You Oughtta Be In (Porn) Pictures

Each year, as we present the Bareback Video Awards, I receive a number of letters from men who have an interest in appearing in a porn video. There are some oft-asked questions which consistently arise, so I thought I'd use this space to answer them. So here are the Pornstar FAQ's:

Q: "What does it take to be in a bareback video?"
A: Desire, mostly, and a tendency to be an exhibitionist. You also need an ability to make and keep a commitment to the studio(s) that will hire you.

Q: "What kinds of 'types' do the bareback studios look for?"
A: One thing that bareback porn has demonstrated more than any other gayporn media is that just about ALL types of men are desirable. Whereas standard gayporn usually seeks out only the well-muscled, shaved, pretty-boy or model-esque types, bareback porn has found an audience for just about every size, shape, race and age of man available. That's not to say that any given studio will turn down the pretty-boy types; they are still the most sought-after performers around. But having a little gut on you or being over the age of 30 isn't considered a sin in this genre.

Q: "Do I have to have a big dick?"
A: Not necessarily, though it helps. As long as your dick works and you can shoot at least one good load during a scene, most any size dick will do.

Q: "What about HIV status? Are actors paired with similar-status guys?"
A: Here we have no guarantees. According to one major studio, it is illegal to ask the HIV status of a performer because that can open them up to discrimination. Besides, a performer who tests negative today might not test negative next week, and that could open up an even nastier can of worms over misrepresentation or intentional infection. Most studios build language into their contracts that states that HIV status of performers is not known. By signing the contract, you affirm you understand this and take any and all potential risks at your own risk.

Q: "Do I get to choose who I will have sex with?"
A: Generally no. Although chemistry is important in a video ~ and you can often tell which actors are getting off on each other and which ones are just going through the motions, studios tend to combine the best guys for each scene. If you don't have too many limits on which kinds of guys you fuck with, you'll have a far better chance of being in a video than if you're fussy about types.

Q: "Do I have to act?"
A: It depends on what you mean by 'acting'. If you're picky about types, you will have to do more acting to make it look like you are enjoying a fuck with someone you probably wouldn't screw under any other circumstance. But as for dramatic acting, most bareback videos to date involve very little acting scenes. Let's face it... most of you want to see fucking, not character development.

Q: "How much do bareback actors get paid?"
A: That depends on many variables. New and underground studios generally don't have large budgets, and the most prolific bareback producers don't have the super budgets of the big studios like Falcon or HIS. If you're inexperienced, you generally can't demand the higher prices until your BOP (that's Box Office Potential) has been proven. Established actors can command a higher fee, especially if they have made a name for themselves in other productions. The average rate of pay can be between $100 and $500 in this genre.

Q: "How do the studios pay? Is it by the scene or for the whole movie?"
A: Again, that's dependent on how much of a budget the studio has to play with and how willing you are to work for them. The standard in the industry is to pay per cumshot (aka The Money Shot), because it's the cumshots that sell a picture... even a bad one. At least that's the general consensus among studios. Again, smaller studios might just pay you a blanket fee for being in the video, even if you are in more than one scene.

Q: "Are travel expenses paid?"
A: In a number of instances, travel expenses are paid in leiu of actual cash because of the cost. If you're traveling from far away or at a time when airfares or lodging fees are high, then you probably should consider the studio's covering of these costs as your payment. If they offer you more, it's icing on the cake.

Q: "What do I need to do to be considered for a porn video?"
A: Unless you have been approached by a video producer or talent scout (and even if you have), you should supply the studio with the following:

• Clear photographs of your face from a couple of different angles
• Clear NUDE photos of your body:
  • Chest
  • Torso
  • Back
  • Ass (very important if you're a bottom)
  • Cock (hard and soft is best)
  • Total body front and back
• Your physical stats:
  • Age
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Hair/Eye color
  • Cock size (don't lie) & cut or uncut
• Preferred sexual roles:
  • Top, bottom, versatile
• Scenes you're open to:
  • Vanilla
  • Kink
  • Fisting
  • Watersports
  • Leather/Dungeon
  • One-on-one vs. groupsex
  • Fetish/gear
  • Dad/son and other role playing
  • etc.
• Your location: City/State and or country (if non-domestic)
• Previous video experience (if any)
  • Give studio references and video titles
• Your pornstar name (if you already have one)

Q: "I've heard that the guys in videos do them while high/tweaked. Is this true and can I be partying when I perform?"
A: I can't speak for all the studios, but the ones I have had dealings with absolutely do not allow their performers to be on any drugs (the exception being Viagra). They want you to give the best, most trouble-free performance you can, and realistically that ain't while you're on drugs. If you HAVE to be fucked up to have sex, then professional bareback porn is probably not the route you should go.

Q: "What about my pornstar name? Who comes up with that?"
A: You do. But if you're at a loss for a name or if the name you want to use is already in use by a different star, the studio will help you come up with something suitable.

Q: "You mentioned a contract. What's involved with that?"
A: Before you can appear on camera, the studio will require you to sign a contract AND a model release form. Both should be filled out in advance and returned to the studio prior to the taping date. If you are going to be traveling for the shoot, the contract may stipulate that you will be liable for any travel costs the studio may incur in getting you to the location should you fail to arrive on schedule. As with all contracts, the contract you sign with any studio is a legal and binding contract.

The model release is a form you sign that allows the studio to release the video with your performance. The model release is also for your protection. Without it, they cannot legally release any video content that includes you or any identifiable part of you.

Q: "Anything else I need?"
A: When you arrive to perform, you MUST bring proof of age (a valid driver's license or state-issued ID card) and a social security card for them to photocopy and put on file. You've seen the disclaimers at the beginning of videos that state "Proof of age on file"? Well, that's how it gets on file.

Q: "Where do I sign up?"
A: Most bareback porn studios have a website with a link for guys like you interested in being in a video. Go to their sites and submit the requested information. Be prepared to upload or send them a couple of your photos just to whet their interest. If they want to see more, they will let you know, and then you can hit them with all the photos you like. Be courteous, however, and refrain from sending huge photos or more than four upon your initial contact. But do try to show them your face, your body, your cock and your ass. Generally one of each will do for starters.

Q: "Can I get rich being a bareback pornstar?"
A: Not without a lot of work, but then again it depends on what you mean by "rich". If you're planning on doing it solely for the money, there are better-paying jobs out there. Most bareback pornstars perform for the fun and notoriety of it. The payment is really more of an obligatory perk. You can make some good, quick spending money at the start, or have a nice little sex-filled vacation with accommodations paid for if that's the agreement you make with the studios. But if you're popular enough and the studios like you, you may have a lot of work coming your way (pun intended).

Q: "Speaking of that, what's the skinny on sex while I'm off the set?"
A: Abstinence is the keyword for all your activity before the shoot. It will probably be in your contract that you are forbidden to engage in sex (even masturbation) for at least 24 to 48 hours prior to the shoot. You'll give a better cumshot as a result. What you do and how much sex you have after the shooting is over is completely up to you.

Q: "What about the old Hollywood casting couch? Will I have to 'audition'?"
A: That depends on the studio and how they do business. Frankly I don't know who does and doesn't use the casting couch these days, but it should come as no surprise if you do have to 'audition'. After all, this IS a sex video you're interested in doing, right?

Q: "What if I want to be in a video but I don't want my face shown?"
A: Let's be reasonable, shall we? In most cases that's just not going to be possible, with the exception of videos about gloryhole action or a dungeon scene or other leather-oriented scene where a mask or hood would not be out of place. A true Porn Star shows off every part of himself. Don't plan on a career in porn if you're in the least bit camera shy.

Q: "If I do bareback porn now, will that increase or decrease my chances of getting standard (better-paying) porn work down the road?"
A: With the standard gayporn industry's current taboo on bareback porn, it is doubtful that bareback porn will lead to contracts with the larger studios. I have heard of standard porn stars getting blacklisted because of a single appearance in a bareback video. While that may change in time, it's a safe bet that once you're a bareback porn star, you'll always be a bareback porn star. At least in the eyes of the big gay studios. But with enough good talent, our genre will hopefully begin to rival the big studios in the box office and the bareback studios will be more competitive.

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I hope that answers most of your questions. If you would like to contact the bareback studios, you can start by going to our Bareback Channel page and visiting the links to the more major studios. If you know of any studios we have missed, please send us a link to their website so we may contact them and add them to the Bareback Channel!

Best of luck to all you who aspire to be great bareback pornstars!

Jack