Why say no, when it feels so good to say yes. 117 Posts 10/06
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 6:21PM
I got the camera. Got the software and a computer to edit on.
I can probably track down some pornstars. I can buy some lights from home depot and a better mic from ebay.
But what I lack is experience. Any good resources online? Any good adult film director forums online? All the film forums I check out online seem to exclude any discussion of adult film making cause its "taboo".
Does anyone on here who works in the industry know of any good ones that exist already? A place to discuss angles, lenses, setups, common mistakes, contracts, etc. etc. etc.?
Or are there any good books I can read? I'm up for any suggestions.
I don't know about adult film making being taboo. If I were in your shoes then I would start by watching BTS for instances of where they show the cameraman shooting the action. Then I would go look at the film and see how where he was and what he did translated onto 'film.' Also, I would go around shooting inanimate objects to get used to how what I saw in the viewfinder translated onto the screen.
Or, to put it another way, familiarize yourself with your equipment and what it can do before you go throwing money at performers.
As for the legal aspects (contracts, release forms, etc.) you need to talk to a lawyer.
Finally, as in most other hands-on businesses, the best way to learn is to apprentice to somebody who already knows what they are doing. You aren't going to gain experience exchanging posts with people online.
Why say no, when it feels so good to say yes. 117 Posts 10/06
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 7:33PM
The discussion of adult film making does seem to be taboo on film making forums. There are no dedicated subforums anywhere that I've looked. I posted about it once and they deleted my thread for asking about filming porn. Or I post it somewhere else and I get 20 posts on why I shouldn't shoot porn. It really pisses me off that I then come here and get the same run around answer from of all people, a moderator of an adult discussion site.
So to be fair I'll address your suggestions..
BTS seems to be fairly limited. Mostly it's softcore porn footage. They don't say I'm holding the camera hear because, I do this and then I do that. They don't say I used this wide angle lens. One problem I had shooting that one was xyz. They don't create BTS for directors. They create it for fans which is understandable.
I have been familiarizing myself with the equipment, that is a given. But it's just not the same as getting info from others doing the same.
As far as being an apprentice, I'll probably have to go that route because as you mentioned, I haven't really found much help on the internet.
I personally think a forum would be helpful. Sure it's not the same as experience but experience costs money and mistakes. And just like I could tell you not to stick a fork in an electric socket because it would mess you up, there are other things new adult directors could be informed or warned about from a collective group of professionals.
I can't believe there isn't one forum on the internet for adult film makers. I was hoping someone here would know of something..guess not.
It seems to me that you are angling to become their competition in what is already an overcrowded marketplace, so I'm not sure what their incentive for helping you is. At any rate, nothing is stopping you from asking a question about shooting porn in these forums.
As for me giving you the run around, these forums are provided by steph and drew with the porn viewing community in mind. It's nice to have industry insiders here, but the focus is on making porn better for the consumer, not how to get into the porn business.
There is no one "way' to shoot porn though I've found that most just copy Jules Jordan and then those people get copied and so on and so on.... If your goal is to shoot gonzo and be even remotely original I would suggest just studying what you would like to see but what you aren't currently seeing in the porn you watch today. That is what will inevitablely create your "style". As far as the techincal end of things, basic film making rules still apply: Lights, camera and action. I would assume that your goal is to make the scene as appealing to the eye as possible therefore I wouldn't consider purchasing your lighting equipment from home depot. Get a decent set of video/photo lights (they are pricey) or only shoot in locations with abundant ambient daylight. Cameras are dirt cheap compared to what they 10 or 15 years ago. A decent 3 chip DV cam will run you about 2 grand while an HDV cam will set you back anywhere between 3 and 7 grand. These are the types of cameras used predominantly in most porn although features and higher end productions will utilize far better cameras such as the Sony F900 or Panasonic varicam. As far as the action, that's up to you. Most people know how to have sex but most people having sex is boring to watch. As the director, you set the tone, the mood and the atmosphere. The common mistake I see among people new to shooting (including myself many years ago) is trying to get every shot all at once. Patience is a virtue and tape is cheap. Slow it down and you will eventiually get to all of the angles that you want to see.
As Mike just stated: "basic film making rules still apply". I can't see a reason for a special adult film director forum.
What really makes one director different or better is very personal. I like to watch movies and work for directors who are really into porn and perversion. Technically it is not difficult but to set the right atmosphere and than catch the best angels is a talent.
Why say no, when it feels so good to say yes. 117 Posts 10/06
Posted - Apr 26 2007 : 7:14PM
That is very good advice. I could see myself on the first scene rushing it along out of fear the pornstars would back out and change their minds. That is definitely not something I would have consciously noticed if you hadn't brough it up.
Thank you! And for the record I have never seen a Mike Quasar film I didn't like! Seriously I love your work, thanks.
Why say no, when it feels so good to say yes. 117 Posts 10/06
Posted - Apr 26 2007 : 7:20PM
That is very true! I have seen some adult films where I thought this director can't possibly be into porn because he just doesn't get it!
That is the main reason that motivates me to make adult films. Knowing that I am geniunely interested in making a quality product that I personally would want to buy versus a director who probably doesn't even really buy porn. Who then has an editor who doesn't really watch porn edit it!
hey man. what kind of cam do you have? what kind of editing software? just curious.
and yeah, like you said, it's always cooler to watch porn from someone who enjoys it rather than seeing something done by someone who doesn't give a shit. it's the same with music, art, and writing. you can always tell who's into it and who's just doing it for the money. best of luck to you.
Introducing Kalani Luana
Posted - Apr 24 2007 : 6:21PM
