In my experience, producing content in Europe is very different vs. the States. The pay for a scene is about half of what it is in the U.S. (there’s a major site, for example, that only pays £200 — or $250 USD — on average). I assume this is because the market is smaller, but as a result, a lot of performers, including myself, did the math and realized we’d be earning much more selling our own videos.
So for about five years, I’ve been shooting my own content. Initially, a lot of people weren’t really on board with the content-share model, but I’ve noticed a real shift in attitudes in the U.K. in the last couple of years, and more recently, in the U.S. as well. It’s been extremely interesting to see big names like Sophie Dee and Jason Luv shooting for themselves. I’m loving the process of collaborating with performers — you’re on the same level with each other, plus I’ve made some really great friends with other sex workers like Ava Austen, Estella Bathory and Angel Long in the U.K., as well as Sara Jay, Rob Piper, Big Tre and Aubrey Black in the U.S.
I’d like to think my content sits nicely between amateur and pro, as it’s real sex and shot semi-professionally.
I’m actually extremely grateful for XBIZ recognizing content producers. I loved attending XBIZ Miami last year, which was geared towards self-shooting stars and camming. These conventions provide other creators an amazing opportunity to connect with loads of other sex workers. I always use the conventions to shoot new content. In fact, each time I travel to the states for a convention, I shoot a new DVD.
I’m just now working on releasing the Los Angeles edition of my current series, after attending XBIZ in L.A. this past January — it features Rob Piper, Rome Major, Pressure, Richard Mann and Kitty Jaguar. I’ve previously released titles such as “Adreena’s Miami BBC vacation,” which was shot during XBIZ Miami. “Adreena Winters’ NYC BBC Vacation” was shot during Exxxotica New Jersey and featured the likes of Richard Mann, Lil D, King Louis Smalls, Aria Khaide, Kate England, Rebel Ryder and many more.
Unfortunately, DVD distribution in the U.K. is very limited, due to obscenity laws. There are ways around it, but it’s complicated, so I make the most of VOD sites like HotMovies and Adult Empire. I enjoy the process of putting together a DVD, shooting stills for the cover and working with my graphic designer to create an incredible box cover.
I’m super fortunate that my partner is a 10-plus year veteran in the porn industry, and made his name shooting reality porn in the U.K. He shoots most of my videos, which works really well for me. I like to keep my content as real as possible, which means not being on set for 10 hours, having to fake the energy and working through a series of pre-rehearsed positions.
Working with my partner means I know he will get the angles, and I can just focus on the sex part of my job. We don’t usually shoot for longer than 30 minutes unless it’s a mad orgy that gets carried away. The other great thing about having him film vs. the alternative of having a tripod and static camera is that I don’t have to worry about missing any of the action. I love watching amateur porn, but it’s so frustrating when half the action ends up off-camera. I’d like to think my content sits nicely between amateur and pro, as it’s real sex and shot semi-professionally.
Interestingly, I think shooting my own content has made it easier to access a U.S. audience. Being a performer in the U.K., you’re very limited to which companies you can film for and most have a very small audience; I could probably count the main U.K. studios on one hand. So in reality, you can’t make a career out of being a performer in the U.K., not like you can in America. But shooting your own content, you have access to all the same platforms as the U.S., like Pornhub, ManyVids and OnlyFans. It makes the playing field much more level.
COVID-19 has obviously affected us all and has made it impossible to shoot conventionally. Right now, in the U.K., we’ve been in lockdown for six weeks, with no sign of things changing much. Since I live alone and don’t have an in-house cock to film with, Ava Austin and I got to talking and decided to record a video call; think along the lines of a webcam session, but between two sex workers. I have since recorded with Angel Long, Evie Rees, Azura Ali and Ruby Onyx, plus I’m working on setting up a video call with Rob Piper and collaboration with FreakMob Media! I’ve been using these recorded video calls as updates on my website and other platforms such as ManyVids, and they’re proving to be quite popular. I’m considering putting together a DVD for the VOD release of all this, as well!
I think content production is going through a massive transition right now, and the lockdown is only going to drive even more performers into taking control of their own content. The fans seem to be really engaging with the various content platforms, much more than the old subscription site model. I’m very excited to see what the world of porn looks like after lockdown.
