Reality Porn

Reviewed by Dr. Laura McGuire
on February 14, 2022

Reality porn, short for reality pornography, is professional pornography that mimics amateur porn. This porn features staged scenes showing people connecting in a way that seems authentic before having sex. While sex is a key component of reality porn, these videos usually have more of a storyline than other pornographic genres.

Reality pornography often features porn stars having sex with the camera operators. In some other reality pornography, the camera operator acts as a fly on the wall capturing other people having sex. Many reality porn videos feature (often female) performers picked up on the street by a camera operator or good-looking actor. In some cases, the people hit it off and form an instant connection. In other videos, the camera operator or actor promises money in exchange for sex. No matter what her motivation, the one who is getting picked up agrees to go home with them or have sex inside their vehicle. It seems like the camera captures their first meeting, although the performer actually knows the camera operator or other actor and expects their arrival on the scene.

While reality porn makers often claim their films show “real couples having real sex,” this genre often features professional actors to comply with the sex industry’s common requirement for regular sexually transmitted infection testing. In some parts of the world, without these requirements, professional porn filmmakers may use amateurs in their reality porn. Reality porn actors tend to be attractive, but not unattainably so. Viewers should be able to imagine the actors in reality porn are people they may meet, and have sex with, in their everyday life.

This pornographic genre became popular during the 2000s with the release of series including Girls Gone Wild and Girls Who Like Girls. As online pornography became more common, several websites such as Bang Bus, Reality Kings, and Brazzers capitalized on the interest in reality porn.


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More About Reality Porn

The makers of reality porn use several tricks to make their videos seem more natural and less staged than other professional porn productions. The camera operator may use a handheld camera rather than a steady camera with a tripod. The camera operator shoots in natural light. They also use real outdoor locations rather than a closed set. This approach means the people you see in the background of reality porn videos are real civilians, rather than paid actors.

The film is not retouched in any way, so the actors may have cellulite, wrinkles, or pubic hair. People making reality porn often hire actors with a wide variety of body types. The director may also encourage the actors to improvise their interaction rather than using a script. Actors are also encouraged to react naturally to sex instead of faking orgasm.

Some people who are critical of other porn genres appreciate the authentic nature of reality porn. They praise reality porn for showing real bodies and sexual responses. Understanding this, some reality porn film studios and websites aim to appeal to people who aren’t typical porn consumers. For example, some reality porn aims to be female-friendly. This porn features relatable actors with a variety of body types and is free of the misogyny many critics accuse porn of. It also focuses on female pleasure by showing activities such as cunnilingus and female masturbation. These reality porn videos are very different from some early reality porn videos, such as the Bang Bus and Girls Gone Wild series, which critics say exploited women and have been criticized for predatory or unethical practices.

While reality porn aims to present itself as showing reality, all people involved in making should know they are part of a porn video. The "picked up" actors in reality porn often play innocent roles and seem like they are unaware they are being filmed. However, they must give consent before they're filmed and their sex acts get posted online. Distributing an intimate image without consent is is an assault and can be prosecuted.


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