Page 44 - AVN August 2016

INTERVIEW | | By Brady Jansen
Gettin’ Foxxy The Falcon Studios Group director arrives…in more ways than one
this year was so memorable for Falcon Studios
It was fitting that the ride to the Grabby Awards
Group director Nick Foxx: “Our ride over was
pretty epic in our party bus. Music blaring, the
hottest porn stars riding the stripper poles,
everyone was excited and our new president, Tim
Valenti, gave us all a really wonderful pep talk to unite
us going into the awards.”
The pep talk? Turned out it wasn’t necessary. When
Foxx got off the bus, he arrived in more ways than
one—his co-directorship with Steve Cruz won for
Raging Stallion’s two-part Total Exposure project, along
with Best Videography and Best Movie.
“I felt so proud and happy to be nominated this
year, and then was beyond exploding with excitement
that Steve and I won! I personally felt validated, and
that after eight years in this industry and one Grabby
nomination to date, that I finally made it. And that my
work stands out in our industry. Steve and I worked
so hard on Total Exposure, and I couldn’t be happier to
share this with him,” says Foxx, who arrived at the
studio in 2013 and quickly put his stamp on the then-
new Falcon Edge line.
Foxx notes that some viewers sent him private
messages thanking the duo for taking the veil off of
their favorite performers—and for taking the time to
actually show who they are as humans. The director
points out that they didn’t edit the performers to
make them look better, or to conform to a certain
persona. They showed who the cast was, as raw and
exposed as they could.
“I personally have to sneak away for a few minutes
for non-porn clarity to get recharged with a smile on
my face and energy to keep the crew and performers
going,” Foxx says. “With a project like this, with the
little crew we have, you really have to know that this
is going to be a constant stream of physical work and
mental work to achieve what we wanted to show in
the end product. Any less would mean less for the
viewer, so me and Steve had to keep everyone going
under some of the toughest conditions.”
Through the process, the director learned that he
is a much more patient and understanding person
than he thought he was before this project, which
presented sometimes-extreme conditions.
“We were on a ranch multiple hours from any
other people. There is zero cell service, zero Wi-Fi,
heat into the 100s, dust and bugs everywhere, our
“We were a crazy-awesome force together. We
filmed and interviewed equally and attacked every
sex scene with two cameras, and tag-teamed every
position, finishing each other’s thoughts.”
—Nick Foxx on Total Exposure co-director Steve Cruz
were a crazy-awesome force together. We filmed and
and am working exceptionally hard on re-branding it
interviewed equally and attacked every sex scene with
and really making it mine to lift this brand back up to
two cameras, and tag-teamed every position, finishing
the glory it used to be,” he says. “I have a few videos
each other’s thoughts.”
coming out with our new way of approaching the
Foxx—who was brought in to help on the massive
brand.”
project—doesn’t know when or if the partnership will
That includes The Trainer (“one to look for,
happen next, meaning fans will have to wait a while
definitely”), and Foxx will be re-working the classic
to see Thelma and Louise in action again. Or is that
leather line Skuff, an iconic Hot House series that
Fred and Ginger? Chip and Dale?
debuted in 1999 and was last seen with the fourth
“Psst…I’m 29,” answers Fox. “I have no idea who
installment in 2009. Part 2 won the GAYVN Award
those references are! Ha, joking…kinda. I’d say me
for Best Leather Video in 2004, while Part 4 won Best
and Steve are like Cady and Regina from Mean Girls.
We’re friends, we’re rivals at times, but ultimately we
Fetish Release in 2010—joining a long line of fellow
Hot House entries to win those categories, including
GAYVN
generators went out, then the backup generators—
meaning no electricity nor hot water at times,” Foxx
recalls. “Steve, myself and our film crew were in this
environment for two weeks straight. I learned they are
all strong, too.
“I honestly went into this project a bit intimidated
because Steve has a strong personality and is a force
on set. I didn’t want to disappoint, feel like I couldn’t
keep up with him, and highly hoped we would get
along throughout this unique process. But we did! We
44 | AVN.com | 8.16
have a great understanding of each other and we kill it
when we are together…Steve is pretty much an open
book. But most people don’t see behind the scenes
how passionate he is and how hard he works to have
his visions met to his standards. He’s a kickass guy
and he brings that energy to his sets—and isn’t afraid
to make sure he gets what he wants.”
But with Foxx’s new projects, a reunion might be
a while. “This year has been full of change! I can tell
you that I am now the sole director for Hot House,
Verboten, Black-n-Blue and The Missing. Foxx hopes to
own those accolades again.
“I’m super excited about that one. I’m now in
creative control of a legacy brand and want to do right
by it. I am teaming up with Rough Trade Gear LA
to wardrobe the movie, and really make leather and
fetish perfectly modernized. Big things are happening
to Hot House, and I think everyone should really keep
an eye on it.”