The X Factory: Inside the American Hardcore Film Industry [Paperback]

Anthony Petkovich (Author, Photographer), Maxon Crumb (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2002

Since 1972 and the release of Deep Throat, the business of making commercial hardcore feature films has grown dramatically. Thousands of films are produced every year. Yet for the most part the industry remains a mysterious commodity, with the people behind it still seen as unscrupulous, vaguely threatening figures.

Now the record is put straight with The X Factory, an eye-opening trip into adult feature films courtesy of interviews, on-the-set reports and a visit to the World's Biggest Gang Bang 2.

"The best peep-show coverage of the porn-video business."-Screw

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anthony Petkovich is a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. He regularly contributes to LPsychotronic, Hustler Erotic Video Guide, Spectator, Genesis, and Headpress, and is the publisher/editor of Liquidator magazine.

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Critical Vision; 2nd edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1900486245
• ISBN-13: 978-1900486248
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing lack of sensationalism, August 15, 2005

By 

Karen Stagliano "karen stagliano" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The X Factory: Inside the American Hardcore Film Industry (Paperback)

I've actually worked in the adult industry (I work at a production company) for 10 years, and I've read a lot of books and articles about it. I think this book is the one I enjoyed the most.

It offers insights into the personal lives of some of the legends and stars of the adult industry. While it does go into some of the downfalls (drugs, social stigmas, etc), it does so in a realistic manner, rather than a sensationalistic way that modern media is SO apt to do with this subject.

(For what it's worth, I've also read The Other Hollywood, and I know a lot of the people who were interviewed in it, and a lot of them say that their stories and words were twisted around severely.)

So if you want a realistic view of a business that holds a lot of mystery, you might want to give this X Factory one a try.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars not the best book on adult films, March 18, 2007

By 

J. Mclemore (Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The X Factory: Inside the American Hardcore Film Industry (Paperback)

I have read alot of books on the subject of adult films and this was not one of the best. Its not that its a bad book its just that anyone with web access can read interviews in the same vein with all the porn stars they want. A good Hustler interviewer asks the same questions (i.e. whats your fave position etc). Its one saving grace is the interviews with directors and behind the scenes personnel. If your looking for a good book on porn check out The Other Hollywood or Skinflicks both are great histories of porn films.