I think I may have just done something either immesurably mad or incredibly genius, and I can’t really decide which it was. Truthfully, that sort of distinction can be hard to make out when I’m in ideal psychological states and I haven’t exactly been in one of those lately, but I digress.

I ran into this on CraigsList today:

ADULT FILM PRODUCER LOOKING FOR A DP ASAP. (ATLANTA)

WE ARE LOOKING FOR AN EXPERIENCED DP. WE NEED SOMEONE WHO IS ABOUT THERE BUSINESS. POINT BLANK. IN AND OUT! THIS IS A HIGH END ADULT FILM SO WE NEED SOMEONE WHO IS GOOD AT LIGHTING FOR HORROR FILMS. THE PAY IS $300 PER 8HR DAY BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE. WE ALSO HAVE CATERING SO YOU WILL EAT PLENTY OF GOOD FOOD. THIS IS A VERY PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTION. NOW THERE IS A CATCH. WE NEED SOMEONE ASAP MEANING TODAY NO LATER THAN TOMMORROW THROUGH WED THE 8TH OF OCT. SO SEND US YOUR INFO INCLUDING YOUR REEL AND IF WE FEEL LIKE YOU CAN COMPLIMENT OUR SITUATION WE WILL CONTACT YOU IMMEDIETLY. WAITING ON YOU! THANKS.

Now, the first and most obvious thing that leapt out at me was that looking for a DP in the adult film industry is sort of like looking for cow-flop in the ranching industry; you’re positively awash in it, pun wholly intended. But once the giggling subsided and I thought about the idea of looking for a Director of Photography who’s got some experience with lighting horror films seemed brilliant.

Most horror flicks are extremely low-budget. They’re independently distributed. They’re made by folks who love the genre and they have very particular visual tropes and references, including the lighting. It’s an obvious match for low-rent adult film.

No, I didn’t send my name in as the potential DP for an adult film. That’s far, far too sane. Besides, I may have a lead on a job with AUCradio and that’d be far more interesting, economically.

I did something much, much worse.

I sent a very polite request to ask if they knew of any apprenticeship opportunities in the local industry in audio engineering or video editing, mentioned I had my own editing suite, and mentioned my interest in the genre not because of the sexual content, but because the high turn-around rate of the development process seemed ideal for someone who learns readily by hands-on doing.

So, yeah, I just sent an inquiry for references off to a local porn company.

Worst case, they completely ignore my email and I just kept myself occupied for 10min writing it. Best case they hook me up with the editing group / people / guy they use as their go to and I have something to do in the afternoons / evenings learning how the job’s done and what’s involved. Ideal case would be discovering I have a flair for the work and they want to pay me thousands of dollars a week to do something I’m good at.

I don’t expect the ideal, don’t even really want it, per se, but I don’t object to it.

It’s interesting, in any case.

Ironically, I stumbled on this mere seconds after I sent that email:

Sarah Palin porn film made by Larry Flynt

The Hustler founder has made an X-rated movie using an adult-film actress who resembles the governor of Alaska.

Flynt’s team had posted an anonymous advert on the website Craigslist just days after Mrs Palin took the Republican convention by storm last month.

The ad read: “Looking for a Sarah Palin look-alike for an adult film to be shot in the next 10 days.”

The actress would be paid $3,000 (�1,700) for the part.

Flynt’s spokesman confirmed to the New York Daily News that the film had been shot, but he would not yet reveal the title.

Bloggers have already suggested various titles such as “Northern XXXposure” and “Riding Pipeline”

Seriously, guys, I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. Which is kind of funny, but there you go.

Serendipity.