Source: Adult Industry News
By: Tiki Pavelle
We come across people in the oddest ways; meetings, same coffee shop, air travel, elevators and of course, online. Twitter brought Heidi Hanson to me, but it’s her down to earth demeanor, quick wit and sense of social responsibility that made me like her instantly. I decided to ask this awesome lady a few questions.
AINews: Can you describe what you do and how you came to do it?
Heidi Hanson: Hi everyone. For those of you just meeting me, I am a XXX model, mainstream model, and a XXX director.
How did I get into this? My best friend for the last 20 years, Patrick D from Wet Dreamz Entertainment. He has been a photographer for the entire last 20 years, photographing everything from rock bands (famous and not so famous) to weddings, to models, actors, commercial advertising, etc. Most of the time, I assist when he needs me to. That would include booking models, arranging the location, and running the sets on the shoot day.
An opportunity came up to shoot porn and, of course, I volunteered to be his first model. It was really fun, very free-ing, and I was addicted immediately! From there, he has been my official photographer/videographer for almost all the shoots I have ever done. The only time he does not shoot me, is if I work for other well known companies in the business with their own on staff photographer.
AINews: What would you be doing if not this?
Heidi Hanson: I would probably still be doing mortgage loan underwriting (Eeeww) or just doing wedding coordinating, or decide to be a total bum and do nothing (yea like that would happen!)
AINews: What are your plans?
Heidi Hanson: I am planning to continue XXX modeling as long as people want to see me. I am working on a solo site now, its going to be like my blog, a mix of my own solo stuff/input and interaction with my friends/fans (I call them Frans) and also shoots with the more well known stars I have become friends with over the last five years, and stars I have recently met that I would love to shoot with. Luckily for me, I am not living above my means, and I can be picky with who I shoot with and how often!
AINews: Hibiclens — Tell about it, little bit about the flack?
Heidi Hanson: Ohhh Hibiclens, Hibiclens, Hibiclens. Well you can read about it on my blog, because doing it here would take the whole page. (HeidiHansonXXX.Wordpress.com) Essentially its a pre-operative skin cleanser used in hospitals. You can use it for home applications as well. I first heard about it as a young kid when my sister had acne. She was using it per dermatologist order, to cleanse her face. Worked awesomely. Since then, the family used it all the time for keeping things clean. I kind of put it away over the years until I got into porn, then voila, I recalled this amazing stuff that killed bacteria and viruses for 4-6 hours after application, even when sweating or washing with soap. It’s not a cure-all, won’t prevent you from catching an STD entirely, but definitely will help. My guestimate is anywhere from 5%-50% based on all random factors considered. I have asked many doctors about using it and especially on the genitals, and they have all told me the same thing, its fine, if you are allergic to it, then you are allergic. You would get a rash. Big deal. A rash is worth seeing if it could work for you, in my humble opinion. But hey, if you don’t want to, then don’t! Personally I will take any percentage increase in STD defense I can get. But hey, that’s just me.
The flack? Well it helps to actually research and read fully before giving anything flack. Some people just read a line or two then go off on a tangent about how I am claiming it prevents STDs or cures them. Oy! Go back and read the reports and findings on the manufacturer’s site. Its pretty clear its an aid, not a cure, and that’s all, folks! Also, some people just want to seem smart, so they post stuff just to add controversy where it clearly is not needed. Argue for arguments sake. Personally, I would rather be having hot sex than arguing about soap.
AINews: What do people not know about being in the Adult Industry? Any advice for anyone new in the industry?
Heidi Hanson: Pretty much everything. Because if you tell them, it ruins the fantasy = loss of interest = loss of sales. So, we’ll keep it all a secret. Well, sort of! I have covered a lot on my blog, some inside stuff, some funny stuff, etc. I try not to go too far, because, again, I am still trying to sell myself and the business, right?
Now where other stars are concerned, you asked about ”Advice for anyone new in the industry?” Ya, sure. Make sure you like it, and do not compromise what you will or won’t do. There is no such thing as an ”audition” unless you like casting couches and don’t care if you fuck for free. Don’t escort. Its nasty. I personally find out, then won’t work with you or hire you for working with anyone else. Porn is not prostitution. Across the board that should be self explanatory. Its performing, not selling your body to the highest bidder! And AIM [Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation] is definitely still important!
I know some girls are ”fresh off the bus” and I hear stories about how ignorant they are, what they end up doing before they wise up, and how screwed they get (pun intended) initially. Takes most a year or two before they realize how they did not manage themselves correctly and now they are yesterday’s news. They get a lot of work at first, then end up with nothing. I would suggest getting a manager, not necessarily and agent, but definitely both, if you do not have a business savvy partner to help you navigate this business. It can be tricky. See an AINews article on the subject, just posted a few days ago!
AINews: If you could change one thing about the Adult Industry what would it be?
Heidi Hanson: It would be a better organized online database for AIM. As you may or may not know, I am very STD concious. I think its good, not a bad thing. I would love a database with who has worked with who every time a production happens, we could login to AIM and list performers. Anonymously as producers though. That keeps everyone’s liability down. That way, should anything outbreak like gonorrhea, etc, it would be a simple email by AIM to those who worked with each other over a time frame to go get tested before their AIM test comes due. Its just simpler, and quicker, and more effective. I have talked with a well known adult business attorney who ironically has the same idea, so it must be a good one!
AINews: What is your favorite work, porn or not. What don’t people know about you?
Heidi Hanson: Ohhh thats a hard one! Ok well I can give you two scenes that I liked doing. One was with Debi Diamond for Sweetheart Video. Overall the day was a little challenging but the scene was super fun, and Debi is a dream to work with. My other favorite scene so far was for Naughty America (yet to be released) Your Friends Hot Mom with Chris Johnson. That boy is fun to work with, professional, and the crew that day was really funny and pro. I like smooth, fun shoots. It was a hot scene, too!
What don’t people know about me? I dunno. I am so open, on twitter and my blog, that I am not thinking of anything. Maybe some trivia — I used to train dressage and jumping horses, and qualified for the ’88 olympics. I didn’t go because I could not afford it, but no regrets. I am also a true nerd. I had a 4.6 grade point average in school and college. Go Nerds! Ra Ra Ra! And, I am absolutely mesmerized by quantum physics. I am also a total practical joker, and laughing is the #1 important thing in my life.
AINews: The ”Name Game” and your fund drive?
Heidi Hanson: Yes the name game, all the same, its a shame, and lame. Lol. I have used this stage name for years and only last year found out that there is another Heidi Hanson (actually Heidi Mark) – she used it for Playboy. Only a few times afterwards, then used Heidi Mark for everything else. As I am doing my solo site, I asked others if I should eliminate the confusion and change my name. I got a resounding ”No!” across the board, and even IAFD says I am the reigning Heidi, so I am keeping it! I have a fund drive / donation going so that I can get my site’s legal aspects started and wrapped up. Anyone can send any amount from $1.00 up. I sooo appreciate it as I am funding the entire site myself. Luckily I have so many industry friends lending advice and a hand, I am so fortunate, thank you! But, things still cost money, so help is definitely appreciated, no matter how small you think it is, it helps! Anyone sending me $20.00 or more gets an autographed 8×10. Its on my twitter account under favorites and also on my blog how to donate, if you’re interested.
Thanks so much for the chance to introduce myself and work with AINews, a portal for indispensible information and updates that I find very enlightening and helpful. Hope to stick around a while, and make many more industry friends. In life, I have met the coolest and most open minded/accepting folks in pornland. Its been great. Glad to have taken that chance years ago and ended up here!
XOXO
Heidi Hanson
Twitter @xxxheidihanson
