Paul Morris: Reclusive porn maverick
Dishonorably discharged from the military and expelled from art school, ex-hustler Paul Morris founded
his gay porn studio, Treasure Island Media (T.I.M.), in 1998. For over 10 years the gay porn industry had responded to the
AIDs crisis by observing a self-imposed rule of safer sex and condom use in all depictions of anal sex. By comparison, Morris's
videos emphasise the exchange of cum between men via oral and anal sex, without condoms, and are shot in a raw documentary
style. This has won the studio a cult fanbase, but also draws criticism from safe-sex campaigners, including
gay pornographers who oppose depictions of "bareback" (unprotected) sex. Morris has defended his work
in published writings and interviews. His pronouncements vary from quasi-academic theorising to provocative soundbites,
such as the assertion that "HIV-negativity is the new virginity". Morris is reclusive; choosing
not to appear publicly at studio events and refusing to be photographed.
The Cult of Treasure Island Media
Morris's uncompromising stance has generated a personality cult among fans and employees
of Treasure Island Media. Journalists investigating the studio have reported on the powerful effect of Morris's "charisma". The
studio's biggest star, Dawson, is quoted as saying: "Paul is an idol to me. I want to impress him". His co-star Christian
describes Morris as, "a fascinating cross between a cool daddy and a nasty big brother".
Allegiance Tattoos
In allegiance to Morris, several T.I.M. "stars" have been tattooed with the studio logo (a Jolly
Roger skull and crossed sabres). Most notably a "sex-slave" of Morris's, named Will, has a tattoo covering
the entire rear half of his neck, reading PROPERTY OF PAUL MORRIS. Fans have also had themselves tattooed with the
logo, in exchange for a lifetime supply of T.I.M. DVDs.
Damon Dogg
Morris discovered rockabilly cocksucker Damon Dogg on his knees in a public bar, offering
to buy any guy a shot in exchange for a load. Dogg went on to become the star of his own video series, Damon
Blows America, now in its tenth installment. He was the first T.I.M. model to be tattooed with the studio logo,
which he had inked on camera while simultaneously sucking dick on the tattooist's table.
Dawson's 50 Load "snuff movie"
Tension between T.I.M. and safe-sex advocates reached its peak in 2005 at the New York launch of
a video titled Meat Rack. The launch was being used to recruit models for a forthcoming video,
which became Dawson's 50 Load Weekend. Campaigners targeted the event, handing out
leaflets bearing the phrases "Treasure Island Media makes snuff films" and "Men who intentionally infect
and spread AIDS to negative men are murderers!”
DAVID Awards controversy
In 2007, Treasure Island Media won the prize for Best US Studio at the DAVID awards in
Europe. In response to this, Bruce Cam, founder of safe-sex studio Titan Media, declined an award of his
own. Director Chi Chi Larue also returned his DAVID award for Best US Director in protest over the organisers'
recognition of bareback porn.
Richard Curtis scandal
In 2007 Richard Curtis, Washington State GOP Representative, resigned after media reports quoted
him as saying that a man he had sex with was trying to blackmail him. The man in question, Cody
Castagna, had appeared in Damon Blows America 3: San Diego five years earlier.
Liam Cole's Bad Influence
In 2008 British director Liam Cole released a video with Treasure Island Media called Bad Influence.
The title refers to the methods Cole claims he used to produce the video, including taking 18 year-old Tommy Haine to a hypnotherapist
to have him "hypnotised into being a cumslut". Haine appears dazed and submissive in 2 scenes in the video being fucked by
multiple men. Cole was interviewed by New York film writer Susan Donam shortly before Bad Influence's release. Video interviews with the men from Bad Influence: Liam Cole Bad Influence Carl Jacobs
