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Vena ViragoLA’s Reigning Queen of Alt-Porn DirectorsVena Virago has occupied a number of roles in the adult entertainment industry, but her documentary Pornstar Pets put her on the filmmakers map and led her into her present role as a director. I loved her Silverlake Scenesters, a special hipster-ish brand of alt-porn. Her latest release, Eastside Story, from Vivid Alt, is more in that vein (so to speak), with visually arresting sets, hot babes with tats and real tits and music you’d actually listen to. The fabulous fuchsia-haired directrix took some time between takes to chat with ErosZine about inspirations, shopping and the secrets of her hair dye.ErosZine: Okay, the obvious question: How did you wind up making porn? Vena Virago: I was a NYC sex worker and then came to Los Angeles for graduate school. Much of my art and film work contained adult themes, so when I had the opportunity to direct commercial pornography I couldn’t resist. ErosZine: I reviewed Pornstar Pets. It was adorable! Vena Virago: Thank you! Many people have asked me how I ended up making that movie. Years ago I wrote about porn for About.com; I was their “Adult Film Guide.” One day I was on set writing about a shoot and I struck up a conversation with Evan Stone, who had his dog Sadie with him. When everyone was on a break, he took Sadie out for a run and we started talking. I thought it was really cool that he didn’t leave his dog home all alone all day. Evan told me a bunch of stuff about Sadie and I thought, “Hey all pet owners have stuff in common don’t they? People would like to hear these stories.“ That’s me talking to myself. ErosZine: Had you made any non-porn documentary films previously? Vena Virago: I was primarily making underground shorts that screened in art galleries and film festivals. The documentary genre was a bit of a happy accident for me. At the time when I was writing about porn to pay my bills, I was also writing a feature length screenplay (non-porno) and developing pitches for internet TV shows. My partner thought that my Pornstar Pets concept would make a great documentary and he brought it to Danny Vinik at Brink Films, who ultimately financed the project. ErosZine: How did you choose your pseudonym? Vena Virago: Although after making Pornstar Pets I was tempted to go with the first pet/first street combo (I would have been “Desiree Edmarth”), I decided to go with a name that was evocative of a woman who is both visceral and strong. I also couldn’t resist the fun to be had with the alliteration aspect. ErosZine: Your movies sorta fall into the alt-porn genre. Is that intentional or do you just cast your cool friends? Vena Virago: Making movies is really hard work and when you can hang out with people you know and like, then the workday is much more fun. I’ve known Eon McKai for years and we’ve worked on a bunch of stuff together. Through Eon I met Malachi and Winkytiki and many wonderful people. I’ve never really fit in anywhere, so if that makes me “alt” then that’s okay. I’ve pretty much always been the same since the mid-eighties. It’s just 20 years later now and I’m still a big kid. ErosZine: And has your work been inspired by any other directors? Vena Virago: There are so many artists and filmmakers whose work inspires me that I’m going to have to give you my top 10 list for this moment, and that is, in no particular order: Paul McCarthy, Peggy Ahwesh, George Kuchar, Elizabeth Murray, Wong Kar Wai, Keith Haring, Fassbinder, Annie Sprinkle, David Wojnorowicz, David Hammons, Raymond Pettibon. Oops, that’s 11! ErosZine: You also shoot on location, but not the usual clichéd LA porn houses. Does that make shooting tougher? Vena Virago: I like to give money to my friends, so I try to use locations that are owned or rented by people I know. I always pay a location fee. I also get insurance and pull a permit, so if there are any hassles everyone is covered. Sometimes shooting on location can be more difficult than in a sound stage or porno location because of the privacy issues. One time when we were shooting in my friend’s Silver Lake apartment, a downstairs neighbor turned the volume up on his stereo so high that we couldn’t get a proper sound level. Apparently he was compensating for our very squeaky bed that was getting way more action than usual for a Saturday afternoon. I went downstairs and explained that we were shooting a porno, would be finished soon, and offered a cash compensation for his inconvenience. The neighbor thanked me for telling him what was happening, refused the cash and offered to put on headphones. ErosZine: Porn stars are notoriously flaky. Has that been your experience? Vena Virago: I have worked with numerous performers who are very dedicated and reliable. Obviously though this is an unusual business, attracting unusual people, some of whom aren’t very punctual. Luckily I haven’t had to deal with too many flakes. ErosZine: Who do you like to work with the most? Vena Virago: I like to work with people who are smart, motivated and focused. ErosZine: You must know a lot of people in rock bands, since LA is such a big rock ‘n’ roll town. Who does your music? Vena Virago: The music from Eastside Story came from The Selectrons (aka Kid Moxie), The Harvey Cartel (featuring adult director Max Power), Travi Soul and I made some myself. I used to work with Chuck Bronco but last I heard he has officially retired from scoring pornography. ErosZine: On a totally different topic -- sort of -- do you like to shop? Vena Virago: I SHOP THEREFORE I AM Thank you for letting me get that Barbara Kruger reference in here…another excuse to expand my top 10 list. I shop everywhere. I have some credit cards now. I’m dangerous. ErosZine: I was in LA recently and you have some kickass thrift shops there. Where do you buy your clothes? Vena Virago: I’m always on a tight budget and I generally need a bunch of stuff in case I have to switch out something at the last minute, which sometime happens. Someone gets recast, or on set I may change my mind about a color scheme, etc. I mostly shop close to home. Here are a few of my favorite places for bargains. For outfits: BBC Clothing in Echo Park (Grab some food at Rodeo or Pescado Mojado after you shop!), It’s A Wrap in Burbank (They have all kinds of clothes from Hollywood studio shoots.) and for Cute Affordable Heels: Crossroads on Melrose. Hmm, I just realized that I answered that question as wardrobe person. I do the styling for my movies. ErosZine: And what color pink do you use on your hair? Vena Virago: Now that’s a secret recipe. However, what I will tell you is that I bought my first Manic Panic Dye from Tish & Snooky when they were on St Mark’s place (a long, long time ago) and I continue to use their product today. ErosZine: What new projects do you have in the works? Vena Virago: I’m currently writing a new script, which will be my first porn narrative. I generally have always preferred to write dialogue for particular actors and I feel confident now that I have met the right performers who can handle dialogue. I also have some drawings in Sex Workers Visions II curated by Audacia Ray. The show opens on May 1st in New York City. It’s a benefit for Spread Magazine, which is a really wonderful publication for the sex worker community. Please visit Virago.com for more details. ErosZine: Awesome, Vena! I’ll be sure to check that out live here in Manhattan! Readers can see more about Vena, and purchase her films, at her web site. [Written April 2007] |
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