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HARKER JONES CHATS WITH KEITH WITCHKA EXCLUSIVELY ON JRL
Tuesday January 20, 2009 12:00 a.m. PDT
Keith: JRL fans in the United States and the European Union! I have the pleasure of presenting to you the Editor n' Chief of GayVN Magazine and GayVN.com. Harker Jones has been at the helm of GayVN for the past couple of years and for 2009, he is pulling out all the stops to kick off a great year in the Gay Adult Film Industry.Keith: Harker thank you for hanging out with me on JRL today. I know we had you scheduled for yesterday Monday January 19, 2008 but you've been so busy getting back from Las Vegas and now preparing for the 2009 GayVN Awards Show in San Francisco so, I do thank you for taking out the time to do this for our readers.
Harker: Hey, thanks for having me. This is an exciting time. For gay porn, and for me!
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Keith: First off, you just got back from te AVN Expo in Las Vegas, you're getting ready for the GayVN Awards show in San Francisco at the Castro in March......Do you have time to sleep?
Harker: It doesn’t feel like it sometimes. The holidays were particularly killer. It helped, though, that the awards were pushed forward a month this year so they didn't really get traction until after the new year. Last year we were in crunch time throughout the holidays and it was insane.
Keith: According to sources inside of AVN, this will be the best show ever for the GayVN Awards show which is being held at the Castro Theatre on March 26-29th. What can fans expect this year?
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Harker: This year we’ve done away with the summit and all the seminars. This year, it’s a big blowout with a sports theme with parties and events spanning three days. Unzipped Media is sponsoring an industry party Thursday, March 26. Tickets are $50 and proceeds benefit ASACP.
Then on Friday, the 27th, different porn studios are sponsoring different bars in the Castro for a tailgate party/bar crawl, which is being put on by NakedSword (www.nakedsword.com) and the Stop AIDS Project. Fans will be able to hang with some of their favorite stars as they get their drink on.
Then Saturday, the day of the awards, there’s a pre-show brunch that will also be a live taping of The Tim & Roma Show, and proceeds from that will go to the Stop AIDS Project. Then that night is the Big Game, the Oscars of gay porn at the Castro Theatre. Then — as if you can take more — there’s the Homecoming/after-party, presented by NakedSword, where the A–listers of gay porn will celebrate themselves and our industry. So there’s a LOT going on this year. I honestly believe it will be the best GAYVN Awards yet.
Keith: JRL fans, check out the categories for the 2009 GayVN Award Show:
Best Actor Best Actor - Foreign Release Best All-Sex Film Best Alternative Release Best Amateur Film Best Art Direction Best Bear Film (Bears) Best Bisexual Film Best Bottom (NEW) Best Classic DVD Release Best Cum-Shot (NEW) Best Director Best DVD Extras Best DVD Special Edition Best Editing |
Best Ethnic-Film |
Best Fetish Film |
Keith: Who's going to be the host this year?
Harker: There are still contracts to be signed before I can let this cat out of the bag. Suffice to say, it’ll be someone you recognize!
Keith: What made you decide to return to the Castro Theatre?
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Harker: The last time we were there was so triumphant, it seems the obvious choice for a venue. It’s a historic space and it’s right in the heart of gay San Francisco. And after the Prop 8 debacle, it will be nice to have some history to give us perspective.
Keith: What are the new categories that will be added to the roster this year?
Harker: We’ve added Best Top, Best Bottom, Best Cum-Shot, Best HD Feature, and a group of web categories: Best Amateur Website, Twink Website, Bear Website, Web Performer of the Year, New Web Performer of the Year and, of course, Website of the Year.
Keith: I wanted to flip to another subject for a second and discuss our indusry. As you know it's been hit hard by the economy. I know what JRL has been hearing and dealing with...what's your take on how the market is doing currently?
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Harker: I think we’re being hit as hard as many others in the country. We’re not recession proof. That idea was a fallacy. I do, however, think the savvy studios that are able to stay afloat and produce quality will ride this out. It’s just a matter of being able to afford to ride it out.
Keith: As you know retailers have been complaining about the lack of sales. But then on the other hand in in the same breath, their rental revenue has sky rocketed. What type of advise can you give retailers who are not accustomed to dealing with a deep recession such as this in our industry? I mean...we've even seen the heterosexual market get hit hard by this economy...Playboy laying off employees, studios ceasing productions.....do you think we are all in trouble or do you think that this is temporary for the Porn Industry?
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Harker: The recession is temporary. It can’t last forever. However, I don’t know what “temporary” will mean. Another six months? Two years? And when it’s done, how far will we have been set back? It’s frightening. For everyone, in every profession. It’s not like Barack will wave a magic wand and everything will be instantly better, but you just gotta believe that no one could screw things up any worse than the Republicans have in the past eight years. So essentially, everything will be better, at least to a degree, somewhat soon.Keith: Do you agree that both bareback and condom films can be successfull and that it is the production that truly makes the movie?
Harker: There are good and bad condom films and bareback films. And as long as there is an audience for both, both will be successful. People only produce what consumers will purchase, whether it’s the auto industry, the fast–food industry, or the porn industry. And I honestly think they can both thrive side by side.
Keith: One thing young studios would like to know is, what is the process of getting nominated and what is the procedures on how to submit their materials to GayVN for the 2009 GayVN Awards show?
Harker: Email prenom@gayvn.com to receive a username and password. We’ll send you that info and a link to a website where studios can submit suggestions for nominations for this years awards. We will need two copies of all the films you suggest. We’ll send you info on where to send the DVDs along with your sign-in info. But do it quickly. The site closes on January 21st.
Keith: Nakedsword is the official sponsor of the 2009 GayVN Awards. We know that they will be doing heavy marketing on this event on JRL as well as on GayVN. What are other areas that businesses might want to take advantage of the marketing reach for the 2009 GayVN Awards this year through GayVN?
Harker: There are a lot of new sponsorship opportunities for companies to get involved in the GAYVN Awards this year. Contact our new account manager for gay accounts, Rick Loveland, at sales@gayvn.com for more information. He’s the guy who can take care of all the marketing needs for the awards.
Keith: JRL fans, before the festivities kick off at the 2009 GayVN Awards Show, GayVN brings you another first;
The Pre-Show Brunch Fundraiser hosted by none other than the Tim & Roma Show LIVE. Yes, JRL fans will have the unique opportunity to watch an episode of Tim & Roma Show filmed LIVE while they sip mimosas and eat brunch. Our show's fearless hosts Tim & Roma grill the biggest stars of gay porn the afternoon before the big event.
Who will win? Who will lose? Most importantly, who will they be wearing? A unique opportunity to mingle with the stars in an intimate, relaxed setting while raising money for a good cause.
Again Harker, thank you for doing this interview with me on JRL.
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Harker: You’re welcome. It’s been a lot of fun!
Keith: The 2009 GayVN Awards Show Celebration kicks off March 26th, 2009 so make sure to get registered at http://gayvnawards.avn.com. Harker thanks again!
Harker: Thank you, Keith! As the awards are for fans and industry alike, I’d love to see all the JRL fans up in San Francisco in March.
Keith: Plus, JRL fans, when the awards are over, it will be time to celebrate our victories with the kind of decadent party that you'd expect from the gay adult industry and NakedSword!The notorious NakedSword afterparty — finally open to the public — will be the biggest party of the weekend, where we take over a massive space complete with dance floor, visuals, special effects and extensive VIP area.
Expect the unexpected as we unveil more surprises and top-name live acts as everyone parties into the wee hours of the night at Fleet 101. Make sure to keep JRL locked in for the latest Info and Entertainment on the Gay Adult Film Industry Daily...right here on JRLChartsOnline.
