Interview with Cindy "Zig Zag" Babii of ZZ Studios

One of the more famous (or infamous) characters in online comics is Zig Zag, the owner/star of an “adult” movie studio. Created by Max Blackrabbit, the character she adopted by Eric Scwartz into his popular Internet strip “Sabrina Online” - the title character answers a want-ad for a webmaster and to her surprise finds it’s to her studio, though takes the job despite her embarrassment, leading to a number of misadventures. The comic itself has a PG 13-rating, with no nudity and one swear word in over ten years of online publication.

As it turns out, there is a ZZ Studios here in Second Life. It is located in the southeastern part of the Falcon Valley sim. Besides being a social area, the place makes and sells it’s own “blue movies." I recently had a chance to meet up with the owner for a few questions.

Bixyl Shuftan: So, how did you get the idea of bringing ZZ Studios to Second Life?
Cindy Babii: Well, I guess it started the first day I joined Second Life. Within two hours, I knew I wanted to be Zig Zag. And after I got my avie, which was 24 hours later, I’ve always been ZZ. After that, I was always asked if I was going to make a studio.
Oh, we do have a scrap book down stairs of the last studio. Okay to answer your question (laughter), I guess because I was asked a lot if I was going to make ZZ Studios, the support of friends made it all come together. And from then on, it’s turned into a little family. I have staff still from the first days still working here, about three years ago I think.
Bixyl Shuftan: Do you prefer to be called Cindy or Zig Zag?
Cindy Babii: Whichever you prefer, hun.
Bixyl Shuftan: So how has the Studio progressed since the beginning? I recall it started out as one single building in another sim.
Cindy Babii: Yes at Fur Pleasure. As you can see, we (now) fill a 1/4 sim pretty well. We've come from picture stories to full motion movies. You can see the samples of those in the theater.
Bixyl Shuftan: Besides the samples, do the movies have some plot, or are they mostly, action?
Cindy Babii: Oh all our stories have a plot. It’s more enjoyment to be drawn into a story. Iv’e always told anyone can show pictures of sex. You just have to give more thought to it.
Bixyl Shuftan: So what have been some of the more memorable moments of the club?
Cindy Babii: Oh that would be the premieres of the new movies. We always get so many at one time, we crash the sim. but everyone enjoys themselves and some get to see their avs on the big screen for the first time.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like you have a really good time.
Cindy Babii: Yes, we’ve always been proud of the crowds we draw on a daily basis, and the friendlyness of the staff that calls ZZ Studios home.
Bixyl Shuftan: What are some of the challenges of running an adult media company in Second Life?
Cindy Babii: (laughter) Thats a good question. Well, the main challenge was making sure it was done in a tasteful and mature manner. No naked noobie avies running around asking for sex. As for the business part, at the time we started there were only a few furry mags. And a few, you know, even started from ZZ studios.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like you've started some success stories.
Cindy Babii: Yes it’s a lot of fun. That’s the first rule here: *have fun.* Second is *no drama.*
Bixyl Shuftan: Those rules I’m sure everyone enjoys.
Cindy Babii: Ohh yes.
Bixyl Shuftan: Have the artists most connected to the character “Zig Zag,”Max BlackRabbit and Eric Scwartz, had anything to say about your version of her studio?
Cindy Babii: Max saw the very first studio with DC Rabbit and loved it. ... I can happily say I’ve been told my avie is the closest to Zig Zag the artists have seen. .... took two years to finally get it this way.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like a lot of work went into it.
Cindy Babii: yes thanks to some great builders
Bixyl Shuftan: Getting back to the Studio, how many job applications do you get? What are you most looking for in an applicant?
Cindy Babii: I get about 5 to 10 a week. And as for what were looking for, first thing I look for is style, original looks and use of color and clothes. Being able to edit your avie is another good point because we have been know to ask actors to do some weird stuff during filming.
Bixyl Shuftan: Some articles in real-life news have stated more women have been viewing adult films. Have your movies in Second Life seen increased viewership by women as well?
Cindy Babii: We’ve always had more women at ZZ Studios than men. (laughter) Some guys have found that out the hard way.
Bixyl Shuftan: Have you had any problems with griefers or lechers?
Cindy Babii: That is one thing we’ve never had a big problem with. Like i said were a pretty tight group, and never seem to draw a lot of griefers or other problems that you will see on Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Well, that is good news.
Cindy Babii: Yes, I would say if your looking for a mature place to hang out in Second Life with an adult feel, we have some of the hottest and friendliest staff. We have people who come here to just lay on the beach and relax, and have been doing it for years.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any particularly notable bloopers in making the movies, or at the parties?
Cindy Babii: Oh, for the movies one thing I like to do is being in the background somewhere in a scene of every movie, be it a tail shot or me some where in the distance.
Bixyl Shuftan: Like how Alfred Hitchcock was in every movie of his?
Cindy Babii: (Grins and laughs) Just like that. It’s something fun to look for.
Bixyl Shuftan: (smirks) I'll keep that in mind if I see one soon. In “Sabrina Online,” ZZ Studios eventually did a few short films other than adult fare. Are there plans for you to do similar (although not necesarily what the comic did)?
Cindy Babii: No probally not. This is a porn studio first. And like they say, sex sales and bill have to be payed, hehehe.
Bixyl Shuftan: (chuckles a bit) When I talked to one of the staff, she mentioned there was going to be some roleplaying in part of the sim. Did you have anything to add on the subject?
Cindy Babii: No hun, that is her project to see through.
Oh, one thing to make note of is all avie types are welcomed here. We don’t restrict anyone from coming here as long as there mature and respectful of others.
Bixyl Shuftan: On another note,there has been quite a bit of talk about Linden Labs' Adult Content plans. How will they affect the studio?
Cindy Babii: If it does it will only effect us for the better. As of right now it doesnt effect us one bit. But as we know that could change tomorrow.
Bixyl Shuftan: How might it be for the better in the case of your studio?
Cindy Babii: We would have more land, more prims, and I hear it might be cheaper land.
Bixyl Shuftan: Interesting, people usually dread how it might affect them.
Cindy Babii: The only thing to dread is the move. (laughter) And I’ve moved so many times, I can do it in about two hours. Also, we have the back-up Rainbow Tiger studio land.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any events in the near future that visitors might want to drop by and see?
Cindy Babii: Well, we always have something playing in the theater, plus the bi-monthly tail sale. That’s always worth looking into.
Bixyl Shuftan: So some of the stars put themselves up for bids? Or just the fan group?
Cindy Babii: Oh no, a lot of the stars are up for grabs. And sometimes I sneak up there.
Bixyl Shuftan: (smirks) I'll let a freind know if I ever notice.
Cindy Babii: (laughter) There's always my stunt doubles.
It was at this moment a nearby staff member commented “Hey I’m no stunt double,” which led to a bit of joking around for a minute.
Bixyl Shuftan: Someone you'd like to mention, Cindy?
Cindy Babii: Yes. Darkefur Fraker is one I would like to. She does over and beyond for the studio. ... I guess that’s why we’ve survived so easily.
Bixyl Shuftan: Sounds like she's been your right hand lady.
Cindy Babii: Yes, for along time. ... She has a cool line of bikes she works hard on. She holds one hell of a bike night. (laughter) She wont let me bring out any of my bikes.
Bixyl Shuftan: Oh, why is that?
Cindy Babii: Well they’re (high) prim showpieces ... high detail. (laughter) She says it’s not fair.
Bixyl Shuftan: Any future plans for the studio you'd like to share?
Cindy Babii: We like to keep new changes a surprise because of the copying factor in Second Life.
Bixyl Shuftan: Anything else that you'd like to add?
Cindy Babii: Just *come on down and enjoy yourself at ZZ Studios*
It was then that the interview concluded. Cindy invited me to stay as long as I wanted and interact with the others, and we went our separate ways.
Cindy Babii: Ok hun ... you have a great day and good luck.
Bixyl Shuftan: You too Cindy. I guess I shouldn't bother with (calling you) Ms. Zumbroski
(http://www.sabrina-online.com/strips/SabOnline88.GIF)
Cindy Babii: (laughter) No no, that’s too long.

Bixyl Shuftan