Pay depends on what acts are to be performed and how in demand you are. There is no set schedule of fees which all studios adhere to. Each studio negotiates individual rates with each performer.
Shooting a movie is only half the battle. You have to edit it into something watchable, get it put onto DVD's so you can sell it, then you have to get one of the few distributors to agree to distribute it, then you have to sit around for six months or more waiting for what money the distributor may have collected to be payed to you. Oops, forgot to mention the artwork for the cover, the covers/sleeves/boxes themselves, and, of course, advertising.
I guess it does tend to make the restaurant business look attractive.
I doubt many performers will work for free, unless it's for a special cause. They're kind of like everybody else that way - they like to get paid for their work.
An interesting question and one i've pondered over many times.
I think a shoestring budget video would cost around $2,000, and a HQ film would run into maybe $400-500K.
A true amateur video would cost nothing, except the cost of the camera and tape.
The most expensive Porn film ever made was Bob Guccione's $17 Million extravaganza, "CALIGULA" ... although this is subject to speculation as Guccione only added in the XXX parts after shooting the main film, as Sir John Geilgud stated that he had no idea it was a porn film. So whether or not it is Hardcore or Softcore is debatable.
I don't see any well known starlets doing it for free, although maybe a new girl trying to break into the industry might do it to get known.
One day I might get around to actually making the film i've written a script for, and then I will have to work out exact costs
I plan on shooting on digital, most likely the Sony HDW730S, and using anamorphic lenses to get a 2.35:1 aspect ratio. Maybe a first for adult cinema? Even the HD films i've seen (the few that are around) seem to be 16:9 (1.85:1).
I can only guess this will lower production costs significantly, as opposed to film stock, which has to be processed after it's shot, and it negates the need for dailies processing. I can edit with on-the-spot playback, or simply wipe a scene if it doesn't come out right. No wasting of film.
The good thing about Digital Video is I can add/remove during post-production.
I remember buying my first car when I was 17. I worked for a full year at Burger King and went to used car lots with my dad. I picked out a Datsun 4x4 pick-up truck. I had saved up half the money and my dad kicked in the other half.
He gave me some advice which I never forgot. He said, "Remember, son, buying the car is just the start. It's keeping it on the road that will cost you."
Insurance, repairs, oil changes, gas, etc. added up.
Same for porn prodution. It's relatively cheap to make a movie. It's selling it and "keeping it on the road" that takes deep pockets.
It had nothing to do with porn, sickguy. I'm just pointing out that film has its own narrative devices, and you have to adapt your ideas to work with those devices.
Just compare your average porn movie to your average home video and you'll realize that more than just pointing a camera at the action is required.
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sickguy Deactivated User
I'm unofficially Beauty Dior's #1 Fan 736 Posts 9/06
Posted - Sep 27 2006 : 12:27AM
Oh I realize all that. I'm just saying I think a good plot with a market that hasen't really been tapped into is a good start. I think my idea has the potential because it's not your run of the mill movie.
I work on the pro/am side, and my budgets are typically $2500 - $5000, including talent for features, and $1000 - $2000 for gonzo style. Although, because I'm more or less a 'solo girl' company, my talent costs can be reduced to just male performers, which come pretty cheap up here. Otherwise, I pay girls $200 - $400 a scene depending on what they're doing, but again... this is amateur.
On rare occasions, I've partnered with talent to co-produce footage for both our uses, or cross promotion, but it hasn't worked out too well, one side is always unhappy.
Unless you have distribution lined up before you shoot, that "great" idea might end up becoming the most expensive porn you ever jerked off to.
I deal with a lot of new companies that try to shoot their 1st video but never get it distributed.
In my opinion, forget DVD unless you have serious money ($250k) to fund the project. To compete with the RLD and Zero Ts you need to release at least 2-4 movies a month and be able to buy the advertising. Remember you wont see any money for at least 90-180 days.
Michael
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sickguy Deactivated User
I'm unofficially Beauty Dior's #1 Fan 736 Posts 9/06
Posted - Sep 27 2006 : 11:07AM
I'm still looking for an to my question...
How much do you figure a real top seller type movie nets?
I know it's a hard questions to answer do to the fact it depends on how much your budget, adversting and and all that stuff, but I would be interested in ball park figures.
Its almost impossible to answer how much a top seller makes. Are you talking world wide distribution, VOD, cable ect. Are you talking gonzo or feature.
Until you know how much you are going to spend you wont know how much you can make.
Most companies are working at much lower profit margains if any, at this point in time. There is a saturation of new product in the market. So even great ideas that would have made money a couple of years ago might not make the same today.
If the real question is -- should I try to get into the biz now and make some money on my great idea -- my answer would have to be no.
I know companies that are getting out because the risk and costs dont justify the rewards.
2257 is not about jail, its about forcing companies/websites out of the industry financially and its working.
If you make something that truly stands out, you'll do fine. It will take you longer than you think to get people to notice it, if you've made something markedly above average, and you've go the time and persistance to keep selling it, eventually it'll catch on.
Presuming you've got what it takes creatively/professionally, work your budget back from $15/disc (your price) and 5,000 copies sold per title, you'll do fine.
It's gonna take more time and effort than you think it will. But if you've got something special, it wil work.
I did a couple of free scenes. Just lately I walked into Chico's house to have some beers when he was about to start shooting an internet scene. I already did two scenes this day, but when I saw the girl I got horny. So I just jumped into the scene and had some fun.
I did scenes like this on various occasions and I know other guys who did the same.
Once I booked the lovely Gia Paloma as make-up artist and she ended up in a BTS DP. Just because she was horny.
then I stand corrected I was replying more to the concept that you should do free scenes to get established and it was my thought that that was misleading.
Heh, I could name a hundred guys that would do that given half the chance SteveI did say "Maybe a new girl trying to break into the industry might do it to get known." Kami. I wasn't trying to be misleading in any true sense of the word.
I was unsure about how some women get into Porn. Although some seem to follow a familiar path ... Do a photo shoot, stripping then go XXX-rated.
Not knowing the full extent of the US Adult Film Industry inside, it was a hypothetical
Sorry if you were offended by my comment. After all, I am new to the world of Production. I will make more mistakes as I go along.
no! I wasn't offended at all i was trying to provide the information I had about how to get in the biz, that the way wasn'r free scenes! argh Im messing it all up, not you!
Okay I'll hire you and together we can really mess it up LOL
ermmm .. the production that is .... *kaff*
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Eric381 Deactivated User
What are you looking at? It 2452 Posts 3/05
Posted - Sep 29 2006 : 12:51AM
Ahem...sorry to steer away from topic, but that avatar Ms. Lane is terribly inviting!!
It seems like many girls are getting $1500+ for anal scenes these days, no? I'm curious to know what kind of fortune Vince paid in order to capture the video deflowering of Amy Reid's ass!
Sickguy, when I think "not the run of the mill movie", I think of I AM IVAN . Now there is a man with a creative gift if I ever saw one!
Keep in mind, you're also asking for estimates of a "real top seller" type, assuming the movie you produce even makes the Top 50.
Monsieur Holmes, re: free scenes. "...I got horny", my friggin' ass off!!
Usually not. Perhaps some contract girls have it in their contracts, and in some very special cases like Jenna Haze Darkside they can get royalties, but the vast majority of the time, no. A performer's usual reward for being in a big seller is that they will gain a reputation for helping to move product, and other productions will want to cast them.
