About this project
It’s hard to imagine now, but in 1982 when I started working on porn movies, we shot real 35mm film on big movie cameras. Home video cassette players had barely been invented. There were no DVD’s, no home computers, no Internet. People went out to downtown movie theaters and watched sex movies on the silver screen. Our shoots lasted anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, with a crew of at least twenty people. We all put a lot of care into the script, the acting, the lighting, sound, editing – all the aspects of real movie-making. It was the Golden Age of Porn, and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
American Ecstasy is my memoir of
those roller coaster days. I shot
the pictures in this book while working as a stills person on 300 hardcore porn
shoots in New York over the course of twelve years. My images reveal the contradictions inherent in the business
– great beauty, tinged with sadness, punctuated by surreal silliness. I loved ironic moments when, in the
middle of an orgy, they’d have to cut to put more film in the camera. Everybody would yawn and look at their
watch, hoping against hope there would be something decent for lunch.
For people who might remember some of the stars of those days, the book includes Ron Jeremy, Vanessa del Rio, Nina Hartley, Sharon Mitchell, Sharon Kane, Siobhan Hunter, Jeanna Fine, Damian Cashmere, Tasha Voux, and many more. Directors include Henri Pachard, Candida Royalle, Lasse Braun and others.
The book is hardcover, 156 pages, measures 9.5" by 11.5". There are 70 color plates, a selection of my written stories of life on the movie sets, and short excerpts from tape recorded interviews I conducted with the porn stars at the time. I am honored to say there is also a critical essay by Arthur C. Danto, Johnsonian Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University and former art critic for The Nation.
I’m raising funds to pay for the design, offset printing, and distribution of my book.
LINKS:
My Rewards Page - where you can see pictures of my cool rewards
BarbaraNitke.com - my official website
Debbie Does Salad - Harpers Magazine article comparing the Food Network to porn movies. You have to scroll down a bit to get to the part featuring me.
Facebook page for this project - where you can post comments and see everybody else
PRESS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN:
New York Times - wonderful mention in an article about Kickstarter (scroll down a bit to see American Ecstasy)
Gothamist - cool piece in top New York blog
Slutever - interview with me by Karley Sciortino
Something Dark - article about the campaign in English creative magazine
Sex and Politics - article about the campaign by political blogger
Vice Magazine - interview with me in downtown lifestyle magazine
Richardson Magazine - NSFW exclusive excerpt from my book in art magazine
Sexuality.about.com - interview with me by sexual advice columnist
Pas Un Autre - article about the campaign in journal of arts and culture
In Rude Health - article about the campaign in English sexual resource magazine
Jiz Lee - article about the campaign in gender queer pornstar blog
Mr. Skin - NSFW "Skinterview" with me in online porn website
Leatherpage - NSFW article about the campaign in online BDSM blog
Good Vibrations - article about the campaign in sexuality magazine
Skin Two - article about the campaign in English fetish and BDSM magazine
Leather Yenta - article about the campaign in Lolita's predictions and predilections blog
Fleshbot - article about the campaign on NSFW sexworld blog
Adult Film Database - NSFW article about the campaign in online porn community resource
Adult Video News - NSFW article about the campaign in adult entertainment trade resource
PLEASE NOTE: This book will include a few images that might be objectionable to some people. If you think you’d be offended by sexual imagery please don’t select the book as a reward. Also the book is not appropriate for people under the age of 18.
FAQ
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Yes! Click on one of the rewards you want, then add what the other reward would be and pledge that much. Then send me a note. I will make sure you get both of the rewards when the campaign is over.
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
Pledge $10 or more Pledge $10 or more
A 4x6 ink jet print of one of the images from the book. Signed on the back, and perfect for posting on your refrigerator. Image is chosen randomly from the possible ten shown on my rewards page.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
A set of three signed 4x6 ink jet prints of images from the book. You can see the set on my rewards page.
Pledge $30 or more Pledge $30 or more
A vintage postcard circa 1979 of the famed Pussycat Cinema, which was at 49th and Broadway, NYC. The marquee shows "Inside Desiree Cousteau" playing at the theater.
Pledge $45 or more Pledge $45 or more
Choose a whimsical handmade necklace featuring an image from the book. They measure 15" long and were specially made for this campaign by Patti McLoughlin. You can see the two choices on my rewards page.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
THE BOOK!!! A signed copy of the first edition of American Ecstasy. It will be shipped to you with love, in plenty of time for Christmas.
Pledge $70 or more Pledge $70 or more
THE BOOK FOR INTERNATIONAL BACKERS!!! A signed copy of the first edition of American Ecstasy. It will be shipped to you with love, in plenty of time for Christmas.
Pledge $75 or more Pledge $75 or more
A set of ten signed 4x6 ink jet prints of images from the book. You can see the set on my rewards page.
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
A signed copy of the first edition of American Ecstasy, plus the set of ten signed 4x6 ink jet prints of images from the book. You can see the set on my rewards page.
Pledge $125 or more Pledge $125 or more
***New Reward*** The Book - First edition copy of American Ecstasy, signed by me and NINA HARTLEY!!! It will be shipped to you with love, in plenty of time for Christmas.
Pledge $135 or more Pledge $135 or more
***New Reward*** BIRTHDAY SUPER PAC!!! Get 4 handmade necklaces for $135.00 - a $45 savings. They measure 15" long and were specially made by Patti McLoughlin for this campaign. You can see the choices on my rewards page. They will be delivered in May, just in time for birthdays throughout the year.
Pledge $145 or more Pledge $145 or more
***New Reward*** The Book - International backers - First edition copy of American Ecstasy, signed by me and NINA HARTLEY!!! It will be shipped to you with love, in plenty of time for Christmas.
Pledge $150 or more Pledge $150 or more
A signed, open edition ink jet print of an image from the book on the highest quality, 8.5" x 11" archival art paper. You can see which images are available in this size on my rewards page and I'll check in with you after the campaign for your selection.
Pledge $160 or more Pledge $160 or more
***New Reward*** CHRISTMAS SUPER PAC!!! Get 4 signed copies of the first edition of American Ecstasy - a $40 savings. They will be delivered in October, in plenty of time for the holidays.
Pledge $230 or more Pledge $230 or more
***New Reward*** CHRISTMAS SUPER PAC FOR INTERNATIONAL BACKERS!!! Get 4 signed copies of the first edition of American Ecstasy - a $50 savings. They will be delivered in November, in plenty of time for the holidays.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
A signed, open edition ink jet print of an image from the book on the highest quality, 11" x 17" archival art paper. You can see which images are available in this size on my rewards page and I'll check in with you after the campaign for your selection.
Pledge $300 or more Pledge $300 or more
A signed copy of the first edition of American Ecstasy. Plus a signed, open edition ink jet print of an image from the book on the highest quality, 11" x 17" archival art paper. You can see which images are available in this size on my rewards page and I'll check in with you after the campaign for your selection.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
A set of four signed, open edition ink jet prints of images from the book on the highest quality, 8.5" x 11" archival art paper. You can see which images are available in this size on my rewards page and I'll check in with you after the campaign for your selections.
Pledge $1,350 or more Pledge $1,350 or more
A limited edition, digital C print of any image you chose from the book. Paper size 16" x 20", signed and numbered on the back. Edition is limited to 25 in this size. I'll check in with you after the campaign for your selection, and to figure out shipping charges for International backers.
Pledge $2,000 or more Pledge $2,000 or more
A limited edition, digital C print of any image you chose from the book. Paper size 20" x 24", signed and numbered on the back. Edition is limited to 15 in this size. I'll check in with you after the campaign for your selection, and to figure out shipping charges for International backers.
Project By
Connected as Barbara Nitke
Barbara Nitke is a New York fine art and commercial photographer, best known for her compassionate view of alternative sex. Her career has taken her from behind-the-scenes of hardcore porn sets in the 1980’s, to fetish porn in the 1990’s, and into the private lives of BDSM lovers for the following decade.
She also does photography for mainstream television shows and the fashion industry. Her work has been shown and collected worldwide.
