When Set Pressure Silences Consent

Close your eyes. Imagine yourself for a moment as a model. You arrive on the film set: the cameraman has set up his equipment, the make-up artists are ready to work on you, the light and sound tests have already been done. They are only waiting for you.

Everything seems normal. You go through the make-up stage, then your hair is done and you are asked to take your position. Suddenly, you are introduced to another model who is also taking part in the shoot. The shoot begins. You take a few solo shots in turn, then comes the moment when you are asked to move closer together. So you place a hand over your partner's shoulder, you keep your distance out of respect, but you manage to pose together.

"Right, now we move on to the couple scene. I want a lingering kiss, let's go. 3, 2, 1... Action!"

You barely have time to process what is happening before the cameras are already rolling, ready to film you kissing a stranger. You are lost. This was not written in the brief.

You look at the other model, who seems just as caught off guard as you and doesn't really look like they want to do it either. Understanding the situation, your partner then speaks up: "But I wasn't told there was going to be a kissing scene." To which the response is:

"Come on! Everyone is waiting for you, time is ticking, we don't have all day. 3, 2, 1... Action!"

Lost, feeling all eyes on you, you end up going along with it — uncomfortably.

The Pressure of the Cameras: When Consent Disappears on Set 🎬

This is what we at Meet the Muse call "camera pressure." In this article, we will address the topic of consent on set: when can you say no, and how can we help you not let yourself be pushed around if you ever find yourself in this exact situation.

When you are briefed on a project, some people like to not reveal everything. Why? Because they know you might refuse: a kissing scene, posing in skimpy clothing, or even a wedding shoot.

Some models are not comfortable with this kind of shoot, and that is understandable. Not everyone is willing or wants to do a shoot where they kiss a stranger. There is nothing inherently wrong with it since it is just acting.

But it becomes wrong when you were not informed. When you are told on the day itself, being pushed against your will and in front of a dozen people waiting for a result, that is pure and simple manipulation. At the end of the session, you will almost certainly leave with a strange feeling. The feeling of having been manipulated. Or even that your consent has been violated.

And at Meet the Muse, we consider this completely unacceptable.

Your Brief Is Your Contract and Must Be Clear 📋

The brief rule

A brief is, in a way, your contract. If you accept the project, it is a little like having signed the brief. But when there are elements that were not stipulated in your brief, you have not signed up to perform those scenes or scenarios.

In that case, you have the right to refuse. If it makes you uncomfortable or goes against your values, you are entitled to say no.

How to handle set pressure 💪

Unfortunately, there is no real miracle solution. You need to know how to stand your ground and not let people walk all over you. In these kinds of situations:

You can say no.

You can also, if you are halfway okay with performing the scene, ask for additional pay on top of your fee.

But above all, know how to set your boundaries. Others will not do it for you.

What If I Am Removed from the Project or the Shoot? 🚪

The answer is simple: it doesn't matter. It is better to be removed from a project or a shoot than to be manipulated into doing something against your will. And believe us, they have far more to lose by sending you home than by cancelling that scene.

📖 Read more: Is This a Real Modeling Gig or a Scam?

How to Use Meet the Muse to Make Sure You Are Properly Briefed ✅

If you receive a message via social media to take part in a shoot and the brief seems shaky, it might be worth going through Meethemuse.com.

Why? Because with Meet the Muse, your recruiter will have a clear form to pre-fill. This will help them build their brief without forgetting key elements such as:

The scope of the shoot

The duration

The exact subject matter

If you accept the shoot via Meet the Muse, it is as if you have just signed a contract. And in the event of a breach of the brief or if something is missing, Meet the Muse reserves the right to sanction dishonest parties.

In Conclusion 🤝

Respecting your consent is not something to be minimised. In this industry, you need to know how to set your boundaries and listen to yourself. And those who would like you to be too compliant are also the ones you would almost certainly not want to work with.

Your boundaries start to be defined when you use meethemuse.com.