Lizzy Borden Returns to Director’s Chair for ‘Creature Feature’

LOS ANGELES—While sitting in her cold, dark prison cell at a federal penitentiary in Minnesota, Lizzy Borden could think of only one thing: directing porn. Borden, who was released from custody in May, got her wish with the soon-to-be-released Creature Feature for Tom Byron Pictures.

For Borden, who served nine months of a year-and-a-day sentence at Waseca Federal Correctional Institution in Waseca, Minn. as part of a plea deal that saw her plead guilty to one count of obscenity, along with husband Rob Black of Extreme Associates, it was only a matter of time until she was back in the director’s chair doing what she loves.

After her release from the pen, Borden was obligated to live in a halfway house for a month and then check in for two months while living at home. Her obligation to the government ended Aug. 6.

“Prison is the worst shithole ever,” Borden told AVN exclusively in her first interview since being released. “Everyone was so mean and as the only blonde I was singled out. They would fuck with me all the time. It was totally brutal. I learned a lot about myself and what my limits are. It’s funny because I think you learn how to be a better criminal after being locked up, not that I was to begin with. I know it’s meant to be fucked up, but a lot of crazy shit happens that you have to be ready for.”

Creature Feature, a series of horror movie vignettes based on classic fright films, is the first adult project Borden’s worked on in three years.

“I wanted to do this movie a long time ago,” Borden said. “I had this idea that I kept putting on the back burner. I’m a huge horror movie junkie. It didn’t fit with Extreme, so I wasn’t sure what to do with it. I wanted to bring the classic horror movie characters to life—The Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, Bela Lugosi’s Dracula, The Wolfman.”

Tom Byron, a friend of Black’s and Borden’s for many years, kept in touch with the pair while they were incarcerated in different facilities. Borden said that Byron would keep her informed with the latest business goings on. It was natural that she’d do her first movie back for him. 

Borden said that her first shoot back was a bit rough because she was still adjusting to “life on the outside” as a free woman. That, combined with working with new people and being on set directing for the first time in a long time, was a bit overwhelming.

“Prison life is very regimented,” she said. “You eat when you’re told, you wake up when you’re told, lights out when you’re told. I had to adjust to being a normal human being again, to being social and working with people instead of always needing to look out for myself. Directing a movie with so many moving pieces takes a team effort. I had a harder time than Rob [Black] after prison. I’m still working on it.”

It’s interesting to know the Creature Feature actually took shape behind prison walls. Though she was forbidden to write by her case manager, Borden squirreled away a notebook and surreptitiously outlined what would become Creature Feature. She would hide the pages or mail them home. Privacy was tough to come by. Borden lived in a dorm-style setting with 11 other inmates. 

Creature Feature stars Sunny Lane as the host, Elvira, along with Andy San Dimas, Gracie Glam, Jennifer White, Lizz Tayler, Tara Lynn Foxx, Anthony Rosano, Evan Stone, Tommy Gunn, Mark Zane and Tom Byron.

“I’ll tell you one thing: the girls were amazing,” Borden enthused. “Andy shined the most; she’s my new muse. I always wanted to work with Tommy Gunn. I saw Pirates II and knew I had to have him. He played the Wolfman and it was perfect. Lizz, Tara Lynn, Gracie, Jennifer all blew me away with their professionalism and they did great scenes.”

The movie takes on the look of a classic horror film conceived by Universal Studios during its decades-long run of distinctive horror classics.  Borden has always been a hands-on director and this movie was no different. She helped build the sets, did her own special effects and scored the music herself.

“It honestly has an Ed Wood-ish vibe to it,” Borden said. “Rob Zombie, John Carpenter, Wes Craven all influenced me in some way. I look up to them. I’ve been in this business for 13 years. I was very nervous but once we started rolling, I picked it right back up. Sitting behind the monitor and making porn is what I’m supposed to be doing.”

Borden also plans to ramp up her official website, LoveLizzyBorden.com, and restart her horror-themed burlesque tour that was met with success before she was incarcerated. She reports that she’s still with Black and that their relationship is stronger than ever.

“At first I got angry and blamed him for getting me into this mess,” she said. “But ultimately, we’re a team. We sink or swim together. We did this together, we fight together, we stay together. We’re bonded for life. We survived.”

After 13 years Borden’s passion for the adult business is still palpable, but there is a caveat she mentions for girls looking to get in the business.

“I got in at 20 years old,” she said. “No one took me aside and gave me advice and told me what was going to happen, how it all works. It’s sink or swim; you’re on your own. I’m 33 now and the things I thought were cool then aren’t so cool now.”

In the end, though prison was rough for her, Borden is excited about her future opportunities. She plans on making more movies for Tom Byron Pictures and with Exquisite Pictures. She mentioned a project with Krystal Steal in the works.

“I still can’t believe I made it out in one piece,” Borden said. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, they say. Art is not meant to be safe on one hand, but on the other, I don’t know if prison is worth it so it’s a tough balancing act. Just live your life, love your family and friends, cherish who you have. Freedom is not free. You don’t know what you have until you lose it.”

Fans can follow Borden on Twitter at Twitter.com/lizzyborden6.

For more information on Creature Feature, call Evolution Distribution’s Adam Hasner at (800) 999-2483, ext. 228, or email [email protected].