First videos of semi-porno French flick Chroniques sexuelles d’une famille d’aujourd’hui (censored) are apparently out. Check them out at Recapped.com. Unrated version will be released on DVD in few months time (link credit goes to Spyral)
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Disney stars differ on Selena Gomez's racy new 'Spring Breakers' role
Quick, someone cover Mickey Mouse’s eyes!Selena Gomez, the former star of Disney’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” (and girlfriend to teen dream Justin Bieber), has decided to shed some clothes as well as her squeaky-clean image in the upcoming film “Spring Breakers,” in which the 19-year-old sensation takes on subjects like sex, drugs, booze and jail all while looking like she's straight out of a "Girls Gone Wild" video.
Gomez isn’t the first post-pubescent Disney star to shun a previously pristine image. Newly engaged 19-year-old “Hannah Montana” star Miley Cyrus has had her share of controversies, including a raunchy pole-dancing performance at the 2009 Teen Choice Awards, and a YouTube video of her taking a bong hit of what she said was salvia, a legal, marijuana-like substance.
So far, Cyrus' transformation hasn't sat well with her fans, if the box office failure of her racy 2012 film "LOL" is any indication. So could Gomez’s newfound sexy image end up costing her the fans that made her a star? At least one Disney teen star doesn't think so.
“She could have really loved the script. It doesn’t mean that it was plotted or planned,” said Kiely Williams, one of the stars of Disney’s wildly successful “The Cheetah Girls” franchise, who knows Gomez and her fellow “Spring Breakers” co-star Vanessa Hudgens from their time spent together working the Disney circuit. “In a movie, you are just putting on a character. It’s not like putting yourself out there in a racy music video.”
Hudgens, 23, best known for her role as Gabriella in Disney’s “High School Musical” trilogy, has had her own share of scandals. In 2007, naked pictures of Hudgens were leaked onto the Internet. Subsequently, in 2009, additional topless photos were released of the young star, who has also been involved in several lawsuits regarding “breach of contract” issues.
Unlike Hudgens, Gomez has never had nude photos released, but recent pics of her skimpy on-set bikini -- along with photos of several topless extras in some of her scenes -- have gotten people talking about her sexier image. Earlier this year, Gomez graced the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine in an uncharacteristically low-cut, cleavage-baring dress. She then continued to solidify her racier image with the viral parody “50 Shades of Blue,” a Funnyordie.com spoof on the erotic novel “50 Shades of Grey,” which features Gomez reading and fantasizing about the steamy best-seller.
“We see this time and time again where a young actor will chose a provocative role. Miley Cyrus does a provocative photo shoot to say, ‘Hey look at me I’m a grown-up young woman,’” long-time Hollywood publicist Howard Bragman told FOX411.com.
“I bet when [Mouseketeer] Annette Funicello did those beach movies back in the 1960s, it was very controversial for the time,” added Bragman, who feels that Gomez has not lost fans because of the mature nature of her recent projects.
“Change is controversial. It doesn’t mean she is rejecting [her Disney roots]. It means she is evolving," he said. "I think her fan base is growing up with her and she is just bringing them along.”
However, being part of Disney royalty and starring in family movies such as 2011’s “Monte Carlo” and 2010’s “Ramona and Beezus,” means that a good portion of her followers are in fact still very young.
“It’s easy to say, ‘It’s just acting,’ but these kids really look up to you,” said Ashley Eckstein, who played mean girl Muffy on the popular Disney channel show “That’s So Raven.”
Eckstein, 30, who currently voices the Jedi Ahsoka Tano on the Cartoon Network series “Star Wars: The Clone Wars,” has chosen to continue working in the genre of family programming. While she doesn’t personally know Gomez, she does empathize with her need to progress as an actor but ultimately questions whether or not the fans will be able follow along.
“A huge chunk of the fans are under 18 and can’t get into an R-rated movie. I think you have to be careful not to completely alienate the fans that got you [to stardom in the first place]. And it’s not just the kids, but it’s the parents who are the ones giving them the money to spend on your movie or merchandise,” added Eckstein. “It’s very easy to turn the parents off with your decisions.”
While some fans might not be old enough to relate to her current projects, Gomez seems to be happily pushing forward in transitioning away from her days at Disney.
"I'm nervous….It's a little edgy, but it's fun. I fought for that role,” Gomez told E! Online of her part in “Spring Breakers,” where she plays one of several female bank robbers who resort to desperate measures in hopes of being able to fund the ultimate spring break excursion.
The adult material in the movie is certainly racy, but according to Bragman, it’s in no way offensive or gratuitous.
“This isn’t ‘Showgirls’ that we are talking about. This isn’t a career killer,” he said. “Disney is the best launching pad in the world, but at the same time, you have to understand that no matter how good the launching pad is, eventually the kids want to break from it.”
Whether “Spring Breakers” is destined for box-office gold is yet to be determined. However, just because the film hasn’t been released yet (it’s slated for spring 2013) doesn’t mean it isn’t already making an impact on her career.
“I think it will evolve her career to a new place. It’s certainly going to make producers think of her in a more accurate light,” said Bragman.
Williams agrees that playing older and more provocative roles is the next step for a now grown-up child actor. She herself is currently working on a horror film called “Hola Back,” a dark departure from her “Cheetah Girls” days.
“As far as Selena Gomez and Vanessa Hudgens, they have used a lot of grace in their transition [into more mature roles]," Williams said. "They can’t play 15-year-olds forever. That would just be nuts.”
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Erykah Badu And Flaming Lips Feud Over Nudity-Filled Video
Earlier this year, the Flaming Lips decided to team up with Erykah Badu to film a music video for their collaboration “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”. Lead singer Wayne Coyne presented Badu with an outline of how he saw the clip going. He wanted Badu to be in a bathtub filled with glitter, blood and other fluids. The singer was having no part of that, but out of respect for their partnership, she extended the offer to her little sister who accepted. The footage was shot, supposedly with promises Badu would receive a rough cut, but earlier this week, it was uploaded to the Internet without any communication. The version the band went with features a ton of nudity and some sketchy imagery. Irate, Badu took to her Twitter today to let Coyne have it, and the two have been going back and forth ever since. Here’s an excerpt of her initial rant…
Badu ended her diatribe by asking Coyne to kiss her and her sister’s asses, and of course, he responded by saying he had, complete with a picture of glittery lips. As of press time, both artists are still Tweeting at each other and at each other’s fans, complaining in Coyne’s case about an overreaction and in Badu’s case about being gratuitous and classless.You begged me to sit in a tub of that other shit and I said naw. I refused to sit in any liquid that was not water. But Out of RESPECT for you and the artist you 'appear' to be, I Didn't wanna kill your concept , wanted u to at least get it out of your head . After all, u spent your dough on studio , trip to Dallas etc.. Sooo, I invited Nayrok , my lil sis and artist, who is much more liberal ,to be subject of those other disturbing (to me ) scenes . I told u from jump that I believed your concept to be disturbing. But would give your edit a chance.
You then said u would take my shots ( in clear water/ fully covered parts -seemed harmless enough) and Nayrok's part ( which I was not present for but saw the photos and a sample scene of cornstarch dripping ) and edit them together along with cosmic, green screen images ( which no one saw) then would show me the edit.
Instead, U disrespected me by releasing pics and rough vid on the internet without my approval. (Contract breech )
The video :
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* There is exploitation and then there is exploitation. Canadian actress Olivia Andrup made her motion-picture debut in dismal Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy in a supporting role. The promising talent sole purpose in the movie was to get naked and fuck the main character in pretty graphic sex scene. After the segment her Hazel character is basically discarded for love interest in shape of Kristin Kreuk. If you want get naked on-cam for the first time make sure your role is substantial to the plot and not just a sex gimmick to pull in viewers. It's sad because of Olivia decision even more up-coming Canadian talents will be averse towards on-screen nudity. We already facing shortage of naked Canadian actress in recent years. The movie official theatrical release (North America) is on October 6 2012 but likely will come out on DVD before end of the year.
http://www.recapped.com/irvine-welshs-ecstasy-nudity-review
newcomer Olivia Andrup has a pretty lengthy sex scene about 20 minutes into the film. Olivia shows her breasts, part of her ass and maybe more in various sexual positions.
http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/irvine-welshs-ecstasy-film-review-44978.html
the already weak story feels painfully underdeveloped, with the script particularly cruel to newcomer Olivia Andrup – she's set up as Lloyd's initial love interest and there's a lengthy, fairly explicit and entirely gratuitous sex scene ... and then she seemingly has no comment when Lloyd starts seeing Heather.
Olivia Andrup, Maple Ridge Local Lands Supporting Lead In Feature Film
by Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts on Thursday, January 20, 2011
Maple Ridge Local Lands Supporting Lead In Feature Film
Olivia Andrup lands a supporting lead in up and coming feature film “Ecstasy.” The film is based on a Irvine Welsh’s novel. Irvine is widely known for his earlier book turned film, “Trainspotting.” December 17, 2010
Olivia Andrup lands a supporting lead in up and coming feature film “Ecstasy.” The film is based on a Irvine Welsh’s novel. Irvine is widely known for his earlier book turned film, “Trainspotting. ”Olivia, a Maple Ridge local, graduated Meadow Ridge high school with passionate drive geared towards the craft of acting. Growing up in family where art in any form was encouraged, Olivia went onto pursuing her dream of becoming an actress by attending the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA). Artistic Director of VADA Simon Longmore recalls Olivia. “I had many opportunities to work and direct Olivia. She has a very natural presence on camera. Her natural beauty draws your attention, then she speaks and you get lost in her words, a very talented young lady”.
During her 6 months in the full time program, Olivia was a standout performer. When the studio invited talent agents to meet with students, Olivia was one of the first signed to a roster. Matthew Munro from Carrie Wheeler Entertainment Group tells us this about Olivia. “Olivia is a naturally gifted actress who's not afraid to put the work in. Her high levels of industry comprehension and role preparedness are astounding. She's a constant pleasure to work with”. Olivia recently came back to VADA to share her story with the current full-time class. Looking back at the program, “I can’t even begin to explain how much I grew, not only as an actor but as a person. VADA makes you appreciate the art and the art in yourself” says Olivia. “You guys are in good hands, the teachers know what’s good for you,” says Olivia. “I really got a sound understanding of myself. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable with yourself, because you’re all that you’ve got”. She graduated in March 2010 as a represented actor and her journey began. In the following months Olivia auditioned for numerous film and TV projects and in September enrolled into university. Four months into the semester, Olivia landed her first role and putting a quick pause on her University course.
“Auditioning was slow...but then something will come along that will be perfect for you.” says Olivia as she looks back at the audition process for her role. Casting had looked in Toronto and didn’t find anyone. So they started their search in Vancouver. Olivia got the entire script and pulled all her scenes out to make her own sides. She put her audition on tape then submitted it to casting via email. It was two weeks before she heard anything. Her agent called to tell her “they loved you and it was down to her and one other actress”. In the end, Olivia got the role, the role of Hazel; a snobby, totally bizarre, “good girl gone bad”, young, and impressionable girl. “It’s my alter ego” says Olivia about the role. Olivia is currently shooting in Sault Ste. Marie for the next 2 weeks. Andrup is looking forward to working along side the stars of the film Kristen Kreuk (Smallville), Colin Mochrie (Who’s Line Is It Anyway) and "Lord of the Rings" Pippin, Billy Boyd .
“You guys are in good hands, the teachers know what’s good for you,” says Olivia about the full-time program at VADA. “I really got a sound understanding of myself. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable with yourself, because you’re all that you’ve got” This is only the beginning to a long and exciting journey for Olivia Andrup.
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We innovate. You masturbate."
That's the tag line for Pink Visual, an adult film company that is well-respected for both its commitment to technological advancement and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Their content ranges from mainstream heterosexual porn and reality-TV-inspired flicks to gay male porn, which is released under the brand name "Male Spectrum."
Allison Vivas is the woman running the show. Like me, she's only behind the scenes and not in front of the camera. Unlike me, she's a mom. I was curious to find out about the experiences of another woman on top in this male-dominated game.
Q: Allison, please give us some background on yourself and Pink Visual. How did you get into the adult industry?
My industry affiliation began in 2001, shortly after I graduated from college. I had a huge interest in Internet marketing and was fortunate to land the role of Marketing Coordinator for the TopBucks affiliate program. Around 2004 the company started producing its own content, so we created the Pink Visual brand. As we continued to launch new products, my role within the company began to expand. After a few years as vice president, I became president when the founder of the company decided to step away and undertake other projects.
Q: When we spoke before, you mentioned that in college you fought with your boyfriend when you caught him watching porn. How have your feelings about porn evolved?
My feelings regarding porn have flipped almost to a complete 180. I say that because I now have a much better understanding of how normal it is for men to enjoy porn, just like they enjoy sports or an action movie, and because I've learned that his watching porn isn't about me at all. I have stopped comparing myself to porn stars and now realize that my spouse isn't comparing me to them, either; he's just enjoying a fantasy in a pretty harmless environment. Furthermore, my spouse has never turned down sex with me to watch porn, but if that were the case, we'd still fight. I'm not a complete 180, however, because although I don't mind my spouse enjoying porn, I don't engage in watching it with him, because for me it's hard to enjoy; it makes me think of work.
Q: Do you consider yourself a feminist?
Yes and no. I believe and think women deserve equal consideration and the same rights as men. However, I've never experienced discrimination as a woman, directly or indirectly, so I've never had to "fight" for equality. I've just always gotten it and expected it.
Q: How do you respond when people say that porn is degrading to women?
Actually, after viewing a lot of porn and becoming more familiar with the logistics of porn and the stars themselves, I don't find porn degrading to women at all. I find that people who claim that porn is degrading usually think that the women in porn are using their bodies and their sexuality for money.
By the same token, the men in these films are also using their body and sexuality for money. And I think, as a culture, we tend to judge women who enjoy sex, whether that enjoyment happens privately or publicly, and the judgment is negative, yet for men it's seen as the norm. Honestly, I think a lot of it stems from women -- and men -- discriminating against women who seem "different" -- that is, women who enjoy sex and aren't self-conscious about it. I also think women discriminate because we feel "threatened" and it's a defense mechanism, whereas men who discriminate might simply be doing so because they don't want their daughters having a lot of sex, or having sex publicly.
I think all women, whether they are self-conscious or not, should be proud of their sexuality and should enjoy sex. I think when women really understand porn, porn becomes empowering. For example, the knowledge that the smallest use of your body language can turn your guy on, or the knowledge of what actually turns a woman on physically or emotionally is empowering. I think porn helps break down the barriers of self-consciousness and can lead to exploration of those areas. Ultimately, I think if we stop judging women altogether regarding their sexuality and let go of our ideas of what we think might be "average," we'll also become more empowered.
Q: Fifty Shades of Grey has now cornered 25 percent of the adult fiction genre, which is incredible. Have you seen an increase in female consumers?
It's hard to judge, given that so much of our consumer base is online and we can't tell gender from an IP address. We do have females and couples who enjoy our lines, but generally, we'll hear from men who thank us for a scene they enjoyed with their significant other. And we've seen that feedback increasing, so we're now focused on producing adult entertainment that is more "couples-friendly."
Q: One issue that I am struggling to come to terms with is the prevalence of male domination in porn. Does it ever bother you that porn in which women are in control seems to be more niche or fetishized?
Personally, it doesn't bother me to see male domination or fetishized women in control, because I realize the majority of the consuming market is male and, therefore, the majority of the productions are going to appeal more to a man's fantasy. For me, it's mostly the dialogue that bothers me in porn. I sometimes want to shout, "Come on, no woman would ever respond that way." The majority of porn is definitely not real; it's fantasy. It doesn't represent "real life," and even though men are often called out for "thinking with their penis," I do believe the overwhelming majority of men are capable of distinguishing fantasy from fiction.
Now, if women become a much larger portion of the adult-entertainment audience, I think we'd see a change in what adult productions look like. I think we've begun to see a little bit of that now, and the end result is more erotic art productions, couples-friendly productions, and female-oriented fantasy productions. These are all productions that women feel comfortable with and men also tend to enjoy integrating into their porn viewing mix.
Q: I have a no-fake-boobs policy. How do you feel about breast augmentation?
As a company we don't have a specific policy, but the majority of our productions feature natural breasts. This is part of our pro-am shooting style. Incidentally, we have solicited the opinions of the males in our office to ask if they prefer fake or real but small. Surprisingly, the answer was that fake boobs are fun to look at, but real is better to live with.
Q: What are the trends in porn now?
I think the major trend right now is the piracy battle and consumers' perception of porn. Most males 20 to 35 years old consume a great deal of porn, but I would say they don't pay for it. So there's definitely an imbalance that the market has to work out.
We see "tube" sites competing with each other for Internet traffic by giving out more free content, and we see a reduction in advertisers with the ability to monetize that traffic when so much content is available for free. Overall, what we're seeing is a reduction in the amount of adult entertainment produced in 2012, advertising-heavy sites and more interactive adult products being pushed.
To combat this situation, porn producers are trying to appeal to niche markets that have little competition and ensuring their products have mobile compatibility. The general state of porn is undefined right now and will need to be defined soon, because the current trend is not sustainable.
Q: In 2008 you opened a division for gay male porn. What has it been like to oversee other markets? A lot of people do not realize that lesbian porn is grouped in with straight porn, while gay male porn is a completely separate world, complete with its own awards show. What are the challenges compared with the straight market?
We've had gay male versions of our type of content since early 2003, because we realized it was an underserved market. Our experience is that the gay audience is more loyal and willing to pay; however, our shortcomings have been that we tended to apply our straight-market ideas to the gay market and found that didn't work.
I think the major challenge is that while the straight market tends to prefer anonymity and an anonymous relationship with their porn viewing, the gay audience is much more open, wanting to provide feedback, ideas, and interact with the site and influence the style of production. During the early years the gay companies that created a strong community also created a positive brand. As we've come to realize this, we have made attempts to create similar communities, but it is difficult to compete with ones that were established years earlier.
Q: Would you consider yourself sex-positive?
Definitely. I think there are a lot of emotional and physical benefits of sex and orgasm, which are backed up by medical studies, as well.
Q: How has your family reacted to your career?
The men in my family think it's awesome and always make jokes but don't realize there's real work to be done and that it's not all fun or made out to be what they imagine it to be. My mother was more hesitant, but she seems to realize the business component, and I think she has evaluated her misconceptions about adult entertainment, sensing perhaps that there's no need to have such negative feelings toward porn as an industry or toward those who perform.
Q: Have your feelings changed about the industry since you became a mother?
Not really. I have always recognized that adult entertainment is intended for adults, and I use discretion and respect boundaries when talking about it. I have two daughters, and in some ways I'm really glad I work in the adult industry, because when they are ready to talk about sexuality, I think I can provide them good insight from the perspective of both men and women, since I have concrete data and personal experience to back it up.
Q: Do you think that it is different for your female talent to know that there is a woman in control at the company?
I don't know that the female talent has a different perception of us based on my role. Our experience has been with who the talent is exposed to onset and how comfortable they feel with that team. We've been lucky to have a solid production crew composed of men and women, and I've only heard compliments from the female talent about them, so that makes me happy.
Q: What have your struggles been as a woman in this male-dominated industry?
I don't think anything has really been a struggle. Most people I've worked with have been respectful and always seem curious to talk to a woman in the industry, so in that regard it has opened up some opportunities. Other than that, the only other experiences for me have been more humorous. For example, when at the fan shows, even if you are dressed in finely tailored woman's clothes, there will be someone who thinks you are in the films, and they will ask for a picture or autograph.
Q: You are committed to battling piracy. Pink Visual has been criticized for using 2257 regulations to combat tube sites. Does piracy make you angry?
Piracy doesn't make me angry. It can be frustrating and annoying at times, but I'm also a believer in karma, and I think that those who have a business foundation based off of legally risky decisions aren't going to last too long.
Our lawsuit on unfair business practices was based off of tube sites' lack of labeling their content and having the age verification records under 2257 regulations, which has mostly been criticized by attorneys who are attempting to perfect portions of the law which may be overly burdensome.
However, the law is in existence, and the Department of Justice has been clear that anyone who publishes or manages sexually explicit content must also apply due diligence and ensure that there are model records showing that the performers were over the age of 18 at the time of production. I see the intent in this law no different than the liquor laws requiring establishments to ID patrons before serving liquor.
We do not operate user-generated content sites, not only because they potentially violate 2257 regulations but also because in doing so, we would not be able to ensure the distribution of underage content does not occur.
Q: I have spoken about my objection to the depiction of inappropriate relationships in porn, such as the insinuation of underage sex or incestuous relationships. What is Pink Visual's stance on these kinds of "fantasies"?
We have our own internal content guidelines, and we feel our content is very mainstream. At the same time, we recognize that adult productions represent fantasy, and fantasies are often used to create a safe environment for people to mentally play out a scenario which would not be acceptable or achievable in real life. There are studies that show some women enjoy rape fantasies but do not put themselves in a position for that to happen in real life. The world of fantasy often provides a safe environment in which the fantasizer is in control, and most people recognize that in the real world they don't have that control. The rape fantasizer in real life can't control what's really going to happen with that other person, and therefore realizes there is real danger if they were to put themselves in that position.
I think the same can apply to any other fantasy scenarios, and it's only when a fantasy begins to control someone's real life that there could be danger. Building on that, it may be difficult for a porn company to determine when a fantasy is within the range of normalcy and when it's not. Since our society is very judgmental around sexuality and not very open with mental-health support for those who need it, I think there can be dangers for porn companies to play psychologist to an anonymous set of people or offer to fulfill a criminal fantasy depiction in hopes that it would deter people from acting on it.
I'm all for free speech, and maybe there is a way to balance responsibility, art, and fulfilling a need to deter people from certain types of activities, but I imagine it would have to be carefully orchestrated.
Q: You have been candid that Pink Visual has gone through some rough economic times. How did you help to pull the company through?
Well, it's always been a team effort. During the rough times we've recognized that everyone on the team needs to be onboard and needs to be involved with molding our company. At pivotal points that meant delving into more distribution platforms like mobile, which proved successful. We also stopped feeling victimized by piracy and instead became empowered, implementing a variety of strategies that have proven to enhance our position among our peers.
Q: What is in the future for Pink Visual and the industry as a whole?
We are definitely more aware of our need to diversify our business. We've been working towards that, and we are seeing the results in our more interactive products. We also believe we'll see a market impact when more companies implement anti-piracy services, so we are launching an anti-piracy service that acts like an in-house team and customizes business plans and strategies for companies to combat piracy. I think the industry as a whole is also focused on diversifying beyond adult productions, and unfortunately for today's consumer, they won't be getting the same quantity or variety of productions that was available five years ago.
Q: What is your advice to young businesswomen?
This is somewhat of a generalization, but I would tell young businesswomen to focus on their strengths as a woman. As a gender, women are more loyal, more peacekeeping, and more nurturing. In the business place these strengths come out as negotiation skills, team development skills, and ultimately a "can-do" attitude that will be part of the solution during good times and bad. Sometimes I think young women in business think that they are supposed to act like men, and I think really tapping into your own strengths as a woman and as an individual will lead to more success.
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Australian actress Indiana Evans was once best known for her role as young teen Matilda Hunter in Australia’s longest-running television drama, “Home and Away.” Today, she enjoys her first lead role in a U.S. production, “Blue Lagoon: The Awakening,” a remake of the 1980s romantic adventure story “The Blue Lagoon.”
Olivia Andrup lands a supporting lead in up and coming feature film “Ecstasy.” The film is based on a Irvine Welsh’s novel. Irvine is widely known for his earlier book turned film, “Trainspotting.” December 17, 2010
Olivia Andrup lands a supporting lead in up and coming feature film “Ecstasy.” The film is based on a Irvine Welsh’s novel. Irvine is widely known for his earlier book turned film, “Trainspotting. ”Olivia, a Maple Ridge local, graduated Meadow Ridge high school with passionate drive geared towards the craft of acting. Growing up in family where art in any form was encouraged, Olivia went onto pursuing her dream of becoming an actress by attending the Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Arts (VADA). Artistic Director of VADA Simon Longmore recalls Olivia. “I had many opportunities to work and direct Olivia. She has a very natural presence on camera. Her natural beauty draws your attention, then she speaks and you get lost in her words, a very talented young lady”.
During her 6 months in the full time program, Olivia was a standout performer. When the studio invited talent agents to meet with students, Olivia was one of the first signed to a roster. Matthew Munro from Carrie Wheeler Entertainment Group tells us this about Olivia. “Olivia is a naturally gifted actress who's not afraid to put the work in. Her high levels of industry comprehension and role preparedness are astounding. She's a constant pleasure to work with”. Olivia recently came back to VADA to share her story with the current full-time class. Looking back at the program, “I can’t even begin to explain how much I grew, not only as an actor but as a person. VADA makes you appreciate the art and the art in yourself” says Olivia. “You guys are in good hands, the teachers know what’s good for you,” says Olivia. “I really got a sound understanding of myself. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable with yourself, because you’re all that you’ve got”. She graduated in March 2010 as a represented actor and her journey began. In the following months Olivia auditioned for numerous film and TV projects and in September enrolled into university. Four months into the semester, Olivia landed her first role and putting a quick pause on her University course.
“Auditioning was slow...but then something will come along that will be perfect for you.” says Olivia as she looks back at the audition process for her role. Casting had looked in Toronto and didn’t find anyone. So they started their search in Vancouver. Olivia got the entire script and pulled all her scenes out to make her own sides. She put her audition on tape then submitted it to casting via email. It was two weeks before she heard anything. Her agent called to tell her “they loved you and it was down to her and one other actress”. In the end, Olivia got the role, the role of Hazel; a snobby, totally bizarre, “good girl gone bad”, young, and impressionable girl. “It’s my alter ego” says Olivia about the role. Olivia is currently shooting in Sault Ste. Marie for the next 2 weeks. Andrup is looking forward to working along side the stars of the film Kristen Kreuk (Smallville), Colin Mochrie (Who’s Line Is It Anyway) and "Lord of the Rings" Pippin, Billy Boyd .
“You guys are in good hands, the teachers know what’s good for you,” says Olivia about the full-time program at VADA. “I really got a sound understanding of myself. At the end of the day you have to be comfortable with yourself, because you’re all that you’ve got” This is only the beginning to a long and exciting journey for Olivia Andrup.
Olivia graduated the DAP program in March 2010 and signed on with Carrie Wheeler Talent Management. Not too long after graduating, Olivia went onto booking her first role in feature film "Ecstasy." Olivia will be acting next to Kristen Kreuk (Smallville), Colin Mochrie (Who's Line Is It Anyway) and Lord of the Rings' Pippin, Billy Boyd . Olivia is being flown out to Sault Ste Marie, Ontario where she will be living her dream while filming on set for 2 weeks.
Q:What was the audition process like?
My agent sent me the script and basically said, "Have at it.” There were no sides for me, so I just took all of my characters scenes out and put them together. I sent in two tapes. After the first one, they narrowed it down. I think it was just me and another girl up for the role when I taped the second one.
Q:Did you feel like the DAP program helped prepare you for your audition?
I don't think I would have known how to approach the script or make my audition stand out from the other ones, so thank you DAP!
Q:What was your initial reaction when you found out you booked the role?
There was lots of screaming. I don't know what it is, but for some reason I wanted this role more than anything else I had gone out for before. I was so excited, I still am!
Q:Whats the movie about?
The movie is based off the book Ecstasy by Irvine Welsh. To put it vaguely, it's about drugs and the way they effect the lives and relationships of the characters (in positive and negative ways). It has a Trainspotting feel to it. (Also, by Irvine Welsh!).
Q:What is your prep work or character work for this role?
My character is fairly big into the drug scene, and raving. I'm not like that at all. I have been listening to a lot of rave music and watching videos of how people dance at raves, just trying to figure all of that out. And I have no idea what it feels like to be on drugs, so to try and understand that feeling or connect it to something else is a bit of challenge.
Q: What are you looking forward to most during your time on set?
It's hard to say. I'm looking forward to so many things. Having the opportunity to work with some really amazing actors is definitely at the top of my list.
Q:If you had any advice or message for other actors what would it be?
Keep your attitude in check at all times. Don't let one bad audition get you down because there is something else waiting for you.
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Jincey Lumpkin Interviews Pink Visual's Allison Vivas on Huffington Post
We innovate. You masturbate."
That's the tag line for Pink Visual, an adult film company that is well-respected for both its commitment to technological advancement and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Their content ranges from mainstream heterosexual porn and reality-TV-inspired flicks to gay male porn, which is released under the brand name "Male Spectrum."
Allison Vivas is the woman running the show. Like me, she's only behind the scenes and not in front of the camera. Unlike me, she's a mom. I was curious to find out about the experiences of another woman on top in this male-dominated game.
Q: Allison, please give us some background on yourself and Pink Visual. How did you get into the adult industry?
My industry affiliation began in 2001, shortly after I graduated from college. I had a huge interest in Internet marketing and was fortunate to land the role of Marketing Coordinator for the TopBucks affiliate program. Around 2004 the company started producing its own content, so we created the Pink Visual brand. As we continued to launch new products, my role within the company began to expand. After a few years as vice president, I became president when the founder of the company decided to step away and undertake other projects.
Q: When we spoke before, you mentioned that in college you fought with your boyfriend when you caught him watching porn. How have your feelings about porn evolved?
My feelings regarding porn have flipped almost to a complete 180. I say that because I now have a much better understanding of how normal it is for men to enjoy porn, just like they enjoy sports or an action movie, and because I've learned that his watching porn isn't about me at all. I have stopped comparing myself to porn stars and now realize that my spouse isn't comparing me to them, either; he's just enjoying a fantasy in a pretty harmless environment. Furthermore, my spouse has never turned down sex with me to watch porn, but if that were the case, we'd still fight. I'm not a complete 180, however, because although I don't mind my spouse enjoying porn, I don't engage in watching it with him, because for me it's hard to enjoy; it makes me think of work.
Q: Do you consider yourself a feminist?
Yes and no. I believe and think women deserve equal consideration and the same rights as men. However, I've never experienced discrimination as a woman, directly or indirectly, so I've never had to "fight" for equality. I've just always gotten it and expected it.
Q: How do you respond when people say that porn is degrading to women?
Actually, after viewing a lot of porn and becoming more familiar with the logistics of porn and the stars themselves, I don't find porn degrading to women at all. I find that people who claim that porn is degrading usually think that the women in porn are using their bodies and their sexuality for money.
By the same token, the men in these films are also using their body and sexuality for money. And I think, as a culture, we tend to judge women who enjoy sex, whether that enjoyment happens privately or publicly, and the judgment is negative, yet for men it's seen as the norm. Honestly, I think a lot of it stems from women -- and men -- discriminating against women who seem "different" -- that is, women who enjoy sex and aren't self-conscious about it. I also think women discriminate because we feel "threatened" and it's a defense mechanism, whereas men who discriminate might simply be doing so because they don't want their daughters having a lot of sex, or having sex publicly.
I think all women, whether they are self-conscious or not, should be proud of their sexuality and should enjoy sex. I think when women really understand porn, porn becomes empowering. For example, the knowledge that the smallest use of your body language can turn your guy on, or the knowledge of what actually turns a woman on physically or emotionally is empowering. I think porn helps break down the barriers of self-consciousness and can lead to exploration of those areas. Ultimately, I think if we stop judging women altogether regarding their sexuality and let go of our ideas of what we think might be "average," we'll also become more empowered.
Q: Fifty Shades of Grey has now cornered 25 percent of the adult fiction genre, which is incredible. Have you seen an increase in female consumers?
It's hard to judge, given that so much of our consumer base is online and we can't tell gender from an IP address. We do have females and couples who enjoy our lines, but generally, we'll hear from men who thank us for a scene they enjoyed with their significant other. And we've seen that feedback increasing, so we're now focused on producing adult entertainment that is more "couples-friendly."
Q: One issue that I am struggling to come to terms with is the prevalence of male domination in porn. Does it ever bother you that porn in which women are in control seems to be more niche or fetishized?
Personally, it doesn't bother me to see male domination or fetishized women in control, because I realize the majority of the consuming market is male and, therefore, the majority of the productions are going to appeal more to a man's fantasy. For me, it's mostly the dialogue that bothers me in porn. I sometimes want to shout, "Come on, no woman would ever respond that way." The majority of porn is definitely not real; it's fantasy. It doesn't represent "real life," and even though men are often called out for "thinking with their penis," I do believe the overwhelming majority of men are capable of distinguishing fantasy from fiction.
Now, if women become a much larger portion of the adult-entertainment audience, I think we'd see a change in what adult productions look like. I think we've begun to see a little bit of that now, and the end result is more erotic art productions, couples-friendly productions, and female-oriented fantasy productions. These are all productions that women feel comfortable with and men also tend to enjoy integrating into their porn viewing mix.
Q: I have a no-fake-boobs policy. How do you feel about breast augmentation?
As a company we don't have a specific policy, but the majority of our productions feature natural breasts. This is part of our pro-am shooting style. Incidentally, we have solicited the opinions of the males in our office to ask if they prefer fake or real but small. Surprisingly, the answer was that fake boobs are fun to look at, but real is better to live with.
Q: What are the trends in porn now?
I think the major trend right now is the piracy battle and consumers' perception of porn. Most males 20 to 35 years old consume a great deal of porn, but I would say they don't pay for it. So there's definitely an imbalance that the market has to work out.
We see "tube" sites competing with each other for Internet traffic by giving out more free content, and we see a reduction in advertisers with the ability to monetize that traffic when so much content is available for free. Overall, what we're seeing is a reduction in the amount of adult entertainment produced in 2012, advertising-heavy sites and more interactive adult products being pushed.
To combat this situation, porn producers are trying to appeal to niche markets that have little competition and ensuring their products have mobile compatibility. The general state of porn is undefined right now and will need to be defined soon, because the current trend is not sustainable.
Q: In 2008 you opened a division for gay male porn. What has it been like to oversee other markets? A lot of people do not realize that lesbian porn is grouped in with straight porn, while gay male porn is a completely separate world, complete with its own awards show. What are the challenges compared with the straight market?
We've had gay male versions of our type of content since early 2003, because we realized it was an underserved market. Our experience is that the gay audience is more loyal and willing to pay; however, our shortcomings have been that we tended to apply our straight-market ideas to the gay market and found that didn't work.
I think the major challenge is that while the straight market tends to prefer anonymity and an anonymous relationship with their porn viewing, the gay audience is much more open, wanting to provide feedback, ideas, and interact with the site and influence the style of production. During the early years the gay companies that created a strong community also created a positive brand. As we've come to realize this, we have made attempts to create similar communities, but it is difficult to compete with ones that were established years earlier.
Q: Would you consider yourself sex-positive?
Definitely. I think there are a lot of emotional and physical benefits of sex and orgasm, which are backed up by medical studies, as well.
Q: How has your family reacted to your career?
The men in my family think it's awesome and always make jokes but don't realize there's real work to be done and that it's not all fun or made out to be what they imagine it to be. My mother was more hesitant, but she seems to realize the business component, and I think she has evaluated her misconceptions about adult entertainment, sensing perhaps that there's no need to have such negative feelings toward porn as an industry or toward those who perform.
Q: Have your feelings changed about the industry since you became a mother?
Not really. I have always recognized that adult entertainment is intended for adults, and I use discretion and respect boundaries when talking about it. I have two daughters, and in some ways I'm really glad I work in the adult industry, because when they are ready to talk about sexuality, I think I can provide them good insight from the perspective of both men and women, since I have concrete data and personal experience to back it up.
Q: Do you think that it is different for your female talent to know that there is a woman in control at the company?
I don't know that the female talent has a different perception of us based on my role. Our experience has been with who the talent is exposed to onset and how comfortable they feel with that team. We've been lucky to have a solid production crew composed of men and women, and I've only heard compliments from the female talent about them, so that makes me happy.
Q: What have your struggles been as a woman in this male-dominated industry?
I don't think anything has really been a struggle. Most people I've worked with have been respectful and always seem curious to talk to a woman in the industry, so in that regard it has opened up some opportunities. Other than that, the only other experiences for me have been more humorous. For example, when at the fan shows, even if you are dressed in finely tailored woman's clothes, there will be someone who thinks you are in the films, and they will ask for a picture or autograph.
Q: You are committed to battling piracy. Pink Visual has been criticized for using 2257 regulations to combat tube sites. Does piracy make you angry?
Piracy doesn't make me angry. It can be frustrating and annoying at times, but I'm also a believer in karma, and I think that those who have a business foundation based off of legally risky decisions aren't going to last too long.
Our lawsuit on unfair business practices was based off of tube sites' lack of labeling their content and having the age verification records under 2257 regulations, which has mostly been criticized by attorneys who are attempting to perfect portions of the law which may be overly burdensome.
However, the law is in existence, and the Department of Justice has been clear that anyone who publishes or manages sexually explicit content must also apply due diligence and ensure that there are model records showing that the performers were over the age of 18 at the time of production. I see the intent in this law no different than the liquor laws requiring establishments to ID patrons before serving liquor.
We do not operate user-generated content sites, not only because they potentially violate 2257 regulations but also because in doing so, we would not be able to ensure the distribution of underage content does not occur.
Q: I have spoken about my objection to the depiction of inappropriate relationships in porn, such as the insinuation of underage sex or incestuous relationships. What is Pink Visual's stance on these kinds of "fantasies"?
We have our own internal content guidelines, and we feel our content is very mainstream. At the same time, we recognize that adult productions represent fantasy, and fantasies are often used to create a safe environment for people to mentally play out a scenario which would not be acceptable or achievable in real life. There are studies that show some women enjoy rape fantasies but do not put themselves in a position for that to happen in real life. The world of fantasy often provides a safe environment in which the fantasizer is in control, and most people recognize that in the real world they don't have that control. The rape fantasizer in real life can't control what's really going to happen with that other person, and therefore realizes there is real danger if they were to put themselves in that position.
I think the same can apply to any other fantasy scenarios, and it's only when a fantasy begins to control someone's real life that there could be danger. Building on that, it may be difficult for a porn company to determine when a fantasy is within the range of normalcy and when it's not. Since our society is very judgmental around sexuality and not very open with mental-health support for those who need it, I think there can be dangers for porn companies to play psychologist to an anonymous set of people or offer to fulfill a criminal fantasy depiction in hopes that it would deter people from acting on it.
I'm all for free speech, and maybe there is a way to balance responsibility, art, and fulfilling a need to deter people from certain types of activities, but I imagine it would have to be carefully orchestrated.
Q: You have been candid that Pink Visual has gone through some rough economic times. How did you help to pull the company through?
Well, it's always been a team effort. During the rough times we've recognized that everyone on the team needs to be onboard and needs to be involved with molding our company. At pivotal points that meant delving into more distribution platforms like mobile, which proved successful. We also stopped feeling victimized by piracy and instead became empowered, implementing a variety of strategies that have proven to enhance our position among our peers.
Q: What is in the future for Pink Visual and the industry as a whole?
We are definitely more aware of our need to diversify our business. We've been working towards that, and we are seeing the results in our more interactive products. We also believe we'll see a market impact when more companies implement anti-piracy services, so we are launching an anti-piracy service that acts like an in-house team and customizes business plans and strategies for companies to combat piracy. I think the industry as a whole is also focused on diversifying beyond adult productions, and unfortunately for today's consumer, they won't be getting the same quantity or variety of productions that was available five years ago.
Q: What is your advice to young businesswomen?
This is somewhat of a generalization, but I would tell young businesswomen to focus on their strengths as a woman. As a gender, women are more loyal, more peacekeeping, and more nurturing. In the business place these strengths come out as negotiation skills, team development skills, and ultimately a "can-do" attitude that will be part of the solution during good times and bad. Sometimes I think young women in business think that they are supposed to act like men, and I think really tapping into your own strengths as a woman and as an individual will lead to more success.
New Anti-Piracy Service DMCA Force to Provide Protection Solutions for Multiple Industries
Tucson, AZ – DMCA Force, a newly formed anti-piracy service, has commenced operations and is proud to offer an assortment of highly creative and customized solutions for any copyright holder impacted by piracy.
For many industries, the increase in content theft and subsequent loss of billions of dollars in revenue has resulted in the need for robust anti-piracy solutions. Not surprisingly, this market need was the impetus behind the creation of DMCA Force.
“Our goal is to understand the needs of each individual client, focus on their specific priorities, and customize an approach that is right for them,” said DMCA Force President Allison Vivas.
DMCA Force will work in tandem with any organization, empowering them with workable strategies and customized technological solutions to assist them in their fight against piracy. DMCA Force’s standard services include DMCA takedown notification, infringement and take-down monitoring, anti-piracy search engine optimization techniques, digital identification through the creation of digital fingerprinting and general consulting.
DMCA Force was created by individuals who have extensive experience in developing creative anti-piracy strategies. DMCA Force was conceptualized through the technical, legal, and creative minds of tech savvy adult entertainment studio, Pink Visual.
“As copyright holders in an industry that was late to address anti-piracy solutions, we understand all too well the impact piracy has on individual copyright holders, the market, and consumer behavior,” Vivas said.
“With that in mind, our goal is to create highly tailored, cost effective solutions for our clients.
Vivas added, “More importantly, we believe the path to greater success lies in having all copyright holders become more proactive in the fight against piracy, because strength in numbers can certainly influence overall market conditions and consumer behaviors.”
In addition to their Standard Services, DMCA Force will offer more advanced services such as trademark monitoring, copyright and trademark registration services, litigation target evaluation and litigation evidence packaging.
“Although we will not be providing legal advice to our clients, we can definitely bridge the gap between business owners and attorneys by pointing our clients in the right direction for answers and creating cost effective anti-piracy options without charging high fees,” Vivas said.
For an introductory period, DMCA Force will offer potential clients a free consultation and implement test solutions appropriate to their particular business situation. DMCA Force also encourages copyright holders of any size to contact them regarding questions or to receive more detailed information on services or solutions.
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Indiana Evans
Indiana’s acting career started at nine years old when she signed with Kermond Management, a Sydney talent agency who continue to represent her today. She appeared in numerous TV commercials, and secured a guest role in “All Saints” and lead roles in “Comedy Inc” (Nine Network comedy sketch show) and “Snobs” (popular children’s TV series on Nine), before landing the role of Matilda Hunter in Seven Networks’ “Home and Away.” “Home and Away” brought Indiana international recognition and saw her nominated for a Logie Award for Most Popular New Talent in 2005.
At 15, Indiana became an Ambassador for the Cancer Council and the Family Planning Association for teen awareness, and for two years she was Ambassador for the Anti-Bullying Campaign.
In 2008, after four years playing the role of Matilda Hunter, Indiana decided to leave “Home and Away” to explore other challenging roles. She was cast in the Nine Network series “The Strip,” and secured a role in the NSW FTO short film “At the Tattooist,” directed by Sophie Miller for Mushroom Pictures. Her popularity that year among Australian teenagers saw her voted as “Queen of Teen,” winner of the 2008 Dolly Teen Choice Awards. In 2009, Indiana played the role of Kylie Watson in the Nine Network tele-movie “A Model Daughter – The Killing of Carolyn Byrne,” based on a true story and directed by Tony Tilse. Producer Jonathan Shiff then approached Indiana to join the hit children’s TV series “H20 – Just Add Water” to play Bella, one of the three lead mermaids in Series 3. Also a talented singer, Indiana sang the theme song for the series, “No Ordinary Girl,” as well as various other songs on the show that have been released as a soundtrack album. “H20 – Just Add Water” is an international success, airing in over 170 territories including the U.S. and U.K.
Indiana starred in the sci-fi feature film “Arctic Blast” in 2010, playing the lead role of Andrea Tate, the American teen daughter of actor Michael Shanks, in this Canadian/Australian production. Later that year, Indiana played a lead guest role in an episode of the Nine Network Australian drama series “COPS L.A.C.” and presented “The Fave Movie Star” award at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
2011 saw Indiana play her first adult role as Tatum Novak, a 21-year-old sassy, self-assured graduate lawyer, in the Australian television series “Crownies,” a 22-episode hour-long drama produced by “Screentime” on ABC1.
Indiana has recently completed filming her first U.S. role, the lead role of Emma in “Blue Lagoon: The Awakening,” the remake of the 1980 romance/adventure movie “The Blue Lagoon” starring Brooke Shields. Indiana was cast in early 2012, and filming took place in Maui and Los Angeles throughout March, April and May 2012. The Sony TV–produced project has been in the works at Lifetime since 2004. Lifetime Television is the highest-rated television network in the USA, reaching 98 million households. The American telemovie will premiere in the U.S. in June 2012.
Indiana Evans plans to embark on an extended Hollywood adventure. She will give it all to hit the big time. After the success of recent Aussie imports on both network and cable shows, Indiana is ready to step it up. She is particularly eager to follow foot-steps of her idol Jessica Marais. Flyers and notice have been sent out by her agent indicating Miss Evans is ready for her first nude close-up. Yep. The gorgeous blond is prepared to take it all off (including full frontal) in any role that comes her way. She wants to transform from a teen star into a sex siren. The Magic City producers are looking for new cast member to play Jessica’s younger sister in second season. Who’s better than Indiana currently auditioning and favorite to win the role? The role (looking for someone between 18-22) requires full nudity and sexual situations. While Jessica’s Lily screws around behind her husband back, Ben Diamond takes it on Lily’s teen sister turning her into his sex slave in gratuitous rape-like scene. Indiana’s character is subsequently smitten with Ben and the duo indulges in graphic love making scenes guaranteed to outdo anything Starz have churned out in way of sex and nudity. Indiana role will see her almost naked for every six episodes she is involved in.
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(the last paragraph is purely a figment of imagination from a demented mind sparked in the loins of a perve)
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There's been plenty of discussion recently about the phenomenon that is 50 Shades of Grey. However, since none of us here at Bitch had any desire to read it, we haven't really commented on it yet. Since we've received a few requests from readers for some recommendations on feminist-friendly erotic fiction, though, we thought we'd finally look into 50 Shades, see where it may have fallen short, and recommend some books that do "erotic, amusing, and deeply moving" right.
Bitch Media Development Intern Tallina Long jumped on a grenade for us and volunteered to read 50 Shades of Grey. Her short review? "It was horrible! Boring, and in a word 'grey'."
But there were some pros along with the cons:
Pro: "Consent and the importance of seeking consent from your partner. Christian Grey, the main male charcter, is totally GGG in making sure that he gets a yes from Ana. He hands her a dominant/submissive contract and makes sure that she understands what she is signing. Con: She never signs it."
And there were more cons: "Anastasia Steele, the main female character, is the most annoying caricature of a woman since Bella Swan. Perhaps that’s the point. They’re both passive. They’re both virgins, though it needs to be pointed out that Ana is 22 and has never been kissed, which feels totally unrealistic. She is, of course, well-read, thin, supposedly intelligent, and white. I just felt like she was intentionally left blank for the reader to import themselves onto her.
Christian Grey apparently is only 27 but he read like a much older man. His major flaw? He’s damaged, and because he’s damaged he’s into sadism and domination. This, of course, makes it easy for the “vanilla” millions to swallow the bits of domination, because while hot, we know that Grey is troubled and if Ana can save him he won’t want to cause anyone pain anymore!
Equating BDSM with damaged people is an old pop culture standby, and even though the DSM V doesn’t include sadism, apparently the stigma is still attached. See: the book's kink scenes, primarily the last one, in which Ana wants to “feel what it’s like to receive pain.” Grey agrees to give her six swats with his belts so that she can understand this and receive punishment. Ana takes all six and then just as dramatically tells this man she purportedly loves that something is wrong with him and he’s sick, and then storms off. While the average reader might feel like Ana was standing up for herself, it just isn’t true. In BDSM, a scene is a trade-off between two people; the focus might be on the kneeling submissive, but the person wielding the belt is just as important. In walking away from her Dominant, without safe-wording, without thought, Ana hurt him. What’s more, she could have seriously injured herself. Taking part in a scene requires total trust and understanding of what the top is going to do, of what the bottom is capable of, and knowledge of when that bottom is hitting their edge, which Ana obviously was. BDSM, while intriguing, visually stimulating, and undeniably sexy, isn’t a game—and it clearly shouldn’t be left in the hands of amateurs like EL James."
Okay, so we're basically just saying what many have already concluded. 50 Shades of Grey is a boring, badly written book that portrays people who are into BDSM as sick. Yes, it's popular, but we think erotica fans can do better.
Not pictured: Shades of Grey.
A quick browse of the Bitch Community Lending Library under the tag "erotica" yields some results for erotic fiction we can recommend, such as Curvy Girls: Erotica for Women and Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica.
Tallina recommends: "The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice, though be careful, they are quite graphic! The Story of O by Pauline Reage. Very good, and there is a scandal about who actually wrote the book, because it was under a pen name. Some say that the book was written by French journalist Anne Desclos, others disagree. Plus, the story is rumored to be true (maybe). It's a good, erotic read if you can find a decent translation. Though not quite erotica, Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey is an excellent read about a masochistic courtesan who becomes a spy and saves the day. "
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Every time a French person talks in heavily accented English it always reminds me of Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau
Femen: red card for the Euro 2012 of football from FEMEN Video on Vimeo.
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While that can rev up viewers’ adrenaline levels, it can also lead to severe narrative whiplash, which is exactly what has happened to the show, which begins its fifth season on Sunday evening. (It is also the final season under the eye of showrunner Alan Ball, who will depart at the end of the season to focus on his new Cinemax show, Banshee, launching in 2013.)
The first four episodes of Season 5 recently sent out to critics reflect what’s wrong with the most recent seasons of the HBO drama: they lack focus. The plot, which is based in part on Charlaine Harris’s novels, zigzags in so many different directions that it often seems as though there are no less than 10 separate television shows existing side by side within True Blood. While the early seasons of the show wisely focused on a few main characters—such as Anna Paquin’s telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse; brooding vampires Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård); Sookie’s hotheaded best friend Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley); her secretive boss Sam (Sam Trammell); and her horndog brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten), along with a few other central players—the show’s success at creating vivid and engaging supporting characters has also been its downfall.
Rather than allow these characters to exist on the periphery where they might thrive, Alan Ball and his writing staff have forced them front and center, which means that each season now needs to incorporate storylines for the entire cast, which now numbers in the several dozen. The result is a jumble of unrelated storylines that lack cohesion and a strong throughline. (Last season gave us witches, disembodied spirits, shifters, shamans, and faeries, all vying for control of the story.) With almost every character off doing his or her own thing, there’s a distinct lack of unity in the narrative, something keenly felt in the haphazard and unsatisfying fourth season, and that feeling continues into Season 5.
Here, the subplots are so plentiful that it’s often difficult to know where to focus. Is it the bromance between Eric and Bill as they search for the risen Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare)? The predatory return of evangelist-turned-vampire Reverend Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian)? The goings-on of the Shreveport werewolf pack and Alcide (Joe Manganiello)? The dark magic of Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis)? The in-fighting among the Vampire Authority council, lead by Roman (Law and Order: SVU’s Christopher Meloni)? The relationship between Jason Stackhouse and baby vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll)? Or whatever is going on with fry cook Terry Bellefleur (Todd Lowe) and Patrick (Scott Foley)? And that’s just to name a few story strands among a surplus, in addition to the still-buzzing-around plots from last season like the faeries, the murder of Debbie Pelt (Brit Morgan), and the fate of Tara Thornton, clinging to life after taking a shotgun blast meant for Sookie.
(I’m forbidden to reveal just what happens to Tara, a storyline which offers a glimmer of possibility by the time the fourth episode rolls around. But it’s a long road getting there.)
Part of the problem is that with so much going on with the rest of the cast, Paquin’s Sookie—ideally the series’ lead—seems boring by comparison. In previous years, she was a major connector between the various storylines and characters, but here she seems to be isolated from everyone and everything, a vacuum in the center of the show whose biggest moment comes in the fourth episode when she drains nearly every bottle of alcohol in her house and gets goofy to Jimmy Buffett, before—surprise!—one of the men in her life turns up. I’ve stopped caring who Sookie chooses to be with romantically, whether it’s Eric, Bill, or Alcide, and that’s a problem when the character is your nominal lead. That’s keenly felt in Season 5, where Sookie’s storyline so far—comprised mostly of her whining about “doing the right thing” or everyone “hating” her—lacks a real spark.
Everyone else, it seems, is suddenly much more interesting, particularly because everyone in the sleepy town of Bon Temps, Louisiana seems to have developed supernatural abilities of some kind or has found themselves enmeshed in some sort of horror-tinged scenario. With everyone becoming “special,” no one quite feels genuinely special anymore. There is no baseline for “normalcy” within the show, as even the supporting cast members have been touched by the supernatural. When even Terry and Arlene (Carrie Preston) are caught up in spooky hauntings and inexplicable fires, you have to question just why anyone stays in Bon Temps. The lack of normalcy—or even a few minutes of breathing room—create an almost frenetic atmosphere around True Blood that rivals Maryann’s craziest orgy and leaves the audience looking for the exits.
It’s the latter that’s the most puzzling. Meloni’s Roman and his ilk—which includes the actual Biblical temptress Salome (Valentina Cervi) herself—speak in riddles and double-talk, alternately claiming to abhor the “Vampire Bible” and anyone who takes a literal interpretation of the book, but then also engaging in elaborate rituals worshipping Lilith, whose own followers are said to be dangerous radical fundamentalists looking to overthrow the mainstreaming movement. Huh?
Meloni, meanwhile, seems to relish the opportunity to get back to his freaky roots after playing Detective Elliot Stabler for so long on NBC’s Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, but here he seems to have two modes: yelling and louder yelling. For so long, the Vampire Authority has presented such an enigmatic and dangerously unknowable presence within True Blood that meeting Roman seems like a bit of a letdown.
What follows is an odd blend of technology, paranoia, theology, and political machinery (along with a heady dose of murder, sex, and Iraq War flashbacks), but it never intrigues in the way that Ball and his writing staff intend. While this may not be an issue for the most diehard of True Blood fans, some may feel as though the magic has gone out of this once-addictive show. Even with all the glittering chaos and faerie dust swirling around this season, it’s hard not to feel that we’ve seen these tricks before.
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* site been around for a while but for those in the dark : hot topless attention-seeking chicks
The Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society
We’re a group of friends, and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends, and complete strangers, who love good books and sunny days and enjoying both as nearly in the altogether as the law allows. Happily, in New York City, the law allows toplessness by both men and women. So that’s the way we do our al fresco reading. If you’re in New York and the weather’s good, won’t you join us sometime…?
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(the last paragraph is purely a figment of imagination from a demented mind sparked in the loins of a perve)
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Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis's Black Swan steamy scene voted the sexiest film moment
The steamy sex scene Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis shared in Black Swan has been voted the sexiest film moment. Their lesbian love-making came out on top in an online poll by movie fans. Both actresses have talked about the scene from the 2010 film, which won Portman the Oscar for Best Actress.
She told MTV: “It was really crazy, because Mila and I were very good friends. It was pretty awkward. I almost feel like it would be easier to do it with someone you didn’t know.
”But having said that, it was great to have a friend there who, we could laugh and make jokes and get over it together.”
And Kunis added: “You never judge your character, so you always have justification for it - when you do it, it makes sense while you’re doing it. You don’t feel like it’s you doing it.”
According to the Sun.co.uk report, the girl-on-girl moment beat off onscreen sex between Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas.
Passion between Neve Campbell and Denise Richards was also rated as was a Banderas' bonk with Salma Hayek.
Rounding out the list were George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez for Out of Sight and Naomi Watts and Laura Harring for Mulholland Drive.
Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon's pool sex in Bound and the American Psycho threesome of Christian Bale, Krista Sutton and Cara Seymore were also mentioned.
She told MTV: “It was really crazy, because Mila and I were very good friends. It was pretty awkward. I almost feel like it would be easier to do it with someone you didn’t know.
”But having said that, it was great to have a friend there who, we could laugh and make jokes and get over it together.”
And Kunis added: “You never judge your character, so you always have justification for it - when you do it, it makes sense while you’re doing it. You don’t feel like it’s you doing it.”
According to the Sun.co.uk report, the girl-on-girl moment beat off onscreen sex between Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton and Angelina Jolie and Antonio Banderas.
Passion between Neve Campbell and Denise Richards was also rated as was a Banderas' bonk with Salma Hayek.
Rounding out the list were George Clooney and Jennifer Lopez for Out of Sight and Naomi Watts and Laura Harring for Mulholland Drive.
Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon's pool sex in Bound and the American Psycho threesome of Christian Bale, Krista Sutton and Cara Seymore were also mentioned.
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BiblioBitch: Fifty Shades of "Meh." Here's Some Erotica to Read Instead!
Bitch Media Development Intern Tallina Long jumped on a grenade for us and volunteered to read 50 Shades of Grey. Her short review? "It was horrible! Boring, and in a word 'grey'."
But there were some pros along with the cons:
Pro: "Consent and the importance of seeking consent from your partner. Christian Grey, the main male charcter, is totally GGG in making sure that he gets a yes from Ana. He hands her a dominant/submissive contract and makes sure that she understands what she is signing. Con: She never signs it."
And there were more cons: "Anastasia Steele, the main female character, is the most annoying caricature of a woman since Bella Swan. Perhaps that’s the point. They’re both passive. They’re both virgins, though it needs to be pointed out that Ana is 22 and has never been kissed, which feels totally unrealistic. She is, of course, well-read, thin, supposedly intelligent, and white. I just felt like she was intentionally left blank for the reader to import themselves onto her.
Christian Grey apparently is only 27 but he read like a much older man. His major flaw? He’s damaged, and because he’s damaged he’s into sadism and domination. This, of course, makes it easy for the “vanilla” millions to swallow the bits of domination, because while hot, we know that Grey is troubled and if Ana can save him he won’t want to cause anyone pain anymore!
Equating BDSM with damaged people is an old pop culture standby, and even though the DSM V doesn’t include sadism, apparently the stigma is still attached. See: the book's kink scenes, primarily the last one, in which Ana wants to “feel what it’s like to receive pain.” Grey agrees to give her six swats with his belts so that she can understand this and receive punishment. Ana takes all six and then just as dramatically tells this man she purportedly loves that something is wrong with him and he’s sick, and then storms off. While the average reader might feel like Ana was standing up for herself, it just isn’t true. In BDSM, a scene is a trade-off between two people; the focus might be on the kneeling submissive, but the person wielding the belt is just as important. In walking away from her Dominant, without safe-wording, without thought, Ana hurt him. What’s more, she could have seriously injured herself. Taking part in a scene requires total trust and understanding of what the top is going to do, of what the bottom is capable of, and knowledge of when that bottom is hitting their edge, which Ana obviously was. BDSM, while intriguing, visually stimulating, and undeniably sexy, isn’t a game—and it clearly shouldn’t be left in the hands of amateurs like EL James."
Okay, so we're basically just saying what many have already concluded. 50 Shades of Grey is a boring, badly written book that portrays people who are into BDSM as sick. Yes, it's popular, but we think erotica fans can do better.
Not pictured: Shades of Grey.
A quick browse of the Bitch Community Lending Library under the tag "erotica" yields some results for erotic fiction we can recommend, such as Curvy Girls: Erotica for Women and Take Me There: Trans and Genderqueer Erotica.
Tallina recommends: "The Sleeping Beauty Trilogy by Anne Rice, though be careful, they are quite graphic! The Story of O by Pauline Reage. Very good, and there is a scandal about who actually wrote the book, because it was under a pen name. Some say that the book was written by French journalist Anne Desclos, others disagree. Plus, the story is rumored to be true (maybe). It's a good, erotic read if you can find a decent translation. Though not quite erotica, Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey is an excellent read about a masochistic courtesan who becomes a spy and saves the day. "
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Every time a French person talks in heavily accented English it always reminds me of Peter Sellers' Inspector Clouseau
Femen: red card for the Euro 2012 of football from FEMEN Video on Vimeo.
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Killer Mike releases a NSFW video for ‘Big Beast’
Want to see what would happen if you took the movie Drive and added Bath Salts? See Killer Mike (featuring Bon B, T.I., Trouble and El-P) in the video for Big Beast:
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‘True Blood’ Season 5: Has HBO’s Vampire Drama Lost Its Bite?
HBO’s popular True Blood has never been known as a slow-burn drama. Instead of advancing the plot minutely from episode to episode, the Southern Gothic vampire drama has, during its four seasons to date, zoomed at a breakneck speed, hurtling toward its cliffhanger ending each year at a maximum velocity.While that can rev up viewers’ adrenaline levels, it can also lead to severe narrative whiplash, which is exactly what has happened to the show, which begins its fifth season on Sunday evening. (It is also the final season under the eye of showrunner Alan Ball, who will depart at the end of the season to focus on his new Cinemax show, Banshee, launching in 2013.)
The first four episodes of Season 5 recently sent out to critics reflect what’s wrong with the most recent seasons of the HBO drama: they lack focus. The plot, which is based in part on Charlaine Harris’s novels, zigzags in so many different directions that it often seems as though there are no less than 10 separate television shows existing side by side within True Blood. While the early seasons of the show wisely focused on a few main characters—such as Anna Paquin’s telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse; brooding vampires Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer) and Eric Northman (Alexander Skarsgård); Sookie’s hotheaded best friend Tara Thornton (Rutina Wesley); her secretive boss Sam (Sam Trammell); and her horndog brother Jason (Ryan Kwanten), along with a few other central players—the show’s success at creating vivid and engaging supporting characters has also been its downfall.
Rather than allow these characters to exist on the periphery where they might thrive, Alan Ball and his writing staff have forced them front and center, which means that each season now needs to incorporate storylines for the entire cast, which now numbers in the several dozen. The result is a jumble of unrelated storylines that lack cohesion and a strong throughline. (Last season gave us witches, disembodied spirits, shifters, shamans, and faeries, all vying for control of the story.) With almost every character off doing his or her own thing, there’s a distinct lack of unity in the narrative, something keenly felt in the haphazard and unsatisfying fourth season, and that feeling continues into Season 5.
Here, the subplots are so plentiful that it’s often difficult to know where to focus. Is it the bromance between Eric and Bill as they search for the risen Russell Edgington (Denis O’Hare)? The predatory return of evangelist-turned-vampire Reverend Steve Newlin (Michael McMillian)? The goings-on of the Shreveport werewolf pack and Alcide (Joe Manganiello)? The dark magic of Lafayette (Nelsan Ellis)? The in-fighting among the Vampire Authority council, lead by Roman (Law and Order: SVU’s Christopher Meloni)? The relationship between Jason Stackhouse and baby vamp Jessica (Deborah Ann Woll)? Or whatever is going on with fry cook Terry Bellefleur (Todd Lowe) and Patrick (Scott Foley)? And that’s just to name a few story strands among a surplus, in addition to the still-buzzing-around plots from last season like the faeries, the murder of Debbie Pelt (Brit Morgan), and the fate of Tara Thornton, clinging to life after taking a shotgun blast meant for Sookie.
(I’m forbidden to reveal just what happens to Tara, a storyline which offers a glimmer of possibility by the time the fourth episode rolls around. But it’s a long road getting there.)
Part of the problem is that with so much going on with the rest of the cast, Paquin’s Sookie—ideally the series’ lead—seems boring by comparison. In previous years, she was a major connector between the various storylines and characters, but here she seems to be isolated from everyone and everything, a vacuum in the center of the show whose biggest moment comes in the fourth episode when she drains nearly every bottle of alcohol in her house and gets goofy to Jimmy Buffett, before—surprise!—one of the men in her life turns up. I’ve stopped caring who Sookie chooses to be with romantically, whether it’s Eric, Bill, or Alcide, and that’s a problem when the character is your nominal lead. That’s keenly felt in Season 5, where Sookie’s storyline so far—comprised mostly of her whining about “doing the right thing” or everyone “hating” her—lacks a real spark.
Everyone else, it seems, is suddenly much more interesting, particularly because everyone in the sleepy town of Bon Temps, Louisiana seems to have developed supernatural abilities of some kind or has found themselves enmeshed in some sort of horror-tinged scenario. With everyone becoming “special,” no one quite feels genuinely special anymore. There is no baseline for “normalcy” within the show, as even the supporting cast members have been touched by the supernatural. When even Terry and Arlene (Carrie Preston) are caught up in spooky hauntings and inexplicable fires, you have to question just why anyone stays in Bon Temps. The lack of normalcy—or even a few minutes of breathing room—create an almost frenetic atmosphere around True Blood that rivals Maryann’s craziest orgy and leaves the audience looking for the exits.
Additionally, the characters seem entirely disconnected, as though they had no history or emotional attachment. I can’t help but remember when the scenes between Sookie and Sam used to crackle with chemistry, or when Sookie and Tara used to actually talk about what was going on in their lives. But with so much plot to get through, and so many characters to service, it all feels as muddled as this season’s Vampire Authority plot, which presents a confusing theological debate about Lilith, the “Vampire Bible,” and a “sanguinistas”-versus-mainstreamers conflict within the vampire community.
It’s the latter that’s the most puzzling. Meloni’s Roman and his ilk—which includes the actual Biblical temptress Salome (Valentina Cervi) herself—speak in riddles and double-talk, alternately claiming to abhor the “Vampire Bible” and anyone who takes a literal interpretation of the book, but then also engaging in elaborate rituals worshipping Lilith, whose own followers are said to be dangerous radical fundamentalists looking to overthrow the mainstreaming movement. Huh?
Meloni, meanwhile, seems to relish the opportunity to get back to his freaky roots after playing Detective Elliot Stabler for so long on NBC’s Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, but here he seems to have two modes: yelling and louder yelling. For so long, the Vampire Authority has presented such an enigmatic and dangerously unknowable presence within True Blood that meeting Roman seems like a bit of a letdown.
What follows is an odd blend of technology, paranoia, theology, and political machinery (along with a heady dose of murder, sex, and Iraq War flashbacks), but it never intrigues in the way that Ball and his writing staff intend. While this may not be an issue for the most diehard of True Blood fans, some may feel as though the magic has gone out of this once-addictive show. Even with all the glittering chaos and faerie dust swirling around this season, it’s hard not to feel that we’ve seen these tricks before.
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* site been around for a while but for those in the dark : hot topless attention-seeking chicks
The Outdoor Co-ed Topless Pulp Fiction Appreciation Society
We’re a group of friends, and friends of friends, and friends of friends of friends, and complete strangers, who love good books and sunny days and enjoying both as nearly in the altogether as the law allows. Happily, in New York City, the law allows toplessness by both men and women. So that’s the way we do our al fresco reading. If you’re in New York and the weather’s good, won’t you join us sometime…?
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