New porn documentary airing in June
First, apologies for not posting anything since last November.
With no shows going out in the last four months, as much as I wanted to write something for the website or “make an announcement”, it was tricky because there wasn’t anything to actually announce. Short of announcing that I was “working on” an unspecified “something” which is a bit lame; or actually saying what I’m working on, which I don’t like to do because I worry I might put a jinx on the project – maybe I’m superstitious?
Anyway, I’ve been hard at work filming and editing three new documentaries, one of which is close to seeing the light of day, being 95 percent finished – they tell me it should be airing in March. (Now scheduled for June 10th – 10pm BBC”)
The doc is a look at porn performers in Los Angeles, specifically the San Fernando Valley. It’s both a bit of a follow-up to a show I made in 1997 (an episode of my series Weird Weekends which looked at male performers) and also a wholly new documentary with new characters, examining the state of the industry in 2012.
The show actually started life as a replacement for an idea which fell through – a look at the extreme wing of the Tea Party in Ameirica’s North West. I’d read that there had been an influx of white nationalists and self-styled “constitutionalists” into Kalispell, Montana.
That story turned out to be a bit less exciting than you might have thought from reading the print coverage – not so much a flood of secessionist nation-builders, barely even a trickle.
Casting around for ideas, I called a friend who I’d featured in the first porn doc I made, JJ Michaels. He mentioned two things that intrigued me.
One was that one of the other performers we’d featured, an established male star named Jon Dough, had killed himself a few years previously, possibly due to the pressures of the business.
The other was that the porn industry overall was in crisis, its profits slashed due to competition from free pirated porn on the web.
The idea of an industry downturn struck me as an interesting backdrop for a story about performers in 2012. Porn had been enjoying a kind of gold rush for a while. But now the gold was all mined out, the miners all wandering around with shovels bought and paid for but nothing to dig (have I milked this metaphor enough?)
I also liked the idea of following up with the characters from the first film. I’ve always enjoyed “Where are they now?” stories – and with porn especially, I’ve wondered what happens to the legions of performers who do time in the business: What do they do with the rest of their lives? How do they feel about what they’ve done? Do they have kids and if so, how do they explain about their past?
We went out and shot the story in December. The director was Jason Massot, who’d also directed and shot a doc we made about Lagos. The assistant producer was Sam Farmar, who’s made some Unreported Worlds for Channel 4.
We had certain time constraints but it was one of those shoots where we got lucky. Jason and Sam did a great job of making contacts in the business, from a standing start, and then various industry people were helpful to us.
In the end it only took a little over a week to shoot.
One of the highlights was catching up with Rob Black, who’d been responsible for some of the most outre and shocking productions back during my first trip. In the interim he’s been to prison for obscenity, as has his wife, Janet Romano, aka Lizzie Borden. Now he’s back in the business, but – if not exactly “chastened”, still, a somewhat changed character, and making much more mainstream erotic fare, like superhero parodies.
I also spent a fascinating couple of days with the industry stalwart Tommy Gunn, a male performer with a vulnerable and sensitive side which he talks about with great eloquence. Tommy showed me around his customized “zombie van”, a paramilitary vehicle that’s been adapted for dealing with an invasion on the undead. It started out as a prop for a hypothetical movie, but is now a kind of toy-for-men and art project.
Unlike last time, when I focused on the perspective of male performers, I decided to feature a female performer, a rising star called Kagney Linn Karter. The consummate professional, though still young, Kagney is willing to put herself through outlandish physical acts if she feels it will advance her career and please her fans. She reminded me of a Lars von Trier heroine in her selfless and considered devotion to the idea of her own profanation and her porn career.
In addition to the Rob Black catch-up, there is also a revisit with JJ Michaels. He’d been a young rising star when we made the first doc. I won’t spoil the surprise by telling you what he’s up to now.
And we also pick up the trail of Jon Dough to find out what happened to drive him to kill himself.
What emerged strongly to me was that yes, the industry is very much in crisis-mode. Consumers have no compunction about illegally downloading pirated porn – in a way they might hesitate to do with more “respectable” content like music or films. And so the porn business model doesn’t really work anymore. As one contributor put it to me, the job of paid porn performer will no longer exist in five years.
As I say, there’s still a couple more days’ work to be done – it’s being edited by Joe Carey, who edited the recent America’s Most Dangerous Pets – but it’s looking really good. Funny, but also touching and occasionally very sad. The time lapse of 15 years gives the documentary a feel that’s very different to anything else I’ve done.
I’ll post more about it as we get closer to the airdate (which is as yet unknown.)
That’s fantastic Louis! Your work is fantastic and required viewing for any rational human being
COOL.
I was wondering what happened to JJ when I was rewatching the 1997 doco a few weeks ago. I am very excited to see this. I wonder when it will come out it New Zealand. . .
You have been missed
Big fan of your documentaries.
Great, thanks for the heads up Louis! Love that you are posting blogs here about the shows and tweeting when they air. Really adds a new depth to them.
Looking forward to this, especially seeing how JJ has got on over all this time!
Marvellous news.
The original ‘Porn’ episode was the first I ever seen of your work. Its really good of you to go back to such great characters like JJ and Rob but bring in new people and offer their perspective. Cannot wait to see the finished film!
Very pleased that your’e still making these documentaries. The recent ones have been of such high quality and essential evening viewing. I am really looking forward to this one.
hahah i like the fact that the title of this entry is “New porn documentary airing in March” but the link is new-porn-documentary-airing-in-april/. i’m hoping it’ll be march and not april!
Looking forward to this, espaecially after viewing the original doc in the Weird Weekends series and reading your excellent follow-up in your book.
Hope this will air soon. Also hope our local flemish broadcast channel (Canvas) will pick this up.
Good work Louis. A follow up to Thai Brides would be very interesting.
@diana – That’s because the blog software that is being used on this website will create an URL from the title that is given to the blog post. If the blog post title is edited afterwards, the original title will remain in the URL to prevent people from going to “dead” links.
With this in mind, it looks like it’s March rather than April, as that seems the most recent information.
Wow, I really can’t wait. Your docs are playing on Sky here in New Zealand at the moment – I’ve already watched them all online, but really enjoying re-watching them. Can’t wait for something new. That first porn doco was hilarious. Your walk-on role as the park ranger…
Excellent! I always wish we could re-visit your interviewees and see what the hecks is going on with them now. Intrigued to find out what’s new with JJ since the book! He was such an odd, unlikely character. Can’t wait.
Im very happy to hear that you are bringing another documentary out =D
Can not wait for it to be aired!!
Keep up the brll work..your one of a kind!!!
I’m so excited to see your new doc. I love your work, your style and how you try to get as involved as possible. I don’t think I’ve missed one.
Love your work, and your metaphors.
3 new doc’s? Woohooo!Looking forward to it.
You’re the worlds best tv-maker.
greetings
Jens
Antwerp, Belgiuml
Great news!!
My friends and I often spend time whilst down the pub saying “I wish Louis did that..” or “it would have been better if Louis did it”.
We came up with a couple of suggestions for potential episodes…
24 Hour Gamers – These crazy people who are spending their lives online/gaming, some to the extent of illness death.
Trolling – What makes people do it? Why? Who?
What do you think?
Nice one Louis! Just remember we need a few more books as well!
You are my life aim Louis Threw, I wish I was as witty as you!
Love Eloise!
For the docu : Porn Again, Sir Lance-A-Lot strikes back.
Fantastic! I was always wondering what JJ has been up to. Even though I read your book that was almost 7 years ago now. Can’t wait!
Hi Louis,
I’ve been a long time fan of your work — I like to call you a docupologist or an anthromentarian. At any rate, I am so excited to see three more documentaries coming my way. Thanks for sticking with it and producing quality viewing, please don’t stop any time soon.
This is good news. The Porn doc was very interesting to say the least. Any chance you can tell us what the other two docs are about? Have you ever thought about doing a doc about 911 Truthers the 911 Debunkers? There’s enough oddballs in both camps to give riveting viewing.
yayyy louis!!!! loving that all your docos are being played here in nz at the mo! i think you have a lot of fans down here!
Louis,
you are the best!
I wish I could “double-like” you on facebook
Cheers,
Yogi
Big fan for many years – please, please do a follow up with the legend that is Lake Palmer.
Another fan here from NZ. Allways loved your work. Looking forward to viewing your new work. Bring it on! Let’s hope Sky NZ see the value. You are a legend!
Oh Louis, soooo glad to have you back!!!
We watch and re-watch your documentaries all the time -you make us laugh, you make us gasp, you make us think and you make us question but the greatest thing is you show us true stories from real people and it makes us appreciate how diverse this world truly is!! Keep up the great work – Louis. We will always be watching
Your friends in OZ!
Keep working on your fascinating and very enjoyable shows Louis. No matter what its about I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed them for the past many years. I very much look forward to watching your upcoming documentaries!!
I’ve just watched all of your shows. You’re amazing! And i’ve been wondering if you’ve ever thought about doing smth in post-Soviet countries. Russia, for example?? Ok, i’m Russian and it just feels that your style of working/approach fits local incomprehensible realities so perfectly well!
thanks for what you’re doing anyway, can’t wait to see your next show,
Alina
Hi Louis,
I really enjoy your documentaries. I admire your fearlessness and directness when dealing with people, and your ability to do it in a non-confrontation way.
I’d just like to make you aware of ablist language – in regards to your post, the use of the word ‘lame’. This article explains it more succinctly than I can in a blog comment – http://tiny.cc/upx89
Thanks for your time!
Hi Louis,
I am a big fan of your documentaries. You should look into coming over to new zealand for a documentary. There is a struggle with some of the original inhabitants of new zealand “Maori’s” and the white people.
There are extreme maori groups in new zealand who set up training camps for an upcoming war between maori’s and white new zealanders they believe is coming.
Thanks for reading.
David
Louis,
Looking forward to seeing your new documentary.
Btw. if you don’t know what to post to your blog, as you said, you could go through countless of questions on the forum and update it a little bit. Just an idea how to kill time and feed our curiosity…
Louis you’re such a great journo, when i was reading this it was in your voice. You are by far the bravest, most charismatic & likeable bloke to stand in front of a camera in my opinion. Love your work mate, looking forward to seeing more.
Cheers from Australia
Hey Louis,
Firstly i’d like to say I’m a big fan! I’m pretty much your marketing manager in Australia. Very glad to hear you’re making more Documentaries, can’t wait to enjoy them.
Maybe you should also consider doing an episode about the “2012 phenomenon” sweeping America and the internet? Would love to see the characters you’d unearth if you stir that pot.
Deep respect man,
Themba (Australia)
Louis – I think you should do a documentary about 419 scams, scammers & the people who bait them.
Hi!
Im so looking forward to see your new doc! They just finished showing re-runs of ur show here!
Weird Weekends are my favorites
All the best for you Louis!
Br. Erika from Finland
Mr. Theroux,
Right off, I’d like to express my gratitude to you for all your work. I was recently introduced to your documentaries and I’d like to say that while I am a bit of a documentaryphile of sorts, I think that you are the most respectable and true man to your trade. I think your style is spectacular; your ability to connect with individuals who are seemingly unconnectable is phenomenal. I’m from Texas, where hunting and such is extremely common. Your trepidation regarding the personal dilemma of the ethics of hunting in your African hunting documentary is completely understandable. In some rural parts of Texas, it is a necessity. I’ve spent time in regions like this where the hunt means your meal, and I believe that this is the exception. To kill an animal merely for the hunting trophy mount on your wall is a folly; an exhibit of the inhumanity of mankind. However, I did experience a hunt in rural Texas because we simply had nothing to eat, and while we kept the trophy, we hunted a non farmed deer which was wild and free. So I suppose sir that I’m curious as to your opinion on that. I’m also here to show that not all Texans are backward barbaric mountain men who are ignorant of all advances of society.
In closing Louis, I’d like to reiterate once more my appreciation for your work. I’ve shown my friends your documentaries, and we all agree: Beyond a shadow of a doubt your style, personality in work, and portfolio of documentaries is simply the absolute BEST we’ve seen. Wish you’d tour local colleges and universities to give advice on connecting to seemingly outsider individuals in society to perhaps show them how to be more open minded (examples being The Westboro clan or the Skinheads). I think your earnest approach is brilliant, and we can all learn a thing or two about these people simply by listening.
Thanks for your time Louis, and please keep up the excellent work!
Adam
Really looking forward to this one. Would love to see an update to a lot more of your Weird Weekend people, like Lake Palmer from my favourite episode, thai brides.
Louis
I have a 10 year old autistic son and every documentary that I’ve watched about autism has come form a sensationalistic or explotive angle. As a fan of yours I knew that we would see a new view of our kids and you did us all proud. I have worked in a special needs school and you captured the atmosphere so well. Most importantly you showed the moments of humanity and dignity that our kids have and the world needs to see.
Thanks
Bob
Louis
I am a nursing student for people with learning disabilities and have watched both your documentaries on extreme love. I find your documentaries very informative and educating and I agree with you about playing along when dealing with people with dementia or autism. I find that you get more attention from them if you go into their world than trying to bring them into our world.
Tank you so much for the good work, are we going to see more on autism? I would want to know how those young people are progressing.
Rita.
I am really looking forward to this, and seeing a follow up to the Rob Black story. After watching the first porn documentary I met Rob Black in a completely different role as he had begun running a wrestling company in the late 1990′s called XPW part funded by the profits of the adult industry. The wrestling company collapsed after he went to prison. On a strange side note, the charges that sent him to prison related to the film ‘forced entry’ which just happened to be the film featured in your original documentary.
A shame you didn’t talk with John Stagliano from Evil Angel. He also was in court with an obscenity-case. He is a free speach figther and has much better things to say then Rob Black.
Louis, I respect you and your work greatly, you always bring a fresh perspective to issues and challenge lazy assumptions, which is the purpose of good journalism, surely. You always show great sensitivity and humanity, and make it look easy! Regarding the porn industry, it somewhat saddens me that all discussion of it in the mainstream media refers only to the Los Angeles industry, and the whole culture that pervades there. There are whole other ‘universes’ of porn that never get a mention in the media; in Europe and especially Japan, where there is a completely different attitude to and way of making porn, devoid of the sleazy nastiness inherent in American porn and culture. I would love to see a documentary about Japanese porn, made with intelligent openness, as displayed in the recent book ‘The Sex Myth’. Please keep makng docs, Louis, and please keep challenging us!
You have nailed the subject on its head, it`s a tough job but it was also nice to do. I am a dutchmen but i survived for a couple of month and i am pleased to be safe and well in holland.
I’m curious about what happened to JJ. Yesterday i watched Louis first visit to porncity (http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2012/06/10/het-gaat-slecht-met-de-porno-industrie-aldus-louis-theroux/), but i can’t watch the new episode online here in Europe.
Anyone know where I could find the music from this episode?
I just watched the program now on BBC iPlayer. I found it deeply moving, to think of deeply people are effect by this life-style. And of coursesad to hear of a man who, at the “top” his profession, takes his own life. It shows very graphicly how the western world’s life of decedance has fallen off a cliff and, having crashed, wonders where and who the survivors are. I feel, mentally, stunned into silence. Well done.
Yes some good background music in this episode. Could we get a tracklist please? thank you!
I see my previous post has been censored. Louis, you missed picking up on the most telling admission in this show and that was the female booker at the porn agencies’ admission that the girls aren’t told about the industry and the jobs before they sign up as ’3/4s of them would walk straight out the door’. In which case, a large percentage of porn must be filmed rape, with girls trapped and pressured into acting out extreme sado masochistic sex on film that they haven’t freely consented to as they haven’t been informed prior to getting into the industry what the industry will do to them.’ Choosing to concentrate largely on the male performers too was really to sanitise the whole industry – and a looking away from the fact that the sex industry and porn is the biggest commissioner of human slavery in the modern world. You could have done some good Louis, with your high profile, but instead you chose to make a soft focus advertisement for an industry that portrays rape, fear and humiliation as ‘sexy’. I wouldn’t have thought as a human being you’d do that? Why?
Thought the documentary was great, especially the ‘money shot’ at the end of a child who had greater aspirations..
Keep up the good work. By the way, the person who posted earlier this comment…
“You could have done some good Louis, with your high profile, but instead you chose to make a soft focus advertisement for an industry that portrays rape, fear and humiliation as ‘sexy’. I wouldn’t have thought as a human being you’d do that? Why?”
… must surely have been watching a different programme from the one I saw. I guess the point about Louis Theroux is that he doesn’t judge or ‘spin’ – he reports, you decide, in antithesis to the ‘Fox News’ approach to life..
Hi Bedd
As the child of two Fleet St journalists, all editorial is spin – I just thought it was interesting that the main editorial slant of the film was almost entirely from a male and porn as entertainment slant. The human rights issues and the routine degradation of women, and how that feeds into how men in the real world relate to females now, was left totally out of the picture. That is spin.
Glad to see you back Louis! Can’t wait to see the new work, hope you can put together a docu the resurgence of 80′s and new wave music in the States, nostalgia or something new a genre being reinterpretated as “chillwave”, another thing would be to do docs on particular albums like the 33 1/3 rpm book series. Also how about a documentary on Gold and money and the federal reserve and bit coin. Another thing too, maybe one on the “dark net”? Oh and another brainstorming idea a show on thinkers, people like you find at TED, like “Howard Bloom” or Life Extension promoters such as Ray Kurzweil…also how about diving into free energy inventors….so many cranks and geniuses and artists so little time! Take care!
when will the documentary be available to purchase? thank you.