GIMME SHELTER

As some of you may know, my film SHELTER is touring the LGBT Film Festival Circuit these days.

Although, since NAKED MEN SINGING just came out, I think our days of being the Opening Night Film are OVER. LOL.

The Tampa local gay mag just did a lovely article/interview on our film and me:

Watermark: Gimme Shelter Interview with JD Disalvatore

This was a lovely article to read this a.m. because, well, I have to admit, I had an odd time last night. On two separate occasions I was introduced to gay men who asked what I did for a living.

"I make gay films," I said as I always say.

The first guy immediately assumed that meant porn. So did the second guy. Who continued on to say, "No, really, what do you do?" Which he repeated about 4 times.

The whole interaction kinda put me in a mood. These are gay men just assuming "gay film" means pornography....?

Not that I don't love porn. But there are so many wonderful films out there about our LGBT experience and there are TWO television networks (here! tv and LOGO) now who broadcast 24/7 our gay stories! Have you not heard of any of this? Does "gay film" just mean pornography to you?

I shouldn't do this, but I am in a mood. Yes, I know, JD is in a mood. I'm sure it'll register on the Richter scale, so look out.

I recently did a series of interviews with GAY FILMMAKERS (no, not pornographers). I cut a little rough sample together which is not much, but you know, you get the idea.

Jane Lynch puts it best at the opening of this, explaining why gay film is so important to our community. I could not agree more.



Also included in this sample video - just for y'all that don't know about GAY FILM - are:

Q Allan Brocka, Writer/Director/Producer - RICK & STEVE: THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN THE WORLD, BOY CULTURE, EATING OUT 1 and 2.
Katherine Brooks, Writer/Director: LOVING ANNABELLE, FINDING KATE, WAKING MADISON
Darryl Stephens, Actor, NOAH'S ARC, BOY CULTURE
Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett, writers/directors/creators - THE DL CHRONICLES
Suzanne Westenhoefer, pioneering out lesbian comedianne
Megan Cavanaugh, out lesbian actor, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, GIVE OR TAKE AN INCH, EXES AND OHS
Stacy Codikow, founder POWER UP, producer DEBS, ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE

All these people make gay films too. Not porn. Gay films. They have chosen to be OUT publicly, and to tell stories about our experiences in a climate of political and social hate and discrimination. They are putting a face, emotion and feeling to the term "gay", and taking risks by telling OUR stories and not settling for how the straight film world depicts the LGBT community.

Here is another GAY FILM that is not porn opening in theatres next week.

FAT GIRLS, by Ash Christian.

This is what a gay film is, fyi:



Reviews of this film include:

"DELIGHTFULLY PREPOSTEROUS"
A seductive deadpan comedy in the style of Napoleon Dynamite by
wunderkind Ash Christian, Fat Girls will leave you smiling.
-Bay Area Reporter

"Heart-warming reminder of just how special each of our teenage "gay
self-awareness" and "coming out" stories are. Ash Christian captures
what is best in the campy, low-class realism styles of such famous
directors as John Waters, Ed Wood, and even David Lynch while still
remaining entirely original in his approach. "
- Robert, Urban, AfterElton.com

"Pain and discomfort has rarely been so amusing."
- San Francisco Station - 4 out of 5 stars

"Cheeky and clever, charming and ultimately infused with a very
strong, important message about self-acceptance. As a writer-director,
Christian packs this film with hilarious little touches that keep us
giggling.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall

"Completely, beautifully made."
– John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus)


Okay. I'm still in a mood, but there you go.

In other news, Senate passed the HATE CRIMES BILL which is now on George W's desk. The chances of a veto are slim this time since this bill is attached to the WAR AUTHORIZATION BILL.

Once again, here is a couple that has been together for 50 years, also talking about the importance of gay film:

GAY PROPAGANDA

Before I produced SHELTER and EATING OUT 2, there was this little ditty I like to call GAY PROPAGANDA.
A few of these babies are going to screen this Friday night, so I expect to see all you peeps there!


SHOW US YOUR SHORTS
Friday, September 28th
Ultra Suede
661 North Robertson Blvd.
7:30
SALT THE BLADE - by Anne Lippert
MY NAME IS ILENE - by Karey Dornetto
GAY PROPAGANDA - BY ME!!!!!
MISCONCEPTION by Linda Anderson



Gay Propaganda is a series of gay and lesbian reenactments of famous scenes from Hollywood movies.

This Friday, they are screening:

The Gay Graduate....with Patrice Donnelly of PERSONAL BEST as Mrs. Robinson. Directed by Meredith Kadlec

Goodfaigolas....starring ME and Cathy DeBuono

Reservoir Dykes...starring everyone....including Jessica Gannon, Poppy Champlin, Andrea Meyerson, Anne Lippert, Monica Todd and more!!!



Here's a promo the STARZ network did about the piece a few years back.



Yeah yeah, that's me back when I was dying my hair. I know, it looks stupid.

And here's another segment...CASABLANCA.

Upcoming Events in LA

COFFEE DATE DVD Release Party
TLA Releasing, East West Lounge and DIVA cordially invites you to the DVD Release Party for COFFEE DATE!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26
7 pm to 11 pm
EAST WEST LOUNGE
8851 Santa Monica Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA

MEET THE CAST and CREW! DVD GIVEAWAYS!
Starring: Wilson Cruz, Sally Kirkland, Jonathan Bray, Jason Stuart, Elaine Hendrix, Deborah Gibson and Jonathan Silverman


OUT@WBS: MONTHLY MIXER AT EAST/WEST LOUNGE – SEPTEMBER 26 (LA)

The world's only studio-sponsored monthly mixer for LGBT industry professionals is at West Hollywood's premium nightspot:

East/West Lounge
8851 Santa Monica Boulevard
Wednesday, September 26 7:00pm

Beverage specials until 10:00pm.
Mix and mingle with men and women from entertainment companies
throughout LA in a welcoming lounge.



SHOW US YOUR SHORTS
Friday, September 28th
Ultra Suede
661 North Robertson Blvd.
7:30
SALT THE BLADE - by Anne Lippert
MY NAME IS ILENE - by Karey Dornetto
GAY PROPAGANDA - BY ME!!!!!
MISCONCEPTION by Linda Anderson


DANTE'S COVE SEASON 3 PREMIERE PARTY
Featuring Jill Bennet, Jenny Shimizu and
Michelle Wolff.

Announcing the Premiere of Dantes Cove Season 3. The only on air gay programming with 5 out actors and actresses.

Premieres on here TV October 19th but FUSE is hosting the official premiere
party!!

Eleven Niteclub
Tuesday October 16th
more info: www.fuse-events.com


Pocket Releasing & POWER UP present Jamie Babbit's
ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE
ONE WEEK ONLY!!!

Laemmle's Sunset 5
8000 Sunset Blvd.

MEET the CAST Opening Weekend
scheduled to appear
Nicole Vicius, Carly Pope, Guinevere Turner, Leslie Grossman & Daniela Sea


THE LEGACY AWARDS
(A Gala For The Outfest Legacy Project For LGBT Film Preservation)

Thursday, October 4, 2007
8:00pm: Awards Show and Live Auction
9:30pm: After-Party, Open Bar & Hors d'oeuvres

Directors Guild of America, 7920 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90046

Hosted by: CAROLINE RHEA
Honoring: JUDITH LIGHT & SHOWTIME (accepted by Robert Greenblatt)
Also Appearing: DAVID DUCHOVNY, MICHELLE CLUNIE, CARRIE KEAGAN, SCOTT LOWELL, MARLEE MATLIN & PETER PAIGE
Featuring: Legacy Tribute: "25 Films That Changes Our Lives"

More Info: http://www.outfest.org/tla.html



THE 6TH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY HARVEST BRUNCH
Featuring music by Sandy Sachs of The Factory and Girlbar

Enjoy beautiful outdoor gardens, exquisite foods, open bar,
exciting silent auction items, over 500 guests, great music and more!

Sunday, October 14, 2007 | 11am – 3pm

At the home of Mike Mueller and Nick Bode
528 South Plymouth Boulevard, Los Angeles, 90020
(3 blocks east of Rossmore & 1 block north of Wilshire)

More Lesbian Gang News: ITTY BITTY TITTY COMMITTEE PREMIERES!

Lesbian Gang Forms in West Hollywood

Fresno Reel Pride...closing....

At the Filmmaker Brunch, Paula Goldberg (writer, OUT AT THE WEDDING) explains to Anne Renton (director, LOVE IS LOVE) and Sahara where to get the best donor sperm. I'm not kidding.

My date, as always, champagne.


IN the old days, we used to pass around a joint. These days, it's a baby.

"Suze Orman was Going Down on Me"

"Suze Orman was Going Down on Me" was just one of the hilarious set up lines in KATE CLINTON'S 25th ANNIVERSARY, a fabulous comedy film directed and produced by Andrea Meyerson. Elton John may be the Godfather of the Gay Mafia (or Queen, if you will) but Kate Clinton really is our Godmama.

CLINTON screened Friday night here at Fresno Reel Pride along with the romantic comedy, A FOUR LETTER WORD. Jesse Archer, cowriter and star was there to introduce the film.


Every year us filmmakers are assigned a "host". Here is Drew, who was my host last year, and this time is assigned to Jesse. He showed up at the party in MY outfit, so I called him Eve Harrington the rest of the night.


I am way too tired to write cute captions for all the photos because I have to dash off to the Film Maker Brunch.

But... all the stars and filmmakers rolled into town including Anne Renton (with gf Sahara), Michelle Wolff, Linda Fusco, Lee Friedlander, Cathy DeBuono, Michaline Babbit, Gabriel Romero, Paula Goldberg...and probably more!


Here the filmmakers are meeting each other. Notice how carefully Anne checks out Jesse's card. On right is Steve from EAST SIDE STORY. I had never met him before, and he was not only fantastically handsome but a wonderful guy as well.

Jesse had just been telling me the stories from the party the night before. "I woke up this morning so hung over!" he started with a bit of horror in his voice, "I rolled over and opened my eyes to see the remnants of a Jack in the Box super size meal. Dear God, why couldn't it had been a stranger!!??" I laughed and shared my own story, "Um, well I woke up and rolled over to find the empty hot fudge sundae container from Frosties". We both had done a bit of midnight drive thru. Kids, a lesson...don't drink and do carbs!

Here is Gabriel Romero in front of the TOWER THEATRE. You'll notice a lot of photos of him in my blog because, well, he's just so damn cute and I adore him!


Lee and I doing our thing. Lee (director OUT AT THE WEDDING, exec producer EXES AND OHS) and I have been doing the LGBT film festival circuit now for 5 years. We were chatting with Anne Renton (wonderful director, LOVE IS LOVE) about how we met Anne Renton at the Miami Gay and Lesbian FIlm Festival back in '02 at the Laundry Bar in South Beach.

Above - Anne with Sahara and Michaeline (director, SOLACE)

It was very interesting that three of the wonderful BOYS SHORTS were directed by lesbians (the other was Orit Schwartz who was not in attendance)...and both SOLACE and LOVE IS LOVE were shot by Patti Lee.... a lesbian DP!!!

Boys... y'all better start making lesbian films now! Another interesting note was that Jane Lynch was in two of the shorts!


I dragged Wolfie, Linda, Michaeline and Gabriel to the Sequoa Brewing Company for beer tasting.
















Then it was off to the WORLD PREMIER of the 3rd Season of DANTE'S COVE!

Michelle Wolff and Gabriel Romero introduced the episode.

After the show, they were mobbed by teenagers!


FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO was playing at the same time so half our crew saw that (and wept. Clearly, this is always the best film at every festival) and the rest of us got to see penises set to disco music (Dante's Cove. My review of that is...best fake orgasm award goes to Jon Fleming for his sex scene with Reichen)




Here are some of the staff and BOARD of the festival. Hey! You guys...you did a great job this year. The progamming is exceptional - the shorts programs are just stellar. I have not seen a bad movie since I've been here. KUDOS!!!


With AJ and a Ho I picked up at the festival.









Saturday morning's screenings were all absolute tear jerkers and really set the tone for the day (which was crying). I cried through FREEHELD and THROUGH THICK AND THIN, and everyone else cried through FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

It is still so astounding that gays do not have rights in this country, as established in this documentaries. These filmmakers took the time to tell intimate loving portraits of our brothers and sisters who are being horribly oppressed in this country. It sparked a lot of heart felt conversations at the parties about how lucky some of us are to live freely, and how we all need to stick to our guns with our rights in this country.

FREEHELD won the Special Jury Prize at Sundance this yaer and it chronicles the struggle of Laurel Hester, a detective in New Jersey dying of cancer and her battle to leave her pension to her partner. THROUGH THICK AND THIN is about 5 couples torn apart because of the immigration laws and our inability to be able to marry our foreign partners in this country.

A perfect "palate cleanser" came in the middle of boy's shorts, when local filmmaker Daniel Loera showed his short documentary about a local relationship that has lasted fifty years. 50 years!!! It got a standing ovation, then the couple took the stage.

Please, listen to this!!! There are no naked boys or movie stars in this clip, but it contains a very important message!



Did you watch it? Good. Then check back here tonight or tomorrow as I conclude my coverage of Fresno Reel Pride. We have another WHOLE day to go folks!!!

Also, if you want to watch more LGBT videos, trailers of LGBT films and the interviews I've done with LGBT celebs, check out my youtube page at http://www.youtube.com/GPPictures