Make Your Own Adult Video|Make Your Own Adult Video is a useful guide for anyone interested in making X-rated videos and tailoring them to their unique taste. It touches all the bases: from casting, cameras and equipment, lighting, sound and props, through post-production editing and even how to publish. A long section covers planning and preparing scenes in various locations, such as bedroom, kitchen, or office. Another section explains equipment and includes info on uses of still photography.

Because I’ve had some experience with video production, I’m comfortable recommending this manual to anyone with little or no experience. With the help of the book, I believe most people could acquire the basic skills. This is not a comprehensive text on editing software, although anyone already familiar with editing will probably appreciate the many tips included in the book.

In the introduction, author Petra Joy asks, “what could be more fun than the thrill of being filmed having sex?” To which I answer, “having more sex!” Her point is that couples can have a great time putting their heads (and other body parts) together to make a sex film that stimulates the mind and features the intimacy and sensuality she favors over the usual hardcore commercial stuff she abhors. People who share her philosophy and are bored with the same old in and out, male-oriented genital action, will probably like her style.

Joy is an award-winning photographer, director, and-producer of short films and erotic movies. The German-born filmmaker strives to create erotic alternatives to the mainstream porn market. She has pioneered in making erotic films orientated to women. Her co-author is British writer David Bramwell.

Originally published in England in 2005, the book was released here by Harper Collins in 2006. It’s printed on durable stock that should hold up to heavy use, and it’s got plenty of illustrations and color photos.

When I got my first video camera, I talked my then-girlfriend into letting me make a tape of us performing. We had a lot of sex and a lot of laughs doing it, but I ended up with a couple of cassettes filled with bad footage that I never did anything with. If I had Make Your Own Adult Video and could find another girl like her, I think I could produce something worth watching. Maybe I'll call her.