Friday, February 27, 2009

Watch Video: Oprah talks to Oscar winning screenwriter of MILK

Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal to star in "Damn Yankees". You Can't Make this stuff up....


Um, you can't make this stuff up, but just brace yourself because it's true.

Jim Carrey and Jake Gyllenhaal are set to star in the remake of the classic musical "Damn Yankees", which - if you're not a big fat homo show tune queen (like me) and need some schoolin' - is the show Fosse did that brought us the song, "Whatever Lola Wants, Lola Gets" and starred Gwen Verdon, both on Broadway and in the filmed version in the 1950's.


Okay, so New Line Cinema is the company doing it and as with all contemporary musicals, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producing (They did HAIRSPRAY, but started the revival of musicals by doing tv musicals like ANNIE and GYPSY with Bette Midler, before moving to the big screen with  CHICAGO).

Jim Carrey will be playing the devil, and Jake will be the baseball player.

For a look inside Jake's singing talents, check out this clip of his musical number last year, in drag, singing on SNL a tune from DREAMGIRLS.





Wednesday, February 25, 2009

The Twilight of the Golds is Revived in SoCal




The outstanding cast includes breathtaking performances from Eli Kranski as David (starring recently in the feature film Holding Trevor among many film and stage credits), Mark L. Taylor as Walter (recently nominated ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his work in Jonathan Tolins’ Secrets of the Trade and known for a multitude of film and television credits), Penny Peyser as Phyllis (seen onstage at The Circle in The Square and The Matrix and in many feature films and television works), Gretchen Koerner as Suzanne (returning after triumphant reviews in The Production Company’s O Jerusalem and Celebration Theatre’s Coffee Will Make You Black) and Bryan Okes Fuller as Rob (seen recently in CSI: New York, Ugly Betty, and Vanished).

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Oscar Highlights: God Bless Dustin Black


With an audience of 36 million viewers worldwide, screenwriter Dustin Lance Black - an openly gay film maker - said the following during his acceptance speech for best original screenplay:

"You are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value. And no matter what anyone tells you, God does loves you and very soon you will have equal rights, federally, across this great nation of our's."

Black wrote the screenplay for MILK and also was the Executive Producer on the project.

Watch the video here.



Also beautifully put, Sean Pean won the Oscar for performance in a leading role and said the following:

"I think it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support. We've got to have equal rights for everyone."

Watch video here:

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Off the Hook

Hello kittens. Last night was TheSmokingCocktail.com's monthly mixer and it was off the hook. There were reps there from great organizations including Outfest, The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, The Gay & Lesbian Center, The Point Foundation, HRC, GLAAD, Out & Equal and the Jordan/Rustin Coalition to NAME A FEW.

In addition there were so many talented out authors, actors comics and directors there, as well as folks that work at gay businesses including here!, Platinum, AfterEllen.com, Shewired.com and Frontiers. Once again, only to name A FEW. There were also folks there from corporate diversity groups within companies such as Comerica, NBC/Universal and more.

I'm going to do another column later today that will be all GOSSIP about the event. There are so many fabulous things going on in the community, and I'm going to dish with y'all on all that later.

Meanwhile, here are the photos!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

TheSmokingCocktail.com Mixer is Tonight!

We'll be having our usual free raffles for fabulous gay swag bags and this month's will include tickets to FUSION and The Dinah Shore Weekend!

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

State Assembly Votes Yes on HR5 - A Resolution Opposing Prop 8

Another victory along the way.

The Assembly Judiciary Committee today passed HR5 (Ammiano D - San Francisco) with a vote of 7 to 3. HR5 states that Prop 8 is unconstitutional and urges the Supreme Court of California to overturn Prop 8.

By issuing the resolution the Assembly will officially express its opposition to Proposition 8, calling for its repeal, and stating that it was an "improper revision" to the state constitution.

This follows a day of protest at the Sacramento State Capitol and Lobby Day, where over 2,000 lgbt activists from around the state and around the country descended on the Capitol to lobby for HR 5 and SR 7.

"I am proud of my colleagues and their unequivocal support of equal treatment for all Californians. This resolution speaks directly to the fundamental rights of same-sex couples to have equal protection under the Constitution, rights that cannot be taken away by popular vote. I am confident that the Assembly will support the repeal of Proposition 8 and confirm the basic rights of all Californians," said Assemblymember Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco), author of HR 5.

This is all leading up to the Supreme Court hearing arguments to overturn Prop 8 on March 5 (my birthday). We'll have to wait a few months before their decision.

Here are some highlights from HR5

WHEREAS, Proposition 8 would substantially alter our basic
governmental plan by eliminating equal protection as a structural
check on the exercise of majority power and by permitting majorities
to force groups defined by suspect classifications to fight to
protect their fundamental rights under the California Constitution at
every election; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 8 would violate the separation of powers
doctrine by stripping the courts of their core, constitutionally
mandated function and traditional authority to enforce equal
protection to prevent government discrimination against minority
groups and the selective denial of fundamental rights on suspect
bases; and
WHEREAS, Proposition 8 would also violate the separation of powers
doctrine by intruding on the vital role of the Legislature in
vetting revisions to the California Constitution and by sidestepping
the constitutionally required rigors of the legislative process; now,
therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, That the
Assembly opposes Proposition 8 because it is an improper revision,
not an amendment, of the California Constitution and was not enacted
according to the procedures required by Article XVIII of the
California Constitution; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

Gilmore Resigns from Sundance - Leaves Redford for DeNiro


Here's the press release from Sundance:
He'll be leaving Sundance for Tribeca, where he'll be the Chief Creative Officer. Tribeca was founded by Robert DeNiro and Carol Rosenthal and runs the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

Sundance Institute Confirms Gilmore Resignation
LOS ANGELES, CA – Sundance Institute today confirmed that effective February 28, 2009, Geoffrey Gilmore is resigning his position as Director, Sundance Film Festival.

Gilmore joined Sundance Institute in 1990. As Director of the Sundance Film Festival he has worked as part of a team of programmers who select films for the annual event, the preeminent showcase for independent film. From its early days Gilmore nurtured the Festival's world cinema program, recognized the importance of independent producers and expanded the Sundance Industry Office. He was also an early force for innovation, growing the Festival's use of state-of-the-art presentation technology.

"I have both a personal fondness for Geoff that comes from working together for two decades, as well as a deep respect for his encyclopedic knowledge of and total commitment to independent film,” said Robert Redford, President, Sundance Institute and Founder, Sundance Film Festival. "Our Festival’s 25th anniversary has been a time of candid reflection. I support completely his decision. The timing is right to move on. We wish Geoff only the best as he embarks on the next phases of his life and career.”

In addition to his work with Sundance Institute, Gilmore has served on numerous international film juries, including the Sarajevo Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival and the Shanghai Film Festival, and on committees ranging from the National Endowment for the Arts to the California Arts Council.

Prior to joining Sundance Institute, Gilmore served for 15 years as head of the UCLA Film and Television Archive's Programming Department. He has served as a Visiting Professor both to UCLA and to Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Photos From Recent SoCal Events

No movies stars this post, just Gays in Suits.  With the passing of Prop 8 and the economy in a tail spin, lately everyone has gotten involved with LGBT nonprofit advocacy groups.  Here's some photos from some recent events.

GLAAD's Media Circle Reception at CAA



Outfest Party at the KRESS Hollywood, Hosted by Homotracker.


Poppy Champlin's COCKTAILS AND COMEDY at Girl Bar

Comedians Karen Williams, Poppy Champlin, Sharon Houston and Amy Tee

The Out & Equal Mixer in Downtown Los Angeles

Monday, February 16, 2009

24 has a new lesbian President

Out actress Cherry Jones is the new president on the series 24.

So while we didn't get a woman in the white house, in Hollywoodland we now have an out-lesbian in prime time. Which is pretty cool.

Jones has been dating fellow out actress Sarah Paulson - whom she thanked when she accepted the Tony Award for her performance in Doubt (the role went to Streep in the feature). Jones even leaned over and kissed her date before taking the stage - in front of 6 million viewers (see video below).

The pair are what you would call New York theatre heavyweights.

Jones studied at Carnegie Mellon then at The American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge. Paulson is a graduate of the School of the Performing Arts and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. Paulson started on Broadway as a child actor.


Jones made her first Broadway splash in Angels in America playing the Angel. While Jones starred in Doubt, Paulson was in Tennessee William's The Glass Menagerie. Jones won a second Tony Award for her role in The Heiress.


Jones has also starred in several feature films, but is less known in the film world. Her credits include Ocean's Twelve, Erin Brockovich, The Village and The Perfect Storm.

Paulson got a Golden Globe nom a few years back as a regular on the short-lived (for a good reason) Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip and can be seen currently as one of the love interests in the comic book feature, The Spirit.


Jones is also - as can been seen here - a cougar. Rarrrwwwrr.

Here's a video of her sapphic kiss on the Tony's which goes to show... New York Theatre is not just about the gay boys!

Holy Birkenstocks, Batwoman is Gay!!!

Batwoman being a lesbian isn't really news, but the return of Batwoman as the star of her own 12 issue arc is.

Kathy Kane is her day time alter ego and the comic series revealed her secret lesbian status through an affair with out female police detective Renee Montoya in 2006.

In November, 2008 the comic series killed off Batman and this June will be reintroducing Kathy Kane/Batwoman as his replacement for a 12 month serial.  

She is being billed as a "Lesbian socialite by night and a crime fighter by later in the night."

Holy Lipstick lesbian!

So Batwoman is our new celesbian.  I wonder how long before she gets her own AfterEllen.com vlog?


What's funny is when this character was first introduced in 1956, it was as a love interest for Batman to squelch the rumours that he was gay.  You know, rich older guy hanging out in a mansion with a younger man - people will talk.  So Batwoman was originally his beard.

Don Didio, the executive director of DC comics notes she is open about her sexuality with her friends, but has not come out to her family.

This is the first time ever a gay character is the star of a superhero comic.  


It's raining, it's pouring

Chances are, wherever you are, it's cold or it's raining or both.

Which coincides PERFECTLY with the release of several really great LGBT feature films on dvd. So cozy up with that someone special, or get your cocktail clutch together, light a fire and check out these little gems.


SAVE ME stars Chad Allen, Robert Gant and Judith Light and premiered at The Sundance Film Festival a few years back as well as being the Opening Night Gala film at OUTFEST: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival.

Allen plays a hopeless drug addict and homosexual, whose only hope at sobriety lands him at a Christian rehabilitation center where his strongest advocate is a conservative counselor played by Light.

Will he give up drugs? Will he give up homosexuality? Or will he fall in love with the beefcake recovering addict played by Robert Gant?

The film deals with the hot-bed subject matter of conservative Christianity and homosexuality, as well as drug addiction in the lgbt community.






OUT AT THE WEDDING is about a woman engaged to an African American man, who is so scared to announce her situation to her father that she somehow accidently comes out as a lesbian at her sister's wedding, then has to continue the ruse to save face with her family.

So when she hires a real life lesbian to pose as her girlfriend, her sister starts to take an unusually high interest in her love life and "lifestyle".

Directed by Lee Friendlander who created Exes and Ohs on LOGO.









XXY is an emotionally moving and raw film about parents dealing with an intersex teenager.

As he/she turns 15, Alex has to come to terms with the development of her body as she was born with both sex organs.  Her parents being progressive, they did not make a decision at birth for her, but now as her sexual awakening arises, she has to decide... be a boy, be a girl, or maybe not make a decision at all.

The film is nominated for a Glaad Award this season.









This is a feature film sequel to the popular LOGO tv show NOAH'S ARC, that has been described as "Sex and the City' for African American men.

This film finds our lovable crew taking a weekend in the Hampton's for Noah's wedding.















A gay college student spends the summer with his hunky room mate's family and gets WAY more than he bargained for when he really, really hits it off with the dad in MULLIGANS.

Charlie David stars in and produces his feature film debut.  

David can be seen in here! tv's soapy gothic drama, Dante's Cove and has also starred in Casper Andreas's A FOUR LETTER WORD.

The film also stars Thea Gill from Queer As Folk.





Saturday, February 14, 2009

There's Something Really Gay Going on Over at Bonnie Hunt

from the Bonnie Hunt Show.  She invited gay youtuber  Shane Mercado to dance against a green screen to Beyonce's Single Ladies.  Hysterical!



Almost even better...here's Bonnie Hunt's Executive Producer - Don Lake - doing the same dance routine.



I sense a GLAAD Nomination next year for gayest daytime talk show.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Ignite the Fuse

Fusion Conferance: Ignite the Fuse

Friday, March 6

10:00am-4:00pm Location: Universal Studios

Upload and Links
For the first time Fusion is offering a one-day program of professional development workshops for 20 People of Color LGBT filmmakers and community organizations seeking to develop commercial visibility in today's queer media market. The first part of the day will be spent discussing effective means of using media to tackle social justice and political issues. The second part of the day will be dedicated to linking filmmakers up with community organizations to produce a short PSA or video that will be streamed on the Outfest website.

10am-11am Registration and Welcome

11am-12:30pm Upload One: Community organizers and filmmakers will discuss how they have used media effectively to promote their organizations' mission or cause. They will focus on identifying the problem they were trying to solve/goals (ex. increasing education about HIV/AIDS among teens), the parameters for the project (ex. budget, timeline) and how they got the project made and online.
Confirmed Panelists: Nelson Melegrito (DIVA: Diverse and Inclusive Visionary Artists), Kortney Ryan Ziegler (Blackstarmedia; director of STILL BLACK)

12:30pm-1:30pm Lunch

1:30pm-3:00pm Upload Two: Community organizers, filmmaker and marketing experts will discuss how to develop audiences online and in person. Including social networking sites and how to measure results. Confirmed Panelists: Imoye Francis (Focus Features), Quincy Hussein LeNear (2 Cents Productions; creator of THE DL CHRONICLES), Dalila Ali Rajah (Cherry Bomb TV)

3:00pm - 4:00pm Links: 10 filmmakers and 10 community groups will meet in a speed dating setting with the goal of matching up to produce a short PSA or video (over a period of 6 months) that will be streamed on the Outfest website.

Application and registration are required for Upload and Links. Click here to apply.
Deadline for submission is February 15, 2009. The 20 selected participants will be notified by February 27, 2009.

Saturday

11:00am Location: Village at LAGLC

Seeing in The Dark: An Insight into Cinema by Queers of Color
As race and sexuality top the US political agenda for 2009, an increasing number of today's queer filmmakers are turning both eyes and ears to the body of work from queer communities of color from past decades. Dipping into the archives of the Outfest Legacy Collection at UCLA's Film & Television Archive, filmmaker, scholar and curator Cheryl Dunye investigates a selection of the most popular works from the 1980s and 1990s and will screen them with a panel of film and video professionals and makers including: Shari Frilot, Ernesto Foronda, Ming-Yuen S. Ma.
Click here to register.

1:00pm Location: Village at LAGLC

Prop 8 and the Fallacy of Single Issue Politics
November's disheartening passage of Proposition 8 has stimulated a range of discussion within LGBT communities of color - from criticism of the tactics utilized by the No On 8 campaign to despair over the homophobic and racist fissures exposed in communities of color and the LGBT community in the aftermath of Prop 8's passage. This esteemed panel will address tough questions such as: Is gay marriage really a civil rights concern for queer people of color? Should focus be placed upon combating racism within the LGBT community and homophobia
within communities of color as a first step? Can both sides recover from depictions of gay marriage supporters as threats to children and gay marriage opponents as promoters of hatred?

Moderated by: Jonathan Kidd (Outfest Board Member, Professor and Filmmaker) Panelists: Reverend Escoto (Metropolitan Community Church), Jasmyne Cannick (Journalist and Filmmaker), Maggie Gallagher (Institute for Marriage and Public Policy) and Doreena Wong (API Equality - Los Angeles)
Click here to register.

Sunday

11:00am Location: Village at LAGLC

Nuts and Bolts
Need to learn the basics of web media making but were afraid to ask? Want some constructive advice for your next queer media master piece? Want to better understand how to get work in the entertainment industry? Fusion 2009 will close its conference with an afternoon of "nuts and bolts" workshops.

11:00 - 12:30 Instant Gratification Media Making
A panel of DIYers will explain how to make a short film using a camera phone, edit on a laptop and get it out in the world. They will share tricks of the trade, take questions and provide hands-on help.
Panelists: Rex Rude (MMA Creative Group), Jian Chen (QTpi Media), Pat Branch (Comic, Screenwriter, Blogger on theDinah.com), Erica Cho (Filmmaker, Visual artist), Jay Esguerra (Filmmaker), Irina Contraras (Media artist/Writer/Curator)
Click here to register.

12:30 - 1:00 Snacks and Networking

1:00 - 2:30 Breaking In
A variety of industry insiders and accomplished filmmakers will share their success stories and advice for emerging writers, directors, producers, cinematographers and editors.
Panelists: Tajamika Paxton (Producer and Director), Patti Lee (Cinematographer and Producer), Michelle Crenshaw (Cinematographer), Angel Lopez (Participant Productions)
Click here to register.

For A Laugh, this Friday

Friday, February 6, 2009

Gay Professionals are HOT!!

Hello Kittens,

I recently joined the board of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. 

Pictured: Chamber members fighting the rain to get to a networking mixer.  

My reasoning was because after Prop 8 (or YES ON PROP 8 to be more exact), I felt it was time to energize the gay mafia and put one's money where one's community is.

The Chamber's goals are to energize, promote and help LGBT businesses and business professionals in the SoCal area through workshops, seminars, an interactive web site, promotion, community partnerships and networking opportunities.

If you're a Chamber Member, you get a listing on our web site, but also we look to connect our members to other listings, including Frontiers Gay Yellow Pages and we just made a deal to also have members included in the new nationwide, city-to-city guide Zummin.com.   

Maureen Steinberg heads up our women's professional caucus - which includes activities for the ladies such as lunches, dinners and educational functions. Kirkland Tibbels heads up the caucus for young up-and-coming entrepreneurs with special programs, guest speakers and opportunities for young LGBT folks looking to get ahead in business.

I am heading up the Community Outreach Committee which seeks to connect local non profits and activist coalitions with lgbt business owners, sponsors and gay professionals in hopes of all of us reaching out, connecting and finding away to help each other both achieve our equal rights, take care of our community and excel professionally.

pictured: Tanner Effinger who started the Postcards To the President Campaign.

Meanwhile, we had a rocking mixer last night at O Bar! In addition to some kick-ass mingling, we also joined in with Postcards To the President, to write letters to Obama letting him know what we want, think and feel and urging him to repeal DOMA. Thanks Ed for spearheading this awesome drive!

Here are the photos.




The Best of Craig's List

This is an actual Craigslist Posting. Absolutely hysterical.

Click on the image below to enlarge.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Watch Video: Rachel Maddow on Martha Stewart


As always, I'm here to feed your Rachel Maddow addiction.

Maddow appeared on The Martha Stewart Show a few days ago.

Um...cooking and politics.  And cocktails.

It's in three parts below.







Writing Fellowship

Watch Video: Courage Campaign's Touching New Video

It'll make you cry!


"Fidelity": Don't Divorce... from Courage Campaign on Vimeo.

Dykes Home Journal

Remember when you were a kid and there were absolutely no representations of gay and lesbians ANYWHERE in media (other than a straight guy playing a transexual on Soap)?

Ellen is now on the cover of Ladies Home Journal. I'm still waiting for Rachel Maddow to be on the cover of Glamour.

Invite to Los Angeles Forum on Black LGBT Images in Media

Join the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) on the eve of the 40th NAACP Image Awards for a public forum on the infrequent intersection of African American and LGBT images in media. The panel will explore the historical under-representation of these images, the ongoing advocacy efforts to promote the telling of these stories and the professional issues and challenges facing openly gay African American artists. Panelists will discuss the importance of inclusive stories being told, particularly in the wake of California's Proposition 8.

National Black Justice Coalition and the
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Host
"Knocking Down the Door: Black LGBT Images in Media"

Co-sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild LGBT Actors Committee and the Beverly Hills-Hollywood Branch of the NAACP.

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009; 7pm - 9pm

WHERE: Screen Actors Guild
James Cagney Board Room, First Floor
5757 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036-3600
PARKING WILL BE VALIDATED

Confirmed panelists include:
•Willis Edwards, Member, National Board of Directors, NAACP; Vice Chair of the NAACP Image Awards
•Deondray Gossett, Writer/Producer/Director, "The DL Chronicles"
•Maurice Jamal, Writer/Producer/Director, "Dirty Laundry," "The Ski Trip"
•Sonja Sohn, Actor, "The Wire"
•J. Karen Thomas, Actor; Founding Member SAG LGBT Actors Committee

Moderated by:
Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs, GLAAD

– RSVP to entertainment@glaad.org –

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Jude Law to Play Woman


Jude Law to play a woman in a new film, RAGE, premiering at the Berlin Film Festival this month. 

Discuss.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

BETWEEN LOVE AND GOODBYE opens in New York



Here's the trailer:

Three Great Deals for Film makers

If you are an indie film maker, here are three really great opportunities!

NETFLIX FIND YOUR VOICE

Film Independent is currently accepting submissions to the Netflix FIND Your Voice Competition -- the deadline for submitting your full application is February 9. If you have not yet applied but want to, or have submitted only a partial application, get cracking! We will accept a maximum of 2000 completed submissions, and it's filling up fast.

The winner of the competition, who will own all rights to his or her film, will be determined between now and July 2009. In addition to production resources needed to make the film, the winner will receive a $150,000 cash production grant funded by Netflix, plus turnkey resources like film stock, processing, camera rental, and post production services. The total prize value is more than $350,000. Film Independent will provide advisement and mentorship to the winning filmmaker throughout the production of the film and will also screen the winner's movie at the Los Angeles Film Festival.

To apply online, as well as to get more information, go to: http://www.netflixfindyourvoice.com/.



CREW CREATIVE LAUNCHES THE CREW LABS COMPETITION AT THE SUNDANCE AND SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVALS.

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 14, 2009 – Crew Creative is excited to launch Crew Labs, a competition designed to encourage and promote independent filmmakers who have completed a feature length film for $5,000,000 or less.

The winning filmmaker will receive a professionally produced marketing package that includes a poster, website and trailer for their film. The approximate value of this package is $100,000 USD and is courtesy of Crew Creative.

After pouring their blood, sweat and tears into a project, it's heartbreaking to play to an empty theater. All too often filmmakers have just enough money to get their film in the can, leaving nothing for the creation of marketing collateral. Additionally, filmmakers don’t necessarily have the experience or background to create these materials on their own. The creation of beautiful one-sheet art, engaging web sites and attention-grabbing trailers is an art unto itself – an art that Crew Creative has been perfecting for almost a decade.

Jenny Wall, President of Crew Creative, notes: “As the distribution landscape becomes more and more fractured, independent films must now, more than ever, rely on ingenuity to create the necessary tools to sell and market themselves effectively. Through our Crew Labs competition, Crew Creative will work directly with filmmakers to help ensure that the winning project has the best possible opportunity to connect with audiences and distributors successfully.”

Crew Creative is passionate about film and has worked with some of the most creative independent filmmakers in the business, including John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus), Rachel Grady & Heidi Ewing (Jesus Camp), Alan Ball (Towelhead), Steven Martini (Lymelife) and numerous others. Crew looks forward to adding the winner of the Crew Labs competition to its roster!

The competition opens for entries on January 15, 2009, and closes on April 20, 2009. A winner will be announced on or about July 31, 2009.

Founded in 1999, Crew Creative is an award-winning marketing agency delivering creative and strategic solutions for marquee entertainment clients and lifestyle brands. The company was founded with a single purpose: to deliver outstanding creative. In print, interactive and AV, Crew takes pride in their work, their clients and their ability to connect with audiences in a culturally relevant way.

For additional information and full competition and submission guidelines please visit: www.crewcreative.com/crewlabs

Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Gala Launches Award Search to Honor the Best LGBT Themed Viral Web Videos From 2008


LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Human Rights Campaign is celebrating the best in online videos with a brand new award named the HRC Los Angeles Gala E-Hero Award. The nation’s largest GLBT civil rights organization is tipping its hat to the men and women whose online contributions have had an undeniable impact on the GLBT community.

Go to http://la.hrc.org/node/435 for more info.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Watch Video: The Commercial that was BANNED From The Super Bowl Telecast

NBC wouldn't air this commercial during the super bowl yesterday because of concerns over "rubbing pelvic region" and a woman "screwing herself".


'Veggie Love': PETA's Banned Super Bowl Ad

Are You Ready for Fusion?!


Good morning, my little pumpkin seeds. Exciting news. The FUSION Film Festival is just around the corner, and today they've announced their film/panel/party line up!

FUSION is a part of OUTFEST: The Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian FIlm Festival and is dubbed the film festival for lgbt people of color (which I always joke means absolutely everyone but white gay men), so it highlights work by and about everyone from American Indians to Asian Americans, African Americans, Eskimos, Pacific Islanders, Cuban-Americans... oh gosh, the list goes on and on!

Between you and me, I adore this film festival, and if you're gay in LA, make it a point to stop by. Not only the BEST parties, but absolutely WONDERFUL films (always) and just a great cultural event for the gays and their straight pals.

“Fusion highlights cultures and experiences that are so often marginalized in mainstream media," says Kimberly Yutani, Outfest's Director of Programming. "Fusion films and videos are provocative, moving and fun, and most importantly, the festival brings together diverse audiences and draws connections between people of different races, classes and genders."

Fusion continues March 8 with the Second Annual Conference, Ignite the Fuse: Queer People of Color in Film, TV and Video, curated by filmmaker Cheryl Dunye. This year’s conference will focus on strengthening networks between people of color LGBT community organizations and media makers. Creative collaborations, both past and present, will be discussed and applied to the development of new ventures in today’s queer media market. Highlights include a provocative panel entitled “Prop 8 and the Fallacy of Single Issue Politics,” and a DIY workshop called “Instant Gratification Media Making.”

The Sixth Annual Fusion Los Angeles LGBT People of Color Film Festival presenting sponsor is HBO and the founding sponsor is Liberty Hill Foundation. The major sponsor is Paramount and supporting sponsors are Bunim/Murray and Skyy Vodka. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs.

For more information and for a complete listing of films in the Festival, see below or log on to www.Outfest.org. Festival tickets are on sale now to Outfest members and the general public. Special ticket packages are also available. Or call (213) 480-7088.


FUSION 2009 SCREENING PROGRAM

FEATURES/DOCUMENTARIES/SHORTS

All films screened at the Egyptian Theatre.

Friday, March 6

8:00pm -- OPENING NIGHT GALA

SHORTS PROGRAM

In this lineup of humorous, moving and sometimes disturbing short films, a young man pursues a harrowing obsession, a family struggles with gender identity, and women in prison battle for the ultimate crown. Poetic, erotic, and unapologetic, these acclaimed films boldly launch the 6th edition of Fusion.

EL ABUELO Dir. Dino Dinco; HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Dir. Roberta Marie Munroe; THE BATH, Dir. Mi-rang Lee; THE YOUNG AND EVIL, Dir. Julian Breece, LA CORONA, Dir. Amanda Micheli and Isabel Vega

Followed by drinks, food and dancing at the Opening Night After-Party.


Saturday, March 7

1:00pm -- FUSION SHORTS: UNDERGROUND

Cher, Fufu the dog, and a diva in fishnets are the unequivocal stars of these innovative and uncompromising short films. Taking thematic and formal risks, these works challenge tradition, expectations and the very notion of queer history.

ARE YOU ME? (MRS. LEE), Dir. Erica Cho; BLUE COVERS, Dir. Indira Allegra; CROSSING, Dir. Visperd Madad-Doust ; CUSPS, Dir. Sara Zia Ebrahimi; FRAGMENTS, Dir. Natasha Mendonca; IT’S ME CHER: A DOLL-U-MENTARY, Dir. Timothy Ochoa; MARTI AND I, Dir. Juan Carlos Zaldivar; NIKAMOWIN (SONG), Dir. Kevin Burton; STRUGGLE BEFORE DAWN, Dir. Osuna UNTITLED #1 (FROM THE SERIES EARTH PEOPLE 2507), Dir. Nao Bustamante

3:00pm -- I CAN’T THINK STRAIGHT

Dir. Shamim Sarif, 2008, UK, 80 min.

The sexual chemistry is undeniable between two beautiful and ostensibly straight women in this London-based, opposites-attract romantic comedy. An outgoing Jordanian woman and a shy Muslim British Indian woman deal with family pressures and expectations while attempting to remain true to themselves and each other.

With short: I’VE GOT YOU, Dir. Camrin Pitts

3:00pm -- STILL BLACK: A PORTRAIT OF BLACK TRANSMEN

Dir. Kortney Ryan Ziegler, 2008, USA, 77 min.

Six black transmen in the US discuss their professional and personal lives as artists and lawyers, fathers and husbands. An exploration of race, sexuality and transgender identity, this honest and original documentary is a portrait of the lives of these men and allows them to tell their own unique stories.

With short: IN MY SKIN, Dir. Timothy Ochoa

5:00pm -- DEEP INSIDE CLINT STAR

Dir. Clint Alberta, 1999, Canada, 89 min. - 10 year anniversary screening!

Clint Star, the dashing, dangerous and possibly trustworthy host of this bright, free-wheeling personal documentary traipses around his hometown of Alberta, Canada and provokes raw and scintillating conversations with family and friends about sexuality, Native culture, abuse, loss and personal triumph.

5:30pm -- FUSION SHORTS: METRO/SEXUAL

Jargon-slinging, text-messaging youth roam Los Angeles, bullies in London terrorize a neighborhood, and an angst-ridden woman in Tokyo ponders her future. In these short films, big city lessons often mean relying on friends and family, the sage words of elders, or simply having faith in oneself.

QUEERER THAN THOU, Dir. Ramses Rodstein; SOULJAH, Dir. Rikki Beadle Blair; LAUNDROMAT, Dir. Edward Gunawan; WIG, Dir. Todd Holland; WHEN I BECOME SILENT, Dir. Hyoe Yamamoto; DISH, Dir. Brian Harris Krinsky

8:00pm -- CLOSING NIGHT GALA

PEDRO

Dir. Nick Oceano, 2008, USA, 93 min.

This biographical film reinvigorates the moving true story of Pedro Zamora, the openly gay and HIV-positive Cuban-American who captured the hearts of MTV viewers in the San Francisco edition of THE REAL WORLD in 1994. The first feature film directed by past Fusion filmmaker Nick Oceano (EL PRIMO) and written by Dustin Lance Black (MILK), PEDRO pays tribute to a young man and captures his passion for life and education around HIV prevention.


FUSION 2009 CONFERENCE

IGNITE THE FUSE: QUEER PEOPLE OF COLOR IN FILM, TV AND VIDEO


FRIDAY, MARCH 6

10:00am-4:00pm

Location: Universal Studios

Upload and Links

For the first time Fusion is offering a one-day program of professional development workshops for 20 People of Color LGBT filmmakers and community organizations seeking to develop commercial visibility in today’s queer media market. The first part of the day will be spent discussing effective means of using media to tackle social justice and political issues. The second part of the day will be dedicated to linking filmmakers up with community organizations to produce a short PSA or video that will be streamed on the Outfest website.

Application and registration are required for Upload and Links.

Deadline for submission is February 15, 2009. The 20 selected participants will be notified by February 27, 2009. Please visit www.outfest.org/fusion for more information and application.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

11:00am

Location: Village at LAGLC

Seeing in The Dark: An Insight into Cinema by Queers of Color

As race and sexuality top the US political agenda for 2009, an increasing number of today’s queer filmmakers are turning both eyes and ears to the body of work from queer communities of color from past decades. Dipping into the archives of the Outfest Legacy Collection at UCLA’s Film & Television Archive, filmmaker, scholar and curator Cheryl Dunye investigates a selection of the most popular works from the 1980s and 1990s and will screen them with a panel of film and video professionals and makers including: Shari Frilot, Ernesto Foronda, Jocelyn Taylor, Ming-Yuen S. Ma.

1:00pm

Location: Village at LAGLC

Prop 8 and the Fallacy of Single Issue Politics

November’s disheartening passage of Proposition 8 has stimulated a range of discussion within LGBT communities of color - from criticism of the tactics utilized by the No On 8 campaign to despair over the homophobic and racist fissures exposed in communities of color and the LGBT community in the aftermath of Prop 8’s passage. This esteemed panel will address tough questions such as: Is gay marriage really a civil rights concern for queer people of color? Should focus be placed upon combating racism within the LGBT community and homophobia within communities of color as a first step? Can both sides recover from depictions of gay marriage supporters as threats to children and gay marriage opponents as promoters of hatred?


Moderated by: Jonathan Kidd (Outfest Board Member, Professor and Filmmaker)

Panelists: Reverend Escoto (Metropolitan Community Church), Jasmyne Cannick (Journalist and Filmmaker), Maggie Gallagher (Institute for Marriage and Public Policy) and Doreena Wong (API Equality – Los Angeles)


SUNDAY, MARCH 8

11:00am

Location: Village at LAGLC

“Nuts and Bolts” Workshop Series

Need to learn the basics of web media making but were afraid to ask? Want some constructive advice for your next queer media master piece? Want to better understand how to get work in the entertainment industry? Fusion 2009 will close its conference with an afternoon of “Nuts and Bolts” workshops.


11:00 – 12:30

Instant Gratification Media Making

A panel of DIYers will explain how to make a short film using a camera phone, edit on a laptop and get it out in the world. They will share tricks of the trade, take questions and provide hands-on help.

Panelists: Rex Rude (MMA Creative Group), Jian Chen (QTpi Media), Pat Branch (Comic, Screenwriter, Blogger on theDinah.com), Erica Cho (Filmmaker, Visual artist), Jay Esguerra (Filmmaker)

12:30-1:00 Snacks and Networking

1:00 - 2:30

Breaking In

A variety of industry insiders and accomplished filmmakers will share their success stories and advice for emerging writers, directors, producers, cinematographers and editors.

Panelists: Tajamika Paxton (Producer and Director), Patti Lee (Cinematographer and Producer), Michelle Crenshaw (Cinematographer), Angel Lopez (Participant Productions)

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Papa, Can you Hear Me?

The following entry is brought to you by the question, "Just how gay are you?"


The special director's cut of YENTL is being released on Feb 3 in a 2 disc dvd set. You know what that means...two discs of Barbra.

Here's what's included on this new disc set:

Disc 1:
**Theatrical Cut (Widescreen Feature)
**Director's Extended Cut (Widescreen Feature) with added scenes from Barbra's Archives
**An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
**Commentary with Barbra Streisand  
**Deleted Scenes

Disc 2:

**Special Features with Materials from Barbra's Archives
**An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
**The Director's Reel
**The Rehearsal Process with Materials from Barbra's Archives
*An Introduction by Barbra Streisand
*Where is it Written? Original Rehearsal Concept
*Where is it Written? Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
*No Wonder - Reprise Pre-Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
*Tomorrow Night Pre-Rehearsal Concept
*Tomorrow Night Pre-Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
*Will Someone Ever Look at MeThat Way? Rehearsal/Feature Comparison
**The Moon and I Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence
**Several Sins a Day Deleted Song Storyboard Sequence
**Barbra's 8mm Concept Film (Play with Narration / Play without Narration)
**My Wonderful Cast and Crew
**Production Stills Gallery
**Portraits Stills Gallery
**Behind the Scenes Stills Gallery
**The Recording Studio Stills Gallery
**Teaser Trailer
**Theatrical Trail


I wonder if she also managed to include all the deleted scenes from THE WAY WE WERE.


Also coming to DVD this week is NOAH'S ARC: JUMPING THE BROOM.

Based on the popular LOGO show of the same name, this is the film that was shot last year AFTER the series was cancelled.

It's directed by Patril-Ian Polk and stars Doug Spearman and Darryl Stephens.

It is also nominated for a GLAAD Media Award this year in the limited release category along with....SHELTER.