HOLY EROTICA
AROUSAL | THE TRUTH OF YOUR BODY
THE FILM |
NAVIGATE DOWN FOR:
The Interview Container
Arousal: The Life-Affirming Force
Filmmaking Standards
Filmmaking Tenets
THE INTERVIEW CONTAINER |
Interviews are a fully embodied experience, a profound connection of body, mind, and spirit. Through opposite ends of the camera, we enter a space of vulnerability and authenticity—a sacred co-creation rooted in simple, honest connection.
The interview connection between myself and a subject is Holy Erotica. In fact, my first Holy Erotica film study began this way: just an interview. To me, anything beyond an interview is supplemental footage treated with the same attention and spaciousness as an interview. This gives the subject(s) permission to explore without attachment to outcomes.
I LOVE INTERVIEWS. I LOVE FILMING THEM.
I LOVE EDITING THEM. IT’S BEYOND CRAFT.
IT’S CONNECTION.
AROUSAL | A LIFE-AFFIRMING FORCE
Filmmaker’s Log 102818 | THE INTERVIEW CONTAINER
Living and teaching a purity culture narrative, where sex was solely for marriage, followed by my experience of suicidal threats to sex in my marriage left me with a re-wired nervous system in which arousal was associated with life-or-death stakes. I became an embodiment of shame, unable to connect with others in any way tied to sexuality. If the opportunity arose to connect, I feared I wouldn’t be able to.
The interview container became a safe way to reintroduce arousal into my nervous system without the threat of harm. By removing expectations, I could explore arousal as a profound, non-threatening experience. This process not only reignited my capacity for connection but also led to insights beyond my understanding of Christianity, aligning with truths found in non-Western spiritual traditions.
During this period, I realized my voting patterns had changed. On practically every issue! Right down the list. Consequently, I’ve come to believe religious-sexual shame as a root trauma underneath all polarizing political issues that has effectively kept our nation divided.
I now believe AROUSAL to be more than something associated with sex or pleasure—it’s a life affirming force, a tool to transcend trauma and conditioning, a truth barometer for the body, and a gateway to the authentic self.
Giving myself permission to feel AROUSAL
gives my subjects permission too—
TO EMBODY THEIR
AUTHENTIC SELF.
STANDARDS AND TENETS |
STANDARDS define "how" to achieve something whereas TENETS outline "why" it's important to achieve it.
Standards are specific, measurable criteria used to enforce quality and safety with concrete details on implementation
Tenets are beliefs or core values that provide a framework for decision-making with less details on implementation.
FILMMING STANDARDS | “THE TEN”
1. CONSENT AND COMMUNICATION STANDARDS
• Informed Consent: Every participant must provide clear, written consent before the shoot, understanding the intent, process, and final use of the work.
• Ongoing Consent: Participants have the right to pause, adjust, or withdraw consent at any time during the shoot.
• Clear Communication: Maintain transparent, respectful dialogue throughout the process to ensure mutual understanding and comfort.
2. SAFETY AND WELL-BEING STANDARDS
• Physical Environment: Filming locations must be clean, private, and comfortable to foster a safe atmosphere.
• Emotional Support: Subjects are encouraged to voice discomfort, take breaks, or stop the shoot if needed without judgment.
• Safe Distance: As the filmmaker, maintain a professional boundary, refraining from any physical or emotional overstep.
3. PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICAL STANDARDS
• Non-Involvement Rule: The filmmaker does not cultivate a personal connection with the subject before, during, or after the shoot until editing is complete.
• No Taking: The creative process is one of holding space and bearing witness, without exploitation or objectification.
• Empowerment Through Direction: The subject has full creative control to express their vision and direct their own presence.
4. LEGAL AND CONTRACTUAL STANDARDS
• Contractual Agreements: Signed contracts must clearly outline roles, permissions, usage rights, and the purpose of the shoot.
• Age Verification: Ensure all participants provide valid identification proving they are of legal age.
• Copyright and Ownership: Define how the content will be used, who owns it, and any royalties or credits involved.
5. FILMING AND EXPRESSING STANDARDS
• The subject(s) are encouraged to follow their AUTHENTIC AROUSAL to avoid performative or exhibitionist behavior. The space in front of the camera is for expression and embodiment.
• The filmmaker(s) are encouraged to follow their AUTHENTIC AROUSAL in their camera work to avoid conventional filmmaking catered to the male-gaze. The space behind the camera is for expression and embodiment of the filmmaker.
• When a film study showcases a woman solo, another woman filmmaker will be present or the partner of the subject to ensure safety.
6. HEALING AND SACRED SPACE STANDARDS
• Holding Space: The shoot must be approached as a sacred act of healing, reverence, and deep listening.
• Authenticity and Presence: Subjects are encouraged to bring their full, authentic selves into the space, free from external pressure or expectations.
• Respectful Witnessing: The filmmaker observes and documents with humility and care, focusing on the subject’s autonomy.
• Filmmaker Logs: All participants in front of or behind the camera are expected to log their experience via self-recorded audio/video recordings or journal entries.
7. EDITING AND POST-PRODUCTION STANDARDS
• Arousal-Led Editing: Edits are guided by the filmmaker’s arousal, ideally listening to the subject’s arousal, creating a narrative that reflects the emotional truth of the experience.
• No Misrepresentation: Editing must honor the subject’s vision and avoid manipulation or mischaracterization while also honoring the filmmaker’s true experience.
• Subject Review: When possible, provide the subject an opportunity to review the final edit for feedback or approval.
8. DISTRIBUTION AND PRIVACY STANDARDS
• Privacy Protections: Subjects can request anonymity or identity protection, which must be honored in all public-facing work.
• Respectful Audience Engagement: Content should be shared in spaces where it will be received with care and understanding.
• Impact Awareness: Consider the emotional and cultural impact of the work on both the subject and the audience.
9. CULTURAL AND ETHICAL SENSITIVITY STANDARDS
• Cultural Awareness: Avoid stereotypes or appropriating cultural elements; respect the subject’s personal and cultural boundaries. If stereotypes and cultural conditionings re part of the expression, include this in your Filmmaker Logs.
• Non-Exploitation: Ensure the work uplifts and honors the subject rather than objectifying or diminishing them.
• Spiritual Integrity: Approach the work with a sense of worship, aligning with Holy Erotica’s mission of healing and wholeness.
10. FEEDBACK AND GROWTH
• Subject Feedback: Regularly invite feedback from participants to improve the creative process and ensure their comfort. If participants do not respond, they are accountable to their written agreements.
• Personal Reflection: After each project, reflect on the process and how it aligns with your intentions and mission.
• Community Accountability: Share your process with trusted peers or mentors for critique and accountability.
FILMING TENETS | “THE DOZEN”
1. DESIRE AS SACRED INSPIRATION
Desire, curiosity, and reaction are seen as divine impulses, guiding the creative process. Holy Erotica honors these feelings as pathways to deeper understanding and connection.
2. CONSENT AS FOUNDATION
The practice begins and ends with consent—fully informed, freely given, and ongoing. Participants hold complete autonomy and the freedom to shape their involvement.
3. AUTHENTICITY OVER PERFECTION
Holy Erotica seeks truth, not conventional beauty or artificiality. It celebrates raw, unfiltered authenticity as the ultimate expression of sacredness.
4. WITNESSING WITHOUT TAKING
The filmmaker’s role is to witness and behold with reverence, never to take, possess, or exploit. The camera is a tool for honoring the subject’s essence, not imposing control.
5. HOLDING SPACE FOR HEALING
Each interaction, whether through the lens or in conversation, is a healing act. The space created is one of safety, reverence, and deep listening.
6. AROUSAL AS A CREATIVE PROCESS
Arousal—whether emotional, intellectual, or physical—is embraced as a sacred guide in the creative process, particularly in editing and filming. It leads to discoveries that deepen both the art and the artist.
7. INTEGRATION OF MIND, BODY, SOUL
Holy Erotica unites the intellectual, physical, and spiritual aspects of existence, creating work that nourishes the whole self and invites oneness.
8. NO SHAME, NO JUDGEMENT
Holy Erotica rejects societal shame around sexuality, offering instead a space where vulnerability, eroticism, and spirituality coexist without fear or judgment.
9. COMMITMENT TO GROWTH
Every project is a study—a chance to learn, reflect, and grow. Both filmmakers and subject(s) are transformed by the process, contributing to the broader mission of healing and wholeness.
10. COMMUNITY AND COMMUNION
Holy Erotica invites collective participation, whether through shared stories, communal viewing, or reflective discussions. It is a call to connection, not isolation.
11. ETHICAL AND LEGAL INTEGRITY
Holy Erotica is firmly rooted in ethical and legal standards, ensuring the protection and dignity of all involved while upholding respect for cultural and societal contexts.
12. REVERENCE AS A PRACTICE
At its heart, Holy Erotica is an act of worship—of God, of Creation, and of the Divinity in every individual. Each frame and moment is infused with reverence and love.