Industry Perspective: Raul, A View from the Director’s Chair

This 2024 has been thrilling. We've stayed true to the essence of MenatPlay while updating themes, wardrobes, and locations. You can't live disconnected from your time, but you should never forget your roots. Our latest productions feature the hottest models of the moment, paired with stories that reflect the season we're in. Return of the COB is going to be a smash hit, marking Ross Hurston's return to the studio alongside Dani Robles, Denis Vega, and Ruslan Angelo. An absolute treat!

I studied Film Studies in Madrid and started working for Menatplay almost from its beginnings back in 2009—nearly 16 years ago! During that time, I met and worked with the original creators and founders of the Menatplay brand. I was fortunate to work alongside them for many years. Thanks to that experience, I’ve learned everything I now put into practice. I began as a video editor, then moved on to working as a cameraman, writing scripts, directing, and photographing. Now, for about a year and a half, my business partner and friend Álvaro and I have been managing all the productions in Europe. The team is completed by Hector, the CEO, in Canada, and his marketing team. He has revitalized the brand like never before and brings a vision for the future that is very important at this time. We’ve definitely built a great team!

Before joining Menatplay, I made short films and participated in film festivals. I remember when I was very young, one of my short films, Embarazados, was screened before a Tarantino movie. I was over the moon! Currently, I also take on fashion or design projects whenever I have some spare time. With Menatplay, I started by co-directing films like Heat Stroke, Kept, Tyrant Boss, and others. Now, alongside my business partner, we’ve created productions that have been really well received, such as the Diary of a Gigolo series, Diary of an Attorney, and The Good Officer.

Well, it was unexpected, haha! Sometimes, life throws you a stroke of luck, and someone comes along who unknowingly opens a door you’d never have discovered on your own. I was living in London at the time and met a guy named Steven at the nightclub "Heaven". We later became great friends during my years in London. Steven worked at Eurocreme and invited me to edit films for them. From there, I also started editing for UK Naked Men and Butch Dixon. Eventually, Menatplay opened its doors to me, and I decided to focus solely on them—and here I am.

I was already familiar with Menatplay—and I was fascinated! I don’t mean to diminish other studios, as I consider them colleagues, each with its own focus. Menatplay has a unique way of filming. There’s a story, a sensuality, and a level of preparation that goes beyond the screen, bringing it closer to professional cinema. On top of that, Menatplay has mastered something very unique and elegant: suits and everything they represent. People who think Menatplay is just about suits are mistaken. Suits carry a world of fetishes and fantasies that resonate with a wide audience, whether or not you’re a suit fetishist. It’s not just about wearing them but about the attitude they evoke in our models and, most importantly, the power dynamics they create between them. This is why, in our latest productions, we’ve leaned further into exploring this concept of power between the protagonists in a more defined and deliberate way.

There are many factors at play here. As I mentioned before, being in the right place at the right time is crucial. But over all these years working for Menatplay, I’ve realized one key thing: you must always feel passionate about the brand. You have to love what you do. And, most importantly, never forget that the brand comes first. Egos, diva attitudes, and chasing likes need to be set aside if you want to do a great job and make room for humility. What truly matters here is Menatplay. A year ago, when we were given the opportunity to take the lead on productions, my partner and I knew exactly what had to take precedence: experience, hard work, passion for what we do, and a lot of care and dedication during the shoots.

These are the kinds of things that happen because they were destined to at some point. As I mentioned earlier, Álvaro and I had our priorities very clear from the start. Delivering a great product requires passion, care, and effort—if not, it’s better to pursue something else. My partner and I are like family, and I believe that kind of bond is crucial for achieving quality work. It’s not the same to have a strong connection and see that your teammate is putting in as much effort as you are, versus working in tension or with people who aren’t fully committed. It’s also essential to know each other’s strengths to maximize results and deliver the best product possible. If someone excels in a particular area, why involve everyone in every single decision? We trust each other completely, and that trust makes our work much easier. Álvaro is an expert in styling and also handles model hiring, locations, and similar tasks. Meanwhile, I take care of the audiovisual side of the film: directing, lighting, editing, and photography. We each put our heart into ensuring everything runs smoothly, and we work as one. We’re a great team, and we’re incredibly proud to be doing this together.

We have different ways of reaching the final result. Most of the time, everything starts with the script, and from there, we build the rest—models, location, wardrobe. But sometimes, inspiration comes from a location. For example, a place sparks an idea, and we create a story around it, deciding which models are best suited to bring it to life. Other times, everything revolves around a specific model so we create an environment where he can truly shine. Once we’re on set, the workflow depends on the film. Typically, we start with wardrobe, then we take the first batch of photos and finally, we move on to developing the scene and final sex photos. Both Álvaro and I prioritize creating a positive work atmosphere, and I believe that’s essential for the success of any production.

Over these 16 years, I’ve taken countless notes and observed a lot. There’s no magic formula, but there are certain things you know they work. First, without a doubt, is the chemistry between the models. It’s much harder to “fix” a scene in editing if the models don’t connect or are too shy. You have to let them relax, enjoy themselves, and even be proactive. You might have certain poses or ideas in mind, but sometimes it’s better to listen to them and let them take the lead to capture something authentic on camera. While studio porn is far more calculated than OnlyFans, it’s important not to let it become too artificial. The goal is to translate the fantasy happening in front of you onto the screen. Another crucial element, and one that models sometimes overlook, is sound. A good adult film needs realistic, expressive sounds—moans, sighs, and reactions that feel genuine. A film with poor sound is dull and fails to engage the viewer.

I recently had a conversation with one of the founders about this. They created the brand in a very organic way, exploring a fetishistic side of men’s work that hadn’t been done before. I think it’s no longer just about the suit itself, but about who wears it, how they wear it, and most importantly, how it makes them feel. We see the suit as a symbol of empowerment, transforming someone into a person with power who can take their fantasies to another level. The brand is evolving, of course—there’s no other way. The locations, models, and stories from before no longer exist, and we have to stay current. But in a Menatplay film, there will always be fetishism, power, and sexual fantasy.

The competition isn't just about the content itself, but about what each platform offers the creator and the audience. With OnlyFans, there’s more flexibility for creators to express themselves and cater to niche audiences, but traditional studios still have the resources and infrastructure to create polished, high-quality productions. I think both worlds have their place. Traditional studios like Menatplay bring a unique cinematic approach that fans appreciate, while platforms like OnlyFans offer a more personal, raw connection. It’s not necessarily a battle between them; it’s about recognizing the strengths of each and how they complement the industry as a whole.

Be humble. Come to work without the expectation of aiming for the top. Just be yourself, be natural, and we’ll figure out what your strengths are and bring out the best version of you. Be generous with the camera and with fantasy, and above all, leave the egos outside the set.

Raul is passionate about cinema. He spends a lot of time in movie theaters, enjoying the work of great directors and films. I'm also a lover of theatre plays and I've been taking acting classes in a theater group for years. This helps me direct models through emotions and text actions. I enjoy any activity that involves both my body and mind. I've been a dreamer since childhood, always drawn to a wide range of artistic interests. First, I wanted to be a magician, then a dancer, followed by an actor, and finally, I picked up a camera and started filming whatever I could. I used to make terrible short films with my friends, and We had fun watching and criticizing them.