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Friday, Mar 29, 2024

Product Backlog To See Porn Firms Through Hiatus

Product Backlog To See Porn Firms Through Hiatus By SLAV KANDYBA Staff Reporter Although an HIV scare has prompted a two-month filming stoppage in the adult entertainment industry, production company officials in the San Fernando Valley said their business will not be impacted from the hiatus. They say a backlog of completed filming will keep them busy. “Most of the companies have a backlog of already finished footage,” said Mark Kernes, senior editor of Chatsworth-based Adult Video News, an industry trade magazine. “I don’t think the companies are going to suffer.” That holds true for Madness Pictures, a relative newcomer to the industry, which had its first release scheduled for last week. “We have enough material in the can, so to speak, that we’re not affected by (the two-month moratorium) on production,” said a representative with Madness who asked that his name not be published. “We have enough material to keep working.” Madness plans to release six new films during the two-month time span when the filming stoppage is in effect, the representative said. At Evolution Erotica, a Chatsworth production company, owner Dave Gallegos said a catalog of previous releases and the company’s distribution capacity would ensure his business would be fine during the moratorium. Evolution would also have to adjust its release schedule, so instead of three to four movies per month, “it will be two movies or even one,” Gallegos said. But he said that will not mean the company will take in far less sales revenue. Gallegos said its extensive library of films and distribution arm will see it through. “As far as business goes, we’ll be OK, we’ll just have to release less until we can shoot again,” Gallegos said. Catalogs will help Companies that have a large catalog, including industry leaders Vivid Entertainment and Wicked Pictures, would probably fare the best if the moratorium is extended past June 8, said Patrick Collins, owner and president of Elegant Angel Productions in Chatsworth. Elegant, which has a release schedule of six to eight films per month, has enough backlog to meet its release schedule, Collins said. “A new company doesn’t have the catalog, as a result it won’t have anything to sell,” Collins said. “If we go to condoms-only (films), the catalog for companies that have condomless performances will increase (in value).” Adult Video News’ Kearns said some companies are disobeying the moratorium and continuing to film. The film stoppage was urged by the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation, which tests performers for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Performer Darren James tested positive for HIV after having unprotected sex in Brazil. Lara Roxx, who performed with James subsequently, also tested positive for the disease. Dozens of other performers who worked with James and Roxx were tested and are being monitored. There are about 125 production companies in the San Fernando Valley that are involved in production of hardcore sex films. They release between 3,500 and 4,000 video tapes and DVDs annually, Kernes said. “As soon as the quarantine is over, (production companies) will start shooting again,” Kernes said. “I’m sure that they’ll make the most of their release dates.”

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