February 17, 2006 06:47am
Vivid Forms Vivid-Alt To Distribute Eon Mckai
Source: Vivid PR
by: Company Press Release
(LOS ANGELES, CA) -- Vivid Entertainment, the world's leading adult film studio, has launched Vivid-Alt to distribute alternative XXX films for Eon McKai Productions, an imprint formed by alt-porn's dominant icon.
Eon McKai Productions will make twelve films in its first year, including four that 26-year-old McKai will direct himself. He will hire other cutting-edge directors to make the remaining eight films.
"This guy is great and he'll tap us directly into this exciting new trend in the adult movie industry," says Steven Hirsch, co-founder and co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment. "Eon will find the first actress to give a fresh, new face to the imprint. He'll also be looking for all sorts of alternative and progressive talent and programming to keep us at the top of this genre. I can't wait to see his first work."
McKai's early independent films sparked the dialogue that resulted in the new alt-adult genre, and he was able to translate that buzz into a genuine media sensation, with positive profiles in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and the Village Voice. But even while enjoying the accolades of the mainstream press, McKai's rebellious spirit left him suspicious of his own hype and thus hesitant, at first, to sign with industry leader Vivid.
"Like any self-respecting artist, or band," McKai says, "You worry that if you take that jump to a major label, or studio, that your hardcore fans will think you've just jumped the shark. I was a little nervous that hooking up with a major studio would have a negative impact on his alt credibility, so before signing with Vivid, I did my own market research. I went on our message board and asked fans if they would consider it a sell-out. They basically said, 'We're not stupid. If you have creative control while using Vivid as a tool to reach more people, then go for it.' So, the decision was made by the people who buy my movies; they saw how I struggled to make alt happen, they know that despite our success we've had ideas that we couldn't get done, but with Vivid's backing it will happen, and that's great for my following and alt as a whole."
McKai, who holds a masters degree from California Institute of the Arts (Cal Arts) and has taught filmmaking, says that among the first directors he will sign for Vivid-Alt productions are Dave Naz and Octavio Arizala, aka Winkytiki. Naz is a leading California photographer who is the author of three well-received books with Goliath press: Lust Circus (2002), Panties (2003), and Legs (2004) and whose works have appeared in more than thirty shows in galleries worldwide and have been featured in FHM, GQ, Maxim, Nerve and Salon and other prominent venues. Winkytiki is a retro photographer famed for his sexy images and hip style. His take on Americana and the female form has been cited as fresh and delightfully nostalgic.
"My move to Vivid will also see the emergence of Team McKai to help us make porn magic," says McKai. "We are assembling a fabulous group of talent that I've been working with all along. We'll create cutting edge set design, art direction and fashions that are as hot as the sex and that will push the genre's boundaries."
McKai adds, "It should be very exciting to watch this imprint grow. It's great that I'll be able to nurture other directors, because the filmmakers in this genre are extremely passionate about their work and Steven Hirsch has encouraged us to take a lot of risks in structure and form. We want to encourage punk and EMO girls to keep their own style and gain confidence in their talent, and that's the kind of person we'll be looking for in the first girl for Eon McKai Productions."
About Vivid: The Vivid Entertainment Group is the world's leading adult film company. Founded in 1984, Vivid pioneered the "Vivid Girl" concept, under which top adult film stars are signed to exclusive agreements that are styled on the old Hollywood contract star system. Vivid has always placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment for the couples market. It has created wide brand-name awareness through its films and through a licensing and marketing program that extends to advertising, apparel, book publishing, virility supplements, condoms, snowboards, calendars, comic books and a variety of other products. Most recently, the company licensed an upscale nightclub in the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas. The company is known for its innovative technological advances such as full function DVDs, a fast growing wireless program that is already active in 20 countries and its popular website Vivid.com. Vivid is a major supplier of content for pay-per-view networks in North America and internationally. The best selling hardcover book How to Have a XXX Sex Life: The Ultimate Vivid Guide, was co-authored by the Vivid Girls and published by HarperCollins. For more information contact RM@Vivid.com.
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