Ben Leon

Nappy:  I met you in LA back in March 2006, when I was celebrating my birthday and hanging out with an ex who lives there.  I was also getting drunk with JD Slater-which seems to happen every time I’m with JD. ???  But, JD introduced the two of us.  It was great meeting you.  Tell me how did you get to RSS?

Ben:  About three years ago I was working on Indie films as an art director. Part of a project I was working on was filmed in the old RSS Studio. Someone mentioned to me that they were always looking for part time help on the set. Next thing I know I was working full time at a gay porn company.  

N:  Tell me what was the first film you saw that still sticks with you?    When I was in my late teens and early 20s, I was obsessed with Porn.  It still fascinates me. I think I was a j/o freak then.  What film did it for you?  The one Porn Film that rocked your world.

B:  I remember running out of the theater during E.T. It’s probably the earliest movie memory I have. The scene where E.T. was on an operating table scared me pretty bad. Porn wise I was always really into magazines and didn’t really see videos until pretty late in life. One of the earliest videos I saw was The Kansas City Trucking Company. I love the gritty quality of the film and its lack of formal porn structure.  

N:  Would you say that it made you want to be a Director?

B:  I was definitely inspired by the film. What could be better than getting to pick hot guys and tell them what to do?

N:  They say that Directors, Photographers and Reviewers are the ultimate Voyeurs.   What do you think?

B:  I am definitely a Voyeur. Watching sex can often be more pleasurable than engaging in sex. I can enjoy watching men have sex that I wouldn’t necessarily want in my bed.

N:  Tell the people out there what a typical day in the life of Ben Leon, Director is like?

B:  My days are split into two formats, shooting days and editing days. Shooting days are a little more high stress. I prefer to shoot on location so hauling equipment and setting lights are par for the course. Once we are set up it’s a matter of getting the guys excited and comfortable and taking the time to shoot a good scene.

N:  Chris Ward is a sweetheart, what if anything has he taught you?

B:  Chris has taught me a lot of what I know about making high-end gay porn, from lighting to camera work to an editing style and of course directing. He has also taught me an enormous amount about running a business and specifically a porn company. I have also learned a lot from Michael Brandon and JD Slater.

N:  What do you typically wear during a shoot?

B:  Usually jeans and a t-shirt, nothing special.

N:  Boxers or briefs?

B:  I prefer boxer briefs; I love the look of boxers but the feel of briefs. On men I chase after I can appreciate either.

N:  What’s the first DVD you directed for RSS?  What was it like?

B:  I co-directed “Manifesto” with Chris. We focused on shooting amazing sex on very sparse sets in the studio. It’s a great movie that really shows off the skills Chris has taught me and a little bit of my own aesthetic.

N:  So, you have lots of film experience?

B:  I’ve worked on about 6 Indie films as an art director and that’s about it. I learned editing skills in college and basic video stuff but almost everything else I use now to make movies I’ve learned on the job.

N:  Favorite camera to shoot with?

B:  I love shooting with the canon XLHI. It’s a state of the art HD camera that’s only been available for a year or so. It’s a beautiful piece of equipment. 

N:  How would you direct the perfect first date?

B:  Is this a sex date or romance? One of my favorite things is drinking 40’s with a dude I don’t know in the park at nighttime.

N:  Speaking of dating are you single or hooked up?

B:  I’ve got a man I’ve been spending a lot of time with.

N:  Favorite type of food?

B:  I like big well-prepared pieces of red meat, steaks and such.

N:  Other than yourself are there any other Directors out there you admire?

B:  Chris and JD and Michael are obvious answers, other than them, I admire the skills of Kristen Bjorn. Many of Kenneth Anger’s old short films were really fucking hot.

N:  How old were you when you had your first major crush?  I want all the details.

B:  I was totally crushed out on a trumpet player in high school. I wrote him a letter asking if he ever thought about being with boys and he said no.

N:  Are there any Stars that you hang out with? You know go get your groove on with, movies, etc? 

B:  I do hang out with guys that I film although most of the guys don’t live here in San Francisco so … Francois Sagat and I hung out a bunch and I usually hang out with Manuel Torres when he’s in town. All of the guys in Manhattan are really great guys and during shooting I got to spend some time with them.

N:  If you weren’t Directing DVDs what would you be doing?

B:  I don’t know…maybe working on Indie films or in Hollywood, I love working as an art director, set builder, production designer or set dresser.

N:  Your Favorite place on Earth?

B:  I think of all the places I’ve been Rio was the most amazing and most beautiful. I would like to spend more time there and explore some more.

N:  I recently saw, “Manhattan” starring my husband, Manuel Torres.  He’s a dream.  The shot on the roof with Manuel and Mario was hot.  Tell me all about the shoot?

B:  That shoot with Manny and Mario was actually the first shoot I ever directed completely on my own. Manuel and Mario are great guys and really easy to work with. What could be better than two big uncut dicks attached to beautiful men? I got them to hang out a bit, and then got them naked and fucking.

N:  You’re saturated with Porn. Porn is work,   what turn you on?  Really turns your buttons?