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Review – New Sensations’ Anchorman: A XXX Parody (2011)

Review by Vittoria Buzza

As some of you may remember, I love watching well-made adult parodies. After watching New Sensations’ The Flinstones: A XXX Parody (2010), a whole new world opened up for me. Now I can hardly watch a movie without imagining what the parody would be like. This makes things quite difficult sometimes, especially in movie theaters ;)

When I heard about New Sensations’ Anchorman: A XXX Parody (2011) I knew I had to watch it. Not only was I mesmerized by New Sensations’ Flinstones film, I am also a die-hard fan of the original Anchorman (2004). I was pretty sure I would enjoy my time with Anchorman XXX, but I was also aware that I would be a pretty harsh critic because of my love for the original.

Being a former news station coffee girl, news writer, sportscaster, prompter operator, etc. (the list could go on for years), I feel deeply connected any time I watch something related to news stations. So, for more than one reason, I immediately unwrapped the DVD upon its arrival and started watching.

This film is not a regular parody – it’s not just a remake of the source material. Like the Flinstones parody, Anchorman XXX takes place at a different point in time (later than or after the original). It’s like a “what happens next.” Continued…

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By admin
January 27, 2012

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PVV – condoms in porn, as of today at least (1/25/12)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has been at it for a while now; and, at least as of recently, they have finally succeeded – condoms are pretty much required for porn shot in the City of Los Angeles.

I’ve been talking about this for a loooong time now – Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, has too much free time here and my goodness all those CalOSHA meetings I have attended over the years (this is only one). So…

“The Los Angeles City Council has affirmed [a recent] preliminary vote to allow AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s mandatory condom initiative to bypass the election process and go straight to law. [The] 9-1 vote means that the new ordinance—which ties the granting of film permits to mandatory condom use on sets and imposes a fee on producers to fund unannounced inspections—will go into effect in 90 days unless a court challenge is able to derail those plans.” (Tom Hymes, AVN, 1/17/12 here)

And who was the 1 against the 9? The representative from the San Fernando “Porn” Valley, of course.

“On Monday [1/24/12], Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed into law the bill passed…by the LA City Council, based on AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) ballot initiative that would require that all filming permits issued in the City of Los Angeles by permitting agency FilmLA to adult producers to include a requirement that the male performers wear condoms during the filming of sex scenes. Such companies will be charged a fee, the amount yet to be determined, to fund the inspections necessary to make sure the law is complied with.” (Mark Kernes, AVN, 1/24/12 here)

According to Free Speech Coalition (FSC) director Diane Duke: “The city ordinance is more of a nuisance at this stage than anything…but what is significant about it is that it’s the first step in government intruding into how we make film, and even into the sexual behavior that takes place between consenting adults.” (here)

“Even the pro-mandatory-condom Los Angeles Times noted that there are 87 cities in Los Angeles County other than Los Angeles itself, as well as numerous unincorporated areas, only a short driving distance from the City of LA, to which the companies could relocate and begin filming—and noted in any case that the new permitting law doesn’t apply to ‘filming that occurs on certified sound stages,’ of which the adult industry already has several. (Of course, AHF has mounted a second petition drive to place a mandatory condom measure on the LA County ballot.)” (Mark Kernes, AVN, 1/24/12 here)

So this is basically another mountain-out-of a molehill bit of propaganda time-and-tax-payer-dollar-wasting bullshit from AHF – condoms are mandatory, in the City of LA, on certain types of shoots. But AHF apparently has a mission and endless resources, so goodness only knows what will happen next.

Why, why, why does an organization with a stated mission to fight HIV and AIDS care about the adult industry??? I have been asking that question for years now!! And this issue is so complex, with so many components in hot tension: what anyone does with their own body, especially when it’s a question of inserting things inside it, should be up to that person only; people who work in a competitive for-profit business make decisions based upon market demands within the context of their specific space within an overall industry, and they are not evil because they do this… especially given what/who they are competing with on the world’s stage; and people who have no idea what they are talking about, much less doing, when it comes to the adult industry ARE NOT in a position to regulate it carte blanche… and there’s so much more.

I can’t even begin to cover every corner of this debate in a succinct manner, so here are some key points from five well-balanced and informed articles. Please read them all (each article, not just the quotes I pulled), and try to keep your head from exploding… Continued…

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By admin
January 25, 2012

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Review Haiku/PVV – …on the cover of Tom Byron Pictures’ Lord of Asses 15 (2010)

I have here a copy of Tom Byron Pictures‘ Lord of Asses 15 (2010)…

Lord of Asses 15, an installment of the renowned and quintessentially anal Lord of Asses series, was recently nominated for a 2012 AVN Award for “Best Anal Release.”

Although the film didn’t win (the honor went to Jules Jordan Video’s Ass Worship 13), people still think producer, director, and star Tom Byron is – in fact – The Lord of ALL the Asses. Ok…

The film consists of five anal scenes: Tom Byron partnered with Amy Brooke, Jennifer White, Jynx Maze, Marie Luv, and Tori Black (respectively). Two-time AVN Female Performer of the Year (2010 and 2011) Tori Black is on the cover.

Tori Black recently had a baby. She also seemed to have a bad time at AEE this year.

According to TMZ, Tori and her fiancee Lyndell Anderson were both arrested in Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel for domestic battery early Friday morning (1/20/12). Their baby was present.

AVN, who tends to be a little better about matters pertaining to adult performers, also covered the story when it first happened. They have since updated their information (1/24/12) with a statement from Tori that says (in part): Continued…

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By admin
January 24, 2012

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Review – Bobbi’s World (2011) & Shut Up and Fuck (2011)

In the spirit of production and distribution relationship explanation and Bobbi Starr content exploration, I’m just gonna shut up and write. It will all come clear soon…

Evil Angel was started by producer, (former) performer, and free speech/civil rights activist John Stagliano in the late 1980s. Stagliano is one of the most influential members of the adult industry, and “The Evil Empire” is one of the most highly regarded production and distribution houses. The company has a fascinating history, an overview of which is here.

Stagliano developed the “gonzo” style of adult content production early on in his career. As I recently explained, gonzo content “is when the camera ‘talks’ – imagine someone walking around a family gathering with an old school camcorder. The person filming the action was also (usually) involved… talking to people about whatever was going on, narrating, saying silly embarrassing things, occasionally getting in the frame, etc. That style of shooting is gonzo.” This production style has since been widely imitated across various genres of adult.

Anyway, there is an endless amount of things that can be said about John Stagilano and Evil Angel; but for our purposes here, let’s focus on the fact that Evil Angel distributes content from a collection of directors. This is how John himself explains the arrangement:

“Evil Angel, or ‘The Evil Empire,’ is a company owned by me, John Stagliano, that is organized in a completely different way than any other video porno company. I sell my videos, and I also sell the videos of several other directors. We are different in that I do not own the videos of these other directors. I only sell their videos and keep a percentage of the gross sales as a fee for my services. I started this arrangement because of my experience selling videos to other porno companies. They would buy my videos and own them themselves. I found that it was very difficult to build my reputation with the public this way, and also, I did not get any more money if I did a video that sold exceptionally well.

At Evil Angel I wanted to create a situation where the directors could be rewarded for the hard work they put into creating their product. Here the directors make more money if their videos sell more. This is a great incentive for them to find new and better ways to make videos. All indications are that this system works very well. The DVDs that we make are the best-selling in the business. Each one of our directors is unique in style and content, but similar in their commitment to create the best product possible.” (original text here)

So basically, Evil Angel is a studio by which John produces his own content and a distributor through which select directors can make their products available. One newer director currently with Evil Angel is Bobbi Starr.

Bobbi Starr is many things – pretty and polite, well-spoken and super smart (you should read her blog). She can play a bunch of musical instruments and has a college degree. She is also one of the most well-respected, prolific, and hard core adult performers around today (here are some of her credits). She recently started directing for Evil Angel. Bobbi’s World marked her directorial debut. Shut Up and Fuck was her second and has received serious critical acclaim. Let’s take a look at both, shall we…

[fyi and before we get started: none of Evil Angel's content, John's or Bobbi's or otherwise, is for porn amateurs] Continued…

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January 21, 2012

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“It’s (Not) A Man’s World” crushes it at AEE!!

Just a quick note, bebes (because I know you all are burningly curious)…

Yesterday’s seminar, It’s (not) A Man’s World – women leaders in the adult production and novelty industry, went amazingly well!! The seminar room was packed, there were tons of great questions, and I really think everyone got something significant out of the discussion.

But you can get an idea for yourself!! Here’s a little clip from the seminar. In it, we see panelists (l-r) Lucy Vonne, Allison Vivas, me, Anne Hodder (who is obstructed by the podium thing a little because of the angle), Stormy Daniels, and Joy King. Anne is speaking in the beginning of the clip, followed by Stormy. It’s a sweet little taste of how awesome the entire event was – enjoy!!

 

 

There is so much more to share, but all in due time!!

Thanks again to the wonderful, strong, and brilliant women who took the the time out to participate in this event. I’ve received so many wonderful messages filled with positive feedback and sincere appreciation during the last 24 hours – it really makes all the work and effort that goes in to such things so very worth it. Yay!!

* * *

Questions? Comments? Email Dr. Chauntelle!!

PDF of “It’s (not) A Man’s World – women leaders in the adult production and novelty industry” seminar program here.

Like what you see? Follow PVV on Facebook and Twitter and/or follow Dr. Chauntelle at @DrChauntelle!!

You may quote anything herein with the following attribution: “Reprinted from PVVOnline/Porn Valley Vantage, copyright © Chauntelle Anne Tibbals, PhD (www.PVVOnline.com).”

PVVOnline – Critical Commentary on Adult Production

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January 19, 2012

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PVV – “It’s (not) A Man’s World” at AEE, 2012

Many of you have been asking about my AEE seminar, and I know by now you all are burningly curious… so, without further ado, I give you:

*SEMINAR PROGRAM*

It’s (not) A Man’s World – women leaders in the adult production and novelty industry

Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE), 2012

1/18/12 at 11 AM in Las Vegas, NV

Organized and moderated by Chauntelle Anne Tibbals, Ph.D.

For decades, misconceptions have shaped popular understandings of the adult industry. A significant series of misconceptions centers on women working “in porn.” Women in adult are commonly mischaracterized as passive individuals who work in front of the camera, only. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

The adult entertainment industry is a diverse enterprise wherein women are integral at every level. During this panel, an occupationally diverse collection of women will share their experiences working in adult, highlighting the challenges, advantages, adventures, and quirks of an industry commonly construed as being “run by men.”

Panelists:

Stormy Daniels: Now in her 10th year at Wicked Pictures, Stormy Daniels is a force to be reckoned with. She has performed in over 130 adult titles and has won numerous fan and critical awards for her work in front of the camera. Behind the scenes, Daniels is an award winning writer and director. She has directed over thirty titles for Wicked Pictures, including the wildly successful big budget comedy Operation: Desert Stormy (2007), and has written scripts for even more. Daniels has enjoyed mainstream crossover success with appearances in movies such as The 40 Year Old Virgin (2005) and Knocked Up (2007). She is also very politically minded – she has lobbied for industry rights and child protection at the state and federal levels and has even flirted with the idea of running for US Senate.

Anne Hodder: Anne Hodder is an editor and publicist whose work focuses on sex and the adult industry. She owns and operates Hodder Media, a PR, marketing strategy, and brand consulting firm for companies operating within the sexual wellness and lifestyle industry. Hodder also is Web Editor for LA Weekly’s sex blog, AfterDarkLA.com, where she blends her educational background in gender and human sexuality with professional journalism experience in adult entertainment to educate and open the minds of the masses, one raised eyebrow at a time.

Joy King: With over 26 years of experience in the adult entertainment industry, few individuals have had an impact comparable to Joy King. A Southern California native, King got her start in the adult industry in 1984. After ten successful years with video era giant Caballero Home Video, King made an uncertain move to a new company – Wicked Pictures. She instantly made headlines for Wicked Pictures and is credited with catapulting their former contract performer Jenna Jameson to mega stardom. Within Wicked, King has also held positions overseeing sales (including sales to mail order giant Adam & Eve), public relations, and Internet and DVD divisions. She currently consults for Wicked, handling the creative aspects of production and some sales and marketing.

In addition to her work with Wicked, King was been an active member of the industry trade association Free Speech Coalition (FSC) for over ten years. With King’s participation and support, the FSC’s lobbying efforts have successfully killed many bills potentially detrimental to the industry. A true industry leader, King has been a key factor in Wicked Pictures’ continued growth and success, as well as the overall mainstreaming and success of the entire adult entertainment business.

Allison Vivas: After completing her degree at the University of Arizona in 2001, Allison Vivas joined a startup adult website affiliate program called TopBucks at the age of 21. Vivas quickly rose to the position of Marketing Director, where she oversaw a wide range of the company’s activities. In 2004, the company launched Pink Visual to bring together its Internet, broadcast and DVD distribution efforts under a single brand. Vivas was named President of the company in 2006.

Under Vivas’ guidance, Pink Visual has established a strong reputation within the adult entertainment industry as an innovative, forward-thinking brand that focuses as much on developing excellent technology as it does on creating high quality adult entertainment. Vivas is a two-time winner of the XBIZ award as the adult industry Woman of the Year and has been selected to represent the industry in mainstream media appearances on many occasions.

Lucy Vonne: Lucy Vonne is a writer, sex educator, and sales aficionado. She graduated Emerson College with a BA in TV/Video production in 2006, and she currently works in sales for Zero Tolerance Entertainment and Evolved Novelties. Vonne travels nation-wide, teaching brick-and-mortar store employees about sex toy sales and has also taught sex-educational seminars for women. Her writing has been featured extensively in adult magazines and on adult websites, and she is continually named one of Pleasurists.com’s Top 100 Bloggers. Her popular website, Sexy Blogtime!, epitomizes Vonne’s commitment to sex education and fun.

Moderated by Chauntelle Anne Tibbals, Ph.D.

Dr. Tibbals is a sociologist specializing in gender and labor issues. She has spent almost ten years researching the adult industry, working to complicate popular understanding of the adult business, its enterprise, and its socio-cultural significance. Her research has been published in numerous scholarly journals including Sexualities, Gender Work & Organization, and Stanford Law and Policy Review. She is a Visiting Scholar in USC’s Department of Sociology and blogs regularly about industry issues at www.PVVOnline.com.

* * *

Fun, right?? You should come!!

I will post my notes up soon re how the whole thing went, but right now gotta go moderate (read: work to reshape mis/conceptions about a vibrant and significant, influential dimension of our culture and society) – it’s a dirty job, but somebody’s gotta do it!!

* * *

Questions? Comments? Email Dr. Chauntelle!!

PDF of It’s (not) A Man’s World – women leaders in the adult production and novelty industry seminar program here.

Like what you see? Follow PVV on Facebook and Twitter and/or follow Dr. Chauntelle at @DrChauntelle!!

You may quote anything herein with the following attribution: “Reprinted from PVVOnline/Porn Valley Vantage, copyright © Chauntelle Anne Tibbals, PhD (www.PVVOnline.com).”

PVVOnline – Critical Commentary on Adult Production

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By admin
January 18, 2012

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PVV – “Crossing Over,” or what do fans see and feel during AEE?

As some of you may know, this week is the Adult Entertainment Expo (AEE) – THE adult industry trade show held annually in Las Vegas, NV. The acme point of AEE, for many, is the gala AVN Awards show.

AEE is always pretty fun; and although many people say the show is currently in the grips of a major decline, I’m especially excited for this year’s. I organized and will be moderating the panel “It’s (Not) A Man’s World- women leaders in the adult production and novelty industry” on Wednesday, January 18 at 11 AM – yay!!

AEE is also pretty interesting because it’s actually trade/fan show hybrid… Some shows, like the XBIZ shows and the Phoenix Forum, are essentially industry-only business events. Other shows, like the EXXXOTICA Expos, are fan shows filled with fun fan events and performers on hand to sign autographs and take pictures, etc etc. AEE is a little different from both industry-only and pure-fan shows because it’s an industry/business show with a significant fan presence. Fans can even attend the awards show. It’s an interesting mix, and I’ve always wondered: “How are all these fan folks, and what do they think of this event??”

Well, I recently came across an amazing write up of one man’s foray into the AVN Awards… and I learned so much!!

Jason Lyon’s piece, “Crossing Over,” appeared on pages 78 – 79 in the March, 2011 issue of the AVN magazine. Here’s a screen grab, but you can see the piece in its full glory here.

Jason makes so many wonderful and articulate points in this piece that you really must read it for yourself (it’s only two pages long), but in a nutshell… Jason is a mainstream guy with a mainstream life. He also has a passion for the capacity for human growth and development that is facilitated through adult content. Consequently, he has traveled all the way from the East Coast to Las Vegas for the AVN Awards. Twice.

Throughout the course of this piece, Jason works his way through some conflicted feelings about being a front-facing fan of adult entertainment; and this isn’t surprising. In spite of the fact that the vast majority of people in the US consume adult products in some way (don’t lie to yourself, and fyi: vibrators and KY totally count as adult products), there’s still so much shame and embarrassment and lack of communication associated with sex and sex practices and related issues in our culture. This includes shame surrounding adult (I’ve been talking about this lately here). Continued…

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January 16, 2012

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Review Haiku – Pleasure Dynasty’s The Real Housewives of South Beach XXX (2012)

Generally, I shy away from anything adult content production-related that’s based out of Florida. Pleasure Dynasty is based out of Florida…

“Pleasure Dynasty is a Florida-based production company focusing on 3D and true HD video technology in the adult entertainment genre. Pleasure Dynasty is owned by director and producer Carlos Cavero. Cavero has partnered with adult industry veteran Don Young, who will handle VOD and DVD sales for the company. Pleasure Dynasty’s 3D content is created in partnership with Minka Studios, who provides the proprietarily designed 3D cameras and editing support to allow Pleasure Dynasty the ability to produce content in the 3D format, while keeping the look and feel of amateur and pro-amateur adult video intact.” (originally here)

…so generally I would shy away from them and their content. But I have made an exception for The Real Housewives of South Beach XXX (2012). Continued…

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January 13, 2012

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XBIZ Awards, 2012

The 10th annual XBIZ Awards were held in the Santa Monica Airport’s Barker Hanger on Tuesday, January 10th!! I went… because PVV was nominated for something. And because such events are always super fun.

Although PVV didn’t win the award for “Adult Site of the Year – Portal/Hub,” which is fiiine… le sigh, I had a wonderful time at the awards show – hanging out, chit chatting, cheering, tweeting up a storm (you really should follow @DrChauntelle and/or @PVVTweet if you’re in to the twitter at all), and carousing in general.

Here are some pictures… Continued…

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January 12, 2012

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PVV – a troubling trend, but what does it have to do with porn?

Not to be a mid-30s(ish) fuddy duddy, but I’m gonna go ahead and say it: the idea that girls as young as 15 are taking part in group sex these days kinda freaks me out. But when you tell me that this is because of porn… well, I’m gonna go ahead and disagree.

Recently, this bit “Group sex is the latest ‘trend’ for teenage girls, disturbing report reveals” (published December 19, 2011) was brought to my attention. The original posting is here, but the text in full is copied below. Let’s take a look, shall we? Continued…

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January 9, 2012

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PVV – something interesting to listen to: “should condom use in porn be regulated by the city or the state?”

I have written a lot about health and safety in adult production over the past couple of years (including my forthcoming scholarly article “‘Anything that forces itself into my vagina is by definition raping me…’ – Adult Performers and Occupational Safety and Health,” coming soon to Stanford Law and Policy Review), and the battle over condom use in porn continues to rage in 2012.

There are many “sides” and perspectives feeding this issue. Some of the more forefront questions, in a suuuper abbreviated nutshell, amount to…

1. What sorts of government mandated health and safety regulations should be in place on adult production sets?

2. Who is responsible for determining the specifics of these regulations? Who is responsible for enforcing them?

Links to several pieces breaking down these questions and issues and recaps of some of the CalOSHA-related meetings I have attended over the years are here for your catch-up enjoyment… :)

Anyway, issues surrounding the “condom debate” (as it’s often referred) have been changing shape on a month-by-month basis as of late, with some developments being more significant than others. One recent big development is centered around AIDS Healthcare Foundation‘s efforts to get a condom mandate initiative on California’s June ballot.

I recently came across this bit, “Should condom use in pornography be regulated by the city or the state?” It serves as an interesting update. Continued…

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January 7, 2012

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PVV – another dimension of piracy…

Recently, I went on yet another anti-piracy/”don’t watch free porn on the interwebs because the vast majority of it is stolen, and stealing hurts a lot of people” tirade (here)… except that I don’t really think it’s a “tirade;” and I feel very strongly that, under no circumstances, should anyone be watching pirated creative content online (porn or otherwise).

I was so happy to receive many nice comments (especially some along the “I had no idea… I will stop immediately!!” line) and helpful hints about additional dimensions that need to be considered when thinking about the impact piracy has on the people who work to create a commercial good – adult content.

I was particularly pleased to get this comment from Ms. B, a very well-respected and experienced member of the industry, that clarifies ways in which some more entrepreneurial and relatively free-agent performers are impacted by piracy… but I’ll just let her speak for herself – read on!! Continued…

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January 5, 2012

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