Bear Porn Rant

[daddytodd]

I cut this bit out of my post on "Cachorro" because it doesn't really have anything to do with the film.

The opening credits (of "Bear Cub") are some of the hottest bearporn I've seen in a long time, even without any close-ups of penetration or cum shots. Why can't actual PORNO give us something as hot as this? I know a porno doesn't have the budget to approach these production values, but they can surely do better than another scene of a couple guys' frenzied humping in a nondescript hotel room during a Bear Run.

The two bears fucking in Pedro's bed looked like regular, real men you might meet at the bar, unlike the polished muscleclones that have become commonplace in "bearstream" porno. Does porn REALLY sell better when it consists primarily of images of angry, sneering, unattainable men?

When I walked by the Bearfilms booth at IBR, I was startled to realize just how similar their models looked. There were three guys sitting there at one point who looked like they could be brothers! The only difference was the size of the tattoo on their shoulders and upper arms.

I was also struck by how different they looked from the vast majority of the men at IBR. These aren't representatives of us; they represent some other aesthetic being marketed to us as a replacement for the men we actually find attractive. Bearfilms wasn't like this a couple years ago; but those bearish early Bearfilms models have all been replaced by a new generation of slimmer, more muscled types.

The bearporn business is very strange; just what exactly is the role of porn in our lives? How do bears use porn? We tend to be sexually active, to the point of promiscuity. Is porn used as a substitute for physical interaction when sex is unavailable? Is it used to "spice up" sexual encounters, sort of visual foreplay? Or is it used to keep us at a high degree of sexual arousal, because no matter how much we're getting, it's never enough?

How do you convince a group of men who seem to have plenty of real, hot, face 2 face sex to spend their hard-earned money on a video of some other guys getting it on? How do you convince them that what you've got for sale is BETTER than what they can get for free?

I guess that's a rationale for using very polished models; if we accept the proposition that "beautiful people" have better sex than the rest of us schlubs, that might be a reason to fill it with images of unattainable perfection having titanic sex.

But you'll forgive me if I think this attitude betrays the last tattered shreds of meaning associated with the "Bear Movement."

Pretty musclebear clones with big dicks don't have better sex than the rest of us; they are simply more marketable.

And yes, I am fully cognizant of the irony of my saying something like that, given that some consider my image worth paying money for.

I think of myself as a pretty ordinary guy; I still get a huge rush from meeting some handsome, thick, furry, dark-haired, dark-bearded Bear or Cub and chatting him up. There is no feeling in the world like the feeling I get when "the question" is asked, and answered in the affirmative; I want him. He wants me. I get butterflies, a rush of adrenaline, and my dick starts to get hard when I see "yes" in his eyes. I'm addicted to that moment; I can't get enough of that kind of affirmation.

And I've never got that feeling from a pic or a video.

Comments

[bigredpaul.livejournal.com]

You ask good questions. Of course, I don't own any porn videos, so I'm probably not the best person to ask.

[bigsabu.livejournal.com]

i'm not much on porn, but i know what you mean.

last year at hairrison, we commented on the fact that the poster in one of the tents for one of the sponsors depicted a slim, tan, nearly hairless torso. looking around the room, there was nary a slim, tan, nearly hairless torso to be found.

but, that's what is portrayed as 'sexy.'

i guess we just have to prove them wrong.

[danthered.livejournal.com]

being marketed to us

Exactly. And there are lots and lots of "us", apparently, who are only too thrilled to trip overthemselves in their haste to throw money and credit cards at those who view us as they view the whole world: nothing more than a marketing demographic, a collective tabula rasa upon which for spurious needs and fatuous values to be created.

[that-dang-otter.livejournal.com]

We tend to be sexually active, to the point of promiscuity.

Well, that raises the question of who the "we" is you are talking about. I think that perceived amounts of sex between bears is much higher than the actual amount - my tastes are unorthodox, true, but I frequently find myself being with men who haven't had another sexual encounter in years, even though I met them at a sexually charged venue. There are lots and lots and lots of men who simply aren't active at all, and they may form the majority even at events like IBR.

Personally, the uglier the models, the more I like the porn - "uglier" being in contrast to the perfect, marketable image you describe. It makes the porn more immediate, and more real. Ugly is the new beautiful.

Increasingly, I find that porn needs to tell a story - and I don't mean some tale about a pizza delivery gone terribly wrong. I'm talking about a more personal narrative. I've often jerked off to G-rated mug shots, because the image carries the spark of seduction, some look in the guy's eyes that says "I want you". A case in point:



Not your average bear porn model. But imho, he's much, much hotter.

Erotica is made more powerful by what it conceals. The mind is more powerful than the film. It's funny, because after you mentioned your video the other day, I had serious second thoughts about even looking at the company's web site. Having met you only ever-so-briefly, I still feel like the "zap" of your presence would be ruined by the all-exposing eye of the camera. And that would be something of a waste.

[redbeardedblond.livejournal.com]

All I can say is "hear hear!"

[callingzero.livejournal.com]

Excellent thoughts, Todd!

I'm all for porn, but I don't own any. Like watching "modern" Star Trek, it's always a let-down in my opinion, because it always falls victim to its own cliches. I want porn to work. There's just no imagination or adventure. As for videos, they don't have to be anything pretentious, but all I see is guys pretending the camera isn't there, trying to play out some contrived scenario.

And when it comes down to the models involved, yes, the Bear(tm) thing often really kind of collapses in on itself when producers play the double-standard of having semi-bearish features tacked onto talent that is usually just as generically marketable and interchangeable with any other gay porn.

[kymutt.livejournal.com]

I'd have to agree with you, the rush you get from meeting someone face to face and feeling that connection...it's indescribable. Maybe I will get to experience that with you soon.

Hairrison

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Oh, now I have to go off on Hairrison, too.

I hassled one of the Hairrison organizers at IBR 2004 because the cards he was passing out to promote the first Hairrison Street Fair ("The BEAR Fair!!!") used the image of a Colt model as the "signature" image of the event. I kept asking him why they didn't use a picture of like, you know, a Bear to promote the BEAR FAIR. He kept pointing to the image and saying "Isn't he hot?"

Frankly, he wasn't especially hot to me.

I have nothing against Colt models; I'm sure some of them must be lovely chaps. But they aren't Bears; they're Colt Models. It's a different thing. They represent a different aesthetic.

So I never gave Hairrison serious consideration last year. If Colt Models are their target demographic, they surely don't want the likes of me at their event.

I didn't see any Colt Models in the promotions for Hairrison 2005. I will make a mighty effort to go this year, but only if Elijah Black's gig comes through and he's performing that weekend.

Promiscuity amongst the Bears

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

OK, take out the "we" and replace it with "I."

I've been told by several men that it's common for Bears to have far more virtual sex than IRL sex. So perhaps porn serves an important function in their lives.

Bu that brings me back to the question: why are bear porn models so unrepresentative of who we are? Wouldn't bear porn using bear "types" sell better to men who are attracted to those types, over something based on a different aesthetic?

I liked Jack Radcliffe a lot better in those early BEAR magazine spreads, when he looked like a slightly gawky young man in his mid-20's, not quite grown into his body yet, over the polished Musclebear God he later became.

YMMV.

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

I haven't met those cubs, but lots of kids have weird ideas, and I assume most of them will grow out of it.

At least I hope so!

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

I read once that the average viewing time for in-room porn videos in hotels is 7 minutes; just enough time for the lonely occupant of the room to get it up and get off.

Elaborate storylines seem to be an impediment to swift arrival at the viewer's goal, yet it is a complaint I hear voiced quite often my gay men about gay porn: there needs to be more (and better) STORY!

I've sometimes quipped that romance novels are porn for women; they serve the same function (a stimulus for masturbation) as fuck films serve for men.

So, might the ideal porn for gay men have half the story of a Danielle Steel novel, and half the sex of a Falcon video?

;-)

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Grrrr! I look forward to completing the circuit and feeling that connection flow between us...

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Until someone figures out a way to make moving images and distribute it for free (while also being able to pay their rent and buy groceries) I'm content to buy some when I want some.

I may criticize bear porn, but I'd rather see us purchase it from within "the community" (from someone like Bearfilms or Cyberbears) than from some generic smut house that has NO IDEA what "bear" means, and puts out the kind of shit where the only "bearish" thing about it is its name on the box.

[brutusbuffalo.livejournal.com]

What a thoughtful post.

I, too, am addicted to the moment you describe. Most of the time, it's more memorable than the sex itself.

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm full of 'em (or full of IT might be more accurate...)

I sit and wonder what evolutionary role gay people fill (there's got to be one, or we wouldn't exist.)

I wondered if the hypothalamus was associated with smell when I first heard of LeVay's research back in 1991 or '92. I was pleased (but not surprised) to read about the Swedish research that was announced yesterday. I've always known that I wasn't interested in women because they "smell wrong."

Rimming is the human equivalend of dogs smiffing each other; a huge phermonal "woof!" from the glands around the asshole.

And indeed the moment you learn you're gonna have sex with a guy is frequently more memorable than the actual sex. I'm sure that means something important, but I have no fuckin' clue what.

[draegonbaer.livejournal.com]

porn bores me.. I like the real thing, or I would rather use my imagination.

btw... you are beautiful. That icon photo makes my heart flutter. I'll try to stop drooling over you everytime I make a comment.. hehe

[garebear.livejournal.com]

"the rest of us schlubs"?

Fortunately, there are different markets. I do find most of the guys on Bear Films to be particularly attractive, but it isn't dependant on age, body type or dick size. Sometimes there's something about a man that makes your heart pump faster. I'll admit to buying a video because of one particular man in the video.

But, yes... I'd really like to see videos with "real" guys that concentrate on the "sex organ" that really turns me on... their eyes, their smile, their humor, intelligence, demeanor. There's nothing sexier that a nice face and great attitude. I guess I'd love to see a video that portrays more than meaningless chatter between sex machines. Since I haven't seen "Bear Cub" yet, sounds like it's a must see.

When you say "the rest of us schlubs," I think of one particular model who has appeared in a couple of XXXL Productions videos. A mature bear who oozes erotic vibes (and I'm not talking about Bill--although he and Jerry are hot). It's nice to see guys like that presented as sexual and it's worth supporting companies to ensure that they push the medium to different and new levels.

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

I responded more favorably to the models they used in early videos, like "The Fast and the Furriest" and (especially) "California Bears."

Buck Bauer, Steve Ellis, Hank, Ali... Guys like that (all of whom I've met at bear events and at least chatted with) are more attractive to me than the men in their recent productions, like "Bear Voyage". It's a matter of personal preference, and my preference is for guys who don't look so highly-maintained.

I also enjoy Jerry's (and Ken's) work with XXXL Productions; if their first video hadn't been the best-looking big man/bear porn I'd ever seen, I never would've agreed to work with them. It's well-shot, nicely lit, beautifully edited, and the music is some of the best I've heard in this kind of production. And I really like the men in their videos.

[garebear.livejournal.com]

I guess "California Bears" has become one of my all-time favoriites. I agree with you about the highly-maintained look--I like men who look like "men." I look at actors like Kevin James (King of Queens); in the beginning he was new and upcoming and real. With the passage of success and money came a "polished" look; perhaps too slick looking, too perfect, too metrosexual.

Yes. Bill, Jerry and Ken do produce a great product... I love talking to them about the technical aspects of their production (and their disagreements). One of these days I may take a stab at the market myself.

Thanx for the review

[bufftuff.livejournal.com]

Will definitely have to check it out. Your review is very important to me. I don't have to waste my time with just entertaining DVDs to watch. Thanx for sharing. WOOOF

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Bill & Jerry are casting for their next video right now, ao this might be a good time to hit them up if you're interested.

And they disagree about everything, all the time!

[garebear.livejournal.com]

I've heard that Bill and Jerry are on the next big model search; however, I'd never do a video.

I have stuff hanging where it shouldn't be and stuff not hanging where it should!

And it is cute to see them disagree or argue. For some reason, most of the time when i talk to Bill, it's in a pool somewhere.

[thegreenbear.livejournal.com]

By far, the absolute BEST piece of Bear porn I have EVER seen was a 10 min piece called Executive bears. It is VERY artistic, VERY explicit, VERY tasteful, VERY erotic, the two bears starring in it are a lot better looking than most of the fare seen in so many generic bear flicks and clips, and it is just fucking amazing. Its really more like someone found an incredibly erotic piece of music (Indian or Russian in nature) and filmed a porn movie to it. If you can find it, I HIGHLY recommend getting it.

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Who put it out?

Executive Bears

[thegreenbear.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I am not sure who put it out. A good friend of mine gave me a copy of the full version. Its right at ten minutes, but a number of the clips out there are incomplete. I know one of the 2 bears it stars is a guy called Lance. He is extremely furry and, I believe, may be Russian. 'Course I my be totally wrong on that, but I believe the film is Russian as the characters on the background areas is Russian. If ya cant find it, let me know and Ill try to send ya a copy of it. It is SOOO worth it. Well, at least to ME it is. And if ya DO find it, youll recognize it the moment it begins.

Re: Executive Bears

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

I'll look for it, thanks!

Re: Executive Bears

[furr-a-bruin.livejournal.com]

Lance is Canadian; I met him at IBR one year - that incredible fur of his is unmistakeable! The video was done by a porn website, the name of which is eluding me. I've found references to it, but I can't seem to find the original site.

Re: Executive Bears

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Thanks for looking around for that!

Re: Executive Bears

[thegreenbear.livejournal.com]

While I DO have the full version of EB, it is a copy. Id be happy to buy a full version of it, but I just cant find, like you, the site to get it from. And thanks for the bit about Lance. I have been lusting after that man for a few years now. Any idea where I can find some pics of him? I have about maybe three, but would LOVE to get some more. The man is freaking incredible.

[kumberbear.livejournal.com]

In erotic play, there's a certain moment where a spark happens and then you follow that line of energy. I've yet to find a bear videographer who understands this, and converts it.

[daddytodd.livejournal.com]

Probably because it's not something you can see; you experience it, but people standing right next to you would miss it.

I don't have any idea how a pornographer could direct, shoot, or edit something like that, no matter how skilled he was.

And given the limited acting range of the guys that do porn (myself included), I don't know how you'd be able to act that moment, either.

[kumberbear.livejournal.com]

I've thought about this a number of times and after reading your thoughts, tried to visualize how to build this bridge...
I'm pretty sure there's a way