Source: Vivid PR
By: Company Press Release
(VAN NUYS, CA) — Steven Hirsch, co-founder and co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment Group, will speak to students at the University of California Santa Barbara Film Studies Department on May 26th (7 p.m. Pt), explaining to students how he helped guide Vivid to its position as the world’s most successful adult film studio.
Constance Penley, UCSB Professor of Film Studies, invited Mr. Hirsch to the campus. “In my class, which I’ve taught since 1993, we take an historical and comparative approach to the adult industry,” says Professor Penley. “We ask of it all the same questions we would ask of Hollywood filmmaking, including looking at the way the industry has evolved over the decades, how changing technologies have affected both production and distribution and how the regulatory climate at any given time influences the content and style of the films. We are delighted that one of the prime architects of new business models for the adult industry will be lecturing to our students.”
In his lecture, Mr. Hirsch will outline how the 20-year old Vivid developed the unique “Vivid Girl” contract actress concept and took other steps that made the company the top adult film studio and led the way in the increasing acceptance of adult entertainment as an important part of the overall film entertainment scene.
“I’m delighted to have been invited to UCSB to talk about the adult industry to the people who will one day be running the show in Hollywood,” Mr. Hirsch said. “Professor Penley has taken a very professional attitude toward adult, recognizing that it is an important part of the overall entertainment environment. That being said, I think we’re going to have some fun in this lecture because, after all, the topic is one that all students find pretty fascinating.”
Mr. Hirsch attended the University of California Los Angeles. He has worked in the adult entertainment industry throughout his working career, starting in the warehouse of a firm owned by his father. He was co-founder of Vivid Video in 1984.
About Vivid:
The Vivid Entertainment Group is the world’s leading adult film company. Founded in 1984, Vivid pioneered the “Vivid Girl” concept, under which top adult film stars are signed to exclusive agreements that are styled on the old Hollywood contract star system. Vivid has always placed heavy emphasis on high quality erotic film entertainment for the couples market. The company has created wide brand-name awareness with a licensing program that extends to advertising, book publishing, virility supplements, condoms, snowboards, calendars, comic books and a wide variety of other products. Vivid is known for its innovative technological advances such as full function DVDs and its popular website Vivid.com. The company has had a mandatory condom policy for 61/2 years and requires current STD tests from performers prior to each production. Vivid is a major supplier of content for pay-per-view networks in North America and internationally. For further information contact RM@vivid.com.
For more information about Vivid contact Ellie Reeve at 800-762-4761 or RM@Vivid.com. For information about the location of Steven Hirsch’s lecture contact Prof. Penley’s office at 805-893-2347. Mr. Hirsch and Prof. Penley will be available for media interviews at 6:30 Pm.
