BY KAMA

When we think about producing porn for women (or porn for couples that include women) there are a number of things we can consider. What are the differences between “standard” porn and “porn for women”?  Of course, I’ll have to generalize, but here’s Spark Erotic’s answer:

First of all, most standard porn is shot from a purely male perspective which usually means focusing on the women in the scene and mostly on her genitalia. For instance, it’s rare to see expressions of pleasure on the men’s faces, something that women have told us they enjoy seeing in our films. I believe the reason for this is that standard porn is meant to be a sexual replacement and usually watched solo. It is filmed so a male watcher can project himself into the scene. Seeing men’s faces would disrupt that fantasy if a man wants to imagine he is the man. This is different from what a woman or couple would like to see as the sexual experience including both equally.

Spark Erotic has the benefit of both the female and male perspectives in our productions. Our female director, Urvashi, is focused on providing a balanced view of a female perspective (her vision) with a complementary male view (her male cameramen). She loves the portrayal of explicit sex but not as simply “staring” as much porn seems to be. As Director of Photography, I am always aware that I should plan and shoot to honor her vision and perspective. Likewise, Remy, our other cameraman and editor, operates in the same way. Ultimately, Urvashi is the final word on what vision is portrayed but the combination of our team’s unique ways of seeing makes the magic.

Second, porn for women generally has more context to the sexuality. A lot of male-centered porn is shot in the gonzo category which means they get right to the sex without bothering to tell a story or establishing any reason why the performers are having sex. Porn for women and couples generally spends time on developing context as a necessary and exciting part of the erotic portrayal. We liken the process to establishing characters and story in “normal films” so that the audience cares about the people they are watching and what happens to them. There is a reason they are having sex! That establishment of characters and context is similar to good foreplay. Take some time. . .don’t rush.

Third, porn for women in our opinion, should have a higher production value and esthetic which shows class and care. Sexuality is one of our greatest gifts and deserves to be treated with respect and conscious effort.  This matters to most women we’ve heard from. A quick spin through some typical porn site’s offerings will show quite the contrary – no attention to lighting (often crude), lazy camera work and a “cheap” vibe all around. Porn has a function and place but we want to offer another perspective.

Spark Erotic and our quality peers spend the time and energy to plan and produce true films. Spark writes scripts, creates storyboards, plans shots and lighting, locations and wardrobe – a multitude of details that add up to a different result, one that is more gourmet. Kind of the difference between gulping down a fast food burger or enjoying a fine meal. This is a big part of the difference between normal porn and erotica.

As we aim to produce “female friendly” porn we want to create a mix of the familiar and novel. We want the beginnings of our stories (the build up) to be shot with intent and quality. That provides comfort in the context as a starting point while the excitement builds. As we move towards the sexuality and approach that boundary we hope to have built the context to cross that boundary and feel great about it. A “behind the scenes” element of that is that Spark Erotic films are shot with people who know each other and have existing sexual relationships instead of being strangers showing up on set. That’s an important part to us of the authentic portrayal of sexuality.

Finally, we’re mindful of the feeling that our viewers have as an end result. Raw sexuality is exciting, but sometimes that simple excitement can leave a viewer with a dirty or nasty feeling in the end if the other elements of erotica are not in place. We pay a lot of attention to the set and setting of the sexuality to combine sexual arousal along with mental arousal. That creates a fuller experience which most women appreciate. Lots of people jump around, fast forwarding when they watch porn to find the instantly exciting parts. Our films are meant to be a journey from the introduction to the exciting sexuality and the story’s resolution.

In the end, we have a committed process for producing our films which fits our style and vision. Whether you call it porn for women or erotica, we hope you like the way we see.

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BY KAMA

I can. . . what I think you’re really looking for is an existing, but developing genre of quality within adult films. Sadly, most of the “erotic” films produced these days are intended for a male audience and meant as a replacement for actual sexual interaction, not an appetizer for the same.

The desire to watch erotica as a couple is natural, but the films that balance male and female desires are rare. I would highly suggest you check out offerings from Erika Lust, who we consider to be the premiere producer and curator of sex positive, female friendly, yet explicit, films. You can view these at a number of different sites:

LustCinema

Erotic Films.com

Lust Store

If you have not seen Erika’s TED talk on “It’s Time for Porn to Change”, it can be viewed at TED’s site or here on YouTube. She provides an inspiring perspective on how we can improve our portrayals of sexuality to be more balanced.

Our own efforts at Spark Erotic are very much in line with your desires. We’re an independent film company based in Colorado with a female director and a vision to produce erotica that honors everyone involved. Women’s objections to much of what is produced are valid because they are often simply objectified without much thought for what turns them on. There is a different way. . .

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BY KAMA

I saw this question as an opportunity to share how we do things differently and what that means to me. At Spark Erotic, we get our participants nearly completely out of the Lifestyle. We find them, but more than often, they find us. This has a number of advantages to the standard “use an agency or run an ad” approach. For us, the personhood behind the sexuality is key to our process and results. We don’t do a cattle call or thumb through agency promo pages to find the hottest chick or the most masculine guy. Not our style. . .

Recruiting people from an established subculture has many advantages. We have other’s opinions as referrals, people get to see our behavior over time and trust is a key part of that. No one in our troupe makes their main living off of our efforts. About half of our team members refuse to be paid. Ours is a collaborative art project and that draws a different participant and a different audience.

For us, the main two prerequisites for involvement are a team attitude and an honest sexuality. First, a team attitude that values our collective efforts over any one person. This goes for our leadership, too, who are well aware of the necessity of each of us to make Spark what it is. Second, an honest sexuality that is at peace within oneself and, furthermore, willingness to share that with the world. Rare combination and amazing to see in action.

The people we are honored to work with are beautiful inside and out and we love them for who they are. We just completed a retreat with 20 of us working, playing and planning the future. We culminated the weekend with a premiere event with 320 people where we showed our five films to date. We all got to be rock stars (thanks Evie) and it was a blast.

To us, the difference between our casting and that of the normal porn world is that we spend our time upfront in relationship to find the people we want to work with and then we invite them to an adventure. That adventure is always evolving and it’s a blessing to be part of it. We invite you to check out our world.

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BY KAMA

In my experience, the people who attend erotic workshops are open enough to adventure into new territory to learn and grow in an area of life that makes many shy. Once you accept that sexuality is a wonderful part of life and nothing to be ashamed of, you can take advantage of the many people who have knowledge they are willing to share.

People who professionally lead sexual workshops are nearly always respectful and well aware that many people coming to learn are expanding their comfort zone. They are committed to the importance of consent and strive to make the experience both comfortable and expanding.

As for the participants themselves, I have been pleasantly surprised by the wide range of people I have seen attend from all classes, races, ages, etc.

If you are considering attending a workshop, find one that strikes your fancy on a topic you’d like to explore and enjoy.

~ Kama

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BY KAMA

I would ask your wife the question “Why?” If you haven’t asked, her answer will give you much more to go on in evaluating whether you want to head into expanding your relationship in this way. If you are conservative, a polyamorous or swinging lifestyle will be a significant reality shift. If you trust your wife and have a solid relationship then moving into additional sexual relationships can be fulfilling and powerful. If you have challenges in this realm, then you will surely meet them on the road.

Ultimately, what I believe you should do is have some serious heart to hearts with your wife. Understand her desires and intentions and ask the hard questions (and answer them too). If you decide to move forward, do so in constant communication and grow together.

~ Kama

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BY KAMA

Pornography is a word often misunderstood. It is made up of two greek roots. Let’s deal with the non-controversial one first. The suffix -graphy means “to write” and has been expanded in meaning to include visual portrayal. Photography, for example, means “writing with light.” Biography means “writing about life.”

Porneia is the Greek root in the word pornography. It is variously translated but the central theme in all translations is “immoral sexuality.” Not sexuality per se, but immoral sexuality. Now here it gets complicated. Some people believe that sexuality with anyone other than a spouse is immoral. Others believe in more latitude in relationships but gnenerally have a line somewhere. Most people would agree that rape, incest, etc. are immoral forms of sexuality.

However you define “immoral sexuality” will, therefore, define whether the visual or written portrayal of the sexuality in question is pornography. In my conversations with people on the subject I like to take a few steps back to the underlying question: :”Do you believe the visual portrayal of sexuality is wrong?” If someone says “Yes” then everything considered will be categorized as such and classified as pornography. In other words, it can be the visual portrayal of sexuality itself that a person can consider immoral. However, if someone says “it depends” then they are truly in line with the definition of pornography which refers only to the visual or written depiction of immoral sexuality.

This, for me, is the distinction between erotica and pornography. The visual depiction of sexuality meant to inspire and excite is erotica as long as it does not portray sexuality that is immoral in nature. This is a definitive rule for me and our company in all we produce. We don’t make films with forced sex, cheating on relationships, etc. These are things that we, as filmmakers and people, consider to be immoral. We refuse to promote these things because we disagree with them and believe they are harmful to sexuality and relationship.

So, in conclusion and in direct answer to your question: Yes, pornography is wrong by definition. Erotica is a whole ’nother thing.

~ Kama

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