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JRL Interviews Nick and Chad of Satyr Films Entertainment (Marina Pacific)
By: Andy Powell, Staff Writer - 05-12-08 12:00 a.m. PDT
JRL Viewers, give it up to Chad Ryan and Nick Cutts of Satyr Films Entertainment. This is the first interview we've conducted with these two hit makers that are fresh to the Gay Adult Film Industry Marketplace.Hits such as their current mega hit entitled Ream His Straight Throat 6 [2008] which is currently ranked No. 11 in America on the JRL Weekly Top 100 and their previous hit Cum Filled Manholes 2 [2008] which is still on the JRL Weekly Top 100 after 9 weeks at No. 51. Gay consumers nationwide are showing how hooked they are getting on the Satyr Films Label.
Andy: Chad, Nick..welcome to JRL and thank you for granting me this interview.
Nick: It's our pleasure Andy.
Chad: Well, first of all we want to thank all of you at JRL. We have grown tremendously since we began our relationship with you. We have been able to get our films out to all corners of the world. It is amazing to see that we have fans in almost every industrialized country. It just goes to show you that there are a lot horny Satyrs out there.
Andy: Where did the name Satyr films originate from?
Nick: On that I have to give it up to my life-long friend and business partner, Chad Ryan. He was the one to come up with the name. I loved how it sounded, so sexual and hardcore.|
Chad: A Satyr by dictionary standards is man who has an "insatiable, unquenchable sex drive". Satyrs are Roman figures of old that depict halfman/halfgoats who go around fucking everything in sight.And since we proudly consider ourselves to be Satyrs, hence we decided to call our company, Satyr Films.
Andy: You have been compared to Treasure Island Media as well as Hot Desert Knights. How do you feel about being compared to such icons of the bareback genre?
Chad: We absolutely consider that to be of the highest praise. We have been huge fans of Paul Morris and HDK since their inception. To be able to play with the big boys is something we certainly aspired to but never dreamed that it would happen so quickly.
We are especially fond of Paul Morris who from the very start was extremely supportive. It is so great to know that there are such generous people in this business. Many believe that porn is a "dirty" business but we have met some of the most genuine, caring and trust-worthy people.
Nick: TIM and HDK are the pioneers in bareback porn. It was very exciting to be compared to the top studios. The first time we were compared to them was right after our very first title "Bareback Pornstar Gangbang with Alan Gregory." I remember Chad and I celebrating by going to the House of Pies in Hollywood.(smile).
Andy: How did you guys get into this business?
Chad: I was previously in the finance business. I was a mortgage banker for several years and made quite a lot of money. But a few years ago I began to suspect that things were beginning to change. I knew that many of the underwriting standards for sub-prime loans had become so lax that eventually it would come to bite everyone in the ass. So two years ago, I sold my banking business and decided to start up Satyr Films with my business partner, Nick. It was slow going at first and was very stop and go. There was no guarantee that we would ever be successful. There is so much porn out there and how could we come up with something that would get anyone's attention. In fact, we made the rounds to several distributors with our first film who all promptly turned us down.
Nick: The truth is, Chad had been talking to me about starting our own adult production company for months before I agreed. The driving force in the beginning was Chad. I wasn't sure if I could contribute to this industry, especially with all the mega studios that are spending $50k+ on each production. We didn't have that kind of money to spend on locations and top of the line models. So we had to figure out a way to compete on another level. The only thing left would be to show amazing sex on film which is what we set out to do. I, also had to learn everything about production, from editing to doing web work. After a year of non-stop classes, 20 hour days of working 2 jobs and broken furniture from frustration I got pretty good at it.
Andy: Now that you guys have been in the business for a couple of years. Is it everything that you expected?
Chad: Are you kidding? It is barely a year and half. It will be two years in August 2008. This is more success than we could ever have dreamed of. Within six months of our first release we were completely in the black.
We had invested a huge amount of money for camcorders, computers, etc, plus not to mention models, It was pretty terrifying spending thousands and thousands of dollars every week. We were running on instinct and decided that we were going to document our fantasies on film. Hopefully with any luck we would be able to break even. Soon after our first release, Bareback Pornstar Gangbang with Alan Gregory, we began getting emails from guys who gave us such praise that we realized quickly that we might be on to something.
Nick: It's actually a lot better than I anticipated. We started to grow about a year after we started. I thought it would take us 3 years minimum to get out of the red. With a lot of hard work and lots of luck, here we are. Since we are a bareback studio, we've had a couple of rough patches. We love what we do and we're really good it.
Andy: Tell us about your relationship with your exclusive distributor Marina Pacific and how you got hooked up with them?
Chad: Marina Pacific has been just great. When we originally started in August of 2006 we visited with some of the largest distributors who all turned us down. In fact one distributor who shall remain nameless told us that the reason that they were not interested in our film was that they had seen cameramen and orange extension cords in some of our shots. In fact, one other distributor had issues with some of the artwork on the walls of the room where we conducted our seven-man gangbang. It was discouraging to say the least and quite disheartening. So the last major distributor we visited was Marina Pacific who immediately saw our potential and signed us on the spot. For us, that was a great moment. For even though we are making all male sex films, it is still a business and as a business it was great to know that others could share our vision and appreciate what we were trying to accomplish. They have been extremely supportive. Thanks Marina Pacific.
Nick: Marina Pacific has been doing a good job at distributing. They're moving a lot of units for us. Of course we constantly push them to sell more (smile).
Andy: One thing your JRL fans would like to know is, will Satyr Films continue to only produce bareback features or, will you also be shooting condom gay xxx films?
Nick: For right now, we're only focused on producing Bareback. That's the biggest market right now. Although, I do believe that with the kind of intensity and extreme sex that we are doing, it would be successful with condoms as well.
Chad: Bareback is an interesting issue. We have friends who have died from HIV and others who are HIV positive. So HIV is something that we don't take lightly. But we made the decision early on that we would be a bareback studio. It was not an easy decision, if fact we agonized over it for several weeks. But we are of the opinion that this is a fantasy. We are creating fantasies. And in most men's fantasies they do not include condoms. I am sure that almost all men would prefer to see condom-less sex. In fact, if you look at straight porn almost 95% of it is bareback. They take precautions to test their models. That is something that we do as well. We have from the beginning matched all of our models according to their status.
We pair up HIV negative models with other HIV negative models. We require that all of our models go through AIM for their testing. We also have non-AIM test film shoots where we can accommodate other great performers who are HIV positive. So we pair them up with other positive models.
Would we prefer that there was no HIV to worry about? Of course. But the reality of today's world is that it is disease that we have to contend with. We strongly encourage our viewers and fans to not engage in bareback anal sex unless they absolutely know the HIV status of their partners. You know that if they find a cure for HIV tomorrow those condoms will be flying off. Do you doubt for one second that every major adult studio that rails against bareback today would not immediately start shooting films without condoms? So for now Satyr Films will continue as a bareback studio. I could go on forever on this issue but maybe we can talk more about this is in some future interview.
Andy: I checked with the JRL charts division...and...they tell me that you guys are generating huge rental numbers. What is driving the Satyr brand in retail and why are retailers stocking your product without hesitation?
Chad: Tell me about it. We have visited several stores ourselves and have seen their rental numbers. Many of the stores tell us that they have been generating 15-20 rentals per month per unit, which means that our films are being checked out all the time. They are not sitting on the shelves. And that for us is great! To be able to do what we love and have other people love what we do is one of the best feelings. The hardest part for us now is keeping up with the demand.
I think another reason that most retailers have not hesitated to carry our product is because we are a fetish studio. And as you know fetish is huge. We have a throatfucking line called Ream His Straight Throat [2008]. In this line we find sexy, straight men (many who are gay for pay) and throatfuck the hell out of them. It is one of our fantasies come true, to see masculine, straight guys getting their throats ripped open. They all start off all nice and pretty and by the end of the scene they are slobbering and crying with loads of cum down their throats. I'm getting hard just thinking about it. Any straight guys here?
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Nick: It's definitely because of the intensity that we get out of our models. We really pride ourselves on bringing the raw, animalistic sex out of our performers. In most of the films that are out there, the models are beautiful but there's little or no chemistry between them. Our Satyr style is all about guys who can't get enough of each other, constantly exploring their hungry mouths and holes.
Andy: There are studios in the gay xxx marketplace that come and go. Do you see yourselves being in this business long term?
Chad: We're here to stay. We love this business. We are currently have four films in various stages of production. We have a new throatfucking video coming up as well as a new video, Cum Filled Manholes 3. In the Cum Filled Manholes line we find straight guys who want their holes filled with hot cum. Are they straight? They say they are. In fact, we know that many of these guys have girlfriends. We have seen their pictures. So maybe they are just gay for pay. Who cares, as long as we can fill their sexy manholes with our Satyr juice!
We also have two more bareback gangbangs coming up. We really look forward to the gangbangs because this is where we really get to play around. We push our models to their limits. Working on a Satyr film can be both fun and exhausting. Many of our models have told us that this is the most fun they have ever had.
They are drained both physically and mentally. They are so into each other that they don't hesitate to shove cocks down their throats and tongues into each other's holes. They become true Satyrs and can't wait to work with us again. We use many of the same models quite often from film to film. We do try to mix it up to keep it interesting. One of our exclusive models, Rock Bottom (no relation to Randy Rock Bottom), is in all of our gangbangs.
He is one of the most intense performers we have ever seen. He brings such an energy to the sets that we have decided to use him as often as we can. He brings out the Satyr in all of our guys. He jumps into the dog-pile and he is such a hungry slut that the other guys can't help but become sluts themselves. One of our best films is "Top To Rock Bottom", where Rock became the star strictly by accident. He jumped into the role when the original booked pornstar did not show up. Poor Rock was throatfucked and fucked for four hours. He told us his hole was closed for repairs after the shoot. He did such a great job that we are eternally grateful, thanks Rock. You Rock!
Nick: We are here to stay for a long long time. We look at Satyr as the pioneer in throat fucking guys. Before we started no one was doing throat fucking between men. Now we constantly see other studios copying us. We don't mind, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Andy: What can retailers and JRL fans expect from Satyr films this summer?
Nick: A lot of incredible action. This summer is going to be our biggest couple of months yet. We have 4 new titles that will be released in the next few months. We watched some of the footage already and it's extremely intense. There's also a new theme that we're doing, which will be a surprise to all. We're such pigs, and proud of it (smile).
Chad: Well as I mentioned before, we are currently working on four films, a throatfucking video, bareback one-on-one video and two bareback gangbangs. We are trying to release at least one film per month. This is a huge endeavor for us because it means that we are shooting almost twice a week. We anticipate that we will increase our marketing efforts this year as well. The only advertising we have ever done is with JRL and that has worked fantastically. We have a new membership site that will be live within the next couple of months. We have had many requests for a membership site from fans who watch all of their porn online. We will continue to market our dvds as we feel that it will continue to be a strong source of revenue for us. While many other studios have seen their dvd sales numbers go down, we have been told by many in the industry that it is remarkable that Satyr Films dvd sales numbers have been going up, contrary to the trend.
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Andy: Are the Award shows giving Satyr Films the props' it deserves or, do you feel that politics are keeping the bareback issue on the back burner?
Nick: Well for right now there are no awards for bareback studios, which is fine with us. We really don't care about awards, just making the best porn available. Politics are still keeping the bareback studios on the bench when it comes to awards. I think everyone is starting to realize that bareback is not going away. Europe is loving us right now. While some argue about stopping bareback porn, European studios are cleaning up the market with shitty porn.
Chad: Although, we would love to be recognized within the industry for our efforts we have found that the bareback issue seems to be a political hot potato. As a result we have not been nominated for any awards and until the climate changes we don't count on it. As long as our fans continue to love our films that is all the reward we need.
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Andy: Producers have told me before that productions can take up to two to three months shoot. How much time do you put into your productions..(ie., is it scripted or is it just off the top of your imagination for the theme?
Chad: Some of our films have taken a couple of months to complete. Our gangbangs though are usually filmed within a couple of days. What takes the longest is always the editing. We are very specific about making sure that we have viewed and re-viewed our films at least six times before we decide that they are ready for replication. We really focus on sound editing as well. Because we do not use any music, the sounds of the rutting men is critical. We feel that you should be able to get a raging hard-on just from listening to the audio. In the rare cases where have used music we have made sure that it is sexy and really enhances the film.
We don't use scripts but that does not mean that it is not directed. We have found that most actors, porn actors included, will give you just enough to get by. So we really direct our performers. We won't hesitate to push their head down on a big cock if they are having trouble getting it down. Don't get me wrong, we will never harm our models. We love our guys. But to get the intensity that we require in a our films, the men have got to be able to tap deep into that Satyr in each one of us. The beauty of having sex with men is that you can be rougher with them. You can destroy them both orally and anally and they will love you more for it. Men will also swallow your load and thank you for it. Men rule!
Nick: We put a lot of thought into every production, constantly trying to make the next film better than the one before. What's so amazing to me, is the fact that in every movie we produce, we get so many great moments that usually happen in only 1 out of 5 movies for other studios. Our films are never scripted. We start out with an idea of what we think will look hot, and we don't stop until we get it. Sounds pretty simple, but it's really not. Anyone can make porn, only a few can make great porn (smile).
Andy: Nick and Chad, what's your opinion on Blu-Ray and where do you see gay xxx entertainment films going with Blu-Ray format?
Nick: Blu-Ray is the new format now. Just like with any new technology, we're constantly looking to bring the highest level of quality to our customers. What a lot of people don't know is that the adult industry is the first to introduce new technologies.
A perfect example is the computer convention in Vegas going on the same days as the Adult.
Chad: Blu-ray is a great format. It is, of course, the latest evolution of dvds. It is still prohibitively expensive with regards to replication. We will wait and watch to see how fans will respond. Although, it is great to have crystal-clear video resolution but badly made porn that looks great is still crap. We will continue to focus on having hot sex. Because after all isn't that what it is all about?
Andy: One thing that studios are criticized for is that they don't have Safe-Sex Info at the beginning of their bareback features. Do you guys insert it on your films?
Nick: We always have a Safe-Sex message in the beginning of our DVDs. We warn people watching our films on the dangers of bareback sex and being responsible in their personal and professional lives.
Chad: I am glad you asked us that question. From the very beginning we have always had in our "Warning Pages" a page that warns against having unprotected anal sex. We strongly encourage the use of condoms between individuals who are uncertain or do not know their partner's HIV status. Many of our models who are HIV negative will only bareback in our films and do not even bareback in their personal lives. And that is because of our strict adherence to sero matching. If you are HIV negative we will only pair you up with another HIV negative performer. We do not discriminate when it comes to HIV status but we want to be as responsible as possible within the bareback parameters and protect all of our models.
Andy: Nick, Chad...thank you for hanging with me here on JRL. Any shout outs to your JRL fans?
Nick: We'd like to thank all of our fans for supporting and believing in us from the beginning. Our expectations are very high when it comes to our films. If we're not turned on by a scene, we don't release it.
Because we are our own biggest critic, everything that we put out has to live up to Satyr standards. Keep your eye on us this summer, we have an amazing line up coming out. We have a throat fucking title, cum-filled manholes title and 2 Gangbangs coming out with a twist. If you enjoyed our last titles, you will never leave your place once you see what's coming next.
Chad: To all of our fans on JRL. Thanks so much for all of your support. We will continue to try and come up with some hot, man-on-man sex for your enjoyment. Also, please send us any suggestions of scenarios or scenes you would like to see.
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Andy: JRL fans, make sure to be on the look out for the next hardcore gay xxx feature coming out of the Satyr Films camp. You won't be able to take it out of the DVD player. Now, Chad and Nick, can you tell everyone reading your interview today, just who is your No.1 source for Info and Entertainment on the Gay Adult Film Industry?
Nick: JRL has been doing an amazing job. You guys are the leaders of the Gay Adult Film Industry.
Chad: Without a doubt, JRL. We have benefited tremendously since we started working with JRL. Our company has gone global within just a few short months. We are proud to say that our films have made it to all six continents. We haven't had any orders from Antarctica yet, but hopefully soon. I can see it now a bunch of horned-up Satyrs throatfucking and buttfucking each other while the penguins jealously watch from outside. Oh, what a wonderful world!
Andy: Special thanks to Satyr Films Entertainment and Marina Pacific for setting this up and, make sure to keep us locked in for the latest on Satyr Films Entertainment.
Now, check out their latest mega hit in America, Ream His Straight Throat 6 [2008] exclusively on JRL.
