 for 3 hours of your time in and out the door. Sometimes it's $1,800 for the day shooting two scenes ($900 each) and you are there the entire day 9-5 or so.
In plain English. Every gig and production company varies. A company may even offer 2 different girls different amounts depending on what they are shooting for, etc.
AVERAGE EARNING PER SHOOTS:
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Solo with Toys
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$300-$600+
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Girl/Girl
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$400-$600+
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Boy/Girl
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$600-$1200+
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We are seeing the average rate for a Boy/Girl scene in the range from $600 to $1,000 for the average new girl.
Exceptional models may get more. We've seen $1200-$1500 in several cases for a Boy/Girl scene from the bigger companies.
Be skeptical of offers exceeding this unless you actually know the people or know someone who does.
For example: We have heard stories where a girl gets flown in, put up at a hotel, shoots all weekend and gets handed a fake cashier's check or worse.
This is where Invidia Talent comes in. Our job is to get you the most money for your shoots, keep you safe and ensure quality.
Producers will offer a rate once they see pictures and we negotiate from there. If they really like a girl’s look they may raise but there is ALWAYS a budget imposed ceiling and an approval process to get it on paper.
6. How much do the top porn stars make?
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A. Depending on if they are "working hard" or "hardly working"... add it all up... say 200k to 500k a year + with the ones really working at it and running their own websites potentially making much more.
Please note* This is a fairly short list. Out of the 400-600 or so girls available in LA & Florida any given day, maybe a few dozen or so that have actually earned that kind of money in a year?
You can make $10,000 in your first 2 weeks and extrapolate this to death where you say you make $250,000 a year but the truth is that this rarely holds true. You may not make the same money the 12th month that you did on your 1st month.
The girls who actually have earned $250,000 a year or more may be contract girls with a high end video company, feature dance as well as operating a paid subscription fan/website.
Before you fill your head with expectations, let's just say you can and should have a reasonable expectation of making a very nice living, travel and enjoying the finer things in life if you work at it, save your money and stay away from drugs and people who will leech off of you.
Making the decision to enter the adult modeling/video world is not one to be taken lightly. It will completely change your life in more ways than we can express in print so we stick to the obvious one.
For many, this income represents freedom. In a few short weeks or months you can make more money than many non-professionals make in a year. Buy a car or a condo, go back to school, all of the above or just escape your present life.
Start a new life somewhere, anywhere.
The top earning adult video stars may have endorsement deals with the adult novelty (sex toys) makers and other product lines. They may own other businesses, nightclubs or property.
They may own their own production company.
For example:
Jenna Jameson operated Club Jenna before she sold out to Playboy for a reported 17 million dollars.
Between her books, comics and calendars, sex toys and everything else she has made millions and millions.
7. Can I really make $5,000 a day and $50,000 a month starting out like some companies say?
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A. NO - $30-$50,000 a month is a very, very unlikely figure to attach any truth to. It's just a little hard for us to believe.
We've seen quite a few months with brand new and exceptionally attractive girls net $10-$20,000 but there is a point, where you just run out of days and you are not going to book 2 shoots a day with a brand new girl. You just don't do it.
It helps if you are young, attractive, tanned, toned, with a "girl next door look" and minimal tattoos.
Moral 1: Not every girl starts off with a BANG. Many have to work at it a bit until things start clicking.
Moral 2: If you are thinking "I want to get full sleeves and big fake boobies BEFORE I come into the industry" – STOP!!!
If you are brand new to the industry and are still all natural - STAY THAT WAY. You are usually probably better off.
Presume a brand new, flawless and all natural girl has the potential to make up to $200,000 in her first 12 months.
Then say she gets a bunch of BAD tattoos, some piercing and maybe a boob job that doesn't turn out so well (this is so common it's just sad. Probably HALF of the boob jobs we see are just plain ugly)
She probably just knocked 50-100 grand off her first year - maybe more. If she was borderline looking to begin with, she is now in a situation where she either has to do a lot more for less money or work with people she would normally stay away from.
We would say you are probably best served by NOT getting a bunch of tattoos and piercing for at LEAST your first year.
Just about any girl out there is subject to the whims of whoever is in charge of casting who is clicking through 10 agency websites looking for just about any reason to disqualify you if they do not know you.
Top reasons to pass on you are - you guessed it - bad boob jobs, tattoos, piercing, stretch marks and scars.
There are girls in the industry with tattoos. Most have been around a while (5 years +) and have lots of fans who adore them just the way they are. They have reached a point where even more than a few tattoos do not matter.
In the meantime, by keeping it simple and tasteful minimizes the hit to your income until you really ARE established to the point where everyone KNOWS you and they are hiring you based on your PERFORMANCE and your notoriety which moves tapes and DVD's out the door. Until then, put your plans for all those awesome tattoos and piercing's on hold.
The same logic holds on boob jobs. Be VERY careful and very picky. WAIT at least a year or two unless you have had nursing children already and your boobs are just a total wreck. If more than one producer asks you to keep your bra ON, that's a clue.
8. How much time do I have to devote to a trip to Los Angeles if I am from out of town?
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A. We usually suggest 10-14 days for your first trip. These allows time for you to settle in, get your portfolio done, get your medical testing done, get your pictures out to production and still have 7-10 "shooting days" left on your schedule.
We want to set expectations fairly. We have had girls get off a plane, get in a car and go straight to their first shoot.
9. Do I/we have to stay with you? Can we stay at a hotel or with friends?
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A. Absolutely. There are several nice hotels in the area if you still want pick up / drop off service to and from your shoots.
10. Is it ok if I bring my other half when I meet you?
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A. Yes of course. We support any arrangement that helps you feel at home and at ease during your time with us.
From the moment you walk in our office, do your paperwork and model profile with our staff until you leave - you can have any one you like right next to you for support.
While we are on this topic, BEWARE those who pose as agent or manager who explicitly state "no boyfriends or husbands allowed"
Ask yourself why they don't want another man who would be protective of you within a mile of them.
11. What can I reasonably expect from you?
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A. Here's what you can and should expect from us.
1. Production. Work. Output. Results. Unless you have ever sat in front of our desks and watched us work, you can't appreciate what goes into booking a job. The bottom line is the amount of money you have in your pocket going home.
Our job is to make you lots and lots of money. Repeat: Our job is to make you lots and lots of money.
2. Honesty. You may not always like what we have to say, but if we are saying it, it's for your benefit and ours so you should listen up. Our benefits don't kick in until after yours do.
In other words, if you don't make money - neither do we. We know what the producers are looking for on any given week and we all do better if we match the right girls to the right jobs.
3. Respect. You will be treated with respect at all times by all members of our staff.
We work for you.
4. Professionalism. Business is business.
12. What do you need to know about me?
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A. Here's a brief list of questions we have for almost everyone.
Above all:
You MUST be a legal adult over 18 years of age with the legal right to work in the United States along with proper state issued ID to prove both legal age and the right to work in the US.
In other words, your valid state issued photo ID and social security card, green card etc.
1. Have you done any adult content production work before? Who, What, Where, When.
2. Are you working with/visited with any companies right NOW? The truth please. It's a small world. We will find out.
3. What are you willing to perform? "Do's and Dont's? To ensure quality, we suggest filling out this online application form.
4. What is your availability? If you are a feature dancer, you may only have a 2-3-4 week break, etc.
5. Do you have a bright, clear, recent set of images to send us that represent what you really look like right now?
We need a decent, clear and bright image of you facing front, side and back. They don’t have to be "full nude."
Please click here to apply
13. How do I get paid? Do I pay Income Tax? What is your commission or fee structure?
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A. You will get paid directly by Invidia Talent, once Invidia Talent receives the check from the production company. We will take the appropriate commission rate from your earnings. Then Invidia Talent will issue you check under your real name.
Standard rate is 10%. This rate applies if you do not need ground transportation to and from your shoots. If you live locally or staying at a nearby hotel and need a driver we charge 15%
In California many companies cut payroll checks and mail them once/twice a month. We try and balance your shoots so you have some "same day = CASH" shoots and money to live on. If you are out of state to enjoy your trip and then when you get home you still have a good amount of income showing up in the mail.
While all earnings are subject to income tax, some companies will actually take the payroll taxes right out of your check. This is becoming more and more common in California for example.
You will receive the proper forms (usually form 1099) in the mail the following January for you to complete your tax returns.
You need a tax professional to do your taxes and you must keep very good records of expenses. Depending on a multitude of factors, you may be able to deduct many expenses including meals, transportation, and lodging as well as other work related expenses from your taxes.
14. Do I have to give favors? Casting Couch? "Do I have to Audition"?
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A. NO. Legit Talent Agencies don't do this. They hire based on your pictures and an interview with you for a few minutes and have a staff take a look at you undressed in another room to make note of any body modification
No favors. No casting couch. NO "auditions". No Kidding.
If you are out there on your own and some dork with a video camera says you have to "audition" - we don't care if it was explained up front or how professional they seem - get the hell out of there.
15. What do I need to know about you? What are your rules for us girls?
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A. Good Question. We do have 4 rules we live by.
1. No flakes!!! This is absolutely for real. If you are notorious for being unreliable and your life is in chaos - please get it together and then call us.
This means you check messages and return calls promptly - not 3 days later. We don't have time to chase you.
2. Stay Sober! Show up on a shoot or set with a first time client trashed and you are done. The liabilities that exist for adult content producers are substantial. A bunch of people tripping around a set is too much of a liability to ask them to assume.
Now we live in the real world and know what goes on. If you are on an all day shoot and it gets to 4:20 and the set is winding down and people are relaxing and it's no rush to get out the door - it's your call.
Our emphasis is "first time client" and "showing up trashed". By doing this - you take the choice away from the people who write the checks. On some sets that leaves them little choice - they will show you the door.
3. Keep a professional Attitude. Your employer is in business to make money selling their product just like anyone. Disruptions on the set can result in the shoot being cancelled and everyone loses. You are on a set doing a job. Be professional. Stay out of other disruptions and other peoples business. Blowing up at someone - even if they are the problem - does not solve anything.
Just call us and explain what is going on and we will handle it from there. That's our job.
4. Be honest with us. We're going to find out anyway.
If you have 4 different agents already, a major drug or other problem, send us pictures from 5 years ago before you had 3 kids and a tummy tuck + a bad boob job and you lie to us about it, it just makes for a bad situation for everyone.
16. Can you protect my identity? Will my parents & friends find out?
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A. Good question. [Deep Breath} You want the truth right? Here it is.
If you are in this business for any period of time and your face starts showing up on box covers and website "free preview pages" - you should absolutely go into this knowing that eventually SOMEONE is going to put it all together.
If you go into this business, do it heads up and eyes WIDE OPEN. TRUST US - It will not be a secret.
Obviously this doesn't happen to everybody but it's common enough that you must proceed based on the FACT that everyone in your present circle of close family and friends WILL FIND OUT. If this is a problem for you - we recommend you take a pass. Come back when you don't care.
On a side note - be very skeptical of those who tell you the content is for overseas distribution and/or try to tell you that the scene will never be seen in the US or for "Private use only". Chances are, it WILL find it's way onto the internet.
17. Is the porn industry safe from a health standpoint? What about HIV?
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A. Here's another one you want the truth on. Try to find anything about this on any other model managers website.
The Adult Industry has taken all appropriate steps to ensure the risk to performers is minimized as much as economically feasible.
All performers in the industry are tested before their first shoot and every 30 days after for HIV as well as other STD's.
This is critical to ensure your safety as most boy/girl scenes in Los Angeles are shot without a condom.
While nothing is 100% perfect, for the last years we have been operating we have seen very little (knock on wood) on the STD radar screen beyond the rare Chlamydia test coming back positive. You pop some pills for that and retest in a few days.
Opinion: you are more at risk picking up someone at a club or a casual get together from a "civilian" than "in the biz".
For more information and facts on this and other topics, we strongly suggest you visit the AIM Healthcare Foundation website and watch their "PORN 101" and "PORN 102" videos
or click the logo below.
18. OK! I've read everything. I'm sane and sober, a legal adult and I know what I am doing. How do I get started?
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A. If you have not yet filled out an application, and wish to do so now. Please click here to apply |
