Reader Mail – How Does Someone Get into Porn?

Hi Mike. My question is how does someone who is new go about doing getting into the biz? I am not justifying this shady behavior by any means, but for any people who are out of the loop (like myself), how do these scenes exactly get booked? Don’t many of these girls go through agents and the agents can weed out the proper companies from the rogue ones?

Anyone can answer, but I’d like to hear from a former director himself.

That is a good question and one that isnt easily answered but I will try

First of all if the contact was unsolicited from facebook/twitter/tumblr/whatever it is someone to AVOID. The worst stories always start out this way

I ran this sometime back…it still applies

http://www.mikesouth.com/how-to-get-into-porn/how-to-get-into-porn-without-being-fucked-3/

I see listings here on craigslist.com with red flags all over them so I am going to do y’all a little public service.

My name is Mike South and I have been in the adult business here in Atlanta for over 20 years.

Here’s some rules to keep yourself from getting ripped off, hurt or scammed.

1. Nobody legit has any kind of “audition”. EVER.

2. Nobody legit does any kind of percentage deal or pays anything other than cash. (Many Companies In Porn valley Pay by check, but I shouldn’t have to tell you that a check from the real Vivid is legit)

3. Vivid, Wicked, Hustler, Digital Playground etc DO NOT have offices here (Atlanta)  or anywhere but Los Angeles, CA. Additionally the “Owners” of these companies do not EVER cold call potential talent or talk to potential talent except in the context of a contract.  if someone tells you he owns “part of” any of these companies that is bullshit, they are held be ONE and only one owner.

4. If it sounds to good to be true, IT IS.

5. Nobody legit will have a problem with you bringing someone to the set with you. Whomever you bring is, however, expected to behave appropriately. Again some  common sense applies here, If you are shooting a feature for Wicked, it is not likely they will want anyone on set but if you are shooting a feature for Wicked you dont need this guide.

6. Legitimate shooters generally do NOT post anonymously. They have real email addresses, not yahoo or gmail.

Ok so you think you may have a legit offer, here are the questions you want to ask:

1. What company/website will these photos/video be used on? write them down, look them up and contact them through the website with the name of the person who contacted you and ask if that person is affiliated with their site/company.

2. ask for 3 references in the adult industry and check them.

3. know exactly what is expected of you up front and exactly what you will be paid, be specific also in what you will NOT do. Always do this UP FRONT

Finally if you are unsure about someone please email me with this information and I will help you out…no charge. I am simply sick of the dirtbags in this area who are giving MY legitimate business a bad name with unfair and dishonest practices.