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The intense, sizzling heat of Arizona cramped Mark Jennings' style. "I came up in the leather-sex community," notes the Phoenix native. "But when it's 110 degrees out, who wants to be in chaps and full leather?" According to Jennings, "Because of the heat, the leather community has always had a hard time creating an identity for itself there."

These days, Jennings has adapted to a somewhat less stifling climate in Southern California where he's creating an identity for himself as a porno director.

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"I worked in production in the more 'legitimate' end of the entertainment industry for a few years, then I made a career change over to porno," explains Jennings, who has worked his way up through the ranks at Catalina Videos from video tech, to videographer, to director.

"I really enjoy working for a gay-run business, as well as being a part of the culture of the porno industry. Gay porno stars are looked up to like rock stars. The gay porno industry is actually respected, more so than the straight porno industry."

True en- ough. But, why the difference? "I think it's because if you're gay you have to come to peace with yourself about the fact that there's a sexual component connected to your identity, and you have to quit beating yourself up about being a sexual being," offers Jennings. "Whereas straight people are more able to hide behind all kinds of conventions that they have, and it can make life really difficult as far as their sexuality. Once you do make peace with your sexual self, then a whole world of possibilities begin to open up."

Jennings made his directorial debut at the helm of Black Men Do, a fall release from Catalina Videos featuring an all-black cast. A self-proclaimed admirer of men of color, Jennings was the perfect man for the job.

Black Men Do stars African-American super-hunk Bobby Blake as Dr. Love Johnson, the host of a radio call-in show. The good "doc" prescribes sexual advice to his listeners who call in to recount their kinky experiences. Mean- while, Blake proves to be an accommodating host as he pleases his in-studio guest.

"The sex is really hot in Black Men Do," promises the flick's director. "In one scene, two boyfriends have sex with food. One guy puts whipped cream all over his boyfriend's dick as he's giving him head. Then the other guy is rimming him and rubs a banana around the guy's crack, then continues to eats him out."

Hungry for more? Jennings offers a sneak preview of another hot scene. "There's a jack-off with a wrestling coach, just himself. He enjoys sniffing wrestlers' uniforms after a workout. You gotta see what this guy did! There was a mirror in the room that we shot in, so you see him playing to his own reflection, turning around and trying to stick his big ol' dick up his butt, then ultimately jacking off into the uniform, and putting the cum-soaked uniform all over his face. It was really hot to watch and it's very beautifully shot."

What was it like working with the star of Black Men Do, Bobby Blake? "Bobby has a strong personality himself so it's kind of a give-and-take of guiding him toward what you would like to have happen, and letting Bobby be who Bobby is, and respecting that and let that come across as best you can," says the director like a true diplomat.

Jennings hopes the casts of his future videos will include bears, older men-- you name it. "I really like working with all types of people and try to respect who they are."

Of course, Jennings also hopes to direct hot skinflicks geared to guys dear to his heart-- the leather community.

Author Profile:  Ed Karvoski, Jr.
Ed Karvoski Jr. is the author of All-Male: Quirky Quotes, Intimate Interviews, and Tantalizing Trivia from the Most Desired Men on Earth (Kensington Books)
Email:	edkarvoskijr@prodigy.net
Website:	www.edkarvoskijr.com