7 golden tips to get you going

The other day I got an email from a colleague who has just started filming porn. He wanted to know how I managed certain situations, and asked for a few tips. Right after I sent him a few thoughts based on my personal experience making films, I realized that those thoughts could be useful for other young filmmakers as well.

Filming sex scenes isn’t as easy as one would think – especially when the film you’re trying to make is about something more than just sex. So here it is! A few tips on how to start shooting your own porn films (and don’t die trying).

1. Do I need two cameras?

Nope, you don’t. Don’t overcomplicate things. One camera is enough to make your film. If your film has a plot and you have the chance, it’d be cool to try and shoot the same scene from more than one angle.

2. What’s the most important thing during a shoot?

The cast, without a doubt. Only work with actors who are 100% into doing it. Run away from those who hesitate, or are on a fence. It’s you who need to be convinced by the actors to perform in the explicit scene, and not the other way around.

3. What is the best time to shoot the sex scene?

My suggestion is to always film the sext first. It doesn’t matter if the shooting takes only one day or if it happens over the course of several days, schedule the sex scene to first moment of the first day. This makes for a better sex scene, as the actors will be more energetic at that time, and it also helps the rest of the scenes as they will feel more relaxed. Tension is good only for the sex: once that’s done, you’ll want to have the cast and the staff focusing in other things.

4. How do I direct a sex scene?

You don’t. Seriously. The secret to a well done sex scene is that it’s believable and as natural as possible. In order to achieve that, let the actors have natural sex and go for the best shots without interrupting (unless is completely necessary). You can discuss the specific details before the shooting (for instance, you can tell them if the plot suggest a specific position, or if there’s something that is important for the character). Also, make sure the set crowd is controlled: the fewer people there is, the more relaxed and focused the actors will be.

5. My cameraman (or the staff) never worked with porn before. Is that a problem?

No. Just make sure they are comfortable working with porn now. If they hesitate or show too many doubts, it might be time to look for another staff.

6. Is condom mandatory?

That’s your call. Many directors who defend porn as sex-ed will say they use condom in all their films. I personally don’t see myself as an educator, and don’t think that a porn piece should be necessarily sex-ed. My decisions on whether have condoms or not will lay on actors and script, rather than on sexual education philosophies.

7. How to avoid the poor aesthetics from cheap mainstream porn?

Do what they don’t. Run from those white, dentist office-inspired lights, and try something warmer and preferably indirect. Do some research on cinema techniques. Inspire yourself on your favorite directors, rather than on your favorite pornos – then you’ll only have to add some hot, spicy sex, and I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Noel Alejandro is an independent filmmaker and alternative adult films director based in Barcelona. His films shows the irresistible intimacy of love meeting pleasure through beautifully simple, cinematic and natural scenes. All of his films are available for download in Noel Alejandro’s website.