How To Get Into Porn And Not Get Fucked Or Killed Or Raped

3 Responses

1. Mike, you post some great notes for girls in the industry however I do have to make an objection to one of your posts and that is #5. As you know I have directed some of the most successful movies over the past years and I will tell you that we do not want talent bringing boyfriends, girlfriends, husbands or wives to the set that intend to hang out. I had a lovely couple breakup once on the set when I was shooting Barely Legal and it took a huge chunk out of our day. On the set of the Flintstones a XXX Parody I had a boyfriend tell the new girl that she was not allowed to blow the male talent. When he did leave, she blew the hell out of the male talent before ripping into a wild sex scene and actually earned an AVN nomination for her effort. That would not have happened if the guy was anywhere near that set. That girl now only does girl/girl and solo.

   I could go on and on with other stories such as a big star that was so mentally stressed out that her man was near so we had to ask him to stay away when he threatened to show up and actually hired a security guard to keep the set safe. Of course that is the exact opposite of a girl bringing a guy to the set willingly but I am not kidding. It really is not a good mix in most cases at least not in my opinion. An employee doesn’t bring a girlfriend or boyfriend to their shift at Taco Bell or Bank of America or Macy’s and our set and those of the big companies you mentioned are a professional environment filled with dozens of people. Now meeting a ‘producer’ or ‘director’ in a hotel room or at his house for a POV shoot is a different equation and I recommend not doing those types of gigs unless the guy can be vouched for.

   I think it is great Mike that you offer to help the girls determine if a producer or director is legit because you pretty much know everybody who is legit. So I hope the girls take you up on your offer. At X-Play we prefer to allow the actor to completely get into the character they are playing and having their significant other on the set is a roadblock to the success of the project in most cases. Otherwise in my opinion you make really good points.

2. Hey Jeff…good point but in reality most girls are shooting scene work…similar to the old “loops” of the 70s and 80s. I expect it would go without saying that a set such as yours with scripts, mutiple crew etc would be closed, if it wasnt shooting would be the nightmare that you suggest.

   I have also found that a good up front talk with whomever is attending the shoot (male or female) is a great way to head off problems…tell them exactly what will happen and make sure that they understand that if they dont want to witness it they should maybe sit this one out.

   OTOH most of the girls I shoot bring girlfriends not boyfriends and quite often the girlfriends end up also wanting to shoot….

3. I think that dirtbags should be ejected from porn and ostracized. Such things as the paycheck bouncing all over LA, starting PWL, slipping things that are not agreed to in advance into the scene (such as an unauthorized anal), spiking drinks with Rophynol, etc. are uncalled for in a professional industry. However, people have to watch out for those who call someone a dirtbag unseen just because of their rough scenes. There are legitimate producers of rough and kinky sex and those that enjoy performing in those scenes (Kink.com/Cybernet Entertainment comes to mind). Even the kinkiest scenes can be enjoyable and productive if the people involved are into that scene and proper precautions are taken such as an agreement as to what will be in the scene (and any marking that may result), a ironclad safeword that stops the scene cold upon its use (I think RED for stop and YELLOW for check-in works well) and having all of the cameramen, PAs, etc. given authority to stop the scene immediately.

   Also checking the reputation of a producer on the various forums serving the porn industry would be appropriate. Many smaller producers may not be there but a Kink.com (which has its own forums that some performers participate in), Vivid, Wicked etc. will likely be there. If need be, go on to Adult DVD Talk and start a thread asking about a company’s practices. Many porn performers and producers are on there and most would be glad to answer any reasonable questions regarding a company’s practices. It would also be advisable to take Mike up on his offer to verify the company.

   The most important thing is to talk to the producer/director before accepting a booking, especially with an unknown. Yes, some people can sell anything but with most people a person gets a general feeling about someone when talking to him/her. Trust your gut after this conversation, it will be right 95 per cent of the time.

   Also, don’t work for Max Hardcore/Paul Little, Donny (Donkey) Long or Tara Akinlose. Mike knows what I am referring to in each case.

   Here are some more tips unrelated to whether a producer is a dirtbag or not:

   1. Show up to set sober and ready to work. Do your own make-up unless you are told that a make-up artist will be on set (unlikely unless it is Kink, Vivid, Wicked or Digital Playground or companies of similar stature and size).

   2 Bring a MP3 player, headphones and/or smartphone to adult film sets (always have a working cell phone with you regardless). A laptop with cellular internet access and wireless networking would be better yet. There is a lot of waiting due to production snafus, unprofessional performers (late to set, flaked/didn’t show, came to set high on crack ala John Holmes so a replacement has to be found quickly, etc.), run out of lube/condoms/sea sponges (tip: bring your own), set lighting burned out, etc.

   3. Bring several different types of changes of clothes unless informed that costume will be provided (again only a large company will likely provide costume).

   4. No tattoos, especially on the front of the body! People with tattoos (especially women) on their chests don’t get as much work and are relegated to fetish work (if you happen to like bondage/domination/whipping/caning/electrical play call Kink, they do accept women with tattoos but please don’t get any if you haven’t already).

   5. Bring a sack lunch. In the old days catering was provided but that isn’t necessarily the case today.

   6. Don’t attempt anal without properly preparing the anal spincter. Also, don’t do anal on set without having experienced it with a SO at home.

   7. Take care of yourself ladies. You don’t have to be a fitness fanatic but women more than 15 per cent or so overweight have issues finding work in adult. Sorry, that is the way it is.

   8. DO NOT DOUBLE BOOK!!!!! If the first scene goes over, you look like an ass when you call in twenty minutes before your second scene and tell them you are suddenly unavailable to them! One scene a day, ladies and gents.

   9. Not applicable on set bur is later — save some money! Just because you made $700 a day for six days this week doesn’t mean you will the rest of the month. Work is fickle these days unfortunately. Don’t put yourself in a situation where you need to do a scene so you can pay your rent the next day. If something goes wrong, you will regret it!