Expert: Jim Boyd - 9/27/2007

Question
Hello, I live in Illinois. I heard that it is technically illegal to hire actors for adult filming in every other state besides california.  But people still do it and get away with it.  I heard there were loopholes through the system, do you happen to know any of them?  A website called adultfilming.com that charges an enormous amount of money to train people like me on how to get started in the filming business legally says there are places to get licenses to film porn.  Do you know where I can find one?

Answer
Hi Justin,

No matter what you may have been told by other sources, it is ILLEGAL to shoot adult films EVERYWHERE in the United Stated except California.  Yes people do it, and they get away with it. However, not all of them do and it in NO WAY makes their actions legal. They are just simply “taking their chances” at not getting caught.

Adult film production is legal in California due to a presedent created by a 1988 decision of the California Supreme Court (California vs. Freeman). As a result of that decision, California became the first and ONLY state where a person can be legally hired to have sex for the purpose of making adult films However; producers are still required to obtain permits before starting any such production. NO OTHER STATE HAS SUCH A PRESEDENT!

If you get caught filming outside of California, a slick lawyer may be able to find some technicality to get you off, then again he may not. The law is what it is. Sex in exchange for money regardless of reason, is considered prostitution in ALL states including California. California just happens to be the ONLY one to make allowances for adult film production.

Adultfilming.com (but I think you meant adultfilmmaking.com which is nothing more than a cheesy “get rich quick in porn” gimmick site) is correct. There does happen to be a place where you can get a permit to film porn. That place is the State of California, and that is the ONLY place you can get one.

The advice I give here is based on 15 years of experience in this business and the success of 311 films. I’m pretty sure, based on that, I know what I’m talking about.  However, if you doubt my expertise in the matter feel free to contact an attorney who specializes in Adult Industry law and ask their advice. However, you should know you will be paying them a ridiculous amount of money for the EXACT information I just gave you here.

Hope this help clarify a few things for you.

Jim