ABSTRACT
The tradition of a photo-call goes back quite a while, and stories abound concerning directors-turned-dictators and three- to four-hour calls lasting well into the small hours or until an already-exhausted cast finally collapses. These stories have resulted in a pervasive fear of photo-calls, often leading the producers to insist on one of several less-than-satisfactory options. Surprisingly, the author find that many colleges and universities seem to be the most reluctant to allow photo-calls to happen, which is a disservice to all the students who need good-quality photographs for their portfolios. In the non-professional world, there are actually less rules to abide by, since there are fewer professionals involved. Many theatre companies will also do a "media day," which is a short photo-call designed to capture an image or two for use in the media, usually to accompany announcements about the run of the show, or for posters and programs.
