Expert: Jim Boyd - 9/18/2008

Question
Hello, I live in NJ and I'm aware of the whole C.A is the only porn friendly state. My question is, I want to start a filmin in C.A in  the near future but I'm not going to live there. Wat counties in C.A  r the  easliest ones to deal with and do I need a physcial address for a LLC?  Also I c that ur based in NJ. Would u be able to deal with the legel paper work without me havin to fly to C.A? Content is mostly g/b, g/g, g/g/b.Mostly only website with monthly fees. Thank you, Percy

Answer
Hi Percy,

While it’s true that California is the ONLY State in the U.S. where the production of Adult Material is actually legal, not all areas of the State are “porn friendly”.

In order legally produce porn anywhere in California you must first obtain an Adult Filming Permit from the county/city in which your production work will take place. However, not all jurisdictions choose to issue these permits, thus prohibiting such production in their areas.

Nearly 90% of all Adult Material legally produced in the U.S. is created in the Las Angel and San Fernando Valley areas of California. Therefore I think it would be safe to say that these areas would be the most “porn friendly”.

It is not necessary to have a physical address in California in order to form an LLC there, but you will need someone in California to act as a registered agent, a role best filled by an Attorney highly experience in both Corporate and Adult Industry Law.

It may also possible for you to set up your LLC in New Jersey and still legally produce Adult Films in California. It’s a bit of a legal bees nest, but there are numerous companies that exist outside of California and only travel there to legally shoot their material. You will definitely need to speak with qualified Attorneys in both states regardless of the route you take.

While I’m sure there are Attorneys in the New Jersey area that can help you set up your company and assist you with the legalities and paperwork, I do NOT feel the person you originally sent this question to be one of them.

Good luck
Jim Boyd