Expert: Dan Pepper - 10/19/2008

Question
My business partner and I are interested in starting and adult website.  We are
going in with 100k.  Can you tell me what cost of such a venture may be from
initial startup thru say, 2 years in?  We would produce 1 vid a week and sell on
line.  We are also planning on shooting in CA. for obvious legal reasons.  This
ballpark estimate would include legal representation as well.

Answer
Nate,

Production and other related business costs can vary greatly depending upon the nature and quality of your content, how robust you want your website to be, and how strong your marketing and promotion efforts will be.  As an example, some of my clients have spent $15K on a relatively barebone website, whether others have spent $150K on a high-quality interactive one which contains VOD and other high end elements.  If you figure you'll be somewhere in between, it doesn't leave you a lot for content production.

A very low budget film may cost you $5K-10K.  Lighting, camera, crew, talent and location costs can vary depending upon their quality.  Amateurs may cost you less, but you may be spending more on the back end in post-production.

Of course, if you're fortunate, revenues from your initial sales may fund additional shoots.

If you'd like to discuss further, contact me through my website at www.adultwebsitelawyer.com