Dave Cummings - Maximizing Your Content Investment

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The thread needs some Markham.

The soccer starts in a minute, will make a comment half time.

Go Dave Go!!!!

Will listen to it later because I need to watch the soccer now.

This I will say about content.

There are no general rules that apply to content.

Because the rules that apply to Suze Randal apply only to a very few. The rules that apply to scenes that anyone could of shot, apply to all the people with that content. Anyone can pick up and point a camera. Only a handful can shoot like Suze.

And they are all available. The problem is few can afford to pay the prices the content is worth to them.

Also, all those shooting for others and giving it away are giving away their insurance. It's well known the year Eva and I have had and neither of us have shot much for a year. We live off the content we OWN. See signature on how to monetize content shot 20 years ago. You can only do that with content, which is why we never shot custom for peanuts.

Took a long time and a lot of BS to get to the interview but it was well worth is.

Dave talks a lot of sense. Anyone producing, thinking of producing or owns content should listen. Dave has a lot of experience and knowledge loads of people can learn from.

I'm sitting at home with little to do at the moment. If enough people think it would help them I could copy and paste a few articles I have on my site about shooting porn.

Reply if you think it would help you understand content more.

I promise no spamming. LOL

i'd be interested to know more

OK thanks.

Need to ask Barefootsies if I can do it here and would he like to comment. Or start a new thread.

Post away...

Good stuff... Dave is the best.

My Sin20 interview is tonight!

http://www.sin20.com/node/5952

Right on!

I'll look forward to hearing yours mang.

I'd love to read your comments and advice--thanks!

:-)

Nice interview mang.

paul, wtf, are you superpornman now? lol lmfao

No way and never claimed to be. I've just been producing porn 32 years and little of the basic rules have changed. I suppose the biggest changes, and I would love to hear Dave's and others thoughts on this, is female models attitudes, the strength and the way we churn out content today.

But if people can't learn something from people like Dave and I and other old veterans, ( ) whose fault is that?

jeeza i dont think u get it

OK here goes. This is just one guys view of how he thinks it should be done. There will be hundreds of others who tell you it's wrong and I would love to hear why so people can judge for themselves. This is for Newbies.

First thing is to really examine what you should be shooting. Shoot a niche you understand and like. Then shoot it the way you think it would be best to shoot it. Look at other peoples work but be careful copying them. Some of them could of been shooting years and copying them as a newbie is tough.

Then plan shooting the scene, write down a script, get some pictures and make a running board. This is useful so the model and you can talk it over. Models prefer to be given lots of guide lines. You need to know exactly what you're trying to create before the model turns up.

Doing castings is essential. you need to know the models before you give them a job. I recently saw a sample video of a girl who was clearly doing something she did not want to, did not give a damn and refused to do back shots because of her tattoo. The sample was a good example of what not to do. And why castings are essential. If a model won't turn up for a casting (considering the distance) for a weeks to a months normal wages for 6 hours work. She/he is telling you a lot. She/he could be telling you it's her way or no way, she/he could be telling you that if she did the casting she would not get the job or she/he could be telling you they don't care.

For a newbie to give that control to the model is very risky. In the main models rarely care if they will get another job from you and will do the least they can get away with working with newbies. Yes there are exceptions, but the general rules are all I'm covering here.

On a casting tell the potential models everything about what you do and expect for them. Everything includes scenes, action, money, time they turn up, HIV certs for BG and today GG. Props you will use, the style of how you work and anything else you can think of.

Get everything ready before the shoot starts, equipment, check everything including batteries and spares. Lights, laptop or computer, clothing, props, baby wipes, shower, shaving equipment, douches, deodorants, drinks (never alcohol), snacks if it's a full days shoot. Then if you have access to the location set your lights, arrange the furniture, look at the angles, check everything before the model arrives. You take a few test shots and put them on the laptop to check them. AND make sure the models confirm the day before the shoot. If she/he is going to flake best you know the day before.

The odds of a new guy struggling with getting the shoots right, models to do what he wants and establishing a style of his own are very long. Preparation is everything. Guys like Dave and me could walk into a shoot and pick it up as we went along. But we still prepare for a shoot and make sure it goes smoothly.

No BV I don't get what you mean, can you be more specific please.

Now I understand.

It's in reference to my avatar. LOL

I was just commenting on your new SuperPornMan avatar.

There might be people thinking "Why does it matter." It matters because porn is an individual and intimate product and today some produce it like it's all peas in a pod. So long as a scene is 20 minutes, ticks all the boxes and you get 120 stills it's fine. It's not because that's filler content, exclusive or non it's just the same scene over and over again.

If you want people to buy a membership in todays business you have to give them more than a site for $30 to download filler content from. The porn has to be an individual and intimate product. The customer will spend money on.

I have always thought castings important. If it's just one girl turning up it's a very good chance to find out who she is and what she is capable of doing. Even at the other end of the scale and 50 girls turn up it's still better than shooting a model from a picture she sent.

But you have to be organised and look like you know what you're doing. Otherwise it's a good chance to screw up everything.

So again prepare yourself.

Write out a script of what has to be said, so you can give them to models rather than waiting to fill the room and keep going back and starting again. It has to include how you work, where you work, when you work (so they know they can't turn up 3 hours late), what action you shoot in the different categories which she agrees to or not on the models form. How much you pay and anything else you can think of that's important. Why?

So the model can't say "You never said that on the casting."

If you're doing a casting for 50 have models forms and scripts laid out. These are the models details like name, phone number, age, size, what she will do, have it written down what you shoot and get her to yes or no to EVERYTHING. Saves any misunderstandings when she tells you on the shoot she does not do that.

And all this has to be done in a gentle, friendly but firm way. Introduce yourself, confirm their name or ask. Sit them down, thank them for coming and all with a smile. Offer a coffee, tea, juice or bottled water. Have ash trays ready. Sit them down and tell them who you are and what happens today. Including taking test shots.

These should be done in a very matter of fact way yet not cold. You need to see her naked and how she poses. Put her through a dozen or more poses. If you're shooting teens check their IDs before you do this and I do mean CHECK them. If they query you might sell the pictures. Explain because you're not doing an ID shot and getting a model release you can't sell the pictures. And there is not market for 12 pictures of a person posing solo for test shots.

You're establishing you're a professional guy who knows what he's doing and in control. But a nice guy as well.

This is your chance to evaluate if the model is right for the part, will do it as you need and not someone who will screw the day and waste your money. Get it right and you should have a good days work, easy, fun and profitable. Get it wrong and you're wasting your time.

IMHO, Paul is right on-target. Pre-shoot detailed communications with the model, along with other detailed pre-shoot preparation is a must; planning ahead makes things go a lot better, for all concerned. The bottom line is getting a worthwhile and valuable outcome, not shooting from the hip and hoping things work out profitably!

Amen to dat shit yo

Planning ahead make for a better product and an easier life.

All the lessons I learned in this business I learned from listening to others and from falling flat on my face. LOL

So you are ready and fully prepared for the shoot and the model or models have arrived. You assessed them on the casting and have a good idea of what they can do and how they will do it, this you have written into the script.

The biggest selling point in porn is the personality of the model. It's what makes every scene different, even if the action is the same the uniqueness of the scene is the model's personalities and the shooter's ability to bring it out. Most experienced models today will float through a scene and do their "routine". Hardcore models will do it the same way over and over again. Amateurs today have seen these scenes and they think that's how it should be done. So sit them down and explain how you work and what you want.

This is after you've given them a drink, told them to have a shower, girls to douche which you have hanging ready in the shower, along with all the other things like shower gel, shaving equipment etc. Be prepared.

After that as I said sit them down and explain how you work, what you expect from them and the outcome. Explain with all the faked plastic porn out there you want to do something real and different. Explain the running order of the day, then check IDs and go to the scene.

I'm assuming you have already tested the lights, so now a few test shots to see if it looks right with the model in place. Then take a picture of the model holding her IDs in front of her face on every scene. Try to get 2 IDs and then if you have a flat bed scan them if not take a close up of the IDs once and check before the day is over you have perfect ID shots.

This is just be ultra careful and protecting yourself. If the model wants to make trouble you have her ID shot for EVERY scene he/she did for you. If they become famous down the line, and it has happened, you have a stone clad case this was a professional shoot.

Then into the stills. ALWAYS shoot the stills before the video. Unless it's a video where the theme is a shooter shooting models NEVER video the stills shoot for publication. Stills shoots are often to show the models the running order of the video scene and show them the positions you want. Stills shoots can be incredibly boring on video and models who are experienced will turn it on and off. The only exceptions are if you have top end models who have bags of personality that will come across on a stills shoot video.

NEVER JUST STICK THE VIDEO CAMERA ON A TRIPOD AND THINK YOU HAVE A VIDEO WORTH SQUAT. ODDS ARE YOU HAVE SOMETHING AS EXCITING AS WATCHING PAINT DRY.

At all time direct the model from pose to pose. You can shoot the same shot about 3 times, change you position or/and change the framing. The biggest mistakes among inexperienced and bad photographers is shooting the same picture over and over again.

There are about 7 or 8 basic poses. Standing, kneeling, sitting, laying on back, front, side, legs in the air, doggy and upside down. Did I miss any? Then off each of them is 3 basic variations, that gives 24 basic poses. Then you can shot each one of these dressed, getting undressed and nude. This will depend on the niche and strength of the scene. The shoot full body, half body, face, close ups on genitals (not too many of these please because once you seen it five times it can get repetetive LOL), with girls Pink, fingers and toys penetarted. You can lay down, kneel, stand, stand on a step ladder, to the left of your light, to the right of your lights. Shooting 300 DIFFERENT poses in each set is easy. If you have prepared yourself. Then you can edit it down to 120 of the best shots for publication. Don't forget you want to have great shots on the tour that sell the site, having the same shot over and over again just a different model is not a good selling point.

All the time you're directing the model. you are showing you know what you're doing and establishing control. But be careful, you want the video to be real so lots of talking to the model, flattery, compliment and praise. I'm always flirting and joking in my pseudo dirty old man style. It works for me, watching others shoot you soon learn all the good shooters bring their personality to a shoot with taking anything away from the model. You want her/his input, they have to feel this is more than just their body as a piece of meat. You have to be yourself and let the model be his/her self as well.

Should you not like them being themselves because it brings down the product you're creating stop and explain what's wrong. Today it's so easy, you just show them the stills on your laptop and they will see it. Could not do that 10 years ago shooting on film. Explain it to them nicely and be polite, tell them you want more of THEIR personality in the scene.

The bottom line is you and the models are creating a fantasy and if it's not coming out and she/he will not change turn off the lights and send them home. They will tell you no one else complained, forget it do you think they will tell you everyone says the same?

Just tell them they are not doing the job as you are paying for. And don't pay them.

Another thing I forgot to mention about shooting stills.

The best way to show a picture today is landscape framing, but there are many poses that lend themselves to portrait framing. Be sure to capture lots of shots in both and edit out the ones that don't work.

So easy when all you need is another chip for another 500 shots, try doing that reloading your camera every 36 shots. LOL

Markham toe da rescue

Interesting... bumped.

Sorry I've not been keeping up with this, had a few bad days. But here's something.

If you're shooting hardcore couples don't shoot the girls looking into the camera over and over again. It stops the models relating to each other which is what you want on the video and looks false after a while.

Yes they are putting on a scene for the viewer, unless voyeur, yes they want the viewer to see they want him in on the action. But there is a balance. I see far too many couples sets with the models looking at the camera time after time. Keep it balanced like with the genital close ups.

And yes one of my signature shots is a girl eating pussy while looking at me. I try to capture a glint in her eyes. LOL

Will try to post more later.

So now you have finished the stills, the models had a break of coffee and a cigarette while you changed and tested the lights and it's time to shoot the video.

You have already built a good working relationship with the model/models and they feel they're in the hands of a pro. So it's time to refresh in their heads how you want the video to be shot. Time for good clear instructions.

Some videographers will break, tell the models to freeze, change their position, tell the models how to change into the next and then shout "action". Trust me unless you're working with good models and know what you're doing it's tough. A much easier way to work for beginners is to tell the model a few hand signals or simple 1-2 word commands move to the next position, sequence or step up the ladder. They have shot the set, you have given them the instructions, now it's time for their personality to come out.

If they don't have one you should of spotted it by now and put it right by not booking them or clearly explaining you don't want a model on fake auto pilot. Or at the end send them home. Bad product reflects on the site.

When shooting amateur style unless the niche is amateur photographer shooting professional bored model you need to make sure you get some real emotions and action into the scene. You're trying to give the illusion these models are doing it for the kicks and excitement. They are getting aroused turning on the viewer and themselves and their climax is what will clinch it. Stop her moaning like she's cumming when she's licking a vibrator and anything else that looks fake.

Some models today have seen and done too many badly faked porn scenes and will bring that to their work. The moment you see it shout cut and explain to him/her they look like a fake plastic porn star. Explain to them it's got to be real with an added bit of drama and noise. If they are talking they have to talk as themselves, if it's their bedroom character it's fine. A great shooter once told me "This job is not about getting a model to open her legs and show her pussy. Wish it was.

It's about opening her mind and showing us herself.

And that's the difference between a picture and porn. A professional actor will always reveal a part of themselves. The great actors are those who can change who they are and make you believe they own a chocolate factory of a pirate. Or stranded in an airport or desert island. All a porn actor has to do is reveal who they are in the bedroom. And not try to Sylvia Saint or any porn actress. Again the great ones are usually just revealing a part themselves anyway.

This job is not about mastering a camera, it's about mastering people.

You have to decide whether you want a static camera on a tripod or a less static one on a monopod or have steady enough hands to hold it. This is down to your skills. Today's cameras are so small and light weight the problem is holding them steady. Again a lot of practice is good.

You can sit on a chair, move around, have the camera at eye level, waist or floor and all of the above. Just move very slowly and keep your fingers off the zoom button. A common mistake of many new shooters is genital close ups, they go on and on and on with a close up that becomes boring. If the viewer wants that he will get it from Tube sites. And it's possible to capture the pussy and the face at the same time, especially with wide angle framing.

The art of producing porn is not showing the meat and letting the viewer thing of it cooked, it's stimulating the viewer so he feels like he's part of the scene. With Amateur, Teen, MILF, Gonzo he often has to think that you could fuck the model and she would fuck him if he was there. He's living his fantasy through your camera. If the reality looks boring and the model is not fuckable he will not buy or stay long.

You're in the porn business to sell porn. There is no clean clinical way to do that. It's about getting down to the real thing. A very successful pornographer I know says "It's about capturing the ICKYNESS yes and I know it's not a real word. You just can't shoot good porn cold, clinical and detached.

There's a limit to the number of scenes a model can do in a day and deliver the goods you need to make a good product. A sex maniac could 5 solo girl scenes in a day and still be begging for more. Some girls are finished after one scene. Your job is to get the most out of him or her and when they're is finished say it's time to call it a day. Too many today shoot like it's a numbers game. It never was or will be to the guy with his CC card in his hand.

You can't compete in quantity with the big Tubes, so compete in an area they can't. Quality, uniqueness and real.

This is turning into Markham 101

Just passing on lessons I learned the hard way and mixing and working with other shooters. Which is something too few of us do today. We are spread across the world and cross fertilisation of ideas is tougher. Except for articles like this.

I was just busting your balls champ. You should be used to it by now.

You know I respect your work.

Not bad at all

Interesting thread.

Respect Paul, thank you very much for sharing!

I know and never took offense.

I suppose I should include a few paragraphs on the shooters personal preparation and manner. It will very often reflect in the production.

I assume I don't have to say too much on personal hygiene, clean clothes, etc. If you don't understand that you're in the wrong business.

Models want to know they are in the hands of a good shooter who will do his best to make a good product. They will give respect when earned, they will not give respect when it's not earned.

Never ever tell a female model you only do this for money. She won't believe you and think you're a pervert trying to hide it. Tell her you're a pervert and you only do this as a hobby to see naked women and she will think you're a professional shooter making a joke.

When shooting her tell her how good she is, flatter her that she has a great smile, teeth, legs, tits and ass. When doing a spread shot make a joke like "That reminds me I must have a sandwich soon!!" it will disarm her and keep her involved in the shoot.

Making a naked girl performing sexual acts in front of a clothed male feel safe yet not too safe is paramount. She must feel you appreciate but will not force her. A wedding ring is a good thing. It can put you out of bounds.

It's a balance between making her feel sexually attractive and safe. Tough job.

Unless you're a Brad Pitt lookalike and she does not want to be safe!!

Think about it, you're creating a sexual fantasy and if the atmosphere in the shoot is cold it's harder to create it.

In this market you have to sell to affiliates that your product will sell and then to customers and they are the toughest.

thanks paul.

hey, can you chat a bit about good communication- hand signals etc. while shooting video

These are the ones I use the most.

Using the fingers and counting her in 5.4.3 silent 2 and 1 and then point to her.
Raising/lowering an arm to tell the model to stand up or sit down.
Rotating the hand to tell her to turn over, turn around, change position.
Doing the fingers and thumbs opening and closing to indicate it's time to say something.
Zipping my mouth when she talks to much.
Raising my fist in the air to tell her to raise the tempo.
Doing a silent fake moan to indicate I want more noise from her.

Just tell them before what you want, it saves talking to them and editing out the sound of your voice. Only good when you're shooting a scene where the models are looking at the camera and you.

I always found talking to them stops them doing what they should be doing and sometimes they even reply "OK" which means you have to cut. She/he should have a good idea of what to do and you discuss everything before you start to shoot. It's not fool proof but it works better than nothing. Remember you're the man with the money and you're the one who has to sell the product.

Saw some DVD content with the shooter telling the model what to do and doing it so badly she was stopping what she was doing to listen to him and then nodding. About as sexy as watching paint dry.

Good stuff!!!

Thanks:-)

lot's of good advices, thanks again. there's tons more

Wow, great thread! Useful info on GFY - I am proud to have been a part of the catalyst for this exchange. Thanks for listening! If you want to advertise or be a guest contact me [email protected].

Cheers!

Lots of information for people getting into shooting content (and some useful info to veterans as well) here's a bump for a biz thread