Short talk with Cyrill and Tristan, the real-couple starring on my latest film “Doing Elliot”

Shooting “Doing Elliot” was special for many reasons. First, it has a complex script, based on a story of two people that have met long before and whose desire is still effervescent even after many years. The plot was intense and full of mixed feelings, and that is one of the things I love the most about cinema.

The best part, though – and part of the uniqueness of the film – is that I had the chance to film it with a real-life couple. Thomas and Elliot characters are played by the incredible Cyrill (Thomas) and Tristan (Elliot), two fantastic performers who accepted the particular challenge of having sex in front of the cameras for the first time in their lives.

Cyrill and Tristan’s story is so inspiring that we decided to make a short interview with them. Hopefully this conversation will help us understand the work of explicit film performers, as well as break some taboos about the pornography industry, especially when it comes to on-set conditions, insecurities, and respect. I’m always fascinated when someone is willing to share their intimacy and private emotions on screen, and I have such a huge appreciation for it!

In this little chat you’ll learn about their thoughts, opinions and feelings on what is like to shoot a gay porn film for the first time – and with your loved one.

Question – How did you enter the pornography world?

Cyrill – I was introduced to Noel‘s work by a close friend who had collaborated with him. I’ve had this idea (of performing in porn) in my mind for many years, and in his work I’ve found the perfect reflection of how I wanted my first porn to look like. Having my boyfriend, who shared the same wish, beside me made it even easier to apply for the role.

Tristan – By fulfilling an idea that have been prowling in my mind for a long time now. With the support of my boyfriend I finally found the courage to go through it.

Q – Tell us about how the experience of shooting “Doing Eliot” was.

C – During the two months previous to the shooting we had been speaking, thinking and imagining it so many times that, when it actually happened, it was almost unreal. Everything was so natural and easygoing that we dropped our fears and doubts almost as fast as we dropped our clothes off.

T – It was great. Unexpectedly relaxed and so professional. I often felt like being alone with my boy.

Q – What would you consider to be the most special characteristic of the film?

C – Authenticity. In the set we’d be speaking, kissing and having sex in the same way we do in our private life. Being a real life couple created the exceptional conditions that made the raw material of the movie so unique. Noel’s talent and inspiration made the rest.

T – I’d say that being a real couple brings so many real emotions into the film, and in the other hand, the story itself, which behind the appearance of a clichè shows how feelings between people can last for years without being corrupted.

Q – Was there any particularly difficult moment? Can you tell us a bit about it?

C – The acting parts of storytelling were the hardest thing to deal with. Pretending we didn’t see each other for many years it’s hard when you’re looking at someone you actually live with. But after a few hours we got so used to it that at some point I felt I could almost look at him in a different way, it was like discovering each other all over again.

T – Well, as I’m not an actor it wasn’t really easy to go through all the scenes besides the sex part, which went way easier as we would have imagined. And as I knew how important the storytelling scenes are in the work of Noel, we were really trying to do a good job.

Q – And any particularly fun moment?

C – Explaining the usage of poppers to the straight sound crew, during a cigarette break on the balcony, was maybe the funniest moment of the day.

T – We were laughing a lot during the shooting! Maybe the funniest were the ones in which, looking quickly around me during the sex scene, I suddenly realised we were not alone in the room.

Q – How is it to have sex professionally?

C – I guess we put too much of our private worlds in this professional situation to give a specific answer.

T – To be honest, I had sex with the man I love, and it didn’t really feel different. It made me forget everything around us. Also because Noel put a lot of importance in our well-being.

Q – What is “Noel Alejandro, the director” like on set?

C – He put us in the perfect conditions to perform and give our best. Having him around made us feel confident and relaxed. We trusted him from the very first moment, and we knew we were in good hands.

T – He is super professional and focused. He knows what he wants, and he gets it. But he keeps the perfect distance to not interrupt real emotions and situations.

Q – What do you think are the most important on-set conditions to shoot sex scenes?

C – Cleanness and respect. While sharing the most intimate moments we are actually extremely vulnerable. Having a honest human contact with all the people involved in the set made us feel comfortable and protected.

T – That every member of the crew consider this shooting as normal and not as something wrong or dirty. I would’ve felt very uncomfortable if I’d feel judged for having sex in front of a camera.

Q – What did this experience bring to you, as a person and as an actor?

C – I feel extremely proud of myself for have being brave enough to made this, and thankful to my boyfriend and Noel which made this possible, and so unique, and precious.

T – I am very proud of us, and myself. The moment I saw the trailer for the first time I felt extremely satisfied. I did what I wanted to do and I just love the final result.

Watch a trailer for “Doing Elliot” on Vimeo. the explicit version cannot be embed here but you can find it HERE.