• Date: March 6, 2010 (Saturday)

• Time: 10:00am - 6:00pm

• Location: Ohio State Reformatory; Mansfield, Ohio

• Hosts: William & Linda

• Contact:

  • Linda: lmkious@bright.net - (419) 453-2520

  • William: wjkious@yahoo.com

We have been forced to set a cap of 40 photographers for this event.  Submitting your entry fee confirms your participation in this event.  If you fail to submit your entry fee by March 4, 2010 (via PayPal) you will not be permitted entry to the group shoot. 

• Confirmation will be accepted on a first-pay, first-reservation basis.

Payment Information

• The entry fee is $45 per person (to cover location fees, admission, food and refreshments.)  The fee applies to everyone, including assistants, escorts and observers.
   

• Payment methods:

  • PayPal (preferred)

    • Remit payment using wjkious@bright.net as the email address

  • Personal Check

    • If you wish to pay by check, please contact Linda for our mailing address
       

• If you are on the attendees list and have to cancel, we regret that we cannot issue you a refund.
   

• When you submit your payment, please include the following information:

  • First Name:
    Last Name:
    Alias:
    Web Link: (this can be your Model Mayhem number, or website address)
    Email address:
    Address: (street, city, state and zip)
    Phone:

  • Also, if you are paying for another person, please include their information with your payment (this will avoid a lot of confusion!)

Menu

We are planning on serving food from 1:00-3:00pm.  Here's what we are planning for the menu:

• Chili Soup

• BBQ Pork "sliders"

• Hot Dogs

• Vegetarian Vegetable Soup (vegan friendly)

• Vegetable eggrolls

• Onion soup

• "Mixed" kabobs

• Coffee

• Tea

• Hot chocolate

• Bottled water

We're not offering soda, pop or soda-pop.  So, if you prefer pop, please bring your own.

Areas Available for Shooting & Photos

Great news!  OSR is letting us have free-reign of the grounds for this event!  There are only a couple of areas that are "off limits".  Here is an overhead map, for your convenience:

Click the map for a high-resolution, printable version of the map (PDF format.)

Note: The area marked as "CLOSED" on the map will likely be ready for us in March (the renovations to the area should be complete before the shoot.)

Photos

Additional Shoot Rules & Suggestions

• The cell blocks are in their "natural" state; in other words, they aren't dusted, washed, cleaned or otherwise tampered with. With that in mind - for those of you with mold, dust and particulate allergies - make sure you're prepared!  If your particulate allergies are more severe, you may want to consider bringing a dust mask for use while you are in the cellblock areas.  It's not that horrible, but it wouldn't hurt to be prepared. Being there, I didn't think it was any worse than a dusty old basement. Your mileage may vary.
   

• This is a TFP (time for print) oriented event.  If you have questions about that, please ask.  Makeup artists and wardrobe artists are permitted to charge reasonable fees (kit fee/costume rental fee.)
   

• Be prompt and on time!  The shoot will begin at 10:00am.  Attendees will not be allowed access to the building prior to 10:00am, so please plan accordingly.  I would really like to see people get rolling and shooting right away for this event!
   

• The shoot will conclude at 6:00pm.  No loitering, last-minute shoots.
   

• OSR is a historical landmark location, so treat the site accordingly!  No litter, bottles, costume packages or other garbage should be laying around at the conclusion of the shoot!
   

• Professional behavior is REQUIRED.  If I need to explain what it means to behave in a professional manner, then perhaps you should think twice about attending the event.  I am not going to tolerate drama.
   

• No one - under ANY circumstances - is permitted to shoot another photographer's work.  In other words, no "over the shoulder" shooting.  If I receive complaints about this kind of behavior, the offender WILL be ejected from the event.
   

• No photographs of models changing wardrobe.  This is not a peep show.  Respect each other's space and privacy.
   

• Absolutely no nudes!  I know a lot of you are bummed about that, but OSR has established this policy.  I'm sure there will be hotel rooms and other private spaces after-shoot for nudes (if that's your inkling.)

  • OSR is adamant that nudity and "risqué images" not be filmed/captured at the prison.  We had to guarantee that this sort of thing was NOT going to happen in order to gain permission to hold the group shoot.

  • In a sense, treat this event as though you were attending a renaissance fair or similar event.  Costume and wardrobe accordingly!
     

• Be polite!  We are going to be sharing common space, so please be considerate to others who may want to use a given area of the prison.  If we are patient and take turns, we should be fine.

  • We will NOT be booking specific locations at the prison for shoot times.  It's first come, first serve.

  • No one is permitted to "squat" in one area of the prison for the entire shoot.  I've attended shoots where photographers want to park their butts in one area and stay there the entire day... not going to happen at this group shoot.  Be mobile! 
     

• Please bring your TFP/CD image releases!  Also, for the photographers, please make sure you are returning your models' images in a timely manner.
   

• Waiver of Liability:  William and Linda Kious, shoot representatives and the Ohio State Reformatory will not be held responsible (or liable) for loss, damage or personal injury incurred while participating in this event.
   

• I know that the shoot is running for 8 hours, but be conservative with your time. I know that some of you will want to cram 8 shoots into that time frame - and I applaud your enthusiasm - but the reality of making the attempt will leave you frazzled, exhausted and frustrated. Plus, when people over-book, shoots tend to run long (or wind up being all-too-brief.) In a way, consider being conservative with your time a courtesy to your fellow artists! If you have scheduled in hour-long blocks, make sure that you are making every effort to maintain your schedule!
   

• No solicitation by "agents" will be tolerated.  Agents are welcome to attend the event as assistants to models or photographers - and to make friends and "network" - but this is not the place for solicitation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Is professional photography equipment permitted?

  • Yes.  Please remember that there are a very limited number of electrical outlets, so plan accordingly (and share!)  If you've got portable battery power (such as an Alienbees Vagabond), I strongly encourage you to use it.  Of course, speedlights are always an option, too.  The prison has nice, large windows; so natural lighting will be your advised source.

• Are we permitted to shoot nudes?

  • OSR has stated that we are not to shoot nudes.  Failure to abide by the rules will result in the offender being asked to leave the premises.  Plus, OSR may deny any requests for shoots like this in the future.

• How about latex, lingerie and "sexy" outfits?

  • Unfortunately, no...

• Are there thematic limitations?

  • OSR has asked that we not shoot overtly violent themes.  For example, no simulated abuse, rape, etc.  OSR has also requested that fake blood not be used.

• Where can the models change?

  • There are restrooms available in the kitchen area for changing.  We will also try to set up some dressing screens for "quick changes".

• Are there restrooms?

  • OSR has two restroom areas.

• Will I be allowed to leave the premises?

  • We are going to set up an "arrival station".  When you arrive, you will be hand-stamped, allowing you to come and go as you please for the day.  If your stamp becomes smudged or wears off, all you will have to do is get re-stamped.

• Can we use fake blood?

  • This question has come up a few times.  Limited use of fake blood is acceptable if kept within reason.  Essentially, OSR doesn't want any blood stains on their property, so keep that in mind.  If you want a few blood streaks on a face or something like that, I don't see a problem... if the blood is needed to "make" the theme come to life.  If you spill drops of fake blood, all we ask is that you clean it up immediately.  No blood baths!  If things get too graphic, OSR representatives will have no problem demanding that the offender(s) leave immediately.

Additional Information

• Official Ohio State Reformatory Website

• Wikipedia article about the Ohio State Reformatory