Homegrown Video

{{Short description|American pornography production company}} {{Infobox company | name = Homegrown Video | logo = 200px | type = Private | industry = Pornography

| | founded = {{Start date and age|1982}} | founder = Greg Swaim | location = Los Angeles, United States | key_people = Greg Swaim (Founder)<br>Farrell Timlake (aka Tim Lake) (President)<br>SG (CEO) | products = Amateur, homemade adult films. | website = {{official URL}} }}

'''Homegrown Video''' is an independent amateur pornographic video production company based in San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schlosser|first=Eric|title=The Business of Pornography|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/970210/archive_006163_7.htm|work=usnews.com|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> Established in 1982. it was the first company to commercially release and distribute homemade, amateur pornography on videotape.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gray|first=Rebecca|title=People Still Like Their Video Homegrown|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/People-Still-Like-Their-Video-HOMEGROWN-38604.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-date=21 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421155517/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/People-Still-Like-Their-Video-HOMEGROWN-38604.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== History == Homegrown Video was born out of the back room of a tiny mom and pop video store in San Diego, CA. The advancement of video cameras and VHS tapes allowed Greg Swaim, the store's owner, to begin filming real couples at his popular sex parties. Swaim called the videos “Homegrown Videos” and rented them at his shop.<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video|url=http://www.xbiz.com/articles/80042|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> In 2007, AVN magazine listed ''“Homegrown Video #1”'', the brand's flagship title, as one of the 50 most influential adult video titles ever released, as it was responsible for creation of the amateur pornography genre in adult video.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pure Play Brings Homegrown Classics to DVD for First Time|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Pure-Play-Brings-i-Homegrown-Classics-i-to-DVD-for-First-Time-26929.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> Homegrown Video was the first company to distribute people's homemade sex tapes; Swaim solicited amateur tapes by advertising ''“Send in your home videos and earn up to $20 per minute”'' at the end of each Homegrown Video tape.<ref name="The Business of Pornography">{{cite web|title=The Business of Pornography|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/970210/archive_006163_7.htm|publisher=USNews|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

In 1993, Swaim sold Homegrown Video to Farrell Timlake (adult performer Tim Lake),<ref name="Content To Be HOMEGROWN">{{cite web|title=Content To Be HOMEGROWN|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Content-To-Be-HOMEGROWN-40055.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=24 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124194516/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Content-To-Be-HOMEGROWN-40055.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> who had submitted amateur videos of himself and his wife in the past. Swaim sold the company due to a mismanagement of funds and impending bankruptcy.<ref>{{cite web|title=AVN.COM BUSINESS PROFILE 200604 - Homegrown Video: The Ultimate Amateur Evergreen|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/AVN-COM-BUSINESS-PROFILE-200604-Homegrown-Video-The-Ultimate-Amateur-Evergreen-44273.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=10 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910215838/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/AVN-COM-BUSINESS-PROFILE-200604-Homegrown-Video-The-Ultimate-Amateur-Evergreen-44273.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Still inspired by the first Homegrown Video VHS they ever watched, the Timlakes decided to purchase the company in 1993, with money borrowed from Farrell's mother.<ref name="Content To Be HOMEGROWN"/>

Timlake and his partners expanded the business to the Internet, cable television while taking the sales of their videotapes and DVDs worldwide. Author Eric Schlosser, in writing about Homegrown Video said the company served ''“as a clearinghouse for the democracy of porn, supplying hard-core videos by the people, for the people"''.<ref name="The Business of Pornography"/> The self-titled flagship title is now well past 800 volumes<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video Releases 800th Volume in Signature Series|url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Homegrown-Video-Releases-800th-Volume-in-Signature-Series-430719.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=27 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227111433/http://business.avn.com/company-news/Homegrown-Video-Releases-800th-Volume-in-Signature-Series-430719.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and is acknowledged as the longest running series in the history of porn.<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video's President Spills His Seed|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/technology/Homegrown-Video-s-President-Spills-His-Seed-369883.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

Homegrown Video's establishment and domination of the amateur porn market is evident in its 11 AVN Awards<ref name="Homegrown Video Revamps Box Art">{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video Revamps Box Art|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Homegrown-Video-Revamps-Box-Art-518447.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105081654/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Homegrown-Video-Revamps-Box-Art-518447.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and 2 XBIZ Awards for ''Best Amateur Release'', ''Best Amateur Series'', and ''Niche Studio of the Year''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video Snags XBIZ Niche Studio of the Year Award|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/130805|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> <!-- The company began in the backroom of a small San Diego video rental shop owned by Greg Swaim. Prior to establishing Homegrown Video, Swaim was one of a handful of swingers and exhibitionists who took advantage of the newly available consumer video camera to record, watch and share their sex lives on tape. In 1982, he got the idea to package these tapes and sell them.<ref>{{cite web|last=Jacobs|first=Rodger|title=Homegrown Video|url=http://www.xbiz.com/articles/80042|work=XBIZ}}</ref> The result was “Homegrown Video #1.” In 2009, AVN magazine would list this initial release as one of the 50 most influential adult video titles ever released as it was responsible for creation of the amateur pornography genre in adult video.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warren|first=Peter|title=Pure Play Brings Homegrown Classics to DVD for First Time|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Pure-Play-Brings-i-Homegrown-Classics-i-to-DVD-for-First-Time-26929.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref>

In 1993, Swaim sold the Homegrown Video library and brand to Tim Lake,<ref>{{cite web|last=Webber|first=Sophia|title=Content To Be Homegrown|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Content-To-Be-HOMEGROWN-40055.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News}}</ref> where he and his partners expanded the business to the internet, cable television while taking the sales of their video tapes and DVDs worldwide. Author Eric Schlosser, in writing about Homegrown Video said the company served “as a clearinghouse for the democracy of porn, supplying hard-core videos by the people, for the people.”<ref>{{cite web|last=Schlosser|first=Eric|title=The Business of Pornography|url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/biztech/articles/970210/archive_006163_7.htm|work=usnews.com|publisher=U.S. News & World Report|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> The self-titled flagship title is now well past 800 volumes<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video Releases 800th Volume in Signature Series|url=http://business.avn.com/company-news/Homegrown-Video-Releases-800th-Volume-in-Signature-Series-430719.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> and is acknowledged as the longest running series in the history of porn.<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video's President Spills His Seed|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/technology/Homegrown-Video-s-President-Spills-His-Seed-369883.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref>

Tim Lake was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=David|title=2009 AVN Award-Winners Announced|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/2009-AVN-Award-Winners-Announced-56551.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> -->

==Farrell Timlake, President== AVN Hall of Fame inductee Farrell Timlake (stage name: Tim Lake)<ref>{{cite web|title=2009 AVN Award-Winners Announced|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/2009-AVN-Award-Winners-Announced-56551.html|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013|archive-date=24 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524093131/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/2009-AVN-Award-Winners-Announced-56551.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and his partners have grown the brand's extensive library of amateur content in an ever-growing variety of niches.

In 1997, Timlake was brought on as Associate Producer and porn industry consultant for Trey Parker and Matt Stone's feature movie, ''Orgazmo'', which included a cameo performance.<ref>{{cite web|title=Full cast and crew for Orgazmo|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0124819/fullcredits|publisher=IMDb|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> Much of the porn humor, and porn industry details, in the movie has been attributed to Timlake's real life experiences in the adult industry.<ref>{{cite web|title=Frequently Asked Questions about Orgazmo|url=http://www.spscriptorium.com/Treats/Orgazmosecrets.htm|publisher=spscriptorium.com|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> While researching for ''Orgazmo'', Trey Parker was invited to an adult industry filming party at Buck Henry's house, which had been rented for the shoot.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wallace|first=David Foster|title=Consider the Lobster: And Other Essays|year=2005|publisher=Little, Brown|isbn=9780759514928|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=00OFZG6XKfoC&q=%22david+foster+wallace%22+%22consider+the+lobster%22+stone+parker&pg=PA10}}</ref> The resulting footage of the xxx-rated film ''Profiles #8'',<ref>{{cite web|title=From Jackie Chan to Carrie Fisher: The 10 Most Unlikely Celeb Porn Stars|date=26 July 2007 |url=http://www.cracked.com/article_14898_from-jackie-chan-to-carrie-fisher-10-most-unlikely-celeb-porn-stars_p2.html|publisher=Cracked.com|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref> includes in the background mainstream actors Carrie Fisher, Richard Dreyfuss, and Timothy Hutton, in addition to Trey Parker and Matt Stone.<ref>{{cite web|title=4 Legendary Pranks by Famous Comedians|date=12 September 2012 |url=http://www.cracked.com/quick-fixes/4-legendary-pranks-by-famous-comedians/#ixzz26wZmjYGf|publisher=Cracked.com|access-date=6 July 2013}}</ref>

Timlake has, to date, performed in over 72 films, as well as directed and produced over 17 titles, culminating in 11 AVN Awards.<ref name="Homegrown Video Revamps Box Art"/>

==SG, CEO== Homegrown Video CEO and self-professed ''“porn nerd”'' SG was interested in creating an amateur porn series to sell online; G's brother introduced him to Farrell Timlake, who hired G as he demonstrated keen awareness of the fledgling online market. G was made a partner in Homegrown's parent entity, New Destiny Internet Group, where G lent his knowledge of technology and analytics to the company.<ref>{{cite web|title=Arbitration Ordered In New Destiny/VMI Dispute|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Arbitration-Ordered-In-New-Destiny-VMI-Dispute-39013.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130619235902/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/Arbitration-Ordered-In-New-Destiny-VMI-Dispute-39013.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 19, 2013|publisher=AVN|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> By 1998 G revamped Homegrown's web department, and by 2000, Homegrown became the Internet's go-to source for quality amateur videos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video By Rodger Jacobs|url=http://www.xbiz.com/articles/80042|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> Being part of the technology and business side of porn put G in the spotlight in 2004, when he led the industry trade group to fight technology patent lawsuits filed by Acacia Research.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patently Offensive|url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/07/20/cz_sl_0720acacia.html|work=Forbes|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

In March 2013, with over a decade of hands-on experience, trusted business relationships, and a strong ethic guiding him, Goldberg was promoted to CEO of Homegrown Video.<ref>{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video Wins Best Amateur Release at XBIZ Awards|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/158945|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

==Legal controversy== Starting in 2002, Acacia Media Research filed suit against more than 1000 adult production companies, including Homegrown Video, over patent infringement claims over the use of Digital Media Transmission technology.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acacia Adds Charges|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/1054|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> During the course of the nearly-decade-long litigation, Acacia entered into licensing agreements with Hustler, Vivid, and Wicked.<ref>{{cite web|title=Acacia Adds Hustler, Vivid & Wicked|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/1103|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> The creation of the "Adult Media Defense Group" in 2007, led by Homegrown Video CEO SG, spoke out publicly over the legality of the suit.<ref>{{cite web|title=Patently Offensive|url=https://www.forbes.com/2004/07/20/cz_sl_0720acacia.html|work=forbes|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> As lead defendant in the case, Goldberg asserted that it was impossible to file suits based on a key patent that was indifferent to the mode of telecommunication.<ref name="defense">{{cite web|title=U.S. Judge Invalidates Acacia's Remaining Claims|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/113334|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref> The suit was invalidated in 2009 by a federal judge;<ref name="defense" /> a federal appeals court affirmed the ruling in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Judge Rules Acacia Patent Claims Are Invalid|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/126141|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=17 June 2013}}</ref>

== Awards == {| class="infobox" style="width: 25em; text-align: left; font-size: 90%; vertical-align: middle;" |+ <span style="font-size: 9pt">'''List of accolades received by Homegrown Video'''</span> |- | colspan=3 | {| class="collapsible collapsed" style="width:100%;" ! colspan="3" style="background:#d9e8ff; text-align:center;"| Awards & nominations |- style="background:#d9e8ff; text-align:center; text-align:center;" || '''Award''' | style="background:#cec; text-size:0.9em; width:50px;"| '''Won''' | style="background:#fcd; text-size:0.9em; width:50px;"| '''Nominated''' |- | style="text-align:center;"| ;AVN Awards |{{won|11}} | N/A |- | style="text-align:center;"| ;XBIZ Awards |{{won|4}} |N/A |- | style="text-align:center;"| ;Venus Fair (Germany) |{{won|1}} |N/A |- | style="text-align:center;"| ;Adam Film World Guild Award |{{won|1}} |N/A |} |- style="background:#d9e8ff;" | style="text-align:center;" colspan="3"| ;'''Total number of wins and nominations''' |- |{{won|'''Totals'''}} |{{won|'''17'''}} |- |} {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year ! Ceremony ! Category ! Work |- | 1995 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Release'' || “Homegrown Video #432”<ref name="Strokes">{{cite web|last=Strokes|first=Peter|title=Homegrown Video: The Ultimate Amateur Evergreen|url=http://business.avn.com/articles/video/AVN-COM-BUSINESS-PROFILE-200604-Homegrown-Video-The-Ultimate-Amateur-Evergreen-44273.html|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-date=10 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910215838/http://business.avn.com/articles/video/AVN-COM-BUSINESS-PROFILE-200604-Homegrown-Video-The-Ultimate-Amateur-Evergreen-44273.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 1997 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Release'' || “Southern Belles 4”<ref name="Strokes"/> |- | 1998 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Release'' || “Southern Belles 8”<ref name="Strokes"/> |- | 2000 || AVN Award || ''Best Pro-Am or Amateur Series'' || “Homegrown Video”<ref name="AVN Awards - Past Winners"/> |- | 2001 || AVN Award || ''Best Pro-Am or Amateur Release'' || “California College Student Bodies 16”<ref name="avnawards.avn.com"/> |- | 2004 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Series'' || “Homegrown Video”<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners|url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2004/|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-date=18 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318034051/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2004/|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 2005 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Series'' || “Homegrown Video”<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners|url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2005/|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609104559/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2005/|archive-date=9 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | 2007 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Series'' || “Homegrown Video”<ref name="ReferenceC">{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners |url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2007/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110707194229/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2007/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2011 |work=AVN Online |publisher=Adult Video News |access-date=19 November 2012 }}</ref> |- | 2008 || Venus Fair - Berlin, Germany || ''Best Amateur Label'' || “Homegrown Video”<ref>{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners |url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2008/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110707194258/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2008/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 July 2011 |work=AVN Online |publisher=Adult Video News |access-date=19 November 2012 }}</ref> |- | 2008 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Release'' || “Cherries 56”<ref name="Hunter">{{cite web|last=Hunter|first=Tod|title=Adam Film World Names Annual Awards Winners|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=93231&mi=all&q=homegrown+video|work=XBIZ.com|publisher=XBIZ}}</ref> |- | 2008 || Adam Film World Guild Award || ''Best Pure Amateur Company 2008'' || "Homegrown Video" |- | 2009 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Series'' || “Cherries”<ref>{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners |url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2009/ |work=AVN Online |publisher=Adult Video News |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120608085344/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2009/ |archive-date=8 June 2012 }}</ref> |- | 2010 || AVN Award || ''Best Amateur Series'' || “Homegrown Video”<ref>{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners |url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2010/ |work=AVN Online |publisher=Adult Video News |access-date=19 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112201932/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2010/ |archive-date=12 January 2011 }}</ref> |- | 2001 || XBIZ Award || ''Niche Studio of the Year'' || N/A<ref name="XBIZ">{{cite web|title=Homegrown Video Snags XBIZ Niche Studio of the Year Award|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/news_piece.php?id=130805&mi=all&q=homegrown+video|work=XBIZ.com|publisher=XBIZ|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> |- | 2013 || XBIZ Award || ''Amateur Release of the Year, 2013'' || "Homegrown Amateur Coeds #18"<ref name="Miller">{{cite web|last=Miller|first=Dan|title=2013 XBiz Award Winners Announced|url=http://www.xbiz.com/news/158425|publisher=XBiz.com|access-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> |- | 2014 || XBIZ Award || ''Amateur Release of the Year, 2014'' || "Amateur College Girls 6"<ref name=xbizwin2014>[http://xbizawards.xbiz.com/winners.php XBIZ Award Winners 2014], ''XBIZ'', January, 2014</ref> |- | 2015 || XBIZ Award || ''Amateur Release of the Year, 2015'' || "Homegrown Video 850"<ref name=xbizwinners2015>[http://xbizawards.xbiz.com/winners.php XBIZ Award Winners], ''XBIZ'', January, 2015</ref> |}<ref name="AVN Awards - Past Winners">{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners|url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2000/|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315003428/http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2000/|archive-date=15 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="avnawards.avn.com">{{cite web|title=AVN Awards - Past Winners|url=http://avnawards.avn.com/past-shows/past-winners/2001/|work=AVN Online|publisher=Adult Video News|access-date=19 November 2012}}</ref> <!-- * AVN Award: Best Amateur Release, 1997 – “Southern Belles 4” ” * AVN Award: Best Amateur Release, 1998 – “Southern Belles 8” ” * AVN Award: Best Pro-Am or Amateur Series, 2000 – “Homegrown Video” * AVN Award: Best Pro-Am or Amateur Release, 2001 – “California College Student Bodies 16” * AVN Award: Best Amateur Series, 2004 – “Homegrown Video” * AVN Award: Best Amateur Series, 2005 – “Homegrown Video” * AVN Award: Best Amateur Series, 2007 – “Homegrown Video” * Venus Fair - Berlin, Germany: Best Amateur Label – “Homegrown Video” * AVN Award: Best Amateur Release, 2008 – “Cherries 56” * Adam Film World Guild Award – Best Pure Amateur Company 2008 – Homegrown Video * AVN Award: Best Amateur Series, 2009 – “Cherries” * AVN Award: Best Amateur Series, 2010 – “Homegrown Video” * XBIZ Award – Niche Studio of the Year, 2001 * XBIZ Award – Amateur Release of the Year, 2013 - ''"Homegrown Amateur Coeds #18"'' * XBIZ Award – Amateur Release of the Year, 2014 - ''"Amateur College Girls 6"'' -->

== References == {{Reflist|3}}

== External links == * {{official}} * {{IAFD studio|1310}}

{{American pornographic film studios}}

Category:1982 establishments in California Category:American pornographic film studios Category:Companies based in San Diego Category:Mass media companies established in 1982 Category:Pornography in California