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The Adams Report |
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Column #43 - October 21, 2004 |
This week, Los Angeles County health officials again urged the porn industry to require the use of condoms, as well as to have all models vaccinated for hepatitis A and B. This follows the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (CalOSHA) fining two straight porn companies $31,000 apiece for allegedly allowing their models to have unprotected sex. A similar letter was mailed in August to gay and straight companies from Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-West Hollywood). The fines were levied because the studios allegedly failed to protect their employees who were exposed to bodily fluids, a state regulation. The straight studios -- Evasive Angles and TTB Productions -- are appealing. As constant readers already know, condom use is voluntary in the sex industry. The vast majority of gay producers have self-regulated for 15 years. According to an Associated Press story picked up by dozens of news outlets, "the government has been frustrated with the industry's failure to take steps to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases." The AP story briefly notes that condoms "generally" are used in gay adult movies. Argh. I would not have picked a namby-pamby word like "generally." All but a handful of small bareback studios require the use of condoms for anal sex. Period. Perhaps it's time for the gay industry to step up more than it has to date. Any regulations imposed on the porn industry as a whole will affect the gay side whether we like it or not. Clutching the pearls and loudly proclaiming that we've self-regulated for 15 years is no longer good enough. Does anyone think the government, particularly a conservative Republican government, bent on regulating the porn industry is going to pass a regulation that exempts gay studios because we've been smart enough to self-regulate? Does anyone really think they will cherry-pick which studios will be exempt from regulation? Come now. I know that the gay side's relative silence on this matter has a lot to do with bareback studios. The hope is that any new regulations will essentially leave condoms-only studios untouched and drive bareback studios out of business. Ridiculous. Bareback videos aren't going anywhere whether we like it or not. If they are driven out of California, then they will set up shop in another state. If somehow federal regulations are passed requiring the use of condoms, then bareback producers will go underground. I know most straight producers don't give two shits about the gay side of the business. But it's time for the gay side to step up and demonstrate how the gay adult industry has grown and thrived with self-regulation of condoms. PRESS RELEASE ROUNDUP Moving on, the Colt Studio column I promised last week has been pushed back a week due to deadlines and various obstructions. However, Colt's John Rutherford has released a teaser trailer for its upcoming epic on Buckleroos.com. New from Kristen Bjorn's Sarava Productions is Italian for Beginners (clever title), a pickup from director Lucas Kazan. Filmed on location in Italy, expect more luscious scenery and even more gorgeous men. Stunner Matthias Vanneli leads the cast alongside drool-worthy newcomers Jean Franko and the mononamed Leon. Yum. Check out Lucaskazan.com and/or Kristenbjorn.com for details. Big Blue Productions and Arena Entertainment have Blue Blake's Musclemen Moving Company in release, right on the heels of Mr. Blake's Brute: A Wresting Fan's Dream (with the creamy, delicious Tony Cage on the cover). Musclemen Moving Company has the beefy Robert Van Damme as the coverstud; he shows off his imposingly thick Euro-sausage on the back. Costars include Big Blue regulars Ben Campezi, Chad Conners, Jason Hawke, Carlos Morales, Jim Slade, Derek Steel and Tony Valentino. Go to the newly revamped Blueblake.com for more specifics. Raging Stallion Studios has Stoked Part One on the docket with a fiery cover featuring Miguel Leon. From directors J.D. Slater and Chris Ward, fellow studs in the cast include Tony Acosta, Kyle Douglas, Cory Koons, Julian Morino Shane Rollins, Manuel Torres and the inexhaustible Tag Adams (if this guy doesn't win some kind of Performer of the Year award, there is no justice in this or any universe.) More meat is available at Ragingstallion.com and Rearstable.com. Also this week, Titan Media announced with great fanfare the pending release of Horse: Fallen Angel 5, the continuation of its award-winning leather/kink series and the return of Bruce Cam to the director's chair following a two-year hiatus. "Fire, fetish and fantasy combust in an inferno of the hottest hardcore action and the most intense fetish scenes ever scene on film," burbles the Titan press release. "Scheduled for holiday release this November, the final in the award- winning and best selling Fallen Angel series promises to deliver Bruce Cam's most over-the-top-feature to date." On the Derek and Romaine Show (channel 149 on Sirius Satellite Radio) this past week, a caller asked about studios that include extras on their DVD packages. I recommended Titan's DVD bells and whistles, and here's the proof: A four-hour version of the film will be released on a five-disc set with eight hours of material, including behind-the-scenes featurettes and "bonus content" from the first four films in the Fallen Angel series. In the press release, Titan goes so far as to guarantee Horse: Fallen Angel 5 will become "the best-selling gay DVD release of the Holiday 2004 Retail Season." I'm always skeptical when a studio boasts about the wads of money spent making its touted epic; in the past, such boasting has usually resulted in mediocre sex performed on lavishly art-directed sets with expensively rented costumes balled up in a corner. Nevertheless, Titan has spent "over $200,000 on [Horse]. No expense was spared to make sure this is the best film we've ever made," claims the press release. "From custom made and designed leather gear, the finest models from around the world to special effects and custom props... We have also committed vast resources to packaging, marketing and promotion. While other producers are trying to take advantage of consumers by pawning off single-disc, two-part films for $70 each, Titan Media delivers more bang for the buck with this five-disc, specially priced set." Titan has clearly thrown down the gauntlet. Let's see if, when and how other studios respond to the challenge, eh? The studio is online at Titanmedia.com. DEPT. OF SELF-PROMOTION My directorial debut, Catch Me, was released to stores Sept. 24, and new featured reviews from All-Boy and Blueboy magazines have come in over the transom. Get out there and pick up a copy! Porn Star Birthdays from October 21 through October 27: Rem Giovanni, Buck Meadows, Joe Russell, Joey Russo (October 21); Kyle Bradford, Chaz Carlton, Alain Medio, Sereen, Troy Steele, Mitchell Stevens (October 22); Brian Daniels, Eddie Gomez, Lex Kitau, Cole Tucker (October 23); David Anthony, Scot Craven, Chad Knight, Jack Murphy, Tristen (October 24); Jordan Austin, Steven Hunter, Buddy Jones, Nick Rains, Walt Walters (October 25); Michael Knight, Michel Mattel, Mark Skyler, Justin Small (October 26); Trent Cougar, Jonathan Cristipher, Grant Larson, the late Kyle McKenna, Doug O'Connor, Dean Rodney, Derrick Stanton, Tom Steele (October 27). |
- J.C. Adams |
| J.C. Adams has covered the gay adult video industry since 1995 and has served as the editor of Inside Porn Magazine and Unzipped Monthly. In addition to the "Adams Report" weekly gossip and news column, his work has appeared in Adult Video News, Gay Chicago, Genre, HX and many other print and online publications. You can reach him at: JCAdamsXXX@aol.com. |