Welcome to our talent registration for Models and Actors.

A Talent network created to bring together skilled and ambitious individuals who are seeking to participate in different types of Photoshoots and video shoots.

Using this form you'll be able to register and share your profile in our network database as a new talent, model or actor.

You will also be able to manage & update your profile after you've registered.

Our casting broadcasts are sent to everyone via email and WhatsApp on a monthly basis. Occasionally we broadcast during the month in case of urgent recastings or new projects.

All registered talent receive at least one email per month to be informed and apply for NEW projects coming up.

If you choose to continue, you will be introduced to how we work, along with the standards we expect from all registered talent and finally the registration form.

Registration takes about 10 minutes of your time.

Once you begin registering, you cannot return back to finish registration later therefore it's advised to complete the form in one visit.

Thank you for your interest in working with us.

My name is Joe Almano, and I'm a Canadian Commercial Photographer based in Dubai for the last 7 years.

I capture professional photos and videos for B2B clients such as brands, companies, and businesses.

I specialize in Commercial, Lifestyle, Luxury lifestyle, Fashion Lifestyle, Restaurants, Food & Beverage, Portraits, and events photography.

I do my own editing and high-end retouching (including beauty, cosmetic and skin editing).

I also do talent casting for all my own projects and manage a talent database with a growing list of over 5,000 models and actors who are skilled and talented in many different arts and practices.

I am an entrepreneur and artist at heart with a professional yet friendly attitude.

During productions, I value positive energy, accountability, confidence, a proactive mindset, respect, and having fun. (Yes its important to have a laugh sometimes even during a busy day!)

To learn more about what others have said about me and my team, read our testimonials here: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/almano.io

My Talent Goals: I aim to treat everyone equally, make sure you are well taken care of while on-set, and strive to assist/guide all talent to collaborate effectively and amicably. I am also well known for patiently conveying the creative vision of projects/scenes while taking into consideration the team's preferences. If you work with me, rest assured you will be given consideration and treated as a co-owner of the project. However, this does mean that I will set very high accountability expectations for everyone I work with - we will all have fun and work hard but everyone must always play-their-part as a professional.

My Client Goals: I aim to capture every requirement a client has requested while in collaboration with talents, models and actors. My work speed is very fast but precise. Working on a schedule is very important for me and every project I go to will have a detailed time-frame and shortlist to ensure we meet all the requirements of a client. I treat all projects with the utmost highest level of bespoke attention to detail with an emphasis on on-site flexibility. My goal is to over-deliver additional value as much as possible while making sure our whole team works smoothly and comfortably.

FOR TALENT:

When registering here, your details will be added to our database, where we will keep you in consideration for ongoing, one-time only and recurring monthly "paid" and/or "barter" and/or TFP collaboration projects.

This means that, while we have all different types of projects available, we will always contact you in advance to first confirm your interest and availability for any project. 

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Continue to next page to learn more about how we work and the types of projects we do, and to submit your profile.

Thank you for your time, we appreciate your patience in applying to our talent network.

Regards,

Joe Almano
COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
www.almano.io

⭐ We seek to build long-term relationships with models and actors with experience and knowledge of everything but also including Lifestyle films, photoshoots, and short videos for social media.

⭐ We don't believe in "X" amount of years of experience but we believe in having high-quality practical experience. That means being familiar with the industry, having professional etiquette, and knowing how to model and act with confidence and skill based on actually doing modeling and acting. 

This means that when a model applies who says they have "5 years" of modeling experience but only did 5 projects VERSUS another model who applies with "6 months" of experience but did 30 projects in 6 months - we consider the model who has practically done more projects as having "more experience".

⭐ We are an equal opportunity casting talent network but prioritize models and actors who are skilled, capable, willing or have done previously similar projects.

⭐ We also require talent that can portray any or all of the following traits on-film or on camera;

Smiling, happy, upbeat, hip, cool, excited, surprised, amazed, amused, friendly, talkative, curious, and more...

🆕BONUS TIP: Models with proven experience and skillful talent are encouraged to submit all their best portfolio images which are most relative to our projects. Such as anything the model has done and especially commercial-related photos. 

For new entry-level Models with less experience but high self-confidence - we support you!

We suggest entry-level models submit their most clear images that showcase a happy mood and other photos that match your modelling style along with a detailed comment in your introduction about what they can bring to our project which maybe doesn't communicate within your portfolio profile yet. We are open to giving everyone who is determined, ambitious, professional and confident a chance to join us on any project - but TELL US and SHOW us your BEST SELF! 

We read all introductions carefully.

What is your creative focus?

What do you specialize in OR are the most skilled at OR you prefer to focus on.

Acting Experience

Modeling Experience:

Compensation Preferences:

Due to the nature of our business and various clients - we offer many different types of projects per month such as PAID, Barter and TFP (Free collaboration).

To help us understand who best fits a project, we would like to ask if you are generally "open" to participating in Non-paid (TFP) or (Barter) photoshoots.

We already know everyone wants to be paid therefore everyone may apply for paid projects.

However, help us determine if you are sometimes suitable for Barter Photoshoots or High-Quality professional TFP Projects.

Barter Photoshoot = You will be compensated with something in exchange for your time. Such as Hotel, Spa, Restaurant vouchers, or similar.

TFP (Time for Prints) = Also known as a "Free Collaboration". You will be compensated with the final retouched photos from our photo session at a minimum.

⚠ REMINDER:

If you are applying with your friend, spouse, or fiancé - Please make sure that they also fill up their own separate application form and submit their profile/portfolio details. Thank you.

Please note that as per policy and security requirements and accounting requirements. If you are shortlisted to join us for any project, a digital copy of both your Emirates ID and/or Passport will be required.

Primary reasons include;

1. Required for security to know who is on the property for the photo shoot.
2. Required by some client or third party accounting departments to prepare your Voucher or model fee
3. Required by Hotels for their reservations booking department and entitlement tracking policies.
4. Your full legal name is required for our model release archives and documentation
5. Required for liability insurance in case something happens during the production (for everyone's assurance including the client).

Here is a brief breakdown of what we expect from everyone

1. Prompt communication

2. Professional etiquette (before, during, and after the shot)

- BEFORE: This means you are proactive in reading all informational material we send you and preparing your wardrobes and proactively sharing any critical information, suggestions or comments with us prior to shoot day. If your personal schedule changes we expect you to tell us promptly.

- DURING: This means we expect your full attention while on-set and to minimize personal time on your phone or taking personal phone calls (we are flexible but please remember you are joining us not vice versa). We expect your full participation according to what is previously agreed and to communicate with us if you feel uncomfortable, in danger, or exhausted. Suppose you develop an unexpected issue with a fellow model while on-set, please speak with the Photographer privately. We are human too so let's collaborate together and most importantly, have professional fun. If any wants to capture BTS footage, please ask the photographer or director for permission first.

- AFTER: This means respecting everyone's privacy and most importantly tagging your fellow crew and talent. We are not here to educate you on professional etiquette but general practice includes tagging the photographer, MUA and any other crew who helped create the experience, project and final content. We believe this is a beneficial way to broadcast and share your work and ours on social media which will generate further opportunities for you and us both. 

3. Come dressed for the part
- We provide wardrobe suggestions for specific projects so please consider investing the time to study our suggestions and refrain from showing up unprepared. Any model who shows up with a minimal wardrobe will be dismissed and not allowed to work with us. You will not be entitled to your compensation either. If you have concerns or questions, contact the photographer or your assigned casting manager who will assist you to be prepared accordingly.

4. Timings and schedules
- All crew, talent, and models are informed multiple times of their starting times (CALL TIMES) and ending times (WRAP TIME) and everyone has a detailed schedule (for large projects) of where they need to be and at what time. It is your responsibility to come on time or earlier, arrive prepared and respect the crew schedule timeline at all times. Whether you are an amateur or a professional we expect everyone to be prompt and courteous. If something unexpected happens please communicate with us immediately.

5. Have fun
- Who said professional work can't be fun? Be confident when joining us because we love to work hard but we equally believe In making sure we also have time to relax, network with each other, and in general just enjoy our time together. 

Here is a brief breakdown of our general casting phase for most projects:

1. We broadcast a project for talents to apply to.

2. Talents apply for the project and we review everyone.

3. We shortlist the talent we believe is best suited for a project according to the criteria in your profile and taking into consideration the client's requirements or preferences.

4. We then begin to reach out to all the shortlisted talent to confirm their availabilities/model fees and participation for the proposed project. All talents who confirm their interest to join the project will be placed into a client presentation.

5. We present the available and shortlisted talents to the client and once a selection of preferred talent has been agreed upon between the client and/or the Director we then reach out to the shortlisted talent to officially invite and confirm them to our project.

6. Invited and confirmed talents have 24 hours to accept our invitation via email. If the talent fails to reply back, confirm and share any documents we request - we will automatically invite the backup or runner up talent.

7. Sometimes during this stage - we may also "hold" onto several other potential talents as "backup" options. You will be informed officially if you are a backup option. Any talent who is a backup option will be released in advance once no longer required.

8. A couple days before the photoshoot, all crew and talent members will receive a team introduction email showcasing who else you are working with (This includes a breakdown of everyone in the team, their names and their instagram profiles).

9. One day (or earlier) before the photoshoot, everyone will receive a location pin with instructions on how to get to the photo shooting location.

Sincerely,

Joe Almano

FOUNDER, CREATIVE DIRECTOR & HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER
www.almano.io