A Porn Site Went Viral On TikTok For Showcasing Their Conversations Around Consent Before Filming

Consensual sex should always be the only option. Unfortunately in the porn industry, that is not always the case among many studios.

Recently, a German-based porn company called Ersties went viral on TikTok for showcasing the conversations surrounding consent that they always have with their models before a shoot.

Note: "Models" refers to the real-life people filming porn for Ersties, "actors" refers to anyone portraying a character in a porn.

"It's up to you really, but we could do two 30-minute scenes if you guys want a short break in between, or if you guys are really gelled mood-wise we could also shoot for an hour," said Ersties director and director of photography Karyn Hunt in the viral video. "It goes without saying, but if anyone needs a break at any time, you have the authority to say stop."

Ersties was founded in 2009 as a platform to create porn for women, by women. They pride themselves on showcasing "real sex" with real people, as opposed to staged porn. Before every shoot, models are given a "consent talk" with the director, similar to the one shown in the TikTok.

"Karyn would ask all of us what our likes and dislikes are, what our boundaries are, and then we can say like, 'I don't like feet,' or 'No anal,'" 29-year-old Ersties model Delfine Dahlia told BuzzFeed. "I never feel like I'm forced to do something."

BuzzFeed reached out to the Ersties team to find out more about what happens behind the scenes of their shoots.

"We want to show real people having real sex," said Amélie Mo, head of production at Ersties. "That's why we always have interviews before the sex [with the models], so the viewer gets to connect on a more emotional level."

Karyn said she considers all of the models to be "self-directed." "We spend an extensive amount of time talking about their fears, their desires, their boundaries — do they have any just general questions about what the day is gonna look like," she explained. "I don't come to set with a shot list like, 'You're gonna do missionary and then go to doggy-style.'"

Twenty-four-year-old model Serafina Sky said it was "super comfortable" to shoot with Ersties. "You can tell they really care about everyone being at ease, and during the shoot we could stop whenever we want to."

Karyn said she considers the consent talks with models to be the same ones she would have with her own partner. "'What are your boundaries?' 'What turns you on?' And from there I can kind of facilitate and create that space for them to have the kind of experience that they're looking for."

And yes (although Karyn said it's never happened before) — models still get paid even if they decide to stop filming.

"We foster a safe space for models to be themselves and do what they want, but we also make sure everyone is compensated fairly."

For a smaller scale shoot with just two people, models are paid $1,200, and usually film for a couple of hours. For larger shoots like the "Toyboy" fantasy involving four or more people, every model is paid $1,600, and it takes around five hours to film.

Ersties prides themselves on paying their models at a higher rate than most of the mainstream porn industry, and their shoots are usually filmed in a shorter length of time. In comparison, mainstream porn shoots can take anywhere three to eight hours, according to Karlie Brooks, a 26-year-old former adult film star who worked in mainstream porn. "You get paid per scene no matter the length of time it takes to shoot," She explained. "Usually $500 for solos, and $1,000 for boy/girl."

Unlike Ersties, mainstream porn sites like PornHub and Xvideos sometimes feature actors, not "models," and their scenes are often scripted with a very clear direction in mind. "Your agent will email you a couple days before or the night before of who you’re shooting with, and what stuff to bring or wear," Karlie said.

Karlie also said that before filming with more mainstream sites, she was required to sign a consent form on set. "You have to make a video, too, saying you aren't under the influence," she explained. Actors are of course allowed to turn down shoots ahead of time, but once on set, she said it is expected that you do the job you're paid for. "It’s kind of awkward," Karlie said about her experience. "And it’s kind of expected that you do certain things, because they don’t ask you what you’re comfortable with beforehand."

She added that although she was able to stop during a scene for a break or water, she feels it was usually expected that she complete what's in the script, or she may run the risk of being outcast in the industry because "it’s such a big deal to get set up with certain companies."

Delfine said one thing she really admires about Ersties as opposed to mainstream porn is that she's encouraged to form a relationship with the other models before shoots. "We always share our STD tests, and I usually like to get a coffee beforehand," she said.