The Fresh Facesof Helix Studios

Anton Frisk profiles seven models from the new wave of exclusives at Helix Studios.

During recent years, HelixStudios.com has grown to become one of the most respected names in gay adult entertainment. Thanks to the hard work and artistry of the studio’s creative team, Helix has developed a distinct visual style that has captured the imaginations of porn fans around the world.

One challenge that every adult studio faces is the constant need for new models. Helix Studios has always had a knack for discovering and developing new talent, and this month we’ll take a closer look at seven of the studio’s most recently signed exclusives.

MATT KLEIN
5’8” tall, 110 lbs., Gay, Bottom
Helix often chooses models who are just as smart as they are sexy, and Matt Klein is a perfect example. Off screen, Matt is a college student majoring in physics.

BASTIAN HART
18, 5’10” tall, 120 lbs., Gay, Bottom
18-year-old provocateur Bastian Hart hails from the Midwest and enjoys music, traveling, studying French, and spending time with his friends.

TROY RYAN
18, 5’10” tall, 145 lbs., Gay, Top
Southern boy Troy Ryan has a cute accent that has melted many a heart (and unfastened many a belt buckle!) In addition to his sultry voice, Troy also has other below the belt assets that have been known to make boys swoon.

TROY ACCOLA
18, 5’11” tall, Versatile, Gay
Originally from Minnesota, 18-year-old Troy Accola has a passion for creating music. Kind and funny, Troy is a genuinely sweet guy who has loved every second of his time working for Helix.

BLAKE MITCHELL
20, 5’10” tall, 145 lbs., Bisexual, Top
Before signing with Helix, Blake Mitchell had been doing construction work in Kentucky. Flying out to California to do his first scene was a dream come true, and since then he has never looked back. Blake was a wrestler in high school, and he often works out in his spare time.

COOPER STEEL
18, 5’5” tall, 123 lbs., Gay, Bottom
Cooper Steel has an adorable look that has made him a big hit with Helix fans. Originally from Georgia, the 18-year-old model is a big animal lover. If you’ve been wondering what color paper you should use for your love letters to Cooper, a little bird told us that his favorite color is purple.

RICKY BOXER
18, 5’5″ tall, 129 lbs., Bisexual, Versatile
Newcomer Ricky Boxer has the word Angel tattooed on one of his forearms, which seems appropriate – because Ricky is one of the friendliest and most sincerely kind guys you will ever meet. Raised in Michigan, Ricky is a laid back country boy who loves riding bulls and hanging out with friends. When he was younger, he studied mixed martial arts.

ONLINE BONUS MATERIAL

Q&A With Deniz Bilgin, Director of Operations at Helix Studios

Does Helix receive a lot of model applications?
We get hundreds of applications each month. Then we have the difficult task of selecting the lucky few who will get to star in our new scenes.

How often are new models signed to Helix?
There’s usually a period of introduction through texts, voicemail, and sometimes Skype or Facetime depending on what the model is comfortable with and has access to. After that process, maybe one or two new models are signed each month.

How many exclusives does Helix have right now?
We have over 20 exclusives at the moment, but we’re adding new ones all the time.

Who are some of the key people working behind-the-scenes at Helix?
Casey Roman is our producer and casting director, but casting is a group effort at Helix Studios. The final decision is made by myself and Keith Miller, the owner. However, the opinion of every employee  is taken into consideration.

What criteria do you use when choosing new models?
Models are selected for their looks, personality, and culture fit. We curate the classic, all-American, boy next door look in guys aged between 18 to 28, with minimal or no tattoos. However, we keep an open mind and always have an eye out for hidden beauty and for unusual, striking, and unique looks. People with special talents (whether it’s sports, dancing, or acting) add variety and we can use those skill sets in our scenes.

We’re a big family at Helix, so we look for models who can work easily and respectfully with staff and with fellow models. We usually pick people who are looking to join us for the long haul – guys who have friendly, outgoing personalities and who aren’t just looking for a paycheck. This goes for all of the employees at Helix as well. We want everyone that we work with to believe in what Helix is doing. The ideal model is a fan of Helix Studios. We treat all of our models with the highest respect and we expect the same in return. Part of the “star quality” that we look for is passion. We provide a platform, but a model still has to be invested in his own career to be successful.

What is it like working at Helix Studios?
From our production crew to our marketing department, we all take an active role in guiding the models that come in through our doors. Beyond the filming itself, we teach new models the basics of how to market themselves – creating a twitter account, engaging with fans, etc. Far from being objectified, the models who are most successful are often the ones who share who they genuinely are, and who express their honest thoughts and interests. Rather than trying to adhere to some stereotype, we encourage models to embrace their real selves, and it shines through in their scenes. A good personality is a beautiful thing, and it adds to the sense that our models could literally be the boy next door, or the one who sits next to you in class, or who makes your coffee in the morning. They are real people fulfilling real life fantasies.

It sounds like Helix is very supportive and protective of its models.
We welcome new models with open arms, understanding that for some, Helix is really the only family they have. Our models come from all areas of the country. Some come from small towns where they have only ever been put down and made to feel ashamed of who they are. At Helix they learn that they are beautiful, and that their sexuality isn’t just embraced but celebrated! Many of the models form lifelong friendships here, and we’ve had several make the transition into doing behind-the-scenes work. The office environment is open and friendly. We’ve met many parents (and even a grandparent or two) and they’ve left charmed and comforted by the level of professionalism.

Creatively, Helix Studios seems to have really hit its stride in recent years. What were some of the keys to achieving that?
In the last five or six years we’ve hired some very talented people. We’ve hired film staff (producer, director, and photographer), art staff (graphic designer and set designer), and a marketing team. Helix’s style and visuals were developed by group effort. We work in an open office and everyone’s creativity and personal styles are folded into the whole to create what you then see as Helix Studios. Although  we are guided by the vision of Keith Miller (founder and owner @KeithHelix),  this group effort is what is behind the fresh and edgy style  that we put out. We are never really satisfied, yet we are all very proud of our direction. Even our models influence our style and direction, because we include them in our efforts as well. We also maintain an internal style guide that we all contribute to daily.

For more information, you can follow Deniz Bilgin on Twitter (@denizhelix).