profile

WIA Profile: Karen Stagliano

How did you make the transition from performer to behind the scenes player? What did you do while you were a performer to prepare you for this?

While I was a performer, I hung around a lot with the crew people, because they tend to be more low-key and level-headed than the average performer. While working with Elegant Angel, I helped liaison with their box-cover artists and with the video editors. I think that learning editing was the single most important thing for me with regards to production.

Once I switched completely to behind the camera, I tried not to forget what it's like being a performer.

Once I switched completely to behind the camera, I tried not to forget what it's like being a performer. When I'm on production, I try to be understanding to the cast and their needs, but I expect them to give the project 100 percent of their effort.

What are your responsibilities at Evil Angel?

My primary responsibility is PR and marketing. I help monitor the content on our websites, and am in charge of our newest site, a blog called InsideEvilAngel.com. My favorite responsibility is being in charge of the Evil Angel booth at conventions because I get to interact with the girls and with the fans and media in-person.

How do you balance working in porn and being a parent? Does working with your husband cause you problems?

My daughter is too young to know about what porn is, so for now she just knows that her dad and I work at a company that makes movies for grownups. She doesn't know what makes those movies inappropriate for kids. It's sometimes difficult that I have to be discreet about what I do when I'm at my daughter's activities. I wouldn't just openly start talking about porn at one of her after-school activities, but it's natural for parents to ask each other what they do. That's a difficult one for me. I usually just try to be vague and say that I'm in production or marketing. When I used to say production, a lot of times the mom's eyes would light up, probably wondering if I did children's casting or something.

Working for John has a unique set of good points and problems. Because it's my husband's company, I care a lot about my work, and if I work long hours, I never mind. On the flip side, if I have to take a few days personal vacation, he understands that I'm not going to let my work suffer. However, there's times when it's frustrating to work for him because we're both type-A personalities and we butt heads. Ultimately, I have to remind myself that although we're equals at home, at work he's the boss and although I can have debates with him, everything is his decision.

Luckily, I usually think he's fairly brilliant, so we don't have too many disagreements at work that we can't compromise on.

How do the political leanings of the directors of Evil Angel affect their product?

John Stagliano is the most politically-driven of the Evil Angel directors. He's been an active libertarian for over 30 years, and he wants to make a non-porn politically-charged movie someday.

You came back to performing after a long hiatus. Did it require any serious preparation or was it easy to jump back in, like riding a bicycle?

Sex is the same for me or better than when I was in my performing days. I matured a lot, became more confident sexually and found out a lot more about what I like. I was nervous though. When we first started the still pictures, I felt like I had forgotten how to pose. I relaxed pretty quickly, though.

Did the obscenity indictments change anything in the company's attitude or business dealings?

John and the rest of us looked at how we're doing things, what image the company has and what type of movies we make and distribute. We didn't think that the directors or the company were doing anything hurtful or wrong, so we haven't tamed down the type of content.

I feel like we're stronger since the indictment. When you have to go through that level of introspection, and come away from it with confidence, it helps you continue to evaluate the big picture while moving forward. The amount of emotional support that we've received from colleagues and other companies has also boosted our confidence.

Each month, industry news media organization XBIZ spotlights the career accomplishments and outstanding contributions of Women in Adult. WIA profiles offer an intimate look at the professional lives of the industry's most influential female executives.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

profile

WIA Profile: Siren Obscura

Siren Obscura grew up in Arizona, surrounded by rugged beauty and desert landscapes that she describes as having a quiet power to them. That environment strongly shaped her appreciation for contrasts and natural light, which plays a significant role in her work today.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

How to Thwart Holiday Fraudsters With Finesse

The holiday season is a prime time for shopping. Unfortunately, it’s also peak season for credit card fraud. With increased transactions both online and in-store, fraudsters have more opportunities to exploit vulnerabilities — and they are getting better at it every day.

Jonathan Corona ·
profile

WIA Profile: Rae Threat

Threat is completely self-taught. Shooting nightlife was how she learned photography and honed her skills, experimenting with ways to shoot low-light action shots without a flash. She notes that these nightly adventures also helped her acquire social and networking skills. One thing led to another, and she soon found herself working in the adult biz.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Girlsway Celebrates a Decade of Acclaimed Sapphic Erotica

When Girlsway launched back in 2014, Bree Mills had a plan. As head of production for Gamma Entertainment, she set out to up the stakes of all-girl content with the new imprint — and to continually, proactively reinvent the brand and its offerings along the way.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

TeamSkeet Debuts Swappz Channel, 'Swapception' Feature

Chief Revenue Officer Brandon explains, “The inspiration behind ‘Swappz’ emerged from a growing market demand for niche adult content that pushes boundaries and explores the taboo themes and deal-striking handshakes of swaps.”

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

Brittney Kade Talks Big 'Career-First' for Adult Time

Brittney Kade’s first gangbang originated as an Adult Time “Director Showcase,” a creative opportunity the production team offered to Jim Powers, one of the studio’s regular producers.

Alejandro Freixes ·
opinion

On the Set: Welcome to Adult Time's 'Futa World'

Dressed revealingly in a yellow waitress uniform, Lauren Phillips greets eager customers Hailey Rose and Chloe Surreal. On a sign announcing the grand opening of “Dick’s Diner,” the apostrophe between letters k and s bears a striking resemblance to an ejaculating penis.

Alejandro Freixes ·
profile

Hayley Davies: From New Zealand Math Nerd to Fast-Rising Adult Star

Growing up, New Zealander Hayley Davies was a proud nerd who participated in mathematics competitions against students from much higher grades. Her good looks turned out to be a kind of secret weapon, causing peers to underestimate her intellectual acumen.

Alejandro Freixes ·
profile

WIA Profile: Inka Winter

Award-winning erotic filmmaker and ForPlay Films founder Inka Winter knows what she wants her films to be, and what she doesn’t want them to be. She seeks to depict sexuality that is mindful, based in human connection and trauma-informed.

Women In Adult ·
opinion

Free Agent Auteur: Casey Calvert Expands Her Directing Horizon

Now, having brought that highly-awarded polyamory trilogy to a close, Calvert is concluding the exclusive Lust Cinema directing chapter of her career and charting a new course out into open creative waters as a free agent.

Alejandro Freixes ·
Show More