On the Set Report: Cock Stalker

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Mr. Pam is multitasking. Not only is the veteran videographer and editor directing her first feature for Lucas Entertainment, the New York–based company that she moved across the country to work for, but she is also getting ready to shoot a scene between two of the stars of Cock Stalker, Nick Capra and Lars Svenson (below). In between, she is applying makeup to newcomer James Hawk (above) as he is prepping for a photo shoot.

It’s a typically busy day at Lucas Entertainment, even though boss man Michael Lucas is nowhere to be found (out of the country on business, we are told). As Pam dabs makeup on Hawk’s handsome face (he hardly needs it!), she tells us about the movie that she also wrote the screenplay for. “It’s like a cross between Single White Female and Jerry Maguire,” she laughs.

Pam goes on to explain that Cock Stalker tells the story of a guy (Hawk) who moves to the big city to pursue his dream of becoming a sports agent but winds up getting a job in casting at a porn company. Soon, he’s living at the studio—a situation that echoes Pam’s own experience. “When I first moved here from L.A, I was sleeping here for a bit,” she says. “It does get a bit creepy being alone here at night, but you get used to it.”

For today’s scene, there are plenty of people around. A Lucas publicist talks on his cell phone as an intern cruises MySpace profiles. The crew prepares the set while a Wilsonmodels.com photographer takes pictures of a tanned Capra, fresh from his home in San Diego, and a pasty Svenson. They kiss, pose and fluff each other between shots. After a bit, Nick warns Lars to stop sucking. They still have to shoot their on-camera sex!

The photos are done, but Nick continues to lounge around naked with a hard-on as they wait for the filming to begin. Mr. Pam charges in, ready to work. She is clearly excited about her Lucas directing debut. “I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to bring my ideas to life!” she says. Then, “Okay, guys, let’s get started!”

Cock Stalker is out now, and stars James Hawk, Ben Andrews, Brendon, Nick Capra, Tom D., Murphy Maxwell, Ryan Raz, Lars Svenson, Treshawn Valentino and Jackson Wild. For more information, visit LucasEntertainment.com.

Note to New York readers: The Cock Stalker cast will celebrate its release with a party tonight at Excelsior Bar (390 Fifth Street) in Brooklyn from 11pm to 2am. So stalkers, get your cocks out!

On the Set Report: The Intern

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On the Set Report: Manhattan Sex Party 2

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Fisting in the morning—there’s nothing like it. And that’s the first thing on the agenda as director Tony Alizzi and his crew gather once again at El Mirage, an underground sex club in New York’s East Village, to shoot the sequel to MSR Video’s Manhattan Sex Party, which earned an Adult Video News GAYVN nomination last year for Best All-Sex Video. It’s 8 am on a rainy November morning as the first of many models arrive and begin noshing on bagels and signing releases. Meanwhile, Alizzi and the others are busy dressing up the barren club, setting up a sling and rimming chair.

In the basement, two cameramen (including retired porn star Corey Jay) are preparing their equipment in a dungeon-like room for the fisting extravaganza that is about to be filmed. By 10 am, models Jorge Rivera and Matthew Green are in place (they have already done their, er, prep work for the scene), and the cameras are ready to roll. Unfortunately, there’s a problem with one of the two monitors that Alizzi has positioned himself in front of. The cameramen check the white balance while the models wait. After one camera is switched for another, Alizzi decides that the culprit is probably the monitor, not the camera, and presses on.

The models begin kissing and sucking each other. They start the anal play with a big dildo. As Alizzi directs, Rivera and Green move on to the real thing. Within a few minutes, Rivera has worked his way up from one finger to two until his entire fist disappears inside Green. Both cameras capture the action, until a battery on one goes dead. Alizzi groans and the scene stops again. “If he keeps doing that, I can cum,” offers Green. Alizzi tells him to wait for the battery to be replaced. Green complies and delivers a nice pop shot as the rejuvenated camera rolls. Rivera follows suit, and the scene is done.

By noon, a third cameraman upstairs has filmed the entrance of the models for the opening credits. They are each seen holding a MSP2 ticket stub, which had been designed and printed the day before. Photographer Chuck has also been taking publicity shots of the majority of the cast. With the fisting sequence wrapped, Alizzi is ready to film the main orgy scene. But first he gathers the entire cast in the reception area of the club for a quick briefing. “Okay, guys,” he begins, “I want you all to get nasty and dirty. Please remember to be inclusive and verbal, but not too much Jeff Stryker talk!” The 14 models, who are already touching and draped on one another, laugh and nod. They are ready to work.

It is 1 pm by the time the orgy begins. Several different areas have been set up to vary the action. Cover model Diego Alvarez climbs into a sling as Mario Ortiz steps up to do some fucking. Joe Sage teams up with Josh Kole while Rick Gonzales gets busy in a threeway. Two other models use the rimming chair for some ass-eating. The three cameras move freely among the men as the action happens simultaneously. Alizzi watches on two monitors and calls out camera angles as production assistants jump in and out of the frame with condoms, lube and towels. This goes on for more than an hour, with most of the models delivering cum shots, until Alizzi calls for a break.

It’s now time for the carousel scene, which features a wooden turntable that was specially built for the shoot. It is meant to hold a bottom, who will be spun around and fucked by several tops. There is some discussion among Alizzi and five of the models about who will be in the center of the wheel. Eventually it is decided that Alvarez is the lucky recipient.

“I want lots of coverage on this,” Alizzi instructs the camera crew. “This is our glamour scene, and I want it to look good.” Ortiz, Gonzales, Alex Leon and Aaron Heights (pictured, above) take their places around the wheel and work on their wood. Alizzi calls for action, and Gonzales starts the fucking. He then spins Alvarez to the next model until Diego has been fucked by each. Eventually they all cum on Alvarez. This scene lasts for less than an hour.

By 3:30 pm, the cast is wrapped. As the crew begins cleanup, Alizzi takes a moment to reflect on his favorite city. “I wanted to come back to New York to recapture some of the magic of the first movie,” he says. “It was one of those things in life that actually goes better than you could imagine. The difference between the two movies is primarily the cast. MSP1 had a huge star-studded cast, while MSP2 is headlined by our discovery, newcomer Diego Alvarez. The rest of the cast more truly depicts what a real sex party in Manhattan would look like. We found a lot of hot new talent here. I think people will like that.”

And if not, there’s always the fisting scene.

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)

On the Set Report: Enrico Vega’s Sexpload

STORY AND PHOTO BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Can lightning strike twice? New York–based porn star Enrico Vega sure hopes so. A veteran of more than 50 films over the past six years, Vega is producing and directing the second feature for his own Enrico Vega Productions. The first film, The Adventures of Enrico Vega, was nominated for two GAYVN Awards, so the stakes are high as he prepares for the release of Sexpload.

On a rainy Saturday in June on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Vega is getting ready to shoot the final scene for the movie. And he is basically a one-man band. He has created a set with black fabric in a corner of his living room, set up lights and is waiting for his cast. “I decided to use a simple set for this movie so all the focus is on the models,” he explains.

The buzzer rings and model Zach Jayden arrives. Though briefly a Lucas Entertainment exclusive, Jayden has displayed his boyish good looks and stunning bubble butt in only a couple of movies. So, understandably, he seems tentative as he disrobes. “I am always nervous before a scene,” he says. His co-star Berto, who has appeared in a video for Latino Fan Club, shows up wet from the rain and dirty from his job. “I just came from work,” he says, taking off his shirt to reveal an array of tattoos. “I work construction, so I get dirty. Is it okay if I shower first?”

All cleaned up, Berto joins Jayden for a photo shoot. Vega poses the models and starts taking pictures for the box cover. Then, the shoot is ready to begin. The scene has no acting and no plot. The models begin naked and get right to the good stuff. “I want this movie to be all about the sex,” Vega says later. “I want it to be like a straight porn movie, where they just cut right to the hard-core action. I always think about the viewer at home who is watching and jacking off. What will make him happy?”

Hmm, the two sexy models about to have sex might do the trick. Vega positions Berto on a pillow and Jayden squats between his legs, eyeing his huge cock. He doesn’t seem to be nervous anymore as he starts chowing down. Vega turns off the air-conditioning and begins filming the action. With little prompting, the models go through the oral sequence quickly. Vega occasionally calls out an instruction, but for the most part he is quiet and allows the guys to do their thing. After about 20 minutes of deep-throating, Jayden asks for a break. Vega rushes in with towels and water. “Are you guys okay?” he asks. “Can I get you anything?”

After a few minutes, it’s time for penetration. The guys begin with doggie. Jayden moans and grits his teeth. Berto performs like a pro. Soon they get into a rhythm and Vega scurries to capture it. Three positions later, the director calls for pop shots. A sweaty Berto pounds Zach to completion then delivers his own load. Still horned, Jayden jacks himself to a surprise second orgasm. It’s the icing on the cake…so to speak!

Vega puts down his camera and again moves in with towels. “That was great!” he tells them. “It looked so hot!” The models dry off as Vega hits the A/C button. He goes to the kitchen and returns with a tray of homemade sandwiches. Yes, the man does his own catering, too!

The models’ work is done, but Vega still has a way to go. Now that the last scene is complete, Sexpload can be edited and is that much closer to release. “I can produce only about one movie a year,” he says. “I just don’t have the time to do much more than that.” Although the film features many local newcomers—along with popular models Viper and Dimitri Santiago—Vega promises that he will make an appearance. “I am not in a scene,” he says, “but I will be in the DVD extras and some behind-the-scenes footage.”

Now that’s something that will make his fans happy!

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2006)

On the Set Report: Michael Lucas’ La Dolce Vita

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Every September, the tents go up in Bryant Park and all eyes are on New York City for Fashion Week, where top designers unveil their latest collections. On a Saturday morning in Chelsea’s Helen Mills Theater, about 200 guests sit expectantly along a runway as dance music pulses and bartenders pour drinks. But they aren’t awaiting a fashion show from Armani or Versace; they are gathered for the filming of the opening sequence of Michael Lucas’ latest epic, La Dolce Vita. The Russian-born director is rushing around, conferring with his assistant, giving orders to his production manager and overseeing a gaggle of photographers (some are actually extras posing as paparazzi) and five cameramen (using a dolly, a Steadicam and three tripods). If it’s up to Lucas, impeccably dressed in a designer suit as usual, there is no chance that any of this amazing spectacle will be missed.

In the audience, local trannie Amanda Lepore chats with Village Voice columnist Michael Musto (both are vets of Lucas’ previous big-budget award winner Dangerous Liaisons). Randy Jones of Village People fame sits across from porn stars Pete Ross, Jason Ridge and Spencer Quest. Lucas calls for quiet and addresses the chic crowd. He explains that they are about to see a pseudo fashion show (complete with clothing from such big-name brands as Prada, Miu Miu and Dolce & Gabbana) of a fictional designer. But first, Lucas thanks new friend Marc Jacobs for the use of his store (where a scene for the movie was filmed earlier in the week, promptly landing Lucas on Page Six of the New York Post, the first of several appearances in the days to come), his hardworking staff and his personal stylist Rod Novoa. Then it’s on with the show!

Drag star Kevin Aviance does a short performance of his dance hit “Strut,” which will be the theme song for the film, then a parade of gorgeous men (some porn stars, some real-life models and one hot local bartender) starts hitting the runway. They are wearing an assortment of hip suits, jeans, blazers, underwear, you name it. Porn star Jack MacCarthy, just back from a tour of Israel with Lucas, looks dapper in a red velvet suit, and Ben Andrews, fresh from his cockfight scandal with Chad Hunt, looks very grown-up in a tie. All the models are very serious, displaying much runway attitude, which they rehearsed until late into the previous night.

After each model walks three times in three different outfits, they all come back onstage and the designer of the so-called collection, Jack Bond (played by newcomer Jack Bond), joins them for a quick bow. The audience applauds wildly on cue, and part one of the shoot is complete. Lucas announces that they will do the whole thing over, just to be sure they have adequate coverage. But first, there’s a brief break.

Backstage, the scene is one of organized confusion. The models mill about in various stages of undress and talk on their cell phones. Phoenix Event Productions, the same team behind the Marc Jacobs and John Bartlett shows earlier in the week, is running things here, so everything goes like clockwork. Racks of clothing are labeled with each model’s name and character name. There are seven hair and makeup people standing by to do retouches as a photographer gathers various groups of models for pictures.

Lucas publicity director Heather Reznor films a faux interview with British hunk Jack Bond. She is playing Heather Weathers, a parody of a breathless reporter worthy of Entertainment Tonight. She flubs her lines but then nails it. Kevin Aviance says that he is a longtime friend of Lucas who couldn’t resist the offer to appear. “We all watch porn, don’t we?” he asks. A bubbly Pete Ross says that he is perfectly content to be sitting in the audience and not up on the runway. “When you’re as short as I am, it’s kinda tough to be thought of as a supermodel,” he says. Ross goes on to explain that he plays the nemesis of Lucas’ character, who is a gossip columnist. “It’s a fun part to play, and we’re having a ball!”

Lunch is served, and then it’s time to do it all again. Everyone takes their places, Aviance sings, the models strut and Bond bows. Lucas thanks the extras again and sends them on their way. But on the set, there is more work to be done. The monthlong, $350,000 shoot is only in its first days, and the crew gets ready to shoot the setup to a sex scene featuring Jack MacCarthy and Ben Andrews that will be filmed several days later at the Lucas Entertainment offices. Both young models are still in their stylish suits as they rehearse and act out their seduction, but it’s not until the following Friday that they get to consummate it.

It’s closing time, and the Lucas offices are abuzz with activity. As MacCarthy and Andrews get into makeup, Lucas creative director, videographer and Vita screenwriter Tony Dimarco sits in front of a monitor with editor Tyler Frank reviewing film from the previous night’s shoot. The footage shows Lucas stumbling out of a sex club and wandering the streets of a predawn Manhattan. “We are trying to update a classic here,” Dimarco says. “I watched the original La Dolce Vita over and over, but we wanted to add elements of New York City and things that are associated with Michael Lucas to it, like fashion.” Dimarco says that’s how he got the idea for the lavish fashion show opener. “I kept thinking, how can we draw viewers in and put them right into this world? So I thought the show would accomplish that.”

But the setting for tonight’s shoot is decidedly less glamorous: a bathroom. The lights have been set up and Dimarco—along with Ray Dragon, who will also be shooting—preps his camera. The models are dressed in their clothes from Saturday’s shoot, and the hair and makeup artists work from photos to get them to look exactly as they did a week before. Lucas gives them a once-over then calls to his crew for towels, lube, condoms and water—always a sure sign that “action” is about to be called.

Lucas directs the models to tear at each other’s designer labels but to leave their clothes on. He tells them to act with an air of urgency (after all, in the movie they are about to hit the runway) and then choreographs the basics of the scene. With a still photographer and a soundman hovering just outside the bathroom door, the models start kissing on a ladder. Dimarco is shooting from above, while Dragon is lying on the floor. Once dicks are out and hard, Lucas calls out directions: “Play with his foreskin.” “Gag on his cock.” “Faster! Harder!”

After about 30 minutes of oral, the models are heating up in the tight space and ask for a break. The crew goes off to eat some pizza and give them some privacy. When they return, it’s on to ass-eating and fucking. With MacCarthy bent over the toilet bowl, Andrews begins topping. MacCarthy’s tie dips into the toilet water and Lucas assures him that it’s okay. At one point, Dragon jumps up and races down the hall. Dead battery! He returns in a couple of minutes and gets back to work. In short order, MacCarthy pops while riding Andrews, who then stands and jacks. A quick cleanup follows and the models dress and act as if they are runway ready. Two hours have passed, and another of the 12 sex scenes for Vita is complete.

Lucas retires to his office, where he works on his blog and looks at footage from a couple of days before that re-creates the famous fountain scene from Fellini’s 1960 original starring Anita Ekberg and Marcello Mastroianni. Watching himself take a dunk with porn actress Savanna Samson in the fountain at City Hall Park (again, mentions in Page Six and the New York Daily News), Lucas comments on his acting. “I think I am better in this than usual,” he says. Then he divulges why: “I hired an acting coach. All the top stars have acting coaches. You need someone to run your lines with. Even Meryl Streep has an acting coach!”

The arty images on-screen seem to impress even him. “Nobody has ever done a movie like this,” he says. “Straight or gay. It is a first for this business.” When asked what he hopes to accomplish with Vita, Lucas says, “I want to go further than Dangerous Liaisons. I want to top that, make something bigger and grander. I hope viewers will be as taken in by the story as by the sex. As a gay man, I like beautiful things. It is very challenging to make beautiful and tasteful porn, not cheesy like most movies. And with the hard work of many people, I think we have done it.”

As award season approaches, Lucas admits that he would like to repeat the success of Liaisons: “It’s nice to win, but it’s not why I make movies.” So then why does the often controversial director do it? “To make money. I just hope the judges can separate me from my film. It deserves to be judged on its own merits.”

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2006)

On the Set Report: Encounters 2

PHOTOS COURTESY LUCAS ENTERTAINMENT

On the Set Report: Gino Colbert’s Four Score

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT

It’s a late October day in Los Angeles. The weather is cool and damp, but veteran director Gino Colbert is a man on a mission. He has an outdoor scene to shoot at the San Vicente Inn in West Hollywood for his latest film, Four Score, and a few clouds aren’t about to stop him—nor is a missing model. It’s noon on a Sunday as Colbert and makeup man Christian head to the set. The model who had been scheduled to perform today has dropped out and Colbert must find a replacement—pronto.

Arriving at the gay resort, Colbert unpacks supplies and greets his crew, who are already setting up lights and equipment. Being a seasoned pro, Colbert is always ready with Plan B. He immediately calls the AWOL model’s agent, who promises to e-mail pics of three prospective substitutes. In the meantime, model Jason Crew arrives on time and full of energy. The Ohio native plunks down in the makeup chair and lights up a cigarette. Christian goes to work.

The San Vicente Inn, which has been quiet as the crew prepares, slowly shows signs of life as the guests start to awaken and wander about. A burly naked man stakes out the hot tub as photographer Bay Stevens sets up for stills. Colbert goes online and looks at the pictures the agent has sent. Crew offers his opinions on his potential scene partners and their cock sizes. After some deliberation, Colbert picks one, and the agent tells him the model will be there shortly.

As Crew and the cameramen eat lunch, Colbert talks about the upcoming film. “This is the first in a two-part series,” he says. “There are eight unrelated vignettes, and I am especially excited about my hot new Asian star, Eric Hung. We call him the Asian Sex Machine. He is beautiful and, well, hung. He is also one of the most cooperative and intelligent actors I’ve ever directed. Eric is doing one scene in each movie.”

About an hour later, model John Marcus arrives, breathless and apologetic. “I just came from Long Beach!,” he exclaims. Colbert thanks him for coming. Marcus, who has appeared in more than 50 movies, heads upstairs to prepare. Once he is ready, Marcus and Crew pose alone and together for the photographer. The place is now buzzing as guys in towels cruise around and inquire what is going on. When the stills are complete, the models run their lines with assistant director Nick Wulff, who also wrote the script for this segment of Four Score.

By 3 pm, they are ready to film the first dialogue scene, which involves Marcus coming out of his room and talking on a cell phone. Colbert watches and listens intently then requests minor changes. He also tells the PA to have the management turn off the hot tub because it’s making too much noise. Marcus plays the scene three times, then they move in for close-ups. He flubs his lines only once or twice, and the scene is done quickly.

Then it’s on to the suite, where Crew will sit on a couch and film the other side of this phone conversation. Crew wastes no time in getting his cock hard. He starts jacking, as Colbert kneels in front of a nearby monitor. He asks the cameraman for more headroom, and they are set to go. Marcus plays his part off camera for Crew, who nails the scene. Colbert compliments him, and they keep moving.

By 4 pm, it’s finally time to film the sex scene. Due to the chilly weather, Colbert decides to shoot indoors in a gym, so the crew begins moving the equipment downstairs. Once inside, Colbert talks to the models, asking whether they have any limitations for the upcoming sequence. They assure him that they are fine with each other and the intended action. A few cute guests in towels loiter on the sidelines and flirt with the models as they rehearse. “All actors on set,” Colbert calls out. The lights are adjusted and the makeup is touched up. More dialogue is filmed, as Marcus lifts weights and Crew confronts him.

Finally, the sex begins! Crew stands on a bench, while Marcus works on his big meat. Colbert is all business at his monitor, watching the models and calling out instructions as they move on to 69 position. “Okay, tell him to suck your nuts,” he directs Crew, who obliges. “Let’s go handheld,” he tells the cameramen, who scramble to get the shot he wants. There’s a brief break for stills, then it’s on to the fucking portion.

At 6:15 pm, Christian stands by with condoms and lube as Marcus holds on to a weight bar and Crew enters him from behind. They begin to fuck. The action is shot from several different angles and goes smoothly. After another break, Colbert decides to finish the scene on a massage table, which means that all the lights and equipment have to be moved again. Crew, facing a long ride back to San Diego, seems distressed to learn that the scene will take even longer. To relax him, Colbert throws him on the table and begins massaging his back.

After about a half hour, the new setup is ready and the models climb up onto the table. They get into missionary position, but before they really get going, the lights blow! As the crew stumbles around in the dark, looking for the fuse box, the models disengage and prepare to wait some more. Crew, who has been snacking on some chips, amuses himself by seeing how many he can bounce off his hard cock.

When the lights finally return, Colbert quickly gets the models back on set for the final bang. The rest of the scene goes without a hitch, as they both pop on Marcus’s hairy chest. However, there’s one final bit of dialogue to be filmed. Crew is yawning and struggles to get through it. Colbert places the script on Marcus’s chest and tells Crew to read from it. The camera focuses on just his face. After several attempts, he gets the line out and the scene is done.

Eight hours have passed, and everyone is ready to go home. Crew and Marcus return to the suite to shower, as the crew begins packing up. Once dressed, Crew says a quick thanks and is gone. Marcus, content with his turn as last-minute fill-in, goes out front to wait for his roommate to pick him up.

Colbert also seems pleased. “When all is said and done, we’re doing the same thing Hollywood is doing,” he says, “making the same kind of magic, except ours is on a much smaller scale in terms of budget.” When asked about the long day behind him, Colbert adds, “I’m happy with it. The scene turned out great because the actors had a natural connection. They looked wonderful together and were both total pros. I couldn’t have asked for a better pairing. And considering neither actor had seen the screenplay until arriving, I think they did pretty damn good.”

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2005)

On the Set Report: OhBoyEscorts.com

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

It’s Saturday afternoon on Manhattan’s trendy Upper West Side. As students of nearby Columbia University enjoy the crisp fall weather outside, Tyson Cane and his crew are working up a sweat inside. Cane, casually dressed in a dark shirt and jeans, is padding around a friend’s apartment in white socks. He is busy prepping a scene for his third video as writer-producer-director. His first two (Manhattan Fantasies and Freak Factor) were produced with former business partner Enrico Vega. Now on his own, Tyson is a multihyphenate on a mission.

In the living room, two models are positioned on a green leather sofa as Cane sets up a shot. Though the air conditioner is on, the elaborate lighting is quickly heating up the area. Photographer Junior (who is also a part-time model) is taking pictures with a digital camera as Cane grabs his 35mm. They both do some glamour shots of the models before the scene begins. Cane explains that due to requests from different publications, he usually shoots both digital and 35mm film.

Also on-set are porn stars Mario Ortiz, a close friend of Cane’s, who is consulting, and Felipe Eller, who co-stars and also inspired the movie being shot today. Eller and Cane met online several months ago. When Cane discovered that Eller was starting his own escort agency, he was intrigued. “I know people are fascinated by escorts, so I said to Felipe, ‘We should make a movie about your new agency.’ ” Sensing a promotional bonanza in the making, Eller quickly agreed. They even decided to title the film after the agency, OhBoyEscorts.com.

The now-naked models—Dimitri Santiago, who has appeared in numerous videos over the past six years, and Igor, a boyish Brazilian making his porn debut—pose and get playful with each other. Cane gets behind his tripod and dons headphones. He instructs Junior to turn off the A/C (too noisy) and directs the models to kiss. The scene is officially under way with kissing, tongue-fucking, blowjobs. After about 20 minutes, Cane calls for a break. The sweaty models towel off while Junior mops up the leather sofa. The A/C goes back on. Igor is excited about the progress of his first scene. “This is fun!” he exclaims to Eller. “I get to have sex with a gorgeous guy. I like it!”

Cane calls the models over to touch up their makeup and discuss the next setup with them. He jumps on the sofa and demonstrates exactly what he wants. Next, he debates how to get a safer-sex message into the movie. A line he has scripted about condom use ends up sounding preachy when Dimitri rehearses it. So it is decided that when Dimitri reaches for a condom, he will hold it up and instruct Igor, who plays a newbie escort learning the ropes, “And whenever you’re on the job, don’t forget these!” After Dimitri repeats the line a couple of times, Cane seems pleased.

While Igor is photographed solo on the sofa, Dimitri focuses on his wood. After a couple of minutes, Dimitri is hard. Igor stares at his erection. “That is big!” he says, wide-eyed. Cane calls for action, and Dimitri enters Igor doggy-style. It goes without a hitch. Ortiz and Eller exchange a silent glance with raised eyebrows. Igor used both hands to spread his cheeks. This part of the scene goes smoothly. However, as Dimitri pounds away at Igor’s tight bottom, the sofa starts to zip across the floor. Cane adjusts his camera accordingly. After several minutes, Cane ask, “Igor, are you doing okay?” Igor says he needs a break, and Cane immediately complies.

After a few minutes of rest, the fucking resumes. A couple of positions later, it’s time for cum shots. Igor is feeling a bit shy, so Cane sets the camera and he and the other on-set observers retire to the bathroom, providing some privacy for the video virgin. Several minutes later some loud moans are heard from the set. Dimitri calls out, “Okay, he’s done!” and we all regroup to witness Dimitri’s cum shot. Being the professional he is, it doesn’t take long or require privacy. As the scene winds down, the models starts to kiss. Almost immediately, the lights and camera die!

The culprit is a blown fuse, which Junior promptly fixes. Cane is relieved that the scene was completed. Cool air streams in, and Igor jumps up and hits the shower. Dimitri lounges in a towel and gives a tour of his tattoos. (“I designed them all myself,” he says. “My cousin did most of them, but then he went to jail.”) Cane and Junior begin packing up the equipment, but not before watching some footage on the camera’s display. “It looks really good, ” Cane says. Then to Eller, “I really hope we can make this a series!”

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2005)

On the Set Report: M. Lucas' Dangerous Liaisons

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Michael Lucas thinks big, and his latest production is no exception. An epic gay-porn remake of the 17th-century novel by French author Choderlos de Laclos, Michael Lucas’ Dangerous Liaisons promises to be his highest-profile film yet. “This has five-star hot sex!” Lucas exclaims. “It has a beautiful cast, incredible editing, expensive locations, five cameras, three makeup artists, two stylists, two set stylists, three drivers, eight assistants, even a lawyer! It cost $250,000 to make, and it’s a huge deal!” Modesty has never been his strong point, but when Lucas talks about his latest movie he starts to sound like the Donald Trump of gay porn. Yes, the Russian porn star/auteur has always been a tireless self-promoter, but in this case, bigger is certainly better—and not only when it comes to dick size.

On a chilly Saturday in February, Lucas arrives on the set of a photographer’s studio in the East Village. He and co-stars Gus Mattox and new Lucas exclusive Bruce Beckham have been out all morning shooting a scene on the streets of New York. Director of photography Tony DeMarco, who also wrote the script for Liaisons, explains that the battery on their camera went dead during the shoot, so a production assistant had to rush over with a new one. Then as soon as they were ready to shoot, a fire truck arrived across the street, causing another delay. But the short scene was eventually completed, and now they are ready to get down to some sex.

“This is my first New York movie,” says Mattox with excitement. “And my first with Michael Lucas. I liked the script, and they needed someone who could do dialogue and sex. So it seemed like a perfect match!” Beckham, who is originally from Ohio but now goes to culinary school in Los Angeles, met Lucas when he lived in New York. He has done a couple of movies under a different name for Blue Blake but considers this a new start. “I really like Michael and look forward to coming to New York to work for him a lot,” he says, blue eyes sparkling.

Mattox changes into striped boxers and Beckham to blue briefs, and they sit on a red velvet divan as Lucas preps them for the scene. Porn star Raymond Dragon, who is working camera on the film, sets up lights as a still photographer snaps pictures. Lucas meticulously runs through the choreography he wants for the sex. Mattox absentmindedly plays with Beckham’s hair as Lucas talks about the kissing, licking, sucking, fucking, armpit sniffing and footplay that will ensue. When he hears about the pit sniffing, Mattox politely asks for some baby wipes and demurely swabs away. Lucas attempts to demonstrate a position he’d like for the fucking, but when he leans into the couch, it promptly tips over. They decide on a new position. Lucas also choreographs the camera work, which will be shot by both DeMarco and Dragon. Ever a stickler for detail, Lucas directs the PAs to wipe the bottoms of the models’ feet. Always thinking ahead, he tells them to be ready with condoms, lube, water and towels.

When Lucas finally calls for action, the models begin making out. Dragon shoots the action from a loft area above the couch and DeMarco is on the floor. Lucas crouches on the sidelines, watching intently as they move on to oral. Before long, Beckham has both legs in the air and Mattox is eating his ass. They gracefully move into one of the positions Lucas demonstrated for the 69 sequence. The cameras zoom in for close-ups as the models sniff, lick and shrimp. “So beautiful,” Mattox murmurs more than once. Lucas calls for the c-light as the fucking begins. “Spread those cheeks,” he tells Beckham. As Dragon drops down to get a low-angle shot, Lucas lands next to him, trying to see what the camera is capturing. He holds onto Mattox’s ankle, holding him in place as he rams Beckham. After several minutes, Lucas calls for a break. Mattox good-naturedly does tricks with his dick, noting that they would make great DVD extras. The makeup artist touches up the models, and then it’s back to work.

Beckham fingers his hole in close-up, then Mattox moves in to fuck. Lucas calls for “more noise” from the models and has very specific instructions for the pop shots. Beckham shoots then takes some of his cum and puts it on Mattox’s lips and kisses him. Mattox jacks to completion on Beckham’s dick then sucks it off. “I only shoot safe sex with condoms,” Lucas says later, “but that doesn’t mean we can’t be creative and push things a bit.” There is one final kiss, then Mattox smirks in character for the camera. Less than 90 minutes have gone by and the scene is done.

It’s relatively small compared with what Lucas will attempt the following weekend. As numerous models, extras and cameramen wait for some local “celebrities” in a large New York club, the director barks orders at his staff. On a Sunday afternoon, Lucas and crew have gathered at Quo in Chelsea to shoot the finale to Dangerous Liaisons. The club is set up to look like an art gallery, with big photo blowups that have video monitors inserted in them. The extras—curious porn fans who have answered ads placed in local gay rags—mill around and wait for the glitterati to film their red-carpet arrivals. “This movie is all about fashion, beauty and intrigue,” Lucas says. “It is about designers, models and photographers—and hot sex, of course!”

Dragon is still shooting. “It’s been a long week,” he says with a smile, relieved that today is the final day of filming, which will be followed by a wrap party. First to arrive is local trannie club fixture Amanda Lepore. She is wearing very little clothing—basically a jeweled bikini with a pink fur and heels. As she intently reads over a release form, two video cameras and a photographer record every nuance on her sculpted face. Reality porn takes a new turn! In the back, Lucas preps on an all-white set to interview the nightlife vixen. Next, drag star and DJ Lady Bunny makes the scene, shrieking, “Where are the drugs?” She banters with Lepore and says she is happy to be making her porn debut. Entertainer RuPaul walks in, wearing a fur coat, cowboy hat and boots. She asks whether Boy George has arrived yet. Lucas tells her that the former Culture Club singer has already come and gone. He got the call time mixed up, but they shot a brief cameo that will be used in the film. Village Voice columnist Michael Musto slips in and hovers in the corner scribbling notes while Bunny entertains the extras. “Okay, I want your cocks out and hard, right now!” she demands. They laugh and seem excited to be included in the fun.

Today there will be two setups: One is a party scene, and the other will feature the stars are they pull up in a limo and arrive on a red carpet. The extras will play rabid porn fans who will cheer and take pictures. Lady Bunny goes first, jumping out of the limo, cavorting on the red carpet and running into the club. Then Musto gets in the limo to make his entrance. When asked who he is wearing, Musto answers, “Kmart!” Lepore is next, posing like a veteran and trying not to shiver in her skimpy outfit. Finally, RuPaul walks the walk, followed by Lucas himself, then the crew and extras gratefully move inside.

After a break, Lucas welcomes everyone and introduces his cast, which includes porn stars Wilfried Knight, Owen Hawk and Kent Larson. He tells the crowd they look beautiful and explains what the cocktail party will entail. It is the finale of the movie and features a confrontation between Lucas and Gus Mattox, who has been chatting with RuPaul about her new doll (out later this year!). Mattox introduces his lovely female companion Blair Ross, who will be playing his assistant. “Blair and I appeared together in 42nd Street,” Mattox explains. “When she heard that I kept talking to an assistant in the film on my cell phone, she said she wanted to play her. So here she is!”

For the party scene, the extras are handed glasses and told to mingle. Lucas confronts Mattox, and before they know it, the scene and the movie are wrapped. Lucas is clearly thrilled with the results. “I work with such a great team of people,” he says. “I think my talent as a producer is that I surround myself with great people. And I enjoy giving these people challenging projects. Sometimes they want to work on something new and exciting. Something grandiose, like Dangerous Liaisons!”

Donald Trump, take note!

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2005)

On the Set Report: Junito’s Wet Dreamz of Genie

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT

The PATH train from Manhattan goes directly to Jersey City, New Jersey, where native New Yorker Junito runs Liquid Dreamz Entertainment. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican/Italian started producing porn three years ago, after studying acting and voice at HB Studios and the Neighborhood Playhouse, performing in theater, editing industrial films, working as a graphic designer and running an escort agency. All of which prepared him for his current gig.

The director of Freaky Thugz (2003 GayVN nominee) and Honor Thy Brother greets me at the train and leads the way to his penthouse apartment, where an elaborate set has been built for his current epic, Wet Dreamz of Genie. Junito says the film—which will feature 10 sex scenes and has a 66-page shooting script—is a combination of ’60s TV faves I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched with the story of Aladdin, all with “a gay twist from my own sick mind.”

As an autographed photo of original Jeannie Barbara Eden smiles down, Junito goes to his computer to preview a scene that was shot earlier in the week. It will show off some of the impressive special effects Junito has planned for the film, including extensive green screen work. In the scene, Junito and sexy co-star Dimitri Santiago make like Larry Hagman and Bill Daily at the office as they attempt to keep a pint-sized genie, played by newcomer Anthony Cruz, at bay as he materializes on top of their desks. The scene is entertaining, ambitious and shows a light touch. Junito watches his performance and laughs along.

Today’s shoot will include many pages of dialogue but will also feature a duo with Cruz and porn star Enrico Vega, who arrives bearing chocolate chip cookies he baked himself. Junito is eager to have him try on his costume. Dressed in white harem pants and vest, Vega looks the part of Prince Jabbaar-Ali. However, the turban that Junito had designed for him doesn’t fit. So the director grabs his needle and thread and sets to work. It’s been a long night for Junito. “I was up until 4am putting together the set,” he says as he sews. Vega paces until Santiago pops in. He is in the film playing Junito’s sidekick but is also acting as assistant director and today will be doing camera along with Junito.

Next, Vega’s costar Cruz shows up—late but ready to film his first scene. The 25-year-old student heads straight for the shower. When he emerges in a towel, Junito inspects him and his many tattoos. “His character is from 2,000 years ago,” Junito explains, “so all the tattoos have to be covered.” The jack-of-all-trades director grabs his makeup bag and gets busy. The models chat as Cruz gets his makeup done. Santiago starts to massage Cruz’s legs to relax him. Then it’s time to tuck his braids under a do-rag and put shackles on wrists. After all, he is playing a slave.

With the prep work done, the cast and crew head to the living room where the inside of an Arabian tent has been meticulously re-created by Junito. There are curtains and scarves, swords and pillows all over. Grapes are on a table with two goblets. The models start to kiss and get comfortable with each other. Junito positions himself behind a camera on a tripod and puts on headphones. Santiago grabs a handheld camera and slates the scene. Junito lights a cigarette and begins directing. “Okay, Anthony, feed Enrico a grape,” he says. “Then lay him back and kiss down his body. Take some time when you get to his feet.” Junito had earlier noted a lack of footplay in porn, especially in movies of the Latin variety. It is obvious that he enjoys this fetish and hopes to change all that.

After he is done with Vega’s feet, Cruz begins performing oral. Junito instructs Vega to “look regal!” He steps away from the tripod to grab the models’ discarded clothes. Junito folds the costumes carefully and goes back to the camera. Meanwhile, Santiago roams the set, capturing various angles and adapting to the models’ positions. After about 10 minutes of being sucked, Vega calls for a break. “Can we stop for a second?” he asks. “I have a piece of grape stuck in my tooth and it’s driving me crazy!” Everyone cracks up, and they stop to regroup.

After a brief rest, they move on to the fucking. Vega is handed some condoms and lube, and being a veteran of more than 30 videos, he is ready in moments. Cruz looks nervous but seems to be enjoying himself. Junito and Santiago jockey around each other with their cameras, communicating with a word or a silent nod as the action plays out. Without much prompting, Vega moves through three positions. At one point he complains of a leg cramp, but, being a trooper, shakes it off, changes the condom and goes back to work on Cruz’s perfect ass. After about 20 minutes, Vega cums, hitting Cruz on his handsome face. Cruz soon follows with his first pop shot, and the scene is done in less than an hour.

“Whew! I need a cigarette,” jokes Santiago as the models towel off. Junito, clearly pleased, tells them, “That was the hottest scene yet!” Vega lights up, and Cruz again hits the shower. They still need to shoot the dialogue that will follow the sex. As Junito prepares, he runs lines with Vega. The director and Santiago, another thespian in his nonporn hours, act out certain parts and coach Vega on his readings. When Cruz returns, his makeup needs a touch-up, and then it’s on to the dialogue. This takes longer than the sex scene as the novice actors attempt to wrap their mouths around the intricate dialogue. After about an hour, Junito calls for a wrap. The multitasking director’s work for today is done.

Later in the week, Junito calls and admits that the dialogue was tough, but “it went better than I expected.” Considering all his various duties, I ask him, What is the hardest part of making a movie? “The human factor,” he says. “Getting the guys to show up and perform.” Then without missing a beat, he asks, “Hey, did I tell you I did a remix of the song ‘Dream Weaver’ for the soundtrack?” Yes, he sings too!

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2004)

On the Set Report: Strangers of the Night

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT


Porn entrepreneur Michael Lucas is known for shooting in New York City, and his 22nd film, Strangers of the Night, is no exception. Last fall, Lucas brought his porn sensibilities to a landmark hotel in Chelsea to shoot some of this dark and twisted tale of nocturnal New Yorkers. In a large suite on the sixth floor, Lucas and his crew set up their equipment to film, among other things, a threeway starring newcomers Nicholas Bardem and Adrian Pena, and Lucas himself.

As the late October day begins, videographer Andre Adair is standing on a chair with his camera. A couple of lights with umbrellas are surrounding one of the two beds. Sitting at a table nearby, an on-set photographer, a makeup man and a production assistant peruse a stack of porn magazines as the models begin the oral portion of the scene. First, the two newbies suck off Lucas, who takes part in the scene but also occasionally calls out directions to the crew and whispers instructions to the cast.

After a busy morning of oral sex, Lucas asks for a break. Speaking in his trademark Russian accent, the director immediately shifts gears and starts discussing the relaunch of his Web site and the distribution of his films, all the while naked and hard. Talk about concentration!

Within minutes, Lucas resumes shooting, this time the penetration. First, Pena fucks Bardem. This goes on for about 10 minutes before Lucas says, “Okay, we got it!” Then he is back in the scene, demonstrating the position he is going to be in, while the videographer adjusts himself accordingly. Then Lucas asks for condoms and lube, calls for action and begins topping Pena while Pena sucks Bardem. As the bed begins rocking, Lucas mops his brow and reaches down and does the same for Pena. After a while, he looks at the model and says, “Okay, now you are gonna cum.” Within moments, Pena complies with a nice pop shot.

But the scene isn’t over yet, as Lucas turns his attention to Bardem’s butt. He starts pumping him, then pulls Bardem’s foot, which is already in the air, up to his mouth and begins sucking his toes. When he is done, Lucas takes Bardem’s wet toe and aims it toward Pena’s butt. This scene will be popular with foot fans for sure! After Bardem shoots, Lucas lies on the bed between the models and jacks to climax.

“Very good, guys,” he says when the scene is over. After toweling off, Lucas begins planning the next scene, which will feature Carlos Morales, Andy Hunter and Mario Ortiz, who have already arrived and are filling out their paperwork. The models and crew relax and eat pasta, salad and bread. After lunch, they head up to the roof to shoot the opening-credit sequence. With a beautiful setting sun behind them, the models pose. Off in a corner, Bardem and Pena, fresh from their scene, do an interview that will be used as an extra for the DVD release of Strangers.

The second day of the five-day shoot features a scene with Lucas exclusive Marco Rochelle and newcomer Danny Hunter. This time, the crew has gathered at a duplex apartment in Chelsea and set up in a small bedroom, which is tastefully appointed with books. A fish tank gurgles in the background. As the cast prepares, Lucas absentmindedly taps the glass. “Okay, guys,” he says, “let’s get going.” Rochelle and Hunter start to make out. They are both wearing jeans without underwear, per Lucas’s wishes. As they kiss, he watches the monitor and directs them. Their clothes slowly come off, and Lucas steps in to reposition them, telling Hunter, “so that we can see how big your dick is.”

The models move on to oral and 69. “Okay, lots of foreskin play now,” Lucas commands. During the ass-eating sequence, Lucas tells Adair to get closer, “but don’t lose the focus.” Hunter has a trick up his sleeve. Moving into self-sucking mode, he and Rochelle share his oversize cock. “Yes, that looks beautiful,” Lucas encourages. Realizing that this is a rare opportunity, he asks for plenty of coverage.

Following this, the guys take a break. Hunter sips some water and stretches. “People don’t realize it takes hours to do a scene,” he says. “Before I was in the industry, I thought two guys just had sex and they filmed it!” Now he knows better, and it’s back to work. Hunter fucks Rochelle in two positions before the cum shots fly and the scene is done. It is almost six hours later.

With the day’s filming complete, Lucas takes a moment to explain the origins of Strangers. “My screenwriter, Alex Poole, had an idea for a movie that would be kind of like Alfred Hitchcock meets David Lynch,” he says. “Alex was definitely influenced by films like Vertigo and Mulholland Drive. I liked that idea. Aren’t we all just strangers of the night?”

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2003)