So, you watch porn, right? Have you ever thought about what goes into the making of your favorite flicks?
There's a lot more to it than you might think. Schedules, std testing, carpooling, paperwork... and hilarity that you could only really find on a porn set with people who are sharing in your struggle.
As a director of porn for the past decade, I have some tidbits to share with you about what really goes on behind the scenes at so many porn sets.
1. Positions for filming can be pretty uncomfortable
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Sometimes, a great shot comes with pretty unnatural positioning. Have you ever seen male-female doggystyle porn where the man is obviously holding his arm on his side to not cover the action? A lot of videos show that classic move, as a good example (who has sex like that otherwise?!). I do my best to shoot models in positions that are comfortable to them, and am grateful for physically flexible models.
2. Makeup goes... everywhere
A behind-the-scenes pic from a shoot of mine
So many times have I seen models and makeup artists apply makeup on pimples, bruises, bite marks, rope burns, etc- from boobs to butts to bits. I have seen makeup on nearly every part of the body… and that stuff doesn’t always survive between takes. It needs to get reapplied often- so it’s common to see models dipping down to help each other apply makeup to razor burn, blemishes, etc. Again, everywhere.
3. There’s a lot of checking for TP
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Genitals (especially female) seem to attract lots of bits of TP, fuzz, lint, etc. One of the best things to have on hand at a porn shoot is baby wipes. Many, many baby wipes. All those clean-as-a-whistle coochies you see in porn sure don’t get that way naturally!
4. Sexy furniture is really important
Forget squeaky beds, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. It’s key that beds and other furniture provides comfort and good angles, no indentation on skin (lines from ridges on upholstery- boo), no distracting noises, and firm enough that people don’t sink in too much. Truly, this has made me a connoisseur of furniture- if I’m in a space for the first time, I’m likely thinking about the furniture and if it would be good or not for shooting. Director brain. Is your couch good for porn?
5. Lights can get really, really hot
Thankfully, there are some lights coming out now which are cooler, but a lot of studios still use very hot lights. I have had to cancel shoots in hot weather as my models might have actually passed out from heat when there wasn’t AC available. It’s a common problem, so many times porn stars are often feeling super hot... in more ways than you know.
Next time that an opportunity arises... maybe give a few extra thanks... to the work behind the scenes on your favorite porn films!
;)
Xoxo,
Lily
P.S.- I just became freelance and am planning to keep Steeming things up around here- your support is greatly appreciated!