Red Light District was formed in 2000; a joint venture between David Joseph and his half-brother, Dion Giorusso, who worked previously with Elegant Angel. With production manager and director Vince Vouyer at the helm, the studio began with the release of 110% Natural #1. RLD became a pioneer straightaway, with the decision to jointly release VHS and DVD for their movies at the same time – as DVDs were just beginning to gain steam.
The studio quickly developed a reputation for quality gonzo hardcore, and helped to launch the career of Hall of Fame performer Jenna Haze. The studio developed devoted followings for series such as Cum Fart Cocktails, 5 on 1, and Overflowing Assholes, alongside more traditional gonzo series such as Just Over Eighteen, Black Dicks in White Chicks, and Young Tight Latinas.
Red Light District catapulted into mainstream fame after acquiring the rights to the sex tape of hotel heiress and celebutante Paris Hilton in 2004. RLD followed up their celebrity smash with another rousing success in the sex tape of WWE wrestlers Joanie “Chyna” Laurer and Sean “1-2-3 Kid” Waltman. Red Light District became synonymous with the celebrity sex tape, and later released tapes from Dustin Diamond (Screech of the NBC show Saved By The Bell), tabloid darling Amy Fisher, and her former lover Joey Buttafuoco. The company also released a second Chyna tape, prior to her own entry into the adult industry. RLD has gone on record as saying that they will be actively involved with the acquisition of any new celebrity tapes that become available.
David Joseph has said that for the past seven years, the brand had been neglected. After re-acquiring the studio in 2018, he has decided to win back the trust of the fans one high quality video at a time. They have focused their energies on a smaller amount of releases as they have begun to spare no expense on their new movies. Hiring top-of-the-line directors like Dana Vespoli (who also worked with Red Light as a performer early in her storied career), and casting top talent like reigning AVN Performer of the Year, Angela White, and multiple award-winner Abella Danger, Red Light District aims to re-establish itself in 2019 as one of the premiere studios in the industry.
Rather than just putting out more gonzo content, Red Light District has taken the vignette approach to their films. They believe that the people have spoken, and that people want a storyline along with their erotic entertainment. While not going the full-length feature route (as they dabbled in in the mid-2000s), they do want a good lead-in to all their action. The studio is also a firm believer that “the guy makes the scene,” and will continue to pair top male talent with all of their actresses, such as Manuel Ferrara.
While the studio has been around since its first release in 2001, the company re-established itself in 2018. They are now looking to 2019 as when they will once again be on the short list of premiere studios in peoples’ minds.
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