I've been an activist for several years. Mostly in the consumer protections aspect. Doing checks on pyramid scams and advising the public on poor contracting in and around pyramid scams. During college and in recent years I've helped a few owners, photogs and models in the online altporn industry. At first it seemed like altporn was some brave new alternative form of adult entertainment and that these altporn website owners would be treating adult entertainment with more respect than other adult entertainment outlets. Unfortunately I was dead wrong and I've found that a lot of altporn sites as well as almost every cam site I have reviewed online are complete scams.
The worst being Myfreecams.com After seeing the Myfreecams contract for myself and running it by several lawyers including two ACLU lawyers I can say without a doubt this operation is a pure scam. the lawyers i showed it too were entirely floored by the contract and didn't even believe a company was actually making models sign this thing.
If you have signed on with Myfreecams and feel afraid you can not get out of your contract DO NOT WORRY. The contract itself is so criminal in nature it would never hold up in court.
I am now working with a group of web developers who are exploring the establishment of the first actual non-profit group dedicated to ethical labor, pay and contracting practices and protections for online adult entertainment workers.
I know this sounds like an insane idea and we have gotten a lot of resistance from the industry as a whole but we have seen that ethical pay and contracting can not only make better money for all those involved but it can sustain itself and grow in this industry.
How to navigate contracting and pay in Adult Entertainment.
The TEN commandments of contracts and pay:
1: If the person giving you this contract asks you not to show it to the general public or any other party to review it , DO NOT SIGN IT.
2: If the contract does not specifically define how you will be paid, DO NOT SIGN IT.
3: If the contract commits you to exclusive work and you image or likeness can not be on another website or publication and they do not offer at least a living wage or at least regular month to month work on fair pay for your work during that time, DO NOT SIGN IT.
4: If you are asked to remove and/or sign over your other work to become their property as well DO NOT SIGN IT.
5: Any less than $5 per photo and $20 an hour for shooting naked pictures is entirely unfair. Obviously for photos or video with more sexual content that rate should go UP.
$5 per photo and $20 an hour is a BARE MINIMUM rate.
6: If you are not being paid right away for shoots or video GET A CONTRACT that specifically defines when and what you are paid within reason or else DO NOT PERFORM.
7: LEARN TO TALK RESIDUALS the website owner/publication is going to make a lot more money off those photos and videos. YOU DESERVE A PERCENTAGE OF THAT. This is a standard form of contracting with any and all professional models, actors, writers, directors, photographers and even more mainstream Adult entertainers. It is neither unheard of nor unreasonable for YOU to get residuals too. It is simply that a lot of armature pornographers and non-mainstream adult entertainers try to suppress residual contracting thinking they will save money. Actually paying residuals ensures WORK, enriches the content and makes it easier for everyone to maintain a better product. This is a PROVEN way of doing things in any form of entertainment, even Adult.
What are residuals?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Residua...nt_industry%29
8: LEARN TO NEGOTIATE
You will get pressured to sign contracts and not negotiate but no serious entertainer out there has ever NOT negotiated a contract. There is no such thing as a standard non-negotiable contract. If a website really wants you, they can be flexible. You may not get as much work but what you WILL get is ACTUAL PAY instead of what so many models get too often, which is an all out fleecing. Send the contract back with questions, suggestions, new terms you would feel better about. Negotiating contract terms is the hallmark of any REAL professional.
Learn more about contracts and negotiating: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contract
9: WATCH YOUR METHODS OF PAY.
Clearly written in the TOS of Paypal (when you first set up your account) it is clearly stated that they do not handle transactions concerning adult entertainment. THAT INCLUDES PAY. Always read and understand your methods of pay. If your online banking will not handle these transactions then DO NOT use it. You also have the right to paper checks upon request. No one offering pay for services can refuse sending you a proper check in the mail or charge you for getting you actual checks if you ask. Direct deposit is also a good option.
10: KNOW WHAT AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR IS and the law according to independent contracting
In most, if not ALL adult entertainment, models and performers are paid as ‘independent contractors’. This is because most adult entertainment companies and websites do not want to handle actual hiring or W2 worker status and pay.
Working as an independent contractor means several things that are far different from being a hired worker. Find them out and LEARN THEM:
(PLEASE READ)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_contractor








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