Adult Industry Takes New Turn With Focus on Parodies

Hurt by slumping retail sales and online piracy, the adult entertainment industry has found a gold mine of sorts in crafting parodies of popular television series and movies. While just a few years ago no more than a handful of adult production companies were in the parody business now there are more titles being announced everyday. New Sensations in Chatsworth will make 10 parody titles this year. Dream Zone Entertainment, a new production company in Van Nuys, filmed this month a “Roseanne” parody with a plus-size lead actress. And Vivid Entertainment gets into the game with a big budget production of the television version of “Batman.” These films are not just playing off the titles of movie and TV shows. The characters have the same names as in the originals and their directors go for an authenticity in the look of the costumes and sets to the use of the right laugh track. Having familiar characters, albeit in various stages of undress, is also a plus in that the viewer brings a personal connection. It is a strategy embraced by the mainstream studios, which never turns down the opportunity for big-screen versions of TV shows, remakes of past hits, and the ubiquitous sequel. Fantasy factor Where adult can go that Hollywood cannot is with the fantasy factor; of putting wholesome television characters into less than wholesome situations. “Especially for the classic (shows) these are the people we have seen growing up and went through puberty with,” said Rob Smith, director of operations for Hustler Video in Canoga Park. “No matter what your age, that makes it a powerful fantasy.” Hustler entered the parody market two years ago with a spoof of “The Munsters.” It’s growing “This Ain’t…” collection has taken on the witches from “Charmed,” the castaways on “Gilligan’s Island” and this year will release adult versions of “Avatar” and “Glee,” in which the performers will sing their own songs. Director Axel Braun will get to show off the musical talents of his cast of “Grease” when that film comes out later this year. Later this year, Braun releases his version of “Batman” through Vivid. Vivid had been offered a number of other parody titles but went with “Batman XXX” because of its big budget (for adult) and the cache associated with the character, said Co-Chairman Steve Hirsch. “I’m not saying we won’t do others but we will only choose to do the ones that have a benefit for us,” Hirsch said. Hustler and Vivid follow the trail blazed by Will Ryder whose production company X-Play kick started the genre with his “Brady Bunch” parodies. Ryder has no objections to other companies jumping on the bandwagon as long as they do quality work. Higher costs While not revealing exact budget amounts Ryder and Lee Roy Myers, who has helmed multiple parody titles released by New Sensations, said that the cost is more than the typical adult production. The additional expense is seen in the final product where recreating the look of the original show or film helps to heighten the fantasy. “Not the Bradys XXX” found success through the attention to detail presented in a campy day-glo style. That in turn showed the seriousness of the filmmaker. “We wanted to keep the integrity of the characters” Ryder said. “We didn’t want to mock them; we wanted to stay true but just in a parody format.” The genre may turn out to be what the industry needed to pump up sales that were eroded by online piracy and less consumer spending due to the recession. Parody titles are scattered throughout the list of Top 100 DVD sales and rentals as compiled by Adult Video News. Both AVN and competitor publication XBiz recognized the importance of the genre by adding Best Parody categories to their respective awards shows. X-Play applied for and received a trademark to use the word “Not” in front of any adult movie title. Ryder, not modestly, calls the movement he started “a revolution” for the industry. A new market? Myers, of New Sensations, sees the films as opening a new market for those who might not otherwise purchase an adult title. “If they are shopping with their significant other and they see a show they both love that inspires them (to buy it,)” said Myers. Hirsch, who has been in the industry for more than 25 years, sees the parodies as being an example of the cyclical nature of the business. These films are following the other genres that have proven popular: amateur, gonzo, and MILFs, Hirsch said. The parody bubble will eventually burst. Yes, industry insiders said, there will be a saturation point but the market at this time can continue to add more parody titles. After all it is not like there isn’t an abundance of source material. Along with “Grease,” Braun is in pre-production for a porn version of “The Godfather.” Upcoming projects by Ryder are “MASH” and “Charlie’s Angels.”. “There is still air left to breathe,” said Myers, who this year will direct adult versions of “24,” and “The Big Lebowski.” “We haven’t seen it fall yet.”