Jan
26
In Recession, Adult Actors Turn to ‘Private Meetings’
January 26, 2010 | 15 Comments
Some fourteen months ago we published a story about how the as-yet-unnamed “Great Recession” was battering the skin biz; several months later, we ran a follow-up that spun from several mainstream media reports on the subject. Both stories were among the most heavily trafficked on Gay Porn Times over the past year (see the links below). With this angle in mind, and the national economy still craptastic, talent manager David Forest picked up the phone to chat about a burgeoning trend he’s observed in which more and more porn-biz performers are turning to “private meetings” to pick up the financial slack. Such meet-and-greets, also termed “fan appreciation meetings,” once served as a tidy source of additional income. Today, three years and change into the Great Recession, these private meetings have become a primary cash flow for both male and female actors. Mr. Forest firmly and repeatedly states that he does not arrange sexual assignations between porn stars and their fans; instead, he serves as their go-between and facilitates an introduction. Whatever then happens between consenting adults is not his concern. His big news is that erotica legend Ken Ryker has recently begun taking private meetings again. The brawny, blond, megahung superstar, now 37, has been offscreen and living the quiet life since 2004. CLICK HERE for more scoop…
“I let a few people know that Ken was available again and the response was incredible,” Mr. Forest told me. “Some guys were so excited because they first saw Ken many years ago. He looks better than ever. He has no interest in doing another movie, but private meetings are something that he can do to provide for himself.
“Lots of boys are now relying on private meetings for their income.”
Mr. Forest notes that some of the men on his roster prefer to stick to films and the dance circuit. “That’s fine for them, but the problem is studios have cut way back. And they’re cutting their scene rates,” he said. “It used to be these online studios were competitive with their scene rates, but that’s not the case anymore for many of them.”
And the dance circuit has “declined significantly,” he said.
“Most nightclubs and similar kinds of venues just don’t have the resources to book the big names anymore. It’s the airfare, accommodations, the promotion. I’ve been doing this a long time and so these guys know me. Club owners get on the phone and tell me their tales of woe,” Mr. Forest notes. “It’s never been this bad, never. Dancing is just not a viable source of steady income anymore for the boys I represent, even for the really big names.”
In addition to Mr. Ryker, the performers for whom Mr. Forest is arranging private meetings — via ForestMeetings.com — include Zeb Atlas, Tony Capucci, Mark Dalton, Leo Giamani, newcomer Rocky Houston, Logan Robbins, Chris Rockway and Tyler Saint.
I wondered whether fans who have perhaps cut back on their discretionary spending wouldn’t prefer to content themselves with a DVD or some nice, inexpensive, pay-per-minute downloadable smut — legally obtained! — in these anxious, belt-tightening times.
“People always want to treat themselves,” Mr. Forest replied. “They want a memorable experience. What’s a DVD when you can meet Zeb Atlas or Ken Ryker in person? I can provide that for them.”
See also:
* “Financial Woes Deflate Gay Porn Biz”
* “Financial Woes Hit Gay Adult“
[Dalton © The Premiere Artists.]
Comments
15 Comments so far
I don’t know how David Forest can consider himself anything but a pimp. Sure he doesn’t set up sexual encounters but I’m sure he makes it obvious that if the adult performers aren’t willing to do what it takes to make the customer happy then he won’t get them any more bookings. I’m sure their are other ways that he makes sure the performers are going to provide the full service. I always found it surprising that men like Mark Dalton, Johnny Castle, and Steve Hooper would take “private meetings” but were unwilling to have sex with a man onscreen.
I’m disappointed to see Chris Rockway’s name on that list but I’m not sure why I would expect him to better than that.
hi I love
Gr8!!!!! I’m content with my dvd’s but occasionally i’ll treat myself to a pornstar i have a crush on : as forest says the real thing is still better
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by JC Adams, JC Adams, JC Adams, JC Adams, Shufuni_Gay and others. Shufuni_Gay said: In Recession, Adult Actors Turn to ‘Private Meetings’: Some fourteen months ago we published a story about how the… http://bit.ly/b9417J [...]
I hope if Zeb shows up a your door he is holding a sign that says ‘ego not included’ in the asking price. Then you should be able to purchase him for an hour or so for about 10 bucks.
Do you know how to tell when David Forest is lieing??? His lips are moving!
Good evening from a very frosty London where neither porn stars nor hardcore dvds come cheap! That said, I love my gay dvd porn stash (lovingly accumulated over the past decade) and consider it a ‘necessary expense’ on my balance sheet – HA! When the chips are down (or the stock market has crashed) my motto has always been “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do”.Ken Ryker is one of my favourites from ‘back in the day’ and were I in the States currently, I would not be adverse to sampling his wares.On the other hand sometimes it’s nice to keep one’s fantasy exactly that, as the reality might not live up to the expectation (and in the current economic climate it’s certainly cheaper for me to think that way, LOL).The mention of Mr. Ryker did however get me thinking about two other stars from that era -Joe Landon and Tony Donovan (who appeared with Ken Ryker in ‘Ryker’s Revenge’.) Given my predilection for big cocks I lusted after both these men in their day, but it wasn’t only their mighty/meaty appendages which appealed; they both had great presence on camera and were very good with dialogue. I wonder what happened to them – I’d love to see what they look like now.
Haven’t most adult performers always done “private meetings”. Nothing new.
no, regrettably they haven’t, right Mr Santana:):):)
I think they already have a service that supplies private meetings, its called ‘Rentboy’ ever heard of it ? lol
anyone have any idea if blu kennedy is available?
many of these guys already advertise on escort websites. So you are paying David Forest a fee and then you’ll have to pay the performer a fee for sex. Cut out the middle man.
David is still running an escort services. Everyone knows that and he will get busted again and again. Your right if you want to know if David is telling a lie? Just watch his lips move. Fell sorry for the suckers he get money out of to pay these stars. I’ve talked to one of his so called stars and its just paid sex. Right David??? David will screw you anyway he can and walk to the bank. What do these hot men need a David for? They all need to be on RentBoy and be there own star. They don’t need David to find them a porn job or a client to do them. They can do it themselves. Drop David men and take control of your own life. He lies and lies. Like he hasn’t screwed these stars yet? Is the CASTING COUCH BACK DAVID????
[...] See also: * “In Recession, Adult Actors Turn to ‘Private Meetings’” [...]
DAVID FORREST is currently being sued for using porn actors names without their permission. I (Tyler Saint) HAVE NEVER ALLOWED the use of my name with connection to private meetings! Not my deal to have sex with people I am not attracted to SORRY DAVID get s FU##KING life and STOP trying to ride on the coat tails of other people!