# The economics of adult entertainment
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [December 11, 2008, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775 "2008-12-11T21:52:41Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/21 "2008-12-12T05:48:21Z")
> [@Markxxx](#):
>
> I find that figure hard to buy. The biggest gay porn stars like Erik Rhodes are complaining about getting $500/scene, in a two scene movie that’s $1,000 for him.
>
> Now I could easily see him making $2,500 for escorting services. Dancing, sex, parties or all night companion. That is probably where he’s making the money. Cam Kurtz doesn’t even have name value.
On the Wiki for Dink Flamingo it states that one of the soldiers was paid $7,500. Not sure how many scenes that was, but I’d doubt it was 15.
---
### Author:  [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/22 "2008-12-12T06:01:39Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> On the Wiki for Dink Flamingo it states that one of the soldiers was paid $7,500. Not sure how many scenes that was, but I’d doubt it was 15.
Think risk premium.
---
### Author:  [@zeno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeno)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/23 "2008-12-12T06:39:21Z")
$300 a scene is pretty low. I think a simple blow job film pays about $600. Full vag intercourse about $900-$1000. Anal gets you like $1200-$1600. For more extreme stuff like bukkake, I wouldn’t really know–$maybe $2000 and up. Of course in these trying times, these rates may be inaccurate.
---
### Author:  [@zeno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeno)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/24 "2008-12-12T06:40:29Z")
Then there are ‘contract girls’ who make like $100,000 and make like 15 movies a year, but that is a rarified world.
---
### Author:  [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/25 "2008-12-12T08:25:01Z")
> [@DanBlather](#):
>
> If I could afford it, I’d pay.
Hey man I’d do it for free:D
---
### Author:  [@Hypno-Toad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypno-Toad)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/26 "2008-12-12T13:34:51Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> This has always been a source of curiosity (not for career as there’s not a big market for HENRY VIII porn, but just as a matter of wondering how it works).
One man, six women. Yeah, who’d want to see that? Of course, some of those ladies gave head in a more literal sense than they liked. You could make your stage name to HENRY VIII". King Dick III might be better since he always had a hump.
---
### Author:  [@davekhps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davekhps)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/27 "2008-12-12T15:46:16Z")
I strongly recommend visiting the blog Christian Sings The Blues: [Noparse][http://cwians.typepad.com/[/noparse]](http://cwians.typepad.com/%5B/noparse%5D). (VERY NSFW)
Christian is a male film star who has been around for quite some time. He started out gay-for-pay, but has been mainstream for some years. His blog, particularly his early postings, explain the life of a pornstar (male or female) quite well, and he comes across as a pretty good-natured guy (i.e., one who recognizes the absurdity of being in said business).
The short version of what I’ve learned from him: it _is_ a business, it can be a _very busy_ business. The female “talent” run the world, especially the more popular ones, who work about as often as they want to, and can make good money (and obviously, good money on the side dancing/appearing).
Being a male star in hetero porn is a different business. In the old days, you’d have only a handful of male stars who were hired for their reliability and ability to perform consistently. Today, thanks to Viagra, more men do it now than ever, which has kind of depressed the market for male talent.
As for escorting/drugs, it’s out there, but not as common as one might think. Christian talks a lot about how some female stars escort, but it seems like it’s kind of frowned upon. Drugs also exist, but are not quite as common-- again, this is a business, a mature business, that’s run like a business. Drugs are unprofessional, and invite lots of bad press and legal scrutiny.
Anyway, can’t recommend that blog enough. I’m sure he’d answer a lot of your questions (maybe someone should try to get him over here, do an “Ask the porn star” thread?).
---
### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/28 "2008-12-12T17:17:23Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#):
>
> One man, six women.
The Lucky Man.
[noparse][http://www2.theluckyman.com/home.php?nats=beano33:signup:TLM,0,0,0,0[/noparse]](http://www2.theluckyman.com/home.php?nats=beano33:signup:TLM,0,0,0,0%5B/noparse%5D)
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/29 "2008-12-12T18:01:43Z")
> [@](#):
>
> $300 a scene is pretty low. I think a simple blow job film pays about $600. Full vag intercourse about $900-$1000. Anal gets you like $1200-$1600. For more extreme stuff like bukkake, I wouldn’t really know–$maybe $2000 and up. Of course in these trying times, these rates may be inaccurate.
The 2007 article Exapno Mapcase linked to says that performers get $800-1500 per film.
---
### Author:  [@Gfactor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gfactor)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/30 "2008-12-12T18:16:38Z")
> [@davekhps](#):
>
> I strongly recommend visiting the blog Christian Sings The Blues: [Noparse][http://cwians.typepad.com/[/noparse]](http://cwians.typepad.com/%5B/noparse%5D). (VERY NSFW)
We don’t post live NSFW links on the Straight Dope. It’s no a big deal; just remember for next time. I’ve broken the link, and attempted to keep the content of your post as close to what you’d intended as possible.
**Gfactor**
General Questions Moderator
---
### Author:  [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/31 "2008-12-13T02:05:51Z")
> [@Hypno-Toad](#):
>
> One man, six women. Yeah, who’d want to see that? Of course, some of those ladies gave head in a more literal sense than they liked. You could make your stage name to HENRY VIII". King Dick III might be better since he always had a hump.
Hmm. Shakespearean porn- “The Undiscovered Cuntery”. Could really work- “The Merchant of Penis (got your pound of flesh right here!)”. “Rimlet.” “Romeo and Juliet and Her Sisters.” “Coitus and Cressida.” “Midsummer Night’s Wet Dream.” It could work…
I live practically next door to one of the nation’s largest Shakespearean theaters, and like all Shakespearean and repertory theaters they’re really really hurting from the NEA and other recession related cutbacks… and some of their actors are pretty good looking and already have the costumes and sets…
Could work. Could revitalize Shakespeare in the process.
---
### Author:  [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/32 "2008-12-13T20:34:23Z")
I’ve heard tell of adult performers skirting obscenity laws by quoting Shakespeare while they perform, since at least some definitions of “obscenity” require it to have no redeeming cultural value.
---
### Author:  [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/33 "2008-12-13T20:39:07Z")
Does economics have anything to do with the extreme adherence to genre conventions - long boring extreme closeups, shoes on women at all times, etc. - right up to and even past the point where the turn-on value disappears in a wave of ennui?
---
### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/34 "2008-12-13T21:42:20Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#):
>
> Does economics have anything to do with the extreme adherence to genre conventions - long boring extreme closeups, shoes on women at all times, etc. - right up to and even past the point where the turn-on value disappears in a wave of ennui?
You’re being factitious, but economics probably does play a role.
In the 1970s, porn was shot on 16 mm film, with the occasional big budget 35 mm spectacular. As with all films, camerawork was deemed important and editing of the film stock a major post-production value.
With the advent of video, storytelling became less important. Viewers fast-forwarded past exposition to concentrate on the sex. Experienced camera operators were replaced by anybody who could hold a camcorder. Today’s “gonzo” operators often hold the camera themselves or just place it on a tripod. That leaves the scenes much longer. Cuts are made solely as necessities rather than artistic choices. Though sometimes art is involved. Our own Abby Winters will usually set up a camera on a tripod and leave her actresses alone for their masturbation scenes. Not cutting anything makes the scene appear realer.
Wearing high heels is a convention, but it’s hardly universal. One story is that actresses were reluctant to go barefoot in some of the sets used for early porn, but that better productions used cleaner sets.
That’s probably on a par with Chronos’ story for believability. If reciting Shakespeare ever happened, I’d bet it was in the context of live shows rather than filmed porn. Even there it would be no more than a momentary blip in the constant war between censors and purveyors.
---
### Author:  [@CC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CC)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2008, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/35 "2008-12-13T21:51:24Z")
Yeah, where IS Abby Winters? She’s been great dealing with these threads. But that also means that anyone who’s interested in the question, including the OP, would do well to Search Abby’s posts or threads. I gotcher answer right here!
---
### Author:  [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)
#### Post date: [December 13, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/36 "2008-12-13T22:20:16Z")
> [@](#):
>
> I’ve heard tell of adult performers skirting obscenity laws by quoting Shakespeare while they perform, since at least some definitions of “obscenity” require it to have no redeeming cultural value.
I’ve seen a lot of porn and I’ve never seen (or heard of) this.
---
### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2008, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/37 "2008-12-14T05:48:33Z")
> [@Sampiro](#):
>
> Hmm. Shakespearean porn- “The Undiscovered Cuntery”. Could really work- “The Merchant of Penis (got your pound of flesh right here!)”. “Rimlet.” “Romeo and Juliet and Her Sisters.” “Coitus and Cressida.” “Midsummer Night’s Wet Dream.” It could work…
There is a porn version of [Hamlet](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124702/) done by the same production company that did a really excellent version of [Snow White](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0272499/) that featured seven genuine dwarfs.
> [@](#):
>
> I live practically next door to one of the nation’s largest Shakespearean theaters, and like all Shakespearean and repertory theaters they’re really really hurting from the NEA and other recession related cutbacks… and some of their actors are pretty good looking and already have the costumes and sets…
Early ubiquitous Net.citizen Edward L. Stauff wrote the [“missing” sex scenes](http://www.acme.com/jef/netgems/midsummer.html) for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, in verse. If you get around to shooting it, I’d love to see it.
---
### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2008, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/38 "2008-12-14T05:50:36Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#):
>
> I’ve seen a lot of porn and I’ve never seen (or heard of) this.
The 60s and early 70s had a lot of hard core porn with text written by impoverished doctoral candidates blithering on about the meaning of the images.
---
### Author:  [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2008, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/39 "2008-12-14T08:15:00Z")
> [@Beware\_of\_Doug](#):
>
> shoes on women at all times,
I’ve heard that this – and men always having socks on – relates to protection from theft. In the early days, the non-performers involved in making a porn film were not a very trustworthy bunch, and actors/actresses who left their money in their purse/wallet somewhere in the dark behind the camera while filming scenes would find that cash missing at the end of the day. So they began the practice of putting their cash inside a sock/shoe and wearing that all during shooting.
---
### Author:  [@Across](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Across)
#### Post date: [December 14, 2008, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775/40 "2008-12-14T08:31:31Z")
> [@CC](#):
>
> Yeah, where IS Abby Winters? She’s been great dealing with these threads. But that also means that anyone who’s interested in the question, including the OP, would do well to Search Abby’s posts or threads. I gotcher answer right here!
Remember, Abby is based in Australia, and I’d be surprised if info for making porn was consistent in different countries, especially the financial aspect.
[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775.md?page=1)
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-economics-of-adult-entertainment/476775.md?page=3)