Lots of people have a video camera hidden away in the cupboard gathering dust. The camera that makes it out every now and again for holidays and Christmas, before its tapes sit in a drawer never to see the light of day.
But in these credit-crunch evenings, more and more couples are staying in and making their own fun. And finding a new use for their camcorder.
“An increasing number of couples are making their own erotic films,” says David Pace, the producer of a new DVD guide, Make Your Own Erotic Videos.
“Filming yourself is exciting – it’s got the buzz of doing something a bit elicit, but with the bonus that you have something tangible at the end of it.”
Erika Lust, the award winning director behind female-friendly erotica such as Five Hot Stories for Girls, agrees. “Film is a great way of exploring things: fantasies for example,” she says. “It can definitely help you spice up your sex life.”
For lots of couples it’s all about the making – a good excuse to try something different, a reason to discuss what you would like to do to each other, and an incentive to make a effort in the bedroom.
But many also create a polished final edit, keeping it hidden away as their secret film.
“Some couples watch their films together to get them in the mood,” says Pace. “Some present the edited version as a gift to their partner. And some find it useful to help keep a long-distance relationship alive. Let’s face it, if your partner’s going to be watching erotica, wouldn’t you prefer it to be you they’re lusting over?”
In this regard, home movies have many advantages over typical adult films.
“You’ve got the passion, the connection,” says Kaz B, a model who makes films with her own partner and who provides couples with performance advice on Make Your Own Erotic Videos.
“You’ve got that chemistry between the couple, and that’s something that’s just not there when two strangers are performing.”
And it can be a great thing to look back on, particularly if your relationship hits a less exciting spot.
“You can look back and see all the fun things you got up to,” says Kaz B, “and hopefully it will reignite that fire”.
When sex tapes go bad…
The problem with home videos is that they’re rarely flattering. Harsh lighting, grainy footage and unflattering angles make the viewing cringeworthy or comedy, but rarely erotic.
But that needn’t be the way, according to Pace.
“Lots of people are put off by how they might appear on film,” says Pace. “But you can make a film that’s classy and sensual and that makes you look sexy and beautiful.”
Thankfully there are ways to cheat your way towards this. Positions that flatten your stomach and emphasise your lines, for example, and lighting techniques that emphasise muscle-tone and curves.
“Not everyone goes in front of the camera to do this kind of thing very often. They’re going to feel self conscious and that’s quite a natural thing,” says Leigh Snowdon-Perkins, a specialist in erotic shoots with normal couples, and one of the expert contributors to the guide. “There are many ways to get over that.”
“I think a lot of people will actually realise – ‘wow, I looked really good on that film, I didn’t realise I looked so good,” adds Lust.
Make Your Own Erotic Videos covers every aspect of planning and structuring your film, using home lighting and getting the most out of your camera, both technically and in terms of choosing shots and angles.
It includes advice on creating an intimate and elegant film, performance tips and a guide to editing your movie. And it even includes example scenes that couples can choose from to recreate, complete with tips from performers and directors.
“The golden rule to ignore everything you see in pornography”, says Roy Stuart, the renowned photographer and director behind films such as Glimpse, who gives a rare interview in the guide. “Don’t try and do pornography – try and do something a bit more special.”
Lust agrees: “I need to see desire. And details: for example the hand grabbing the sheet, all the small things we do when having sex - grabbing your hair, biting your lips. It makes you feel the emotion; it makes you feel like you’re in the movie when you watch it”
There are worse ways to spend an evening... Just don’t leave the tape lying around.
Make your own Erotic Videos is available from Amazon, LoveFilm or from www.makeyourowneroticvideos.com