With modeling experience already under his belt at top-name studios, Marco Guerra found himself in charge of a fast-growing Internet-based special interest group dedicated to gay erotic wrestling and fighting. It was that venture that served as the impetus of FPG Entertainment, the new studio that is set to take the industry by storm.
"It started more as a joke, to be honest. We were thinking about it three years ago. Everything started from the Internet," notes Guerra (right), who has appeared in some 40 films, including titles from Titan and Catalina, working with greats like Chi Chi LaRue. "We had great success with the Internet group. After a few months it became the biggest one around, and we started to think, ‘Why don't we try to build something from that?'"
Late last year, Punks, boasting an overall quality rare in any film, much less one from a new studio, hit the shelves, and the studio was born, making the industry - and the fans - take note. "From the beginning, we made the decision to start from the top, as high as we can, because we know the basics," director Cameron Finn says. "We know how to make and market movies, so while we started to take baby steps, we entered through the main door...and we went for the top names."
Guerra - who also has a marketing degree - serves as producer, while Finn has been working in commercial TV and the mainstream movie industry for more than 20 years. "Pornos for me are boring. After watching them for 10 to 15 minutes, you're done," Guerra says. "We wanted to create for the first time a movie with sex, and not sex with a movie."
And with a special hook, the product is standing out even more. "In all of our movies there are always sports. It could be wrestling, street fighting...it's always masculine. We don't do anything vanilla or twink," Guerra adds. "I think that our movies are not only for mature people, but also young people who love competition, love wrestling, love fighting, love boxing. So they'll always enjoy watching two hot guys get it on, and not just sexual performances."
"With his expertise we were able to give to the audience something they actually enjoy watching from the beginning to the end, without fast-forwarding to the hot sex scenes," Guerra says.
Initially based in Washington, D.C., the two moved early this year to Ft. Lauderdale, home of FPG's production office. Topdawgs was released in December, and Betrayed hits early this year. All of the films have one thing in common: high-class production, including original music. All of it goes into creating a product that looks original, aided by Hollywood-esque trailers and an attention to lengthy screenplays aided by storyboards and call sheets - not just a page. "Everything starts with the script," Finn says. "Topdawgs is extremely dark, it's heavy in terms of story and mood. Betrayed will be lighter, but still that kind of movie. Punks was young and energetic and happy...it all depends."
The quality quickly caught the attention of Pulse Distribution, which snatched up FPG and recently started distributing them in Europe as well. "Marco and Cameron put every ounce of their mainstream filmmaking talents into each production," notes Janet T. at Pulse. "FPG's reception in the adult area has been exceptional, and our customers are raving about the quality."
Both Guerra and Finn prefer to think of their talent as actors, not porn stars, and want them to do more than just have sex. The two also go to great lengths to pair the models for optimum chemistry. That dedication has enabled them to land the likes of Cole Ryan, Trey Casteel, Nickolay Petrov and Jay Armstrong.
"I'm proud that in a few months we have received so many compliments about the quality of our product, and the way that we edit the movies, the sensation...people had the feeling that they were watching a real movie with real sound, with clean sound," Guerra notes. "It's amazing how many resources we are investing in a production: sound, cameras, locations, set...and thanks to new technology and Cameron's expertise, we are able to shoot in video, but obtain very close to the same image and quality and feeling of shooting in film."
The company plans about eight releases a year, with a premium title every three months, and another "lighter" line with shorter stories coming soon. Also upcoming will be a revamped website.
"Up to a certain point you have to fight, but then things come by themselves. Everything started to happen a month ago, actually having people call us and ask, ‘Who are you and where do you come from?'" Finn says. "This year is going to be our breakthrough year. Once we settle down, finally we can focus all our energy to produce, and amazing things are going to come out in '08."
CONTACT INFO: FPGEntertainment.com; (866) 622-7064; [email protected]; Pulse Distribution: (818) 435-1604.
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