Roxanne Appleby
Masterpiece
- Joined
- Aug 21, 2005
- Posts
- 11,231
On AH someone asked today for video porn recommendations. Reading the posts I was reminded of the distinction that lesbian porn connoisseurs make between "mainstream" porn and material that meets certain higher standards. These particular "fans" really despise the mainstream, and have put a lot of energy into defining what is so repellent about it. I will share some of that here as a "conciousness raising" exercise, because that thread made it clear to me that most potential viewers are unaware that in a few areas of "the industry" things are changing. To be a captive of the mainstream (basically almost everything in your typical smut shop) is equivalent to being a TV viewer in the pre-cable era. I only wish I could point to hetero porn that meets the same standards as the quality non-mainstream lesbian stuff.
Lesbian pornography - 'connoisseur': Pornography whose subjects display or depict believable personality characteristics and interact in recognizably human ways (as opposed to the extreme objectification of women and almost robotic or manic behavior depicted in mainstream pornography). It usually includes more 'natural'-appearing women having explicit sex with little or no use of sex toys, but not to the exclusion of other erotic elements including plausible portrayals of emotion, intimacy, build-up, kissing and foreplay. Examples include recent productions from British producer Viv Thomas, studios like Girlfriends Films, and websites like AbbyWinters.com.
Here are two "like/don't like" laundry lists from the "Lesbian Porn Paysites" section of the "lesbian-website-reviews.com" web site:
Lesbian aficionados, as a rule (there's always exceptions) DO LIKE:
Lots of kissing by women that clearly enjoy kissing other women.
Lots of buildup and foreplay.
A "set-up" that could actually be real. (You don't often see women "getting it on" in a porn shop.)
Natural breasts, even if it means no breasts.
Women wearing "everyday" clothes instead of being dressed up like something out of the Mustang Ranch.
No toys at all or at least erotic use as opposed to slamming something in and out like a jackhammer.
Ambient audio with sincere dialogue.
What we would like to believe are real orgasms.
Non professionals do the acting. (Or, at least women who appear to be really into what they're doing.)
Lesbian aficionados, as a rule (again, there's exceptions) for the most part; DON'T LIKE:
Lesbian "strap-on scenes" (NOT a concensus on this one)
Women sucking on strap-ons and "getting off."
Wearers of strap-ons "getting off" in an obviously phony way.
Scenes that center around the use of toys.
Scenes that start off with the use of toys.
Editing that leaves the viewer thinking, "They were in bed a second ago, why are they now "doing it" in the backseat of a car?"
Women wearing throughout a scene, eight-inch spike heels.
Women who suck on these heels.
Implants. (Nina, what were you thinking?)
Ridiculous, loud,background music. Any background music, really.
Camera flashs from the photographer taking stills of the action.
Cutaways to guys who are peeking, jerking or otherwise, just "there."
Idiot camera operators (or directors) who can't resist the urge to "join in." (more leeway granted if they're female, of course.)
Idiot camera operators (or directors) who give verbal directions, talk to the women, blurt out how hot the action is, etc.(again, more leeway granted if they're female.)
Obviously fake orgasms.
Women who aren't really into what they're doing.
Dubbed in dialogue, moans, etc.
Anyone who has watched any amount of mainstream porn, hetero or homo, will recognize many of these "don't like" items. The purpose of this post it to say, it doesn't have to be that way, and you are correct to find most of it seamy and unappetizing.
Lesbian pornography - 'connoisseur': Pornography whose subjects display or depict believable personality characteristics and interact in recognizably human ways (as opposed to the extreme objectification of women and almost robotic or manic behavior depicted in mainstream pornography). It usually includes more 'natural'-appearing women having explicit sex with little or no use of sex toys, but not to the exclusion of other erotic elements including plausible portrayals of emotion, intimacy, build-up, kissing and foreplay. Examples include recent productions from British producer Viv Thomas, studios like Girlfriends Films, and websites like AbbyWinters.com.
Here are two "like/don't like" laundry lists from the "Lesbian Porn Paysites" section of the "lesbian-website-reviews.com" web site:
Lesbian aficionados, as a rule (there's always exceptions) DO LIKE:
Lots of kissing by women that clearly enjoy kissing other women.
Lots of buildup and foreplay.
A "set-up" that could actually be real. (You don't often see women "getting it on" in a porn shop.)
Natural breasts, even if it means no breasts.
Women wearing "everyday" clothes instead of being dressed up like something out of the Mustang Ranch.
No toys at all or at least erotic use as opposed to slamming something in and out like a jackhammer.
Ambient audio with sincere dialogue.
What we would like to believe are real orgasms.
Non professionals do the acting. (Or, at least women who appear to be really into what they're doing.)
Lesbian aficionados, as a rule (again, there's exceptions) for the most part; DON'T LIKE:
Lesbian "strap-on scenes" (NOT a concensus on this one)
Women sucking on strap-ons and "getting off."
Wearers of strap-ons "getting off" in an obviously phony way.
Scenes that center around the use of toys.
Scenes that start off with the use of toys.
Editing that leaves the viewer thinking, "They were in bed a second ago, why are they now "doing it" in the backseat of a car?"
Women wearing throughout a scene, eight-inch spike heels.
Women who suck on these heels.
Implants. (Nina, what were you thinking?)
Ridiculous, loud,background music. Any background music, really.
Camera flashs from the photographer taking stills of the action.
Cutaways to guys who are peeking, jerking or otherwise, just "there."
Idiot camera operators (or directors) who can't resist the urge to "join in." (more leeway granted if they're female, of course.)
Idiot camera operators (or directors) who give verbal directions, talk to the women, blurt out how hot the action is, etc.(again, more leeway granted if they're female.)
Obviously fake orgasms.
Women who aren't really into what they're doing.
Dubbed in dialogue, moans, etc.
Anyone who has watched any amount of mainstream porn, hetero or homo, will recognize many of these "don't like" items. The purpose of this post it to say, it doesn't have to be that way, and you are correct to find most of it seamy and unappetizing.
