The last few months have been a whirlwind at Red Light District, but the company is forging ahead in spite of the adversity.
The hard-edged, gonzo porn producer survived troubled times in mid-December, when an ugly business dispute erupted between brothers David Joseph and Dion Giarrusso, who left the company as a result. Rumors swirled about Red Light's future. After all, this had been one of the fastest growing companies in adult. It gained even more notoriety last year for its aggressive pursuit of proven directors who became exclusive to Red Light with ownership agreements.
But the shakeup and subsequent change in leadership seems to have had a unifying effect on Red Light District. For instance, Red Light enjoyed its best sales volume ever in January.
"People like to assume the worst," director Mike John said. "Red Light, in my opinion besides Evil Angel, is the best gig going."
Director Erik Everhard told AVN.com he was in Prague, Czech Republic when the conflict came to light in December.
"And I came back and the whole world had changed," Everhard said. "Everybody has uncertainty, but I'm not one to make brash decisions. You have to figure out what all your options are."
Everhard, like the other directors in the Red Light stable, decided to stay and continue to own his product – allowing him ultimate creative control.
Meanwhile, Joseph, a key figure in the fate of the company, called his decision to take over "one of the biggest learning experiences of my life."
"The building was here, but it was like there were sharks swimming around it. People thought it was going to be the end of Red Light," he told AVN.com. "I didn't really take charge until two or three weeks after it happened. I was really trying to keep everybody calm."
Joseph had always been at Red Light, but he relished being "behind-the-scenes."
"I never wanted anyone to know who I was," Joseph said. "I was silent, but I was here. Now I know I need to be more vocal. … I kind of got everybody working together again."
Joseph said one of the main factors behind his choice to continue was the employees, from the warehouse workers to the controller, with whom he had "bonded."
"We went through a trying period," Joseph acknowledged. "Everybody has been great. A lot of people really stepped up, and I'm touched. Guys didn't really know me that well."
John told AVN.com that he was just beginning to see the benefits of ownership when the turmoil began.
"But David made some moves and shows of faith," John said. "I would've been foolish to not keep trying because David showed a real honest, real dedicated approach to it."
Indeed, business at Red Light is good. The company's release schedule is mapped out until July. Red Light releases eight new titles per month, two per week. Every office at the Chatsworth headquarters is occupied. The warehouse is nearly filled to capacity. Joseph says that 10,000 square feet isn't enough any more, so Red Light's new home will be 30,000 square feet.
"We have a building in escrow," Joseph said. "We're full. We're done. We'll move in about three months."
Vince Vouyer, one of the original founders of Red Light with Joseph and Giarrusso, has returned to the role of head of production after about eight months not doing it. He reacquired the position "the day after Dion left."
"I wasn't overseeing a lot of things," Vouyer said, adding that he is "a big stickler" on details, such as the look of the box covers.
"For a while boxes were lacking, and that's because things were being rushed. I have a lot of pride," Vouyer, a veteran director and performer, continued. "… I'm not out to compete with anybody, and I don't promote in-house competition."
"This company is as strong as it ever was. It wasn't hurting for a second. This is my baby. I was one of the first people in the door. I busted my ass getting here and the first year was the toughest."
Vouyer added, "I'm not an egotistical guy who is just trying to compete with everybody. I'm not trying to be better than Evil Angel or better than Anabolic. I'm just trying to compete with myself and be the best I can be."
Vouyer now oversees a production schedule that includes projects from Everhard, John, David Luger, Toni Ribas, Manuel Ferrara, Robbie Fischer and Jake Malone.
Everhard, John, Ribas, Ferrara and Luger all have ownership deals – Luger's entails releasing a title he owns every other month. Ferrara will debut his first Red Light video, French Connexxxion, on March 24.
Fischer, meanwhile, has known both Giarrusso and Joseph for over 25 years and remains loyal to both.
"I learned my craft here and I still take every scene personally," Fischer, who was brought in by Giarrusso, told AVN.com. "It's a reflection of my work ethic. I'm a nut. I just want to shoot cute girls with A-list male talent."
Malone overcame a difficult period when he left Elegant Angel and landed at Red Light, where he has released two titles so far. He said not only does he feel indebted to Giarrusso for helping him through a rough time, but also that "David's one of the kindest people I've ever known."
"He is a quality human being," Malone told AVN.com. "He's always walking around the office asking people, 'Are you OK? Do you need anything?' He is very empathic. He cares so much for people."
Everhard and John, meanwhile, are preparing for another trip to Eastern Europe March 14 through April 14, when they will shoot scenes for several videos.
