Interview with Rick Castro, famous for his photographs of hustlers, and the films Hustler White and Plushie. Find out more about him at: www.rickcastro.com

Interviewed by Leah Baroque

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Name: Rick Castro

Home: Los Angeles, ca. USA

Star Sign: I'm a classic cancer with all the mood swings and neurosis,

Most talked about feature: my feature film- hustler white

Most talked about personality trait: I'm a sympathetic listener

Bad habits: dwelling too much, a side effect of being an obsessive cancer.

Most treasured thing you own: my 1967 ford, mercury cougar!

First romantic experience: I had a crush on a schoolmate when I was 11. The day he moved away, I wrote a sappy love song about him on the piano.

Most embarrassing thing you've done: probably last Monday, I read a short story at the Word is out program and bombed'. big time! I guess I'll stick to filmmaking.

Your job: Filmmaking and photography

Best thing about your job: new experiences, new people and travelling.

Worst thing about your job: it's not a good source of financial security.

If you quit this job what would you do instead: probably become a hermit.

A song that best describes who you are' And who it's by: Hummm''.. I feel love by Donna summer and Giorgio moored. I'm not sure why, except that I'm stuck in the seventies.

How does your partner handle you tying up men and photographing them: He loves my photos and is very proud. Most of the tied-up nude men images were done before we got together, but I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem with it.

Do you get recognised in public?: I have here in Melbourne a few times. In LA there's way too many 'stars' competing with me. If you could be a TV show - what one and why' Antiques roadshow. informative and full of hidden treasures. First experience with rock and roll music' Listening to the Pearl album by Janis Joplin at my sisters house when I was around 8 years old

What is the future for Rick Castro: More films, more travel and a happy relationship. Also spending more time in quiet places.

With the following, pick one of the two choices:

Ropes OR Handcuffs: definitely ropes, more organic.

Snickers OR Mars: neither

Vanilla Ice OR Ice T: ice tea' the drink

Piercings OR Tattoos: neither thank you very much, I'm so glad I never got a tattoo, and my tit piercings began to sag in 1993 so I removed them.

Sadism OR Mascochism: well you really can't have one without the other, but I prefer to top.

Richard Kern OR Eric Kroll: neither too hip for me.

Getting tied up, OR tying someone else up: tying someone up! A most enjoyable experience.

Colour OR Black and White: black

Leopard skin OR Zebra print: leopard, because it's a little more classic

Penis reduction OR penis extension: I've had no complaints so neither

Kurt OR Courtney: oh my god! You have to ask'! Kurt was a talent; Courtney is the world's most famous opportunist.

Pansy Division OR The Village People: THE VILLAGE PEOPLE!! I even have an original Village People Halloween mask.

Hand job OR Blow job: by hand please

Lydia Lunch OR Exene Cervenka: Exene all the way

Hot OR Cold: hot

Leather OR PVC: always leather, PVC is for trendy Wendys

Monica OR Bill: Bill is my man

Jello Biafra OR Henry Rollins: there's always room for Jello. Rollins is too overly macho and has become too commercial

Andrea Dworkin OR Annie Sprinkle: I don't know who Andrea Dworkin is, so Annie sprinkle' I've just been told who she is'definitely Annie.