AVN OnLine Questions
AVN OnLine Questions:
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1. For the uninformed, what is the function of an independent review
Website?
Actually view the entire movie (VHS or DVD) and write your honest
opinion of it.
Publish on the web in a brief concise simple easy-to-read format.
Always give the review a rating.
2. What is it exactly that makes the Website truly "independent?"
No outside influences.
3. What are some differences between an independent review site and a
larger company, such as AVN?
Timeliness. People want the New Releases info now!
Is there a different process in terms of reviewing?
CAVR reviews each scene in the movie and then averages the
results. Points are awarded for the basic scene and then
extra points are earned based upon the more exotic sex
activitity.
Points Calculations details
Will the consumer find varying types of information/ratings systems?
They will find monthly:
* 150+ VHS reviews.
* 50+ DVD reviews.
* The Tera Patrick Web Show reviews.
* Playboy's Night Calls 411 reviews.
* Some print media reviews like AVN, AVN OnLine, etc.
* Monthly Top Ten reviews.
* Reviews rankings by many categories like:
Newbies, GBs, Oral, Interracial, Ethnic, Les,
Couples, Features, Amateurs.
* Top Ten Stars.
New starlets, hottest stars & fan favorites.
* Director ratings.
Based upon body of work for the calendar year.
* Star's Cross Reference.
Every star with 2 or more appearances and a link
to each of her reviews.
4. Tell me a little about your background. What brought you to the world
of independent review sites?
Dirty Bob is a good friend of mine and I wrote some programs for
him many years ago that put review information into a data base.
Then he could sort it in many sequences. He used the system for
many years.
Then 2 things happened:
* Dirty Bob quit giving a point value to his reviews.
* The internet came about.
So, I just modified the data base to create the HTML
code and I was in business starting in Nov 1996.
I have been viewing and been a fan of adult movies for
over 43 years. I have watched the media move from the
old 8mm's to DVD.
5. In speaking of the product that is reviewed specifically by in-house
critics, does the material come direct from the production companies
or is it purchased like any other consumer?
Approximately 50/50 split now days. I still go to the local
rental store and rent tapes and DVDs daily. I stand in line
just like any other person and I pay full price.
The new releases come out on every Thursday and myself and a
good friend of mine JJ open the boxes, sort them by type of
product, remove product from boxes, apply labels, tape numbers
on the boxes and tapes/DVDs and help out in other ways.
In exchange for the 2-3 hours it takes to do this, we both
are allowed to have our choice of the best 6 of the week and
then the rest are put out for rental.
This is an incredible experience because 6-8 guys come in
and talk to JJ and me while this is going on and we all
comment on who is hot and who is not. This is very
valuable feedback. These are the people that are spending
money and letting me know what they like and don't like.
6. Explain to me the community aspect of a site like yours. It seems to
me that people (fans) have a desire to have their voices heard on
various subjects, in this case, adult DVDs, videos, etc.
CAVR has a feedback section that is generated by either emails
from fans of adult movies or Press Releases from producing
companies. A few of the Stars actually post feedbacks and I
always get a monthly column from the Gentleman of Porn,
Mr. Dave Cummings.
Dave's latest column
There are special subjects that I have a particular interest
in and all the many emails involved with it.
For example, CAVR covered the Elyse Metcalf First Amendment
trial live.
Trial Coverage
Does your site serve as a type of outlet, a place where consumers can
truly voice their opinion?
Yes, they can. But it is not that common. They generally prefer
to post to RAME, Adult DVD Talk, etc.
And of course, delivering opinions and thoughts of your own.
I have a monthly newsletter that I rant about what is wrong
with today's product.
* Not properly IDing the lady stars.
* Poor lighting.
* Rough treating the lady stars.
7. Is there ever conflict in terms of advertising versus reviews?
No, CAVR does not take advertising (banners) from production
companies.
CAVR does have banner exchanges with other reviewer sites and
with web sites that sell movies and DVDs.
CAVR has a page on where to buy movies and DVDs.
Where to Buy
Or is advertising by production companies something an independent
site would avoid?
CAVR at one time took advertising from production companies but
then decided to avoid any credibilty problems to stop doing it.
CAVR has very few banners and is not real aggressive in the
advertising arena.
If a production company advertised on the site, would you ever find
yourself soft-pedaling at all on reviewing their product?
I certainly hope not.
8. Talk about consumer `reviewers' and their connection to
discussing/rating/reviewing various titles.
CAVR has only 1 reviewer and tries to review all the movies
the exact same way.
How does one become a reviewer?
The most important thing is you must be a fan!
Then, visit the various sites and check them out. They are
always looking for reviewers.
And, some sites like Adult DVD Talk, will post 'guest'
reviews. Write some reviews and post them and see what
kind of feedback your reviews get.
Are there specific guidelines?
I am not aware of what the rules are. My rule would be to
make sure you are honest and make sure you actually look
at the entire movie.
9. With `in-house' critics in mind, I assume what you are looking for is
more than just someone's general opinion, rather a thorough review of
the title.
Not sure what you mean. If by 'in-house' you mean a person who
reviews for a site that sells tapes and DVD's, then I say to
take their review with a grain of salt. The purpose of their
review is to sell the item and the review will be slanted to
that objective.
Or does it matter?
Yes, it does matter. Always give a honest review.
Is there just as much a need for gonzo style reviewing as there is
detailed, professional style work?
I think so, but then I only do gonzo style reviewing. I am
reviewing the sex in the sex movie and my writing style is
at the entry level. I very much enjoy reading Professional
reviews as long as I can understand what they are saying.
For real professional well written internet reviews, I suggest
you visit the King of Reviewer's.
Rog Reviews
For real professional well written print media reviews, I suggest
you read Dirty Bob's reviews.
10. What kind of feedback do you receive from consumers?
I get so many emails that it is a problem trying to keep up.
Most are positive, but some are very critical.
All the improvements to CAVR have come from suggestions from
customers.
CAVR reviews true amateur tapes and gets alot of emails
for this product. There is a big market for amateur tapes
and CAVR tries to review as many as possible.
It seems they would generally be happy to have such various outlets
for reviews/opinions/comments other than just one entity, like AVN.
Yes, I think so. The internet has changed the entire world.
AVN use to be the only game in town, but not anymore. There
are tons of review sites and they all have their followings.
Plus, in some cases, they can actively engage in the review and/or
discussion of a specific title.
Yes, it can get quite alot of responses. Check out RAME and/or
Adult DVD Talk and you will be surprised at the number of
replies to a particular topic and also check out the number
of times a post has been read.
11. Overall, what importance does the independent review site serve in
the larger context of the adult industry?
Very important. It gives the consumer a chance to see what
others think of a particular movie or DVD before they spent
their money.
12. What makes an outstanding independent review site?
Reviews. Lots of them and reviews of the New Releases as soon as
possible because they are the ones that the real devoted
fan really cares about.
Stars. The Stars are the STARS!
Provide an easy to use Star's Cross Reference to allow
the fan to follow his favorite star(s).
I assume having a large catalog of titles and building a solid
reputation are integral parts of the plan.
Yes, lots of timely reviews.
13. On your site, are there other types of services and features you
offer the Surfer other than reviews?
Reviews.
Rankings.
Star Cross References.
Is there a trend to provide as much diverse information as possible
to keep Surfers coming back for more?
Not really. Basically the person visiting a review site wants
to read the reviews he is interested in and then moving on.
14. In your opinion, what does the future hold for independent review
sites?
Future looks good. You know things are going well with the
big increase in the number of review sites.
If there is anything else you would like to mention, discuss, touch on,
argue about, rant over or just publicize, in regards to my feature
story, then by all means please go right ahead.
CAVR nominates the year's Best Stars, New Starlets, Fan Favorite
Stars, Directors, Production Company, Movie & DVD.
The ballot will be available January 1 and it is open to
the public for voting.
CAVR is against the rough sex treatment of the Stars and
wishes it would just go away.
It would be appreciated, especially if I have forgotten to ask any
pertinent questions above.
Thank you for including CAVR as a part of this article. It is
good to see website reviewers get a chance to answer your
questions.
AVN OnLine is one of my favorite magazines and I read it monthly.
AVN OnLine Review
Thank you!