Congratulations to Phil Black and associates.

[KazB]

Also a special thanks to Nige and Jill for inviting JJ and I down to the awards and putting up with us! Hope everyone enjoyed themselvesxxx

[Coolcat]

Can I add my congratulations again to Phil and co on a terrific night.

Re Dave Wells earlier comment regarding the 'plebs' who got into the after-show party, just a word of clarification? I'm presuming you're using the word 'pleb' to mean a critic, detractor or someone who doesn't understand porn, not 'a member of the public'.
It seemed security at the entrance to the upstairs VIP section were indeed turning away all those who weren't 'industry', ie who didn't have the appropriate coloured wrist band.
However, this felt a bit mean, as tickets had been sold to members of the public on the basis that they'd have post-show access to the 'stars'.

Next year, a decision needs to be made - either invite those who are non-industry (I include myself here, even though I've many industry friends and contacts), and then give them the access promised.
Or exclude non-industry folk altogether. Either are acceptable, but to invite non-industry people to an after-show party on the ticket, and then deny them access once they reach the velvet rope is plain not fair.

I appreciate there were problems on the night, like I say it was overwhelmingly a great night, this was one tiny blemish which might just need re-thinking next year.

[Cenobitez]

Coolcat, the upper bar was intended as a 'chill out' area for the industry where they could go to get some privacy. I know KazB, Crystel Lei, JJ, Dirty Sanchez, Leah Jayne and loads of others was down stairs with the fans where the public had full access most of the night after the tables was cleared away.

I think due to delays that things didnt work out exactly as planned.

[Coolcat]

Ah, ok. Thanks Cenobitez. I understand entirely why some industry folk might want a chill-out area away from the prying gaze.
The fact that most never ventured out all night is a touch disappointing, however. The VIP area was bursting, the dance floor area virtually empty.
Perhaps they didn't know that people had paid good money to enjoy the after-show party WITH them - whether 'meet the porn stars afterwards' SHOULD have been part of the ticket deal or not is a separate debate, but the fact remains it WAS.

OK, like I say, I don't want to harp on about a very minor observation. Let's put it down to communication breakdown and delays on the night, and forget it. Regardless of this, Friday night will live long and beautifully in the memory!

[Cenobitez]

Like everything in life, its never perfect the first time around, this will be used as a lesson in what needs to be fixing.

I cant speak for Phil but if i was him, I'd value the constructive criticism as an aid to get it right next time

I for one didnt know about the 'after show party' party tickets until the day before, so maybe others didnt, like you said was a minor issue that will hopefully be worth it in the end

[Paul Smith]

Just adding my congratulations to the pile - Well done Phil! Now, please give me a call on either of the numbers I've left on your voicemail, lol!

I thought there was a good mix of industry folk and those who buy their work and on the whole it was a very good natured affair.

I was at the show for Erotic Trade Only magazine and had a great time. On the VIP/velvet rope issue, I did get chucked out of that area despite being there working and having a red 'VIP' wristband on. Perhaps press should have a different colour to help security to know who to frog march downstairs and who not to?

Nevertheless I thought the awards themselves went as smoothly as could be expected, the girls were very entertaining and Ben Dover and Kirsten Williams (where have I seen her before?) did a fine job of keeping things together. Watch for the photos we're allowed to print, plus a news article in next month's ETO

Cheers!

[Cenobitez]

Hey Paul,

Good to see you at Erotica, both days

I set up so people can share their photos, i dont have an 'allowed' list, so if you like upload away or i can set u up and FTP so you can add them all at once

[davewells]

No, I simply mean that an area for just industry people was desperately neede d because nobody could move up there. If those people then wanted to mingle with the public they could do so at their will rather than being harrassed as they were on Friday.

[Cenobitez]

Hey Dave,

How did your Dita V T pics turn out ?

[davewells]

My what ? I was shooting H-Def video footage all night which looks great.