Positively true tales from Erotica LA... Normally I reserve my Saturdays for anything but porn. And save for a certain few porno starlets who might call and want to, I don't know, go antiquing, take a walk through the park or (oh yeah) sleep with me, my weekends usually stay pretty much pornography-free.
<?PHP print Create_Archive_Image_Tag('<% Content_ID %>', "spotlight_062403_001.jpg", "", " alt=\"\" align=\"right\""); ?> But there I was driving through a light rain on the Santa Monica Freeway headed to downtown Los Angeles for day two of Erotica LA. This was my first Erotica LA excursion, so I was rather excited to checkout the proceedings.
Though on the surface the show spotlighted the DVD/video companies, clothiers, novelty businesses, and assorted retailers, the Internet - one might say - proved to be the overriding foundation of the weekend. Nary was the company that didn't emphasize their URL to market their brand. There are products and there are services to rummage through, but the Web's presence was felt throughout. From the big players to the frosh entrants into the pornography/adult game, all pushed their Internet presence front-and-center as they presented their commodities to the public.
What it overwhelmingly proved to me - as I strolled through the sex-drenched aisles - was that the Internet is, without doubt, a major factor in the business of adult entertainment. A show like this proves that to be a well-rounded player in the sex game, it is now imperative that every company, especially established video companies, create a Web presence that corresponds or builds upon their business plan.
Good old-fashioned sex, fun and pornography was the star of the show, but the supporting player certainly had a www before its name.
What follows are brief snapshots of my day on the show floor. As far as the accuracy of these ruminations, well... you'll just have to take my word for it:
...My first stop was the Wicked Pictures behemoth of a booth where I met up with P.R. guy Daniel Metcalf and the lovely Stormy Daniels. I am impressed with the marketing campaign for the Wicked Pictures contract stars, especially the ultra sexy, yet wonderfully simple images being used in the promotion. Decked out in lingerie, I don't think I've seen those seven gals look as beautiful.
...I had the pleasure to meet author Roe Gallo who co-penned Sexual Strategies For Pleasure and Safety. She gave me a copy of the book and signed it for me. We met inside the Museum of Erotica, which was extremely cool. All those posters from adult films past looked terrific. Kitsch never gets dull.
...Angel Cassidy and I chilled out for a while as she gave me the skinny on upcoming projects.
...Stopped by the Simply Thongs booth because, well...it's thongs for goodness sakes.
...Inari Vachs looked great as usual as she drew the porn hungry masses to her IV Multimedia booth. Joining Vachs was the indefatigable Puck, he of "The Real World" series, which provided him his fifteen minutes of fame, though I use the word loosely. I still have no clue why he was in attendance, but he seemed to be enjoying himself.
...I finally met photographer Lisa Boyle who was there to promote Dirty White clothing and accessories. Though I like to think I'm somewhat hip, I had no idea what Dirty White was all about until Lisa handed me a sticker that had a picture of a rolled-up twenty dollar bill next to a pile of white powder. You learn something new everyday.
...I made sure to grope the unnervingly lifelike dolls at the Real Doll RealDoll.com booth. The dressed up and sexy dolls looked so realistic I couldn't believe it. If only one could have blurted out, "Stop staring at my tits!" it would have been like an actual person. I asked if I could stick my penis in one of the doll's mouth to really get a sense of its authenticity. I was told that yes I could, but I don't think the gentleman understood that I wanted to do it right then and there. Oh well. Anyway, each doll is custom made, and I'll be having one delivered that will look like Demi Moore.
...I really liked the Hung clothing company who made quite a splash with conventioneers. I spotted the popular "Hung" stickers adorned to many a t-shirt and trousers as I strolled around the show floor.
...I watched the Hollywood Men All-Male Revue strip on stage to the delight of female fans in attendance. Then I made a decision to start working out again.
...Bumped into the always affable Carly Milne at the Grand Opening booth. Grand Opening is the name of Kim Airs' women-oriented sexuality boutique, which has all types of cool products.
...I watched Taylor Wane draw a big crowd. Her breasts are huge thank you very much.
...Felicia Fox, Tim Case and I spent some quality time together as Fox paraded around the booth in her cute panties to many a fan's delight.
...Kelly Madison's 413 Productions booth was packed with fans lined up to greet her along with Lana Lotts and Friday.
...Did you check out the dildos at XXXGlass.com's booth? Damn.
...I chatted with Onky and Alison Hassel at the Suze Randall
...I was really digging the scene at the Mofo Wear booth where they had some kick-ass clothes on display.
...Speaking of cool fashions, I made sure to stop by the I Love Vagina Clothing booth to say hello. I have written about them before and their stuff is great. Their Website has been redesigned so be sure to check it out.
...And I'd be remiss if I didn't add how much I liked Sik World's apparel. My favorite was the shirt that read: "It Ain't Gonna Lick Itself." Classic stuff.
...People often ask me, "Tripp, have you thought about installing a stripper pole in your living room?" Well, I have fantasized about it; think of all the cool parties and hot stripper chicks that could come over and dance for me in the privacy of my own home. And now I know exactly where to purchase said pole: Platinum Stages and P.I.M.P., Inc.
...Andrew Garver of JJ1.com was making the rounds and promoting a side project with Fleshcards who have taken the slick motion content from JJ1 and put the sexy images onto cool-looking cards that appeared to be a big hit.
...Oh yeah, and Tera Patrick was there.
-Tripp Daniels
Thoughts, opinions, cheap shots, slander, love letters, sweet nothings, haranguing, personalized erotica? How about a cool site I should know about? Drop me a note at [email protected]. Or don't. It's all good, and I'm plenty busy as it is.
