Bill, you missed my point. Adapt or die is a two way street. Online has done little of it. Maybe it's because most online start ups were guys in their spare rooms tapping away on keyboards or running out to shoot some quick porn scenes.
When they got big there was nothing to stop them poaching offline producers. Seymour was his own brand and it would of taken a lot of money to get him over.
Private and puritan and hustler. All production companies employing shooters. Max hardcore and dirty debutantes (Ed Powers), were brands based on a person. Nothing to stop the Big Sponsors coming to any from the top to the bottom and asking us work for them on an exclusive or non exclusive basis.
All it took was the right amount of money.
I had loads of people in the teen niche approach us with offers to shoot for them. $1500 for 5 sets and videos exclusive. So did lots of other shooters. OK the price varied, it never ever competed with what we could earn elsewhere.
Today there are ex offline shooters around. You want them, they will work for you. Offline is so small they'll be happy. Online sites have to drop the attitude they've had towards the content for the last 12 years.
"I can get it cheaper from the guy I use in Russia."
My reply was always. "So why are you asking me?".
Their reply was
"Your better."
My reply. "Not for the money you pay."
What happens when a good shooter teams with a good webmaster?
DDFcash.
There was nothing to stop 100s
"clever webmasters" teaming up with a great producer and making millions. Or stopping the big sponsors dropping guys shooting for peanuts and poaching someone on a higher level and making even more millions.
Even today there are some good shooters around. You don't need to hold a competition on GFY to find them. A phone will do. If you need people to vote on it to tell you, you're in the wrong business or need to employ someone who can tell you.
They couldn't adapt to the idea that cheap scenes don't set customers hearts racing.
Today a few are realising competing over traffic is a mugs game, best to compete on a field others can't get onto.
A lot of the people who I knew working for the offline guys, said I was mad building a new arm to the business by selling what I sold to mags to sites. I had the last laugh. I adapted.
