You bet there is! Along the top you'll see the "Downloads" hover you mouse over it and it should drop down a list to select from. Click of the selection that says "Models" and it will bring you to a page that shows all the models on the site. You can then filter the results by latest update, name, number of scenes, added, and by if they offer customs. Just click the button at the top which says "offers customs" to show all the models who offer customs.
My limit is 48 hours. That's a reasonable length of time to receive a reply. But 5 days - FIVE DAYS - without a response shows a lack of responsibility, reliability, and professionalism. She may have gotten an excellent reputation from others, but she has given me a negative first impression. I have every right to be cautious and skeptical because what if I had paid X amount of dollars for a custom and no communication was made regarding updates and status? I don't wanna take that risk.
From a producer point of view some times we get 100s of request. On my main site I get 70-150 emails a day. About 1/2 are asking for customs. I would have to spend a fews hours every day just to respond to them all in a timely manner.
The Oil Lord said: I've been wanting to have a custom done for quite some time, but I still feel very skeptical.
There was one person whom I was interested in performing in a custom video because of her reputation, but I have been turned off by her lack of responses and communication. She finally emailed me last week and asked me to send her a script of the custom. The following day I sent it to her at the email address she provided me, along with asking her for a price quote. 5 days have already passed and I have yet to receive any communication from her. She has been active here on UMD since then, including today, so I don't understand the holdup.
My limit is 48 hours. That's a reasonable length of time to receive a reply. But 5 days - FIVE DAYS - without a response shows a lack of responsibility, reliability, and professionalism. She may have gotten an excellent reputation from others, but she has given me a negative first impression. I have every right to be cautious and skeptical because what if I had paid X amount of dollars for a custom and no communication was made regarding updates and status? I don't wanna take that risk.
Maybe the old saying is right: "The book is better than the movie."
While it may seem like a while on your end, models and producers who offer customs do receive a lot of emails and messages about getting customers visions brought to life. While you may know yours is not the only request they get, there may be more than you believe. Responding to everything coming your way in less than two days can be challenging. For every custom people need to think of feasibility, cost, and production before giving you a response. When you are doing this for multiple visions, it can take a while.
if one producer fails to deliver, there are plenty more around here with fast turnaround and actual communication skills. Feel free to message me if you are interested.
If not covered in frosting, are you really living?
The Oil Lord said: But if there is gonna be an extended wait time for a custom to be done, then the protocol, the process, of executing a custom should be done differently. Personally, I do not feel comfortable paying the FULL price all at once up front.
Absolutely - never, ever pay full price up front. The process you outline below should be exactly how it's done. We've only ever done a very few customs here at the Hall but the ones we did were all done this way, half payment in advance, rest to follow on completion. Regarding timeframe - in our case, we always pledged that if a custom hadn't been shot within three months of getting the deposit, the customer would get a full refund. Three months may seem a long time but it allows for models not being available or being ill or whatever. We've never had to refund anyone, but knowing the deadline makes it clearer for both producer and customer.
I'd allow longer for replies than two days though, while quick forum posts can be rattled off any old time, in my case when replying to an actual private message I like to take time and answer in detail, which often means they don't get answered till the following weekend, or even longer if we're very busy shooting, as we often are in high summer. Though generally someone should give you an idea of how quickly they are liable to reply to messages, especially once the deposit has been paid.
The Oil Lord said:There has to be a level of commitment from the producer so they hold up their end of the deal, follow through on it, and are serious on the task at hand.
This is the procedure on how customs should be conducted:
(a) Client sends Producer idea/script for custom video.
While it may seem like a while on your end, models and producers who offer customs do receive a lot of emails and messages about getting customers visions brought to life. While you may know yours is not the only request they get, there may be more than you believe. Responding to everything coming your way in less than two days can be challenging. For every custom people need to think of feasibility, cost, and production before giving you a response. When you are doing this for multiple visions, it can take a while.
Yeah, I understand what you're saying about the high volume. But if there is gonna be an extended wait time for a custom to be done, then the protocol, the process, of executing a custom should be done differently. Personally, I do not feel comfortable paying the FULL price all at once up front. There has to be a level of commitment from the producer so they hold up their end of the deal, follow through on it, and are serious on the task at hand.
This is the procedure on how customs should be conducted:
(a) Client sends Producer idea/script for custom video.
(e) Producer sends a video teaser (about 30 seconds in length) and some photo stills from the video to Client.
(f) Client pays Producer remaining 1/2 of price quote.
(g) Producer send finished product (video file) to Client.
I was just talking about response time. People want to give you a good response and sometimes it can take 5 business days. It's understandable that it might make you uneasy, but at least give them a week to reply so they can send you a well thought out response.
If the model/producer has good feedback on their customs and a good reputation then it probably means your custom will be to your liking. Know that getting a custom isn't as instantaneous as buying a regular video and can sometimes take 1-3 months. In this time they are working on other customs, regular videos, and making sure your model/materials/script are good to go.
Your rules on conduct are absolutely right, and if you want a quicker response you have every right to find a new model/producer. If you find someone with good reviews who is able to get back to you before your cut off period then that is great. Go with them. Just know that customs don't give instant satisfaction it can take a while.