I've been trying to get a handle on the economics in the adult industry for a couple of months. Conky recently directed me to the April AVN which had a cover story titled Ri$ing Talent Rate$ that lays the dirty numbers out in detail.

AVN looks at a number of factors to explain why despite the falling of DVD sales why the talent rates are rising, including increasingly more extreme acts demanded of performers and the rise of the "super pimp" as AVN terms agents like Derek Hay of LA Direct. The article also credits new money from internet sites as a factor in rising rates. However, there's no mention of the fact that many girls now also have the escort option. The fact is there's a new breed of fan that is stepping behind the camera of their own POV, except without the camera.

The bottom line on rates is as follow as far as generalities go:

BJ $450
G/G Vag $500
G/G Anal $900
B/G VAG $1,000
B/G Anal $1,200
DP $1,400

Contract (Subject to Various Arrangements)
$100,000- $150,000 per year (Up from $60,000.00 mid 90's)

Guys $800-$1000

The rate for the guys seems like a bit high. But the article goes into great detail over the importance of a sure thing male performer as a female can be replaced on short notice. But if the guy can't get it up, then you may not be able to find a replacement and an entire shoot day may be lost. Thus, there's apparently a rise of the $1,000 per scene male performer who can ensure a shoot will happen. However, there are just a few that fall in this category.

But how credible are these figures. Says Ashley Blue 'Never believe a prostitute when she says she makes a certain amount per hour." Lamented Ava Rose "On my first scene I got gypped. I got paid $350 to do a B/G." Rose now makes $3,000 per scene under her contract for Adam and Eve. (Frankly that doesn't seem like a lot, especially if she's only doing a minimal amount of scenes under the contract.)

The article really doesn't talk much about the hold out strategy where performers hold off on certain acts in order to build interest to get a certain fee.

And what do the "super pimps" get? 10-20% from the performer and another $100 from the production company. Like any good pimp knows, if you have a lot of girls working the streets you make more money. so one has to wonder whether certain agents have exclusive relationships with producers, so what would cost one producer $1,000, might cost a producer exclusively using an agency less. If anything, it doesn't seem like the "super pimps" are raising the rates on the ceiling as much as they are raising the floor. "Anyone reading this story should become a pimp. I think they should be teaching it in school. I think they are already teaching it at Chatsworth High" said producer Jim Powers.

Some blame Jules Jordan for the rising talent rates for paying exorbitant rates. "This really isn't a team sport" responded Jordan.

The bottom line is its getting better to be a whore and more expensive to make adult content.