This article originally appeared on VICE Netherlands.Whether you watch it for masturbation or plain inspiration, porn is an ordinary part of sex for many of us. But what if you get hot under the collar at the thought of actively contributing to the universe of adult content that gets shared every day? How do you make fun, sexy and ethical amateur videos? And, assuming you feel like taking that step, how would an exhibitionist like yourself publish those clips safely and responsibly?
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Esluna Love used to be a professional porn actress and is now an erotic performer and content creator who makes her own videos at home. She said there aren’t many rules for what a sex tape should look like, “just as long as everyone in it is having a good time”, she explains, though “there are a few things you should keep in mind when you create and distribute this type of content”. We surveyed Love about what you need to know.Whether it’s a sex tape for your private collection or something you want to put online, there’s one golden rule: consent. Every person involved has to consent to being filmed. If it’s getting published, they have to give their consent to that, too. “Some platforms require you to include a photo of your ID or driver's licence as well as a release form, which must be signed by everyone in the video before they share it,” Love says. “The form also states that everyone in the video must be older than 18.”
1. Ask everyone for consent
2. Think about anonymity
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“See how you feel about random people on the internet watching your videos,” she says. “It’s not nothing to showcase yourself online like that.”You should also pay attention to identifiable details like tattoos or unique jewellery. “You can hide tattoos under a pair of high socks or a sexy outfit,” Love advises. If, in the heat of the moment, you film yourself in a way that might allow someone to recognise you, you can blur your face while editing the clip. “Keep in mind that it’s not easy to blur tattoos or small details,” she adds.Love also recommends not using or sharing your real name, home address or any other personal information. This way, you can explore and discover your place in the world of porn at your own pace.Filming yourself while you’re having sex can be very arousing and fun, but the typical advice is to avoid it because someone with bad intentions might get their hands on the results. You’re never to blame if that happens but, as a precaution, Love advises to only film with people you trust. If you decide to create content with people you don’t know that well, use the tips above to make sure you stay anonymous.
3. Work with people you trust
4. Think about a script
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5. Experiment with the camera
6. Choose the right lightning
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7. Build a set
8. Choose the right location
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The same thing goes for the content of your videos. You might enjoy roleplaying historical scenes, but stick with time periods and scenes that aren’t distasteful or full-on offensive.Review your video carefully before you publish it. Is there really nothing in it you’d rather keep to yourself? Are you sure people won’t recognise the partner(s) who requested anonymity, or any other identifying marks in the clip? “I recently rewatched a video that had been online for a year and suddenly noticed that my cat was in the frame half the time,” Love laughs. If you want to make sure that your content won’t be shared without crediting you, add a watermark to your video. It can be the name of your account (assuming you want people to look you up) or your chosen porn alias. Place your watermark in a central part of the frame, so it can’t be edited out.As with most things online, people will probably comment on your content, although “comments on porn sites are always very positive”, Love says, “maybe because people specifically went looking for these types of images”. Still, negative comments can happen and they feel particularly icky when you’ve shared intimate images of yourself. According to Love, it’s important that you ignore or block these kinds of comments: You don’t owe anyone a perfect wank session. It’s your video, and an extension of your sexual experience.
9. Do a final check
10. Don’t forget the internet can be toxic
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On some sites, people can send you private messages after you accept their friend request. This is useful if you don’t feel like getting messages from strangers. Take your time to review the privacy settings when you create an account. Amongst other things, these settings allow you to block specific locations, so you can even prevent people living in your country from viewing your content.There are several places where you can publish your sexy artistic masterpiece. Some of them are well-known websites that accept free content, like PornHub, xHamster, or xvideos. You can also create an account on clipstore sites like IWantClips, ManyVids, FanCentro or Clip4sale and get paid for your content. If you really want to get into content creation, you can reach out to websites like CHEEX to let them know you’d like to make videos for them. You can also create an OnlyFans account, but if you don’t have a large social media following or the ability to do a lot of PR for your account, your video probably won’t get a lot of views, “because OnlyFans doesn’t have an ‘Explore’ page”, Love explains. It’s always a good idea to check the copyright terms of whatever website you use – you should ideally always hold onto the copyright of your content – and keep in mind that if you upload your video to a free website, other users and websites may rip it for their own usage. “You can tick a box in the settings to make sure your content can’t be downloaded, but there’s always a chance that a different website might do it anyway,” she explains. Because of this, an intimate make-out session between you and your lover can pop up elsewhere with a file name like ‘brother and sister hook up in secret’.”Ultimately, the most important thing is to have fun, whether the result is an Oscar-worthy performance or a grainy video that looks like it was filmed on an old Nokia. You don’t have to start off with a ten-person orgy in the back of a Formula 1 race car – you can just film short takes of great moments in your sex life. As Love puts it: “Enjoy the moment, and your video will turn out great, no matter what.”