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“Kink ” is
a groundbreaking Canadian documentary television series on the
BDSM and fetish lifestyles which has appeared regularly on Canadian
TV (also accessible to some American viewers) for several seasons,
each season based in a different Canadian city and region. The
program began in Vancouver (the west coast) and has now reached
Halifax (the east coast), having passed through various points
in between.
Jean Roberta and Kayla Kuffs put a list of questions together, and sent them
to Paperny Films, the company which owns and produces Kink TV. We received the
following responses from Executive Producer David Paperny. |
TDV: In
the BDSM community it is said that KINK doesn’t
represent the BDSM community well because it only shows those who
have nothing to risk on a personal level by being ‘out’ which
removes the ‘average’ person from being involved. Was
this a concern to you when seeking subjects?
DP: We’ve never looked at this series as being a BDSM 101
course. So although we are always looking for as wide a variety
as subjects as possible, we’re not out there to ‘represent
the community.’ Our objective has always been to profile
individuals with interesting, dare I say fascinating, personal
stories. I would add that there are several characters we have
profiled over the years who had had a lot to use.
In season one, David and Pat both risked losing their jobs; one
key character was only seen in profile for fear of losing her job.
In season two, based in Toronto, two stars of the show, Linda and
Karel, from the small community of Peterborough [in the province
of Ontario, eastern Canada], had a lot to lose by coming on camera.
In season three, from Montreal [in Quebec], Princess Scarlett only
came on with a mask because she was scared of being outed.
Are we profiling the ‘average’ person? I don’t
know what you mean by ‘average’. Almost by definition,
Kinksters, those into BDSM, are not average. In fact, they are
proud of the fact that they’re not average. One of the things
they all have in common is that they are highly individualistic.
At the same time, over the now five seasons of Kink, we have profiled
a lot of different people; young/old, different genders, often
of no specific gender; transgendered, she-males, kink veterans
and newcomers, and from all over Canada, etc. We are very proud
of the diversity of our subjects. On the other hand, we haven’t
gotten many rich people; the professionals, the judges, the lawyers,
the CEOs, the powerful people in society who like to ‘give
it all up’ in an SM relationship. These people do have a
lot to lose, and although we have often seen them getting dominated,
they’ve always been masked somehow. I’ve always wanted
these people to come on board, but alas, they’ve always opted
out.
TDV: Are there plans or interest in releasing KINK to other countries
or perhaps sell the series on DVD?
DP: Yes, we’ve tried to get Kink out into the larger world
outside Canada. We have made sales to the IFC channel in the USA
for their
subscription video on demand service. And we are talking about
a DVD release. But this series is very cutting edge and it’s
been hard to find the right buyers internationally. It’s
not porn. It’s also not a traditional documentary series.
It’s not a documentary soap opera. It’s not a reality
series. So it doesn’t fit into the kind of pigeon-holes that
most broadcasters are looking for. There aren’t actually
many broadcasters out there as brave as Showcase.
TDV: Have there been any issues of censorship involved when filming
the series from regulatory agencies? By censorship I mean not being
able to show particular activities or concepts due to obscenity
or overt sexual activity?
DP:No, there have not been any outside censors. We have been our
own censors along with Showcase and along with our lawyers, and
along
with Showcase lawyers. So there are a lot of people who watch this
show; we made a decision early on to keep kids out of the show.
We made a decision not to show any penetration. We made a decision
not to have any Voice Over Narrator in the show so that the voices
we hear are only the voices of our subjects; by doing this we feel
we have maintained the integrity of our subjects; we only present
what these subjects have agreed to show us. We are very respectful
of their concerns and the fact that they are making themselves
very vulnerable. Once, the Broadcast Standards Council in Ottawa
[seat of the Canadian federal government] was asked to review one
of our shows, but they found that we were always careful to present ‘context’ to
what our subjects were doing and that we always made it very clear
that what was happening on screen was “safe, sane, and consensual.”
TDV: How did the concept of Kink TV originate?
DP: The idea for Kink evolved slowly
here at my company over several months in early 2000. New, small, unobtrusive
cameras were coming out on the market which
allowed us to go places very fast and cheap without being too intrusive. Our
pilot that we sent to Showcase [television arts program] was called, The Salon,
and it starred Steven, the cross-dressing stylist in season one; the whole pilot
took place at his hair salon, him talking dirty to his clients. Showcase liked
it but wanted more characters, and wanted to see the show out and about a bit
more. That’s when we entered the BDSM community here in Vancouver. We spent
months and months talking to people, interviewing people, gaining their confidence,
learning a lot. Once we had a strong list of possible characters we went back
to Showcase with a revised proposal and they went for it. The rest, as we say,
is history.
Every season we go to a new city; on the one hand, as our show has gained popularity
and notoriety, it’s been easier and easier to find new subjects; but each
city poses its own challenges; each city has its own distinct kink culture; Vancouver,
Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg, Halifax. For each series we use a combination of
our veteran directors and editors and cinematographers along with a new group
of talented local people.
We are currently into our fifth, and LAST, series, this time from Halifax. We
will have 63 episodes shot. Kink has become one of Showcase’s highest rated
show for the last 6 years. It has helped define their “television without
borders” brand. We have presented dozens of fascinating, often-marginalized
Canadians who are brave and adventurous and honest. Viewers love the show. It’s
been one of the most amazing experiences of my long and somewhat illustrious
career. I feel honoured to have been given the opportunity to tell these stories.
Thanks again for
being interested in our show.
http://www.papernyfilms.com/
We contacted a few of the past subjects of KINK and regretfully,
due to time restraints, only recieved one short interview...
 Mistress Candy Cane
I t
has been five years now since filming season 2 KINK Toronto, and
I must say, I had a lot of fun doing the show, and the crew
were a gas.
I had been "playing" with My partners for many years,
it just seemed natural to Me, however, I didn't realize that
everyone didn't. Once I found there was a community and social
events for
people like Me, I was very out and living it. My husband says
I am a bit naive pertaining to society as I really see nothing
wrong
in what and who I am, so much so that I often forget how cruel
and judgmental the masses can be.
Doing the show and being recognizable for what seems to be such
a taboo lifestyle to some, has had some effects. Family who didn't
know My lifestyle now know, and some were less then understanding,
It has taken 2-3 years to move past the things they said and did
behind My back, and for them to realize that My adult lifestyle
doesn't effect My children anymore than any adult social times
of theirs effected Me. Most adults have hobbies or social functions
behind closed doors that they not only wouldn't consider taking
children to, but also wouldn't discuss with them. I am no different.
I also had My battles with a few neighbours and the school system,
to the point where some thought it best to send government agencies
to check on us, or more so My kids.
One may think the feeling of betrayal by family and the scrutiny
from those who don't even know Me, may have tainted the thoughts,
feelings and possible freedoms of who one wants and tries to honestly
be. There were hard days... but from My small battles... I am thankful
for My clearer perception of the system, family and friends. I
also have a better understanding of who I am, and the freedom to
be totally out.
This all fell into place with why I did the show. Education,
and society needs to realize that if something is different.
(not your
cup-o-tea), it doesn't necessarily mean it is wrong, bad or harmful.
We have been battling these differences for hundreds of years.
Race, religion, gender, long haired freaky people and body art...and
we probably always shall as long as we are human. Myself, I thank
those who pushed the "norm" in the past so I can be
as free as I am. I sincerely hope that My small part may have
opened
some eyes to one perspective of our lifestyle and to the fact
that differences are OK. That we are not really here for how
many cars
one can accumulate or how big our TV is, but to grow, love and
learn, and enjoy being the best we can be, as life is really
very short.
Now five years later? I am still with My husband and enjoy being
a parent and partner in that relationship, as well as the monogamist
kinky relationship with My love. A woman also well known in the
community, who I have been with for over a year and friends for
several.
I have no regrets, as all My experiences in My life have helped
make Me who I am, and I like Me. As well, over the years, I have
had many people recognize and stop Me in the pet or grocery store
to thank Me for My contribution and how they not only enjoyed but
learnt from the show, feeling one step closer to being comfortable
with who they are, as yes, they are not alone.
These days I go to fewer parties and events, maybe partly due to
the less excitement of it all, now that I have grown, done, and
seen so much. Many say how different I am now from when I did the
show, how I have grown up. But probably this is mainly due to having
a partner I am so compatible with and with whom I enjoy so many
sides of life. We have far too much fun staying home and seem to
have less need to go out and share that side of us.
Over all, looking back at My experiences from doing the show,
the people I met, the friends I made and the repercussions of "outing" Myself,
I have to say its all been good and mostly what I expected. The
roads we choose are not always easy, but I am a better and happier
person for the travel. |
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