Expert: Jim Boyd - 10/1/2007

Question
Hi Jim,

Now I have read some of your articles but none really apply to me exactly, I just wanted to ask the expert before I exert all my energy in something that might not be possible. I live in Michigan and am 19. I wanted to start a fresh kind of porn, not really amateur but ones where there is not really sex between male and female but just females doing things. Um, I read an article about filming is only Legal In California, but I was wondering in my case, if it would be legal to shoot video of just the girls.

That brings me to my next part, the part where I sell my DVDs. Is it the best way to just find a distributor? I'm sure there are a few in Detroit, I mean...Its Detroit. Anything you can do to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Also! Almost forgot, the legal part, do I start a "Production Company" to claim the money from sales for taxes?

Thanks again Jim!

Respectively,
JASON

Answer
Hi Jason,

It’s a great idea, but there are a couple of problems with your plan.

First off, you are a few years too late. The “solo masturbation” concept of porn has been around a very long time. There are several hundred websites and a few different film production companies that cater to this type of adult material. So there is, in fact, nothing “fresh” about it.

I’m not exactly sure how the legal issues would play out in your area if there was indeed no actual sex, but only women with their fingers/toys. You may be in the clear, then again maybe not, I really don’t know. Filming a woman masturbating is kind of a grey area and is subject to interpretation by the local authorities. However, if you plan on having women “doing things” (lesbian sex) together, then yes I’d say you would most defiantly have the major legal issues that you read about in the other articles.

The big thing is that adult film production takes MONEY…and loads of it. No offence, but you are not long out of high school, and I doubt you have the resources to being such an undertaking. It is also very doubtful that will be able to find investors willing to take part in you endeavor. People just won’t get involved with someone so young who knows nothing about the business and start handing out money.

Jason I’m not trying to be a stick in the mud or dash your dreams. I’m just being as honest as I can. The best advice I can give you at this point is go to collage, film school, intern somewhere for a while or just enjoy being young. You simply are not old enough or experienced enough in business to even think about becoming a part of this industry as a producer.

Sorry, to bring you down.

Jim Boyd