They're making James Avalon features now, and they're the new distributor for Ninn Worx films. Hell, they've even brought on a former Vivid sales person to handle this new acquistion. On the other end, Vince has left to open up his own feature-gonzo company with the financial backing of Wicked Pictures. Tim Von Swine will be handling directing duties for Vince's company, perhaps done with RLD or still working on a per-scene fee. Steve Holmes is a free agent again, done for now with being an exclusive contract director. Erik Everhard has left for Evil Angel, joining a a room that is itself getting close to being overcrowded. According to Lukeisback, Mike John and Manuel Ferrara are next.
Luke, of course, offers no information on who is sources are. In fact, the information he offers is stated very matter-of-factly. Example (Headline: Mike John Leaves Red Light District, Information: He was their best-selling director.) So, perhaps the speculation about Mike John being gone and Manuel not expected to renew his contract when it comes up should be disregarded until official press releases go out. But, fuck it, I'm bringing it up. After all, Mike and Manuel have posted here in the past. They can answer the rumors directly if they so chose. And Luke is not the first to bring this up. I've been reading about Manuel and Mike John being as good as gone from RLD for a while now.
I can't speak for Mike John nor would I try. I don't deny even the remote possibility he's RLD's best selling director. He is the litmus test by which all gonzo porn is judged especially RLD and Ana/Dia.
However, I can speak fairly certainly about Manuel who is arguably the best performer in Porn Valley. Manuel was at Boogie Nights 7.0 and he is not leaving RLD despite the bullshit rumors. I don't know the details but that's irrelevant and up to him to divulge.
Don't believe the bullshit unless it's from a reputable source.
Kelly; for the record, RLD/PXP and Tim Von Swine are 'completely' done w/each other. there's no hard feelings, and no soft ones either. lates, Von S.
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Porn Scout Deactivated User
3735 Posts 10/02
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 4:07PM
I wonder what the hell they are thinking over there at RLD/PXP? I mean, how can you just let your company fall apart like that? I understand trying to get into the feature ppv/cable market, but why would you let your gonzo business just go to hell? It doesn't make sense when you are, arguably, right at or near the top of that market and making lots of money at it.
There's a lot of behind-the-scenes/deep background stuff that is mostly business-related.
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Porn Scout Deactivated User
3735 Posts 10/02
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 4:47PM
Well, no doubt. The thing is, one of my observations of this industry over the years is that there are a lot of bad business people running companies, and that's what I see happening here - bad business decisions. I'm guessing there are some egos involved as well. I think it makes perfect sense to move into a different segment of the market, but you don't destroy the existing business first. The smarter thing would have been to start a third company to handle the feature business while keeping the gonzo cash cow in place. Then, once you have a foothold in the feature market, that's when you make a strategic decision to start shifting resources from one area of the business to another.
Am I just stating the obvious here?
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AC Cream Deactivated User
1066 Posts 5/04
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 4:58PM
Yes, don't believe Luke Ford believe Chico Wang.The all knowing Chico Wang clears things up for people. That's classic.
I wonder if this was the scenario....
Chico.... "Manuel, I've got this 18 year old I've supplied with alcohol and other mind enhancing chemicals. You wanna take her Anal virginity while I fart in her face and slap her around with roast beef?" Manuel.... "No I can't, I'm still with RLD"
Well, he wouldn't work for Chico, so he definitely isn't leaving RLD.
Nothing says I love you so much as a tongue in the ass. 2884 Posts 1/03
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 5:25PM
Do you know for a fact that RLD is as profitable as it should be, or they want it to be? The fact that they're popular doesn't mean they're rolling in dough. They still have the PXP arm for gonzo and maybe their contract directors don't make enough extra money to justify their distribution deals. If their corporate directors push a few less units they probably stand to make more money. Anyway, as I said before in a similar thread, if I like a specific director I'll find his (or her) product wherever it's coming from. Evil, Elegant, Smash, NS/DS, Devils Film et al. It's no skin off my ass if RLD changes, or even disappears.
AC, for a conversation that is relatively serious as this one, an idiot like you chiming in like you know what's going on showcases what a moron you really are.
I have a sense of what's going on at RLD/PXP. But frankly it's none of my business to let people know. How do I know? Because I'm extrememly friendly with alot of the directors there and go out with them occasionally.
AC, maybe it's time to keep your mouth shut when you don't know shit.
I've been hearing rumors about this director or that director leaving RLD but unless I hear it from the source, it's ridiculous. Shit, people have heard I left Ana/Dia for a short bit but I thought it would be preposterous to even respond to it because, believe it or not, there's alot of jealous or short-sighted people out there in porn.
I'll let you in on a clue. There are rumors that Mason left Anabolic. Apparently not. But she has not been heard from or seen at the offices there for a good 4 months (nor have shot from my understanding). That to me speaks volumes.
Seems like RLD is making a business move to survive, hedging their bets against Bush's renewed attack on the porn industry. I guess they don't see gonzo having much of a future, since it pushes the envelope so much.
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Porn Scout Deactivated User
3735 Posts 10/02
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 5:52PM
That's a legitimate point. My assumption is that with 16 or so titles released each month, they have to be doing something right and they're probably making a lot of money. And no doubt, moving into the feature business is all about money too. I get that. I just don't understand why they're letting the existing business disintegrate.
My whole point with this thread has to do with the business decisions going on at RLD. That's what I'm curious about. You're right though, as a porn consumer, none of this matters all that much as long as the directors involved are able to move over to other situations where they can keep doing their thing.
The business of porn is just something I've always found interesting.
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Porn Scout Deactivated User
3735 Posts 10/02
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 6:01PM
I haven't seen any evidence that gonzo is going away. I'm sure the Bush crowd would love to see that happen, but even with the new 2257 rules, the government has to allocate resources to enforce all those rules, and I just don't see that happening on a really large scale. With the size of the industry, including all the web activity, it's just too costly to go after everyone. Plus, the bigger players, like RLD, should have their ducks in a row with 2257 compliance.
But, I think you make a legitimate point that the gonzo business in general is at higher risk, at least from a legal/regulatory perspective. I think that's certainly the case.
I'm not sure how anything is disintegrating. The lines are well-established. They also have months of unreleased scenes to package and distribute. As Anabolic has proven, you don't need "Star" directors to continue minting mountains of cash. You need a high wholesale price, strong distribution and a brand name that buyers associate with a certain kind of sex. It doesn't always make for the best porn, but on a general level, a lot of consumers don't really care anyway. They're just going into the backroom of the Mom and Pop and grabbing the DVD with the hottest-looking girl on the boxcover.
RLD has gotten so much exposure with the Paris Hilton DVD that you can't blame them for trying to mainstream it a bit. The slice of the gonzo pie gets smaller and smaller every day.
The viewers who are devoted to Mike John, etc., will find his titles no matter who puts them out. It could be that those guys will have a better deal elsewhere anyway, in terms of their percentage off of potential higher wholesale.
That's just a slightly educated guess. Don't quote me.
I love gonzo..I just can't get into the features. They seem way too tame. Damn, every time a hottie moves from gonzo to features, the swallow goes away, the facials get smaller, etc. I thing RLD is the best out there when it comes to a really good gonzo flick. I do hope they stick with it, or the guys leaving keep on making their types of movies. It's the only dvd's I rent.
I'm not so sure that Mike John left Red Light District, lets hope he is smart enough to realize a good deal when you have one, Mike is a good guy and very talented, what ever he chooses, I wish him well.
Sincerely, Dion
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Darth-Morpheous Deactivated User
1701 Posts 3/02
Posted - Jan 3 2006 : 3:55AM
Dion, I haven't heard from you in ages. This is much like what happened to Anabolic/Diabolic years ago. They had an arsenal of great directors, and one by one, they left to own there own product. They lost Mike John, John Strong, Vince, and others. Still Ana/Dia rebounded and puts out a pretty solid product. I like the work from SU and other directors are decent. Still nobody can shine Mike John's shoes. Whatever happens, I hope MJ winds up in a good place where he can continue to churn out solid porn. I just hope the quality remains.
RLD and PXP are in great shape no financial troubles at all. We are just expanding into new territory trying to cover all markets. Why some directors leave is mostly greed and they feel the grass is greener on the other side but when it comes down to it it's all the same BS no matter where you go. Live and learn but never burn bridges as someday you may need to cross back over them.
How about a cumback for one very last film? I wish you and Kylie could team up for THE WHORES NEXT DOOR.
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realtip Deactivated User
2301 Posts 6/04
Posted - Jan 3 2006 : 6:48PM
-Kelly- wrote"Feature-gonzo" seems like an oxymoron. I can't see how the two can be combined. Are there any present examples of porn films or series that can be classified as "feature-gonzo" already?
Darth, I've been gone for two years, I'm at good terms with my Brother, I'm starting my own company, Combat Zone is the name of it, I'm very excited about this, I won't comment on Vince, Erik, or Mike John, my Mother always said if you don't have something nice to say about someone, you shouldn't say anything at all, Jewel said all that has to be said, Red Light District and Platnium are fine and they will remain fine, I just look forward to working again, and hope to see you all in Las Vegas.
Sincerely Dion Giarrusso Combat Zone Entertainment.
See a previous thread about this: The Trend Toward Feature-Gonzos. Also, check the official press release about the co-founding of Vouyer Media between Vince and Wicked President/Co-Founder Steve Orenstein, in which Vince describes the first gonzo feature they have on tap. Understanding that gonzo has become the new industry term for everything "all-sex" (from the way the camera is used to the outfits the girls wear to the appearance of the boxcover), this concept can definitely seem like an oxymoron. However, it's just a porn with a storyline and RLD-style sex. James Avalon, overly relying on the orgy and multiples to deliver "gonzo" sex if you ask me, has been releasing one of these a month for RLD since September, the titles being Darkside, Sex Pix, Bustful of Dollars, Babes in Black, and She Bangs. It's something that could grow even bigger in '06, or it may not (it's no secret that I definitely want it to though).
Dion's Combat Zone press release even has a bit about features, though it reads "Giarrusso said that with Combat Zone he would produce what he knows best – hardcore gonzo porn.
'I’m not a big fan of features. Why would I want to do anything else except gonzo. That’s my forte,'".
Welcome back, Jewel! Actually I didn't start posting on here till after you were already gone. So it's great that you're back and you're here the same time as me.
Welcome back, Jewel and Dion! And thank you for providing a little insight on what's been happening behind the scenes. Its really none of our business but it sure is fun to read about all the drama that goes on in the adult industry.
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Darth-Morpheous Deactivated User
1701 Posts 3/02
Posted - Jan 4 2006 : 1:11PM
Dion, I knew you left RLD a while back I just thought you would still be involved in the industry for a while. I really am looking forward to seeing what "Combat Zone" has to offer. Another great studio to choose from sounds great! If I can let me make a couple suggestions. 1) It seems Evolution Erotica is basically dead. They still have some releases coming out but many stores don't even carry them and the website has been down for over a year. It would be a great idea to try and sign the Icon on as a Director. 2) If Mike John leaves RLD, offer him whatever it takes. He is an amazing Director as you know. 3) Jon Dough is releasing titles for NJ Films but if his contract runs out, he is a very underrated Director. 4) Pat Myne has been releasing titles for a while for Fusion X. He is another guy that is one of the best directors out there but he stays under the radar because fusion doesn't get as much attention as Directors at RLD, PXP, and EA. A directorial linup of Mike John, Tom Byron, Jon Dough, and Pay Myne, would be very impressive indeed! Not to mention the obvious chance for you to reunite with Vince Vouyer. The 2 of you basically started RLD. Now it seems appropriate for the two of you to work together on Combat Zone.
Darth-Morpheous adultdetective.com
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Porn Scout Deactivated User
3735 Posts 10/02
Posted - Jan 4 2006 : 5:42PM
Just keep Pat Myne BEHIND the camera, not in front of it!
Darth, I think theres a better chance of seeing Kobe and Shaq back together, before you will see me with Vince.
I think Tom Byron is very talented, but I think Rob Black has some kind of Spell over the Icon.
I would love to have Mike John, but he didn't return my phone call.
I would like to talk to Jon Dough, hopefully he will call me.
I live down the street from Pat Myne, he is a good guy, I like him allot, but he is with Zero and 3rd Degree, and the owner is a good friend of mind, I will leave that alone.
There is some good unknown talent out there, and I hope to make something happen with these Guys or Girls.
Somtimes its good to start new and fresh,particularly if you have a talent for identifying talent, and you seem to have a good eye for it. Best of luck and its always good to see more competition in the marketplace.
Since Vince has now reportedly teamed up with Wicked, I can't see myself getting any more of his product, since I don't care for Wicked at all. I might be willing to watch a "feature-gonzo," despite my aversion to features at all, but certainly not if it's from Wicked.
As for Mike, has there yet been any word on which company he will be going to next?
Have you developped a No-Wicked fetish to the point of erasing Vince from your memory, even if he still shoots great (gonzo) stuff, or did you read somewhere that Vince's style is going 100% Wicked ? After all, it might be him bringing a harder edge to Wicked and not Wicked softening his works. .... Granted, nobody will seriously expect a "Cumfart2Mouth" line coming from Wicked
"The company has been formed as an equal partnership, with [Vince] Vouyer handling all of the productions and [Wicked President Steve] Orenstein overseeing the day-to-day sales, billing, marketing, etc. Industry veteran Tony Cleary will handle sales for the new company and Bonnie Kail will handle domestic sales for Wicked."
Despite Orenstein's heavy financial involvement, I do not anticipate Vouyer Media films looking much like Wicked Pictures productions.
Mike John @ AEBN
Posted - Jan 1 2006 : 1:27PM
