Sean Michaels, smproductions.com says he's sweating this Monday morning. This will be the first time that Michaels is in charge of his destiny. Michaels has been in the adult business since 1988 but running his own video company is something entirely new to him. Michaels made a name for himself in the industry by virtue of his mentor John Leslie's Oh What a Night.
Leslie, evidently, was more impressed with Michaels at the time than Michaels was with himself. Michaels did a scene with Cheri Taylor. Shot a load too quickly. Michaels was very embarrassed and apologized to Leslie. Leslie told him to forget it, that that's the way it would have gone down in real life. "You're not trying to be a superstud," Leslie told him. "When you're ready to go, go." "That made sense," Michaels remembers.
Now it IS real life and Michaels, who always dresses to impress, has formed a company called Sean Michaels International, Inc. He'll be making and distributing his own product. Michaels' company office is right down the hall from World Modeling.
Michaels' first release is Sean Michaels Rocks That Ass, Vol. 1. It stars Mikki Taylor and Rayne [a newcomer]. Michaels says he was drawing a blank at the rest of the cast. A lot going through his mind. A lot was going through the interviewer's mind, like how many suits Michaels actually keeps in his closet. maybe a hundred? Michaels swears, no.
Michaels: "I have eight suits. I swear to God. That's one of the things my mom taught me about clothing. She says, 'You don't have a lot of money to go out and buy the kind clothing you want. Buy a suit here, buy a suit there. Change it up, then it looks like you've got more than you actually have.' That's what I've always done."
Despite what you might think, Michaels claims he actually dresses like a bum. Jeans. Undershirts. Shorts. He shaves his head once a day. "When I was using an electric razor it was twice a day." He uses a Schick Trac II. "Coming from the nursing profession, everything [for me] has to be as clean as possible," he says.
And Michaels enjoys smelling good. He keeps about ten colognes in close proximity. His favorite scent is for the noggin' chores. Michaels says porn girls prefer Hugo and Ralph Lauren Sport. "It's got a clean, showery scent. Throw some of that on and it definitely helps. It's not overpowering," he says.
Michaels says his new product line will focus on one of his favorite sexual themes, anal sex. In fact, he was on route to do a tall, blond French girl, Lisa Belle, in the ass. He was pretty excited about that.
Michaels: "She [Belle) is one of the most outstanding women to ever do porn. Bottom line. Incredible. An ass that Buttman would drool over."
Michaels says he'll be signing contract girls, eventually. "I'll have them produce and direct series for me like the way other companies hired me. I'm looking for a female who can give all the elements - professionalism, sexy, smart, get the job done. I want to see more women doing this." Michaels' sister is handling sales for the company
Michaels: "As we develop the line, we'll explore the vignette-style of shooting more than just plain old gonzo, with costumes and period pieces. We'll be giving our fans more bang for the buck. We've also been approached by cable and pay-per-view companies for softcore versions of these lines. It'll be interesting to come up with a cable version of an anal scene, but if it works, they said they'll take it.."
Michaels says his product will be condom-optional. "To be honest, we're shooting more condoms than ever before." Michaels' personal preference is no-condom.
Michaels: "I go with the flow. I'm more turned on now than I've ever been in my career in this industry. I'm doing what I want to do, so it doesn't matter. If the girl is hot, I'm hot for her." Michaels just shot a scene with a Polish girl named Envy, a Bardot-type. It was a d.p. scene. His partner used a condom, Michaels didn't."
Michaels says he also wants to do a softcore line that will be accepted by chains like Tower and Warehouse. More adult companies seem to be gearing towards this.
Michaels: "I can barely sleep these nights because I'm so excited about the possibilities that await us with doing our own distribution. I've worked a long time for other companies and have had semi-success with series that I've done for companies like Video Team on up through Elegant where I was a performer/director."
Michaels says the vibe was reasonably good at Elegant. "But it was always ever-changing. I didn't feel stable," he says. Michaels acknowledges Nicky Starks' recent departure from Elegant and says he was beginning to feel the same way, especially when some of his work got "scrutinized."
Michaels: "I didn't appreciate that. What was scrutinized several months ago is now Number 8 in sales in AVN. [Erotic City 6.] It was scrutinized for two young ladies who supposedly weren't up to the caliber of Elegant's standards." Another issue came over money. Michaels was told the company could no longer afford to pay him what he was getting. "I thanked Patrick [Collins] for being honest," said Michaels.
Michaels is working on broadening his company's Internet capabilities and says he'll start doing live feeds from his office before the end of April.
Michaels: "I think that will enhance every aspect of my company, to directly feed from my office or wherever I'm at. This is live. Boom. Streaming right to you. That's going to help us a lot in our marketing and our sales. It's so much more expedient to get your product right out there. Anyone who's Internet compatible can log on. There's the shot. I feel very confident that this is going to be a major factor in the year 2000. It's costing us a little bit more money to do things, but we're trying to do it the right way. Get the best possible locations and talent I can get. I've done my homework watching Anabolic and the way they've grown and started out, and what they are today."
Michaels, who ruled the performing roost at one time with Anabolic, says he's still on good terms with them - that they're very supportive of him even though he left to go to Elegant Angel. Michaels said he needed a change and that Patrick Collins provided it for him. Michaels said leaving Anabolic wasn't personal. Michaels was asked about Lexington Steel who's doing a good job of following in his footsteps, particularly his work in the Anabolic gonzo lines.
Michaels: "I think he's [Steel] a great talent, great attitude. Not only does he have respect, but he carries himself like a gentleman. The girls love him, and that's the most important thing. I'm planning a series around him in the near future where we'll work together. He'll be a male that I'll have shooting a line for me. With more experience he'll be a great director and a great producer. If I do anything of a contract nature it will be with him and two women." Laurel Canyon may be one of the women.
Michaels has his sights set on Canyon. "You know how someone comes across the screen as sweet and sincere?" he asks. "That's how she always came across, but she's also so fucking hot. I'm going to shoot her Friday. She's going to sign for me at VSDA. I'll try and cultivate a line for her. She may be the first person we bring aboard to shoot a line because of her experience and fan base. I don't want to go to a younger person who doesn't grasp what this is all about. She [Canyon] can be like the matriarch. She has a conviction for what she does. She wants to come back and make a big success of herself."
