Comments on: Somewhat disjointed grievances on porno pay rates, transparency, and a pinch of boring labor politics http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/ I'm an atheist who has been a full time pornographer and sex worker for almost 10 years. I'm also a former "sex-positive feminist" who tired of trying to shoehorn my life into a useless ideology like a pair of ill-fitting high heels. I oppose the feminist doctrine that women are inherently feeble victims, brainwashed by "the patriarchy," and in need of someone to protect and guide us. I operate SWAAY.org, the only American sex workers' rights project aimed solely at public outreach and education. My politics are extremely socially permissive, but mixed on fiscal matters, and I don't identify with any one political party or label. My philosophy is informed primarily by Patrick Swayze in Roadhouse: "I want you to be nice until it's time to not be nice." Tue, 07 Feb 2012 04:54:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: [SPLIT] Porn (actors, effects, attitudes toward) - Page 3 http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-29626 [SPLIT] Porn (actors, effects, attitudes toward) - Page 3 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 03:20:13 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-29626 [...] [...] [...] [...]

]]> By: Hur myndigheter diskriminerar sexarbetare | Liberaldemokraterna http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-26621 Hur myndigheter diskriminerar sexarbetare | Liberaldemokraterna Sat, 15 Oct 2011 05:32:52 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-26621 [...] Somewhat disjointed grievances on porno pay rates, transparency, and a pinch of boring labor politic... [...] [...] Somewhat disjointed grievances on porno pay rates, transparency, and a pinch of boring labor politic... [...]

]]> By: Cleanse http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-3057 Cleanse Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:39:16 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-3057 From what I have seen, there's a huge influx of people that are getting into this niche. With more models available, it drives pricing down. Furry Girl, if you're able to get the quality of models you want at $100 per shoot, then more power to you. Optimize that dollar. I'm willing to bet you could place an ad in a number of places for $50 and you'd still get a decent return. I'm further willing to bet you could buy 10 Fleshlights (or similar 'toys') at discount, post an add that you're looking for 10 individuals to shoot using the item and the compensation would be the toy itself (they take it with them) and you would still get a large response. I've actually seen this work in lieu of payment, and everybody was happy. From what I have seen, there's a huge influx of people that are getting into this niche. With more models available, it drives pricing down.

Furry Girl, if you're able to get the quality of models you want at $100 per shoot, then more power to you. Optimize that dollar. I'm willing to bet you could place an ad in a number of places for $50 and you'd still get a decent return.

I'm further willing to bet you could buy 10 Fleshlights (or similar 'toys') at discount, post an add that you're looking for 10 individuals to shoot using the item and the compensation would be the toy itself (they take it with them) and you would still get a large response. I've actually seen this work in lieu of payment, and everybody was happy.

]]> By: Grace Brown http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-2118 Grace Brown Fri, 09 Jul 2010 06:12:52 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-2118 Labor relations should always be good to ensure the success of a company.,.. Labor relations should always be good to ensure the success of a company.,..

]]> By: John Seavey http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-691 John Seavey Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:30:48 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-691 Wait--you mean <b>you're</b> the one responsible for imperfectly frosted cupcakes? Wait--you mean you're the one responsible for imperfectly frosted cupcakes?

]]> By: Is the Porn Bubble About to Pop? http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-496 Is the Porn Bubble About to Pop? Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:22:21 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-496 [...] side of the financial structure common to most porn. Some producers, such as FurryGirl, prefer to pay a flat rate and let performers do whatever they’re comfortable with. While I’m sure that this limits her choices of who to work with, it means that nobody has an [...] [...] side of the financial structure common to most porn. Some producers, such as FurryGirl, prefer to pay a flat rate and let performers do whatever they’re comfortable with. While I’m sure that this limits her choices of who to work with, it means that nobody has an [...]

]]> By: Dr Petra Boynton I Blog I Sex and science stuff - 29/09/09 http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-158 Dr Petra Boynton I Blog I Sex and science stuff - 29/09/09 Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:09:22 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-158 [...] Feminisnt asks some interesting and important questions about the payment of porn stars and how the porn [...] [...] Feminisnt asks some interesting and important questions about the payment of porn stars and how the porn [...]

]]> By: Roxxie http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-156 Roxxie Sun, 27 Sep 2009 04:06:09 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-156 We're doing a lot of shooting for trade. The economy has been tough for everyone and a lot of women are interested in trade because they know how to sell their own content. I am so very happy to come up with barter and trade arrangements because I know we're all struggling and working out hot asses off. When we have hired more well known models they have always been happy to work for our (very reasonable) rates because they aren't divas and they like to work. And realistically there are huge regional differences in sex work wages. The labor is no different, but I'm only going to make small change at the titty bar in some dusty small town while I would make $$$$ in Las Vegas for the same thing. We can't pay what Vivid is paying and they understand that. We're also not doing the same things and we aren't expecting them to douche, enema, and put in 8 hours on a shoot. I think one of the big issues about money and sex work is when people are doing it just for the money. But then a big issue with any sort of labor is when people are doing it just for the money. If I take any square job because I just really need the money I'm going to be miserable and feel exploited because I'm doing it out of desperation. I guess that being nude and in sexual situations makes people feel more vulnerable so it seems like more of a problem than being exploited by sprawl-mart. We're doing a lot of shooting for trade. The economy has been tough for everyone and a lot of women are interested in trade because they know how to sell their own content. I am so very happy to come up with barter and trade arrangements because I know we're all struggling and working out hot asses off.

When we have hired more well known models they have always been happy to work for our (very reasonable) rates because they aren't divas and they like to work. And realistically there are huge regional differences in sex work wages. The labor is no different, but I'm only going to make small change at the titty bar in some dusty small town while I would make $$$$ in Las Vegas for the same thing. We can't pay what Vivid is paying and they understand that. We're also not doing the same things and we aren't expecting them to douche, enema, and put in 8 hours on a shoot.

I think one of the big issues about money and sex work is when people are doing it just for the money. But then a big issue with any sort of labor is when people are doing it just for the money. If I take any square job because I just really need the money I'm going to be miserable and feel exploited because I'm doing it out of desperation. I guess that being nude and in sexual situations makes people feel more vulnerable so it seems like more of a problem than being exploited by sprawl-mart.

]]> By: Hawk http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-154 Hawk Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:48:02 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-154 I think two things are important the pay issue. Atmosphere and hindsight. When my girlfriend started mainstream porn she could get up to $900 for a fuck scene but they aren't sites she would readily direct people to. She had to work outside the United States to get into an atmosphere where she was proud of her work. Are prices high in mainstream porn as a lame effort to compensate what you will feel later, or just bait? My bet is that more people would want to make porn a part of their life experimental experience or profession and happy with a couple hundred dollars if the production wasn't focused on you looking like a idiot/bimbo and more towards a sensual creation. I think two things are important the pay issue. Atmosphere and hindsight. When my girlfriend started mainstream porn she could get up to $900 for a fuck scene but they aren't sites she would readily direct people to. She had to work outside the United States to get into an atmosphere where she was proud of her work.
Are prices high in mainstream porn as a lame effort to compensate what you will feel later, or just bait?
My bet is that more people would want to make porn a part of their life experimental experience or profession and happy with a couple hundred dollars if the production wasn't focused on you looking like a idiot/bimbo and more towards a sensual creation.

]]> By: sexgenderbody http://www.feminisnt.com/2009/somewhat-disjointed-grievances-on-porno-pay-rates-transparency-and-a-pinch-of-boring-labor-politics/#comment-146 sexgenderbody Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:02:25 +0000 http://www.feminisnt.com/?p=608#comment-146 The way I reached the conclusion is simply this - if there is enough money in a group of employees for either a union lawyers or employment advocacy lawyers to argue their case, then those cases will be argued. McDonalds, Wal-mart and tons of others pay their lawyers huge sums of money to beat back those legal challenges and to fix the laws in state and federal governments. I made no mention of any guaranteed success. Some large industries are very good at screwing employees. They spend good money to continue to do so - and it's still a savings over paying their employees better. However, some industries have had success getting the attention of OSHA or a union or an advocate of some sort to alter the relationship with their employer. There are no guarantees there, either. You seem to be pretty reasonable, decent and forthright with your terms and employees. Some will like it and some won't, but it really won't be because you did something wrong. Who knows? Maybe you'll end up making a huge, positive impact in labor relations in the Adult industry. btw...great post - as always. -arvan The way I reached the conclusion is simply this - if there is enough money in a group of employees for either a union lawyers or employment advocacy lawyers to argue their case, then those cases will be argued.

McDonalds, Wal-mart and tons of others pay their lawyers huge sums of money to beat back those legal challenges and to fix the laws in state and federal governments. I made no mention of any guaranteed success. Some large industries are very good at screwing employees. They spend good money to continue to do so - and it's still a savings over paying their employees better.

However, some industries have had success getting the attention of OSHA or a union or an advocate of some sort to alter the relationship with their employer. There are no guarantees there, either.

You seem to be pretty reasonable, decent and forthright with your terms and employees. Some will like it and some won't, but it really won't be because you did something wrong. Who knows? Maybe you'll end up making a huge, positive impact in labor relations in the Adult industry.

btw...great post - as always.

-arvan

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