Wednesday, December 5, 2012

New MLNPTV Video


If you've already signed up for the MakeLoveNotPorn.TV beta site, check out our new video. If not, what are you waiting for? 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

LA Votes Against Porn And (Unrelatedly) I Go On The Jeff Probst Show


Bad news first: Measure B (the condom law) passed in Los Angeles. I'm not entirely sure of all the ramifications yet. I'll be sure to update when I have more of an idea of what we (the porn industry) will be doing in response.

The good news is that Obama is still president (at least this is better than the alternative), gay marriage has expanded to become legal in Maryland, Washington, and Maine, and Tammy Baldwin is now the first lesbian woman to be elected to the US Senate.

On a more personal note, I will be appearing with my girlfriend and Cindy Gallop (of MakeLoveNotPorn.TV) on The Jeff Probst Show tomorrow (Thursday, November 8th, 2012)You can watch a little preview below:




Sunday, November 4, 2012

CHIILDREN on Bit Riot Records


I am very happy to announce that my band, Chiildren, is now officially part of the Bit Riot Records family. Our first EP, "The Other People," is now available in digital format through...


We will be releasing a physical CD with additional remixes in early 2013. 

If you enjoy our music, we would really appreciate if you could help support us by purchasing the EP. If that's not something you're interested in, you can still help us out by "like"ing our Facebook page and spreading the word. 

Hope you guys like it!




Thursday, October 18, 2012

A Practical Argument Against Los Angeles' Measure B



Don't live in Los Angeles? Don't know what Measure B is? Check out the Smart Voter Guide. Don't feel like clicking on a link? Well, here's the question at hand:

"Shall an ordinance be adopted requiring producers of adult films to obtain a County public health permit, to require adult film performers to use condoms while engaged in sex acts, to provide proof of blood borne pathogen training course, to post permit and notices to performers, and making violations of the ordinance subject to civil fines and criminal charges?"

Voting "yes" on Measure B will legally require all of the above. Voting "no" will allow things to continue on as usual.

I've written a number of blog posts/articles regarding my stance on condoms in porn. Certain details and events have shifted my perspective, but I've always remained against the idea of mandated condom use in porn (my industry).

When writing such blog/posts articles, I've explored a number of issues: safety, testing standards, the possible consequences of such a law being passed, etc... With this blog entry, I'm going to try to get past all that. There is so much information out there at this point - so many arguments for and against condoms - that anyone who is willing to spend a short deal of time should be able to come to a fairly quick conclusion on where they stand.

My current opinion is that it doesn't really matter how things should be or what's safer. I mean, let's be honest. Having sex with barrier protection - in a vacuum - is safer than having sex without it.

But let's be honest once again. Pornography is a visual medium. A model's looks matter. The sexual performance matters. What's happening in the scene matters. The shot matters.

If I could sell anything and still make a profit, I would film myself cuddling with my girlfriend and charge people $1000 to watch it. It would be absolutely safe and comfortable, and it would make me rich.  However - in the real world - it doesn't sound like a profitable idea. In fact, there's an enormous likelihood that it would be a complete waste of time.

There have been a number of adult industry professionals (primarily ex-performers) who have come out in favor of Measure B. For example, Aurora Snow was recently interviewed on the subject for The Daily Beast. Amidst the article, she states (in regards to the most recent syphilis outbreak), "When I heard about the syphilis outbreak, my first feeling was one of relief. For the first time ever, I was so removed from the Los Angeles porn scene that I didn’t have to check my calendar and start calling every partner I’d had in the last two weeks to see whether I was at risk."

Similarly, Satine Phoenix speaks up in favor of condoms in a video argument with performer, James Deen. You can watch the clip HERE.

Both Snow and Phoenix have spent their time in the pornographic trenches, so of course their opinions matter. But they both share another commonality, which is that they no longer rely on the industry for their income. From where I stand, it seems a lot easier to demand change of an industry of which you are no longer a participant. Because if those changes start costing people their livelihood, "Oh well." It no longer effects you.

The same goes for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the primary organization behind the Measure B initiative. They have claimed, time and again, that condoms in porn will have no effect on sales. Lucky for them, they won't suffer a bit if they happen to be wrong. Their experiment will just effect people like me.

Of course, such organizations say they're looking out for me. After all, construction workers wear helmets, medical professionals use barrier protection, and even dog groomers have to wear gloves. In the interest of my own safety, I should demand barrier protection, right?

Well, that's really beside the point. Construction workers are not a product. A patient just wants to be treated. And a dog groomer's client doesn't care about anything other than their dog. No one's paying to watch a groomer do his or her job. When someone purchases porn, they're paying to watch me (or maybe just my partner).

Porn performers have much more in common with athletes, UFC fighters, stunt men, and in some cases, actors. We are all taking risks to get the shot, to perform the act that elicits the greatest amount of entertainment for whoever happens to be watching. Aside from the occasional educational film, there is no purpose other than to entertain and make money.

So wouldn't it be great if all performers had the choice whether or not to use condoms in their scenes? Of course. But if it doesn't sell, then what is the point of shooting that kind of porn? Why should that performer get paid at all?

It would be great if stunt men were at zero risk of dying, and if UFC fighters never had to worry about breaking bones. The reality is that those risks are inherent to such careers. Just like the risk of contracting STDs is inherent to sex work. The adult industry's testing practices are designed to minimize the risk. But no matter what, there will always be a risk. Even if condoms were to be implemented in every single scene.

The thing is that most porn producers (in heterosexual porn) claim that condom products do not sell very well. This claim is either based on real evidence (which I have every reason to believe), or it's a really weird lie constructed to benefit no one. If it weren't true, the adult industry has put in a great deal of effort for no reason. Regardless, most companies are taking it seriously enough to do everything in their power not to shoot with condoms.

Of course there are companies that shoot scenes with barrier protection. They mostly exist in the alternative and queer markets. But there's a reason they're not employing a substantial performer base. For one, they're not making the kind of profits that would allow for such a thing. Two, their aesthetic is such that most performers wouldn't fit the look and dynamic such companies are trying to achieve.

So when we're discussing an all-encompassing, new policy, we can't just look to minority examples and say, "Well, what about them?" The bigger companies are going to employ the most performers, because the bigger companies shoot the most content and make the most money.

At this juncture, my liberal brain goes, "Wait! Big oil makes a ton of money and employs a ton of people. So does Monsanto. And I think citizens should have every right to vote on their policies." I still think my liberal brain is right. Because the mega-corporations I just mentioned pollute our environment on a catastrophic scale, poison our food, and pay their lower-level employees poverty wages. Citizens should have a right to vote because citizens are highly effected by the policies of mega-corporations.

Porn, on the other hand, has little physical effect on the surrounding community. If anything, our influence is cultural. And for those concerned about wages... Well, there may not be as much work these days. But a female performer can still make a thousand-dollar day rate. I wouldn't say anyone's getting rich. However, those of us who are actually working aren't likely to be sitting beneath the poverty line.

Part of the reason I believe performers are paid fairly well is that we take on certain risks. In a perfect world, we would get paid more and undergo less risk. Adding condoms to the mix is not going to drastically reduce our risk. However, it may drastically reduce the benefits.

Aside from financial loss, performers are going to have to face the choice of whether or not to work for companies who decide to break the law. Plenty of performers do this already when they decide to engage in prostitution. Forcing more sex workers to have to choose between not paying their bills and engaging in illegal activity is not helpful. It just puts more stress on an already marginalized group of people.

I would like to end this piece by pointing out that those who want condoms in porn should not give up and concede to the status quo. I mean, part of the reason I keep supporting the new website, MakeLoveNotPorn.TV, is that it addresses the influence of mainstream porn without completely bashing it. And it provides an alternative that can also help sex workers make more money. It doesn't just remove the means they have already.

Subverting the status quo is always a noble challenge. Forcing everyone else out of their old-world jobs is not.

Please vote No on Measure B. 

Monday, October 15, 2012

Chiildren - "The Other People" EP

EDIT: As of October 17th, the EP is no longer available through the independent channels we originally planned on releasing it through. The links below should be dead. Chiildren just signed with a small electronic rock/metal label. More info coming soon!


My band is called Chiildren. Our new EP is called "The Other People." You can stream the whole thing or purchase it for $5 by visiting our BandCamp Page

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Canyons Teaser Trailer

I'm hoping this is not the vibe of the actual film, but... a teaser trailer has been released. Can you spot me?


Saturday, October 6, 2012

Instagram Photo Dump


I've been working a lot for Kink.com lately. Sometimes they dress me up better than I dress myself (not hard to do). The talent department even let me keep this new pair of pants. Very nice of them. 


A weird turn of events landed me on the set of a Matthew Barney film called "River of Fundament." It's loosely based on the Norman Mailer novel, Ancient Evenings. I can't say too much about it. But when I'm covered in shit, my hands are still gold. Look for an opera house near you... In 2014. 


All the side projects I participate in (bands, porn sites, etc...) are incapable of staying on schedule. So forget every time I say "this thing is coming out on this date." Because it probably won't happen. Not that it won't happen at all. Just not by the date I said it would. Anyways, my band is called Chiildren now. Not Children. We are trying to release an EP this month (remember what I just said). So we did some photo shoots. Potential album covers, promo photos, whatever. This is not an actual photo. Just a shitty iPhone pic of part of a polaroid we won't actually use. 


Here's another shitty iPhone pic of a polaroid we won't use. This was my idea - to get hung from a tree. I almost passed out. Twice. 


This is just me at the gym. I like looking at other people's mouths when I'm fucking them. Not sure if anyone likes looking at mine. 


Back on set for Kink.com. You can't actually tell what's going on here. I think someone is getting tied up. A girl I will eventually fuck. She's pretty cute. I play a ghost. 

Before I go, I want to leave you with a question. Since I am primarily working on writing longer things (like stuff that might become books), I'm not always thinking about what to write for this blog. If you have any ideas, make a comment, or email me. Wait, none of that was posed as a question. "What do you want me to write about?"

Friday, September 7, 2012

#MakeLoveNotPornTV in the NY Times


My girlfriend, Lily LaBeau, and I got a brief mention in the New York Times on account of the new MakeLoveNotPorn.TV website.  Check out the article HERE.

If you haven't signed up for the beta version of MakeLoveNotPorn.TV, do it!!! We'd really like to know what you think of this kind of porn (aka #RealWorldSex). 

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

The Feminist Porn Book


I'm very happy to say that my first published (in print) piece will be out February 12th of next year in The Feminist Porn Book. A very big thanks to Tristan Taormino and all the other editors for allowing me to be a part of this project! 

I hope you're as excited to check it out as I am. 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Sex Out Loud



The Sex Out Loud Radio episode is now available for your listening pleasure. 

From the website: We'll be live in LA, talking to adult film stars Danny Wylde and Lily LaBeau about what it's like to be performers in a relationship. They'll reveal the best part of dating another porn star, what they fight about, and the difference between sex on screen and off screen. Tristan will ask them about monogamy, their favorite directors, interacting with fans, and what they think about the recent condom mandate in LA. Plus, we'll hear about their latest venture together: HotelLaBeau.com.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Talking About #MakeLoveNotPornTV


MakeLoveNotPorn.TV has launched its Beta Version. If you haven't already asked for an invitation, head over to the site and put your name on the list.

Have no idea what MakeLoveNotPorn is? Well, check out this VIDEO with founder, Cindy Gallop.

Let me stress this is not anti-porn. I'm a good friend of Cindy's and she's frequently (and publicly) admitted to being a consumer of hardcore porn. It's about the fact there is hardly any alternative to hardcore porn when we're talking about public depictions of human sexuality.

Anyways, Cindy asked Lily LaBeau and me to submit a #realworldsex video showing how we have sex off-camera. I think we pulled it off. Right now, the only place you can see this is on MakeLoveNotPorn.tv. So sign up and check it out!

And here is the second part of an interview we did with Whack Magazine where we talk about the video.

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Just Kidding... and here's a blog post.


That post below this? Wasn't really a joke. But the Huffington Post Live thing is not happening tomorrow because Romney chose a running mate and it's a priority topic over feminist porn. Understandable, I suppose. You can still check out HuffPostLive tomorrow if you want to listen to people talk about Paul Ryan (a pretty un-feminist fellow if you ask me). 

In the meantime, check out this little piece I wrote. It was a submission for a book. But the editors decided to go with another. So you get it here. :) 

Friday, August 10, 2012

Two Things... And A Reminder


On Monday, August 13th, at 1:40pm (eastern daylight time), I will be joining Tristan Taormino, Nina Hartley, and maybe some others for a live conversation about Feminism and Porn on HuffPost Live. Stay tuned to my Twitter account for the direct link. 



Then Friday, August 17th, I will be joining Tristan Taormino and Lily LaBeau on Sex Out Loud Radio from 5:00pm-6:00pm (pacific standard time). We'll be taking calls, so mark it in your calendar!

And if you're in LA, don't forget to come out to the Hotel LaBeau party on Monday night: LOBBY


Saturday, July 28, 2012

NEWS: A Bunch of Unfinished Projects Coming Soon!


I've been really bad at updating this blog lately. But there are some legitimate reasons. Mostly, I've been busy. So let me tell you what I've been up to. 

Remember when I said I would be posting chapters from the book (length-thing) I wrote in college? Well, now it's actually going to be published. Johnny Murdoc from the micro-pub, Queer Young Cowboys,  hit me up a few weeks ago. I shared the full manuscript with him and he's decided to put it out as QYC's first full-length novel.  

If it's not already obvious, I'm super excited to be working with QYC. Of course, the book needs some polishing. So it won't be hitting shelves in the immediate future. But stay tuned. I'll be sure to keep you up to date. 

Next...


This is a picture of Lily LaBeau and me taken by James Deen on the set of The Canyons, directed by Paul Schrader and written by Brett Easton Ellis. I snagged a small role in the film due to my willingness to get naked. Lily also made an appearance. I have no idea when the movie's coming out.

In regards to Lily and myself, you may have noticed that earlier this month HotelLaBeau.com crashed. We have since moved to a better server that can handle more traffic and stream video. But we are still developing the full site. This means that we will have a personalized video module that can handle our HD footage. Right now, the soft launch page video looks kind of shitty. I apologize. Web stuff is not our forte. We've been learning a lot working with our new developer. Things will be running smoothly when it officially launches.

And... 

We will be having a launch party at Dim Mak studios on August 13th. I'll be posting the party flyer within the next few days. 

Other than that, I've just been working hard making porno and finishing up the Children EP with our producer, Chris Rakestraw. Can't wait for you guys to hear it!



Sunday, July 1, 2012

Hotel LaBeau (Soft) Launch


It's not the launch you may have expected. But some things are just out of our hands. As of now, you get a free scene and the option to enter your email in order to stay up to date for when we are going 100% strong.

But hopefully you like this little taste. Please feel free to comment.

HOTEL LaBEAU

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Hotel LaBeau Teasers

So if you didn't know already, Lily LaBeau and I are launching her site, HotelLaBeau.com, on July 1st. Here are all the teaser trailers we premiered on Fleshbot.

July 1st


Love Hotel LaBeau


Be a Sucker for Hotel LaBeau


and...

Our first feature we will be debuting sometime in mid-August.


Manhunt: Ibiza

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Transgressive Minds and Comfortable Bodies






Before you continue on to the bulk of this blog, please check out the following VIDEO SEGMENTS. They first appeared as video installations for Lynsey G's art exhibition, Consent. I should be appearing throughout the various clips, talking about things pornographic in nature.

But on to the more boring stuff (aka writing)...



Monday, May 21, 2012

Masturbating in My Eye







Lynsey G asked me to write something for her May Masturbation Month blog extravaganza. I submitted a (very short) play. READ IT HERE.

Friday, March 30, 2012

CHILDREN shirts for sale



The very first CHILDREN t-shirt is now available. Thanks to Colin Strandberg for the amazing design. Black print on white Anvil spun tees, available in S, M or L. Very limited amount. $12 + $3 for shipping if you'd like to order one ($15 total) - pay through paypal to childrenaredead@gmail.com. Thank you.

We are also playing our 2nd show ever on April 21st, 2012:

Vlad's Who Really Cares Anymore
4270 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA
8:35pm

Skull Kiss
Children
TBA

You can also buy our single, "Girl in the Dirt," on iTunes.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Sharing Films

I think I've shared this somewhere before. But since I just shared my most recent filmic creation, I might as well share another. This is from 2010. I didn't sell it to Monster... obviously. But it's a spec piece I'm proud of.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Girl in the Dirt Music Video



Finally... We just finished the edit for our first independently produced music video. This is my band with Chad Alva. We're called Children. There will be much more to come from us. It just takes time. For right now, please watch.

ChildrenAreDead@gmail.com

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

I'm a Porn Saint



In case you didn't know, I've become a Porn Saint. Ellen Stagg took my picture as an erect Lucifer. I guess he's not really a saint. But he was an angel once. Now people either hate him or think he doesn't exist... Except for kids into black metal and Anton LaVey. So I guess I can relate.