Blocked Days/Blocked Periods - When A Model is Not Available For A Shoot

Some shoots or photo shoots are very time-consuming and take several weeks or even months. As some models and/or actors are not available every day during the production phase, so-called blocked periods have been introduced. These are days on which certain models and actors are not available for production.

In what context is the term blocked days used?

The term "blocked periods" is primarily used in the scheduling of models and actors. It describes a limited period of one to several days on which a model or actor - for whatever reason - does not have time to take part in the shoot in question. The model or performer is therefore "blocked" for the production company on this day. The background to this is as follows: as soon as the production company knows that a model or performer is not available, it can organise a replacement. Blocking days therefore serve to improve scheduling coordination during a production.

These are the reasons for blocking periods

In most cases, agency models/actors are requested for the entire duration of a production. They then specify the days on which they have time to participate in the production on location. Blocking periods are nothing more than time restrictions that can arise for a variety of reasons. Typical reasons for restrictions are:
- Private appointments that cannot be postponed during the production period
- Other jobs that have already been confirmed in advance on individual production days
- Blocked periods in the interaction between agency, model and production company
After a client has requested a model via a modelling agency, the basic time frame is first discussed. Let's assume that the requested period is between 1st and 10th of February. The requested model expresses interest and has time, but would like to carry out another, previously agreed modelling assignment in the same city on the 5th of February. In this case, the 5th of February would therefore be a blocked day.

Expression of interest on an option basis

Blocking periods mainly occur when a model accepts a job offer via an agency on an option basis. The option is not yet a definitive commitment, but shows that the model would like to come on the day in question if the client so wishes. Blocking periods therefore give models a certain degree of scheduling autonomy. A model can determine at an early stage whether she actually has time during the specified option period to fulfil the client's wishes, including travel, fitting and shooting, in full or only to a limited extent.

Important: Blocking days are always binding!

As soon as the model has specified their blocked days, this is a binding confirmation or cancellation for the respective days. Subsequent changes are no longer possible. If the model does not turn up on the agreed day, even though she has not previously agreed that this is a blocked day, she risks a contractual penalty. Agencies and production companies do not have the right to set their own blocked days. The models have the exclusive right to set their own dates.