Whether you’re a veteran performer who has already racked up collaborations into the triple digits, or a newbie still just figuring things out, your commitment to working safely and sanely should never become compromised. After all, you want to star in the next viral clip — not the next cautionary tale.
What does that mean on a practical level?
No one likes paperwork, but this is the legal stuff that your business depends on.
Occasionally you will meet people who don’t take every precaution or fill out all the proper paperwork. Maybe they don’t know about these standards, or maybe they don’t think it matters. Either way, if you hear someone say, “It’s okay, I only shoot with my boyfriend” or “We’re friends, I don’t need to sign a release” or “I don’t feel comfortable giving you my ID,” feel free to run away. Not every opportunity is worth taking, much less risking your personal health or your brand’s reputation over.
Remember: Your adult performing career is a business, and businesses do not thrive when the people running them ignore or skirt regulations.
The guide below will walk you through what safe, sane and savvy content collaborations look like.
Selecting and Vetting Collaborators
It goes without saying that working with other performers involves some risk. This is why vetting is essential.
I highly recommend seeking out collaborations at industry networking and community events. I have met some wonderful fellow models and collaborators that way. As much as possible, try to get a sense of the other person’s history in the industry. Don’t assume that someone is great to work with just because they have shot a lot of content. I prefer to work with people who have at least three to five other models I trust who can vouch for them. Also, be aware that while someone could be a great scene partner, they may not fit your brand’s image or style. That’s also a valid reason to decline.
As noted above, if something doesn’t feel right — even if references and testing status are up to date — take that as a sign and do what’s best for you and your business.
Consent and Boundaries
Consent is always key, so start with a clear conversation about what you’re comfortable doing and any boundaries you may have. Before you even begin the paperwork, provide details about your limits and expectations around the content and its release. If there’s a scripted role-play involved, review it with your scene partners and communicate clearly and directly, in as much detail as possible, about what you are looking to do on camera.
This way, everyone agrees on exactly what you are signing up for. Hopefully your scene is even hotter with established and informed consent.
Testing and Health Protocols
No matter whom you collaborate with, I cannot stress enough how important it is to be aware of your health status. It doesn’t matter if you are single, in a monogamous relationship or only shoot with one or two people you know well. Exposure happens. Regular STI testing not only helps you protect and monitor your own health, but also gives your collaborators peace of mind.
PASS certification is the industry standard. With PASS, you are cleared to work for 14 days from the date of the specimen draw. However, it’s also important to be forthcoming about any other partners you or your collaborators may have had during that period.
HSV-1 and HSV-2 are not part of the PASS certification panel, but it’s still important to test for them — and if you test positive, to disclose that before negotiating any collaboration, even if you are taking medication or are asymptomatic.
If you live in a rural area without access to a clinic, home kits are available online or over the counter in some pharmacies. You can easily order the PASS Certified Pro 13 kit. For those who do not need PASS certifications but still want to know their status, like cam models, there is also the Taco Eggplant Peach home testing kit.
If you or your partner are unsure, there are additional ways to mitigate or work around risk. You could agree to use condoms, or stick to activities with little or no exposure to bodily fluids, like some fetish work.
Paperwork and More Paperwork
No one likes paperwork, but this is the legal stuff that your business depends on. Studios and independent creators both have to play by the same rules: If you are going to shoot porn, you need proof that everyone is 18+ and consents to performing in the content, and to its distribution.
Your account on any platform could get audited at any time. Having the required legal records and documentation on hand can be the difference between still being able to make money and losing everything.
There are two main pieces of paperwork that every creator should always have ready to go: 2257 documentation, and model releases.
2257 Documentation
The purpose of 18 U.S. Code §2257, 28 CFR 75, is to verify that all performers are of legal age (18+) and to maintain records for compliance. Unlike tax forms, there’s no official government version, but you can find 2257 templates on various industry-specific resources, or on websites such as pdfFiller, DocHub, Quick2257 — my personal favorite. You will need detailed personal information and two forms of ID from each performer, as well as a photo of each performer holding one form of ID. You will also need detailed information about the producer and the “custodian of records,” meaning the person responsible for maintaining compliance documents on file.
You will need to go through this process for every single scene you shoot with others. That’s true even if you have previously worked together, and even if it’s a sequel of a sequel — no exceptions.
Model Releases
While a 2257 ensures everyone on camera is of legal age, model release forms ensure the legality of your content’s distribution. Model releases are also often used to specify other important details such as expectations around promotional content or trailers.
For instance, you should agree on how long any free preview or trailer can be, what can or cannot be featured in trailers, or if you want to keep explicit content behind a paywall. You should indicate whether this is a mutual content trade and all parties have equal distribution rights; or a paid trade, where one or more person gets paid and receives equal or partial distribution rights; or a paid release, in which the producer pays the performers to retain all rights to distribute the content.
If applicable, you might want to disclose who will have access to the raw footage, and/or who will be editing the final product. I like to do my own editing, but I always offer my co-performers access to the raw footage in a shared file.
Next, you should specify which platforms the content is expected to be distributed on. Is the content going on a specific tube or fan site? Will this be an exclusive feature, perhaps for your clip store? Is there anywhere you don’t want your content published?
Lastly, be sure to agree on a public release date for the scene if you have a preference as to when or how it’s released. It’s also important to indicate whether the content will be cross-released or cross-promoted. If it’s a group scene, it might make more sense to do a mass release all at once. If it’s a one-on-one scene, you may want to let the performer with the smaller following release it first. Again, this is where open and honest communication is key, so you can mutually decide what is in everyone’s best interest.
All of this paperwork may initially seem overwhelming, but these details are important. If you’re not sure where to start, you can find plenty of templates for model release forms online. Then it’s simply a matter of checking off one item at a time. Don’t let the bureaucracy of it all intimidate you.
Be Thorough, Be Thoughtful
A few last tips to help you make sure you are covered and ready to collaborate with confidence:
- Nobody’s perfect. If you previously shot with someone and forgot any of the paperwork, give them a call and fill it out. Better late than never.
- Don’t be sentimental, be savvy. Even if you are married or in a relationship with your scene partner, you still need to fill out the appropriate forms. Verbal consent to distribute is not legally binding, and you might later break up or fall out with someone.
- If you have questions or concerns, it never hurts to book a consultation with an adult industry attorney.
Finally, we all know sex work comes with its share of stigma. Because of that reality, there are any number of reasons why someone might want their adult content deleted someday. If a past collaborator asks you to remove content, I urge you to take it down right away as a courtesy. Don’t wait for a DMCA notice or a legal letter. No amount of money is worth causing someone distress — and besides, it’s more practical to move on and shoot a hot new scene instead of worrying about potential lost revenue from older content.
You and your fellow creators invest a huge amount of time, energy and creativity into what you do. Keep those collabs safe, sane, consensual and legal, and all that hard work will pay dividends — both financially and in terms of peace of mind.
Ivy Minxxx is a multi-award-nominated broadcaster, content creator, shibari artist and BDSM educator. Follow her @ivyminxxx on X or Chaturbate.
