Advice from users on a new Erotic Film

[AliadesArg]

Hi all
Recently people from this Forum have watched my erotic films, "Aliades" and "Internet Junkie", and though feedback has been amazing, there is 1 regular sort-of-complain: people wants to watch more explicit sex. I do too. The problem is that if you do so, you get automatically censored from 99% of the cinema circuit... So I have a couple of questions:
1. How do you make money with erotic films, with explicit scenes (not porn)? If cinema circuits and streamings are not an option, where and how?
I know there are some erotic films been produced in Europe, Latam, etc... but the thing is that most of them are subsidized by the State... if you go totally private, the game is different... And I go private, as my scripts are not lame things made for the Institutions to approve... therefore low budget is key- and though I love erotic scenes, I know there are some scenes I cannot do, in order to be able to show it in cinemas and Festivals.
2. But this Forum gave me hope that there is a way, as there is public eager to watch quality films with explicit scenes.
So, what are your favorite type of scenes? What do you enjoy most to watch in an erotic film? I need you to be explicit: bjs; penetration; facials, etc. The more details you give, the best.
Thanks

 

[naughtybim]

Probably one way is to do crowdfunding like on indiegogo to raise funds for the project, so you know there is an audience, and money for the shoot before you even go to production.

For scenes, the key thing for me is for the creativity, passion, and quality to shine through. I leave the type of scene to the director

 

[Domitian]

I allways look for confident, happy women who genuinely enjoy the sex. I look for laughter, warmth and generosity. I love the sounds of great sex. I don't mean fake moaning, but genuine sounds of pleasure. Men in porno are way too often quiet. I like the sounds of pleasure from both women and men.

 

[AliadesArg]

Probably one way is to do crowdfunding like on indiegogo to raise funds for the project, so you know there is an audience, and money for the shoot before you even go to production.

For scenes, the key thing for me is for the creativity, passion, and quality to shine through. I leave the type of scene to the director

I allways look for confident, happy women who genuinely enjoy the sex. I look for laughter, warmth and generosity. I love the sounds of great sex. I don't mean fake moaning, but genuine sounds of pleasure. Men in porno are way too often quiet. I like the sounds of pleasure from both women and men.

Totally agree. Natural pleasure is the best. Horny and tender. Genuine. I achieve that in my films, but many want explicit...

 

[tdlotslv]

Have you ever considered or thought about doing two different cuts kind of like what they do in the softcore industry when they have to appease certain prudish markets

 

[AliadesArg]

Have you ever considered or thought about doing two different cuts kind of like what they do in the softcore industry when they have to appease certain prudish markets

Sure. The problem is that if you have 2 versions: A, for "everybody". B, the erotic one... Where do you show B?
And also, if you love B, why showing A? (For the commercial circuit, of course)- But A would be far from B, so you are making 2 different movies...

 

[athendendedour]

Hi all
Recently people from this Forum have watched my erotic films, "Aliades" and "Internet Junkie", and though feedback has been amazing, there is 1 regular sort-of-complain: people wants to watch more explicit sex. I do too. The problem is that if you do so, you get automatically censored from 99% of the cinema circuit... So I have a couple of questions:
1. How do you make money with erotic films, with explicit scenes (not porn)? If cinema circuits and streamings are not an option, where and how?
I know there are some erotic films been produced in Europe, Latam, etc... but the thing is that most of them are subsidized by the State... if you go totally private, the game is different... And I go private, as my scripts are not lame things made for the Institutions to approve... therefore low budget is key- and though I love erotic scenes, I know there are some scenes I cannot do, in order to be able to show it in cinemas and Festivals.
2. But this Forum gave me hope that there is a way, as there is public eager to watch quality films with explicit scenes.
So, what are your favorite type of scenes? What do you enjoy most to watch in an erotic film? I need you to be explicit: bjs; penetration; facials, etc. The more details you give, the best.
Thanks

this might be a dumb question, but where can i find your content?

 

[AliadesArg]

this might be a dumb question, but where can i find your content?

Hi
Here you can find it:

Visit Alex K's Shop!

I've opened a shop. Come take a look!

ko-fi.com

 

[pandora2]

It's not easy to produce a short or feature film featuring explicit sex. Why? Because it can quickly fall into the realm of pornography.
One of my favorite scenes, among others, is the first-time scene from the film Chronique sexuelle d'une famille d'aujourd'hui with actress Adeline Rebeillard. Why do I like this scene? Because it feels very natural (a quintessential erotic scene) and because we know a lot about how the film was made.
Here are some points to keep in mind:

• Casting duration: The directors indicated that the casting process took a total of six months. Expect it not to be easy, especially if you decide to work with actors outside the porn industry.
• Budget: To give you an idea, the film Chronique sexuelle had a budget of 500,000 euros. Compared to a Hollywood blockbuster, that's nothing, but for an auteur film, it’s a significant amount. You’ll need to find that money! Why not start with a short or a medium-length film? It might be easier to finance through crowdfunding, and it also requires less work.

Another point to consider is that they chose to have a minimal technical crew, ensuring the actors’ comfort and creating a supportive environment. Additionally, the actors spent two hours the night before the shoot getting to know each other. The directors also communicated extensively in advance with the two young actors. On the day of filming, they made sure to put them at ease. It seems they often shoot intimate scenes, which is evident on screen: it’s not a depiction of a sexual act but multiple scenes stitched together to make it look natural.
This is for the technical aspect.
Regarding the scene itself, I appreciate it because the foreplay is included, which makes the scene authentic and intimate. It’s during these moments that you feel the vulnerability and modesty of the actors. It gives a very natural feel, setting it apart from porn actors. You also notice that the directors chose to show only brief glimpses of the genital areas. The camera focuses mainly on the characters’ emotions: nothing exaggerated, no over-the-top moans or simulated pleasure. Everything appears natural, unlike traditional porn, which can be exaggerated.
I also like this gradual build-up of the sexual encounter: you can sense a sense of modesty and mutual respect between the two actors. The scene begins softly and tenderly, and only later does the actor start to loosen up, making it increasingly hot.
Finally, I appreciate the choice of the missionary position: I find it very sexy! The actors face each other, with the actress legs apart, in full view. A beautiful position.

 

[AliadesArg]

"why not start with a short or a medium-length film?"
1. I have just finished my 3rd feature film...
2. It is a fantasy that a short or a medium can change anything- if you are doing erotic with explicit sex. Where do you sell it? how do you make money?
3. The film you mention is French, and it cost more than 500K euros. It is State financed mainly- as most French film are (France gives around 1B a year to produce films).
4. 500K euros, in private money, is totally impossible to get to make an erotic film with explicit sex and recover. Estimate that the cost of the film hast to triple to be recovered... perhaps in the 70´s, financed by Playboy, there was a chance... but today??

Regarding the type of sex you like to watch, agree Authentic and intimate is vital.

 

[sowbb]

I'm not in the film industry, so treat everything I say on the subject as potential BS. However, my thought on the subject are:

1. You cannot just "make a file with explicit sex" as a premise. If you want it to be a success, you must first have a good story and script. It should be a film first and a sex film second. Compare "Chronique sexuelle d'une famille d'aujourd'hui" or "Shortbus" with "Diet of Sex". It's not that the latter was bad, but it was much less likely to cover costs as it is perceived more as artsy porn than as a serious film.
2. Crowdfunding and private investors. Any film containing real sex will not make the same $$$ as a mainstream film. Streaming services (e.g. Netflix) don't like risk and only put money into proven cash-cows, so they won't help unless your film is already done and is getting good reviews from mainstream sources. You need to cover the costs in advance, so that every future income will be profit, and the way to do that is taking money from people (and organizations) that don't consider it a loan.
3. Minimize expenses. Try art schools for non-professional actors. People that are in it for the fame, publicity and merit. You already have the credentials as a real producer, so use it! Build a story that doesn't require a large cast, extravagant locations or expensive sets. This brings me back to point 1: the film itself has to be good and not a sleazy piece of exploitation porn, and the "low budget" angle only makes it harder.
4. Maybe you can reach other directors in this niche and ask for advice or introductions? Erika Lust, Davo Hardy, Gong Cinema, Blue Artichoke Films, etc.
5. Slippery slope, but there are services that specialize in streaming and making money out of explicit films. Pornhub, for example, did make attempts at breaking the porn/mainstream line from the porn side ("The XXX Factor" if I remember the name correctly?). Ersties is another example. Perhaps you can approach them with a good script (see point 1) and your proven resume, and make a deal for them to try something new?

 

[AliadesArg]

I'm not in the film industry, so treat everything I say on the subject as potential BS. However, my thought on the subject are:

1. You cannot just "make a file with explicit sex" as a premise. If you want it to be a success, you must first have a good story and script. It should be a film first and a sex film second. Compare "Chronique sexuelle d'une famille d'aujourd'hui" or "Shortbus" with "Diet of Sex". It's not that the latter was bad, but it was much less likely to cover costs as it is perceived more as artsy porn than as a serious film.
2. Crowdfunding and private investors. Any film containing real sex will not make the same $$$ as a mainstream film. Streaming services (e.g. Netflix) don't like risk and only put money into proven cash-cows, so they won't help unless your film is already done and is getting good reviews from mainstream sources. You need to cover the costs in advance, so that every future income will be profit, and the way to do that is taking money from people (and organizations) that don't consider it a loan.
3. Minimize expenses. Try art schools for non-professional actors. People that are in it for the fame, publicity and merit. You already have the credentials as a real producer, so use it! Build a story that doesn't require a large cast, extravagant locations or expensive sets. This brings me back to point 1: the film itself has to be good and not a sleazy piece of exploitation porn, and the "low budget" angle only makes it harder.
4. Maybe you can reach other directors in this niche and ask for advice or introductions? Erika Lust, Davo Hardy, Gong Cinema, Blue Artichoke Films, etc.
5. Slippery slope, but there are services that specialize in streaming and making money out of explicit films. Pornhub, for example, did make attempts at breaking the porn/mainstream line from the porn side ("The XXX Factor" if I remember the name correctly?). Ersties is another example. Perhaps you can approach them with a good script (see point 1) and your proven resume, and make a deal for them to try something new?

There is an old Chinese say: "What is easier? To paint monsters and ghosts or cats and dogs?... Cats and dogs, because monsters and ghosts nobody has seen them".
Theory means nothing without experience.
I shall reply from my experience (26 years working in the industry) each point:
1. There is not such a premise as "explicit sex scenes". But if you want to have explicit sex scenes, really explicit, you are banned from commercial circuit. This is a fact.
2. Crowfunding is more of a myth than a reality. Few people have achieved that- and usually is rich people with their rich friends. I don´t say is impossible- just very hard: because you do not get anything physical. You get "credits" "vip credits" "invitations to the premiere", etc. So regular people doesn´t feel too much appealing. Private investors: yes, I got some. But they are hard to get. And even harder if there will be explicit sex.
Regarding this line: "You need to cover the costs in advance, so that every future income will be profit, and the way to do that is taking money from people (and organizations) that don't consider it a loan." It is basically: DONATIONS. Easy to say... did you ever made a full film with explicit sex based on donations?
3. The cost of my films cannot be more economic. I economize a lot, because I do many roles, not only directing.
"Try art schools"- I guess you have not read that I have just finished my 3rd feature... the question was how to make money (which circuits?) and what do you enjoy watching...
4. This one I will skip as it is a wish thought...
5. Approach with a script pornhub??? 1. They do not accept unsolicited material. 2. If it is not through an agent or manager, less. 3. "A good script" to pornhub? This is an utopia.

Did you try any of these advice yourself?
At least the preface of your text was honest enough to advert it was probably BS (quoting you).

 

[sowbb]

There is an old Chinese say: "What is easier? To paint monsters and ghosts or cats and dogs?... Cats and dogs, because monsters and ghosts nobody has seen them".
Theory means nothing without experience.
I shall reply from my experience (26 years working in the industry) each point:
1. There is not such a premise as "explicit sex scenes". But if you want to have explicit sex scenes, really explicit, you are banned from commercial circuit. This is a fact.
2. Crowfunding is more of a myth than a reality. Few people have achieved that- and usually is rich people with their rich friends. I don´t say is impossible- just very hard: because you do not get anything physical. You get "credits" "vip credits" "invitations to the premiere", etc. So regular people doesn´t feel too much appealing. Private investors: yes, I got some. But they are hard to get. And even harder if there will be explicit sex.
Regarding this line: "You need to cover the costs in advance, so that every future income will be profit, and the way to do that is taking money from people (and organizations) that don't consider it a loan." It is basically: DONATIONS. Easy to say... did you ever made a full film with explicit sex based on donations?
3. The cost of my films cannot be more economic. I economize a lot, because I do many roles, not only directing.
"Try art schools"- I guess you have not read that I have just finished my 3rd feature... the question was how to make money (which circuits?) and what do you enjoy watching...
4. This one I will skip as it is a wish thought...
5. Approach with a script pornhub??? 1. They do not accept unsolicited material. 2. If it is not through an agent or manager, less. 3. "A good script" to pornhub? This is an utopia.

Did you try any of these advice yourself?
At least the preface of your text was honest enough to advert it was probably BS (quoting you).

No need to get upset, I was just brainstorming ideas. As I said, I'm not from the film industry, and advice is cheap

I do have a couple of decades of experience with serious business ventures in... other fields, and I was trying to draw parallels to your field. I guess the best advice I can give you, the one at the basis of all the other ones I gave, is: find someone who has done it successfully and learn from their experience. Now you may take my advice or leave it.

No hard feelings.

BTW, I would have said it's easier to draw monsters and ghosts: if nobody had seen them, no one can say for certain you are doing it wrong.

 

[AliadesArg]

No need to get upset, I was just brainstorming ideas. As I said, I'm not from the film industry, and advice is cheap

I do have a couple of decades of experience with serious business ventures in... other fields, and I was trying to draw parallels to your field. I guess the best advice I can give you, the one at the basis of all the other ones I gave, is: find someone who has done it successfully and learn from their experience. Now you may take my advice or leave it.

No hard feelings.

BTW, I would have said it's easier to draw monsters and ghosts: if nobody had seen them, no one can say for certain you are doing it wrong.

U r right, I wrote it wrongly, as Spanish is my natural language and Eng. Aint my strength... monsters and ghosts...
No hard feelings, just responding to your points.
Nowadays there is nobody that makes money with quality films and explicit sex. (The few that dare, get State money.).
As I said, the big problem is the circuit. Audience there is, but how to reach them is the thing (cinema circuits and streamings is not possible).

 

[pandora2]

If I take the example of the film “Sexual Chronicle,” they managed to release it in theaters, but only a censored version. The uncensored version was available on VOD and DVD. And I understand that it sold well internationally. There are arthouse cinemas in France that are more open to showing films that are out of the ordinary.

Yes, the traditional channels will probably be closed to you (Netflix, etc.). But it may be possible to find alternative channels, but you know more about that than we do.

At a pinch, we can simply tell you what we like about the explicit scenes. For the rest, you know more than we do, but try not to be defeatist if you start thinking that the project will never happen...

Yes, the government can participate in film projects, but it's usually based on a proposal, a commission decides, it's selective, and the government doesn't finance the entire film; a substantial portion has to be found elsewhere.

These are probably not the easiest projects to put together, but as you said, there is an audience for this type of content. And filmmakers have managed to get such projects off the ground in this area: “Shortbus,” “Sexual Chronicle,” “Love'', all about anna''

Erica Lust is a shining example of success. She has redefined the image of pornography by making it aesthetic, and that's what makes all the difference. Erica Lust wanted to take porn from amateur to cinematic quality. She also decided to go against the “always further” trend.

By starting from a healthy foundation and showing realistic sex, she was able to attract an audience seeking authenticity.

Otherwise, coming back to explicit scenes, if I had one piece of advice, it would be not to go overboard. It's better to have one or two well-produced, high-quality scenes than five or six.

That's kind of the flaw you could find in the film “Sexual Chronicle”—overdoing it. I think the film would have been even better if they had remained more restrained. The scene with Adeline was enough on its own. At a pinch, they could have included a scene with the parents and one with the sister (Leila Denio), and that would have been enough. And of the entire film, the “first time” scene remains my favorite scene, because it is the most natural scene, the one that deviates the most from the grammar of pornography. The project wasn't easy to get off the ground, but they succeeded nonetheless, and as a bonus, they found the holy grail we were looking for: actors who weren't from the porn industry (for the first-time scene). It's a remarkable feat to convince actors to actually have sex.

I would say the most important things are:

Natural enjoyment, chemistry between the two actors, beautiful aesthetics, cinematic quality, no exaggeration!