Vivid Studio Insider for June 27th, 2008

Vivid Studio Insider for June 27th, 2008

VIVID-ALT DIRECTOR'S "DAY JOB" MAKES NEWS - Director Vena Virago made the news in L.A. for the link between her new art exhibit and production of her latest Vivid-Alt film, " Honey Bunny. " Audacia Ray writes in the " NakedCity.com " blog from Village Voice Media :

Vena Virago [r] on te set of "Honey Bunny"Photo Credit: NakedCity.com

"When you're both a pornographer and an artist, sometimes things can get a little pretentious. Unless you're Vena Virago , in which case your art will be fun and weird...and your porn films will be fun and weird. Vena just wrapped shooting her third feature-length porn film, called "Honey Bunny." Instead of using the standard issue Porn Valley ranch house with overly-modern furniture, Vena shot the film inside the Circus Gallery , among the latest showing of her artwork. Clever!" ArtForum.com reported: "Artist Margie Schnibbe is more widely known to her audiences as Vena Virago, alt-porn director of skin flicks with a critical edge...Schnibbe and Virago meet where art and pornography inform and comment on each other, fertile ground..." ArtForum writer Sarah Lehrer-Graiwer noted: "Her sustained practice of palpating the soft seam between art and porn makes Circus Gallery-itself housed in an old porn-distribution warehouse-the ideal location for "Honey Bunny," her first solo exhibition in LA. Installations of her drawings, paintings, ad hoc wallpaper, zines, and fabric pieces double as the multiple sets for her newest adult feature." Lehrer-Graiwer added, "Currently in production, Honey Bunny is an XXX-rated fairy tale with an allegorical subtext [of a journey] through dreamlike scenarios, getting f*cked all along the way. A cushy velour sofa and a glut of throw pillows upholstered in girly pinks, purples, creams, and faux cowhide beckon invitingly in front of a bright yellow wall emblazoned with a large fringed felt sign reading TODAY IS A GOOD DAY, each word burrowed into its own pink rabbit hole." The film production also was referenced by Art Without Limits (AWOL.com) columnist Ezrha Jean Black , who noted that the exhibition opening "was an evening for disturbing thoughts and images (even as they were playful and philosophical)."

Photo courtesy of Hank Hoffman

MEGGAN ON POPPORN.COM - Vivid Girl Meggan Mallone was interviewed last week by Joey Nickels of the adult blog PopPorn.com. The former Texas high school cheerleader talked about her decision to join the Vivid team earlier this year.

L.A. WEEKLY ON CIRCA '82 - L.A. Weekly writer Peter Gilstrap reviewed the Vivid-Alt film " Circa '82 " in the latest issue of the newspaper. Gilstrap also took the occasion to comment on the film's recent launch party at Hyperion Tavern hosted by director Dave Naz and Vivid-Alt head Eon McKai . "Circa '82" "delivers punk-drenched, suburban-angst, back-then realism - with a Circle Jerks soundtrack," writes Gilstrap, noting that " If you read enough rock journalism, sooner or later you'll find some reference to the anarchistic spirit of punk rock, and the big question, Where Did It Go?" He adds, "Apparently, it's now something to be documented and celebrated, given a new XXX offering from Vivid Alt called Circa '82 , featuring a soundtrack by vintage L.A. (sorry, Hermosa Beach) scene vets Circle Jerks.... the movie - directed by Dave Naz of the '80s punk band Chemical People - takes its boffing background from that era's punk ethos, with the endorsement of ex-Germ Don Bolles and Keith Morris of said Jerks, both of whom appear in the period carnal piece, albeit fully clothed." He says "'Circa '82' does actually attempt to deliver a taste of back-then realism but - somewhat surprisingly - not in any trad hardcore sense...Despite the matter-of-intercourse, no-holes-barred action in Circa '82 , Naz's directorial vision was based on visual subtlety." The event at Hyperion also made the LAist.com website, which listed the celebrities who partied: "In attendance were stars Ashley Blue , Sasha Grey and Lexi Belle , as well as Vivid-alt performer Dana DeArmond , Lorna Doom , and the aforementioned Bolles. Also present were Vivid-Alt head/director Eon McKai with Sarah, director Vena Virago, artist COOP with wife Ruth, photographers Eric Kroll and Ed Fox , model/photographer Alejandra Guerrero , and AVN photographer Gia Jordan . The event also featured a performance by local band The Lost Captains ."

VIVID-ED DVD "POSITIONS" DVD HITS STORES FRIDAY - The latest Vivid-Ed title, " The Expert Guide to Positions " hit stores nationwide on June 27th.

Tristan Taormino , head of Vivid-Ed, did the voiceovers and introduces the video, which exposes the best sexual positions for couples. It's the fifth installment of the "Expert Guide" series. The enthusiastic cast demonstrates 18 different positions, which vary from "slow and sensual" to "fast and frenzied." The movie is perfect for couples who want to add excitement and variation to their sex life. New partners can learn about each other's bodies and likes/dislikes in a fun way by trying out different positions. The cast includes the brunette beauty, Faith Leon , along with Celina Cross , Sandra Romain and Courtney Simpson . Sascha , Jerry and Marcos Leon also join in the fun. Says Tristan: "This is a great title which covers a lot of different positions, from the classics to some sexy, wild ones. Amber Rayne's scenes with Christian are among my favorite, and she shows off her unbelievable flexibility!"