Looking for Trouble: No Fauxxx's Founder on The Porn Revolution
Posted at 7:24 PM May 02, 2008
Trouble Royale runs one of the longest running alt porn websites, No Fauxxx, which strives for authentic representation of queer indie subculture - using naked pictures as the medium.
Naked City editor Audacia Ray had some questions for Trouble about the ways the genre has changed over the years, capitalism, and alternative beauty standards.
Audacia Ray: How have you seen alt and indie porn change over the years since you started doing No Fauxxx?
Trouble Royale: I have seen the rise and fall of many websites that copied the SuicideGirls style. I've seen SG go from a "small project" in Portland to the huge mainstream empire that it is today. I think the biggest change I've seen is alt porn girls rising to true porn star status, like Joanna Angel, Sasha Grey, etc. Seeing them put out DVDs and collaborating with huge porn companies makes me happy.
AR: How do you see the relationship between radical culture and capitalism? Do you think it's possible to be an enthusiastic participant in and producer of radical culture while also striving to make a decent living?
TR: Hell yes I think it's possible to be an enthusiastic participant of radical culture and (try to) make a living off of it. I am a huge believer in supporting radical business ventures as well as radical non-business ventures. I would much rather put money into a project that's worthwhile to me or my community, and fund further projects. I'm not a true supporter of capitalism, but I do think that radical projects need to be financially supported.
AR: Do you think that the absence of alternative beauty (ranging from models of size to genderqueers and everything in between) in mainstream porn is a matter of the demand of porn consumers, the result of the hesitancy of porn producers, or something else entirely?
TR: I think it's a system set up and reflective of a set of totally contrived and imaginary beauty ideals, but I don't necessarily think it's reflective of the audience's true desires, or even the best intentions of the producers. Its a system that they're hesitant to break down because it's working, and it's making them money. Until there's a new market for a variety of sizes/genders/etc that is large enough to be seen by the producers and stock holders, until it's seen as a profitable market, it will remain the same.
AR: What do you think people considering making porn should consider with regards to the ethics of porn production?
TR: That the contracts are fair and in favor of the actors, that the set is clean and prepared for safer sex, that actors are treated fairly, and paid what they're promised and what they deserve.
