Good Vibrations Magazine

So, remember back a few weeks ago when I interviewed Syd, the porn star I work with? Well, truth be told, Syd’s not my only coworker that’s been involved with adult entertainment… there’s also my pal Dave McDick (surprisingly, not his real name).

When I found out that Dave had partaken in the erotic art of video pornography, I wanted to find out what his experiences were, in comparison to Syd’s.

What follows is our conversation about his venture into the world of boy-on-boy porn:

Did you always want to be a porn star?
It’s always been a fantasy of mine, as far back as I remember being aware of porn’s existence. Being a part of the action added to the thrill of the fantasy, even if exhibitionism wasn’t really my “thing.”

When did you do your first film?
I only did one about two years ago.

What were the circumstances? Did someone ask you to be in a film?
Believe it or not, I answered an ad on Craigslist calling for porn actors. It was in the M4M listings, and I couldn’t help clicking on it. I was single at the time, and going through a stage in my life when I was trying out new things, and being what I called “exploritational.” I sent in my pix, never thinking that they’d actually be interested. But since the concept was a faux “amateur” flick, it didn’t hurt that I was a real amateur.

Did you tell your parents? If so, what did you tell them?
Never. But that’s a funny question — I remember asking an ex of mine what his advice was, and he said, “I could never do that — what if my mother were to come across the movie at the video store?” To which I replied, “Why would your mother be looking for gay porn?” But I’d never met his mother, so…

Did you find it awkward or exciting to be in front of a camera?
Both. I was excited at the opportunity to live out this fantasy, but it was as awkward as could be. The director and crew and other “models” were all really sweet, though, and made the atmosphere as comfortable as the situation permitted. That being said, I couldn’t perform in front of the camera. Later, my best friend wanted to make a t-shirt for me that read “Failed Porn Star.” I can only laugh about it in retrospect. (And I never got the damned t-shirt).

Did you have to be sexual with a complete stranger or did you know your co-star(s)?
I didn’t know anyone on the set. I recognized one of the other actors — either from another movie, or just being in SF for 20 years — it’s a fairly small town, after all, and you never know who you know or how you know them.

What would you never do in a film? What were your limits?
The director asked me right off the bat: “Top or bottom or both?” I was only considering topping. I just couldn’t imagine being a bottom on screen — not that it’s anyone’s business what I do off camera. I couldn’t tell you what psychology there was behind this, but just that it seemed a bit too far past my boundaries. Once they realized that I couldn’t play the role I was hired to play, I was asked politely if I could switch parts, as it were, and I considered it, really just to get it over with, you know? It was all moot, though, since I was never asked back in front of the camera for the rest of the day’s shoot.

What’s your favorite porn flick of all time?
I’ll always have a place in my heart for A Porn Star is Born. Not only are the guys hot, but it follows the plot of a Judy-Garland-remade-by-Barbra-Streisand movie, AND (mostly) because it was filmed in the alley outside of my office, and the big musical number at the end took place in the bar around the corner, where we all go after work. It’s like one degree of separation.

I saw the 70’s fag porn, Kansas City Trucking Company, and it kinda scared me a little bit. Have you seen it?
I’m a bad gay man, I haven’t seen it. I didn’t really discover porn movies til the ’80s, when aesthetics were changing and video was overcoming film. I have to admit I never really went back to check out the classics. That same ex who was shocked by my doing the movie had a thing for ’70s porn, though I never did find where he stashed his collection.

Who has the biggest penis in contemporary gay boy porn? And would you “do” him?
In A Porn Star is Born, I was mesmerized by the sight of Michael Brandon’s dick being sucked on a boat directly under the Golden Gate Bridge in broad daylight. He was the stuff of fantasies for a while, even knowing it was beyond the pale. That being said, I can’t imagine ever “doing” him, to use your quaint terminology. Of course, I’m in a committed relationship now, so I can’t imagine ever “doing” anybody else besides my boyfriend.What was your favorite scene or favorite part about doing a porn film?
My favorite part was when it was over. Dorky, right? I felt a certain sense of accomplishment — even if I failed, I’d been in a porn movie, goddammit. I remember having to go to a fundraiser cocktail party immediately afterwards, so I went back to my car, changed my shoes, and headed over to this semi-swanky chic event. I just swapped naked gays for well-dressed ones.

What was the worst part?
The terribly wrong part, of course, was my lack of “screen presence.” I could never quite decide where the blame lay for my inability to perform — was it the camera? the crowd? the embarrassment? the lube brand that I just didn’t like (no names, please, it’s one of our best-sellers)? the fact that I’m really just a nice Jewish boy from the Bronx and it was never meant to be this way? Does it matter?

So, I take it you have no further plans to do porn?
You take it correctly.