Edmonton- Some Edmontonians are demanding production be halted on porn flicks being filmed in a west-end neighbourhood.
"Stony Plain Road has enough problems," said a fuming Stuart McGrandle, owner of West Edmonton Knights Boxing Club.
"This is just a huge step in the wrong direction."
McGrandle's gym is paces away from Real Productions, which just began filming near 151 Avenue and Stony Plain Road for Playboy TV's Boy Nexxt Door.
The Sherwood Park-based adult video company was also given the go-ahead last week to launch Northern Peaks, touted as Canada's first adult video channel.
But while the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission has endorsed the move, some residents have not.
"I think porn is disgusting," said Jennifer Thelwell, mother of four. "I'm a Christian. We don't like porn. I don't feel it should be broadcasted."
Others who spoke to Sun Media expressed disinterest in the matter, noting the seedy world of adult enterainment is no stranger to the neighbourhood.
Not far from Real Productions are several other porn-themed businesses, including a sex-toy shop and an X-rated entertainment centre.
While both of those companies ooze sexuality - with flashy signs and scantily dressed mannequins - Real Productions offers no obvious indications of what goes on behind its unmarked glass door.
Real Productions hasn't bothered Pauline Ismael, who works at the Nata Portugese Bakery a few doors down. In fact, the 19-year-old said she hasn't even noticed the new business in town.
"To be honest, I can't have a real opinion on it because I haven't even seen it."
Others who work in the area say they've noticed attractive and busty women lately frequenting the strip mall-based studio.
Jeff Henkel, service manager at Revolution Cycle, said he's concerned about the effect the studio could have on local businesses.
"I don't know if it's going to negatively affect us, but if more people hear about it, our back entrance might not be used as much," he said, referring to a doorway that neighbours Real Productions.
"Being in my 20s, it's not the end of the world for me. But it's definitely an odd situation."
While Real Productions has its critics, an employee contends the business is legitimate and has a place in Canadian media.
Ashley Corsiatto, vice-president of marketing, said Friday the company was expecting a certain amount of backlash.
"We know there (are) going to be naysayers, but ... we know this is a business," she told Sun Media.
"We know we do it well. We know there's quality and professionalism to it. This is going to be a subscription channel. This is not going to be in anyone's home who did not intentionally go out, pursue it and wants it in their home."
