"I don't know if we can make it work," was the flat response from the other end of the line. I looked at my phone in irritation; was it possible that people were just this dense? The deal couldn't possibly have been any better, with minimal risk and up front investment, and a large profit potential.
"That's fine," I said after a moment. "I'll keep looking around and you can hang on to my number in case you change your mind." And that was that. It was the third rejection in five weeks, ever since I had decided to finally make a real effort to bring my erotic ideas into the mainstream adult entertainment world in the form of videos.
To be sure, I'd had enough requests over time for customized stories, and photos and videos. People wanted to see my wife Kelly and I doing the sorts of things that crop up in my stories - smoking, creampies, large dildos, and complex fantasies. But the truth was that there was no way that was ever going to happen. Still, the idea really sank in, and it began mixing with our own opinion as a couple that most of the erotica on the market was simply of poor quality, or had elements that spoiled the rest of the product.
Of course, that doesn't mean that we don't enjoy watching a porn flick; far from it. But it seemed to me that there were so many ways to make it better, and probably make some money at the same time. I had no illusions. There was no way that anyone was going to consider making a movie unless there was a substantial profit opportunity involved.
I made an effort to quantify and qualify the factors that ruined otherwise decent erotica, as well as the missing elements that would make average porn great, and started seeking out companies that might be interested in trying something new. Having a degree in business coupled with substantial experience to boot, I had a sense of how to market my ideas appealingly to the players involved. I did my research and targeted several companies ranging in size from amateur productions to a couple of large and well known film companies whose cast of performers were virtual household names in the industry. Of those, only three had responded thus far, and none of these had gone farther than initial concept.
Why, you may wonder? It seems that there's a certain prejudice in the adult industry that assumes that the only target market worth producing for is men. And not to stop there, the product itself is largely undifferentiated and frequently demeaning to women. How many times have you heard a woman groan in disgust at the clichéd facial come shot in a film? How many of you rent or buy movies specifically to watch them with your significant other? How many of you are, in fact, women?
Now, I'm realistic and certainly willing to grant that the majority of consumers buying adult videos are indeed men. However, there is undeniably a solid niche of consumers who fall into these other categories I described - couples, women, or people simply looking for a different kind of video. Men who place women on an equal footing, and who would prefer watching a film in which the actress is enjoying herself. People who value eroticism, realism, and a certain level of intellectual stimulation while being physically aroused. No, not a majority by any means, but when you add it all up, you quickly realize that not a single adult entertainment company is in the business of satisfying this audience. Instead they slug it out in a glutted market where most consumers could care less whose films they rent or buy. When I got the email from Julie I was definitely starting to become a little jaded...
**********
It began simply: 'Dear Biff, I've recently become aware, through a friend of a friend, of your ideas for a new line of erotica. After extensive experience both in front of, and behind the camera, I've struck out on my own with a new venture. I think we should talk, and soon." It was signed Julie Morgan, a name that I didn't recognize. Of course, I realized later that when acting a few years back she had used a pseudonym under which she had achieved moderate recognition - starlet but not mega-star?
Julie, it turned out, was basing her operations out of New York. After an exchange of email and phone calls, we arranged a meeting. She would fly into town to discuss my ideas and talk about her budding company. I was very excited about the opportunity. From our limited conversation thus far, it seemed like there might be a good match in our interests and aspirations, as well as enough chemistry to make the project feasible. We arranged a lunchtime meeting at an outdoor café that had enough potted trees and shrubbery around the tables to provide a hint of privacy. I arrived early and had been waiting patiently for about 10 minutes before she arrived. Since it was nearly 2:00pm, it was easy for us to recognize each other when she appeared.
Actually, I noticed her almost instantly when she appeared from a cab that pulled up to the curb. Julie was a slim, slightly busty woman standing about 5'6" tall. Her hair was naturally a dark brown but nicely highlighted with light blonde streaks. She was casually dressed in an attractive, businesslike blouse and skirt, and wore only a moderate amount of makeup. Still, there was immediate recognition; I had seen more than a couple of films in which she had appeared. I felt my cock stiffening as I realized that I was having lunch with a woman whose only prior introduction to me was being fucked on camera for my viewing pleasure.
She must have caught my gaze because she made a beeline for my table. I rose to greet her and she took my hand in a firm shake. "You must be Biff," she pronounced, giving me a once over, which, I was secretly pleased to admit, lingered over my bulging trousers. She settled into the chair that I held for her and then I sat again, opposite her. A slight smile played across her lips as she looked me over. "I take it you recognize me?" she inquired coyly.
In her early thirties, I decided that Julie was actually much sexier now than in her videos when her hair had been dyed an unnatural platinum blonde. In fact, rather than just admit it to myself, I went ahead and told her as well. "I do recognize you, actually - but I have to say, there are some people who look even better in person than on screen. You are definitely one of those people."
Julie beamed. I suspect that she was not used to sincere compliments from her fans and probably more accustomed to crude propositions from men snorting and telling her they'd show her a "real" man.
"Why thank you," she laughed gaily. Then with a sidelong glance clearly aimed at disconcerting me, she said, "So you don't think I looked better naked and riding on a thick cock?"
I blushed, something that I rarely do. Never at a total loss for words, I stumbled through something about not going quite that far, but... Julie laughed again, a musical, vibrant laugh that was quite pleasant to listen to.
"Well," she continued in her role of teasing me, "I do hope that whatever ideas you have for me involve getting you in front of the camera as well." She licked her lips ever so slightly as she delivered the statement, and I decided that my pants really were quite a bit too confining at that particular moment. Saved by the waitress, however, we were allowed to focus our attention on the wine list for a few moments and ordered a bottle of good Chianti and a pair of salads. That dealt with, and the initial flirting concluded, we settled down to the real reason we were sitting there.
"Listen Biff, I want you to know that although I don't have many details about what you have in mind, the little I've heard so far sounds extremely intriguing. Of course, that's why I flew in to meet with you." It turned out as she went on that my name and a description of my ideas had been given to her by a contact at one of the companies that had rejected me recently. "And," she went on, "It's not the first time I've come across your name."
At my quizzical look, she elaborated. "I'm a fan," she confessed. "I've read all of your stories online, and I have your name in an alert list so that I see new stories as soon as you post them. I love your ideas, your story lines - if your ideas for videos are anything like your writing, I can't wait to hear them. I'd love you meet your wife," she said, and then, almost under her breath, "Or be her..." Then it was her turn to blush in consternation. Before I could say anything, she changed tacks and tried to get her feet onto solid ground again. "Tell me, what's your total readership?"
I leaned back in my seat and took a sip of wine. "Unique? Mid-hundred thousand, probably... Maybe 175,000 total? It's pretty high, actually, considering that my distribution and promotion is pretty limited." She nodded as I spoke.
"Look, you know that I've been on camera, so I know what that world is like. I've also directed for two different companies over the past several years. But I think you and I are both on the same page - there's a big gap in video entertainment for the type of material you write, both your fiction and your true stories. I think that there are people who would buy those movies and love them, and I think they'd be loyal customers. No, it might not be the single, blue-collar guy who wants a stroke film - but I think that a lot of men pick out videos with the intention of watching with their wife, girlfriend, whatever."
She glanced around and, since our salads were nowhere in sight, reached into her purse. Withdrawing a pack of cigarettes, she inquired, "You don't mind if I smoke do you?" At a slight shake of my head she grinned knowingly. "Of course you don't," she said as she put a cigarette to her lips and lit it. Tilting her head back, she exhaled a rich plume of smoke and continued.
"Before we talk about your ideas, let me finish by telling you what I bring to the table." I realized suddenly that Julie was actually selling herself to me, much as I had expected to need to do with her. "Obviously I know the industry, and I have connections. I have capital, some mine, some from investors. I have equipment, distribution channels, and I know what it takes to produce, package, and market a video. I also have a brand new company that has not yet produced a single film, which makes me an unproven quantity. But, I don't want to compete with all the stuff that's out there now." She took a long pull from her cigarette. "What I want is to make movies that turn me on, movies that turn my friends on - that turn real people on. I want to sell people something worth watching. And if I make a few bucks at the same time..." she trailed off with a twinkle in her eye.
"Listen Julie, that all sounds fabulous. From what you've told me, and my impression of you so far, I believe you can do exactly what you're describing." I was having a bit of difficulty staying focused on the subject at hand, while watching this sexy woman rolling her cigarette between her fingertips and smiling at me. "I'm not sure where you think that I fit in though - it sounds like you have plenty of your own ideas already."
"Ideas, yes," she agreed. She took a final drag from her cigarette and put it out, exhaling slowly. "But what I need is a writer, a choreographer, a cinematographer. I need someone who is on the same page as I am. Someone who can push me artistically and sexually, and vice versa. I have the mechanics, the business - but I need the artist to make it all happen. I believe you're the missing piece to my puzzle."
The salads arrived on that note, which gave me a moment to consider my response. "Julie, I'm not sure if you're interviewing me, or convincing me."
