Talking To Maestro Claudio About Working In Adult Film

Maestro Claudio: From Aviation to Adult Entertainment

Maestro Claudio is an iconic adult film performer, producer, and director with nearly 30 years of on-set experience. Originally from Trieste, Italy, Claudio started his career as a freelance engineer after graduating with a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Trieste in 1984. After obtaining his private pilot license, Claudio decided to move to the US to continue his pilot training. In 1993, he relocated to Los Angeles and obtained his commercial, multiengine, and instrument pilot licenses.

But aviation wasn't his only interest in LA—from a young age, Claudio had long dreamed of pursuing a career in the adult entertainment industry. In 1995, Claudio started working in the adult business as a performer. His impressive talents quickly sparked buzz among the top studios in town, as well as with legendary directors such as Paul Thomas, Gregory Dark, and Tom Zupko. Claudio soon expanded his professional repertoire, working as cameraman, photographer, director, and producer, with flying eventually becoming just a hobby.

Claudio now owns and runs his award-winning studios PervCity.com and DPdiva.com and, in partnership with Mick Blue, BAMvisions.com. Among his many accolades, he earned the XRCO Award for 'Best Director – Web' in 2018 and was inducted into the AVN Hall of Fame in 2019. Maestro Claudio still performs onscreen occasionally, but only creates independent content with female performers for his and their personal OnlyFans platforms.

Q and A with Claudio

Can you compare the "high flying" thrills of adult film production in any way to piloting an aircraft?

In adult film production, the "high-flying" thrill comes from orchestrating complex scenes under pressure, managing performers, and capturing intense moments—much like a pilot navigates challenging conditions to ensure a safe flight. However, while piloting demands strict adherence to safety protocols and technical expertise, adult film production thrives on creative flexibility and interpersonal dynamics, making the thrills distinct in their execution but similar in adrenaline and control.

Was it a matter of you working as talent in scenes and always having your eye on the what, where, and how of what was going on around you? Did the transition from working in front of the camera to behind it come for you in fits and starts, or was it a matter of wanting to jump in with both feet once you were introduced to production?

When I was hired as talent to perform in a scene, I was always concentrating on my female co-star and not paying attention to anything surrounding me—of course, with the exception of making sure the action was at all times visible to the camera. The transition from in front of the camera to behind it developed as a seamless and necessary process of transformation. It came as a natural evolution, also considering my background as a photography enthusiast.

What's the biggest change you have seen come to adult entertainment across your near three decades working in the business?

In my opinion, the biggest change in the adult industry over the last three decades is the shift from physical media to digital platforms, driven by the internet's rise. In the 1990s, adult content was primarily consumed via VHS tapes, DVDs, or magazines, with limited access and high production costs. The internet, especially high-speed broadband in the 2000s, enabled instant streaming, leading to an explosion of free and subscription-based sites that are still constantly growing in number.

This evolution of the adult business can be seen as both an improvement or a decline, depending on the perspective of the person judging it.

Do you have a clear delineation in your mind with each of your studios regarding what kind of content you are looking to produce? Or do productions happen organically, and you just 'feel' your way to what works best where?

For all my studios, we prioritize the quality of the talent. I always use proven male performers who I know are able to deliver the kind of scene I like and also have the capacity to guide the female performer through the scene, in case she's new and inexperienced. As for the women, I use a mix of new talent and seasoned performers who also have different physical traits in order to appeal to the tastes of as many viewers as possible.

Have you ever had any contact with the Italian adult film industry, and as your country of birth, any desire to work there?

At the beginning of my career, I had the privilege and honor to work with the great Joe D'Amato in a couple of adult movies, and also in one mainstream production intended for television distribution. During the years, I worked with other Italian companies, but always in LA. I never felt the desire to explore the adult entertainment world in Italy or in other countries—my comfort zone is here in the US.

What can you tell us about what's coming in the near future for/from your studios and you?

As for my websites, I'll simply keep making the usual high-quality content that my fans are used to and already appreciate so much. I don't see any reason to make substantial changes to a formula that has proven to be successful. I also have some personal projects in development. One is the launch of MaestroClaudio.com, to which I will upload all my personal content shot since I started doing collaborations. Another is the publishing of a photo book featuring all the most relevant or artistic photos of adult stars I took over the years.

*For more information on the various works of Maestro Claudio, visit DPdiva.com and PervCity.com, and find Maestro Claudio on OnlyFans and Bluesky.*