A fruitful life in front of the camera took an unexpected turn when Jake Deckard, one of many porn stars who set their sites on one day directing, did just that… and became pretty damn good on it, if we do say so ourselves. Take a trip backstage with Jake as we discuss his latest work, Jock Itch 2.

How did you end up at Raging Stallion?

My contract was up with Titan and Chris Ward and I had started talking about doing this Hawaiian video. They signed me to a contract in short order. While we were doing the first shoot I was able to use the opportunity to follow the crew around and see what they do. While everyone was sunning their asses, I was acting like a lost puppy at Chris’ heel.

What was the most surprising thing about being recognized for your work on screen? What’s the most surprising thing about your fans?

I’m just now starting to get the sense that people are paying attention. When I started shooting Ink Storm, I realized I was going to have to step up and take a level of responsibility that I had never taken in my life. I knew a little, but not a lot, so the learning curve was intense. Everything was trial by fire, and I learn the hard way most of the time. Fortunately I’m also a very quick study.

I wanted to do it my way, and I knew there was an audience for it. It was when I started editing that I felt a little concerned. I was doing some tricky stuff, and I knew the average porn viewer was going to rake me for it. But I was aiming for a younger audience, so I decided to take my chances. It’s really paying off now. I’m getting the exact response I was looking for. The thing I hear the most is about the style.

What surprises me is that there are lot of older guys that are really loving what I’m doing. Porn is one of those things people don’t love you fucking with. But I get these really cool guys come up and compare stuff to guys that were my idols, like Kenneth Anger, and while I don’t know about all that, I’m really happy that they dig it.

Did you always want to direct? What mainstream directors have influenced your asthetics? Adult directors?

I tend to communicate visually. I’m a terror on MySpace and Facebook. I’m a real movie and photo buff, and I can find files to sum up just about any emotion or circumstance I want to convey. So in that, yeah, being the one to create those images has always been there.

Tarrantino is my biggest influence. He’s a good influence to have because he steals from everyone himself. That leaves you with quite a repertoire right out of the gate, and guilt free at that! He’s just so fucking cool though. His ability to pull all of it together into a super cool, cohesive vision is remarkable.

Do you remember this show they used to have on cable called “Movies for Guys who Like Movies”? They would show shit like “Death Race 2000” and James Bond. I’m one of those guys. I love fast cars, motorcycles, and girls in bikinis. Steve McQueen is one of my idols.

Tim Burton is another, mainly because he created a style that he’s manged to stick with without becoming stale. I also appreciate that his family attitude that he has with the people he works with. I also really dig John Waters for the same reason.

Are there any porn clichés you try to avoid in your performances? In your films?

The only porn cliché that I have always tried to avoid is looking bored. I always try to sell it. And obviously I succeeded, I won pretty much every major award this year. In my own videos I intend to make the best of the porn cliches. I try to stay away from cheese unless it’s intentional. The fact is I’m making porn. It has a singular purpose. The trick is work the cliches and shortcomings of porn into something fun and hot to watch.

What is your biggest adult film or industry pet peeve?

The bullshit that happens between the studios wears me the fuck out. San Francisco is a small town with a lot of water, and these guys have been stepping on each other’s toes for a long time.

But the pie is shrinking, which brings me to my other issue; illegal downloading and copying. The margin is so fucking tight, more than most people realize. If people don’t start paying for their porn, it’s gonna go away. X-tube is only entertaining for so long. Eventually, watching guys fuck their wives gets tiresome.

Which performance are you the most proud of so far?

I think my performance as Officer Houle in Grunts. We all worked very hard on that. It made me into something much bigger than I would have been without it. And I won Best Actor for it. It’s the one award that makes you feel like actually did something.

Tell me about the birth of Screaming Eagle XXX.

Chris and I had been talking for a year about what I could do at Raging Stallion. They brought me in as an editor in the beginning, and then camera man and director. Porn stars with ideas are a dime a dozen, and I was rattling mine off to Chris daily.

But I guess there were a few that stuck, because he starting listening to me. While we were on the set for Grunts we started to lay it out.

Why start with Ink Storm? What was the response like?

I figured it would be best to set myself apart right out of the gate. Tattoos as a fetish had never been covered, and it just seemed logical. Logan and I had been talking on MySpace for a year, and I had asked him once or twice. He was flattered but not interested. I wanted to meet him so bad though. He was so cool, so good looking and easy to talk with. Then one day he said yes. Couldn’t believe it. So it all happened at once. I wanted to do the tat movie, and here was Logan. I’m a strong believer in serendipity, and when circumstances converge, you work it.

Ink Storm was my first baby. And it’s become a cult classic. I love that. It was one of Raging Stallions highest selling videos last year, and won best fetish video at The Grabby’s. I think that’s a pretty good start.

How do you juggle being in front of, and behind the camera at the same time?

Ben Leon mans the camera when I’m in a scene. Usually I’ll put the monitor where I can see it, give specific instructions and a shot list to Ben, and try to tune into my scene partner as much as possible and let Ben do his thing. Between takes, I’ll review if I need to. The shoot with Logan was easy, because I just wanted to have sex with him, and I didn’t really mind dealing with the interruptions. It was just a smooth, natural and easy scene to shoot.

Jock Itch was harder because I had more invested in it and it was a three way. More people equals more work. But once Scott and Tyler got rocking on my ass it went by really fast.

Which performers, mainstream or adult, do you look to for inspiration?

I like the tough guys. Steve McQueen, Kirk Douglas, Dennis Hopper, Robert Redford, Nicholas Cage, Johnny Depp. The other thing I love about these guys is how willing they are to fuck with the “tough guy” image. It’s a level of confidence you don’t see very often, like the straight guy that has a bunch a gay friends.

Best mainstream film you’ve seen recently?

Movies come and go. My favorite movies of all time are Kill Bill and Blade Runner.

Do you have any guilty pleasures? Secret talents?

I do like the Twinkies and Kool-Aid. A little Britney never killed anyone, and there are times I find Madonna poignant. I don’t have hang-ups about liking the trash. I shoot porn, how could I?

My secret talents aren’t a secret to people that know me. I’m able to learn just about anything in short order and use it. I was the kid taking apart the toaster at four.

How did you know that “sports gear” would be the next big fetish/porn genre? Were you a “jock” in high school?

I started shooting Jock Itch way back in October, long before any of this shit started showing up on the runways. I was into it myself, and just thought it would be a cool thing to do.

When Geof Teagues started shooting the first still images, I knew I was onto something. At this point, I’d say that I helped propel it into what it is now. But thats how culture works. Nothing is static and nothing is in a vacuum.

Do you feel pressure to identify with any gay subcultures because of your look?

I know these leather guys would love for me to dress better at IML, but you know, it’s just not my thing. I like what I like, I know whats gets my dick hard.

But right now, I just want to look like the bi-coastal, motorcycle riding, 36-year-old California skater hippie that I am. And a cigar goes just fine with that.

What are you shooting next?

Jock Itch 2 is just being released, complete with Luche Libra masks. Next is a tricked out exploration into the history of porn. I’m shooting it specifically for Blu-ray. It’s gonna be so cool!