On the Set Report: Vengeance 2

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Audiences love mobsters. Just look at the mega-success of The Sopranos on TV and The Godfather trilogy at the movies. And porn viewers are no different. Director Michael Lucas discovered that a couple of years ago when his film Vengeance, a tale of Russian gangsters gone gay, turned out to be one of his company’s most popular productions. Now, Lucas and his New York–based crew are back on familiar turf with the filming of the much anticipated sequel, Vengeance 2.

For several days last February, Lucas Entertainment shot its latest video primarily in a loft space in Manhattan. On day one, there is much activity as everyone preps for the first scene. A renowned set designer, who has worked on major mainstream films, and his assistant are setting up the sleek Art Deco set that will serve as crime boss Lucas’s office. Photographer Mick Hicks arrives with pal Jack Ryan, who has replaced another model at the last minute.

Much of this first day is spent on dialogue. There is much attention to the lighting, the set and Lucas’s elegant designer suit. He is supposed to be smoking a cigar in the scene but doesn’t seem to appreciate the taste and asks an assistant to light it for him. When it comes time to film the scene, Lucas puffs away and promptly flubs the names of the models. He quickly asks for a retake. After several more takes, he gets the names right, and the scene is done.

For day two of shooting, the cast and crew have moved to a duplex apartment in Chelsea. For today’s scene, Latin stud Alec Martinez is paired with the lanky Ryan. After posing for stills with Hicks in the living room upstairs, the models retire to the bedroom below for the scene. They strip and get into position on the bed. Lucas looks at the monitor intently and gives them directions. Soon, the guys are moving from oral to anal, with Martinez moaning on the bottom as Ryan pounds him. During a break, Ryan lightens the mood, catching a glimpse of himself in the monitor and coyly asking, “Do my eyes look pretty?” Videographer Andre Adair soon reminds Lucas, “We’re losing the light.” Lucas responds, “Okay, guys, let’s go.” There are more condoms, lube, and finally cum shots.

Everyone is back on the office set for day three. Newcomer Richard Black (who will later sign on as the second Lucas exclusive) is pacing in a black Armani suit. He chats in a British accent with Andrew Addams, who is cast in a part that is sure to create more controversy for Lucas. Last May, the director caused a stir at the Grabby Awards in Chicago by making some off-the-cuff comments about a certain Hollywood agent. Addams happens to be playing a Hollywood agent, this one of the sleazy variety who wears loud Hawaiian shirts. In the scene, Black drags Addams through a door and deposits him before Lucas, who proceeds to verbally abuse then physically degrade the agent. The entrance is filmed numerous times before Lucas is pleased with the take and ready to move on.

On day four, eight models gather in the loft to shoot the main orgy sequence. By 11am, they have all been prepped and outfitted in tight underwear. Lucas calls them together to film a round-table discussion that will be a DVD extra, along with some watersports scenes. The topic is escorting, and Lucas takes on the role of a porn Oprah with ease. We learn that sometimes clients become friends, porn stars can maintain long-term relationships and that married men are a turn-off! Who knew?

Finally, it’s time to film the orgy. In the script, the first Lucas exclusive Marco Rochelle is playing host. He welcomes in five of the models—including Chad Hunt, Tag Adams and Jay Black—and they begin making out. They are soon joined by the others. The oral part of the scene moves along briskly. As Lucas watches the monitor, he tells the models to make more noise. “Let me hear it, guys,” he commands. “And play with that foreskin!” The action stops briefly so Hicks can do some photos, both hard- and soft-core. One model notices that three construction workers on a neighboring rooftop have a direct view into the loft. Lucas realizes that they are getting an eyeful, but he has a scene to shoot. Always a stickler for details, he wipes the bottoms of the models’ feet before they begin again. Then it’s on to the ass-eating and fucking. The models go at it for almost three hours until the last drop of cum has flown.

“This was definitely our most stylish production,” says Lucas several months later, speaking from the set of the next two videos in his best-selling Fire Island Cruising series. “The guys were all dressed in Armani and Valentino suits. Our budget was four times the amount of the first Vengeance movie, and it will show on the screen. The viewers will see it, along with the usual hot, masculine guys. This is my best work in Manhattan, and we had a lot of fun making it.” As for the brouhaha last spring with that agent, Lucas is unfazed. “We did a shot of the agent in a heap of garbage for the video, and that is where he belongs!”

Spoken like a true mob boss.

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

Porn Star Interview: Sam Tyson

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

It’s hard to believe, but supercute newcomer Sam Tyson left behind the glamorous world of magazine publishing to become a porn star. It wasn’t too long ago that the 28-year-old blond was toiling as the publisher of a gay magazine in Los Angeles. But when that ended about a year ago, the timing seemed right for the Salt Lake City native to leap onto the pages of a magazine. Following numerous photo shoots and three videos, this former Mormon and altar boy is now preparing for his first-ever live appearance at Stonewall on February 14, 2003. “I’m having a blast,” said Tyson in a recent interview from his home in West Hollywood. “New York is going to be my Valentine this year.” Any takers?

Sam, I know the magazine business is tough, but this is ridiculous!
Yeah, before all this happened, I was working as the publisher of Hero magazine. When we couldn’t get investors, I figured it was time to do what I really wanted.
First, some background. You were born and raised as a Mormon?
Yes, I was born in Utah and blessed into the church when born, then my family converted to Catholicism. I had a strict upbringing, but my parents were Jack Mormons, which means they were a bit more relaxed.
What were their attitudes toward sex?
Very conservative. It was all very Beaver Clever. Sex was hush-hush. It was all behind closed doors.
Were you always attracted to men?
Yeah, I found a copy of Playgirl when I was five, and I was thinking, damn, those guys are hot! Not in those terms, but that’s what was in my mind.
You have described yourself as an exhibitionist. Were you always?
No, I was overweight and unpopular as a kid, but I had the desire to change and reinvent myself. It became a project to work out, eat right and get healthy. I started becoming more comfortable with my sexuality. I never got to show off when I was younger, so I wanted to do that stuff.
So you moved to West Hollywood!
Right. At first I was intimidated by L.A. because it was all about looks and image, but then I started working on myself, and it’s been good for me. I started finding the best of myself.
So what was that first step toward porn?
After the magazine folded, I was online one day and started chatting with a photographer. I decided to take some pictures and play with that energy I had resisted. Then I met [director] Chi Chi LaRue and [agent] David Forest in the same week. That was a turning point. Chi Chi basically said, “You’ve got what it takes.”
And that helped you decide?
No, I had decided to do it before I met them. I had watched a lot of porn and done my homework. When Chi Chi offered me a scene, I jumped at the chance.
And what scene was that?
That was for the video 2. Adam Wolfe played a cop, and I bottomed for him.
Were you nervous?
I was really nervous, but we shot it right in Chi Chi’s living room, and she helped me to relax.
What came next?
I did Goldenrod for Studio 2000, which was a flip-flop scene with Johnny Brosnan. He’s fantastic. Then I did The Hole for Jet Set. In that one I was fucked by Jason Adonis and directed by Wash West. It was amazing.
And now you are taking on live performing.
Yes, my appearance at Stonewall is a new thing. I have danced on boxes in clubs but never something like this. I can’t wait.
What can our readers expect to see?
I’ve only been to Stonewall once, so I’m not even sure what to expect! But I know it will be fun to take it off for New York City on Valentine’s Day.
While we are on the subject, what makes a romantic evening for you?
Well, it’s been a while since I had one. It would start with another masculine guy in the hot tub, maybe in Aspen, it’s snowing out, real cozy, just getting into each other.
So, you are single?
Yes, I am single. I guess doing porn might limit the pool, but in another way, I wouldn’t want a boyfriend who doesn’t want to see this side of me. When you get me, you get the whole package!
So, where do you want to take all this?
I want to spend a few years doing this, have a good time, then leave at the top of my game. I’d like to use porn to take me somewhere else. I’d like to open a private gym here or in Florida.
You actually seem kinda shy.
I kinda am when I go out as myself, but when I am appearing as Sam Tyson, I am more playful and an exhibitionist. The personalities merge.
Tell us about your dog.
I have a Golden Retriever. He’s two years old, and his name is Romeo.
Would you want another porn star as a boyfriend?
It would depend on who it was. I haven’t met a whole lot of them yet. Having a relationship is difficult.
Describe your perfect Valentine.
Masculine, fun-loving, about my height, takes care of himself, nonjudgmental, secure, confident, adventurous. And, of course, there has to be an attraction.
I know you are a Brad Pitt fan. How about him?
I like Brad Pitt, but I’d rather be him. Maybe I can be the Brad Pitt of gay porn! Hey, are you going to ask me if I were a Candy Conversation Heart, what would I say?
Sure, why not?
I would say, “Fuck me!” (laughs)

Reprinted from HX magazine (2003)