hello, I am new here to the xpt community. I have a question for you porn biz experts. Awhile ago I thought about shooting some porn for commercial sales I even bought a sony vx-2100 camera and another mini-dv camera. well after reading up some more on the industry and the legal technicalities, crew expenses and 2257 regulation I began to realize this was too complicated and I have a bad habit of not completing hobbies so I just forgot about the whole thing all together.

Fast forward to the present. I am chatting in a chat room with some one who is an adult film fan and he is complaining about seeing the same girls over again in porn. I mention that I was thinking about shooting porn awhile ago and I still have the cameras and all jokingly. He asked can I shoot some private videos for him. I say wtf are private videos. He says movies that are just meant for the use of one person not the public and he said there are a good number of private collectors and he would buy my stuff if I made him some custom porn. He says he wants homemade, ameature pov style preferably in decent digital quality and the girls to range from a 5-10 scale just not hideous and he wants variety age,race and size.

I told him maybe and he has been emailing me constantly. so should I take this offer it seems like decent cash.

also can someone explain the legality in private collector porn. do I need model releases even though its not for public use. Do any models even do private videos. Where do I find them. Also do I have to pay for a crew,because since I can only sell the movie once crew expenses might not be able to be covered. I'm 76% sure I'm not going to do this because porn law is too complicated. but can some one give me advice.

Lordy.

Right, here goes. First off, this guy's commissioning the work, so you should get paid more as it's a one-off gig. Yes, get model releases for everything. Keep the originals and only give him copies if he demands them. Do not give him the master tapes unless he specifically requests them (there's always the chance he's going to commercially market your stuff down the line, so you want as much legal coverage as possible).

How do you find the girls? Check out hookers. If he's bored seeing regular chicks, try hookers or even college students. Depends on the strength he wants. If you try agencies, you'll eventually start using the same chicks everyone else uses, and it'll cost more than raw talent. Check swinging websites for couples who want to make it on film for a few bucks. And bring Viagra. Most amateur guys can't get wood under pressure, and you don't want to spend all day in a weird apartment with some guy whacking off. Or maybe you do, I dunno! I kid, I kid.

If the dude just wants POV, then screw the crew. You can handle that on your own. Just take some decent mini steps along to shoot over your male talent's shoulder lol. If he wants amateur style, then a one cam shoot works fine, with sound off the built-in mic.

Does your client want it edited down onto DVD, or does he want miniDV? Find out in advance so you can cost it in.

While you shoot, make sure the girls mention the guy by name, too (makes it harder for him to sell on commercially).

Legally, you probably want some sort of loose contract between the two of you, more for your own peace of mind than anything else. But releases and IDs are important anyway, just to be on the safe side. You are, after all, still selling this material to someone.

Anyone else got any ideas?

The viagra is a great idea...I was putting togather the party for college invasion, pittsburgh and The three guys that all got accepted were unable to obtain wood long enough to shoot anything....Luckally there was two other guys waiting in the wings and were able to perform without a problem...but still that is 2 out of 5....Deffinetly Use Viagra...also if he consistantly e-mail's you I would be a little weary but make sure everything is on the up and up and the most important thing is exactly what conky was saying...Keep records of everything you never know when you will have to provide proof of age to the government....

ok thanks guys I appreciate the replies very helpful. a few more questions and I am done.

ok model releases. I found a place where I can copy model releases online is that ok or do I have to hire lawyers to draw them up.

2. male talent do I have to hire male talent for POV because it's going to cost me at least 600-1,000 for female talent. and I figure 200-400 for male talent, and I figure these tapes will only get sold for around 1200. I'm in Chicago I don't know what LA rates are. I figure I could use my self as the male talent and that cuts out the Viagra problem too and that way I can pay more for female talent.

thanks again

For a good release form, just try Google and adapt it until you're happy with the phrasing. Basically, you want absolute indemnity from everything. If you're in any doubt, I suggest you send a PM to Pornlaw (poster here). Michael's an industry lawyer and I'm sure if you ask him real nice, he'll offer free advice on the board (maybe!).

In fact, it might be something he'd want to cover on his show.

If your client is happy with you as male talent, then go for it. Get yourself tested (and don't work with anyone who isn't up to date with their tests) and away you go.

I still recommend trying swingers first. That way, you'll only have to concentrate on filming and can get decent angles, plus the couples will play better together because they know which buttons to press on each other. And they'll be way cheaper than LA pro talent.

ok thanks a lot conky. I am still very un sure about this.

One more question and I am done I talk to the guy that produces for a website and he said the paper work which is the model release forms I assume takes 1-2 hours,but when I looked up the model releases online it was only one paper which takes like 1 minute to sign I guess am I missing something this seems to simple to be true.

How long? Is he a really, really slow writer?

Video releases are longer than stills releases, but even so... get your ID shots (all photo IDs) and then the girls sign the paperwork and you get your witness (you'll need someone who isn't you a a witness btw) to fill in their section. Can't see how that would take a couple of hours. Yes, there's more paperwork with video (and you'll want to take copies of their tests certs etc.) but you'd need ADHD for it to take that long.

He may have meant you'd need an hour or two to round the girls up, organize them all so they all have their IDs and tests etc. That could take time, knowing performers.

ok thanks I think I got all the legal mumbo jumbo down it was not as complicated as I thought. oh yeah and some directors just have the girl hold up their ID on film and say I am over 18 why they record(saw this on the Seymour butts show) is that ok. but for the most part I get it.

I guess the hard part now is to find willing talent thats going to take for ever these days especially in chicago if I decide to do this,but thanks I appreciate it.

I don't think its fair to ask pornlaw to weigh in on this one as he deserves to get paid for his work. But 2257 states in pertinent part:

(A)(2) is produced in whole or in part with materials which have been mailed or shipped in interstate or foreign commerce, or is shipped or transported or is intended for shipment or transportation in interstate or foreign commercee

Based on this section I think it is possible that 2257 does not apply to private films. In fact, the federal government does not have jurisdiction to regulate unless goods are going interstate (Interstate Commerce Clause).

But don't take my word for it, I'm typing with one hand.

I think Moxie's right about 2257 and the Interstate Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Find out exactly where the client lives. If it's outside Illinois, it seems that 2257 would then be applicable.

If it's truly for a private collector then model releases arent needed. If they were then you could sell it commercially. What I would recommend is a quasi-release that clearly states that this isnt for commercial release. That way the talent is protected if someone does try to sell it. They can sue/get a TRO to block it from being released or get decent damages if it is. No one with half a brain will release a movie without releases.

IDs are necessary to make sure everyone is at least 18. Again if its not commercial, there's no way this project will ever make it into the government's hands so no 2257 is necessary. And no one will release a movie without proper 2257 docs.

As for the actual filming, be aware that more than likely, unless you are shooting in Cali, the project might be considered prostitution anyway. Freeman protects porn production in Cali. No other state has legalized porn production.

Michael
PrimeTimeUncensored.com