This is by the great Hard Rust, founder of Hard Alley. He wrote it on his blog and wanted to post it here:
A Challenge to the SL Porn Community
By Hard Rust
I took a break from SL porn. I haven't worked on any porn movies of my own since February. I'm planning to get back in soon, but something has been on my mind...
I've always tried to tell a story with my movies. Originally, they were homages to 70's porn flicks, with cheesy plots and dialog. The last two, "Serving It Up Hot" and "Life Goes On" (written by Groove Taurus and Ainsley Wirefly) had more developed stories and characters. The next movies I do will experiment more with storytelling.
Other directors are advancing the state of technical effects, adding more realism and producing professional quality special effects. For example, Serenity's work with 3D and HaileyMarie's "Sultrina" are expanding the boundaries of SL porn and inspiring a lot of creativity from the SL porn community. (Please don't be offended if I didn't mention your name and your achievement here. A lot of you have done some great work in storytelling, voice acting, special effects, and more.)
Yet I still see movie after movie being posted that are basically music videos with sex. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. Some of them are shot well and have nice effects and lighting. But I can't help but wonder what some of these directors could do if they tried to create something more.
In just the year that I have been involved with the SL porn community, the movies have advanced dramatically through the hard work and creativity of a few. Imagine what the next year may bring if more of us worked as hard to make SL porn better than it is today.
This is my challenge to the community. Don't keep making the same movie over and over. Come up with something new. Try something no one else has tried. Give us stories that draw us in. Make MOVIES, not just sex videos set to music.
- Hard
I took a break from SL porn. I haven't worked on any porn movies of my own since February. I'm planning to get back in soon, but something has been on my mind...
I've always tried to tell a story with my movies. Originally, they were homages to 70's porn flicks, with cheesy plots and dialog. The last two, "Serving It Up Hot" and "Life Goes On" (written by Groove Taurus and Ainsley Wirefly) had more developed stories and characters. The next movies I do will experiment more with storytelling.
Other directors are advancing the state of technical effects, adding more realism and producing professional quality special effects. For example, Serenity's work with 3D and HaileyMarie's "Sultrina" are expanding the boundaries of SL porn and inspiring a lot of creativity from the SL porn community. (Please don't be offended if I didn't mention your name and your achievement here. A lot of you have done some great work in storytelling, voice acting, special effects, and more.)
Yet I still see movie after movie being posted that are basically music videos with sex. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. Some of them are shot well and have nice effects and lighting. But I can't help but wonder what some of these directors could do if they tried to create something more.
In just the year that I have been involved with the SL porn community, the movies have advanced dramatically through the hard work and creativity of a few. Imagine what the next year may bring if more of us worked as hard to make SL porn better than it is today.
This is my challenge to the community. Don't keep making the same movie over and over. Come up with something new. Try something no one else has tried. Give us stories that draw us in. Make MOVIES, not just sex videos set to music.
- Hard
I know, from brief conversations with you, that the kind of thing you mean is a move away from 'porn' to movies that have adult scene's in them. There are limitations to this as far as I can see...
ReplyDeleteThe animations in SL (although this can be overcome with intelligent angles during shooting)
The limitaions imposed on the size of movie that can be uploaded onto NM (not a moan, its not easy making something 'in depth' in twenty minutes)
From an actors (and I use that term lightly lol) point of view, in the time I've been involved with SL porn I have seen some great innovations, but I've seen a lot more backward steps. I agree with you, most of what I see are fraps sex, with music tacked on. I love being involved with the whole process and I have met some really really good directors....but yes, things have stagnated and it is time for change.
Well put, Hard. Speaking from experience, I know that it's VERY difficult to do character development in the space of a 30 minute film. It takes a few tricks to compensate for this. I've always said "move away from the plumber screwing the lusty housewife" scenarios. Try to expand your horizons. Storytelling in an XXX film can be VERY effective without having to be serious. I filmed SULTRINA to be the closest thing to a character study of a fragile mind as possible, but you can just as easily create a storyline using comedy as well. It all goes back to a recurring theme in the community: that directors should try to sit down and really craft something that is out of their field of experience. It not only challenges them, but provokes growth in the community. Without it, we will sort of become the equivalent of the mainstream music industry. Remember...story is important, but CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT is what REALLY matters! If you don't care about your characters, neither will the audience.
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