VR Porn Interviews: Anna Lee, HoloGirlsVR’s President & Executive Producer

Image credit: HologirlsVR

It’s truly gratifying to see that the VR Porn Interviews project is growing and reaching its goal to connect the end-users with some of the biggest names in the industry.

During the first interview with Luna Corazon, it was all about strengthening the idea that performers deserve the distinguished label of “VR Pornstar”. Ever since, each new edition has consistently raised the bar by delivering fascinating insights and allowing pornstars to express themselves openly.

The moment when you know you’ve truly reached your goal is when you get the attention of big industry players, and today’s interview marks a new peak in the series: the person whose thought-provoking and fourth-wall-breaking views we’re about to read is none other than the President and Executive Producer of HoloGirlsVR, Anna Lee!

Anna Lee is the mastermind behind the success of HoloGirlsVR. Image credit: HoloGirlsVR

1. Anna, you’re the first VR porn producer that we interview in this series. So far it has only been about the stars, but it’s lovely that we can get an insight from behind the curtain. Would you please tell us a little bit about how you first encountered virtual reality and your initial impressions?

My experience with VR goes back to 2005 with the launch of the world’s first and largest MMO Virtual World, Redlightcenter. I began working on this project completely amazed at how one could live a complete and full alternate virtual existence, and the applications were mind-blowing. Fast forward to 2013/2014 where HMD where on the horizon. The minute DK1 dropped we immediately made Redlightcenter VR HMD compatible.

In 2015 we signed Tera Patrick to be our first digitally scanned and motion captured digital VR Porn Star where you could interact and have sex with her in RLC and in VR. It was through Tera that I was introduced to Manuel Ferrara and from that meeting the decision to start shooting live action VR was born. In the summer of 2015, HoloGirlsVR was born. I still feel VR is very much in its infancy and look forward to the evolution where headsets get smaller and experiences begin to incorporate AR. Imagine the applications of AR porn!

2. During my reviews, I’ve often criticized productions with otherwise impressive hardcore action for not being immersive enough in their narrative and approach. Which element do you think is most important in a VR film? Is it more about the plot and interaction, or about the action itself?

I think it’s a delicate balance of both. You watch porn to get off. If the sex isn’t hot it won’t turn you on. However, if the narrative and immersive nature of the scene isn’t on par, then why watch VR? VR is about breaking the fourth wall and I strongly feel that the story and performance should create a sense of intimate realism that draws you into the action and makes you feel like the performer is talking to you.

“Angel ‘N Danger”, starring Abella Danger and Joanna Angel, has brought HoloGirlsVR an AVN Award in the “Best VR Scene” section! Image credit: Angel ‘N Danger

Line this up with proper scaling, color, audio, lighting and under camera body positioning and you have a solid scene. The actual sex itself is subjective but can be made so much more erotic if the performer can create that intimate connection with the viewer through their performance.

3. How many virtual reality films have you produced so far and who are some of the big names you’ve worked with?

I’ve hit the just over 210 mark – give or take. It’s been a busy couple of years. I have had the extreme good fortune of working with some of the most amazing and incredibly talented performers today. It all started with Manuel Ferrara whom I adore and count as a good friend. Alongside him I’ve worked with superstars Kayden Kross, Mick Blue, Anikka Albrite, Joanna Angel, Abella Danger, Brett Rossi, Cherie DeVille, Penny Pax, Piper Perri, Carter Cruise, Lily Lane, Xander Corvus, Small Hands and so many more.

In my time I also had the great fortune of being introduced to and blown away by the talents of Aaliyah Love, Angel Smalls and Maddy O’Riley – who filled in for a last minute cancel for me and just impressed the hell out of me. I have also had the good fortune to work with a lot of new faces and up and coming performers. We have also been able to cultivate a new breed of male performer and my go-to guys are definitely ShreddZ and J.Rose – both whom have firmly established themselves as solid VR male performers.

4. Is the production work as much fun as one would assume, or is it as stressful as any other job?

Remember that time when Angel Smalls blew our minds with her energetic performance? Image credit: Let’s Be Porn Stars

I’d be lying if I said that working on a porn set sucks. I’ve spent many, many years working on, directing and producing on mainstream sets and working in adult is so much more fun. Less egos and better catering (at least on my sets!).

Producing in general is highly stressful and the level of responsibility and accountability for all areas of the shoot are incredibly high BUT; I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful and highly erotic women in the world where we spend the day exploring sexuality and creating art. It’s one of the best jobs in the world and there is nothing better than seeing something you have written come to life by an extremely skilled performer and something you’ve directed be received by the viewers favorably. I have an outstanding crew and team at HoloGirls who make work seem like play.

5. In many cases, VR porn seems pretty raw and naturalistic: the cuts and edits are minimal, as the overall impression has to be that it was all shot in one cursive take. Do the performers you work it always get it right the first time, or do they require multiple takes from which you select the best?

Sometimes we nail it and sometimes we have to retake. Sometimes we do it to improve the performance and sometimes it’s due to technical issues. My directing style is to script and choreograph my scenes while leaving plenty of room for improv.

The goal for me is a natural performance so restricting a performer’s performance for me is not how I like to work. Like an improv theatre piece, I build a framework and discuss this with the performer in advance… and then I let them make the magic happen. Sometimes the best moments are unscripted and raw. In my experience, the first take tends to be the best most of the time, but sometimes shit happens…

Anna Lee truly is one of the biggest names behind the scenes of VR porn. Image credit: HoloGirlsVR

6. If you had all the budget and all the required time, what kind of VR porn film would you produce? I’m talking about casting, premise, plot, type of action, and every small detail.

The first thing I would do is sink a large amount into RnD. Develop even better and more technical methods of shooting, audio capture and lighting. I would also experiment with AR and work hard to implement some real innovative technical achievements in that area.

Now tech talk aside, from a directing and writing aspect I would create highly visual, very cinematic yet very intimate fully evolved VR experiences that extend across a series where you, as the main character, experience growth and evolution through a progression of sexual encounters and beyond. I would mix game elements with highly erotic sex.

Imagine experiencing life as John Wick where you get to move through the narrative and experience the action, but also get the girl. My strong suit is the GFE, so of course I would bring that to the table. Casting wise, I would continue to work with the performers that I currently work with but spend even more time with them developing character and exploring the acting side of things so that you are left with a piece that feels so incredibly real and very immersive. I recently directed a scene with the incredibly talented Abella Danger where it starts off with her fighting with you, followed by makeup sex. I get a real thrill of making things feel real and had her really focus on the argument portion resulting in a really effective performance.

With unlimited time and money, I would have expanded that scene into a whole examination of all the ups and downs of that relationship with your girlfriend Abella, not unlike doing a star showcase. I could go on forever about this.

Abella Danger plays a memorable girlfriend role in HoloGirlsVR’s “Sexual Healing with Dr. Ross” and shows us all that she’s a rising star in the field of VR. Image credit: Sexual Healing with Dr. Ross

7. In all fairness and as objective as you can be, how would you compare your work with HologirlsVR to other major releases from studios like VirtualRealPorn, WankzVR, BaDoink, and NaughtyAmerica?

Every studio has their strengths and weaknesses and the ones you’ve listed are some of the very best of which I consider HoloGirls to be in league with. VRP are real pioneers in the space, broke ground for us and paved the way.

WankZ is very strong in story, structure and deliver extremely well done and consistent scenes. BaDoink has always delivered on quality and I really love what they are doing with their cosplay work. And finally NA delivers beautiful top-notch performers with high production values. For Holo, we try and push the envelope and take risks. Some of which work and some of which don’t. The quality of our GFE is outstanding and we are known for being pioneers in GFE kissing, once again a risk we took. We mix LA performers with new and relatively unknown girls and as such I feel like we are the more eclectic brand and definitely a risk taker amongst our peers.

8. Do you think that the touch controls of Oculus Rift and HTC Vive can ever be implemented into VR porn? And if so, how can that work?

This is what I touched upon with discussing putting a lot of RnD into AR etc. Imagine being able to look down at your body and control where your hands go on the performer in front of you. How would it work? That is where I need to get into the lab with my developers and figure it out but just imagine the possibilities.

9. If somebody comes to you and wants to get introduced to the world of virtual reality porn, which 5 films would make it to the introductory list?

Action Is a Go, starring Holly Hendrix and Piper Perri, is definitely a must-watch! Image credit: Action Is a Go

In the beginning I was very familiar with work from other studios and had you asked me over a year ago this same question I would have quoted a selection from various studios. Unfortunately for me life has gotten extremely hectic so my time with which I am able to view a lot of content in my spare time is minimal so I will speak to only Holo scenes for this particular question.

1. Get Flix N Chill – this was our landmark pioneer attempt at true GFE
2. Angel N Danger – first recipient for AVN 2017 Best VR scene.
3. Let’s Be Porn Stars – a recent attempt at GFE and really well executed by performers Angel Smalls and ShreddZ.
4. Action is a Go – Extended Cut: Very intense BGG and a fan favorite.
5. HoloGirls: Their First Time: Our VERY first scene shot in 360 and helped to establish us as a solid studio. There is nothing like being surrounded by 4 gorgeous women and really uses some of the best aspects of VR.

10. What are your future plans in regard to VR porn? Also, how can the readers of this blog section find your videos and stay updated with your latest projects? Thank you!

Continue to produce excellent scenes, experiment and push the envelope where possible. Our videos are all located on HoloGirlsVR.com and you can follow updates on our HoloGirlsVR twitter. To find out about my personal work, latest projects and updates, check out my twitter feed at AnnaLeeVRX.

Thank you!