Expert: Dan Pepper - 3/10/2011

Question
Hello Dan,

First off I want to say that you guys here at all experts are amazing. Also that I requested your instructions from the expert package and I am going to arrange a time to set up a consultation with you at the end of this month to talk about some legal aspects. Only problem is, I live in Colorado and I am one of those face to face people.

I've been researching and getting ready to start my own online porn web series. I developed a website, put together about 8 scripts which I believe will total out to ton of websites, put together my business plan, placed character bios, researched film locations, etc. (I am a jack of all trades type. I went to school and learned everything I could - Web Design, Accounting/Bookkeeping, I interned at a TV station and learned how to work cameras/lighting/etc.) Funny as it sounds, I have my Masters in Forensic Psychology and Behavior Psychology. I realized I'm too fun to surround myself with books and depressing issues all day.

In my research, I posted an ad looking for talent just to see if I would get a response here in Colorado thinking I may have to relocate. I got tons of talent response. I'm also setting up an LLC here in the next week.

My question is, when it comes to interviewing talent, is there any legal aspect to what you can ask them? I.E. Can you ask them what type of sexual acts they would like to do without getting in trouble? Do you need get them to provide proof of age before you even speak with them?

Also trying to find some more content about the legalities here in Colorado...I want to do this right. I'm a researcher. I know you will answer a lot of my questions in the consultation but I want to get the most out of our 30 minutes ask I can, so if you could mention a bit about the Colorado laws here that would be great too.

Thanks for your help! I appreciate it in advance!

Answer
Hi Shannon - thanks for the kind words!

If you read my guide, you know about the issues regarding producing adult content outside of California.  Unfortunately you are unlikely to find any laws or cases in Colorado specific to the production of adult content for the very reasons I discuss in the guide.  However, you can take a look at the Colorado state laws on prostitution here, which may assist:  http://prostitution.procon.org/view.background-resource.php?resourceID=726  

We can go over some of the do's and don'ts when we speak, since I cannot provide specific legal advice in this forum.

Sorry for the thin amount of information here, but as I said you will not find much online for what you're seeking.

Dan