Expert: Jim Boyd - 9/14/2007

Question
My question is after I find the girls, the man, talents are tested, and the video is done and edited, what do I do?

How do I get it published and on the shelves, or distributed on the internet?
Do I require any type of licenses myself?
Besides going out to find girls to star in my video, how can I find girls in my area using the internet?

The way I think it would go down is I go out and find the talents, get my own cardS to show people I'm serious about this, put the scenes together and edit it, and go to some company and have it published. If they like the video and the girls, I'm assuming I just recruited new talent and am trusted as a director and can get signed somehow?

My main goal through this is to be a big time porn director and having enough money to produce another film with known porn stars who would no doubt rake in more money.

Add anything that you think I should know too, please. :)

Thanks in advanced.

Answer
This is a pretty complex set of questions but I will do my best to cover everything.

Q: My question is after I find the girls, the man, talents are tested, and the video is done and edited, what do I do?

A: Let’s back up a step or two here. BEFORE making any Adult production you should make absolutely sure the “talent” that will appear in your production are of legal age and that your records on those individuals meet the requirements of federal law. Specifically Title 18 section 2257 and Code of Federal Regulations Title 28 Part 75. Failure to obtain these records before production starts or not properly maintaining them after the fact can get you large fines and prison time. Talk to an Attorney before you get started!

Q: How do I get it published and on the shelves, or distributed on the internet?

A: 1) To get it on the shelves of the local video stores: Contact one of the dozen or so Film Distributors around the country (names and addresses can be found on the labels of nearly every production currently on the market) or finance the copy and distribution yourself.

2) To distribute it on the internet: Have your own website to distribute your product or contact one of the hundreds of on-line Adult Video Stores and make arrangements with them to carry your product.

Q: Do I require any type of licenses myself?

A: Yes/No/ Maybe.  In the State of California, the only place in the United States where it is “technically” legal to produce adult material, a permit is required in order to make adult films. However these laws will vary from state to state. Again, I would suggest you consult an attorney in your area BEFORE you begin any production.

Q: Besides going out to find girls to star in my video, how can I find girls in my area using the internet?

A: Assuming that you now have all of the legalities worked out, you can often find local talent and other prospective performers on sites such as xpeeps.com and xratedemployment.com.

Please understand that you will need a lot more than a fist full of business cards with your name on them if you expect the people in this industry to take you seriously, and one film will by no means make you a “big time” porn director/producer. It often takes years and dozens of productions to achieve that kind of status. Contrary to popular belief, the Adult Entertainment Industry IS NOT a fast/easy money business that turns huge profits overnight. Legal fees alone can quickly eat in to the bottom line of any production.

Don’t let all this discourage you from trying your hand in the business if it is really what you want to do. But at the same time try to be realistic in your game plan and understand what you may really be getting yourself into.

Thanks for your question,
Jim