On a balmy Thursday night in Downtown Los Angeles, legacy studio Wicked Pictures reminded everyone what a big-screen event feels like. Against the backdrop of DTLA’s historic core, stars and industry figures packed an independent theater for the premiere of Seth Gamble’s ambitious new feature, ‘Once Upon A Time in the Valley.’ The air, buzzing with more energy than a rooftop bar on a Friday, was charged with anticipation for a film that’s part love letter, part exposé of the industry’s wild ’90s heyday.
Written by Gamble and Melissa Monet, the movie is a nostalgia-soaked journey loosely based on Gamble’s own experiences breaking into the business when “Porn Valley” was the center of the universe. It was a time of fierce competition, legendary agents, and the meteoric rise of contract girls.
A Director’s “Dream Movie”
For director Seth Gamble, this project was deeply personal, a chance to pour his own history into a script. Surrounded by his cast and crew, he radiated gratitude for the chance to bring his story to life.
“You know, that was me just giving the reality [of my experience],” Gamble told AVN. “I was able to do that, to get vulnerable in the film like that. And my cast and crew—they made my dream movie come true. I’m just grateful that I was able to bring what I can bring to the table… And Wicked was willing to get behind me so I could actually put on this premiere and give everybody a fun night, too.”
The social media buzz following the event confirmed the “fun night,” with cast and attendees sharing photos and praise. It was clear this wasn’t just another release; it was a celebration.
From Time Capsule to the Big Screen
Playing the lead role of Steve Jacobs—a character inspired by a young Gamble—is Parker Ambrose, who was still reeling from the experience. Seeing himself on a giant screen was a moment he’d literally dreamed of since he was a kid.
“If you were to tell like 12-year-old me this is happening, I wouldn’t believe it,” Ambrose shared, admitting he was nervous to watch himself. He recalled a summer job where he made a time capsule: “In my time capsule, I wrote down, I will be in LA making movies on the big screen.”
Playing his rival, the manipulative Jake Python, is mature newcomer Ken Feels. He relished the chance to play against type.
“That character is super interesting to play because it’s so far from who I am. It was cool stepping into someone I would hate,” Feels said. “Seth wrote such a great script.”
A “Surreal” and “Spot-On” Reflection
Stepping into the shoes of Lotta Passion, an established contract star grappling with her fame, is the incredible Jennifer White. Her character echoes the iconic Wicked Girls of the era, from Jenna Jameson to Stormy Daniels. Watching the film from a sofa at the front of the theater, she was blown away.
“That was surreal. That was really, really cool,” White said afterward. “They should do premieres a lot more often.” She also praised the film’s authenticity: “I think it was pretty spot-on, when it touches on the emotional element of what we experience as performers… there are genuine relationships and connection. I thought it was really thoughtful for Seth to touch on those things.”
More Than a Movie, It’s a Statement
In today’s industry, where creator-led platforms and bite-sized clips reign supreme, a full-length, story-driven feature with a theatrical premiere is a bold move. It’s a throwback not just in its setting, but in its very creation—a testament to the power of cinematic storytelling. The event even attracted Constance Penley, a Professor of Film and Media Studies at UC Santa Barbara, who attended with some of her students.
“Isn’t it odd that Hollywood films don’t seem to have any sexuality at all anymore?” Penley mused. She praised the adult industry for films that often mock “Hollywood… for its pretensions, its hypocrisies for promising sex, but never delivering—and substituting violence for the sex it can’t show.”
The film’s blend of drama, humor, and insider references, from Tommy Pistol’s non-sex role as a legendary agent to the drone shots over Mulholland Drive, gives it a classic La La Land feel that resonates beyond the industry itself.
With its ambitions high, the film seems poised to make a lasting impression, capturing a pivotal moment in time with heart and style. As Professor Penley noted with a sense of awe:
“[Gamble] described this film as Boogie Nights meets Once Upon a Time in America and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Wow, that’s amazing.”
Once Upon a Time in The Valley is now available on Wicked.com.
* Photo from avn.com
