Customer Reviews

Coming Attractions: The Making of an X-Rated Video

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Through a series of interviews with writers, directors, cast and crew, the author dissects the process of making a pornographic movie from conception to release. Far from the giggly bimbo-fest one might expect, all the persons interviewed come across as intelligent adults who have made the conscious decision to be involved with the x-rated film industry. I was especially impressed with veteran actress Nina Hartley's thoughts on her illustrious career and her complete confidence that what she is doing is not wrong. Another affecting piece was from an actor who is trying to leave the industry, but with a wife and new baby at home, he finds it difficult to stay away from the money. Made me think of Boogie Nights, and the ex-porn star couple trying to get a loan to start their own business. All in all a very impressive academic study.

This book is an incredible, shocking, and educational look into the misunderstood and much maligned "adult video" industry. Although the interviews seem, at first, way too repetetive, it actually allows the readers a clearer view of what was really happening on the set, getting past all the ego blinders the interviewees threw at the interviewers. Those wishing for cheap thrills and juicy photos need look elsewhere. Those interested in actually learning something about this industry and the people who work in it will definitely finish this book happy.

After reading this book you will never view another adult video the same way.

Prior to reading this book, I had no idea how hard actors and actresses work on the set of an adult movie.

This book goes in-depth via candid interviews with all the participants involved in the production of "Stairway to Paradise". Their individual perspectives on the making of this XXX masterpiece will make you realize how difficult it is to produce a quality "hard core" movie.

If you ever wondered how those videos came about here is the book. It gives a step by step view of the book's creation, by means of interviews with the producer, director, writers, actors, actresses. The book is a little bit raw and unfinished, in the sense that it appears to be nearly unedited interviews. The result, though, is the matter of fact reality of how a "good" (VCA PLATINUM) video is produced for $25,000 in two days of shooting. After reading it you will want to buy/rent Stairway to Paradise.

While recently researching for a documentary film on the porn industry, I stumbled upon this book at the library. It was the only one they had that appeared equally weighted in terms of objectivity and lack of moralizing. I particulary liked the shared voices of the academic and porn producer.

In addition, this book assumed that you have some knowledge of how the film industry works, and of the porn industry in particular. If you're looking for porn information and you're starting at "ground zero" you should just surf the internet and educate yourself instead of buying one of the other riduculous books recommended on this site. Also, check out lukeford.com for even more up-to-date insights.

I read this a while back, but quit about two thirds through. I was looking for something that got more into the mind set of people who do porn. This does, but to a fairly limited amount of people because it's primarily centered around a single movie so there's not a lot of interviews with many people all around the business. I mean it's interesing to hear what the camera man has to say or the director or th producer and of course the players, but with such a limited sample there's not enough depth. None the less it's not a bad read in general, but I lost interest because it wasn't what I was expecting...

It shows a better understanding of fundamentals than any government ever has. Indecency has its finger on the trigger. Squeeze it.