Golly, I'm so nervous - this is my first new topic post!! I'm not really sure where it should go, but I know Steph will put it where it belongs. (she's so great!)
I have read a lot of reviews and I see some reviewers saying it's great when the performer looks into the camera, but I see a lot more saying it looks like the performer is too aware of the camera and should be focusing on the action instead.
I don't know what anyone else's experience has been, but quite often I'm told by the directors to look at the camera, to keep my face towards the camera, to BE aware of the camera at all times. Personally, I find this a miserable thing to do, I want to pay attention to the person I'm performing with and what I'm doing! I hate having to follow the camera around - isn't it the camera-guy's job to follow the action?
Now I'm not talking about scenes where the whole point is to involve the viewer - that's a different kettle of fish. I get the point of looking into the camera THEN.
Are reviewers aware of this at all?
Kimi
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Planet Sex Deactivated User
1951 Posts 6/01
Posted - Jul 13 2001 : 1:45PM
Depends on the type of movie.
When it's a gonzo, everything-goes type flick, I like when the girl takes a quick look at the camera to show the viewer how much she's enjoying the thing (as opposed to the girls on Private Movies, where they look at the camera cause they HAVE to).
But when it's a porn "with plot", breaking the fourth wall can be dangerous. Unless it's a comedy, like Young Frankenstein or Rocky Horror Picture Show.
................................... Soylent Kevin Bacon is made of pigs! You've got to tell them! Soylent Kevin Bacon is pigs!
I agree with the quick glance at the camera every now & then. Eyes can bee one of the sexiest things to look at & can show just how much someone is really into the scene.
Everyone can see what I have written in my reviews. I found the camera staring to ruin Private's Dangerous Things. In 2 on 1 #8, it was sexy as hell the way Lola devoted herself to cock worship/sucking, making great eye contact with the guys, and only giving a sly glance to the camera once in while to show how much fun she was having. That is the way I like to see scenes shot. Rocco in particular is really good about paying 90% attention to his sexual partners, but looking up occasionally to tell us (or Buttman, or Nacho, or whomever) how amazing this or that girl is.
Kimi, you did just fine. Of course, pornstars can get away with posting anywhere. Who's gonna complain?
Kimi, I am one of the ones who is a bit picky about chicks looking into the camera. It is not that I dislike it always. It is just that the camera look is a very fine art that not many can master. Some women, like Jewel De'Nyle, can look into the camera in such a way that it feels like they are peircing your very soul. They do it with absolute control and it is a turn on. Unfortuantely, many women just don't look comfortable at all. They either look like they are asking for approval or they are distracted. Any good director should realize that it is better for some women not to look into the camera. I am not making a physical apperance critique here, but rather a critique of attitude.
Unfortunately though, you probably don't quite have the star power...yet, to make demands. And you probably have to listen to the director even if they have no clue what is sexy. Though, if they are receptive you may be able to enlighten them. It is interesting to know that oft times it is the director demanding certain behaviours. Thanks for informing me.
Of course, looking into the camera, at least a bit is necessary for most solo scenes.
The sparkle in your eyes keeps me alive --from She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult Endorphin's Lair
That's exactly why I posted this! I noted in one of the reviews of ME (its all about me!) that it was mentioned that I seemed more interested in the camera ...etc. All I could think was "DAMNIT! THEY TOLD ME TO LOOK AT THE CAMERA!", its not fair! I needed to vent :)
The only time I like it when the girl stares into the camera is when she's giving a BJ. For instance, the scene in Kelly the Coed where that girl (can't think of her name) is blowing those 3 guys on the stairs. The entire time, she's staring into the camera. It's a very erotic scene!
On the other hand... when a guy and a girl are fucking and she's looking off to the camera... it comes across fake. I'd rather her just look at him. Unless the camera is over his shoulder.
Looking into the camera is definately a good thing, and in fact, it is something that I award raincoat points for in my reviews. It's not a massive amount -- eye contact with the camera earns one or two points. Sorry, but eye contact with the male performer earns zilch.
I saw a recent thread on RAME that may help explain the difference of opinion. A lot of people like to imagine themselves in the action. This type of viewer would appreciate eye contact with the camera. Another large group of viewers just like to watch -- i.e voyeurism. To these people, looking at the guy would make more sense.
Snowman
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Planet Sex Deactivated User
1951 Posts 6/01
Posted - Jul 14 2001 : 5:59AM
There's three ways of looking at the camera.
1. The "wow, dear viewer, I'm SO loving being gang-fucked by those twelve greased albino dwarfes, and I really want you to know that I'm having a helluva good time!" way;
2. The "fuck you mister director, I'm trying to concentrate here, don't ask me to look at the camera, I don't care if this a Private movie and... oh, you won't pay me if I don't look at the camera? Okay, I got your point: 'cheese!'" way;
3. And the "and now, what do I do? Where do I look? Do I have to moan or something? There's a guy sticking his dick on my pussy, I don't remember seeing that on the script, is that right? Hello? Any help here?" way.
................................... Soylent Kevin Bacon is made of pigs! You've got to tell them! Soylent Kevin Bacon is pigs!
I agree with Oneloa, during a blowjob watching the camera is a must. Especially if it's right over the guy's shoulder with you looking up at it. Any other time, it depends. If you can do it right, like Jewel as Endo mentioned, it can be a very good thing. If it's done like "oooh. the lens is kind of shiny. i like shiny things!", then it's a bad thing.
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Posted - Jul 14 2001 : 11:39AM
awww sometimes I'm not sure where things should go either.I think this gets to the heart of the matter. Everyone watches porn for different reasons. I like watching people who look into each other and into the scene. A good cameraman should be able to catch the eye contact without you having to obviously look at the camera. I guess the solution is to give the camera the "I'm enjoying you watching me look" and then look back at your partner with the "I'm enjoying you fucking me look".
One of the few old Private movies I have lying around is "Friends in Sex", I don't remember who directed it. In one of the scenes you can distinctly hear the offscreen directions: "Look at the camera... big smile..." while the girl in question tries to follow the instructions. If it was a Pierre Woodman movie it would have been dubbed over with an unnatural moan track.
I can see two instances where looking at the camera is a good thing:
1. In gonzo videos the cameraperson is "actually there" as a performer, although out of sight. In some ways (s)he is the POV and surrogate of the viewer.
2. The camera is situated so that the viewer shares the partner's POV. (This would be the blowjob case.)
If, on the other hand, the people are acting out a plotted situation, the seductive glance at the camera is a sort of a wink to the viewer, telling the viewer that the situation is not real, and that perhaps the girl would rather be with him instead of the parolee she is stuck with in the movie.
For the most part, I LOVE when the performer is looing INTO the camera as if she were watching me, but HATE it when she is just looking toward the camera as if she is looking for approval/direction from the director. I also agree with others that it is primarily during a blowjob when this is hottest.
I think that Julia Taylor is just great at this in some of her Private movies. She just give a look that says "I wish that this was your dick that I was sucking".
