Pornography Industry

[David Mullen ASC]

I don't believe you should be attacked, Richard, but come on, these people don't just wake up one morning and think "boy, I should call Richard a nasty name today!" It's usually an emotional outburst caused by some provocative remark you've made. If you make a habit of pushing people's buttons, you have to accept the consequences.

[Guest]

There is a mature way to respond with out name calling.

 

R.

[David Mullen ASC]

There is a mature way to respond with out name calling.

 

R.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I agree with that, but it may be better if people didn't feel pushed into make a response at all. This stuff doesn't happen in a vacuum. You create a climate of confrontation and criticism, and people get testy.

[Tim Tyler]

I'm not sure what you mean by this...

"I have never understood the shame of pornography..."

You mean...

As for shame, so...

When asked, "How's your daughter?" ...

 

Richard - To me, your comments here display that you do not agree with Tim Partridge, and you're provoking an argument with him over morality issues.

 

If you feel differently about pornogrpahy, and you want us to know, then tell the forum how you feel without challenging a single user.

 

Let's get this discussion back on track now, please.

[Guest]

"Richard - To me, your comments here display that you do not agree with Tim Partridge, and you're provoking an argument with him over morality issues. "

 

Tim, that is a misinterpretation on your part. That's all I can say.

 

"You create a climate of confrontation and criticism, and people get testy."

 

David, there are plenty here that do as you state above. A recent post just shut down is certainly evidence of that.

 

R.

[Hans Engstrom]

Heard one actress shout out "Are we doing the DP after lunch?"  Took me a moment to realize what "DP" meant...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Lol. I would have liked to see your reaction to that line. Would make a fun scene in a comedy where a DP out of work gets hired to shoot his first porno.

[Christian Appelt]

Matt,

 

 

"I will do some crap that's commercial to get the money which will allow me to do the projects I really want to do."

 

I have heard such statements a hundred times, and I do not know a single person that did succeed. I believe, that doing a lot of crap spoils your judgement and taste, or will stop you from acquiring the skills and taste yoe need to create something special.

 

Doing something special in which you believe is the best way to success. No problem in doing exploitation work, some great DPs like Vilmos Zsigmond did early in their careers. And it didn't hurt Mr. Coppola that his first directing credit was a nudie called THE BELLBOY AND THE PLAYGIRLS (he usually omits it from his filmography).

But even a 1960s low budget biker movie or a Roger Corman SF slasher is a great work of art compared even to the best porn movies I saw.

 

I have seen people doing that kind of work, still telling me after many years they ought to do "something of my own", but they usually never get to do it. It has nothing to do with questions of morality or whether I think porn is good, bad or a necessary evil, it's just in the nature of the genre.

 

"I'll do it for money, then I'll move on to something better." - Sure.

Every frustrated hack who grinds out hours porn footage a week once hoped to be another Spielberg or DeMille - think about it.

[Guest Tim van der Linden]

Everyone rather thinking inside the box of hardcore sleazy porn videos.  What if a filmmaker had an idea of actually potraying a real life story of sex.  Sex is now everywhere, TV shows like (desperate housewives, sex in the city, most MTV shows and infomercials of Girls gone wild).  You can't stop sex from being shown so either way it's a huge money maker.  Hell, Howard Stern has a naked woman on his show everytime with just the nipple being blurred out and its rated TV14.  But back to my subject of what if a filmmaker thought outside of the hardcore porn video and made something reality based.  Something an everyday Joe could relate too.  This could be classified as a softcore porn video but what if it was shot really well, had good dialogue, a plot, setting, good actors and the climax would be just 1 sex scene showcasing the passion of the 2 individuals ending the story.  Something along those lines that if somebody that doesnt watch porn (40 year old mom) watched she could appreciate and respect what it meant.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

There have been plenty of films that have explored sexual relationships in a serious way while incorporating very explicit scenes. Some that come to mind are The Dreamers, Sex and Lucia, and Intimacy. I can see what you mean about the thinking outside the box, but I think what it comes down to is a difference of intent. Do you want to make a movie that people will buy because there are naked people having sex on camera or do you want to make a film that explores some sort of deeper subject matter or means something to you on more than a physical level?

[charles g clark]

Back to your idea Matt- a film that the every Joe can relate to about sex. I cant see the sales pitch there its just everyones daily lives! Pornography (hard or soft)provides escapism to make people forget about there normal lives.The growing market in that industry is softer movies for couples to enjoy. But why railroad yourself into such an industry?Why not try to recreate the sexual chemistry and tension from Soderbergh's out of sight?No nudity just a whole lot of character play.A film like that could sell on so many levels.Porn vs sizzling chemistry? Well myslef and Mrs Clark would take Clooney and Lopez everytime!(and we've sen quite a lot of "art" pictures...

 

Just an every Joe's opinion,but good luck whatever path you choose your young and your futures yours ;)

[charles g clark]

yes thank charles. Thanks everyone for the much needed insight on this subject, from the negative stories to hearing about junky sleazy people I think i'll take the route of a more legit job and just keep working up the food chain as an editor.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The food chains not all that bad just remember experience buys you confidence. Your 16 and you've got quite a track record form what you've said earlier.Keep at your dream.You wanna direct/shoot porn?Do it.No-ones gonna stop you (once your 18).You wanna direct/shoot a picture for mr and mrs Clark to go watch?Cant wait to see it.

 

Take care and ill look for the marquee,

Charles

[Annie Wengenroth]

So you want to waste a potential career making teh pr0n?

 

I have to agree with the eyeball rollers on this one.

 

And with all that pretty gear, shouldn't you be shooting something that relates more to YOU? You're not even out of high school yet, you're not even old enough to legally buy or participate in the subject matter that you want to shoot...you're 16 years old, I don't even WANT to say anything else about that.

 

Gee I don't know, maybe you could compromise and make sex ed videos for middle schoolers... :rolleyes:

[Rik Andino]

Anne bring up a good point...

Why don't you shoot stuff teens (like you) wanna see--not porn.

 

You can capitilize on your film experience

And the access you have to teenagers since you're one

And make something worthwhile that'll appeal to teens.

 

And not PG-13 action movies starting Vin Diesel or Horor flicks starring Paris

There's a bunch of that crap out there already. :)

 

You can make documentaries and stuff that deals with real teens

Things you and your friends wanna see...

(& again not porn! :) or pot-smoking comedies starring Seth Green.)

Everyone is always complaining there's nothing good for them on T.V.

Why don't you try and change that.

 

 

GOOD LUCK

 

 

(Oh and PS: Porn sleazy at it is--is a legit business unlike HMOs :) )

[not valid]

I don't know who this would apply to unless you're a Catholic priest and have taken a vow of celibacy.  Certainly there are those who feel sex outside of marriage is wrong, but that's a debate for a different forum.

 

R.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I was under the impression that catholic preists were very sexually active particularly toward young boys but thats another story.

 

 

Matt808 im not much older then you and i have thought about using the pRon industry to make some quick money but in all honestly you would have to be damn crazy to think that it is going to contribute to your career as a film maker.

 

One thing that has really has gotten on my nerves lately is everytime i say that i am a filmaker in conversation one little smart alec Fu*%wit will say what do you make porn? Now although not all people think like that there is definetly a high percentage of people that do. What that would suggest to me is because of my lack of experiance (due to my age) people assume that i must be making low level crap like pRon.

So keeping that in mind people obviously dont take pRon makers serious and in most cases quite rightly so.

 

If a producer is looking to employ an editor or DOP and notices that they have alot of pRon making experiance do you honestly think they will take you serious? This is provided they havent seen your show reel yet.

 

Matt808 i strongly recomend someone who is being employed at your age at all defenetly shouldnt even look into the Pron industry. judging by your posts you have potential and you have your whole life ahead of you dont waste it on making a quick buck making degrading pRon.

 

Has anyone ever seen a pRon film with good editing? Shitty disolves and pathetic wipes comes to mind.

 

You have potential dont waste it!

[Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith]

One great thing about making porn is that there are so many outlets, you can flog it at computer fairs, bootfairs, even tv if it's good enough, and not to mention ebay.

 

Although, as another 16 year old, I would never do that kind of work. My family would never allow me anyway, and that stuff could seriously mess your mind up. It's honestly not something you'd ever enjoy, whatever your friends might say.

 

Theres most likely a cleaner way of making money... I mean, just imagine if you actually become a huge director, the talk would be "Did you know that that Matt guy shot porno when he was 16?"

 

Personally if I EVER actually had to make it, because I was desperate for money or something, I'd make sure my name wasn't on the credits, once it's sold, that's it, I have nothing to do with it. Even if it was actually *extremely* well shot, at the end of the day it's still degrading porno.

Edited May 5, 2005 by Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

[not valid]

One great thing about making porn is that there are so many outlets, you can flog it at computer fairs, bootfairs, even tv if it's good enough, and not to mention ebay.

 

Although, as another 16 year old, I would never do that kind of work. My family would never allow me anyway, and that stuff could seriously mess your mind up. It's honestly not something you'd ever enjoy, whatever your friends might say.

 

Theres most likely a cleaner way of making money... I mean, just imagine if you actually become a huge director, the talk would be "Did you know that that Matt guy shot porno when he was 16?"

 

Personally if I EVER actually had to make it, because I was desperate for money or something, I'd make sure my name wasn't on the credits, once it's sold, that's it, I have nothing to do with it. Even if it was actually *extremely* well shot, at the end of the day it's still degrading porno.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Well put Daniel J i completely agree. Get some work as a freelance photographer or doing ediiting for corporate promotional stuff just today some guy rocked up and asked if i could digitise some of this old footage he had from when he owned a meat processing plant. Im only getting 20$ an hour for it but thats 160$ a day. When i edit for people like that i ask 30$ and hour which is 240$ a day. That sort of money like 240$ a week is plenty to buy some film stock to put in my 300$ 1940's camera and mess around to make some nice footage i can actually put on my show reel not some drugged out pRon star giving some barmaid a hummer.

[Guest Adam Valuckas]

Two words-

 

Lenses Tissue

 

 

my fake DP name would be Stiff Shooter :lol:

[Boone Hudgins]

Barry Sonnenfeld had some interesting things to say about his work in the industry. It really made him sick. There was an interview on, I think it was The Directors, where he said it made him impotent for six months.

[not valid]

HAHAHAHAHAHA Really it made him impotent? what a poor bastard. There you have it Matt stay away lol.

[Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith]

There was an interview on, I think it was The Directors, where he said it made him impotent for six months.

:lol: Poor him... Yeh listen to Jake.. stay away... I think after watching "Irreversible" I got that... sick film... very innovative though. (I actually felt physically sick after watching that...)

 

I'm not sure if anyones mentioned this yet, but if you own your own equipment, you could try doing some weddings or something. Build yourself up a wedding reel by doing friends and family weddings e.t.c. and then move onto working for other people.

 

Out of interest, how did you manage to get your own equipment? Almost all the projects I've done have been with someone elses camera equipment, trouble is I just can't afford a descent camera. I'd only ever go for something like a DVX100, XL1s or XL2 or something (anything that'l do progressive scan), but they are just well out of my reach. Sucks badly...

Edited May 5, 2005 by Daniel J. Ashley-Smith

[Elhanan Matos]

I know a few AC's, DP's, Video engineers, etc... who have worked on porn, and they say it's just like any other job they have had to work on. But they haven't worked on any sleazy basement porn stuff, mostly Playboy and Vivid productions... Personally I would rather work on Porn than a 20 hour ultra low budget no food no water Indy film.

[quinn]

"Why don't you shoot stuff teens (like you) wanna see--not porn."

 

You don't know many teenagers, do you? : )

[Guest Daniel J. Ashley-Smith]

Daniel-

wow you really felt sick after watching "irreversible" i mean yeah 11 minute rape scene but i dont see how that was worse then the face impailment in the beginning, I watched it and just thought they could of done without alot of stuff. Still a good movie though... for sure better then "Boise Mai".  To answer your question of how i got all my equiptment, basically I saved up. 

I bought my xl2 from a pawn shop and my other equipment off ebay.  All the money I made from editing with WINDOWSEATpictures and Vans i spent towards purchasing my own equipment.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The face impailment was what made me sick, that was definatelly the worst part in the film, the rape scene wasn't even that bad I thought. (Morally bad, but it didn't make me feel bad like the face smashing) I was wondering how they managed to do that, I mean, he's still talking and stuff, amazing fx.

 

About the equipment, damn... your job must pay a lot higher than mine...

 

"Why don't you shoot stuff teens (like you) wanna see--not porn."

 

You don't know many teenagers, do you? : )

As a 16 year old kid I'll tell you now that 16 year old kids are over looking at porn, only the sad ones do that. The rest of us get girl friends.

[Matt Pacini]

It's a moral issue

...People feel that having sex is wrong...

So having sex in front of a camera is doubly wrong...

Really there alot of things wrost than being a pornstar...

 

I remember a college professor once saying...

"That the popularity of the porn industry

Coupled with the stigmatization of the porn industry

reveal the hypocritical side of the American society..."

 

It's okay for us to be voyuers and enjoy watching the videos

But it's shameful if we attempt to participate in any of those acts.

 

However with that said I've seen some videos that are darinly extreme...

But don't ask me why I've seen them.  :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Sure, but that whole argument ignores the fact that some acts that are perfectly fine in private, CAN (and perhaps should) be considered shameful if done publicly.

For instance, there's nothing immoral about having a bowel movement, but it's not quite the same thing if I videotape 90 minutes of the stuff and air it on TV or sell it to your kids, is it?

 

This is another of those twisted logic arguments, that assume "all other things being equal" when they're not.

I'm not saying I'm totally anti-porn, but just that this view stated above, is just as ridiculous as the view that ALL nudity is immoral, or whatever.

 

MP

[Guest]

"For instance, there's nothing immoral about having a bowel movement, but it's not quite the same thing if I videotape 90 minutes of the stuff and air it on TV or sell it to your kids, is it?"

 

My gosh Matt this will be a hot new series on FOX!!!!!

 

Who is your agent? The FOX programming team wants to call him/her.

 

R.

[John Pytlak RIP]

"For instance, there's nothing immoral about having a bowel movement, but it's not quite the same thing if I videotape 90 minutes of the stuff and air it on TV or sell it to your kids, is it?"

 

My gosh Matt this will be a hot new series on FOX!!!!!

 

Who is your agent?  The FOX programming team wants to call him/her.

 

R.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Working title: "Tales from the Toilet". :rolleyes: