This article originally ran in the March 2016 issue of AVN magazine. Click here to see the digital edition.
Director Joe Gage notes that what he learned most about himself and the process last year is that patience is a virtue. The same can be said of his fans, who have come to cherish a slower production schedule that reaps rewards … literally.
But the accolades have never been his purpose. Nestled away from the lights and glamor, he instead focuses on crafting more masterpieces along with business partner Ray Dragon—works that the fans continue to eat up as the talented duo quietly goes about its business with Dragon Media.
“I have a running feature on the JoeGage.com site that publishes critical pans of my work. Each time I post it, the comments section gratifies my heart as supporters come forward to defend me.”
We’re guessing it’s a very small section. It says a lot that the legend recently won yet another best director accolade. It says even more that—until he was congratulated about it—Gage wasn’t even aware of the nomination, much less the win: “It was a surprise. A complete surprise, as in I knew nothing about it, before or afterwards.”
Among the studio’s highlights last year were Dad Out West, the fourth entry in Gage’s “Dad” series. It brought back Allen Silver, who returned again after a fishing trip, going to college and getting in trouble. Gage also released American Bukkake Business Edition, the second installment in his stripped down Carnal line.
“2015 turned out to be the most successful year we’ve had so far. And as we go into 2016, we are already breaking previous online and download records,” Gage says. “Both bukkake projects took off like gangbusters in the sales and download-to-own arenas, to such a degree that we are about to launch a new one. They are a blast to shoot, and as a result many new friendships have been formed.”
Gage’s favorite memories from the year were “working with some of the men who seemed to have evolved into the ‘Joe Gage Stock Company’: David Anthony, Joe Parker, Max Sargent—all good actors, as well as dependable sexual performers. The men who work for us always seem to declare that they feel more relaxed and have more fun on our sets than what they usually experience. They are respectfully treated as professionals, and they appreciate it.”
Anthony’s return was a huge welcome to fans; he appeared in the 18th installment (Runaway Sons) of Gage’s long-running Sex Files series. That was followed by volumes 19 and 20, recently released.
“It’s A Job came about when I realized I has assembled a series of stories I wanted to tell that were solely connected by the professions of the protagonists. The Runners was inspired by a gif I saw that captured a marathon runner and emphasized the beauty and eroticism of his body as he moved through space, as it were.”Dragon has been equally successful. After directing Not on the Sofa (led by another studio stalwart, Dale Cooper), he produced Rocco Steele’s Urban Legend—which stars and was directed by the titular superstar, who has taken the industry by storm and has appeared in a handful of Dragon Media films.
“We gave Rocco a chance to direct in our efforts to develop new directors. He did well, and we will probably do something else with him down the line,” says Gage. In addition, performer Bryan Slater directed an entry in It’s a Job. “We continue to try out new directors to expand our output, so there will probably be another project or two in that vein, as well as several more Joe Gage Sex Files and perhaps two new Joe Gage movie projects.”
Gage notes that he is also in talks to continue his relationship with Titan Media, which released his Spur of the Moment and Opportunity Knocks last year.
“My work is known for a certain kind of look and feel that is a combination of professionally polished and gritty to the point of amateurish,” he says. “I find that when I’m attached to a studio project, they seem to use me as a ‘contrasting flavor’ to their own patented output, which seems to strengthen their brand.”
The two studios may also do a crossover project, a natural progression. It makes sense, given Gage’s directing history and Dragon’s performer history—both with ties to Titan. The two studios have also used many of the same models, like Anthony (but sadly, that won’t include talented Josh West anymore: “Mr. West has left the building, I’m sorry to say,” notes Gage. “Happily retired. Not coming back. We all wept.”)
“Joe Gage is one of the most iconic directors of all time, and Ray Dragon is one of the most iconic performers of all time. Together they make a powerhouse team,” says Titan Media Vice President Keith Webb. “Working with both Joe and Ray over the past 15 years, we have developed a mutual and endearing respect for each other’s work. Owning the largest library of Gage-directed gay porn in the world, it’s pretty clear that our customers love Joe’s work with TitanMen.
“Just because Joe and Ray branched out to from their own production company doesn’t mean our relationship needed to end. We love having Joe back as a guest director a couple times a year for TitanMen. Being able to share and cross over both exclusive models and storylines seemed like a natural progression of our long-term relationship. TitanMen and Joe Gage are a match made in heaven, and linked together for the long run.”
In the meantime, Gage will be hard at work, finding pleasure in giving pleasure to others.
“There’s nothing better that discovering new talent. They’re the ones who take to the work like a fish to water, and thrive in the environment. Several new talents are emerging for us…to name them at this time would be jumping the gun.”
