Red Light District/Platinum X Pictures has parted ways with contract performer Brian Pumper after two months of work together. The reasons why, however, vary depending on who is telling the story.
According to Red Light District head of production Vince Vouyer, Pumper was given the axe due to tardiness and a bad attitude. "He's had some problems, and people complaining about him showing up late all the time. His conduct is really bad," he explained. "He takes the fun out of hiring him, so to speak. He doesn't bring energy with him. This is a problem he's had for a long time that I have addressed with him many times. He's always been really good with me, but other directors were complaining. I was disappointed we had to cut it off like that."
Yet all is not necessarily lost, as Voyeur hopes to continue working with Pumper, albeit in a less committed manner. "We still will use him, but not under contract," said Vouyer. "But no one else is hiring him because they don't like the way he acts. That's the bottom line. And that's what I told him, but he seemed to think we just didn't have enough work for him."
As a matter of fact, that is what Pumper claims is the core of the problem: money.
"They chose not to afford me because it was a slow time and they realized, 'Wait a minute, we're paying all this money, but we don't have any work available for him now, so, therefore, what are we gaining?'" Pumper told AVN.com. "But the basis of a contract is that I'm only working for them and no one else. It's natural there will be slow times, but I'm your contract guy. They said things weren't working out and that no one wants to shoot me, but that's bull. I talked to every director, and no one said they had a problem with me. So I felt they bullshitted me and came up with this story to terminate me because it's a slow time and they don't have enough work."
As to the allegations that he was tardy and unreliable, Pumper dismisses them universally … well, sort of.
"I feel I was completely 100 percent reliable, got along with everyone and performed," he said. "When you are late to a shoot, which I only was a few times, it can cost them extra because of location fees. I told them they could take it from my pay, but they said that wasn't the point. In the end, what they want is to have the strongest team, so they made a mistake by letting me go."
Pumper says he is still interested in working things out with Red Light District or securing a contract with another company. Until then, he will go back to freelancing, something he has always found to be a steady source of income.
"I work out everyday to keep my body in shape," Pumper said. "I don't drink or smoke. I'm a health nut. I'm not conceited, but I look good and they put me on their covers. So it totally shocked me that they terminated me, because I was completely reliable."
Pumper's latest for Red Light District, called Brian Pumper Is Down Wit Whitey, will be released Monday, August 16.
To contact Brian Pumper, call 516.984.2435.
