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DW wrote:

'p.s He is one of many by the way. Most of course don't even reply.'

Welcome to the world of the mainstream freelance broadcast cameraman Dave. Over the past few years I cant recall more than half a dozen replies out of the scores of punts I've made for work. As I've got over 35 years experience in the film and tv industry I can only assume that its possibly an issue of age; I'm considered to be too old and the people doing the hiring are too young to know the importance of experience. Where I think a company is using an age barrier, by asking for a photo or by stipulating they want a young applicant, I have been known to contact the advertiser to tell them that to discriminate by age is contrary to law.

Wrong ! That's exactly the point isn't it ! It isn't a welcome ! It's a 'fuck off, you dirty porno cunt', without actually saying it !

My point was that its hard for established freelancers in the mainstream at the moment, so it will be harder for those coming from other fields, especially if they are of my age. I'm assuming you aren't in the first flush of youth yourself. Perhaps I should have spelt out what I meant. It was an ironic 'Welcome' as in 'welcome to our world' of no replies, cant get a look in, and tacit 'fuck offs'. That said, I dont really see what the music video company's objection was with regard to your porn background. Maybe they thought you'd be cajolling any female band members to pose naked in the lunch break. And if it comes to it who but the company and you would know what you'd spent the large part of your career shooting?

Exactly ! Sorry for 'having a rant' Andy. This welcome is all I have ever had from the legit/straight/normal film and TV biz though I'm afraid. And to think my great uncle was Geoffrey Unsworth eh ! He died before I could call on 'a family help in' unfortunatly. So it isn't a current 'welcome' is my point. It's all I've ever had infinitum !

And for those reading this who think I'm after sympathy - I'm not. I am very soon off to another part of my life away from this now terrible porn biz. I will still be available to do camera work for my true friends (the one's that are still able to work themselves) in the biz if and when required but mostly I'll be gone.

Bitter and twisted - sure.a bit but hey I had a good laugh too !!

I don't think that it's become a "terrible porn biz", Dave. I think it used to be a comparatively easy way to make a living, and for many people a good one at that. Now it's just as challenging a way to make money as other types of work.

Best of luck in whatever you go on to Dave. BTW I'm very impressed by the Unsworth connection. As you say, shame you weren't able to take advantage of it. Back in the day it wasn't uncommon for several of the camera dept on a film to be related to one another.

You have nothing to compare it to Andy being a relative newbie.

It is now a terrible business run by arseholes and idiots !

It has never been an easy way to make a living alas !

As for being a challenge - maybe but again it always was. Now though I would agree it's much more of a challenge because of all the arseholes and idiots in it !

Course I've got something to compare it to, Dave. I don't have to have been there 15 years ago to know that money was more flush back then than it is now.

To be specific, I didn't say that porn was ever an easy way to make a living. I said that it used to be "a comparatively easy way to make a living". And if you think otherwise then prior to the last two or three years you must have been doing something wrong.

I will challenge my own remark though. I don't think that studs have ever had an easy job, comparatively or not.

"I will challenge my own remark though. I don't think that studs have ever had an easy job, comparatively or not."

In getting into the biz sure, it has and never will be easy but nowadays most studs can just pop a pill or inject to be ready, back in the day when I was a stud we only had walking viagra (girls) to get us horny.

Yeah, hats off to all the guys in the old days. Nothing but respect. But even today I'm in awe of the guys I work with. Yes, Viagra works, but only if you're turned on (I can't comment on injecting) and the more you use a drug the less effect it has on the body.

That aside, I work my guys pretty hard and how they've got the focus and stamina to get themselves through the day I've no idea. Likewise, I don't know how they do it working for directors who dictate the action and stop and start it a lot. For me, they put the skill sets of everyone else on a shoot into the shade.