Porn Star Interview: Doug Jeffries

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Doug Jeffries is making his mark on the porn industry—both in front of and behind the camera. Since his debut in 1996 in All Worlds Videos’ Why Marines Don’t Kiss, the 37-year-old screen stud has appeared in more than 350 films. In 2000, All Worlds gave Jeffries the opportunity to direct his own script, Untamed. Then last year, Studio 2000 signed Jeffries to direct movies for them. Now prepping Working Stiff 2 as a director and appearing in John Travis’ Stiff as a Board as a model, Jeffries recently took some time out to speak with us from the Studio 2000 offices in Los Angeles.

How did you make the transition from model to director?
[All Worlds Video owner] Rick Ford and I go way back. He even named me! Rick asked me to direct. I had been writing scripts for some of Chi Chi LaRue’s movies for Vivid. I wrote a gay script called Untamed. Rick really liked the script, and he said, “Direct it.” I said, “Let me think about it.” He said, “No, direct it!”
What made you hesitate?
I didn’t think I had the skill to direct. I had assisted Chi Chi on set, and being in so many movies, I learned a lot from seeing others direct. But it wasn’t until I worked with Scott Masters and John Travis at Studio 2000 that I felt I really started learning the technical side. I knew I could do the personality part, dealing with the boys, but the other part made me hesitate.
How did you get into the business originally?
I had been working as a teacher in Boston. Then I moved to Las Vegas. I came to L.A. and [porn star] Logan Reed saw me. He introduced me to an agent.
Had you considered porn before?
I was toying with the idea of doing porn. Then this opportunity came up. It was thrown in my face, so I sent pictures to the agent.
And the rest is history!
It was sort of a roller-coaster ride. I almost didn’t do it. I was sitting in the airport, waiting to go do my first movie, and I thought, “I’m not gonna get on that plane.” I never thought it would blossom into what it did and extend even further.
How did the Studio 2000 deal come about?
Scott Masters saw Untamed and called me at the All Worlds Resort in Palm Springs, where I was working, and offered me a job. I said that I was loyal to All Worlds, and he understood. Then I left there and moved back to L.A. and was free to accept his offer. I have directed four movies for Studio 2000. I just did one in Spain called Deep Plunge for our international line. And now I am also publicity/promotions manager.
Was that a tough job to tackle?
Not really. I already knew everyone I needed to from when I was roommates with Chi Chi.
Tell us about your relationship with Miss LaRue.
I met Chi Chi through working with All Worlds. She cast me in a movie for Mustang. I stayed at her house. It was a crazy time. Sometimes I was doing two movies a day! I was in all her movies, then she asked me to be her assistant. I made all those connections through her.
Were you influenced by her directing style?
Totally. A lot of my style is similar to Chi Chi’s.
What do you like about being a director?
As a model, I loved seeing my image on the screen. Now, as a director, I love seeing my vision transformed from the page. I also appreciate the entirety of the project—the editing, the music. Seeing the finished product is such a thrill! I get an inner excitement and energy when I am directing. I can’t contain myself.
Do you still want to keep performing as well?
There are projects I still want to do. I mean if a fisting movie comes up for Hot House, then I am there. I still like the hard-edge stuff. And I love doing personal appearances. I was an actor/singer/dancer before porn, so I love stripping, signing autographs, meeting the fans.
After 350 movies, how do you keep it fresh?
I just did a 3-D specialty video with Michael Zen, and I’ve done fisting movies with Steven Scarborough. Those are experiences that are exciting to me and where I can learn a lot from other directors, and I am so thankful to Studio 2000 for this chance. Learning still turns me on. That is how I keep it fresh!

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)