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)

Event: Gay Erotic Expo 2002

STORY AND PHOTOS BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Adult businesses, stars and fans all got a taste of the Big Apple at the first national Gay Erotic Expo. Held November 10 and 11, 2002, in New York City, the expo offered a combination of information and entertainment for an eager audience. Nearly 100 exhibitors—including publications such as Adult Video News, Specialty Publications’ Men, Unzipped Monthly and Freshmen, and New York’s HX magazine; video companies such as Lucas Entertainment, MSR Videos and JetSet 2000; and Web sites such as badpuppy.com, bedfellow.com and showguys.com, among many others—filled four separate halls covering 30,000 square feet of the Webster Hall dance club in the East Village.

But booths weren’t the only place to see and be seen at the trade show. Other exhibitors, such as Chi Chi LaRue’s LiveAndRaw.com and tlavideo.com, rented out entire lounges and converted them into “rest areas” or full-blown stores. Although LaRue was a no-show (the director was rumored to be in Australia shooting for Falcon), her lounge proved to be a popular hangout, and TLA moved much product from its makeshift home.

Besides snatching up free samples of lube, condoms, magazines and DVDs, the 7,500 attendees over both days also got into the spirit of the holiday season by shopping for bargains. “We saw this as a place where gay men could find specialty adult items,” says Steven Levenberg, chief operating officer of the expo, “things like fetishwear, dildos, penis enlargers, erotic art and adult magazines and videos.”

But this sexy expo wasn’t just business as usual. It offered more of a party atmosphere than most conventional trade shows, perhaps due to the club setting, late hours (7pm to 1am the first night), numerous bars and live entertainment. Local drag star Hedda Lettuce hosted a raunchy show, which featured performances by New York–based director Michael Lucas and his stars Chad Hunt, Rick Gonzales and Danny Hunter (pictured, top). Veteran star Will Clark also did a strip act, and the cast of the off-Broadway hit Naked Boys Singing did a number, though they did not live up to their name. Also seen: cable hostess Robin Byrd, director Joe Gage and porn star/director Ray Dragon.

Consolidated Management Associates, the company behind the expo, hopes to make it a regular event in New York and is looking to expand into other U.S. cities in the coming months. According to chief executive officer Matthew Bank, the event was a natural outgrowth of their Gay Life Expo, which is a more mainstream, business-oriented affair. “We had to keep turning away exhibitors from the porn industry,” Bank says. “We knew there was a place for the adult stuff, and the Gay Erotic Expo is it.”

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2002)

On the Set Report: Peep Show

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Porn stars and their lusty admirers hit the high seas once again for the third-annual Pillage & Plunder Cruise this past fall. About 800 gay passengers from 39 states and 11 nations made their way from Port Manatee, Florida, to Cozumel, Mexico, aboard the Regal Empress cruise ship. The five-day journey benefited the local Pride Tampa Bay organization, but it also gave porn directrix Chi Chi LaRue a chance to shoot a scene for her upcoming Peep Show. This new sex-only movie—starring Rascal exclusives Matt Summers (pictured, above) and Julian Pierce, Aaron Tanner, Bailey Parks, Andy Hunter, Sebastian Cole, John Ashe and Travis Reed—will be released through LaRue’s own Rascal Video production company in association with Channel 1 Releasing.

The ship has already been at sea for a couple of days when LaRue (out of drag) and her crew gather to film a sequence with supercouple Lance Gear and Peter Raeg and newcomer Evan Taylor. It’s a hot Saturday afternoon, and while most of the passengers are luxuriating in the sun, the crew begins setting up their equipment in the ship’s theater. Videographer Steven Walker prepares the first shot in front of a big screen onto which a porn video will be projected. “This movie is like an attack on the senses,” LaRue says. “It is very visual and has great art direction.”

The doors leading into the theater have been blocked so the passengers cannot observe the filming. This is a marked change from previous cruises when Josh Eliot helmed Catalina’s Voyager and LaRue filmed Pillage and Plunder: The Movie before an appreciative audience of horny seafarers. “Doing a one-woman show is fun once,” LaRue says. “We were like trained seals out there last year, performing for the crowd. I did it once, and that’s enough.”

LaRue confers with Walker as the three models arrive on the set looking fit and tan (that’s what a few days at sea with a boatload of gay men will do). After a brief fluffing (hair and makeup, that is), the guys are led to a space in front of the screen and the oral sequence begins. Makeup artist Mistress Mona helps with a handheld light, and Walker circles the models with his camera. LaRue sits in the darkness of the theater, watching the proceedings on a video monitor. She decides that the lighting “looks weird” and requests that the red gels be removed from the lights. In typical fashion, the princess of porn directs the models with loud enthusiastic commands. “Suck it!” “Snap his dick!” and “Oh, my God! That’s hot!” are all heard regularly on a LaRue set.

During a break, porn journalist Mickey Skee chats with Mona and the crew. The models drink water, and Gear admits that he doesn’t feel completely comfortable seeing his own likeness onscreen (his debut film, In Gear, has been playing in the background throughout the shoot). “I hate watching myself,” he says. But lover Raeg doesn’t share the sentiment. “I like the scene he did with Logan Reed,” he says. “It’s hot.” Meanwhile, Minnesotan LaRue is debating the accuracy of the film Fargo with several crew members.

Almost an hour has gone by, and the shoot seems to be proceeding on schedule. But outside the barricaded doors, the Joan Rivers impersonator who is scheduled to host Bingo in the theater following the shoot is chomping at the bit. When LaRue is told that the Rivers impersonator wants in, she barks, “Who the fuck is that?” and continues staring at the monitor. When informed that several passengers would also like to come in and witness the porn stars at work, she counters, “Tell them if they pay an extra $500, they can watch!”

And then it’s back to the action. Bar stools are moved in, and the trio set their minds to buttmunching. Gear spits with gusto as LaRue looks on approvingly. When the stools are repositioned for the fucking sequence, LaRue steps onto the set and demonstrates exactly what she wants. Gear gets topped—first by Taylor and then by Raeg—as Mona stands by with condoms and lube. Between setups, LaRue offers encouragement and accolades to the guys. Next, Gear drops to his knees and prepares to receive a facial. As Taylor and Raeg cream on Gear’s face, LaRue screams with joy, “That is hot!” When the spent models adjust their positions, she yells, “Don’t move!” as Walker moves in for a closeup. Then it’s time for cleanup and strike. A mere two hours have gone by, and the scene is done. LaRue comments on how smoothly everything went and how great the cast and crew did. Then in her trademark growl she calls out, “Okay, you can let Joan Rivers in!”

Reprinted from Adult Video News magazine (2002)

Movie Review: Cowboy

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Director: Blue Blake.
Cast: Caesar, Brad Rock, Tom Katt, Rhett O'Hara, Dane Brando, Sal Lombardi, Staten McCormack, Ray Stone, Kelly Madison, Evan Taylor, Blue Blake.

The long-discussed Blue Blake’s Cowboy rides into town this month, and it was well worth the wait. Superstar Caesar is back on-screen in the lead role of Cowboy O’Connor, a pumped-up bodybuilder who hits the road. Along the way he encounters twinks such as Rhett O’Hara (supercute in an auspicious debut) and Dane Brando (who also shows promise). But Cowboy has a secret, and it takes the love of a good man to draw it out.

When we first see Cowboy, he is waking from a restless sleep, haunted by dreams of mansex. This leads to Caesar’s oral-only scene with O’Hara. These two tattooed loveboys complement each other perfectly. Cowboy proceeds to rob poor little Rhett before heading out of town. He is picked up by Brando, who inexplicably flashes back to the family mechanic (Sal Lombardi) fixing his father’s truck. This scene makes no sense in the scheme of the story, but the built Lombardi is so beautiful and delivers such a juicy cum shot, any lapses in the plotline are forgiven.

Back to the story, we learn that loner Cowboy has lost his entire family in a fire. Brando offers to help by putting him to work on his ranch and ends up sucking his dick. This is a beautiful outdoor sequence, as Caesar gives a focused, ferocious performance. He pounds Brando on a table, on a chair and then splooges on his face.

The affections of the fledging lovebirds don’t go unnoticed by farmhands Tom Katt and Evan Taylor. They speculate on the nature of the new relationship before getting busy themselves, enjoying a strenuous fuck on a tractor.

In the next scene, we get to the heart of Cowboy’s family secret with a steamy shower threeway featuring Staten McCormack, Kelly Madison and Ray Stone. This one is for all the manly men lovers out there. (One quibble: Cowboy says that this flashback happened “years ago,” so we’d like to know why his father, uncle and cousin are all wearing very current Ralph Lauren Polo undies!)

After a fun cameo from director Blue Blake as Detective Cooper, a no-nonsense gumshoe, we get a high-energy chase scene that ends with another hot coupling, which this time has Caesar bottoming for sexy cop Brad Rock. We won’t give away the mystery (or surprise ending) here, but Caesar’s final chilling moments will surely earn him a Best Actor nod at next year’s GAYVN Awards.

Blue Blake’s Cowboy is a neat little thriller. It is lovely to look at, has a meaty story line, good performances and, most important, hot man action. We even like the catchy “Cowboy” theme song by Rock Hard. (Maybe because it sounds like it was inspired by Madonna’s own dancing-cowboy video, “Don’t Tell Me.”) Cowboy should ride off into the sunset with a slew of accolades. (Big Blue Productions/Arena)

Reprinted from HX magazine (2002)

Movie Review: Slammer

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Directors: Brian Mills and Harold Creg.
Cast: Jon Galt, Dred Scott, Billy Wild, Ben, Jake Marshall, Papi Moreno, Toby O’Connor, Josh O’Hara, Riley Porter, Raul Tasco, Chad Williams.

The Titan hit Slammer makes it way to DVD this month. Titan exclusive Dred Scott is as stunning as ever playing the warden of a free-for-all prison. His opening scene with new inmate Billy Wild (also an exclusive) is about as rough and tumble as it gets, but bottom boy Wild holds up nicely under all the punching, slapping and spitting. A close runner-up in intensity is the pairing of Scott with exclusive Jon Galt. These two do it all, and Scott’s amazing physique and skill as a top will leave you breathless. Although he is in three of the six scenes, Scott isn’t the only find here. Jake Marshall and Raul Tasco both deliver two eye-popping cum shots each, and newcomer Riley Porter eats ass with style. Clocking in at a long two hours and 20 minutes, Slammer gives viewers a lot of bang for their buck. The visuals are top-notch, which makes the poor sound quality all the more surprising. At several points the dialogue is inaudible, but besides that minor flaw, Slammer will have you happily chained to your DVD player. (Titan Media)

Reprinted from Inside Porn magazine (2002)

Porn Star Interview: Jason Land

BY VINCENT LAMBERT

Originally from: State College, Pennsylvania
Age: 24
Height: 5’ 9’’
Weight: 165
Distinguishing features: Wholesome good looks, defined body and sweet ass.
Tattoos/piercings: “Two. One on my back of a sun, and the other on my head is of a dragon.”
Penis size: 7 inches, cut
Sexual orientation: “Just gay, as far as I know.”
Ethnic background: Austrian, Hungarian and Polish
Education: “Two years of Culinary Arts and a degree in Fiber Optics Communication.”
First adult performance: Colton (All Worlds Video)
Subsequent performances: Knight Spot (All Worlds Video), After Shock 1 and 2 (Falcon Studios)
What did you do before getting into porn? “Escorting. It helped out. I really got to know myself and what works for me.”
How did you get into the industry? “By luck. I was working in San Diego and was bored one day. So I decided to go walking around the city and ended up in an adult book store. I found a couple of movies from All Worlds Video, which peaked my interest in the industry to the point where I called them up—and the rest is on film!”
How did you get your name? “Jason is my real first name, but my last name is so messed up that I knew no one would be able to pronounce it. So I looked for an easier last name, and how could I go wrong with Land?”
Most memorable on-screen performance: “My first movie with Colton Ford really stands out in my mind. It was my first movie, my first scene. I really didn’t know what to expect.”
Most memorable on-set performance not captured on tape: “I don’t have one yet. Ask me in five years!”
Favorite co-star? “Rob Romoni. Talk about a hunk. He’s funny, good-looking and great in bed!”
Favorite sex act: “In my personal life, I am versatile. When I top, it’s all doggie style.”
What are your long-term goals? “One word: real estate. Okay, it’s two words!”

Reprinted from GAYVN magazine (2002)