Old school vs New School

[blackoutFOB]

Ok age old debate here - Of course I know this is all titled towards one side on this forum.

What's the main difference between productions/actors in the classic period compared to new stuff - Mid 90s forward.

I look back and remember when I was first introduced to the golden age (christy canyon and Co.) there were stars that really took command of the screen. Sure the background music was cheesy at times but there was more passion in the whole production.

Today and even mid/late 90s became cheap. The internet really cheapened the industry

[anglocat]

Particularly when I watch porn movies from the 70s and 80s, I often feel like I am viewing a "proper" motion picture, which just happens to have lots of adult content. There was a certain grandeur there, which I guess stemmed from the production values, and also the charisma of the performers. Those films also managed to retain a sense of intimacy, rawness and authenticity when it mattered.

I like some of today's porn, but it can be predictable and "formulaic".

[floydfreak]

Everything today is pretty much gonzo stuff where they are purposefully over the top and acting only for the camera. In the old days you had a story line (some good some bad) and there was a romantic feel to them, the actors were tuned into each other rather than the camera. Just my 2 cents.

[royalbros2]

Originally Posted by blackoutFOB

Ok age old debate here - Of course I know this is all titled towards one side on this forum.

What's the main difference between productions/actors in the classic period compared to new stuff - Mid 90s forward.

I look back and remember when I was first introduced to the golden age (christy canyon and Co.) there were stars that really took command of the screen. Sure the background music was cheesy at times but there was more passion in the whole production.

Today and even mid/late 90s became cheap. The internet really cheapened the industry

Several things come to mind.

1. Those classic age movies were shot on celluloid which gave them a filmic look. Most people prefer the film look to the video look.
2. A lot of the golden age directors aspired to enter mainstream moviemaking. Some had been to film school. I'm not sure how many current directors have that aspiration. Can you even call them directors in fact. A lot are simply cameraman-stud.
3. A lot of golden age actors aspired to enter mainstream and some had bit parts eg Jamie Gillis. That seems to have changed.
4. A former friend of mine wrote to a porno mag in the late 80s/early 90s (not later than 1993) moaning about the fact any old wanker could buy a cam and produce near broadcast quality porn. That had led to an increase in volume of tiltles produced but decrease in content quality.
5. In the golden age the capital was in the hands of fewer people but they had access to people who knew the basics of film making. The rules of shooting porn on video are different. There were full length movies shot on video but the move to gonzo style has meant no need for basics of plot and story etc.
6. As regards the early 90s the video quality wasn't so good. Looked awful compared to film. Now HD looks great although I still prefer 16mm film as a medium.
7. People have, in general, shorter attention spans now and just want you to get down to the nitty gritty asap. They will only fast forward/scrub through anyway - something you can do with an mp4 in vlc easily. You could do it on video too. But not in a porno cinema.
8. There was a smaller pool of actors in the USA in the golden age so they knew each other somewhat. That probably led to better interpersonal relationship on screen.

[malabarpepper]

Originally Posted by royalbros2

Several things come to mind.

1. Those classic age movies were shot on celluloid which gave them a filmic look. Most people prefer the film look to the video look.
2. A lot of the golden age directors aspired to enter mainstream moviemaking. Some had been to film school. I'm not sure how many current directors have that aspiration. Can you even call them directors in fact. A lot are simply cameraman-stud.
3. A lot of golden age actors aspired to enter mainstream and some had bit parts eg Jamie Gillis. That seems to have changed.
4. A former friend of mine wrote to a porno mag in the late 80s/early 90s (not later than 1993) moaning about the fact any old wanker could buy a cam and produce near broadcast quality porn. That had led to an increase in volume of tiltles produced but decrease in content quality.
5. In the golden age the capital was in the hands of fewer people but they had access to people who knew the basics of film making. The rules of shooting porn on video are different. There were full length movies shot on video but the move to gonzo style has meant no need for basics of plot and story etc.
6. As regards the early 90s the video quality wasn't so good. Looked awful compared to film. Now HD looks great although I still prefer 16mm film as a medium.
7. People have, in general, shorter attention spans now and just want you to get down to the nitty gritty asap. They will only fast forward/scrub through anyway - something you can do with an mp4 in vlc easily. You could do it on video too. But not in a porno cinema.
8. There was a smaller pool of actors in the USA in the golden age so they knew each other somewhat. That probably led to better interpersonal relationship on screen.

would be good in classic section to have a specific thread for transfers from 16mm

[malabarpepper]

Originally Posted by malabarpepper

would be good in classic section to have a specific thread for transfers from 16mm

yes definitely or at least an index in this thread of classic 16mm stuff

[bigtrain45]

To me the difference is, back then guys sat around and said, "Let's make a porn version of Blade Runner" or "Let's make a porn version of "Back to the Future." Now guys sit around and say, "What can we get this woman to do that is more extreme and more humiliating than anything else we've seen?"

[pc12]

Originally Posted by bigtrain45

To me the difference is, back then guys sat around and said, "Let's make a porn version of Blade Runner" or "Let's make a porn version of "Back to the Future." Now guys sit around and say, "What can we get this woman to do that is more extreme and more humiliating than anything else we've seen?"

That about sums it up.

[ponky]

Agree here, also.

That attitude between snuff-minded slave-owner and circus-trainer is obnoxious.

Despite I love gonzo-style, modern trends too often simply aren't pleasing to see.

[Bigbrian]

growing up in the 70's and 80's I didn't realize I would be looking back with such fond memories or I would certainly have put in more effort.