When Ela Darling began performing in porn at the tail end of the 2000s, tube sites like Pornhub were relatively new, and major studios like Vivid and Digital Playground still dominated the market. For performers, the job was straightforward: show up to set, turn in a good performance, and collect a check. Everything else — from scripting the scene to editing and marketing to makeup — was generally handled by the studio’s team of professionals.Fast forward to 2025. Vivid and Digital Playground ar...