Mindbrowse.com and Sssh.com hosted a timely roundtable discussion on “Porn Production & Consent” at the 2019 XBIZ Show.
The event was held on Tuesday, January 15 at noon in the Andaz Hotel (Studio 4) and was also broadcast live via Periscope on Twitter at @ssshforwomen to a viewing audience of over 3,000 people.
Consent is both multifaceted and complex, while also being super basic — a mandatory imperative that’s constantly re/adjusting and evolving throughout every social interaction.
Consent is something that’s long been embedded in the adult content production process; however, during this past year alone, several instances have highlighted moments wherein co-working parties’ understanding of what’s consensual have broken down. These high-profile instances are certainly only a sampling of other obscured infractions, so how do we, as a community, work to do better?
“Porn Production & Consent: Before, During, and After a Shoot” dug deep into consent as it pertains to adult content production processes and practices. The discussion explored ways in which producers, performers, and other invested parties can work together more effectively, and more.
Mindbrowse events are produced by Sssh.com’s award-winning director and founder Angie Rowntree and organized and moderated by sociologist Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals.
“Consent is immensely important especially in the context of creating adult entertainment,” says Rowntree. “It’s critical that every sex act and encounter we depict is done with the clear and explicit consent of everyone involved. It’s also crucial for adult content creators to understand that consent is something that can be withdrawn by the performers at any point in filming, should they change their minds or become uncomfortable with doing something they’d previously agreed to do.”
“Most importantly, at the center of consent is communication,” Rowntree adds, “between partners, between performers and directors so that everyone understands each other’s boundaries, limits, and needs.”
Event participants include Casey Calvert, Missy Martinez, Janice Griffith, Mercedes Carrera, Casey Kisses, Small Hands, and Natasha Nice.
In an attempt to create a more egalitarian space, this Mindbrowse event deviated from the conventional panel format and instead utilized a round table discussion format. The group of “official” event participants weighed in, all attendees were encouraged to participate in the group discussion, which many did enthusiastically.
“Consent is a tricky concept. It’s definitive — yes or no — while also constantly evolving throughout the course of any social interaction. As humans in today’s world, we are encouraged to not talk about sex, as well as be uncomfortable with the idea that feelings can change in real time — a recipe for disaster when talking about consent in the context of sex,” says Dr. Tibbals. “Intimate labor such as porn performance seems to augment these complexities, as well as introduced a whole series of additional, unique issues.”
“Our goal with this event was to unpack these issues as they occur before, during, and after a shoot, Dr. Tibbals adds, “and — perhaps most significantly — start identifying strategies to help work better together.”
“This year’s Mindbrowse event was both rousing and eye-opening. It’s not easy to speak so plainly about work-related issues that impact an entire community — especially when said issues are also personal and intimate. I am grateful to everyone who put themselves out there and shared their thoughts and insights, featured speakers and attendees alike,” said Dr. Chauntelle Tibbals, who organized and moderated the seminar.
“Now, the task is to keep the conversation going and take action. Discussion is a key step, but the hard work of actually engaging change also needs to happen,” Tibbals added.
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