One area that remains a Pandora’s Box for models
starting out in the business is how to deal with
their first request to host or emcee at a club or
party. I’ve dealt with this many times working with
Bria Myles. This is largely a contractual matter, and
I’ve included a
Sample Appearance Contract
with this article for convenience.
Money
One question a lot of models ask is how much they
should get paid to host a party. If you’ve garnered
enough attention that someone has asked you to host a
party, you’ve probably been on the cover of at least
one major magazine or been prominently featured in a
popular music video. That being said, I think
starting price for this sort of thing should be at
least $500 (if this was 5 years ago, I would say
higher). If you’ve been in the game awhile and been
on multiple magazine covers and in several big music
videos, I don’t think you should get paid anything
less than $1,500.
Payment
For some reason, hosting requests are one area where
people tend to be very flakey. I can’t tell you how
many times Bria has had someone put in a request for
her to host an event, only to back out later. (I
think guys use event hosting as a ploy to interact
with models they like.) Often, by the time the
promoter backs out, significant time and energy has
already been expended. For this reason and to weed
out the flakes,
always request at least half of
your fee 2-3 weeks prior to the proposed engagement
date. The money should be wired to your or your
manager’s account. Until that money hits your
account, keep contact to a minimum with the promoter.
If possible, models should have an agent or manager
act on their behalf until the last possible minute in
these negotiations, for the reason I mentioned above.
The balance must be paid to you before you step foot
in the venue. All of this should be spelled out in
the contract.
Pre-Hosting Formalities
Sometimes a promoter will ask you to make radio
appearances the day you arrive in town to promote the
event. Make sure you find this out beforehand, so you
can determine if you want to charge extra for this
service. Also, make sure you find out if you are
going to be hosting with any other models, and be
sure to demand top billing. Promoters are notorious
for adding other “talent” at the last minute. Next
thing you know, you’re receiving equal billing with a
B or C-list urban model on the fliers. For this
reason, you should also reserve the right to
pre-approve any and all promotional materials before
they are printed or posted on the web. Again, this
should all be covered in your contract.
Performance
Hosting is limited to two hours floor time. During
this two hours your duties as model could entail
emceeing, greeting and mingling with fans, and
signing autographs (you should bring something people
can get signed if you have the chance - e.g., print
out 50 nice 8x10s). There is nothing wrong with
interacting with fans, but remember you are there to
host, not to party.
You can make additional money working with the event
photographer who takes photos. Let's say the event
photographer is charging $10 for someone to take a
photo with you and have it printed and signed. You
can ask the photographer to go 50/50 on that.
Transportation & Hotel
If you are hosting out of town, the promoter should
provide professional transportation services (limo)
or pay additional fees for your taxi service around
town. Under no circumstances should you be forced to
ride around with the club promoter or anyone else
associated with the event after you get to the
airport. This is yet another hustle guys use to meet
models. Bria actually cancelled an appearance after
she found out she would have to take a two-hour ride
with some club promoter to her hotel once she arrived
in town. Fortunately, she had already been paid half
her fee.
Likewise, while the promoter should pay for your
hotel or lodging,
you should actually book the
room and get reimbursed. What you want to avoid
is a situation where, because the promoter booked
your hotel, they have a keycard with access to your
room.
Finally, what of being able to bring a friend along?
Well, if you're Melyssa Ford you can demand that the
promoter pay for a friend to come along and a hotel
room for two. For less prominent models, this can be
a sticking point. Demanding that the promoter pay for
air fare and lodging of an additional person can
increase the fee by $500 easily, which is enough for
many promoters to walk away. You may have to pay for
this yourself, or split the fee with the promoter.
One of the classier
fliers I've seen for a party Bria hosted with
Drake...
Tags:Party Hosting