Page 51 - AVN July 2018

THE THESPIANS
Part of the appeal of films made during the
Golden Age of Porn—roughly between 1969
and 1984—was that audience members could
justify them by referring to them as “real” movies
that just happened to contain sex. Among the first
was Andy Warhol’s Blue Movie, which featured heavy
dialogue about the Vietnam War in addition to sexual
intercourse. Blue Movie was followed by porno chic
classics such as Deep Throat, The Devil in Miss Jones and
The Opening of Misty Beethoven. And the success of those
films demanded talented actors: Jamie Gillis, Richard
Pacheco, Herschel Savage and Tom Byron are among
some of the adult stars who were celebrated not only
as performers, but as thespians as well. In the late
’80s and 1990s new talents came in, among them
Randy Spears, Steven St. Croix, Dale DaBone, Kurt
Lockwood and Evan Stone.
Today, many adult companies are tackling complex
subjects in their scripts, and new talents are stepping
up to turn in stellar performances. But just as a big
dick doesn’t guarantee you a career in adult, just being
able to recite words doesn’t guarantee landing a role
in one of today’s plot-driven adult features.
“To the outside world, porn stars are not regarded
as skilled thespians but rather walking and talking
dicks and vaginas,” AVN Hall of Fame director
Will Ryder said. “It’s a horribly cemented negative
stereotype for sure, but the lasting image is once the
panties come off, porn people are great, but during the
dialogue and story portions of the movie, they suck at
acting. The bad acting rap is often justified ... but I got
news for you; it’s not entirely correct. There are some
Clockwise from top right: Tommy Pistol, Small Hands (photo by
Steve Prue), Tommy Gunn (photo by Jeff Koga)
very skilled actors working among us in the industry
and those are the people we as writers, directors and
producers absolutely must have in our movies.
Tommy Gunn
“I recently had the pleasure of having some
From cowboy to pirate to step-dad to businessman
fabulous actors on the set of my paranormal
and any other role you can think of, Tommy Gunn
thriller The Cursed XXX (released by Adam & Eve
has played it. With more than 800 titles to his credit,
Pictures), and having skilled actors that can breathe
Gunn’s staying power in the industry is attributed
humanity into the characters I wrote is a must,” he
just as much to his acting abilities as it is to his
continued. “It’s not only about memorizing lines or
performance skills.
understanding blocking—it’s about bringing what you
wrote to life and taking that character beyond what
Small Hands
you created in your head and on the page. Acting is
For much of his early career, Small Hands was a utility
a skill that takes years of nurturing, but I believe you
performer for BurningAngel. Today, he’s in demand
either got the magic or you don’t, and there is a pool
for his acting skills by a number of studios. His talent
of actors I gravitate to because I know what to expect.
has even seen him cast in mainstream productions,
Good actors won’t break my heart.”
including Love Is Dead, an emotional horror short from
Ryder’s dream would be to have the same ensemble
Sickening Pictures and Dexahlia Productions.
actors and actresses in his movie, à la Woody Allen
me why I cast so many of the same people in main
or Judd Apatow, but realizes it’s not always possible
roles,” Ryder said. “I tell him because I must have
because studios and viewers want to see different
actors who give a shit. If the actors don’t give a shit,
Tommy Pistol
people performing together.
you’ll have a very shitty movie.”
Probably the best-known adult actor these days is
“However, as a writer and director, I want what’s
Director Mike Quasar, a multiple award winner
Tommy Pistol. Goofy or gritty, funny or frenetic,
best for the story but I will try new actors and take a
who is known for the all-sex films he produces for
chance especially when somebody flips my socks off,”
various Zero Tolerance Entertainment imprints,
he said.
moved into the world of features recently, working
But he does have some favorites.
for Wicked Pictures for Turn the Page, Second First Date
“Seth Gamble is one of my main guys usually in a
and last year’s hit, Ingenue (which garnered Tommy
supporting actor role because he can play just about
Pistol a Best Actor award). His two-plus decades in
any character I put in front of him,” Ryder said. “He’s
the business has given him a sense of who can handle
got those young-man good looks but there is a lot of
talent under that handsome face, and Seth and I go
back over a decade so I’m comfortable with him on
set. Not having him in my movie is always strange.
“It’s funny when my co-producer Scott David asks
XXX
pretty boy or psychopath, Pistol can always deliver the
goods. And the proof is in the pudding: One of the
most awarded adult actors in the past few years, Pistol
continues to deliver his all for any role he takes on.
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