Brad Armstrong

Expect the unexpected. That appears to be the best approach to use when evaluating the work of Brad Armstrong. The 2009 AVN nominations are a perfect case in point. His gothic couples fantasy "Fallen" emerged as one of Wicked Pictures' most acclaimed titles for the year with 16 major nominations, while his sexy videogame-inspired interracial spectacular "Race 2 Race" received four additional noms. "Fallen" scored such significant noms as Best Director - Feature, Best Actor (Armstrong), Best Actress (jessica drake). The quartet of noms given to "Race 2 Race" included a nom for Best Interracial Release, while his "Chop Shops Chicas" received recognition in the Best Interracial Release – Latin category. With this track record, it comes as little surprise that Armstrong fittingly earned a Director Of The Year nomination as well. While last year's Coming Home" found the director attaining new levels of realism, "Fallen," explores the supernatural with a grace seldom seen in adult. It's one of the finest dramas yet from the only feature director who routinely writes/directs/designs and stars in his own movies. As gifted in art design as he is in filmmaking, Brad's unique skills have shined in virtually every genre over the years. His elegant fairytale "The Craving" was one of last year's top-rated movies, receiving such important noms as Best Film, Best Director, Best Art Direction and Best Cinematography, as well as four sex noms, three of which featured the movie's star, jessica drake. The show's excellence was rewarded with wins in both the erotic and technical arenas. "Coming Home" received 13 major noms, including Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Video Feature, Best High-Definition Production, Best Actor (Brad Armstrong), Best Actress (Kirsten Price), Best Supporting Actor (Barrett Blade), and Best Supporting Actress (Shyla Stylez). Armstrong and Blade took home statues for their superlative work. Armstrong's formidable track record can be traced back to his days as an in-demand adult film actor. After self-financing his first directorial effort, he met Wicked Pictures Owner Steve Orenstein at the East Coast Video Show. Impressed with the new filmmaker's talent and vision, Orenstein signed the director to an exclusive contract in 1996. In his early years with the company, Armstrong made it apparent that he was a filmmaker to watch with titles like "Conquest," "Flashpoint," "Hell On Heels," and "Exile." His 2000 classic "Dream Quest" became the first adult title in history to see a simultaneous release in both VHS and DVD formats. An even bigger success, "Euphoria," ruled both the 2002 AVN and AFW Awards, winning Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Actress from both voting bodies. It also won Video of the Year at the XRCO Awards, making it the first title to win Best Video from all three groups. The following year saw Armstrong's "Falling from Grace" receiving ten AVN noms, including Best Feature and Best Actress, as well as winning two: Best Actor (Brad Armstrong), and Best Screenplay. More than ever, these projects spoke to the sheer versatility of Armstrong's career. Here was a director of features who not only wrote and acted in his own projects, but frequently designed the sets and even the costumes as well. The next year's AVN Awards saw his self-designed feature film "The Collector" winning both Best Art Direction and Best Screenplay, while "Fluff & Fold" snared a Best Actress trophy for jessica drake. The director continued to produce successful shot-on-film features like "Sold" (the sequel to "The Collector"), and "Eternity," a visually elegant period piece that snared a Best Actor AVN award for Randy Spears. In 2007, the director's explosive bounty hunter epic "Manhunters" led the way at the AVN Awards as the show's winner for Best Film. The movie's other major awards included Best Actress (jessica drake), Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Anal Sex Scene. Armstrong's stylish erotic vignette film "FUCK" also received five major awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Art Direction, Best All-Girl Sex Scene, Best Oral Sex Scene, and Best Group Sex Scene. He also earned many nominations in the video categories - his thriller "Curse Eternal" scored 15 significant noms, including Best Director & Best Video Feature. As seen in everything from "Flashpoint" to "Race 2 Race," Brad Armstrong is a unique visual stylist with a complete mastery of his storytelling skills. His talent never fails to earn him both critical accolades and commercial success. The creator of "Fallen" continues to rise ever higher."