The most common criticism about production of porn movies is that it can be exploitative. While that is not an untrue statement, many in the industry would argue that it is no more exploitative than Hollywood. There was rampart exploitation in the music industry for decades and no one had an issue buying records, CDs, or even stealing the content of artists. The fact is that there is rampant exploitation in all aspects of the entertainment industry, but that doesn’t excuse it. Exploitation is wrong if the performer is being treated unfairly. Period. End of story. The best way to combat exploitation is to prove that it is more beneficial to the producer, the performer, and the bottom line when you produce content that respects the performer and respects the product. There are now several adult studios that have gone against the grain and make it a point to produce movies the right way. Below are some examples of who they are and how they do it.
Bridget: Adam & Eve
Adam & Eve is a studio that got its start with a mission to educate their consumers on proper sexual practices, while also raising awareness for family planning options worldwide. Company founder Phil Harvey consulted with sex therapists and porn professionals to develop content that both titillated audiences while teaching them, with series like Nina Hartley’s Guide To… providing couples with best practices for a wide variety of topics of interest: fellatio, cunnilingus, anal sex, bondage, dirty-talking, etc. While other production companies were focused solely on making money, Adam & Eve always saw the bigger picture and the potential impact their titles could provide.
Ed Mann: Abby Winters
Abby Winters was started by its namesake in the late 90s as a hobby. Abby believed there was nothing wrong with presenting amateur models in their natural beauty. No makeup, no wardrobe, no sets: Abby began filming amateur models in their own homes, in their own clothes, where they were most comfortable and able to be themselves. Her goal was to capture genuine performances of the models’ natural sexuality. She celebrates the person and their sexuality. In the late 90s, early 2000s, this was a 180-degree approach from the misogyny that was pervasive and systemic in the industry. CEO Garion Hall describes their approach:
“Abby and I had an idea of changing the industry from an artificial parody of love to a true representation of intimacy, from a dark cave with seedy desires and malevolent connotations to a sun-filled playground with integrity and morals.”
This approach towards content not only required a leap of faith in what the customers wanted, but it also required a completely different relationship between the models and the directors. Abby Winters utilized amateur models who oftentimes had never been naked on camera. She recognized her position of power in the process, so the company takes great effort to ensure the performer is informed of the risks and rewards to performing in a video. On set, the focus is on model care and empowerment. Models are invited and encouraged to offer feedback and make suggestions on any decisions that involve them and their performance. Lastly, even though they are amateurs, models are paid on-par with any other adult actress. In a hyper-competitive market where studios copy each other’s ideas and success relies heavily on appealing to a male-dominated market, Abby Winters has changed the paradigm and proved that a company can be successful artistically and monetarily without having to sacrifice your values and integrity.
Stoney Rubble: Grooby Productions
Grooby Productions has been one of the biggest trans-exclusive studios for years. Grooby consistently shoots content from all over the world, producing an enormous amount of trans sites, winning tons of awards for their quality content and ethical practices. Grooby Productions has previously sponsored the Feminist Porn Awards, and in 2009, organized the TEA Awards (the Transgender Erotica Awards) to combat the lack of representation for trans models and filmmakers in mainstream adult award shows.
Authentic Lesbian: Pink & White Productions
Pink & White Productions is my first love! Shine Louise Houston is a pure genius and captures queer sex from the perspective of a queer voyeur that feels authentic, inclusive, representative, and responsible. With the support of brilliant superstar Jiz Lee, Pink & White has been a consistent leader in paving the way for a progressive space in porn where everyone is heard and represented. The importance there cannot be overstated and the fact that they’ve been doing it for so long is something to be celebrated itself. When performers feels comfortable enough to be themselves, the sex becomes more natural and that’s a bonus for everyone!
Scarlet Divine: Girls Out West
Let’s face it, in a world where beauty standards are set at unreachable heights and photo editing has gotten out of control, it’s refreshing when you come across a company that brushes all that aside and focuses on real women—beautiful women, totally 100% authentic women! Girls Out West is an Australian-based production company owned and operated by, you guessed it… women! Featuring females of all sizes, GOW produces erotic content that is fresh and exciting because it reflects a reality that its audience can relate to. Here you’ll see ladies with big natural bush, soft bellies and thighs, and participating in varying degrees of sexual interaction. Brief storylines and unscripted sexual encounters are key here; a little set-up is fun, but the real magic lies in the totally natural encounters between the amateur lovers. There are no off-screen directions, no re-takes. The women respond naturally to one another and wherever their passions take them is where the scene goes. Seeing true amateur women interact softly, erotically, and genuinely is absolutely exhilarating. If you aren’t familiar with their work, check them out today!
Love Shovel: Kink.com
The topic of “porn with a conscience” may seem like a contradiction to some. Some see porn as “anything goes,” filled with outrageous sex. It’s as if all people do in the adult industry is fuck 24/7. Creep directors and producers are not helping. Ask any model or performer about the warning GWC (Guy With Camera). The same people may feel that getting kinky or into bondage is either tame and sensual like 50 Shades of Grey, or is some outrageous world where pleasure equals pain: the latter being a more accurate description. It is an obvious choice to anyone familiar with adult content, and especially with Kink.com, that they might be one of the most conscience-minded providers of fetish content and are certainly one of the leaders in diversity.
What makes a hardcore fetish video one with a conscience? The format Kink is known best for is the pre- and post-interview. In Brutal Sessions – Abject Anal Invasion, they sit down with Skylar Snow where she discusses her safe words like, “red” and “stop.” When she wants things to slow down a little bit, she’ll say “mercy” or “yellow.” Being that she is often gagged, Skylar shows us a few body motions she’ll do to indicate it’s time to stop. This is common with most Kink series, where the performer discusses what is off-limits. They often tell us how excited they are to work with their co-stars on the particular shoot.
After the brutality and sex comes the post-interview. Skylar mentions it was “amazing” and is fond of her male counterpart, Seth Gamble, who ties and tortures her to ecstasy.
Kink was diverse in the adult industry before it was cool, and long before it was standard. You’ll find dominant women with submissive men; women dominating other women—even wrestling each other; men dominating women in the fashion of rope, electricity, and whippings; men topping trans women; trans women topping women; and unlimited gangbang series. Kink.com has always been, and continues to be the leader in fetish content.
Judy Hologram: TROUBLE Films
I recently had the pleasure of interviewing The East Bay Brats (Courtney Trouble, Chelsea Poe, and Lita Lecherous) and I’m a bigger fan of TROUBLE Films than ever before! Helmed by queer-femme icon Courtney Trouble, this studio has always made space for performers of all genders, colors, and body types. I love how they showcase so many different ways to have sex—from strap-ons to hardcore kink—and consent is always at the foreground of their work. Courtney also shares her platform with fellow filmmakers like Chelsea Poe and Sinn Sage. TROUBLE Films is an incredible celebration of sex that goes beyond the typical cis-hetero framework that we see in porn.
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