2021 XBIZ Best MILF Clip Artist Penny Barber describes her brand as a unique blend of ’90s soccer mom, “bimbo” and “dark academia” aesthetics.
“You wouldn’t think it would work, but it does,” she said. “Like, you wouldn’t think that a big slab of cheddar cheese would work on ground beef, but cheeseburgers are divine.”
I’ve developed the habit of getting things like B-roll, pickup shots, room tone and little technical things to make my scenes look more polished and cinematic.
As grounded as ground beef and as divine as a cheeseburger, Barber effortlessly weaves together comedic chops and roleplaying drama for grade-A, prime MILF content (not to mention give-you-an-A-grade teacher vibes).
“I try to be playful,” she shared. “I’m presenting really taboo ideas in my content, so a sweet, non-threatening attitude can make it more approachable. It’s easier to remember that I’m not actually crossing any lines when I’m being twee or making meta jokes. We’re all just role-playing. Maybe someday Visa will get that as well.”
Of course, her journey to multi-faceted studio-shot stardom, indie clips fame and premium social media powerhouse began during her decidedly not-yet-a-MILF teens.
“Short answer: I was 18, couch-surfing and needed money,” she humbly explained. “Longer answer: I literally had nothing with which to earn a living except for my own body, so that’s what I used.”
Working her way through college to a degree in anthropology, which she was studying “mostly to annoy my fundamentalist parents,” Barber nonetheless disliked the politics of academic life too much to continue her studies.
“Adult work, on the other hand, was exciting, relaxing and creative,” she reminisced. “I went to college until my scholarships ran out, then I stayed on in the adult industry. I’ve done just about everything: writing, blogging, camera, photography, editing, modeling, acting, audio, PA, directing, creating props and producing. You name it, I’ve done it. I love it, and I plan to stay in the industry for the rest of my life.”
From 2005 to 2021, Barber has starred in nearly 200 scenes for the likes of MYLF.com, Kink.com and Team Skeet, while also directing and producing an eclectic mix of OnlyFans-ready indie content and artistic erotic films.
Given her love for cinema and literature, Barber is also no less immersed in reading and writing than when she was pursuing her more traditional education. Her knowledge of film auteurs and intriguing books only enhances her appeal with a very engaged fan base.
Teaming up with husband and photographer Rex Shepherd to constantly evolve and elevate her game, Barber now graces the cover of XBIZ Clip World, riding high after her recent Cam Awards win. Learn about her eccentric life as she opens up for this exclusive interview.
XBIZ: Discuss your directorial style when it comes to shooting day-to-day video clips, as well as more involved projects like “The Forbidden Drawer.”
Barber: As an auteur, I get to (i.e., have to) control everything about my shoots. I identify very much with Anna Biller, director of “The Love Witch,” when she talks about making hook rugs and raiding her own home for set dressings. If you see a prop on my set, I made or shopped for it. I wrote the script. I cast it. I did the backend.
Recently, my husband, photographer Rex Shepherd, quit his day job to work with me more. He actually shot “The Forbidden Drawer” and, while I think you can tell it was very early work for him, we discovered that we work really well together. He wants to please me and has a great eye.
As for my day-to-day shoots, I try to structure my stories in three parts: a setup, a reveal, a climax, and end with an open-ended joke or some version of aftercare. They’re not teaching how to write porn scripts over at UCLA, so I’m making this stuff up as I go. A porn script is a cross between a movie script, a play and a comedy routine. I also have some ideas about what I like to see in POV. I hate it when the camera shakes back and forth to say “no” or nods for “yes.” Why? The viewer can move their head.
I’m blazing a trail here. I can only get so much from old interviews with Ilya Naishuller. It’s mostly trial-and-error and trying to develop what I call justifiable taste.
XBIZ: Where can fans find you, as far as content platforms, and which revenue streams take up most of your time?
Barber: I mainly focus on my OnlyFans (OnlyFans.com/pamperedpenny), but you can also find my clips at TabooRolePlay.com and PamperedPenny.com. My membership sites are TabooView.com and PennyBarber.com. I’m on ManyVids, too.
XBIZ: Let’s talk about your photography, which seems to blend vivid colors with dark vibes. What goes into each photoset in terms of preparation, clothing, and execution?
Barber: Whenever you see photos of me, they’re most likely a joint effort with Rex Shepherd. He brings the vivid colors, and I bring the dark vibes. Basically, one of us has an idea, then we both work to make it happen. And it can be a weird idea. We watched E.T. not too long ago, and he got really excited about the shot of the alien in the pile of stuffed animals. We broke out the lights and gels and every stuffed animal we could find. I was doing my makeup while Rex pawed through my lingerie and found something that he liked. We picked lenses together. And it turned out well! Hot MILF in a pile of soft things — what’s not to like? And I love working with him. He still gets nervous when he shoots me, but I’ve discovered that he calms down if I make him do a shot of vodka.
XBIZ: How have your studio shoots, spanning MYLF, Kink, Digital Sin, Team Skeet and more, impacted your approach to indie filmmaking?
Barber: When I shoot with a studio, I get to see different ways of doing things. For example, shooting with actual scripts (like with Ricky Greenwood) versus shooting with an outline (Wrex Oliver) versus shooting whatever seems to be hot at the moment (Lance Hart). I shoot all these methods depending on which best suits a specific project.
Studio shoots are also a place to see, and sort of play with, new (to me) equipment. I get to ask people questions about what they like about it, see it in use. I picked my monitor, mic and one of my tripods that way. After a studio shoot, my phone’s photo galleries are always full of a mix of BTS selfies and shopping lists for gear.
I’ve developed the habit of getting things like B-roll, pickup shots, room tone and little technical things to make my scenes look more polished and cinematic. Technically, hour for hour, I lose money when I go down to L.A. or Las Vegas to shoot with a studio, but I keep doing it because it’s like being paid to go to film school. I really look forward to it!
XBIZ: In what ways have you grown as a producer and performer over the years?
Barber: The best thing that I ever did was start caring what my work looked like, not just for my fans but also for myself. For most of my career, I was just churning out content to feed the beast. I didn’t care if I looked cute or how well I told the story. Somebody would buy it, right? Then, in my early thirties, something happened, and I thought, “You know what? Penny Barber doesn’t make bad clips.”
Just by making that decision, that commitment, my clips improved overnight. Not all the way, but a bit. My content today is better than it was then, and a year from now, my content will be better than it is today. I dedicate myself to learning how to make good content. I read the XBIZ message boards, watch YouTube tutorials, read a filmmaking book every month, ask questions and solicit and genuinely listen to feedback from the professionals I admire. And my content looks 1,000% better. I’m proud of it.
XBIZ: How do you pass the time, in terms of hobbies and leisure interests, when you’re not working?
Barber: There’s not much time to pass, but I watch many movies, almost every day. Some of my favorites are “Flesh and Blood,” “A Field in England,” “Female Prisoner Scorpion,” “The Handmaiden” and “Opera.” “Mandy” is a masterpiece. I can’t believe more people haven’t seen it. My all-time favorite film ever has to be “Blood Tea and Red String.” Please, please watch it, if you haven’t. Christiane Cegavske is a genius. If you’re into goblincore or creepy stop-motion, you’ll absolutely love it.
Occasionally, I read a novel and not just a how-to filmmaking book. Right now, I’m reading “The Little Friend” by Donna Tartt. Everyone says she can’t write women, but I think it’s her best work. My husband and I are also reading “The Marriage Plot” together, comparing Tartt and Eugenides.
XBIZ: What was it like being crowned 2021 XBIZ Best MILF Clip Artist?
Barber: Oh my god! I was so sure that I was going to lose to this one model! I mean, I buy her content. (Incidentally, she was the only competitor to congratulate me. She’s such a class act!) Every now and then, Rex just looks at me and says, “You won an XBIZ award!” I’m excited to get it in the mail! I have a friend who’s won a bunch of them and I always liked fucking her in front of a wall of literal sex awards. Now, I can fuck my husband in front of my own trophy!
XBIZ: Give us a glimpse of what’s next for this year and beyond, career-wise and personally.
Barber: My husband, Rex Shepherd, and I are diving into everything creative. We’re writing a spec script, making movies, doing photoshoots, submitting to film festivals, posting content to new platforms, and we’re going to document it all on my OnlyFans, so make sure to subscribe.
