Stefano told XBIZ the idea to form the new company came out of a meeting he had with RLD Owner David Joseph.
“At the end of last year we had a meeting, and out of that conversation, The Candy Shop was born,” Stefano said. “[Joseph] thought about it and said ‘Let’s go halves.’ The distribution, production and everything else is already in place with Red Light District.”
While rapper Ludacris released an album called “The Red Light District” that bore no connection to the adult studio, Stefano named his new company after the 50 Cent song “Candy Shop.”
Stefano said he has no plans to perform or direct for The Candy Shop, but wants his directors to make their own imprint on the label.
“I’m running the production end,” Stefano said. “I’ll pick directors, fix technical issues, schedule production, boxcover editing — basically everything involved with post-production and beyond.”
“Alone in the Dark,” the company’s first movie directed by Juan Cuba, releases Aug. 7. The Candy Shop has four titles slated for late-summer release.
“Juan Cuba has been a long-time porn fan.” Stefano said. “[I] gave [him] his first shot in the business shooting and working behind the scenes. He proved he would be a great pornographer. He’s ambitious and really into what he does…receiving high marks for his work. He is the right choice as a director for The Candy Shop.”
Also on the directing roster of The Candy Shop is black starlet Diana DeVoe. DeVoe is a veteran performer, appearing in more than 100 titles, and has directed a handful of films for Video Team, Exquisite Pictures and West Coast. All of her movies as director have been ethnic-themed releases. She is exclusively signed with The Candy Shop.
“I have known and worked with Diana DeVoe for many years,” Stefano said. “Being a fan of her movies, I am very impressed to see a female director who also shoots camera and personally handles all other phases of shooting porn. Technically and in directing the action, she is terrific, and in my opinion, is destined to become one of the very best-known and well-respected female directors ever.”
Also on tap for the newly formed ethnic studio is a marketing website and member pay site, the announcement of which will come around Aug. 1.
In related news, RLD has signed new male performer Jean-Claude Batiste to an exclusive contract as a performer and director for its Platinum X Pictures label. Under the terms of the deal, Batiste will perform in 10 titles per year and direct one title per month for Platinum X.
Batiste’s debut as a performer comes in The Candy Shop’s “Alone in the Dark” and his directorial debut will release in September. The project is not yet named.
“Jean-Claude is a top-notch performer. [He’s] good looking, a fine gentleman, and we welcome him to what we expect to be a long, happy and productive future,” Ceglia said.
Stefano also was effusive in his praise of Batiste’s performing prowess and directorial potential.
“In my opinion, he is one of the very best male performers on the market at this time,” Stefano said of Batiste. “Having done literally thousands of scenes myself, I believe I can spot men who not only can perform at the highest levels, but who really love women and his work.”
