A Day in the Life of a Feminist Porn Creator

Rope artistry and photography by the amazingly talented Garth Knight   

Introducing Morgana Muses who started creating and starring in porn at the age of 47. She credits porn with saving her life and is the Creative Director and founder of Permission 4 Pleasure, a feminist adult production company creating incredibly visual and erotic films and documentaries about sexual exploration.

Q. Your story is of a strict upbringing where you were raised to be a good wife and good mother at the expense of your personal happiness and pleasure.  How did you shift from then to now?

That’s a big question. I think looking back I was so afraid of staying where I was, because I was so miserable in my marriage, that the jump into the unknown was a safer bet for me. My upbringing has definitely impacted my work because I know how it feels to be trapped by the expectations placed upon you by family and society.

Q. You saw Petra Joy, the feminist porn filmmaker, as a kindred spirit and she inspired you to give yourself permission to tell your stories through film. Tell us about making your first film, entering it in the Petra Joy Awards, and then winning. What was that like?

I made my first film, Duty Bound really for myself, to have a permanent reminder to myself that I was a woman, capable of having a sexuality. I stumbled across Petra Joy because quite late in my life I had started looking for porn that I could relate to and Petra was like a light, a sudden glimpse of the world that was opening up before my eyes. I saw she had a competition for first time female erotic filmmakers and I thought I'd just submit my film, and see what happens. Winning was the most amazing experience, I never in a million years thought I'd end up producing porn, but that validation and Petra's guidance really got me excited about life.

Q. Tell us about Permission 4 Pleasure and the style of films you produce and how you come up with such unique concepts.

Permission 4 Pleasure is my production company, named as such because I want to encourage others to give themselves the permission to seek out pleasure, what ever that might look like for them. Our ethos is to produce high quality, ethical porn that features a diverse range of ages, bodies and sexualities. To tell the truth the ideas sort of just bubble up from inside me, often to do with experiences I’ve had or would like to have myself!

Q. You’ve had the opportunity to travel, film and live overseas since creating Permission 4 Pleasure and you’ve received international accolades and awards. The reality is that you can’t shoot porn in Australia so you have to shoot it overseas. That makes it so much harder for Australia to be a front runner on an international scale. Why is Australia so far behind in this regard?

I think it’s absolutely a political issue. We have that English repression built in to our legal system, it’s also not an issue that at this stage and of the major parties are willing to touch (in terms of decriminalising or legalising distribution of adult cinema). Of course there is Fiona Patten and the Reason party fighting the good fight among many others, so hopefully things will change soon. But yes, as it stands now the adult film industry in Australia sort of flies underneath the radar.

Q. You have a documentary being made about your life. Tell us more about that, when it’s going to be released and how we’ll be able to watch it.

There has been a documentary crew following me for almost 5 years now. Two female Directors, Josie Hess and Isabel Peppard approached me and asked if they could document my life and I said yes of course! It’s currently in post-production and will be released in 2019 at film festivals. It will be available online after that. You can check morganadocumentary.com for details.

Q. Do you prefer being in front of the camera or behind the camera, and why?

That’s a tough question. For a long time there I needed to be seen, so being in front of the camera was a way of reclaiming what I had lost in my sexless marriage. Now, I really enjoy the process of making films, so I am just as comfortable behind the camera as I am in front. I still get nervous sometimes, being naked and performing sex acts in front of a crew isn't exactly natural for me, but I surround myself with good people and I know that ultimately I'm making films that other people enjoy.

Q. You’re described as an age positive, sex positive creative director and performer and the question most women will want to ask you is about body confidence. What was it like the first time standing in front of the camera and what gave you the confidence to do it?

I can't lie and say it was easy. It wasn't. During my marriage I became morbidly obese, when I lost the weight after my divorce it came off so quickly that I was left with folds of skin. I had corrective surgery to fix the excess skin but I do have a large scar. I basically had to learn to love myself again. I started with small things, and eventually was able to get to a point where I am comfortable in my skin. My body has done so many amazing things, I am proud to show people this vessel.

Q. What’s your favourite film that you’ve produced or starred in?

I think my 2015 film Having My Cake will always have a special place in my heart. My co-performer Bishop Black was the sweetest treat and we had just the most ridiculously yummy time together.

Q. You say that life, pleasure and happiness don't have an expiration date. Do you have some advice for women who’ve reached an age where they perhaps feel they are becoming less sexual or unfulfilled or that there’s more to life and it’s too late to start exploring?

Take it from me, you are never too old to start exploring and you are never too old to start to seek pleasure for yourself. I began allowing myself to do what I wanted to do at 47 and I haven't looked back. You need to remember that it is completely normal and healthy to allow yourself to be happy, if that is hiring an escort, going on a blind date, getting tied up or just eating cake - you do you. Try to let the guilt and expectations take a back seat and do something nice for yourself.

Q. Why is your phoenix tattoo important to you?

The tattoo symbolises rebirth and my new life. I wanted to have a permanent reminder to myself to keep pushing forward and not to fall back into my old ways. I love it so much it's become Permission 4 Pleasures logo.

Q. I thought your films would appeal to the over 40s but I heard an interview where your director Josie said that your biggest demographic is 21 to 35. Why do you think your films have such a broad appeal?

Yes, we got Google analytics in 2014 and it was very interesting to see who was actually landing on our site. I think they appeal to a large demographic of people because younger viewers want to be able to carve out a future for themselves, and older viewers see themselves.

Q. What have you discovered about yourself in the last 10 years?

Another big question. I've certainly discovered just how capable I am. I've been through a lot in the last 5 years, but I am able to hold my head high and say that I have given it my best.

What am I most proud of? I am proud that I am still here, that I am still trying and working to make a better life for others and myself. My heartthrob of the year award in 2015 also was a pretty proud moment for me because if a body like mine can win, then I think it gives many people hope that they too can be 'sexy' and 'desirable'

Q. Do you have advice for someone keen to get into adult film making?

I say just start doing it. Everyone has a decent camera in their phones today and you can get free editing software so you can just get started.

Q. You’ve worked with some really impressive people in the adult film industry. Is there someone you'd like to collaborate with on a future project?

There are so many talented and wonderful people in the industry I'd love to work with. I’m going to be working with the beautiful and talented Marina Lee later this year, which is exciting. I'd also love to work with the gorgeous Jacqueline Mary, who is based in the US. She directs and stars in really bright and colourful work that appeals to me.

Q. Are there any myths about the industry you'd like to debunk?

That the casting couch actually means you get to have sex with the producer. It just isn't true. The amount of times we've held casting and people show up expecting to have sex is unbelievable. It’s a job interview. Be professional, we are!

Q. Do you have a dinner party story you'd like to share?

The moment I decided to talk to my eldest daughter about my new life as a pornographer. I was so scared and nervous. Without blinking an eyelid she just looked at me and said that she had 3 things to ask of me.

1. Can you make money?
2. Are you happy?
3. Don’t tell me too many details.
I laughed and never felt such relief and love as I did then.

Q. If you could give the younger you some advice what would you say?

Run! I'm joking, perhaps I would just let myself know that the bad times will pass, I just need to hold on because things eventually are going to get good, very good.