Pontus

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I decided, I have so many girlfriends that call me, you grow up with strippers and everybody's got two names, and it was so irritating to be out at the mall and be "Uhhhh, you know I'd like to say hi to her, but she's with somebody and I'm really not sure what her name is today". So, and I have other girls like that in the industry, that you know they'll call me in a little bit and be like "Call me, but my Mom's in town so if you leave a message, it's this". (Laughs) And you know, quite frankly I think they all find out and then they think they have one up on you, because they know what your real name is, and so I would rather just give it to them. Bypass all the they-think-that-they-know-something-I-don't-know-they-know.

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Many mainstream actors also use fake names. (Michael Caine was recently knighted under his real name of Sir Maurice Micklewhite.) They use "fake" names becaue they don't think that their real names will sound right on the screen. While this may play a small part in the adult business, I'm thinking that the more obvious reason is for anononymity.

But if there were no stigma attached to the adult business and/or if a particular person didn't feel like they had anything to hide, there'd be no reason to remain anonymous - would there? If the adult industry were just as accepted as anything else, and were a valid career that society made people proud of participating it, I'm thinking that there'd be more people not bothering with aliases for the sake of anonymity (although they might still be used for sounding better in credits).

As for the second part of my question, I know that people such as Traci Lords and Jenna Jameson kept their adult name when they switched over to mainstream productions. This is likely because they were playing on their previous reputation. Or does it have to do with the fact that even when working in mainstream they don't want to reveal their actual names because it will, retroactively, impact their anonymity?

Actually, this has some bearing on all of us posting here too. We all go by an avatar name. Nobody will be shocked to discover that my real name is not Mythsong. <grin> While, perhaps, a small part of me enjoys the role playing aspects of taking on another character, I have little doubt that I'd be using my real name on this board if being "found out", in terms of who I am in real life, wasn't a consideration. Is it likely that if I used my real name anybody would care, or anybody I know would discover my activity here? Probably not. But there's still that hesitation to do so on the off chance that it would come back to bite us. I can't help but feel that even this attitude contributes to some small degree to keeping the discussion of sex in the closet. I'd feel better about myself if I didn't hide behind an avatar - but I don't have enough conviction in my beliefs (who cares what others think) to change things.

Edited by - Mythsong on 1/30/2003 11:04:41 AM

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Not all that long ago, I received a very kind and sincere invitation (from a director whom I particularly trust) to appear in a masturbation scene. I'm really glad that happened, because it gave me a chance to carefully think through the amount of stigma that's often still associated with porn. I don't believe I could continue to work in my current profession in my small, conservative hometown after appearing in a porn movie (actually, the mere fact that I'm a reviewer would probably enough to make some of my business clients uncomfortable). Mr. Yoga also raised some legitimate objections to me getting naked on screen, which I can well understand.

I politely declined the offer. It was not necessarily an easy choice, however, since the idea of displaying myself on film plays directly into one of my many fantasies. I was surprised when a stage name drifted so easily into my mind--it was like my subconscious had already prepared for this possiblity. Who knows, I might still use that nom de porn if I ever get busy and write a screenplay. My real last name is somewhat difficult to spell and pronounce.

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I can think of one big reason. Adult or mainstream, there's just too many wackos and stalkers out there who get fixated on people. I'm sure some consideration for the person's family, who might not want the attention, comes into play as well.

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Which movie? I don´t remember, but I´m 100% that it has Peter North in it. Under his real name. And is directed by Ed Powers. Now search on!

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The only reason I suggest it at all is because you say you trust the director (and that would be a very important consideration) and because if it really were a way of making a fantasy come true without any drawbacks it might be something to pursue in the future.

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Speaking of which, even if real names aren't used, don't such unsavory characters still track down the person, by whatever name they're using, and cause all sorts of problems anyway? Of course, you're right, the families could only be bothered less if real names weren't used...

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I offered my services as a narrator instead. (I've already built up a fairly good resume in that area, recording for non-porn productions). He doesn't have any of that type of work available for me right now, but he knows I'm available if the need arises in the future. I'll post my alias here if I'm fortunate enough that this ever comes to pass.

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;)

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i should be so lucky, lucky lucky lucky

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I'm pretty sure Peter North was billed under his real name several times early in his career (so not just by Ed Powers, as mentioned here).

And I recall seeing Eric Edwards billed under his real name at least 3 or 4 times.

Peter van Aarle

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- Saki

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Peter van Aarle

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