# Ask the (Not So) Amateur Porn Director **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2012, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805 "2012-08-08T00:14:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/221 "2012-08-10T16:05:59Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > **Mister Rik** has already asked you about one of my questions/pet peeve (excessively long blowjob scenes), so here’s another - why do so many porn directors shoot the actress fully-clothed in one scene and fully-nude in the next? I know I’m not the _only_ guy in the world who enoys watching women take off their clothes. remember the questions about how no matter how you do it somebody likes it done differently…there ya go…I do agree though a build up is a nice touch, I will keep that in mind. ---
**Author:** ![MOIDALIZE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e274bd/32.png) [@MOIDALIZE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MOIDALIZE)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/222 "2012-08-10T16:06:43Z")
On a hard tile floor, really? WHY? ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/223 "2012-08-10T16:08:57Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > On a hard tile floor, really? WHY? Don’t ask. Just do it. Release your inner kink. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/224 "2012-08-10T16:10:05Z")
> [@Pyper](#): > > Are you currently or have you previously been in a serious relationship (wife, partner, girlfriend, etc.) during the time you have worked in the business? Oh yes I have been, I am not currently. The most interesting was at one point I had what the industry called “two wives”. We were living together in a committed relationship (odd as that may sound but they were both bi) It was a very good relationship too, we never fought, we had fun and to this day we all genuinely love each other. The industry does, as you might imaine place strain on a relationship, it takes people who are extraordinarily secure to handle it. ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/225 "2012-08-10T16:13:01Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Does anybody who’s been in porn for a while have a long lasting stable relationship with someone _not_ in porn? Im sure it has happened but I expect it is very rare I cant think of anyone off the bat ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/226 "2012-08-10T16:37:55Z")
**The whole “if you get paid to have sex on film, it’s not the same as prostitution” thing has made its rounds here. What are your thoughts on prostitution? Consider the legal kind first.** I’m sure this will come as no surprise but it should be legal, keeping it illegal does nothing but further victimize the very people they supposedly want to protect. That said lets address the sex on film thing. There are many arguments obviously but two courts (California and New Hampshire) That hiring someone to have sex on film does not constitute prostitution, pimping or pandering. If you get down to the technical nuts and bolts it comes down to a copyright issue. For example if I take a picture of you there are immediately two enforceable copyrights, mine which is on the image and composition and yours which is on your likeness. neither of us can do anything with that photo unless the other agrees. That agreement comes in the form of a model release or a photographers release where one party assigns his/her copyright to the other in exchange for something of value. when I pay a girl for a shoot what i am paying for is that model release, the rights to that performance. Understandably this is a very different type of transaction that “prostitution” **Have you ever had to deal with a real pimp? I’d imagine that you would detest that sort of person, given the values you have presented.** yes and I wont deal with tem at all. I have people claiming to be agents all the time and I ask them are you licensed and bonded? I only deal with licensed bonded agents (yes they do exist for adult) **Do you know what kind of drug Chasey Lain got into that fucked her up so bad? She used to be a porn goddess, and even had a [song](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=If9fC9aJd-U) written about her by The Bloodhound Gang. She was off the radar for years, but she’s back and looks really worse for wear IMO. Crack, meth, both?** very familiar with “The Bloodhound Gang” Chasey allegedly got heavily into crack and meth. **I’ve heard a lot of girls really don’t want a big “porno dick” and that it can be uncomfortable. There are clearly girls that would also mount a rhino if they were paid well enough. What insight on this do you have?** Different girls are different, most girls prefer a smaller thinner one for anal, or at least thats my experience, but there’s always the rogue that will insert a battering ram… \*\* How do you personally distinguish fucking from making love, or do you?\*\* Generally it varies sometimes its intimate and passionate and sometimes its down and dirty, It really depends on the circumstances, I don’t use the term making love though ever I don’t think at least the girls I date would consider it archaic \*\* Since you are fine with fucking on camera, it might not be too forward to ask about your masturbation habits, if there are any. If you do it (who doesn’t) how do you do it?\*\* LOL when I have to I do it privately, or sometimes mutual masturbation is a fun, some of the girls I date seem to dig it. LOL You guys crack me up. **On a philosophical note, what are the best and worst things about porn in general?** Porn, like anything is neither good or bad, it is what you make of it, it can be healthy and fun but it can also become unhealthy. But the same can be said for eating, exercizing or just about anything I can think of. \*\*You may be the one thanking us in this thread, but I think the information you’ve provided is invaluable for us as a whole. \*\* I’m happy to do it. ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/227 "2012-08-10T16:39:13Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > I realized after the fact that I should have mentioned that I’ve only subscribed to one of kink .com’s many sites, but I’m assuming they use the same basic “standard” for all of them (at least the ones that involve male-female sex), since it appears to be the same people running all of them. In any case, I’ve seen similar stuff on other USA-based “real BDSM” sites - there’s at least a token effort at making it clear that the woman is a willing participant. You are correct, peter Ackworth, who owns [Kink.com](http://Kink.com) toes a VERY fine line. ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/228 "2012-08-10T16:45:00Z")
> [@Wheelz](#): > > What awful news. More than once I’ve become enamored with a performer, only to find out later that she had died. That does tend to be a bit of a boner-killer. > > I’ve heard it said that many porn star deaths are actually faked, as a way for them to break away from the business. Is there any truth at all to this? I’d love to believe, for instance, that Trinity Loren and Chloe Jones are happily living out their retirements somewhere in peaceful anonimity, but alas, I very much doubt that’s the case. It isnt very many really but it has happened, Hyapatia Lee is the best known example. For the most part you can leave this biz and fade into suburbia fairly easily without going the faked death route. As for Chloe Jones and trinity Loren those weren’t faked. ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/229 "2012-08-10T16:47:36Z")
> [@Scotty Mo](#): > > Are there any videos that aren’t completely staged? For example, college rules sometimes has like 20+ people in a room naked partying. Seems like they just get them together and let them go to town. Is that how it works? sort of but you have to define “faked” a bit do they all agree to do it beforehand …yes they also sign model releases and present IDs beforehand. They all responded to some sort of casting call or whatever Id say the only ones that weren’t completely set up was the old “Ugly George” stuff he really pioneered that genre. He was a despicable human being BTW, meet him many times…a real prick. ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/230 "2012-08-10T16:49:52Z")
> [@MOIDALIZE](#): > > On a hard tile floor, really? WHY? just for a different location really…It isnt my favorite one thats for sure but the girl was smoking hot and later became one of the two aforementioned “wives” so that helped 😉 ---
**Author:** ![etv78](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d78d45/32.png) [@etv78](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/etv78)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/231 "2012-08-10T16:50:33Z")
How “nichy” is porn? For example: my ideal porn actress is: Long-haired Asian with natural breasts and full bush. ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/232 "2012-08-10T17:09:52Z")
> [@etv78](#): > > How “nichy” is porn? For example: my ideal porn actress is: Long-haired Asian with natural breasts and full bush. One look at [noparse][clips4sale.com](http://clips4sale.com)[/noparse] NSFW will answer that in ways that you cannot imagine LOL they have stores for everything from 1920s porn to zit popping. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/233 "2012-08-10T17:27:59Z")
> [@MikeSouth](#): > > One look at [noparse][clips4sale.com](http://clips4sale.com)[/noparse] NSFW will answer that in ways that you cannot imagine LOL > > they have stores for everything from 1920s porn to zit popping. I need to hurl right now…and I need some mind bleach… ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Captor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f17d59/32.png) [@Evil\_Captor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Captor)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/234 "2012-08-10T19:59:29Z")
Great thread, it’s good to see a fellow Atlantan making good! I’ll comment on the business about bondage and hardcore sex scenes. Back in the 90s there were no BDSM films that featured sex of any kind, it was all tying up and flogging. I did some research into the topic around 2000 and was told that although there were no laws specifically written banning it, when people in the industry asked their lawyers about it, the lawyers talked with DAs and were told “Yeah, this will get you prosecuted.” My most authoritative source here was Lorelei, a former Harmony Communications model who runs the Bedroom Bondage and Force Fantasies website, she would be in a position to know. It’s as Mike said, no one was SURE if that crossed the line into obscenity by DA standards, and no one wanted to find out the hard way. (Both of Lorelei’s sites are still up, you can google them to find them.) In the late 90s-early 2000s all that changed of course. Not sure why except that foreign sites, unconstrained by US laws, were doing bondage and hardcore sex before the US people did. I do have a question for Mike. There’s a great collection of posts called “True Porn Clerk Stories” which are the true-life tales of comedian Ali Davis’ experiences as a real life adult video rental store clerk back when that was a thing. ([The posts are archived here.](http://web.archive.org/web/20070208055834/http://www.improvresourcecenter.com/mb/tpcs1.php)) Davis says that her store’s customers were basically two types: occasional renters who came in every week or two to rent tapes, and hard-core addicts who were banging on the store doors a minute after it opened, who knew which days and what time new deliveries came in, and who rented several tapes every single day and watched them, too. Their primary sexual attachment seemed to be with porn videos, not people. In short, they had a fetish for porn videos, and they were always looking for new sex acts to be performed. In Davis’ opinion, it was the hardcore guys who were really drove the adult video market, even though they were much fewer in number than the occasional guys, because they rented (and presumably bought) so much more than the occasional guys. And that they with their constant need for new kinds of scenes, were responsible for the ubiquity in porn of a lot of stuff that most folks don’t seem to care for: cum shots, spitting, slapping women, etc. I was wondering if you saw it the same thing in your market … a relatively small group that drives the market because they are so heavily invested in it. Finally, are you and any of the other porn folks thinking about the effects that Fifty Shades of Gray may have on the market? It has sold 30 million copies, so clearly there’s a large market out there for romantic light BDSM. Plus there’s the phenomenon of harcore porn actor James Deen having so many female fans. I imagine he commands considerably more than your average porn star. Will this kind of thing change the market? (Hopefully for the better.) ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/235 "2012-08-10T20:09:04Z")
I do have a question for Mike. There’s a great collection of posts called “True Porn Clerk Stories” which are the true-life tales of comedian Ali Davis’ experiences as a real life adult video rental store clerk back when that was a thing. ([The posts are archived here.](http://web.archive.org/web/20070208055834/http://www.improvresourcecenter.com/mb/tpcs1.php)) Davis says that her store’s customers were basically two types: occasional renters who came in every week or two to rent tapes, and hard-core addicts who were banging on the store doors a minute after it opened, who knew which days and what time new deliveries came in, and who rented several tapes every single day and watched them, too. Their primary sexual attachment seemed to be with porn videos, not people. In short, they had a fetish for porn videos, and they were always looking for new sex acts to be performed. In Davis’ opinion, it was the hardcore guys who were really drove the adult video market, even though they were much fewer in number than the occasional guys, because they rented (and presumably bought) so much more than the occasional guys. And that they with their constant need for new kinds of scenes, were responsible for the ubiquity in porn of a lot of stuff that most folks don’t seem to care for: cum shots, spitting, slapping women, etc. I was wondering if you saw it the same thing in your market … a relatively small group that drives the market because they are so heavily invested in it. I would say that yes that is likely true from my experience as well. but I would guess she was wrong about why they were renting so much, my thought would be that they indeed had a particular fetish and they were seeking it out. Maybe it was stockings or facials or creampies or whatever and they were wearing out the FF button searching for what they liked. Finally, are you and any of the other porn folks thinking about the effects that Fifty Shades of Gray may have on the market? It has sold 30 million copies, so clearly there’s a large market out there for romantic light BDSM. Plus there’s the phenomenon of harcore porn actor James Deen having so many female fans. I imagine he commands considerably more than your average porn star. Will this kind of thing change the market? (Hopefully for the better.) Im very much curious about the 50 Shades aspect I have always been of the idea that in general mens fantasies are visual and porn lends itself very well to that, but womens fantasies are more situational and romance novels lend themselves more readily to that and it DOES explain a lot. When they make 50 Shades into a movie and you can bet they will, It will be interesting to see how they handle it in terms of how explicit it gets. It COULD, as I mentioned previously in this thread, be the first mainstream success (Hollywood style) with hardcore in it. As for the mainstreaming of porn thats a double edged sword, it has brought a lot of attention to the industry that we might have been better off without AND if we ever did become acceptable to Hollywood they could run us out of business and take over overnight. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/236 "2012-08-10T20:23:10Z")
**"if we ever did become acceptable to Hollywood they could run us out of business and take over overnight. "** I’m surprised the big studios haven’t done this by using subsidiaries. Think of what Michael Bay could do with cumshots! You mentioned that a video will often cost you something along the lines of 2K-3K, right? How much does the average (I say average because I realize there is substantial variation which an average ca accomodate) video bring in? If some categories tend to bring in more than others, feel free to do a break down into those categories. Are most videos you produce profitable or are most money losers with a few big earners making up for it? How do you make sure that the men in your bukkake videos behave civilly? In situations where some of them have not behaved civilly, how have you handled the problem? ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/237 "2012-08-10T20:42:58Z")
\*\* You mentioned that a video will often cost you something along the lines of 2K-3K, right? How much does the average (I say average because I realize there is substantial variation which an average ca accomodate) video bring in? If some categories tend to bring in more than others, feel free to do a break down into those categories. \*\* Actually its a scene that costs 2-3k most videos have a minimum of 5 scenes at one time in the nineties a VHS tape would net me about 20K in the first thirty days, those days are LONG gone. Now days I put something on the web and generally expect to double my money after all expenses including hosting and all that are paid., the my leech Uncle (Sam) takes his cut… \*\*Are most videos you produce profitable or are most money losers with a few big earners making up for it? \*\* most are profitable. \*\* How do you make sure that the men in your bukkake videos behave civilly? In situations where some of them have not behaved civilly, how have you handled the problem?\*\* When you have 12 naked guys in a room together you wouldn’t believe how civilly and respectfully they behave, I could use a bukkake to solve the issues in the middle east to be sure. The one thing that helps though is I don’t allow alcohol or drug on the set and if you show up intoxicated in any way you are sent home…It happened once. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/238 "2012-08-10T20:54:29Z")
You qualified it as (not so) amateur, but why did you put “amateur” in there at all? Sounds like the performers get paid and obviously you’re saying YOU get paid. So what’s “amateur” mean in the porn industry? A one-time shot? ---
**Author:** ![MikeSouth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@MikeSouth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeSouth)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/239 "2012-08-10T21:09:26Z")
> [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > You qualified it as (not so) amateur, but why did you put “amateur” in there at all? Sounds like the performers get paid and obviously you’re saying YOU get paid. So what’s “amateur” mean in the porn industry? A one-time shot? The term “amateur” is ambiguous I say “not so” because Im really not an amateur BUT the focus of most of what I have done in porn has always been amateur. I dont mean first timers I mean girls who dont want to be porn stars but are doing it for fun and a little extra cash most of the girls I shoot dont shoot for anyone else. It could just as easily be called pro-am and often is. But the niche I always get put in is “amateur” ---
**Author:** ![RaftPeople](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/6f9a4e/32.png) [@RaftPeople](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaftPeople)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2012, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805/240 "2012-08-10T21:46:50Z")
> [@MikeSouth](#): > > yes, yes, yes, yes, no, no and no respectively. > > I will add…the roof of a downtown highrise in San Diego on a Saturday afternoon, a rave party in Tampa Florida, The parking deck of Macys in Atlanta, The back of a Fountain speedboat on Lake Lanier on a Saturday afternoon, The kitchen of a strip club in Dayton OH. to name a few… I’m not sure if you’ve ever tried the classic “reverse cosmonaut” maneuver with one girl and a blow up doll, but I can tell you…either make sure the safety strap is firmly attached, or wear knee pads! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-not-so-amateur-porn-director/630805.md?page=13)