Creator Spotlight: CmakesP
Welcome to Creator Spotlight, a series where I-your magnanimous magus-sit down and talk shop with other creators. As this is a new series, feedback is both welcome and important. I decided to start us off with someone dear to me.
CmakesP is an incredibly talented audio engineer, script writer and general wrangler of ero-audio talent. Her works include Fuck Humans, Monstica and much, much more. Both podcasts have exploded in popularity over the last year, and I figured it was high time to send a few questions her way. If you’re interested in supporting her, following her socials or joining her patreon, you can do so right here.
You know, these creator interviews always start off with the most insufferably boring questions. Most people reading this are likely already familiar with you (and if they aren’t, they can re-read the handy dandy introduction). I’d like to start off with something complex. What led you towards the path of teratophilia audio, specifically? Often creatives can pin-point a specific piece of media that pushed them on a certain path. Or are you in it because it’s fun?
My interest in monsters started off as a young age. I would say Scooby Doo and The Ghoul School is to blame. There are a lot of things about the movie I enjoyed as a kid, but what I was really drawn to was how friendly the girls were to each other (which was a bit of a rarity to see in the media during that time). They got along so well despite their different appearances, which I think really struck something in my younger, black self.
The same could kind of be said for me now. I really enjoy low fantasy (fantasy set in a modern setting) because they tend to focus on monsters/creatures who have either assimilated and/or hid themselves away from human society to avoid conflict. Again, something I can relate to as a PoC.
Then there is all the interesting lore that monsters tend to have already set up around them. People from 1000 years ago to now, adding to monster history with stories, art, and writing. Literally creating some type of ‘culture’ for these creatures. I just think it is so interesting.
Also sex wise, monsters tend to add a whole new level of creativity when it comes to intercourse.
Most of your works focus on queer representation and media. As someone who has starred in a few of these features, I’ve often found your attention to the human elements, even in the guise of monsters, incredibly touching. There’s an attention to emotion and gentleness that’s often swept under the rug by other production companies-especially when it’s centered around queer love. Where exactly do you see queer media going?
So, I dedicated myself to making queer media, because they’re groups in the queer community who I feel don’t get represented a lot when it comes to adult media (or any type of media tbh). However, me focusing on gentleness, kindness, wholesomeness, or whatever you want to call tends to have more to do with the LARGE amount of ‘dark content’ that exists in the adult industry as a whole.
I’m not saying the legal darker stuff shouldn’t exist, but it’s not the type of content I enjoy. Obviously, I should be able to avoid such content and just consume stuff that I do enjoy but…it’s honestly hard to do this.
In all honesty, it is extremely hard for me to find stuff that is both consensual and not overtly aggressive.
It really comes off as if people can’t see porn as being anything but dark. With my porn, I wanted to show that darkness wasn’t the only option.
I hopefully see queer media getting more diverse and not just representing only one kind of queerness.
To expand upon the last question, we still live in a world that’s hostile to the queer identity. Overwhelmingly, we’re beginning to see NSFW adult media in the targets of laws like SESTA-FOSTA. These laws invariably harm not only the sex work community, but content creators such as us. What advice do you have for content creators going forward? What advice do you have for consumers of our media going forward?
Creators: Get involve into sex politics. Support and be vocal about sex workers right. Don’t do illegal content.
Consumers: Don’t steal porn. Support and be vocal about sex workers right. Follow your favorite content creator on all their socials (you have no idea when they’ll suddenly get ban)
Speaking of which, along with laws targeting the adult community we’ve seen payment processing companies such as Paypal, Venmo, Cashapp, Mastercard and many more begin clamping down on what their platforms are used for. Aside from litigation, what options would you suggest for NSFW content creators to secure their bag?
More of the same from my last statement. To be honest, it bothers me how so many nsfw content creators are not actively trying to fight against it. I feel like it is either a combination of not knowing how and/or not wanting to get ‘political’.
You know, now that I think of it-the NSFW community itself often can be its own worst enemy. Last year Mindgeek (the parent company of Pornhub and many others) decided to overhaul their upload systems so that only verified users could host content there. While this was done to curb illegal and pirated content, thousands of legitimate content creators were also caught in the crossfire. Mindgeek owns a disproportionately large amount of the adult content market, and such a move was devastating to hopefuls and established names alike. What’s your personal take on this move? Is it a legitimate industry concern? What could those smaller content producers do now?
The move could have been avoided if PH has done things right from the beginning. People have been complaining about illegal and pirated content on PH for years now. In fact, I know many performers who only joined the site to fight against their stuff getting stolen.
The unfortunate reality is that many companies/sites that host adult content could give two craps about the people (SWers) making them money (the SWers).
Smaller content creators can actually still join PH it’s just very tasking. I would however suggest going over to places like reddit and/or only fans to build an audience. Also, they should definitely look into networking with other performers. Not only will it help you grow, but it can keep you up to date about ‘shady clients and companies.
Okay, enough politics for now. Everyone always asks creators what their favorite project was-instead, what was the hardest thing you’ve worked on to day? I know you can probably name it. Why?
Fourth and last episode of Fuck Humans.
There is a scene in the fourth ep that has 5 or 7 characters. Audio editing wise, having this many characters in a scene can be a bit annoying. Requiring a lot of moving around lines in the DAW and making sure to pick the right take that matches up with previous lines. Plus, in that scene I had to give off the ‘appearance’ that the group of characters were surrounded by a whispering crowd, which I’m not sure I executed well.
The same could be said for the third to last scene of the finale ep, but with that one I was also struggling a bit emotionally at finally putting the season to an end.
One final question and I’ll let you go. You’ve been expanding rapidly in the time I’ve known you. I’m incredibly proud to see it, if I’m being honest. But what’s more-do you have any hard goals in line for your content? Quitting a day job, expanding into a stream, perhaps a brand of Bask novelty toys?
I have so many things I want to do down the line. Yes, eventually I want to make this hobby into a real job, but they’re a lot of small goals I need to hit before I can make that into a possibility.
As for other things I would like to do, well I still have quite a few ideas for some erotic podcasts. I also would like to try making some erotic games and even getting into animation.
Thank you for your time Chelsea!