Sex for Sale~Prostitution, Pornography and the Sex Industry (12 page)

since this particular company was marginal even within the industry (due to personnel, content matter, and geographical location).

In the course of violating social norms, porn offers the opportunity to have sex. Although it is widely assumed that the actresses are “acting” (at least to some degree), many respondents claimed that there was some sexual pleasure in their jobs. Being with “nice” and “gentle” guys was mentioned as increasing arousal. Several also reported that girl/girl scenes were more arousing or erotic because of the interpersonal dynamics between female participants. (They also claimed that girl/girl scenes were easier and faster, since they did not require waiting for erections.) While female arousal is often exaggerated or faked, it is undeniable that males are obtaining erections and ejaculating in front of the camera (typically constructed as “enjoying” sex). Even when filming softcore versions,15 sexual activities are rarely simulated. Furthermore, most scenes end with external ejaculation as a means to suggest that the sex was real. Not surprisingly, most actors cited “getting laid” as a primary motivation for entering a porn career. Once in the industry, sustaining an interest in sex is critical for a successful career. Experiencing sexual problems (inability to maintain an erection or control ejaculation) is the fastest way to end an acting career. As one actor, Chuck, explained:

If you are the new guy, the first scene is usually no problem. If you have problems in the second scene, don’t count on a third and fourth. At first it is fun because it is new. One day you realize it’s work. Some guys can’t continue.

57

SHARON A. ABBOTT

A vested and sustained interest in “getting laid” is therefore a primary motivation for male actors in all three categories of pornography production.

Being part of the porn world offers sexual opportunities for interested participants off set as well. While many respondents reported that they were in monogamous relationships outside of work, single participants and those involved in swinging reported many opportunities for sex as a result of being involved in the industry. In addition to these opportunities, individuals involved in norm-violating subcultures are likely to hold nontraditional attitudes toward sex and sexuality, and thus be drawn to an arena in which they can exercise these interests. For example, because girl/girl sex is a staple of mainstream productions, actresses have ample opportunity to explore such relationships, which may carry over into private behavior. Nearly two-thirds of my female respondents self-identified as bisexual, although only half of them had had sex with women prior to entering the industry.

R E M A I N I N G I N P O R N O G R A P HY

Actresses and actors can be divided into those who are forging a career in the adult entertainment industry and those who drift in and quickly out of the industry. Some who assumed it was a “one-time deal” may later decide that they want a career in the industry, while others, planning a long-term career, drop out early. Entrance into the industry, choices made to maintain involvement, and mobility within the industry are all affected by whether the goal is long-term or temporary involvement. Those who “drift” into the industry are more likely motivated by money, sex, desire for independence, and opportunity. Those who are attempting to achieve a long-term career are motivated by success and fame. Achieving and sustaining a successful career is dependent on many factors, including making profitable decisions, having connections, acting professionally, achieving a high status, and being seen.

Each factor plays a part in maintaining involvement in the industry.

Making a Name

Just as the desire for fame and recognition motivates actors and actresses to enter the pornography industry, maintaining and increasing fame is a primary motivation for continuing a career in porn. This motive becomes stronger over time as initial fame develops into a respected reputation. In an industry that continually seeks new talent, maintaining fame is hard work. Strategic choices and fan support are crucial to retain one’s position as a star. The perks for
58

MOTIVATIONS FOR PURSUING A CAREER IN PORNOGRAPHY

stardom, however, justify this work. Stars are paid considerably more per project (scenes and box covers), have more say in whom they will work with, spend less idle time on set, receive more recognition for their efforts, and are highly regarded within the industry.

Stars also receive considerably more attention from fans. Individual fan clubs, often maintained by managers, serve to announce local appearances and new releases. They also provide members with such things as personal messages, candid photographs, and trivia about the star. In addition, a well-known producer within the industry has formed a fan club which hosts its own award show and allows members to participate in industry gatherings. Fan clubs serve to make porn stars more accessible to the audience, a primary motivation for “intimacy at a distance.”16 More important, they offer advertisement and support for continued interest, both crucial for a successful career.

Building a fan base is supported by the industry. In an industry that thrives on offering “fresh” faces, actresses frequently appear in more videos during their first year in the industry than in any other year in their career.

Generating fan appeal is assisted by the number of projects in which they appear. It is not uncommon for actresses to receive industry awards in their first year due in part to the sheer number of videos they appear in. Actors have a different experience. Because there is a small pool of male talent, their involvement continues as long as they do not experience any problems (usually sexual) on set. While actors do not typically have fan clubs, they achieve star status because of their longevity and recognition.

Fans occupy a peripheral position within the industry. Because most consumption of porn is anonymous, producers, directors, actors, and actresses rarely know who their audience is. Although the industry is dependent on fans for survival, many of the respondents reported a fairly negative image of the imagined viewer. Comments about viewers ranged from “lonely” and “hard-up” to “stupid” and “disgusting.” Ironically, then, actresses and actors are motivated in part to receive recognition from a group they know little about and often disparage. In addition, they reported little pride in the products they produce.17 Like most artifacts in the “sleaze industry,” porn is disposable, mass produced, fungible, and easily forgotten. “Classics” such as
Deep Throat
,
Devil
in Miss Jones
, and
Behind the Green Door
are rare, but are highly regarded and carry the promise of “getting your name known.” The reward for appearing in more successful (and profitable) productions is fame, not money. Unlike the

“straight” industry, actors and actresses are paid a flat fee for their performances, and receive no royalties for successful projects.

While striving for admiration from the “outside,” actresses and actors are also motivated to be successful in the eyes of their peers. “Having what it
59

SHARON A. ABBOTT

takes” to succeed in porn is dependent on both internal and external approval and admiration. Conformity and peer pressure are as common in the adult entertainment industry as they are in most jobs. Although achieving status in the industry is critical for success (particularly in regard to securing work), it also provides a primary motivation for staying in the business. Building a reputation among peers and being famous in regard to fans were the most commonly cited motivations for maintaining a career in pornography.

Achieving high status serves multiple functions for both participants and organizations. The porn industry forms a closed community in which members rely on one another for both social activities and professional connections. As in other deviant careers, relationships take on a dual function because the deviant lifestyle limits interaction and sociability with “nondeviants.”

Furthermore, many respondents claimed that the industry was much like a family, albeit one full of competition and gossip. Achieving status within this group is dependent on many factors, including being well liked and/or respected, being recognized as competent, and achieving career longevity in the business. While networks and friendships are crucial for careers, they also offer support, social opportunities, and validation.

Career Strategies

Compared to many jobs, porn offers more freedom, independence, money, and sex. Once in the industry, many respondents reported that they were motivated to make a successful career of it. Some respondents commented that being involved in porn had hurt their chances of working in mainstream jobs, making them even more motivated to make porn work profitable. While most recognized that the career was short term, they engaged in strategies to prolong their involvement and to make their careers more lucrative.

For actresses, one means to achieving a career in pornography is to make themselves consistently desirable and available (at least visually) to the public.

This includes erotic dancing, modeling, being photographed, granting interviews, responding to fan groups, appearing at award shows, and signing autographs at trade shows (such as the Video Software Dealers’ Association and the Consumer Electronics Show). In addition, computer technology has led the pornography industry to offer fans interactive software, CD-ROM, and online chat sessions. A pornography career thus can extend beyond acting in videos.

For actors, a successful career is dependent almost exclusively on one’s ability to perform sexually. There is little supplemental work an actor can do to boost his career beyond being dependable, consistent, and available.

60

MOTIVATIONS FOR PURSUING A CAREER IN PORNOGRAPHY

Because there are few opportunities in related settings, some actors support their careers by holding other jobs in the industry. For example, one actor I interviewed also worked as an editor for a pro-amateur company. His goal was to use these skills to make a leap into the straight industry, although a number of respondents reported that this type of mobility is difficult due to the stigmatized nature of porn. Other actors advance within the industry to directing videos and working in other aspects of production. Although they often make less money than when acting, they achieve some degree of

“professionalism” and prolong their careers by developing other skills.

In addition to building fan appeal or recognition, building a career requires making sensible choices and decisions throughout one’s involvement in the industry. Working with the successful companies increases one’s chances of being famous and developing a career. Regardless of the point of entry, to

“make it” in porn, actors and actresses must quickly move up to professional companies. Those who are unable to break into the professional scene are unlikely to achieve fame. As previously discussed, while some recognition is afforded to those in amateur productions, there are simply not enough opportunities for exposure to achieve fame. Furthermore, working with reputable companies with high budgets (for both production and advertising) increases the chance of winning industry awards, which in turn offers fame and recognition.

A successful career is also dependent on having the right connections within the industry. For example, although several respondents claimed that talent agents were relatively useless in the industry, connecting to a reputable agent increases the possibility of a porn career. For example, two producers I interviewed reported that although virtually all of the actresses and actors are known to them beforehand, they continually pay an agent fee. In return, agents contact them first when “hot” talent enters the industry. This relationship is also advantageous to actresses and actors, who subsequently enter at the highest level possible. In addition, agents often provide opportunities for modeling, as they are connected with both pornography and adult magazine companies.

Beyond agents, decisions about who will work on a particular film are made by directors, producers, actresses, and occasionally actors. (Actresses are usually asked who they would like to work with on a particular production and are given the opportunity to reject possible actors. Actors were far less likely to be asked this question.) It is not uncommon for arrangements about future work to be made while on the set of another project.

Furthermore, the directors refer reliable talent to other directors, and the participants request and refer each other for upcoming work. It is mandatory
61

SHARON A. ABBOTT

therefore to have high status and a good reputation within the industry. High status, however, is different from being well liked. Competition for desired projects and publicity further affect these social relationships. These relationships are enmeshed with the interpersonal politics of the culture. Most respondents reported that knowing and pleasing the right people, being in the

“in crowd,” and competing with adversaries are key components of the work.

Since project opportunities often come via informal networks, being involved in the porn subculture is essential for continued involvement in the industry.

Actresses and actors who remain peripheral to the culture and/or who are excluded from it are more likely to drift out of the pornography industry because of limited opportunities. Maintaining a career is therefore dependent on being involved in the porn subculture.18

Mobility and Commitment

Mobility in the industry is difficult to measure in its traditional sense, partly because of the organizational structure of the industry. For example, on entry, actors and actresses often move up from the amateur to the professional level.

This is particularly true for actors who must prove themselves sexually in amateur productions before they are allowed to advance to pro-amateur and professional features. Because of the higher budgets, higher number of participants, and tight production schedules in professional features, directors need to be assured that there will be no unnecessary delays on the set because of sexual difficulties.