If you think the adult industry is all glossy, cookie-cutter scenes, you haven’t met Ivan. To call the AltErotic director and recent XRCO Hall of Fame inductee a “film buff” would be a massive understatement. This is a man who lives, breathes, and shoots a world steeped in B-movie magic, retro cool, and a healthy dose of glorious weirdness. And he wouldn’t have it any other way.
For Ivan, this isn’t just a job; it’s a 24/7 creative mission. He’s the guy who rejects “production-line porn” in favor of something with soul, grit, and a story to tell—even if that story involves a ham radio that catches fire on set (it makes a great prop, he says).
From Cold War Russia to B-Movie Mania
Ivan’s unique creative lens was shaped by a journey that sounds like a movie plot itself. After his family immigrated from Russia during the Cold War, he landed in 1980s Los Angeles. The culture shock was immediate and profound.
“I went from the cold, communist world of Mother Russia to the ‘80s in LA, where everybody’s happy and dancing, and there’s food on every corner,” he recalls. “What a time!”
His cinematic diet consisted of schlocky masterpieces from legends like Roger Corman and Andy Sidaris—films with “big boobs and even bigger guns.” It’s a love that never faded. “People tell me that I’m strange but I’m not,” he says with a laugh. “I just grew up on strange shit.”
That passion led him to film school and eventually to AltErotic, where he finally found the creative freedom to let his influences run wild.
Building the AltErotic Universe
At AltErotic, Ivan is the master of his domain. He writes, shoots, lights, and edits nearly everything, pouring his signature style into every frame. His flagship project, the “Ink Motel” series, is a tribute to the ’70s and ’80s sexploitation films he grew up on, complete with “really cool lighting, odd characters and really weird storylines.”
He even jumps in front of the camera for comic relief, playing a pornographer named Ivan Dragon. In “Ink Motel 6,” he gleefully recreated the iconic shower scene from “Porky’s,” peeking through a glory hole with his vintage VHS camera. The series has become a cult favorite, attracting models who, according to Ivan, want to be in the movies just for the retro-style poster art.
It’s this unwavering commitment to his vision that sets him apart. He’s not here to churn out content; he’s here to create something he believes in.
“I’d rather die broke but happy, with my creative soul filled, than work for somebody where I’m shooting production-line porn and I hate waking up every morning to go shoot another stepbrother-stepsister scene in a laundromat. I’m not interested in any of that.”
More Than a Director: The ‘Porn Dad’
In an industry that’s increasingly focused on creator well-being, Ivan has carved out a unique role for himself: the “Porn Dad.” His dedication to a safe, sober, and professional set has earned him the trust and respect of the models he works with.
“They call me ‘Porn Dad’ because I don’t flirt with the girls or touch them,” he explains. “Instead, I mentor them and I tell the new girls the ‘do’s and don’ts’ based on what I’ve seen happen in the industry.”
This approach taps into a major industry trend where performers are seeking more than just a paycheck. They want to work with brands that support their creative growth and personal brand. AltErotic, under Ivan’s direction, has become a haven for alternative models—those with tattooed eyeballs, split tongues, and elf ears—who are often overlooked by mainstream studios. “Most companies won’t touch those girls, but we do,” he affirms.
Always On, Always Creating
Ivan’s commitment is relentless. His LA condo doubles as a studio where models can stay and shoot. “I have no privacy,” he admits. “This is literally what I do 24/7.”
When he’s not directing or editing—a meticulous process he often starts the same night as a shoot—he’s hunting for vintage props on eBay, shooting deathmatch wrestling photography (for which he’s won awards), or recruiting new talent. His life is a constant cycle of creation, and fans can get a peek into his world on his Instagram, @ivan_the_director, where he shares behind-the-scenes moments and his latest projects.
He’s a one-man creative powerhouse, driven by an old-school work ethic and a deep love for the art of filmmaking. He’s not chasing trends; he’s building a legacy on his own terms.
For Ivan, it’s not about the money or the fame. It’s about creative fulfillment and making something that stands out in a sea of sameness. And by all accounts, it’s a strategy that’s paying off.
“I just kind of do what I do. And it works out.”
* Photo from xbiz.com
