Page 40 - AVN November 2016

NOW PLAYING
Rock Candy Reboot NakedSword brings back AEBN’s trailblazing gay studio
feature in more than two years. Secrets and Lies is produced by NakedSword Originals, the original content arm of
NakedSword, and helmed by acclaimed gay porn director mr. Pam. Tim Valenti, president of Falcon Studio Group
and NakedSword, conceived and executive produced the film; Jack Shamama of NakedSword wrote the intricate
script.
Not a conventional studio itself, NakedSword has successfully created original content and independent features
that stretch the typical definition of gay porn and aim to engage audiences both physically and mentally with
entertaining storylines—albeit, not taboo in nature like Rock Candy.
Paying homage to the studio’s beginnings, Secrets in some ways picks up where Rock Candy left off by playing
on forbidden family dynamics and taboo desires. According to the team at AEBN, the new Rock Candy feature is
less dark and brooding, more modern and light, with a lightness that sets it apart from previous releases. Taking
place on the Ridge Family Farm, Secrets and Lies is beautifully shot with bright, gorgeous cinematic moments both
indoors and out and features cousins and uncles participating in very non-familial activities. NakedSword aims to
do the Rock Candy line justice while at the same time moving the needle forward by adding an element of genuine
light heartedness and chemistry that is sometimes missing from today’s taboo-themed content.
“Rock Candy began as an experiment to try and fill in content gaps across our platforms,” explained Matt
Gleason, senior content manager for AEBN. “There was greater demand for this taboo content than was available
at the time. We tried to use the data we had to more clearly understand what consumers were seeking. It aided
in starting the line by helping with the selection of story lines, casting, and the sex acts that would be filmed.
first original gay erotic feature, His Mother’s
It’s been four years since AEBN released its
Lover, under its then newly minted Rock Candy
line of gay porn directed by Nica Noelle. The
boundary-pushing studio focused on an under-
served taboo niche and quickly saw major success
on the AEBN platform and beyond. Putting ordinary
people in taboo situations coupled with emotional
performances and rich cinematography proved
successful in attracting a wider viewing audience
for the studio’s typically off-limits religious and
forbidden attraction themed films. Perhaps for this
reason Rock Candy captured the imagination of
both gay and straight audiences though the content
was 100 percent male-on-male erotica.
Now, four years later, the studio that identified
and filled a gap in the marketplace returns with a
new feature, Secrets and Lies. But now that the market
The hope at the time was to create filler content for the platform when we needed it but also to see if consumers
found this content compelling. The experiment turned out to be very successful and launched well over a dozen
successful films. It turns out that the numbers show consumers are still fascinated by this content so it only made
since that we continue to produce.”
When it came time to find a new director and production team it was a no-brainer to team up with sister
company NakedSword, which has won over a dozen major industry awards since starting its original content
division. But the creatie team says fans shouldn’t expect Rock Candy to stick to the same themes that made it
popular or to become another version of NakedSword Originals. Tim Valenti said, “Rock Candy will carry on
by tackling controversial or taboo themes but moving forward in more varied and creative ways not seen before.
Rock Candy will continue to be an experimental line while maintaining the highest level of quality production and
standout performances by the industry’s biggest and best performers.”
The value of working within the internal company structure can’t be underestimated, Valenti explained.
“Working with AEBN and using their internal data to assist in the script selection process and other aspects of the
production process is probably the closest thing you can get to the kind of focus groups often used by Hollywood
has seen seemingly every taboo broken or being
broken at breakneck speed, how does Rock Candy
plan on distinguish itself within a niche that it
helped make trend?
This time around AEBN is keeping it all in
the family by joining forces with sister company
NakedSword to produce its first new original
studios to determine what is likely to captivate and engage audiences the most. That is one example of the many
ways that we are working together closely to keep Rock Candy a relevant and successful boundary-pushing line.”
AEBN has been giving the same data to content partners so they can better understand how consumers are
reacting to their content, which hopefully leads to the ability to create better content using market data from one
of the most-watched adult platforms in the world.
Rock Candy and NakedSword’s Secrets and Lies debuted October 3 to big numbers on AEBN. It is also streaming
on NakedSword.com, with one episode being released every week.
GAYVN
Channel 1 Releasing Debuts New Sites, Products, Promo Tools
Premium gay content portal C1R has debuted new face lifts for its consum-
to exclusive content. Affiliates will find greater flexibility with exciting new
er sites under a new management agreement with e-commerce company
promo tools and innovative products that will increase traffic, improve sales
eLine. The membership site C1R.com now has new content and new fea-
and add value to their brands.”
tures, and there are new products and promotional tools for its companion
C1R.com, which features gay content from legendary studios such as
e-commerce site, Channel1Releasing.com.
All Worlds, Dirk Yates, Rascal and Catalina, will now have a new look. There
eLine has relaunched C1R.com and Channel1Releasing.com with
will be two new updates each week, as well as more viewing options along
new technology, improved visuals and comprehensive layout for a fully
with its exclusive content and models.
interactive user experience. “We are very excited to be collaborating with Gamelink in
The new-look Channel1Releasing.com will feature custom promos, improved affiliate pro-
this online venture. The process was great and we are thrilled with the new sites. It will be
gram and promotional tools with NATS and easier access to a wide variety of content. Users
rewarding to deliver a better webmaster and customer experience,” said Rob Novinger, CEO
will be able to peruse the newest releases from top studios with the option of streaming
of C1R.
movies by the minute, or rent them for five days or purchase DVDs, which usually ship the
“We are raising the bar with the relaunch of C1R.com and Channel1Releasing.com with
same day.
state-of-the-art websites that improve the user experience,” said Jeff Dillon, vice president
A premier e-tailer in adult content, featuring full-length movies, VR content and scenes
of business development and marketing for eLine.com, the parent company of GameLink.
from favorite releases, eLine also manages a number of adult websites including GameLink.
com. “Visitors of the Channel 1 sites will now find streamlined, more accessible websites that
com, AdamAndEveTV.com, Manshop.com, BetterThanTheHand.com, TitanMen.com, Joe-
are fully interactive with faster navigation, improved search capabilities and greater access
GageMen.com, TitanRough.com, and others.
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