Justin Santos director

Justin Santos Interview: Behind the Scenes of JoyBear Pictures

From their early “reality porn” efforts to their stylish, sumptuous recent output, JoyBear Pictures produces porn that embodies the sheer euphoria and excitement the company’s name implies. In conjunction with our new JoyBear VOD sale (ends 12/16/19), we chatted with JoyBear founder Justin Santos (also credited as Oliver McDowell in some of the company’s earliest releases) about the studio’s history and approach.

What career did you have before launching JoyBear?

I sold advertising space for an educational publishing house. 

One of your stated goals has been to “make adult films fun.” What is the biggest key to that?

It’s an ethos I’ve tried to instill throughout the company. If you feel the performers are having fun on screen the starting point for that is way before anyone has stepped foot on a set. 

How has your vision of JoyBear changed through the years?

At 26 years old, I started making films as I saw it. Then I focused more on what women wanted. Having been in business for sixteen years, consumers have grown to trust our content for production values and reciprocal pleasure. If that resonates with both sexes, great. Now I’m a parent, if a positive message about sex can resonate with a younger, more impressionable audience, that’s powerful.

Are there any mainstream artists and filmmakers who have particularly influenced the JoyBear aesthetic?

These days Joybear is influenced by different mediums — theatre, radio, TV & film. That said, my directors will have specific influences. 

Talk to us about female-focused content. Why do you think it’s growing in popularity?

Porn is a reflection of society as a whole, which is polarized. Many people don’t care and are happy to consume anything (for free). However others are increasingly becoming more conscientious about what they watch. Just look at food consumption.

What are your favorite scenes to shoot?

The best scenes are where we know the performer/s well and are in a space that truly excites them. Having been doing this for a while we’ve got better at knowing when to “shut up and let them get on with it.” It takes time to understand where that line is, know when to stop directing and actually just capture.

Who have been some of your best or favorite on-screen collaborators?

We love Kali Sudhra, Julia Roca, and Sylvan. These three are examples of performers who help JoyBear bring the sexy and story-telling aspect to your screens. They are also three people you’d want to hang out with at a party and frankly probably could do. 

What does the name JoyBear mean?

Joyful and approachable.

How has your filming style changed through the years?

More talented crew, ambitious performers (storytelling-wise not purely sexual) and of course better cameras have enabled us to become more cinematic, which is essential for our brand. We want to tell sexy stories with a big budget feel.

Your movies have a thematic unity and focus that is increasingly rare in modern pornography (ex. the subtle, recurring color schemes in Secret Sex Society). How did that come about?

It is true we operate in an industry where subtlety is often left at the door. I have always been a believer in less is more. For me everything can be more impactful if you don’t ram it down people’s throats. I would bring this approach to any business.

Most of your movies feature elegant, lyrical narration. Talk a little bit about how this narration is written, and how it fits into the style of your movies.

Thank you. This is only going to get better as we focus more on developing characters (think TV series with your favorite performers). We are constantly trying to find the “acting” limits of our performers (again storytelling, not sex) and are getting better and knowing who can carry the narrative in a way that draws people in. It is therefore a mix of how my writer/directors write the script and the main characters we are working with on any particular project. The performers we work with know we want to push the narrative aspect and so it is a collaborative                process that’s constantly evolving.

What has been the hardest movie to film? What were the challenges?

Although we get more and more experienced I am constantly pushing my writer/directors to develop the product. Therefore each new project presents new challenges. Specifically we recently shot a beautiful scene that was lit entirely with candles. The test footage looked amazing so we went ahead and shot an entire scene. An unforeseen technical issue later discovered it was just too dark and so we decided not release it, which was a huge disappointment. We’ve also got our first pegging scene coming up (pun intended) so keep your eyes strapped on for that one!?

Have you shot at any unique locations?

I would like to think most of our locations are fairly unique as we use a quite expensive location agent! However we’ve recently been brainstorming a series set in a VW camper van which could be interesting for our crew of 10. Wet wipes, anyone?

Of all the interesting plots and scenarios presented in JoyBear movies over the years, are there any you’d rank among your very favorites?

Everyday Turn-Ons features a story about a new couple — Nelson and Jackie (Joybear faves Juan Lucho & Amber Nevada). Jackie’s previous boyfriend was selfish and never took the time to get to know her (body). Nelson has a selfless approach. He gives Jackie time and space and is rewarded (big time). A very simple story but for me this is the essence of JoyBear. In a world where everyone is in a hurry (and in porn where everyone automatically knows everyone else’s body) if you take the time to get to know someone you can unlock people and a world of possibilities.

What is your take on the concept of “ethical porn”? Simple buzzword or legitimate porn movement?

Love this question. For JoyBear “ethical” is everything that happens off-screen. You can have an ‘\”ethically shot super rough scenario” with excellent communication right the way through the entire production process including how long the day was, how frequently you stopped, catering, wardrobe and interaction with the entire crew, even how and when the performers were paid and any questions they may have about where that footage will end up. Equally you can have an “unethically shot vanilla scene” where the opposite applies. The audience has no idea if something was ethically shot or not. As the producer/studio you know if you are working ethically or to a standard and if you are you don’t need to shout about it. If you are not the performers will soon expose you.

Justin Santos picture courtesy artist’s Twitter account.

You may also like

Create an account & get 15 Free Minutes of Pay Per View time to watch any of our On Demand streaming videos.

Your Account also entitles you to exclusive Discounts & Sales, Coupons & Promotions plus free previews, trailers, product reviews & more.

Create Account