There are two holds

• First hold
• Second hold

If first hold wants to book you, you are booked and must inform second hold.

If second hold wants to book you, you need to tell first hold they are being challenged. They have 24 hours to release you to be booked by the second hold or they commit to book you themselves.

General advice

"No point in giving first holds to a shop you don't have much of a working relationship with tho. A lot of these places do "general holds" which means they don't actually have a project yet but they won't admit it. Screw that. Never play that game."

"If someone hires you frequently or you are currently working with them, I think it makes sense to give them a first hold if requested. After all, they have invested in you to some degree."

A way to play it:

• no one gets a first hold (you are the first hold)
• everyone gets a second hold
• Then pick the one you'd rather do: whether it's a cool portfolio job, one will be less stressful, more money, etc

Generally, many studios hold multiple artists, even if there's only one seat to fill.

How to say this stuff

I'd be happy to place a second hold for you between XX/XX and XX/XX.

You can elaborate and say that you have a "first hold" already, but that isn't always necessary.

"I don't book holds that far in advance, and I only place first holds if it's a project I'm keen on. But we can absolutely chat closer to the date."