While we might all have our favourite gay porn star that we jerk off to, we might not think about the logistics and the elements that go into making our fave flicks. Or, if we do, we might have some misconceptions of how the industry works – things have changed a bit since 80’s gay porn defined the genre for generations of men.
Here are some things you might not realise about the industry today.
Porn Production Companies Still Have A Role To Play
With the rise of platforms such as OnlyFans and JustFor.Fans, porn has become much more independent, with many performers and creators able to produce content on their terms and make bank while doing so.
“The rise of fan-pages has allowed content creators to thrive in a continually globalising content creation market…” explains Hung Aladdin. “Just that alone has decimated many many studio porn producers.”
Larger studios like Raging Stallion or TimTales still generally work for performers, but the content production and distribution landscape has changed significantly – you might not have to go to set but rather your bedroom to make porn content.
“When I joined Raw Fuck Club in 2016, we focused on becoming a network that featured not just our own content but also enabled models and other independent producers to upload content and share in the revenue…” explains F4G. “It was a bit bumpy at first but during the Covid-19 shutdown, we already had the infrastructure in place for models to film at home and monetise that content.”
It’s Movie Set Hours, But Everyone is Naked
If you’re familiar with Hollywood actors talking about 18-hour days on sets for weeks or months, you might be surprised to hear this can also apply to a porn shoot.
While a gay adult film will probably have a shorter run-time than Ben Hur, a 20-minute porn scene may still require a full shooting day in which performers may be expected to be hard for hours at a time.
“Sometimes the models have no chemistry – that makes the shoot very difficult…” explains Anthony Duran. “But if you’re working with professionals, they come in to do the job and go home.”
“A scene for Raw Road Nation takes us about two hours to film…” says Marc McAulay. We’ve got to check IDs and get the model-release forms signed. Then we can focus on the various positions we need to film the action and get a good cum shot.”
“For me, porn is performance and a form of acting…” explains Jordan Jameson. “It often is a ton of fun and of course intimate, given the nature of the act. However, for me – no matter what is happening personally behind the scenes – the second the camera rolls, I’m no longer ‘me’. I’m this character – a stylised and pornographic caricature of myself, fully immersed in the particular scenario.”
The Only Drug at Porn Sets is Viagra and Trimex
Like any workplace, caffeine is likely to be the only drug that you’re offered on the set of a porn production. Although, depending on your role position that day, you may have to avoid coffee to keep your butt clean and confident and ready for a close-up.
Obviously, erection enhancers such as Viagra or Trimex are part of the tools of the trade.
While porn performers – like anyone – may recreationally use drugs, it’s not something that’s condoned or provided on set.
“For the past five years on gay porn sets – and really every porn set I’ve ever been on, across the board – you can’t do any sort of recreational drugs on set…” confirms Micah Martinez. “A lot of times people forget that porn is, you know, a job. We are literally signing contracts, tax paperwork, and stuff that we legally have to be sober and clear-headed at the time of filming to fill out.”
“What you do in your free time is totally on you, but when you’re at work you need to be at work…” continues Micah. “I’ve seen people sent home by directors for attempting to come to work drunk or high. I know the world has this conception about porn models being these major party animals – while that may be true, anyone who’s successful for a good chunk of time can separate work and play.”
Is it Cum or Cornstarch?
Cum has never been more valuable, so if you don’t want your favourite Bukakke scene ruined, turn away now.
Depending on the long hours or the actor, sometimes you can’t get the money shot – this is why some sets will use faux cum when it’s not possible for the performer to provide the explosive finish needed to sell the movie.
Fake cum may include an egg, sour cream, cornstarch, and water, and it may not taste as good as the real thing to a cum guzzler connoisseur. While it may be possible to train yourself to produce huge cum-shots, everyone has an off day.
At the End of the Day, It’s Work
While no one is looking to ruin the secret sauce or make the rimming vid of two muscle twinks that helps you get off any less sexy, the fact is that sometimes you don’t feel like working, even if work involves fucking and sucking all day.
The industry’s allure from afar may be lost when it actually becomes your job – turning sex into work can suck, literally.
But Wait, There is a Perk
“The porn Industry has allowed me to stretch my mind and expand my horizons in very unexpected ways…” explains Dillon Diaz. “It really has been a liberating experience to learn how to be comfortable naked in front of others, be at your most vulnerable states of orgasm and then to have a platform to be heard on too. I’ve grown, I’ve matured and I’ve gotten stronger in addition to meeting some beautiful people and being able to enjoy sex with them.”
“In my personal life, I still only have eyes for one man – my amazing fiancé, Jake Waters – but at work, I’ve enjoyed many men, women, trans men and women and non-binary folks too…” continues Dillon. “What I’ve learnt is that sex is all about the sensations – gender is less of a hindrance for me, it’s about how they make you feel and how you make them feel. This is definitely something I wouldn’t have discovered had I not taken a chance on the porn industry.”
“The opportunities are right before you and all you have to do is say yes and open yourself up to the experience…” adds Dillon. “It’s a safe, controlled environment where we discuss our dos and don’ts before we begin, and there are people there to stop everything if it starts to go wrong. Plus, we’re all tested for STIs and Covid before we can come to work, so it’s been a win-win situation for me. Sexual exploration and freedom in a truly judgement-free zone – with individuals who have been recently tested and respect boundaries – and you are presented a pay-check after you cum. What more is there to say?”
“Sometimes the models have no chemistry – that makes the shoot very difficult…” explains Anthony Duran. “But if you’re working with professionals, they come in to do the job and go home.”
And, it would’ve been nice to tell how the models do their jobs when there is no “chemistry.” I mean, it can be blatantly obvious in a MAINSTREAM film where lead performers have little to no chemistry, especially in a romantic (but non-sexual) scene but I can’t imagine being “professional” enough to get–and stay–hard with someone who doesn’t, um, light your fire in a sex scene. (I’m guessing–from what I’ve read of female porn stars, at least–that the “big names” can simply refuse to work with someone they have no chemistry with, but I have to wonder how a relative newcomer gets by when he has to work with someone who doesn’t hold any appeal. I mean, sure–a bottom probably doesn’t have to worry about his erection but, at the same time, if he’s not interested in the top or the scene as a whole, I’d think he’s not going to stay in the industry for too long.)
Also, I hope that others, especially the ones who so often bitch and moan about the models who “look at the camera” will have paid attention to some of the images accompanying this article. There are a couple of pics that show cameramen with regular cameras–the kind that take still shots–rather than video cameras. Those models who “look at the camera” are typically posing for the regular camera guys.
I’ve always been interested in what happens when making a porn video. I go online or what ever I can to keep up with what is going on. So, it was very nice to find this article and hear from some of the porn industry performers and producers, and such.
Thank you.
I have thought about it a long time to be I. A gay porn but now old how do I pursue a role ?help me out here k
The thought of being in porn has always intrigued me, I just don’t know where to go or what to look for in terms of studios or producers. Any info would be greatly helpful.
Thanks
I enjoyed reading this article and hope there will be more like it. While I have no interest in becoming a porn star, as I’m too old, and haven’t got the body or sufficient equipment necessary, I do appreciate those that work in the industry and share their talent and bodies with us ordinary people. It’s comforting to know that these days everyone is tested and can work together safely.
There are so many hot men and scenes that get me going. I know it’s a different story when filming but they manage to pull it off.