How to Become a porn director | Page 4

business under an assumed
name you have to file a DBA (doing business
assumed name) form with the county clerk. Some
states waive this requirement if your name is in the
title (ex. Smith’s Hot Flicks Productions). Each state
varies.
Why is it important to carefully consider the
name and maybe even file a DBA? First of all you
are trying to cover your legal ass by not giving the
local prosecutors ammunition against you and
adding to the charges they may file. Often when
prosecutors have a weak case they pile on the counts
against you hoping something might stick.

How to Become a Porn Director: Making Amateur Adult Films
23 You might also want to setup a bank account
with your business name, even if you plan on paying
everything in cash. Why? Well on the off chance
you are able to sell your videos, this will help with
cashing the checks and tracking business expenses.
One golden rule of business is keep accurate records
of all expenses. This will help with taxes too.
Keeping separate business records and
checking accounts will also give you the aura of
legitimacy if the authorities ever decide to question
your business authenticity. You also look more
professional to everyone you deal with if the checks
have a business name and not the cartoon ones you
use personally.
Check your local and state business laws to
see if you need to apply for a business license. This
could be tricky for two reasons: One, most cities and
towns frown on running a business out of you house.
Two, if they get wind of what type of business
you’re in, expect a call from the local law
enforcement. You could try using the harmless
sounding “video productions” description and tell
them you film weddings, but be careful and keep a
really low profile.
If you try to sell your videos locally, you
might be required to collect and pay sales tax. Do
not dismiss the seriousness of tax laws. Your records
must be accurate, the local prosecutor will definitely

How to Become a Porn Director: Making Amateur Adult Films
24 see if he can’t tag you with a tax violation to shut
you down.
A good accountant can cover your back, but
finding one who is willing to keep quiet and not be
judgmental may be a harder task. Remember that
most people who watch porn, rent porn and enjoy
porn will not publicly stand up for your rights to
produce porn and may even turn you in to reconcile
their own guilt for liking it.
Your business name is also going to say a lot
about your business. Does it sound professional or
sappy? The idea is to give the illusion of a big time
business with it’s shit together.
Why you ask? No one in this line of business
trusts a rookie. Actors will wonder if they are really
going to be paid, distributors aren’t looking to bring
in someone in at the amateur directing level. Your
business name is the first real decision that people
will automatically recognize as your ability as a
decision maker. Don’t blow it.
All of your promotional material or film work
should covey confidence and style. Business cards,
invoices, ad promos, tape labels, letterhead,
envelopes etc., all say something about you. Go
cheap and people will think cheesy and small time.

How to Become a Porn Director: Making Amateur Adult Films
25 If you are not artistically inclined than
imitate. Look at other people’s promo material in the
non-porn world. What does it convey, who would
you trust, what’s it’s first impression. Bottom dollar
says the difference in styles is blaringly apparent
between a used car salesman and that of a law firm.
The first impression you give may be your
last one. How do you dress, your speaking
mannerisms, your ability to give the aura of
confidence. Remember you are going to be
approaching people and asking them to: strip naked
before a camera and perform sex for little pay and
the chances that it will come back and bite them in
the ass when one of their friends or family members
find out.
If you look like the dirty old man in a trench
coat, salivating at there body and asking for a sample
of their “acting abilities” your chance of success is
slim.
Imagine these two scenarios. The local strip
club dancers know you by name and as a bad tipper.
You come in your work clothes, have bad breath and
start to tie one on. You stare at them like they were
nude mannequins, try and cop cheap feels and do a
poor job of talking dirty to them. Then you approach
them with a business card that looks like you made
off your cheap printer with clip art and a stupid
name. You lie about paying big money for a part in

How to Become a Porn Director: Making Amateur Adult Films
26 your movie and tell them that they only need to
audition to get the part. Yah, that’ll work.
Scenario number two. You dress nice, but it
doesn’t have to be a three-piece suit. You make sure
that your grooming is impeccable, hair combed,
teeth brushed, very light cologne. You order a coke
and show interest in them but are not drooling. You
tip the waitresses well; you do a couple of lap