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Saturday, August 28, 2010
E-Book Country: Under The Covers - As In Book Covers - With Int'l Cover Model Jimmy Thomas (Part II)
Okay...y'all asked for it...so I couldn't resist making your dreams come true.
Incredible international cover model Jimmy Thomas is here!!!
Yesterday, we went "Under The Covers" via my super-sleuth reporting to learn exactly what happens at international cover model Jimmy Thomas' smokin' hot book cover shoots.
Today, I'm letting Jimmy have his way with you and tell you more. More as in both more about his amazing cover shoots as well as more about Jimmy Thomas the man.
And how's this for a couple teasers?
You'll learn that (a) Jimmy once fell asleep in a shoot and (b) he's now beaten Fabio's cover count and is well on his way to dethroning current Cover King John DeSalvo.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Jimmy, and wow are you in for a big treat!!!
Here we go:
1. So how did you become an international cover model? Tell us your journey to becoming Jimmy Thomas, international cover model.
It started at RT2002 in Reno, NV where I was a Cover Model Contestant. I didn't win, but since I was already a self-made model, I knew what it took to make things happen for me in the romance novel industry. I've always networked and marketed myself, and booked almost all of my own model jobs, and I've always shot lifestyle and sensual 'couples' images from the start of my model in 1998, so I developed my stock website RNC (http://www.RomanceNovelCovers.com) and shot more and more and more images, of exactly what is needed for novel covers. My networking and self-marketing did the rest :)
2. After taking your Live Cover Shoot workshop at RT10, I've been beyond amazed and intrigued at the process of shooting a book cover image. For example, I had no idea you shoot every scene from sweet to hot heat-levels. Tell us about that and how it plays out in front of the camera.
Thanks DeeDee, glad you were intrigued and entertained by it :) Well I'm a Pisces, so I'm naturally romantic, sweet, gentle, etc., so my co-models play off of my vibe, my soft touches, my passion and intensity as I change it through the shoot. Similar to a real life situation when dating someone and going back to your place for the first time. It starts off slow, steady and sweet, then works into getting heated, passionate and then intense. And my photographer is a fly on the wall, or a Peeping Tom if you will, capturing the moments we're having.
3. How do you choose the fabulous models that appear with you in your shoots?
Well I first choose them by their looks, then I 100% go by their personality for who I end up booking to shoot with me. If they are dry, boring, have only one or two word responses, then the shoot will be a waste, no matter how drop dead gorgeous they are, I won't waste my time. So I select girls who are excited to shoot for novel covers with me, who respond right away, who contact me out of the blue asking when we're going to shoot??? Etc. Those are the girls who 'bring it' during a shoot, as they WANT to do this and get great cover shots, be on novel covers and can't wait! They are into it, they show passion, have energy, use great expressions and great body language. I would any day shoot with a girl who was barely cute who was excited and passionate about shooting with me, than a gorgeous model who was hum-drum and didn't really care. So many models are only about "How much am I getting paid?" and they don't care one bit what they are even shooting.
4. How do you decide the settings and themes of your shoots?
It just comes to me with the look of each co-model. Any model can't do any genre, so I try to match their look to genres. I also go by what I'm being requested a lot of from cover artists, publishers or authors.
5. Can you give us the inside scoop on creating and shooting my BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS cover? For example, it started with me and my publisher giving you the following basics - BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS is about a bootscootin' cowboy, ready to dance with a sexy hot and sassy heroine where he's sayin' "oh yeah, you're mine" and she's got that "not so fast, cowboy" reaction. Then what?
Lol, well a location is always the first thing needed, so once that is selected, it's just a matter of doing what I feel works best for what I'm needing, or asked of, to shoot. I guess it's hard for me to explain. It's like asking a director why he/she chooses a certain angle or look or setting. I just feel it, and run with it. I have visions usually right away when I'm presented with a request :)
What a vision it was, Jimmy...
6. What's your favorite theme of cover shoot? Example: western, biker guy, historical hero, action man, etc.
I actually love them all, I really don't have a favorite. I just love producing amazing images in any genre. I have my favorite images in each genre, and to me none are better or more favorite than the other, as they each have their own power for their genre.
7. What's the most challenging part of a shoot - examples: body language, mood, lighting, location, etc.
Hmmm, I haven't found any part of my shoots challenging really. All aspects are fully needed, so not one thing can take a back seat in getting a great shot, so my focus is on everything being right in the shots, but I know what is needed, so it's not really challenging for me. I guess if I had to name something it would be different poses, lol. There are only so many you can do before you feel you are starting from the beginning again or doing the same thing you just did. But I just need a few minutes and it comes to me ;)
8. What's your favorite part of a shoot? How 'bout your least favorite too?
Seeing the images on the camera as we're shooting them and having that "OMG!!!!! I LOVE THESE!!!!!" feeling! Getting exactly what I wanted and even more. Seeing my vision of the shoot become reality! As for least favorite... ending a shoot :( I've shot 24 hours straight before, after 3 days of shooting with 3 girls a day, and I actually fell asleep near the very end where we were laying in bed together for the set and my photographer kept shooting while she was softly touching my face and lips finding me so cute while sleeping, lol. When I saw the images after it was SO SWEET. Believe it of not, it was at the end of this shoot's set: http://www.facebook.com/JimmyThomasDotCom#!/photo.php?pid=6533246&id=646127305&ref=fbx_album and http://www.facebook.com/JimmyThomasDotCom#!/photo.php?pid=6580770&id=646127305&ref=fbx_album
9. How long does an average shoot take? How often do you do shoots?
No less than 4 hours, otherwise we don't get enough to make it worth our time. My photographer and I can shoot all day and all night (we have many times). We love what we do so we only stop when the co-model gets too tired or has to leave. I prefer at least 8-10 hours to get enough from the shoot to be beneficial to all. As for how often, I was shooting almost every week before, but that backed me up so much on images, where I am still so far behind on going through, selecting, cleaning, cropping and uploading them (well over 10,000 images to go through still), from shoots even over the past year! So I've only been shooting with girls who live out of town, state or country who happen to be coming into town. The local girls I can shoot with anytime when I'm caught up. If I have a custom shoot order though, I do that asap.
10. What's the hottest shot? For example, is it the "almost kiss", action scenes, bedroom images, etc.
YES!!! The almost kiss is by far the hottest!!! HANDS DOWN!!! And being wet!!!! I mean look at this and tell me it isn't SO HOT! Sorry if I'm plugging other authors/books... I'm just wanting to give visuals ;) http://www.facebook.com/JimmyThomasDotCom#!/photo.php?pid=6813389&id=646127305&ref=fbx_album
11. How many pictures do you take to get that one shot (or a few) to use? What are you looking for to make an image a "keeper"?
Out of 100 I'll probably use 20 images from that set. At least that is what I am hoping for. It all depends on the co-model and how much they 'bring it' to the shoot and each set we shoot. I need that 'in love' feeling, that passion, that look, that intensity, that hunger, that sensuality and sexuality. There has to be great chemistry between us or poses look posed and expressions look fake. That is why I focus on their personality and chat with them for a while before setting up a shoot with them.
12. Tell us about Jimmy Thomas, the man...
Seriously? Lol, my fingers are tired ;)... Entrepreneur, inventor, producer, writer, developer, creative processor, passionate, loving, caring, hopeless romantic, children and animal lover, sweet, affectionate, hands-on, hard-working, expressive, sentimental, compassionate, a gentleman, chivalrous, helpful, giving, generous, playful, silly, down to earth, easy going, humane, open-minded, independent. I've been an Architectural Designer all my adult life, an NASM Certified Personal Trainer (12 years), a Self Defense and Kickboxing Instructor (18 years), Model (12 years), Business Owner, Writer. Ok, that was easier than writing it as a discussion ;)
13. How many covers have you done?
As of this interview, 468 (that I know of), but I'm on about 20-30 new covers each week ;)
14. Is there anything you'd like to tell us about your current and future plans/goals? (For example, LOL, you ARE going to make a very special appearance at my Muse Therapy Goes Hollywood Workshop with Harley Jane Kozak in LA next April for RT11, right?! Damn, I hope so! Talk about upping the heat level...and great "therapy"!!!)
Lol, of course I'll make an appearance at your Muse Therapy Goes Hollywood Workshop. I'm not one of those models that you have to beg or bribe to make an appearance, do an interview, guest speak, etc. I love doing it. You guys are all my friends and family to me! I LOVE going to RT each year to see all of you! That's why I go! It's like a family reunion :) I wish people wouldn't be intimidated to approach me at the conventions. I'm just me :)
As for future plans/goals.... Well I already hit one, being on more romance novel covers that Fabio (more than twice as many now ;)), so my next goal is to beat John DeSalvo's (The Cover King) cover count, which he says is around 1,500. Nobody has a written list, and his fan sites have been tracking his covers for about 7 years and one says they've found around 1,100 and another says around 1,300. So if I hit 2,000I'd be able to proudly say that I'm on more covers (of any kind) than anyone in history ;) Or maybe 1,501 will do it :) I want to reach this by RT2011, which means I need to be on 31 covers each week to do so (to reach 1,501). So at already being on 20-30 each week, and having well over 2,000 images that I'm able to upload once I've selected them, and shooting so much more before next April, especially tons of solo shoots I'm doing next, I see that easily being attainable. Then I guess John will have to pass down his "Cover King" title ;) lol. So support your family member's cause and keep buying/using my images everyone ;)
How was that for some sexy sassy smart Under The Covers scoop?!
Is the guy amazing or what?!
To know the heroes I write can turn out looking like that on the cover just makes me keep on writing...as fast as I can! I'm contributing to the making of the new Cover King!!!
Thanks sooo very much, Jimmy, for not just making my BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS hero so damn hot but thanks beyond bunches for being my guest this weekend at http://www.DDScott.com.
Now c'mon out there and post your questions and comments for Jimmy. He'll be checking in and chatting with you!!!
Hugs and Smiles and Sexy Sassy Smart Cover King Wishes --- D. D. Scott
P.S. Here are Jimmy's websites so y'all can keep up with him and his race to be our new Cover King:
http://www.jimmythomas.com
http://www.RomanceNovelCovers.com Labels: E-Book Country
7 Comments:
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Fascinating interview -- particularly from the writer's perspective. Makes me feel good all under that everyone invests so much creative energy in making our written words a success. And Jimmy looks a lot better on my nightstand than a string of prepositional phrases ;D
Good Morning D.D., That was an awesome interview & so informative, too. It's really neat to hear from Jimmy, as to how shoots are done, co-models are chosen, etc.. He seems like such a great individual & quite talented in so many ways. I'm sure that he'll meet his future goals, as he appears to be very driven & hard working, besides being so handsome. Thanks for sharing with all of us!
Congrats on your new release D.D. and for getting Jimmy as your cover model.
Great interview!!
Morning, Molly!
Thanks sooo much for stopping to chat with us!
I too just luuuvvv discovering what inspires the magic behind each artist's work.
And boy does Jimmy make our written words take-on a hot new life from his fabulous cover shots 'til The End!
Sexy Sassy Smart Under The Covers with Jimmy Thomas Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed the interview, jaw!!!
I too am beyond convinced that Jimmy will be our new Cover King!!!
And wow am I super-excited he's going to do my Muse Therapy Goes Hollywood RT11 Workshop...I just bet by then I'll be able to introduce him as the official Cover King!!!
Sexy Sassy Smart Jimmy Thomas Cover King Wishes --- D. D. Scott
Hello, Alannah, and thanks bunches for stopping by my blog today!!!
What sweet sweet comments regarding my BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS release!
The whole process has been sooo much fun, but I must say, getting Jimmy on the cover was wayyy beyond the fabulous icing on my publishing cake!
Sexy Sassy Smart BOOTSCOOTIN' BLAHNIKS & Jimmy Thomas Too Wishes --- D. D. Scott
great interview. thanks.