LOS ANGELES – Just because he makes his living directing pornographic films doesn't mean James DiGiorgio wants children watching them.
That's why the veteran director took a recent day off from filming his usual adult fare to make a public service announcement for a Christian anti-pornography group. Its message: Parents, keep your adult videos and magazines out of the hands of your children.
"This stuff is not for kids, like liquor and cigarettes are not for kids. We have to take extraordinary steps to protect them from it, said DiGiorgio, himself the father of two children.
Still, the irony of making a film starring children's puppets instead of porn stars wasn't lost on him.
"It's kind of like you stepped into an alternate reality," he said.
Making the film for XXXchurch.com, he said, has led some members of the porn industry to denounce him as a turncoat.
The organization was founded by youth pastors Craig Gross of Fireproof Ministries (search) and Mike Foster of Crossroads Christian Church, both based in Corona. The two believe mainstream ministries aren't doing enough to proselytize against pornography.
They said their efforts have met with scorn from both the religious right, which has complained of their willingness to consort with pornographers, and fans of pornography who object to their criticism.
Their last public service announcement, which featured a dwarf and the tag line "Porn stunts your growth" was broadcast on MTV, Comedy Central (search) and the E Channel until the organization Little People of America objected.
They hope to begin airing their latest effort in New York and Los Angeles next month.
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