Jack Manly
Interviews..


RJ Danvers
Meet one of the hottest rising stars and who is also Raging Stallion's youngest exclusive...
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Jett Blakk
Meet the award-winning director-writer-producer-editor & videographer whose classic gay adult films pack a punch...
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Drake Rock
The owner of Male Perfection & Rock Hard Jocks tells all about his sites from concept to execution..
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Aaron Savvy
Meet the sexy fitness model, personal trainer and up and coming reality star as he discusses his life and future...
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Matthew Rush
Meet the superstar and Falcon exclusive and learn all about his bodybuilding, his status as legend in male erotica and what's in store forthe future.
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Patrick Fillion
 Our chat with erotic artist and Class Comics publisher. Learn all about his work and his plans to expand his company to include a wide array of international gay artists and writers.
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AND...watch our brief video interviews with Leo Giamani, Reese Rideout, Cody Cummings, Breion Diamond, Mike Donner, Brant Moore, Dean Phoenix, Scott Tanner, Damian Rios, Ben Leon, and Ricky Sinz...

ALL at the 
Jack Manly Videos page and at our Jack Manly YouTube channel..

Steve Cruz
Adult Star & Director


   We're very honored to chat with one of the true modern legends of gay erotica, Steve Cruz. The award-winning performer was 2008 Raging Stallion Man of The Year and he's appeared in some of the studio's most critically acclaimed and popular films. Recently the Raging Stallion exclusive ventured into a new role behind the camera as a writer and director. He wrote (and starred in) the Raging Stallion two-parter Hotter Than Hell and with Leif Gobo is directing the "color box" trilogy as well as the all-sex flick, titled, XXX, for Falcon/Mustang. Both Cruz and Blue Movie have received multiple GayVN and Grabby nominations for 2009. The busy and versatile star also maintains two blogs, makes personal appearances, and has appeared as a model in
several books of photographic art. He's also an active member in the gay community of his native SF. In his own words Steve Cruz describes himself as independent, passion-ate & creative and we couldn't agree more.

Jack Manly: First thank you for taking the time to chat with us.

Steve Cruz: You flatter me! Thanks for the opportunity...

JM: You've probably been asked this many times before but how did you happen to get into the business.

SC: Raging Stallion discovered me in 2006. I had been approached by Titan in 1999, and Falcon in 2003. At the time the offers sounded hot but I just wasn't ready for all that comes with  the territory. I had some growing up to do first.

JM: Who were your role models or objects of desire from porn?

SC: Classic COLT Men like Bruno, Rick Wolfmier and Mike Betts topped my list.
Also Aiden Shaw, Steve Kelso, Colton Ford and Zak Spears. I was lucky enough to
meet and befriend Zak recently. I was stoked that he agreed to make a return for
my directing debut last year (Blue Movie).

JM: We like your taste in men!

JM: It seems that you became an instant success and star. What do you think are
your "selling points" that made you a star at Raging Stallion, Man of The Year, and other studios before that?

SC: <shrug> I'm not sure exactly. But I see it every once in a while in a guy I work with...a quality that the camera loves. I know I'm not the most beautiful guy, or the most muscular.  Some say I'm an unlikely candidate for a porn star. But I own every bit of who I am and my unharnessed sexuality. Maybe the fans love THAT about me- my inhibition and enthusiasm and my spirit. (we agree--JM)

JM: Was it an easy decision for you to go exclusive with Raging Stallion?

SC:  I thought I didn't want to be an exclusive because I wanted to work with several great directors in addition to Chris Ward- Brian Mills, Chi Chi LaRue and Steven Scarborough- to name a few. Once I did that, Chris gave me another chance to be-come his exclusive and I jumped at the chance. Stallion was the best fit for my performances but I also learned about directing by watching some of my heroes in action. In time, with much more practice I hope to be in league with these guys.

JM: We've asked this of many other stars and directors but what advice would you give to those who would like to get into the business? What pitfalls should they avoid?

SC: Be 100% sure you want this. Its more than a hot thrill, it's a business. Realize for every bit of praise there may also be a critic on your heels. Try to keep something private for yourself so you have a peaceful place to retreat from the excitement. Treat people well. Mistakes have a way of haunting you. Work hard of course, be professional but also have fun with it! Some people take themselves too seriously, that's not sexy.

JM: You seem to be a real natural when it comes to performing, but also have shown a genuine acting talent/ Did you study acting at all? Do you prefer a script or do you feel confident improvising or doing ad-lib? And do you prefer story-oriented films or "all-sex" vids?

SC: LOL! I actually think I'm a ham. I don't really consider myself an actor.  I'd like to be a better actor but at the same time I don't think that's what the public wants from me -or from porn. I admire directors that can pull off a story based movie with style: Chris Ward, Tony DiMarco and Chi Chi LaRue. As a director, maybe one day I'll venture there. But for now my fans have been crying out for hotter sex and less filler. So thats what we give them.

JM: You have done several fetish-themed films but is there stuff you absolutely won't do in movies? (aside from barebacking) ? Do you have any interest in doing films or genres that you might not have been offered?

SC: In movies, I tried fisting, as a top. Didn't do much for me. I liked piss! 'Sounding' looks hot to me. I'm not so much about doing anything on camera I wouldn't enjoy at home.

JM: Past, present, or future are there any guys that you haven't worked with that you'd like to? Guys from online sites, movies, etc?

SC: I have a long list as a director. As a performer the list is shorter...I'd like to perform with Zak Spears before he retires for real. He could match my intensity! Ty LeBouf is exciting, Jean Franko too!

JM: Who are your favorite(s) you've worked with? Any you'd like to do more with?

SC: My favorite scene partners haven't changed. Francois Sagat was great. Logan McCree is fun and spontaneous. Arpad Miklos was some of the hottest sex ever. But nothing matches Bruno Bond. That was once in a lifetime chemistry!

JM: What are your personal favorite scenes that you've done in the past ?

SC: Chi Chi LaRue's Link:The Evolution. She built the scene up around me as a dog boy... I got to live out my hot watersports fantasies. Its an acquired taste, but then so am I! LOL! I was really proud when we won a Grabby and a GAYVN for that scene last year.

JM: As we mentioned in our intro you're branching out beyond performing in modeling, writing and directing. Obviously you enjoy doing these other things. Let's start with the writing. What was the idea behind Hotter Than Hell ?

SC: It's Faust adapted for porn but set in a modern plausible setting. It's pretty typical commentary on gay men and their obsessions. It could even relate to porn. We'll do anything for the one that got away until we finally get him, then it's "Been there done that!". So my story reminds us there is a price for pleasure.

JM: Did it turn out as you expected and were changes made to your script? 

SC: Part One turned out exactly the way I wrote it. Part Two was changed by the
studio. The story was written as a one part story. Where I was flattered to have my story blown into two parts, I feel it would have been better left intact as one movie.  Also the ending of Hotter Than Hell was changed. In my story, I escape Hell into daylight. The actual movie ends on a much darker note. Still its a hot movie with great parts throughout.

JM: Now that you're venturing into directing do you prefer it? Do you still want to do more in front of the camera? And do you see yourself shifting into full-time directing when you stop acting?

SC: Yeah these days directing and planning a production is much more rewarding. As a young director, I know I have a lot to learn and discover... and I intend to pay my dues. But I wont stop performing (yay!--JM)  For the fans I'll make and select appearances in films as long it stays fresh and exciting. Plus it helps me keep in touch with the performers to be a performer, and that helps me be a better director.

JM: That's a great way of approaching your career.  What do you enjoy most about directing?  Is it the role of "puppet master" giving you a chance to do scenes the way you want them to be seen?

SC: Some directors probably approach the job like choreographer of the action, they like to take total control. That's one way. I observed it's directors who have no experience as a performer that seem to want to be very hands on. Me and my directing partner Leif Gobo, are both experienced performers. We feel our job is to 'capture' hot sex in a beautiful way. Yes, we guide the action but take our cues from the performers chemistry, and we let them do what feels natural. Sometimes you have to inspire a model to go further, but you have to listen too. That's our way... Usually we get great results and the models have a good time.

JM: Let's talk about the "Color Box Trilogy". What gave you the idea for the series?

SC: I was somewhat inspired by Trois Couleurs (1993), the idea of a movie with
color as its core theme. Leif Gobo and I both wanted to rely on visual cues rather than just dialogue and heavy plot to hold a movie together. Its about hot sex shot beautifully.

JM: Well you've succeeded perfectly. Now, Blue Movie is a retro flick about the porn
industry and Red Light is about escorting. What's the premise of the third "color" movie?

SC: The third color box movie is called Green Door.  It will complete the color box series which is titled- "RGB"... It is somewhat inspired by Behind The Green Door, the famous Mitchell Brothers movie. But when Chi Chi LaRue told me she was directing a movie inspired by the same movie I freaked and changed details of our movie so the two films would be completely different.

JM: There's also a fourth movie XXX that you're doing for Mustang. What's the premise?

SC: Actually, the third Mustang release will be "XXX", which is NOT a color box movie. Leif Gobo wanted to know what would happen when you totally remove plot, concept, color and wardrobe from a production. What you have is a movie stripped down to just the action. It seems to be what the fans wanted, so we shot it!

JM: Your contract obviously allows you to do directing for other companies. Did
it feel strange to be working with performers who weren't in the Raging Stallion stable? And in part, as an answer to the question, now that you've worked with some of
these guys as a director does it make you want to work with them in front of the
camera?

SC: Not at all strange, its liberating to work outside a specific studio system
because I can choose models from a wider talent pool. If there is an "exclusive" model we really want to work with, we'll have a chance after their contract ends. Once I've directed a model a different relationship develops, and I see them more as guys I want to look out for rather than guys I want to fuck. But there are exceptions to that... hell we're men after all.

JM: One of the interesting back stories of Red Light is your new relationship with Bruno Bond. Was it difficult to direct him in a scene?

SC:He's the light of my life. Funny story- He and I actually shot our scene 2 days after we directed him. Directing him was easy, he's a natural. It was much harder sleeping in the same bed the weekend before our shoot and to NOT have sex! But we saved it all for the scene and it explodes! Right now our sex is much more about real love than performance. Real couple sex isn't always compelling to watch. He's getting me back in touch with relating to a real person again- I need that.

JM: Is being with a fellow adult personality something you recommmend to others in the
industry?

SC: Dating another porn performer works because we don't get jealous. We understand its a job. Fidelity is more about emotional bonds for us. I would imagine a regular guy would hate sharing me with my job and the public. He's just discovering what that's like, so I can help him adjust and he helps me stay grounded in reality because he's not as consumed in it- YET. 

JM: Can you give us some idea of what you have planned in the near future?
Movies, writing, more directing? And what are your future goals further down the
road?

SC: If all goes smooth, Leif and I will be directing through the end of 2009 for several
Mustang projects. In the months I am not directing, I am touring. Last year I pulled out of performing in the last half of 2008 so I could direct. I promised to be in the big Stallion movie of 2009. We'll shoot that in the summer.

JM: Aside from you're being active in the gay community, both online and in SF, promoting safe sex, STD prevention, etc. what else are you involved in?

SC::  With the help of Naked Sword I am producing and donating the HowIRoll.info condom, finally!

JM:  You also have have two blogs going? Do you enjoy that and the fan interaction?

SC: As for my blog, it's all about the fans!! It's my direct line. Its a two way street, they post comments. Its very interactive. I learn a lot about what the fans like and dislike and that effects the type of movies I produce. I also love making public appearances and meeting the fans face to face. Its one of my favorite things.

JM: What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about you? 

SC: The biggest misconception is that I'm just a self promoter. Sure, I'm a shameless self-promotion machine but my blog is very often about the guys I discover or work with. I get just as much pleasure out of hyping them.

JM: Where do you see the industry going in the future? Any ideas you'd like to see put into play?

SC: Times are changing. The industry is changing. Younger generations don't always respond to the same archetypes and cliches that the gay community has been absorbed in for the last 4 decades. Some say its piracy and bareback porn thats biting into the sales of big studios, but I also think its important to try to stay in touch with the next generation. Providing direct internet content and staying in touch with emerging tech-nology is only part of the equation. I think to stay in the game we need to evaluate the core of what we're shooting and its appeal to an emerging younger fan base. I'm not really sure what that means yet for my projects, but I'm always thinking on it. We're at the end of another decade, it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

JM: You've got some awards shows coming up. Obviously it's an honor to get nominated and recognized but how important are these awards to you personally? Aside from your own work, what are your picks?

SC: I'd be lying if I said I don't care about awards. But all the same, I don't make movies with the intent on winning them. I make movies I hope the fans will enjoy and eventually want to own. If I win this year for anything I'll be grateful. I expect 'To The Last Man' to win Best Picture. 'Breakers' to win the GAYVN for Best All Sex, Bruce Cam is a legendary director and he says its his last, let's face it- he deserves it. I don't have a clue who will win for Best All Sex at Grabby's but I hope its one of my two projects- Blue Movie or Hotter Than Hell.

JM: Finally, we'd like to thank you for taking the time to chat and letting us and our readers get to know you. Best of luck in all your endeavors!

SC: Thanks for the chat. On a side note I want to encourage you guys to keep
doing what you're doing. Its an upbeat site that seems committed to honest
reviews and links to hot scenes. These days so many blogs/sites rely on dish and
negative sensationalism as a desperate attempt to grab attention.  Congratulations!

JM: THANK YOU!

  Want to see more of Steve Cruz? Here's his videography. And be sure and check on our Jack Manly Men page soon for a Steve Cruz listing along with his COMPLETE list of films, websites, blogs, magazinez, etc where you can find this sexy stud.