BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Larry Flynt said that production will go on at LFP if Measure B is enforced — but perhaps in far-flung spots such as Hawaii, Mexico or in the deserts of the Southwest.
Flynt made the statement to Bloomberg TV yesterday, also noting that he wasn't surprised that Measure B passed on Tuesday.
"I always knew it would pass because we have such a knee-jerk attitude toward sex," Flynt said. "I think the people who voted for it were doing the actors a favor by making sure condoms are worn in movies.
"But they don't understand the industry. They don't realize STDs are virtually nonexistent. We have had only one case in the last eight years."
Flynt went on to say that the measure passed by voters won't have a substantial effect for his company and for other larger adult filmmakers.
"It's just another attack on the adult film industry but it's not going to change anything," Flynt said. "There will be a challenge in court. And if we lose there, we will start shooting in Mexico, the desert or Hawaii.
"It's not going to cost you a lot more money than in L.A.," he said.
Flynt noted, however, that the big losers over the passage of Measure B will be the smaller studios, as well as the local economy.
"It will affect the Los Angeles economy dramatically because there are probably than 300 production houses in L.A. And some of them may even go out of business, but the larger ones won't."
Measure B requires porn actors to wear condoms on film sets and for producers to apply and pay for health and film permits. Los Angeles County expects the program under Measure B tocost about $300,000 annually, with adult film producers footing the bill.
The price per studio will depend on the number of studios paying the bill, which could amount to more than $11,000 if 50 studios fetch permits.