I was in front of cam for a few amateur shoots - then I did independent stuff from behind the cam (when there was money in producing DVD's, and selling them.)

You're right about male performers.
I was doing a shoot in a north London. (A very well kitted out dungeon - you might know the girl who owns it - She lives near Colchester - I'm not naming names on here).

...Anyways - 2 guys 'who wanted try 'cos it must be easy' ...aaaand couldn't perform, and it was costing me lots of dollars per minute..... you know what I mean, I'm sure.

The first - and last - time, I used guys who thought that 'making porn would be easy'.

The playboy shoot was with my then girlfriend - not me - but I went on the shoot.

I ended up doing some photography for them myself, and got few quid from it.
(can't remember the exact year now...early 2000's though, for sure.)