I have been reading about the HBO show which was filmed at the Moonlight Bunnyranch.  The thing which I find very disturbing is they secretly filmed the customers.  Obviously, they got signed releases from those who would allow the footage to be used for the show.  However, I find it a serious invasion of privacy that the patrons were videotaped without their prior permission.  What is everybody's thoughts on this matter?

I agree completely.  That is a very private session between you and the lady.  Any filming should be of mutual consent prior.  Who knows who is watching this as it is getting filmed or what they are doing with it with or without your permission.  I understand their concept but at the same time it might unnecessarily and seriously embarrass those unwittingly participants, or cause other unjust harm.  I know I would not consent and I would demand the taping so that I could destroy it.

Didn't see the HBO show, do they film customers during the act?  I know they have microphones in the room which are turned on while you are negotiating with the lady.  Microphone is supposedly turned off before the action starts.

According to GeneRoss.com, the clients were notified WHILE completing their donation transaction about the filming for the documentary so if someone had a problem, they wouldn't be filmed & contrary to what the producers expected, most agreed to be filmed.  The cameras were turned off DURING the GFE/PSE.

I think you should read the article again.  They were secretly filmed in the ladies room during the negotiation process and then asked whether they want to be a part of the show and sign a release.  Supposedly, the hidden cameras were turned off and none of the activities after the negotiation process were filmed.  I find it disturbing the rooms had 4 hidden cameras in them and who knows if they actually turned it off during the sex.

The show hasn't been aired yet.  The first showing is on Dec. 8th after the Sopranos.

I think San_Te makes a good point. I wouldn't trust anyone that set up such an ersatz "Candid Camera" shoot. My animal side would say to destroy the camera equipment in the room. However, my civilized side would simply be to take these guys to court over invasion of privacy, harassment, and anything else my attorneys could dream up. Besides, there is nothing worse than setting good (i.e., shark) attorneys after you. Warren Zevon didn't write "...Send lawyers, guns and money..." for no reason.

Great! They end "Curb Your Enthusiasm" way too soon, and replace it with this tripe. HBO should take their money away from the brothel shoot, and give it to Larry David for a few more episodes.

-- Modified on 11/25/2002 9:32:31 PM

Hate to burst you bubble, but I have dated women who had worked at brothels and at MPs and depending on the place and the sleaziness of the owners, some regularly use video cams without the permission of the participants. If I remember right, a couple of porn stars were "found" with an assist from their "performance" at a brothel that no longer exists.
One of my friends who worked at a brothel also told me that there were cameras in the rooms so that management could watch the girls do their private negotiations and not have to worry they were cheating the house. The intent was not to watch the guys, but you never know ...
And as for cameras in MPs, I know that this happens in at least a few of the LA based MPs -mostly in rough neighborhoods. It's meant as protection for the girls, not to spy on the guys. But it does have that effect.

So as they used to say on Hill Street Blues, "let's be careful out there."

I guess because of the success of "Taxicab Confessions", this was the natural next step... I always watched Taxicab Confessions for the occasional times that people would fuck in the back seat... always a hoot!

As to the invasion of privacy issue.  I tape most of my meetings, and I have no problem posting them to the net with the ladies permission, even thought I don't particularly like to see my fat ass on camera.  HOWEVER, I'm the one in control of the tapes.  I would feel very uncomfortable knowing that I had been videoed, and didn't have my hands on the one and only copy of the tape.  As to the producers claiming that no sex was actually filmed, I don't believe it... there's too many people involved, from grips to cameramen to best boys to who knows how many others, and you can't tell me that if a bunch of guys are in a whorehouse with 4 cameras that they're not going to tape the actual sex act if for nothing else than to copy it and spread it around the HBO community to be shown at office parties and the like.  I'd give 1000 to 1 odds that somewhere right now there's a bunch of guys drinking beer and eating chips and making fun of some poor schmuck's dick or laughing about how quickly he came....

-- Modified on 11/26/2002 1:10:44 AM

I agree with you and would worry the cameras were not turned off during the session.  Also, I don't think there were grips and cameramen involved.  From what was reported it seems as though they used hidden cameras like they use in Taxicab Confessions.

HockeyPuck,

According to Dennis Hof, owner of the Moonlite BunnyRanch, video recording only took place during negotiations, not the actual parties themselves. At the MLBR, negotiations often take place in rooms other thatn where the actual sex takes place, but not always. HBO also uses such (hidden camera) tactics in their series "Taxicab Confessions", informing the cab's occupants of their being videotaped only after the fact. They are, of course, free to decline the signing of a release to allow that footage to be aired. But most people, I guess, are so vain and petty that they think it's a "privilege" to be "selected" to be shown on TV, even if they look like a fool (I mean, come on, look at the morons on "Jerry Springer" and other such shows). Never overestimate the tastes of the American public.

Regards,
Speed Racer

I have also heard of incalls using hidden video cameras in the rooms.

Given they had hidden cameras in the rooms to film the negotiations, what assurance does a patron have they were actually turned off and the sex wasn't taped?  Also, what type of assurance the hidden cameras were removed?  What assurance does one have they haven't been or will not be reinstalled to secretly film a future more risque video?  I just find the whole thing a serious invasion of privacy.  

I agree about the tastes of the American public.  This show will surely have great ratings since it appears after the finale of the Sopranos.

First, let me say, I am not a lawyer.  Take this all with a huge grain of whatever.

I have heard of stores that have installed security cameras to tape people (especially women) in the fitting rooms and bathrooms.  They have been sued, and lost.  It is an invasion of privacy.

I have heard of landlords putting cameras into a tenant's apartment to film the tenant.  They have been sued.  They have lost.

I have heard of several situations in which the owner/operator of a property has put up cameras to secretly film someone.  They have been sued for invasion of privacy and lost.

I know that in some states, it is illegal to tape record a conversation (live or on the phone) with someone unless that person consents to being taped prior to taping.  

I know that in some states, it is an illegal invasion of privacy to take a photograph of someone without their permission ("public figures" excepted).

It is my opinion, based on all this, is that the owner of the Moonlight Bunny Ranch and HBO should be very grateful that no one has sued them... yet...

I had been considering visiting the ranch next year.  My trip has now been called off.  Permanently.

they connot use the footage shot without the permission of the people involved.  it is a matter likeness use for profit.

That doesn't mean that there aren't "bootleg" copies being circulated around town...  Remember Pamela and Tommy?  Or Janine and Vince Neil?

I think all that feel this way, who might have been considering a visit to the MBR, should email Mr. Hof and let him know that this incident has changed your mind about visiting.  Unfortunately, the exposure he'll gain from the HBO series will probably increase his business, but she should be shown that his lack of respect for his clients has a down side as well.

On the other hand, G-String Divas, an HBO show shot in a Pa. strip club, apparently didn't help the club.  They closed their doors a few months after the series aired...

According to the local media there was a guy that was caught filming up women's skirts in malls, etc.  The cops were only able to charge him with disorderly conduct criminally, but the charge was thrown out.  Some states do not have adequate criminal laws on the books yet.  Civil is a different matter.  Anyway, it turns out that this guy committed a rape in the mid-west and they put his DNA in a data base.  He was compared to open cases in another state and it was found that he committed at least 2 other rapes and a murder.  These rapes and murders happened in the 80's while the voyerism happened in the 90's.  Additionally, you have to at some point know that you were taped, it is possible that you will never know that your likeness is being circulated.  It only becomes a problem to the offender when they get caught.  Just my thought.

At Moonlight (oh, sorry, I forgot, it's The Bunnyranch), you are nothing more than a profit center, to wit, a trick. I have had better than average experiences there, which is amazing because there is no shortage of bad attitude there at all.

It's overpriced vagina rental at it's worst. As for Mr. Hof, any white man who calls himself Pimpmaster General of the USA has issues, IMHO. Nothing that goes on there surprises me.

Take the dough and go to Germany for the weekend. You'll feel much more fulfilled.