Feminists filmmakers have started revolutionizing porn many years ago and have come very far. Here is what we can learn from them.

As many of you know, the first porn film I worked on was a straight feminist film. I got a job as an editor for Erika Lust, the Swedish adult filmmaker who, along with her husband and her entirely female-slash-queer crew, started making adult films that didn’t look like the cheap porn films people used to watch.

The four years I spent working with her were like an immersion in a parallel reality. Yes, we were making porn – that is, hiring porn actors, setting up room sets, dealing with contracts and medical exams, and finally pointing a camera to people while they were fucking. But we weren’t doing only that. We were also sitting around a desk and chatting about why those characters were together, what did they have in common, if it was sunny or rainy, if they were happy or sad (or just horny, why not?). We were actually trying to create the story that was behind the making woopies.

This may seem like an obvious system, but it wasn’t really. A few years ago, almost every straight porn film you’d see was limited to a white sofa (or bed) where a guy would fuck one or multiple women. No whys, no emotions, no story. Happily enough, and that’s surely thanks to the work of feminists, this sort of plots are now more ridiculed than endorsed.

While I watched all that happen in feminist porn, I took a long look at the gay porn adult films. Of course chauvinist porn was never a reality for us: gay porn was already born with an inherent element of equality that traditional heterosexual porn lacks, which puts it already way up front in the race for quality.

However, that didn’t stop me from noticing how little creativity was being put in gay films. Aesthetically and narratively speaking, the majority of the gay porn films are still unlovely, unfashionable, impersonal and outdated – despite its huge appeal among a smart and sensitive audience all over the world (even girls like it better!).

So what’s lacking here? Why are we were still so reluctant in doing something different?

Feminist porn has taught us that is perfectly possible to rethink our concepts of eroticism, and it taught us that we can and should explore lust and libido through our own points of view.

That’s what I was thinking when I packed my bags and decided to explore gay porn filmmaking. I had this obsessed idea that a gay adult film could be beautiful, emotional, and portray a lot more than sex. So I grabbed my camera and started shooting stories of relationships, memories, fears and emotions, everything I considered interesting and erotic. And guess what? A lot of people were just waiting for something like that.

Feminist porn and gay porn are not the same thing – in fact they’re far from being even similar. But they do have one thing in common: a must need to break free from stereotyped scripts, so that a new type of filmmaking – more artistic, intelligent, human and diverse – can flourish.

Only a few more days until the release of my next film Call Me a Ghost. Pre-order now and relax: you will receive the film automatically in your inbox at the day of its release.

Call Me a Ghost is a trip into the darkest corner of our minds. It all starts with our protagonist, who’s going through an intense depression. One day, at home, he hears unexpected noises. In the darkness, under a cold white light, a smoking hot supernatural being rests. Is fear a stronger feeling than sadness? Is there a place for desire in the unknown? Could them, together, find pleasure?

With this film, I’m aiming to start a conversation around those feelings we all carry with and nobody talks about, and also around our daily effort in overcoming the world we live in. About how, sometimes, we have to become our biggest enemy – in order to win the fight. And about the roles that pleasure can play when our souls are hidden in the dark.

To do justice to this script, the high-chemistry couple Valentín and Pierre.

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Post-production has been keeping me busy. We’re at full speed to edit & finalize Call me a ghost (it finally has a name!), my new film to be released soon. I’ve always liked thrillers and this story has everything to become my most exciting production so far. It’s about a guy who’s being visited by a ghost.

Everything starts when he hears weird, unexpected noises at night. He decides to investigate on them only to find that behind those noises there is a seriously attractive supernatural being. Their meeting unties a deep chain of feelings, from fear to arousal, from solitude to finding his role in both inner and outer world.

But this is all I’m letting out for now. Getting curious? Enjoy some of my favourite still photos from the film, and stay tuned for the release soon!

In the meantime, check all my releases here.

*This picture is taken from the shooting of Doing Elliot by Noel Alejandro

From assuming I’m rich as F* to never-ending high school jokes, here’s a special list of people’s reactions when they hear I film sex for a living.

– You work with porn? This means you film people fucking! That’s like the dream job!

Oh thank you! Now let me show you real quick a photo of me on the day before a shooting, right after my second breakdown, packing 200 kg of equipment and wardrobe while I reviewed the performers’ contracts, conditions and medical exams. Let me also tell you how right after this photo someone called about a problem with the location and we almost lost all the investments we had made… It was like dreaming of happy unicorns!

– You must be rich.

I would really love this to be true. Just a little bit. Just for one day! Actually, nowadays it’s already a big deal to make a living out of erotic movies – and I do, so can’t complain. But the truth is that there is a saturation in the market. This means that, in order to actually profit from it, you really have to make something different. If I’m rich? Nops. But my films guarantee that I pay my bills and yet manage to have enough to fund my next films. And I’m pretty happy about that.

– Can I watch a shooting? I’m sure the actors won’t care, since they’re used to it.

The most asked question by far! If I’d say yes to everyone I’d might just go shoot at a soccer stadium or something. But the answer is no, you can’t come to the shooting, simply because your presence would jeopardize the intimacy and the reliance between cast and crew. Everyone who’s on set is working, focused in doing their best, and actors are in a specially vulnerable place during the sex scenes. I would hate for them to feel uncomfortable or insecure, with random unknown eyes on them at all times. The atmosphere on set must be as professional and relaxed as possible, and that’s my priority in every new shooting.

– Do you get sexually aroused during the shootings?

If this was a raking this question would be 2nd for sure. And I actually enjoy answering to it as I feel it comes from an honest curiosity about the pornmaker work. People tend to create this fantastic spectrum about the sex world, and for some reason they end up thinking that we are all crazy lascivious sex animals who are always horny and who would have boners for breakfast. This must explain why some people seem disappointed when I tell them no, of course I don’t feel aroused by the sex scene I’m shooting! I am doing my job here, my mind is under a ton of responsibilities, and I’m fully focused in the aesthetic and narrative aspects of what I’m seeing. It just doesn’t have to do with if it turns me on or not. I can consider a scene good or bad, but that’s always about its cinematic quality, nothing else.

– Limitless jokes.

So there was this time when me and the crew went to visit a location for a film we were working on. There was a divan in the room and we were brainstorming ways in which the actors could use it to have sex. Suddenly, someone (who were not from the crew) had an idea and decided to “act” on it: he got into doggy position, butt up in the air, and started to make in-and-out-movements along with the most absurd supposedly-sexy facial expressions I’ve ever saw. I was both amazed and terrified by the scene, but then everyone else started cracking up and I knew I should too. It was funny in a way, but at the same time it felt as he was mocking our work. That’s a very frequent feeling you have when you work as pornmaker (that people are mocking your work). Because there you are, thinking how to make the most out of a particular scenario, but someone you end up having to deal with high school jokes that keep coming at all times. It’s just tiring.

– Is it true that actors’ are constantly taking Viagra to guarantee their erections?

I don’t really feel entitled to give a general answer to this as I ran a small, independent production studio and my previous experience as Assistant Director of awarded feminist erotic filmmaker Erika Lust was also in an indie, alternative environment, so no idea if mainstream porn performers rely on viagra to do their scenes. But speaking from the alternative production, that’s not true at all! The “getting up” moment of a male actor depends basically on his abilities as a professional, and in how concentrated and comfortable he feels on set. If and when the conditions aren’t perfect, or the actor is nervous or insecure, we just work things around so the nervousness goes away and he’s again motivated and inspired.

– I have a great suggestion for your next film’s title: Edwards Penishands

Best part of being an erotic films director is definitely asking your friend’s opinions on which title you should use on your films. It’s almost like breaking into an alcohol-free party with a tray of jello shots. They’ve been waiting for this for ages! They have so much creativity! The redemption has started, the sleeping monster is awaken and he’s ready to rise and shine. And then it comes: You Got Male, The Bone Ranger, A Beautiful Behind… and you feel like killing yourself. Don’t get me wrong, those names are GRRREAT, but why god why does it always have to be a bad pun. Come on everyone, we’re trying to make some really nice cinematic porno here. Lock your huge list of stereotyped porn titles on your drawer and join the party with some real inspiration. Winner gets a jello shot!

Short talk with Cyrill and Tristan, the real-couple starring on my latest film “Doing Elliot”

Shooting “Doing Elliot” was special for many reasons. First, it has a complex script, based on a story of two people that have met long before and whose desire is still effervescent even after many years. The plot was intense and full of mixed feelings, and that is one of the things I love the most about cinema.

The best part, though – and part of the uniqueness of the film – is that I had the chance to film it with a real-life couple. Thomas and Elliot characters are played by the incredible Cyrill (Thomas) and Tristan (Elliot), two fantastic performers who accepted the particular challenge of having sex in front of the cameras for the first time in their lives.

Cyrill and Tristan’s story is so inspiring that we decided to make a short interview with them. Hopefully this conversation will help us understand the work of explicit film performers, as well as break some taboos about the pornography industry, especially when it comes to on-set conditions, insecurities, and respect. I’m always fascinated when someone is willing to share their intimacy and private emotions on screen, and I have such a huge appreciation for it!

In this little chat you’ll learn about their thoughts, opinions and feelings on what is like to shoot a gay porn film for the first time – and with your loved one.

Question – How did you enter the pornography world?

Cyrill – I was introduced to Noel‘s work by a close friend who had collaborated with him. I’ve had this idea (of performing in porn) in my mind for many years, and in his work I’ve found the perfect reflection of how I wanted my first porn to look like. Having my boyfriend, who shared the same wish, beside me made it even easier to apply for the role.

Tristan – By fulfilling an idea that have been prowling in my mind for a long time now. With the support of my boyfriend I finally found the courage to go through it.

Q – Tell us about how the experience of shooting “Doing Eliot” was.

C – During the two months previous to the shooting we had been speaking, thinking and imagining it so many times that, when it actually happened, it was almost unreal. Everything was so natural and easygoing that we dropped our fears and doubts almost as fast as we dropped our clothes off.

T – It was great. Unexpectedly relaxed and so professional. I often felt like being alone with my boy.

Q –  What would you consider to be the most special characteristic of the film?

C – Authenticity. In the set we’d be speaking, kissing and having sex in the same way we do in our private life. Being a real life couple created the exceptional conditions that made the raw material of the movie so unique. Noel’s talent and inspiration made the rest.

T – I’d say that being a real couple brings so many real emotions into the film, and in the other hand, the story itself, which behind the appearance of a clichè shows how feelings between people can last for years without being corrupted.

Q – Was there any particularly difficult moment? Can you tell us a bit about it?

C – The acting parts of storytelling were the hardest thing to deal with. Pretending we didn’t see each other for many years it’s hard when you’re looking at someone you actually live with. But after a few hours we got so used to it that at some point I felt I could almost look at him in a different way, it was like discovering each other all over again.

T – Well, as I’m not an actor it wasn’t really easy to go through all the scenes besides the sex part, which went way easier as we would have imagined. And as I knew how important the storytelling scenes are in the work of Noel, we were really trying to do a good job.

Q – And any particularly fun moment?

C – Explaining the usage of poppers to the straight sound crew, during a cigarette break on the balcony, was maybe the funniest moment of the day.

T – We were laughing a lot during the shooting! Maybe the funniest were the ones in which, looking quickly around me during the sex scene, I suddenly realised we were not alone in the room.

Q – How is it to have sex professionally?

C – I guess we put too much of our private worlds in this professional situation to give a specific answer.

T – To be honest, I had sex with the man I love, and it didn’t really feel different. It made me forget everything around us. Also because Noel put a lot of importance in our well-being.

Q – What is “Noel Alejandro, the director” like on set?

C – He put us in the perfect conditions to perform and give our best. Having him around made us feel confident and relaxed. We trusted him from the very first moment, and we knew we were in good hands.

T – He is super professional and focused. He knows what he wants, and he gets it. But he keeps the perfect distance to not interrupt real emotions and situations.

Q – What do you think are the most important on-set conditions to shoot sex scenes?

C – Cleanness and respect. While sharing the most intimate moments we are actually extremely vulnerable. Having a honest human contact with all the people involved in the set made us feel comfortable and protected.

T – That every member of the crew consider this shooting as normal and not as something wrong or dirty. I would’ve felt very uncomfortable if I’d feel judged for having sex in front of a camera.

Q – What did this experience bring to you, as a person and as an actor?

C – I feel extremely proud of myself for have being brave enough to made this, and thankful to my boyfriend and Noel which made this possible, and so unique, and precious.

T – I am very proud of us, and myself. The moment I saw the trailer for the first time I felt extremely satisfied. I did what I wanted to do and I just love the final result.

Watch a trailer for “Doing Elliot” on Vimeo. the explicit version cannot be embed here but you can find it HERE.

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.

Answer quickly: what comes to your mind when you think of gay porn? Not exactly a Paolo Sorrentino movie, I would guess. Or a Sam Taylor-Wood movie. Or any movie. This is because one is used to think that porn is limited to simplistic and demeaning scenes of bodies making meaningless sex, and that gay porn would be the same thing – only worse. But what if I tell you that a gay porn film can have a smart plot, emotion in the script, and a cinema-quality photography? Because it does, and I’ll tell you why.

My name is Noel Alejandro and I am a gay indie filmmaker. From everything I ever thought about porn, my biggest issue has always been pornography being the most exploited genre, and still the one that’s less explored. Ever since I started, I was seduced by the idea of portraying sex in a way that’s exciting and that would instantly give you a boner (a porno is a porno is a porno), but I never felt tied to that old-cliches style with which pornography had been done for decades.

“…My biggest issue has always been pornography being the most exploited genre, and still the one that’s less explored.”

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against traditional porn videos – I just want mine to be about something more than sex. I’ve been playing with inserting other cinema elements into my films. I play with emotions like sadness or fear, for example -I dare you to find real emotions in regular pornos!-, and I hope that at the end of my films you end up feeling touched – and that’s not just another bad pun.

I’m not gonna lie, I don’t do this for you, or to play the sensitive guy. I do it because I believe in pushing boundaries. The fact is, our sexuality goes hand in hand with our emotions. Sometimes, our sexual relationships or encounters make us feel like we’re in a movie. Even the less special sexual experience we have come with some built-in emotion. It changes us. That’s why I believe that there is absolutely no reason why all these meaningful feelings, or even beauty or art, should be banned from pornography.

I know I’m not alone in this because there are a number of other young, transgressive filmmakers creating a lot of unique stuff as well. Many of them get in touch with me sharing their thoughts, asking tips or just showing that they exist. They know the world is changing, and that people tend to be more demanding, more critical and more intellectually sensitive – even when it comes to jerking off.

So next time you’re in for some alone time (or shared!), be open to think of it as something more than just a jerk-off.

*In the picture. Noel Alejandro on set with the actors

DOING ELLIOT by Noel Alejandro date release is around the corner, for those who does not follow the director’s facebook here’s a reminder, October 28. So if you want to have a look on the amazing look that the film shows yo can watch this NSFW trailer on VIMEO and hot pictures on instagram.

Thomas (Cyrill) rings Elliot’s (Tristan) door in an attempt to give back his ID card, lost during a morning run at the park. They both met during college, but it’s been so long… Will Elliot remember Thomas? Despite living very different lives, they find themselves sharing the same crave for the perfect outbreak.

Noel Alejandro’s six film is no ordinary porn. It’s a cinematic depiction of all the trust, excitement, pain and passion that is in the encounter between two men that’ll take the chance. Give yourself to the steamy bodies and the mind-blowing blowjobs, and share the thrills of the sweet sins hovering in the air.

Starring real-life couple Cyrill and Tristan (you can tell by their dazzling chemistry!), the two performers whose talent loaded Doing Elliot’s with the most honest emotions.

2 meses y 10 días han pasado desde la publicación de esta foto en instagram. En ella veíamos el set de rodaje de “Doing Elliot”, la nueva película de Noel Alejandro, que verá la luz en este site próximamente.

Hoy, a modo de caramelo para todos los seguidores del trabajo del director, sale online el primer teaser de esta película, que cuenta con la participación de dos actores no conocidos y totalmente fuera del circuito industrial del porno (al igual que el director).

“Doing Elliot” será el sexto cortometraje de Noel Alejandro y cuenta de forma clásica el reencuentro entre dos jóvenes que compartieron algo más que horas de juegos juntos en la escuela.

El teaser trailer puede verse desde hoy y también puede realizarse la compra por adelantado, para ser el primero en recibir la descarga.

Es porno? Es arte?

Esto se preguntan en Vangardist, tras ver mi último trabajo en mi web “thank you…”. Desde luego es de agradecer que medios tan prestigiosos y orientados al público general se lo pregunten. Una cosa es segura, YOUTUBE y VIMEO no quieren saber nada al respecto. No importa que sigas sus reglas y cuantas reediciones de tu propio trabajo hagas para sortear la censura: si hay comportamientos sexuales en tu trabajo te quedas fuera. Hace pocos días mi mentora Erika Lust subía una versión de “Do you find my feet…” completamente libre de sexo o desnudos a la plataforma de YOUTUBE, el movimiento salió redondo, The Independent y otros medios se hacían eco de su decisión y lo presentaron como el primer porno SFW. Quien iba a pensar que una versión tan bien seleccionada y con tan buen gusto, completamente libre de nada obsceno iba a ser motivo de eliminación para YOUTUBE. Hablo de Erika por ser el caso más ruidoso, pero lo mismo sucedió con mi preview de “thank you”, que también ha sido eliminado (y con ello mi cuenta), en él no había más que dos chicos vestidos besándose sobre la cama. Sin tocamientos, sin sexo, solo dos chicos besándose. Tanto Erika como yo pertenecemos al limbo que se encuentra entre el arte y lo obsceno y así nos lo hacen saber plataformas como Modelmayhem. Mi cuenta fue cancelada sólo por buscar modelos para mis grabaciones, ya que rechazan frontalmente cualquier relación con producciones pornográficas. Tampoco les gustó que crease otra cuenta buscando modelos sólo para desnudo: “Si tienes o has tenido relación en el pasado con la pornografía no puedes entrar en nuestro sistema”, de esta manera y como si se tratase de la Santa Inquisición me impedían el acceso a su base de datos.

VIMEO no es más abierta al respecto. Cancelaron mi cuenta con todos mis seguidores tras descubrir que mis vídeos tenían algo que ver con el sexo. Todos mis intentos por recuperarla alegando las claras connotaciones artísticas de mi trabajo les resbaló. Tras crear otra cuenta (esta vez siguiendo religiosamente todas sus directrices para no despertar al monstruo de la censura) parece que me dejan formar parte de su comunidad, pero algo me dice que simplemente no me han identificado, esta mañana he intentado comprar la versión PRO del servicio (que digo yo, si les pagas a lo mejor se ponen más melosos) y me han rechazado el pago, quizás por tener que ver con aquella cuenta cancelada por “subir videos con actos y comportamientos que parecen inducir al acto sexual”.

Eso sí, violencia la que quieras.

N. Alejandro

I wanna say THANKS for all the nice feedback you are sending me on my latest film “thank you” by Noel Alejandro. I’m overwhelmed by the nice words which encourage me to move forward with my new projects.

I remind you that the film can easily be purchased here 😉
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any comments, suggestions or ideas.

N. Alejandro

Hi friends!

I have a little treat for you. My latest film is here It’s titled “thank you…” and is more than just your regular porno.

Following on from the magic and curious atmosphere established in “Eloi & Biel” (2013), this film will give you a whole new cinematic experience.

You might be thinking that you’ve seen it all in mainstream porn but think again. “thank you…” goes deeper than you’d expect and explores the unexplored. The intimate photography the delicate colour palette suggests there is more to be found beneath the surface –but what exactly?

Go and watch it and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Have fun!

Después de ver Julieta (por fin) entiendo porqué a casi nadie que conozco le ha gustado. No es una película fácil. Tampoco parece que te lleve a ningún lado e incluso yo, al terminar, me he sentido un poco mónguer. Pero ahora entiendo porqué Almodóvar es quién es. Hablar de algo que no puede verse y así no es algo a lo que estemos acostumbrados. El capitalismo del cine no puede permitirse hacer películas como ésta. Pero él lo ha hecho. Nunca había visto un Almodóvar tan sutil.

N. Alejandro

Hace 4 años que comencé a trabajar para Erika Lust, pionera en la manera de ver el porno como un género cinematográfico, y no como un montón de posturas y de líquidos fluyendo en una pantalla. Después de todas estas experiencias SIGO BUSCANDO mi manera de mostrar el sexo en pantalla.

Ya hace dos años de mi primer corto, Eloi & Biel, un sencillo experimento cinematográfico sobre dos chicos que se encierran en una casa en medio de la montaña para tener sexo. La novedad de aquella obra fue la de documentar con una mínima dosis de narrativa cinematográfica lo que aquella pareja estaba acostumbrada hacer: Hacer el amor. Tras pasar por algunos festivales y captar el interés de muchos espectadores hoy día sigo inmerso en buscar la manera de empatizar con el público a través de mis piezas. Pero lo más importante, de empatizar conmigo mismo.

Mis dos últimos trabajos, BADMEDICINE y ahora el recientemente estrenado ROOMIES, no son sólo más que parte de ese camino en la búsqueda de mi propia identidad como director de cine, pero sobre todo como persona.

Para mi fortuna cada vez son más las personas que aprecian esta simpática y a la vez dolorosa reinvención del género y agradezco desde ahora a todos aquellos que disfrutan con toda esta sucesión de cortes y tonalidades cuidadosamente escogidas, pues que sepan que esto podría ser mucho peor.

Noel Alejandro

Barcelona, 13 de Noviembre de 2015