It’s not an exaggeration to say Mike Quasar’s a legend having worked with some of the top companies out there including Zero Tolerance Entertainment, Wicked Pictures, and Penthouse. With thirty years of experience in the industry, the AVN Hall of Fame director continues his success story, most recently by inking a deal with heavy hitter Mile High Productions to direct exclusively for them and their brands.
Having worked with the company on and off for over ten years it was a natural fit and he’s settled right into it bringing his skilled eye and writing to his first release from Mile High’s Studio, Sweet Sinner – The Stepmother 17.
In this interview, Mike gives us some insight into the film, how he got his start, what’s next and how he has consistently delivered great adult content for over three decades.
How did you get your start in the industry and what do you enjoy most about it?
I drove from Toronto, Canada when I was 20 years old in an old van with the other guys in my rock band at the time to “make it big” in LA.
As it turns out, we met a porn star named Trinity Loren and her husband Barry Wood and they took us in so that we didn’t have to live in the van anymore. One thing led to another and all of us ended up working in the industry in some capacity. In 1993 I convinced the owner of Gourmet Video to let me try my hand at shooting and directing which he was kind enough to do. Prior to that I had been a PA, a script writer and a production manager. So, I didn’t get to be a rock star, but I guess I did ok for a guy who dropped out of high school in the 9th grade.
What do you think is the secret sauce to the longevity you’ve had in the industry?
Probably three things. The first is that I ended up being a pretty good director and camera operator despite never having used one prior to my entry into the business.
The second is that I’m very easy to work with because I’m Canadian and a cancer and we’re inherently people pleasers.
I guess the third thing is that I’ve built a reputation for being honest with everyone’s time and money. Both are valuable and I don’t want to waste either. My mantra of “I just want to go home” is something that everyone who works for me greatly appreciates.
You recently finished The Stepmother 17 – what are you most proud of about this piece?
To be completely honest, I absolutely hate making “step-porn,” but I also understand that I’m hired to do a job to the best of my ability which I do regardless of the niche.
That being said, I’m quite proud of this movie because it’s the first one that I wrote since coming on board at Mile High and I absolutely love the cast. It’s most of my favorite people in one movie.
Tell us about your upcoming Sweet Sinner film Platonic; we hear the script was inspired by real life?
Most of the movies that I’m proud of have been based on at least some element of real life. Particularly the ones I made when I was directing for Wicked Pictures, but thankfully Jon (president of Mile High Media) has afforded me the same opportunity to have the freedom to do that with Sweet Sinner.
Platonic is actually based on a person in my life that I’m very close friends with and who I’ve known for a very long time, but the simple fact is that I want more from it and she doesn’t. She was actually quite horrified when I told her that I wrote a movie about her, probably because our characters have sex in the last scene. That would be traumatizing for anyone!
What advice do you have for those wanting to get into directing and/or behind the scenes work in adult?
Short answer: Don’t!!! Longer answer. I’m not really sure what advice I can give because at this point in my life I feel like I’ve always been here doing this. It’s all I’ve known for the past 32 years, and it happened by accident. It’s a fickle business too. I’ve met many people far more talented than me who aren’t around anymore.
I’ve been fortunate enough to always be in demand but even after all this time, I’m convinced that could change at a moment’s notice and I’ll be back living in a van. I will say this however: a good P.A with ambition will get a chance to move up at some point. On my first job I was told “If they like you, they’ll always hire you.”
That was true and it’s where every other opportunity came from.
What are your goals for 2023?
My goal is always the same every year – to keep working. At one point I was shooting 50 scenes a month, so I’m happy to have a little breathing room now that I’m exclusive with Mile High but I have never turned down a job.
Follow Mike on his Twitter @mikequasar and @milehighmovies for more on his upcoming releases. You can also check out his Instagram @mikeaquasar and his recent Tweet sharing the SFW Trailer of Platonic.
The ultra SFW trailer for PLATONIC coming in February from @SweetSinnerXXX Based on a true story except in the movie our characters actually have sex unlike in real life where we awkwardly hug after I pay for dinner pic.twitter.com/KKnd3y4QM6
— Mike Quasar (@mikequasar) February 1, 2023
