Well lets take this seriously, lets see what you need to get into the business to compete with the big guys. What do you need to get your adult porn business started? What equipment, tools and knowledge do you need to have before you can produce and direct your own features.
Perhaps the best way to answer this is to describe to you how I have done it, what equipment I use and what needs to be done in likes of preparation and learning.
Financing
Lets face it, without money you can't do anything, you're basically stuck unless you want to shoot your own penis. Perhaps that is a good way to start? There are many services out there that help you getting yourself out there and you get paid to strip in front of the camera; but then again if you're not the type or simply don't want to "demeanor" yourself in that way then that is not a way to go. Simply but, you need to have cash to get started and maintain your business. Make a business plan, research niches and establish yourself in the porn world before you shoot a single frame.
Equipment
It really depends on what you're going to do with the material that you're shooting what kind of equipment you need. If you're aiming for a HD DVD release in the future, then you need a HD Camera with a decent lens and an image stabilizer, to take out the small shakes that always occur, even with trip-pod use. Canon makes good models and you can get them from just about $3000. Will you need more than one camera? Well keep in mind that adding a second camera increases the cost of production, simply because you need another camera operator. If you're going to be doing the shooting, a single camera operation is the best way to go. If you're planing to lean back in the directors chair and have plenty of cash to invest in your project, go for two cameras and operators and even include a sound man to hold the boom.
Best boys, makeup artists, hair stylists and a photographer are people you should always bring to the set with you. There is just so much these people can do to make your models look so much better than they do naturally. An ugly guy can become a super cute school boy twink with the right haircut and moderate makeup, and the best boy is a must to tare open those condom packages and whip out the lube when its needed.
Light is also very important, and there are many ways you can learn about this, the way I did was buying lots of lots of books, instructional DVDs and looking at websites and message boards. Learn the trade, even though you're not going to be behind the camera or controlling the lights yourself.
Publishing
This is the issue that most people struggle with, and indeed I do as well at times because getting your product out there to the market is the most difficult and the reason most studios go out of business. Finding a distributor for DVDs can be tricky and you really have to know people to get into the door, and then, even with distribution, some will reject you right out hand because you're unknown or in an over saturated niche of the market. Do your homework on this, it will help when it comes to this.
Digital distribution
The future is bright indeed when it comes to delivering your productions on-line, and we at KM Studios believe that it will not be long until those ‘evil' distributors of material DVDs will go under, simply because everyone is getting broadband and everyone can buy, rent or watch on per minute basis almost every release imaginable on-line. We are raking up over 1000 new members a month to our Video on Demand library with our partner AEBN and we are seeing growth between months of more than 15%, now that is remarkable. Various studies have shown that digital distribution is the future, the question is, who will be on top? Time will only tell.
Your Website
Now of course you have made your title, shot the cover photos and made everything you need to also open up your world to eager customers waiting to fast download your content from your online presence. KM Studios operates www.keithmanheim.com where we offer in fact DRM free downloads of all of our releases, sometimes even before they are released to the main market. It truly gives us an edge because not only will it bring in extra income to finance further expansion and productions but it also gives you a great opportunity to get feedback from the people that end up buying your product; Your customers.
Final words of advice; take it slow, don't rush into it thinking you'll be a billionaire over night, in fact there is a lot of money in the business, but there are also very many people and companies in the business. Be brave, innovative and keep your cool.
Good luck with your new porn empire! :)
Keith Manheim is the renowned photographer and main contributor of the Keith Manheim blog. You can see his photographs and videos at the KM website by clicking here.
I know this isn't anything new to talk about but I have been wondering how many of my models shoot up with Botox® to look younger and stay in the business for longer. I kind of have a rule in my life that I have to try everything, at least once, before I can make judgment on it, and today I got my first Botox® injection at the age of just 31. It wasn't completely painless but it didn't hurt that much either. The doctor did this very quickly and was very steady with his small injection needle. I wonder, do porn stars around the world go every six months to get shot up with this poison (Botox is actually a potion, with the nice side effect of relaxing muscle tissue) or do they just stay prettier longer than we normal people? :)
