Andy Kay Interview

 NOTE: All links are NSFW.

Question for the day: are porn performers the best blue movie directors? A silly query, but I'm going to say yes. Kristen Bjorn, Blue Blake, and Michael Lucas all started as bedroom thespians, moved behind the camera, and their films/videos have made many a palm hairy. Andy Kay can be added to that list. He began as a Boycrush actor, even worked on a Lucas video. Kay now sits on top of a porn empire. Think Michael Corleone, minus the brutal calculating, guns, and murder.

The porn king was kind enough to respond to a few email questions.

How would you describe the relationship between Phoenixx and Boycrush? Do you film for both sites? Do you use different techniques for each (outside of the use of different models)?

Currently I direct all the scenes for both sites, as well as content production for Gaylifenetwork. Boycrush has been around long before I became legal, but I've been with Phoenixxx since the beginning. Bryan (Boycrush's owner) recognizes it as my baby, and pretty much lets me film it entirely in my own style. The site is co-owned by both Boycrush and the owners of Gaylifenetwork. The combined staff makes the line much more professional. I've worked with companies that don't have the director do makeup, model hiring, wardrobe, script writing, editing, paychecks, paperwork, etc. Pretty much the only thing I don't do is run the second camera and set up the scenes. But I think that what we've accomplished so far with the staff we have is pretty impressive.

My techniques don't change so much between the sites. The only thing that's different is the models, and their level of experience and professionalism. Which definitely changes how I deal with them. 

It's rare for a porn performer to move behind the camera. Was that always your plan? What made you decide to be a producer/director?

I just kind of went with it. I always knew I wanted to model in porn, but I didn't realize until I started working part time as a Boycrush cameraman that the job [directing] had everything I wanted in an occupation. I could film, write scripts and edit,  which is something I did all through high school. I also had the artistic freedom to put my personal touch on all of Boycrush's products and lines. I think I brought just as much to the company as I got from it.

You have a funny Tweet about buying "large quantities of enemas, latex & nonlatex condoms, and stacks of giant lollipops" at the local Wal-Mart. I think many porn fans have an image that filming porn is nothing but glamour. What is the one myth/theory that irks the most?

I'm pretty sure everyone that works in porn has those same kind of last minute supply purchasing experiences. I used to think that it would take the fantasy part out of it if fans saw what really went on behind the scenes. However, I think most of them enjoy watching certain models no matter what they're doing.

How do you create a comfortable set for performers. Is that even possible?

I treat the models how they ask to be treated. Half of making a set comfortable (aside from testing) is making sure that we're still having fun, but not so much that the scene is unrealistic. I don't personally put up with divas or attitudes (that's my boss's job), but I feel like models enjoy their experience with us much more than with other companies. I don't baby them, but make sure they have everything they need to feel comfortable. I also don't ask them to do something that will ruin their experience.

You are proud of the professionalism on your sets. Do you think that comes about because you were a model? How does your work as a performer impact what you do as a producer?

It has to have helped. Filming while editing is probably the most beneficial thing a director can do. Since every thing is essentially filmed real-time, you have to be quick on your feet to get the right shots. Some studios take hours and hours to finish a scene, but I feel like you lose some of the magic, physical endurance, and chemistry by spreading it out so much.

Do you work with models who have bare backed? What is your overall vision about bare backing? Do you think models feel compelled to bare back because of producers?

I've personally bare backed on camera and work with models that have. Because we full-panel test every model, every month before they film, I don't feel like many models are uncomfortable on our sets.

The bare backing isn't the problem. If both models are completely free of STDs then there isn't any risk of infection. We do run one bareback site (Baretwinks), but don't force any models to do anything they aren't comfortable with.

In today's world, models are mostly anti-bare back. This is mostly due to certain producers forcing condoms down models throats, while ignoring the concept of testing. I'll end this answer with a question for you: Would you rather A) have sex with someone you know is positive but wear a condom or B) have bare back sex with a model that you knew was tested and clean? There's no 100 percent safe way to run a business like this, but we mimic the straight industry's standards. We haven't had any problems, or had anyone get infected with anything serious ever. That's not something those condom only studios can say.

Would you like to see gay porn studios use one standard when it comes to testing? You seem to be advocating bare back and latex sex? Is that a fair reading?

The straight industry rarely uses condoms and has a database that keeps track of all the models' test results and statuses. Some people think this method isn't affective since there have been HIV breakouts that made national news but if you think of the insane amounts of porn that's filmed per day in the United States and that we only have HIV scares every few years, I'd say its pretty damn effective. Besides, the issue really isn't about models catching diseases on camera. Occurrence like that are so incredibly rare. The issue is that a lot of models escort or are unsafe in their personal lives, and that's why testing is so important.

I'm not an advocate for bare back sex. I'm an advocate for safe bare back sex. While that may seem like an oxymoron to some, it all comes down to how you do things. We test all our models, shoot bareback content with couples, or if the models request it, and don't have models ever do anything they're not comfortable with. I think those three things make what we do OK. Like I said, we have a squeaky clean record over the past 8 years. It works for us. I don't see why it wouldn't work for the rest of the industry.

What about the whole gay for pay debate? Do you care about a model's sexuality? What impacts a good video performance? Sexuality or the ability to get hard on demand?

I don't really care. Since we started Phoenixxx.com I've worked with a ton of straight guys. Most all of them have been almost perfect performers. Aside from not bottoming, or in some cases refusing to suck dick or kiss, I consider them just as good as their gay counterparts. Their main benefit is the lack of drama, or interest in sleeping with other models off camera during shoots.

Basically get and stay hard, cum quickly, and, most importantly, act like it's the best sex of your life: these are a model's most important jobs.

Have you noticed any difference in performers' attitudes/expectations from when you first started?

There are just so many potential and current models now; I feel like the diva attitudes have gone down because of that. Fewer guys are getting the chance to make it big, and those who do are usually signed to studios.

What advice would you give to a model who was looking to get into the industry?

Take good clear photos. Full front and back, head-shot, hard dick, etc. Casting directors always appreciate clear photos in the correct formats. Other than that, you can get a manager and hope he can get you work. Or apply everywhere you think you'd fit in, and follow up with your contact with that studio every month. Most of the time it's just luck. We're drowning in new applicants. We get more a week than we can even begin to have time to review. As long as you're charismatic, persistent, and have a unique look that sets you apart from the rest. You should get your chance eventually.

Do you watch porn? Any producer whose work you learn from?

I hate the twink porn that's produced in this industry. I just can't watch it. After spending hundreds of hours editing hundreds of videos in the detailed way that we do, I can't enjoy the crappy one camera and sloppily edited videos that most of our competitors produce. I took a big page from Cobra's book before Bryan died, but even that website didn't make their videos as clean and detailed as we do. I definitely feel like Cobra made some really good stuff; it's one of the few websites where I can look past the shaky shots, and camera noises, and actually enjoy the content.

Any specific plans for the future? Do you expect to keep working in the industry? Go mainstream?

I expect a few years from now Andy Kay will sell his house and disappear for a while. I'll come back though. Parts of the industry are like family.

I've been working hard in my label as a dance music producer. I've released several EPs, but I can't talk to much about it (part of my contract is to keep the porn and the music separate). It's really interesting being almost famous in two industries, both totally separate from the other. I'd like the music stuff to pick up more, but I enjoy doing it enough for it to stay a low-income hobby.


Any fantasy projects/scenes you want to film?

Fans have suggested we make a "Twinkblood 2," but I kind of feel like the vampire thing was over before we made that movie. Some of the original models are no longer working in the industry, and no one appreciates sequels where they've replaced a character with a different actor. One thing I can tell you  coming up is the second "Bus Stop Boys." That DVD is still selling like hotcakes, and the second one will have a much higher production value as we've worked out the kinks on how to film scenes centered around a moving bus.