Pictured Zak Spears (left) and Dean PhoenixAudiences have been following Jack and Ennis up Brokeback Mountain for months now, but gay men have been following cowboys and ranchers up to the hayloft and out back to the stables for decades, thanks to the creative vision of countless adult filmmakers. Buckleroos, the latest big-budget adult film in this genre, features a magical belt buckle that empowers the mysterious 'Man in Black'—Zak Spears—with the ability to corral ranch owners and their hunky friend into unbridled fits of sweaty, man-on-man passion. With the recent DVD release of eXposed: The Making of Legend, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the making of Buckleroos, porn legend Zak Spears and co-star Dean Phoenix offer their views on the unparalleled success of Brokeback Mountain, the popularity of the Cowboy motif in gay adult films and the importance of chemistry in both adult and mainstream cinema.
Tony Peregrin: Talk about the success of Brokeback Mountain as it relates to Buckleroos. Do you foresee a whole new revitalized cowboy genre in gay adult movies now?
Zak Spears: Brokeback was not about cowboys; it was about ranchers. Try calling a rancher a cowboy or vise versa in a bar and see if you don't get decked. Our industry has always—as with mainstream movies—jumped on the bandwagon, hit what's hot and moved on to the next subject when it arrives; that's how you keep the attention of fans and consumers. I will say this with great confidence; within the industry, you will not see a film on the subject done better, the script and directing will be very hard to beat and it has set a precedence in our industry that very few can come close to.
TP: In both adult films and mainstream films, chemistry is key. Describe your favorite scene in Brokeback Mountain and your favorite scene in Buckleroos.
Dean Phoenix: In Buckleroos all the scenes were hot in their own way! As for Brokeback Mountain—definitely when Heath rolls Jake around in the tent! Short but definitely sweet! I think it was so lucky to have a great match, because sometimes it's hard to get the right chemistry with two people! It's easier in life to make chemistry because you don't have other people pairing you up ( usually ) . You catch your own mice, so to speak.
ZS: I feel chemistry to be extremely important. Let's face it—you've seen someone out and about town, and you get this feeling from just looking at them—and no I'm not talking about just some ordinary hard-on. I'm talking about that need in your stomach of desire for another person. That is what we are or should be trying to convey on film. Not just a 'stick it in, move it around and fuck' film. Most studios I work for try giving me a choice in models. I really feel that helps the scene; of course, there have been many that were just for the money—fuck this guy, get it done and you're out of here types, too, with very little or no second thought after the deed is done.
TP: Why do you think the whole cowboy motif is such a constant in gay adult films? Did you ever want to be a cowboy when you were growing up?
ZS: We, as children, were surrounded by quarter horses, rodeos, cowboys and ranch hands. So in a more country/township area we already were growing up that way. Does it hold a fantasy life for me? Yes it does. I had a painful crush on a man my age at the time named Rick; he was everything and more as a cowboy and rodeo participant/competitor. It is a very romantic lifestyle in my heart. A simpler life going home knowing that a day's job when done well and coming home to someone you love is enough for some people. That is why I think it holds a lot of attention for others.
DP: COWBOYS! HOW MUCH HOTTER CAN IT GET! Especially after Brokeback Mountain! I always dressed up as a cowboy as a kid for Halloween, probably every other year!
TP: Describe your initial reaction when you first heard that there was going to be a camera—for the documentary eXposed: The Making of a Legend—following you around the set of BuckleRoos?
ZS: I, for one, assumed it to be more for the DVD extras, and then later was told about Mr. Pam's project. Regardless, I was very happy. I watch the extras on the mainstream DVDs I purchase. They give you an inside look behind the scenes and into the actors' 'real' personalities. I feel it is good for the fans to realize that—whether clothes on or off—we are just people with real lives, real problems, desires and feeling like anyone else in the world.
DP: [ I ] didn't really think much about it. [ Pause ] I just thought it would be a nice addition to the experience and then BAM! WOW! What an addition it was!
TP: What surprised you most about the documentary after viewing the final cut?
ZS: It was very well done—the best of its kind in terms of what I personally have ever seen, biased opinions aside. There were questions posed that I felt were important or relevant to our current social and political lifestyles within the industry that ended up on the cutting room floor. But let's face facts; it's porn, not CNN. I was very happy with the end result.
DP: How well-done it was! The editing was great! I got teary-eyed at the end!
TP: What was it like to have a female, Mr. Pam—the director of eXposed—on set during the filming of Buckleroos?
ZS: No problem at all; she is just one of the guys. She is a wonderful person—relaxed, witty and a professional. We were all swimming in the pool together—naked, of course. Pam jumped in naked as well—tops and tails matching, I might add, and we're all playing splashy splashy. She's a great gal [ who's ] very talented. I would like her on most of my shoots.
DP: I've been around a few other women with different titles behind the scenes ... and Mr. Pam was a very nice addition to this set. And then you get to know her and she is definitely someone I'm glad I got to know!
TP: Is it possible that eXposed—or any documentary about the adult film industry—could be hotter than the actual film? Why or why not?
ZS: Yes, but that depends on the viewer himself. Does he want to learn more about the process of making the film, or discover more about his favorite actors? For some it will enhance the experience; for others, it may be 'too much information.' Some just want to turn on, get off and turn it on again when needed.
DP: I would say it could, because you got some great excerpts that really just cut to the chase! But the 'doc' is more human-hearted!
TP: Not including eXposed, what is your favorite documentary? The documentary could be focused on the adult film industry or it could be something totally different.
ZS: I watch Discover, A&E and other shows of that genre, and I have many 'docos' that I enjoy. It comes down to that; did I walk away from viewing the program with a better understanding of the subject at hand, yes or no?
DP: HANDS DOWN, BUCKLEROOS EXPOSED, OF COURSE!
TP: Are there similarities between adult films that contain blooper or behind-the-scenes footage and a full-fledged documentary like eXposed? Do you watch bloopers/behind-the-scenes in the films of other adult-film actors?
ZS: In my mind they are the same thing—real life is real life, bloopers or behind-the-cenes footage. What you see is what you get. People being themselves are for more attractive in my eyes.
DP: Who doesn't love bloopers? Especially someone you might like or really care about! It brings you closer to being in the scene.
TP: What projects are you currently working on now?
ZS: I am retiring this year. Not—'I'm retiring see you in six months' type of thing. It's time to move on to other things I'm passionate about. I have had a great run or longevity in a business that usually only lasts a few years for most.
I am very proud to be leaving the industry with such a great movie. Most adult actors dream of having such a hit, not to mention all the great awards we all won because of the collaboration between Jerry, John and the great crew. I am pursuing a career as a voice actor. I love the work and it's so much fun to play around with my voice and attitudes to produce a character on screen for the benefit of others for enjoyment. I have been a personal trainer in Hollywood and, of course, I am always looking for new legitimate clients who want to better themselves physically.
DP: No projects—I am busy bartending and studying and other non-industry-related projects.
