Amber Chase: Taking ‘Amateur’ to a Professional Level
YNOT – When Amber Chase decided to re-launch her signature website, she put a lot of thought into what kind of experience her fans and the site’s members wanted. Several dozen conversations later, she settled on an unconventional idea she thinks suits everyone.On Oct. 1, AmberChaseXXX.com went from membership-based to free-for-all with video-on-demand and pay-per-view up-sells, and everyone is happy with the change, she said.
Chase credited part of the transformation to MXG Multi-Media, a Colorado Springs-based company that produces and edits high-definition video, shoots still images, develops and maintains websites under contract, produces graphic designs, installs security camera systems and provides a variety of IT and computer consulting services.
“Although most of their clients are mainstream, I am one few porn-related projects they handle, and I am really excite about our future as partners,” Chase told YNOT. “I met MXG through my trip to meet Misty Haze, whom I went to do some ‘anal training’ with. They are great people, genuine people.
“I initially marketed my site as a membership-based solo-girl site with the company Adult Star Profits but found that fans were asking for some specific things that could not be accomplished in that format,” she continued. “So, I consulted with a few folks and really liked the approach that MXG offered me. Beyond what’s already available, I have a few more changes in store for the fans as far as their ability to share in my adventures, and MXG is helping me create those opportunities.”
Originally from a small town in the Pacific Northwest, Chase relocated to Woodland Hills, Calif., with her boyfriend of 10 years in order to be closer to an industry and lifestyles that intrigued them both. They found success together and separately in the amateur and swingers niches.
“He’s a big part of my life,” she said of the boyfriend, with whom she has shot scenes for Homegrown Video. Oftentimes he is holding the camera [when I do solo scenes]. We’ve been to swinger parties and are members of a club that is all about random hookups with the ability to [have sex] privately or out in the member’s public area. I don’t consider myself a true swinger, per se, because we’re always renegotiating our boundaries and we rarely do full swap. I have much more freedom to explore than he does, but that works for us for a variety of reasons.
“I think it’s important for peole to do what works for them and not feel pressured to do what others think they should,” she said. “I see it a lot in the lifestyle community: One person makes concessions to the other person out of a sense of equality, when that’s just a concept that is aimed at assuring everyone feels good and happy.”
Swinging led Chase into modeling at sites like CamModels.com, which led to frequent radio guest appearances, then fan signings and modeling at adult expositions. She has shown her talents across approximately 20 scenes for companies including Bellezza Video, Girlfriends Films, First Time Video Girls, Diabolic Video, Sweetheart Video and CumOnHerFace.com. In 2009, she was part of a group nominated for AVN’s “Best All-Girls Couples Sex Scene” award.
Through it all, she said, she has maintained a “real” attitude.
“I enjoy the moment and have a philosophy of living life to the fullest,” she told YNOT. “I’ve developed a secret life where I’m a naughty little porn slut. I quickly realized that I get a rush from that look of desire when I see others look at me. It is a really intimate and intense thing to liberate that energy. I just love that I started all of this as a fan like the people on the other side of the glowing screen.”
The “people on the other side of the glowing screen” are responding positively to the website changes, she said.
“I think that the public is grateful for the opportunity to decide for themselves what they’d like to purchase, rather than me micromanaging their desires through a membership site,” she told YNOT. “The VOD model really gives the viewer control over their experience. In fact, when my site was membership-based, I looked at the stats. Some people looked like they had rather busy lives, and although they had paid for a full month of access, they were only able to log in once or twice and were not able to download content for later. That bummed me out, like how could that person really feel like they were getting the value for their money in that situation?
“Of course, aspects of the download feature make the performer vulnerable to piracy,” she pointed out. “It is a better experience for the honest fan. Right now you can purchase scene segments, and in a month I’ll also have the full-length DVD-style VOD available.”
The site remains a work in progress, she noted.
“Although a lot of what I have been working on behind the scenes is already in place — such as the audio blog, written blog, custom video options, the addition of fetish videos aside from my real life sex life — the next year has a lot in store for AmberChaseXXX.com,” she told YNOT. “[For example,] I will be holding auctions and having special webcam sessions.
“I’m just really excited to share my evolution in the industry so openly with my fans. The membership format just doesn’t feel as inviting as the interactive nature of the way my site is now.”
And, Chase revealed, she intends to remain independent and entrepreneurial.
“Of course, I’d be open to discussing other things in the future,” she said with a wink.