Part 4:
A crew for porn shoots can be as few as a cameraman and a still photographer (to take shots for DVD box covers, as well as for marketing materials); but, some sets have large crews, such as additional cameramen for multi-angle and/or cable version footage as well as for “behind-the-scenes” filming for inclusion into the DVD “extras”. Sets can also have a Director (sometimes in addition to the Producer), Production Assistants, lighting and audio specialists, and ancillary folks for doing make-up, catering, paperwork, etc. Disappointingly, except for the large gangbangs, very few sets have “fluffers” any more (girls who orally “prepare” porn studs to do the on-camera performing). Producers/Directors seem to prefer using the same experienced crewmembers they’ve previously hired. Additions to crews usually come from recommendations from other directors, present crews, and talent, thus providing a basis for experience and professionalism. Directors and crews sometimes hire new crew folks who they find out about from various other sources, but they prefer people who won’t make production mistakes or hit on the girls while working on the set. As an aside, there’s no such thing as “Crew Appreciation Day” where porn girls give oral pleasure to crewmembers, so don’t expect any action if you get lucky and land a job through your Uncle Louie as an Assistant Production Assistant, or whatever. If you’re wondering if crewmembers ever get a shot at performing, I understand that some have had the opportunity to occasionally do “stunt” cum shots for porn studs who were having a bad day---because of the AIM and Industry-mandated testing regimen, such money shots are never to the girl’s face or near her orifices. Yes, crewmembers sometimes get to date porn girls on a personal level.
Script writing opportunities to get on sets or become an insider might offer some possibilities; however, scripts seem to be somewhat favored from an inner circle of already established “insider” authors. I understand that scripts provided by new writers result in payment of only hundreds, not thousands, of dollars. Since porn films and their budgets aren’t usually in the same league with productions such as “Gone With The Wind”, the Directors often write their own scripts. And, since there’s so much non-feature porn presently being produced, dialogue is often determined, staged, and improvised on the spot.
Some folks contact producers/directors agents, talent, and production companies with the offers of production investor funding. Although this sometimes gets outsiders inside, I need to return now to the general matter of productions per se and opine that we presently have a glut of new producers and a lot of excess footage and films looking for Distributors; thus, like the real estate markets have peaks and valleys, this might not be a good time for investing in films. Nevertheless, being involved with productions does offer a way to enter the world of porn. My class and it’s content at my
www.howtomakeadultvideos.com site goes into significant detail about things like distribution, legalities and permits, cameras, lighting, resources, budgets, locations, shooting techniques, production ins and outs, casting, agents/managers, editing, packaging, marketing, happenings and problem-solving on porn sets, revenue sources, and a host of other aspects. Bottom line, getting into some aspect of production is a way for possibly entering the world of porn.
Another possibility is the Internet. More and more, we’re seeing adult Internet companies actually shooting content (photos and video), instead of licensing it from content providers or streaming video feeds. The advantage to shooting such content is the exclusiveness of the content, instead of their sites using some of the same content that can be seen at many other sites. Additionally, their output can later be placed on DVD and/or Video-On-Demand delivery systems, thus making them quasi-porn production folks. I sense that porn companies and adult Internet organizations might someday mix and match, sort of converging into cooperative entities, maybe even consolidating. I think the present adult Internet direction provides another avenue for entry into the porn world. Aspiring porn studs who have contacts with adult Internet folks or who know “Cam” girls who sometimes put on shows with guys might want to explore entry into the adult Internet content business as either producers or talent members as a way to get into porn?
All of the above is my personal opinion, and even though it might not sound encouraging, I had to be truthful and candid. I think my comments are on target. Keep in mind that you’re not alone in wanting to be a porn stud or production guy or insider—millions of others fantasize about it too, and hope that they personally have what it takes to become the next big-name male porn star. From time to time I’ll add to these comments via my “From The Trenches” or “Getting Into The Porn Industry” links at my
www.davecummings.com, so I recommend that you check them out every once in a while; in fact, some past “From The Trenches” columns already discuss the present porn production situation.
Good luck,
Dave Cummings
Porn Star/Producer/Director