As he approached the podium to accept his Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's GAYVNs, All Worlds Video founder Rick Ford was getting the butterflies. "I'm a very shy, quiet person, so I was nervous. I really thought I could just take the award and walk away," he says with a laugh. "But Gino Colbert made sure that I couldn't, so I had to say a few words. And that's always difficult for me… unless you get me going."
Ford celebrated All Worlds' 20th Anniversary in 2005, after starting the company in 1985 with Sgt. Swann's Private Files. That soon led to the creation of Ford's alter ego, Dirk Yates, best friend to horny military men — and the fans who love them.
The success that grew from that series of real Marines jacking off was — to Ford — unexpected. "I could never have conceived it… it's overwhelming," he says. "I was probably one of those people that just picked up a camera and thought anyone could do it." His influence was quickly established (although still unseen by his humble eyes) and grew each year. Dirk Yates imitators abound today, but it's hard to believe any of them will have the same longevity — the series has hit Volume 240, unheard of staying power in porn.
How long will Ford continue to make them? "Until you throw that last shovel of dirt on me," he says, laughing again. "I don't think anyone has that passion for it like I do, to that degree. They probably won't catch up to me."
Ford cites his genuine concern for his models' welfare as one of the reasons they still come to him. For example, though filmed while the guys are in the service, Ford doesn't release their scenes until they are out. "I've been more fortunate than some of these website people who don't care that they're exploiting the kids," Ford says. "I've done everything I can to protect them, and I have the luxury of having things I shot two, three years ago. That's made a difference."
It was through this military association that Ford befriended a bevy of masculine men, many of whom went on to even bigger productions and XXX-industry work, yet another sign of Ford's enduring influence. "Rod Barry… I've known him since the dinosaurs. God… I met him when he was nineteen and a Marine. How long ago was that?" Ford marvels. "And what longevity he's had! He's just a pro. When you're looking at a twenty-seven-inch screen, he just turns on to a camera. There've been a lot like that."
Ford cites his discovery of former Marine Axel Garret as one of his proudest moments (he appeared in Ford's Kiss-Off, "my favorite movie, for many, many reasons"), so it comes as no surprise that he has a fondness for the all-American boy, although he also admits to a fondness for some eastern European productions — especially those of friend William Higgins. "Spending time with him in Prague was one of the highlights of the last fifteen years for me. He's really an artist," Ford recalls. "I've never pretended that I could be a director. I really admire Jerry Douglas' projects, and Chi Chi LaRue — no one can film sex better than Chi Chi."
Pressed for his own favorite moment, Ford easily cites the making of How the West Was Hung, a big-budget success that focused just as much on authentic sets, props, costumes, and makeup as much as hot sex. "It was something I always wanted to do, an authentic "Old West" movie. And I thought, This is probably as close to Hollywood as we're ever going to get. It was an incredible feeling to see three makeup artists, wardrobe… that was probably my most exciting day. I remember driving back to San Diego really gloating. It was going to be something I was going to be proud of. It did well. People didn't think it would, but it did."
As for receiving a Lifetime Achievement award, Ford said, "I was pleased by it, because I believe I'm at the end of where I want to be in the adult industry. It was an appropriate time."
