Fallen Angel has risen from the ashes of former partner Gigi Appleton better than expected, says studio leader Luc Wylder.
"We've taken four months to revamp our accounts, production, and sales," he says.
Wylder also says Fallen Angel has restructured all their vending deals, taken foreign distribution through Antigua Pictures, taken up DVDs with Digital Playground and streaming video with Hustler/Flynt Digital, and sustained a standing deal with Playboy Cable and with Spice.
"To us, each video is like a buffalo to the Plains Indians," Wylder chuckles.
Former VCA hand Paul Bianco is now national sales manager. "We're running this place like a business," he says.
Fallen Angel has also started taking in new directors. Shawn Ricks has brought his Karma Productions label over; veteran cameraman John D'Player has started a line called Hot-N-Nasty Video. New director Christopher Streams' label, Sleaze Brothers, is starting a series called Rode Hard and Put Away Wet, which reflects his (and Wylder's) love of motorcycles. Alexandra Silk will continue her Silk line (Silk Stockings, Silk Stockings, Silk Panties) as well.
"We're trying to produce gonzo in a more artistic way," Wylder says. "I worked with Bruce Seven, John Stagliano, and Patrick Collins: The 'angel' in Fallen Angel is to honor those who taught me. But there's no aesthetic beauty. Why can't it be pretty?
"I try not to give too much direction. I ask people who they want to work with. I don't want a performance: I want people to be themselves. I also don't give a lot of direction. I tell them to act as if there's nobody else there. I'll move the lights. I'll move the cameras if I have to."
D'Player chimes in: "I feel it's my job to move in with the camera." Silk agrees: "We have high standards of excellence, and we try to shoot to that, using our own originality." Streams: "We like what we do - We all do. We are independent producers, so we care about the stuff. They're our kids. I look at it and I like it."
"We also run this business with respect," Wylder continues. "We have a rep with people. We treat them right, and we make them look good. And we also think it costs the same to make a good movie as a bad one."
You can visit the Fallen Angel Web site at www.fallenangelxxx.com. Affiliated Websites are www.alexandrasilk.com, www.hot-n-nasty.com, www.sleazebrothers.com and www.arthouseporno.com (for Shawn Ricks' Karma Productions).
