Industry Titan Walden Woods Talks Switching to Bareback, Directing Hot Boys & Free Speech

For the most part in today's version of our industry, most cannot survive the long haul by just being one specialty. You might have some success here and there as an actor, or direct a few good movies, but the ones who have their hands in multiple pots, their irons stoking various fires... those are the ones who truly rise to the top and who often make the deepest impact. Walden Woods is a perfect example of that. This director, writer, producer, and board member is as multi-talented as he is insightful, and I'm beyond thrilled that I got to learn a little bit more about the man behind the art!

You hold a lot of titles (and a few names). Master Director, Producer, Board Member... it's all so impressive and makes sense that you've been so successful. Is there one title that drives your passions the most?

To be honest, I never really had goals when I started in the industry. I had just moved to California and was grasping at straws to find employment. Somehow, this career just appeared and I decided to run with it. When I began this whole journey, one of my main goals was to make sure that we did not treat the talent like cattle. I never wanted to see models being berated, yelled at, used, or put into situations where they didn’t feel safe. I guess as time went on that became my lighthouse while I was in production: “Does the talent feel safe? Does the talent feel respected? What can I do to change the narrative?” That led to growing in the industry and eventually I found myself at the forefront of really advocating for essentially a safe work environment.

Directing has been something I have always done and producing is a new title that I really didn't realize I had been doing it for years until I paid attention. When I jumped on with Next Door Studios, we were in the middle of a few paradigm shifts and we have worked like hell to create some positive changes. I am very proud of the effort and forward progress we have made. We have made some serious changes to how our company operates and I'm very proud of it.

To be honest, being a board member of the Free Speech Coalition has been an honor in my professional career. We have such a talented group of industry leaders on that board that really dig their heels in and make tangible changes to how this industry functions. I guess to put it all into a simple answer, one achievement or title would not exist without the other. I am proud of the changes I have been a part of and can't wait to see what's next.

Sooo…this is happening on set! We decided @BlainOconnorXXX needed two dicks up his ass! @ScottVxxx #kylewyncrest! A great film directed by legendary @xxxconrad @NextDoorStudios pic.twitter.com/pH49ghBU4Q

— WaldenWoodsXXX (@XxxWalden) March 8, 2022

Tell me about your time as a Board Member of the FSC and a little bit more about the FSC.

I could go on and on about how much I love the Free Speech Coalition and what they do and have done for the adult industry. Not just the industry, but for health and standards for all people. Our mission is to protect not only the rights, but also the freedoms of all members of our big diverse family. I have been on the board coming up on a year and am extremely proud of the work that we do. From advocacy work to supporting newcomers in the industry, to conflict resolution... we do our best as a non-profit to leave the world better than we found it. I like to think that within this insanely talented group of industry professionals my main skill set is to be a representative with boots on the ground; a member of the board that sees the day-to-day workings, and ways we can improve the lives of people in our community.

Almost every day on set, I chat with the talent to let them know about all of the resources that are available to them, to really get them involved and hear their voices with the help of the FSC. Do they feel safe and respected? Are they being treated fairly? If not, letting them know there are people looking out for them on and off set, and I really want to inspire them to take advantage of that. There are so many resources out there that we can offer, so I encourage everyone to become a member of the Free Speech Coalition. Donate if you can, or join a fundraiser here and there.

When I say this is super important. I mean it! Let's bond as a community and dig our heals in @Str8UpGayAwards @QueerMeNow @theswordcom @NextDoorStudios @CastingNextDoor @XBIZ @FSCArmy @Cybersocket @GayVN @AlisonBodenFSC @FSCMeghan @PASScertified https://t.co/HfuPCyXh22

— WaldenWoodsXXX (@XxxWalden) August 11, 2022

Let's talk about Next Door Films! You're the primary Director and Producer and I think it's so exciting that the films you're going to be making are full-length and high-quality production values. Tell me more about that.

Who doesn’t get excited about seeing more polished gay content out there in the world? When we decided to pull the trigger and create a higher level of production for Next Door Studios, I was all in. By no means can I take all the credit either, as much as I would like to. We have an amazing Director of Photography (Conrad Parker), an amazing camera guy (Big Mike), and a great writer and executive producer (Dalton King and Jeremy Babcock). What we are doing with Next Door Films is taking the stories that every gay man has lived through and really give it a life of its own. A chance for our viewers to really relate and connect with what they are seeing. It is a ton of work, however, the best thing at the end of a shoot is the entire team locking eyes and realizing we made something that will make a difference in our members' lives. Anytime I direct a film, I like to sit down and have a real conversation with the talent to collectively work as a team to see where we can take their characters. What can they personally add to the storyline that will help to make a quality film? So far the talent hasn’t disappointed and neither has our amazing team. Proud to say the least.

Fluffing. Done. Right! @LoveIsaacX @romanmichaelxx @laneXcolten @xxxconrad @NextDoorStudios pic.twitter.com/QC8Y3oZPIE

— WaldenWoodsXXX (@XxxWalden) March 30, 2022

What's been the biggest change you've witnessed in the porn industry over nearly 15 years?

Honestly, one of the things that I have seen change is the talent taking the industry back and really being able to make it their own. Between actually being heard - and respected by - mainstream studios and creating fan content on their own, it's been exciting to really see them step up in regard to ownership and branding.

One of the other major changes in the game was when we switched to bareback! When I started mainstream, gay porn had yet to go bareback and all the major studios at the time were all using condoms. I was working for Sean Cody at the time when we all took a vote to see if we were prepared and ready, and had the resources to create that content. In fact, we were one of the first major gay companies to dive head-first into it. Flash forward to today and damn how the game has changed! To say nothing of the testing protocols and safety measures we have locked down.

Last, but not least, I have seen more compassion and understanding of production sets. I've even seen these changes more magnified since I came on with Next Door Studios and have been dealing with the constant challenges that the talent face even just arriving on set. It's been a long 13 years, to say the least. I feel like these days, directors and producers genuinely care more about the talent and have forged some real trust and connections. When I walk onto a set the talent knows that we are looking out for them; I think that puts everyone more at ease. It really helps to create a consensual interaction between all of us and, at the end of the day, to make some really quality films.

What have been some of your most memorable projects?

I have been really lucky to have some longevity in this industry and do not by any means take it for granted. I have been able to travel all over the country, shoot in some spectacular locations, and make some great friends. I can't rate the experiences, but shooting "The Last Course” with such an amazing team ranks pretty high. We really challenged ourselves and made some great content. Many of the travel trips at Sean Cody when I was there rank really high, just knowing how good the content was and how well received it was is pretty awesome and a solid ego boost. Next Door has also always given me a ton of creative freedom, so oddly enough I like to think about all the weird content they trusted me to shoot. I mean, I made a film about a bunny rabbit and a runaway tornado. Who gets to have that much fun at work? It's not always the shoots that stand out for me, it's what we did on those scenes that stick out the most in my mind. As well as, "Were we able to create a sense of growth for all involved?" I guess that's a common theme in my career.

What was the first film you ever worked on?

Oh damn! I remember I showed up to work in a dress shirt and dress pants and one of the directors asked me if I was an accountant. That stands out the most until I was brought on set for the first time. It was an audition with Sean himself and he just let me do my thing. It was so awkward and I had no idea what I was doing. He put a camera in my hand and said try to make this model look good. Little did I know at the time he had told the talent to do his best to not be cooperative. It was painful as hell to be a part of! That was the first time I directed and the rest is history. The first film I worked on was “Jake” and “Pete” I think? To be honest I was so overwhelmed to be on such an iconic set that I don't remember. I just remember watching them tear their shirts off so hard that the buttons broke.

What's coming up in the works that have got you excited?

We have so many irons in the fire that everything is pushing my buttons and getting me excited. Next Door Films is working on some amazing storytelling, and Disruptive has some really solid films coming up. We have a few top-secret collaborations and projects in the works with some really talented industry professionals that I think can really raise the bar on what gay cinema can and should be. I have been really lucky to work with Conrad Parker for about a decade and he really is always pushing the envelope on ways to improve our stories. Jeremy Babcock and his team (like I said) have really helped raise the bar. I am very excited for the future.

 

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Tell me a little bit more about you! Any fun hobbies? Pets? Other languages?

Ahhh the world's most awkward couch interview question in the world. First and foremost, I am very much a dog dad. I have three, all of which are rescues off the street and I am obsessed with them. Fun fact: Walden is the name of my Shepard/Lab! During Covid things got weird so we got some tortoises to distract my husband and I and I forgot they live to be over a hundred years old. We have been married for 6 years and live in San Diego. I will never miss a concert, even if it's a band I don't love. I go out of my way to see as much live music as humanly possible.

I also have a best friend that is a travel addict, so mostly I chase her around the world and try to keep up the exploring as I get older. I (oddly enough), when intoxicated, can speak fluent French… so that's weird. But yeah, I am mostly down to earth and like spending time at home. It helps to balance those moments between being director Walden and regular… (insert real name here).

POV when you are directing @JaydenMarcosXX on set with @NextDoorStudios @theelliotfinn @brockjohnsyn @xxxconrad @masonwilliamsx @JerBabcock_NDS @DaltonKingXXX @CastingNextDoor pic.twitter.com/MkDlfjS2MV

— WaldenWoodsXXX (@XxxWalden) June 24, 2022

Ugh I love this! @FilmsDisruptive @JkabEthanDale @RomanToddNYC @TrevorHarrisXXX great job guys on a great film! pic.twitter.com/BRHwSC2GVt

— WaldenWoodsXXX (@XxxWalden) July 13, 2022

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