Being a strong believer in the concept
of “Calling It What It Is” …
I wanted to take a few moments to share my
thoughts on the differences between Erotica and Pornography.
While I do believe that each is a
legitimate form of entertainment … I also believe that we do both
genres a massive disservice if we allow the lines of distinction between
them to fade into the background. And finding a clear line of
separation between the two is often not that easy. Mainly because of
two quite disparate groups.
A – The Overly Moralistic
B – The Shameless Hucksters
While the motives of each group are
completely different … The two sides are all too often contributing to
the same result. Making it nearly impossible for Joe and Jane Average
to discern the difference between what is Erotica and what is
Pornography.
The “Overly Moralistic” make it a point
to rail against Porn and to point out the slightest occurrence of Porn
whenever they believe they have found it. Unfortunately … In their
minds … The term Porn usually translates into “Any picture or story or
subject which causes an individual to have fond thoughts of sex”.
Then the “Shameless Hucksters”
contribute to an already massive degree of confusion by allowing the
“Almighty Coin” to be the primary cornerstone of their business
philosophy.
If you can sell it by calling it Erotica … Do so.
If you can sell it by calling it Porn … Do so.
And the result of all the crazy actions
from both of these groups (and a handful of others) is that the narrow
boundary between Erotica and Pornography gets lost among the ruins. So
please allow this Southern Gentleman to offer his two main guidelines on
recognizing the difference between the two genres.
- 1- Stories
In a written story or a motion picture
… The rule which I follow, for determining the difference between
Erotica and Pornography, is very similar to the rule I use for
classifying the differences between:
Epic Adventure VS Shoot Em Up
or
Epic Fantasy VS Hack & Slash
In an Epic Adventure or Epic Fantasy …
A moderate amount of action should exist to help advance the plot and
give strong reasons for character development.
In Shoot Em Up and Hack & Slash … A
bare bones degree of plot and character development exists to provide a
reason for tons of action to take place.
Lord Of The Rings was Epic Fantasy and Epic Adventure.
Masters Of The Universe was Hack & Slash.
Likewise …
If flirting / hugging / kissing / sex
are simply one important part of an intricately woven plot, which has a
strong degree of character development – You most likely have erotica.
If three minutes of plot are there
simply to provide a storytelling excuse for the Real Estate Sales Vixen
to meet and fuck the Horney Home Buyer, the Buyer’s Well Hung
Contractor and the Contractor’s Large Breasted Bimbo Secretary – It’s
most likely Porn.
( or possibly a G.A.O. training film )
– 2 – Pictures
In the realms of Photography, Painting
and Drawing … My dividing line between Erotica and Pornography usually
depends on the absence or presence of two different activities.
( A ) Penetration
( B ) Masturbation
It is my sincere opinion that if either
of these is occurring in a picture (or picture set) … The presentation
has most likely crossed the line into pornography. And if you do any
business with models who define their work style as “Limited to
Mainstream or Erotic” … You will quickly learn that most of them follow
this train of thought.
Now, I am the first person to admit
that this little set of rules can not – will not – should not cover
every single instance of properly defining what is erotica and what is
pornography. The are merely starting points for beginning a
constructive dialogue on the matter.
And I’d be very happy to hear opinions on this topic.
Sincerely,
Travis Clemmons
