How To Get Into Porn (For Real This Time)

Let's be honest: porn can be a very confusing and often shady business, and even though billions of people watch and enjoy it, most of them have no idea how it gets made. And if you think you can just ride your bike down to Porn Valley on your 18th birthday and become the next Jenna Jameson, well ... you can't. But that doesn't mean you can't have a nice, healthy career in the skin trade, provided you do your homework. (And this time, we're serious.)

You've probably heard about the AIM HealthCare Foundation, which administers HIV and STD tests for the industry, but you may not know that they provide many other counseling and support services for adult performers. As part of their general information campaigns, they've put together a great 2-hour(!) video called "Porn 101" that explains all about the testing process, and perhaps more importantly explains how the business actually works. You can watch the whole thing on their website, but you should definitely check out the second half in particular as AIM founder Sharon Mitchell and living legend Nina Hartley share some incredibly detailed advice about work conditions, booking jobs, doing drugs, hiring an accountant, and why you shouldn't fuck underwater. (Among many, many other things.)

Anyone who has ever even considered taking a shot at the professional sex game should watch this video, unless you want to be the naive kid who gets taken advantage of in all those porn horror stories you hear about. If only every high school had guidance counselors who were this good.

· AIM HealthCare Foundation: Porn 101 (video @ aim-med.org)

Previously: Getting A Leg Up In Porn, LA Daily News Exposes Porn Valley, HIV, Porn and Privacy