Gay Short Films & Web Series

Anyone who’s seen The Celluloid Closet (and if you haven’t, you ought to) will be aware of how gay people have been represented over the years on screen, and for most of the time cinema and TV has existed, we haven’t been shown in a good light.

To help take a look at how things have changed and what further alterations may need to still happen, Manuel Betancourt has come up with a great supercut of scenes of gay men on screen.

Here’s the synopsis: ‘How are gay men depicted in mainstream culture? From flaming sissies to AIDS victims, from sex-crazed lotharios to queer villains, the tropes that have thus far characterized gay men on screen have been few though they’ve increasingly become more varied, showcasing the diversity in our community. Showcasing scenes from Angels in America, The Normal Heart, In & Out, Brokeback Mountain, as well as older films like The Maltese Falcon and Rope, this supercut compiles a representative sample of the ways gay men have been portrayed on screen.’

It’s a fun way to spend six minutes, so take a look below. [Read more…]

After a whole host of new adventures released over the last few weeks, the third season of Old Dogs & New Tricks comes to an end with its final episode, ‘Homo For The Holidays’. As the titles suggests, it’s set on Christmas day.

Nathan (Leon Acord) is in a bit of a crisis. With his former lover holding out an olive branch, and having had an ill-judged and humiliating hookup with a young bartender, what is he going to tell new love Jake (Curtis Wayne Brown)? Meanwhile Muscles (Jeffrey Patrick Olson) spends Christmas with his parent, Ross (David Pevsner) is hoping for a quiet time with Dan (Jeffrey Scott Basham) but things get disrupted, and Brad (Curt Bonnem) has hit rock bottom but may have a chance at redemption.

Of course there’s also time for a big cliffhanger.

While that would suggest we’ll be getting more Old Dogs in the future, that’s yet to be confirmed. Creator Leon Acord says he can’t comment yet on whether there’ll be a Season 4, but he hopes to make an announcement soon.

[Read more…]

Back in June, we posted the Pilot Episode of the web series People you Know, but if you wanted the rest of Season 1, Part 1, you had to pay. However as a bit of a festive gift – and for a very limited time – the other episode now available for free on the series’ webpage during the Christmas holidays. It’s only due to stay free for the next few days, so you’ll need to watch now!

Here’s the synopsis: ‘People You Know tackles the story of having it all in the most iconic, demanding and cutthroat city in the world, New York City. People you Know is a provocative series where the seven deadly sins corrupt a group of thirty-something urbanites, threatening their chance for happiness and love, as they strive to achieve their dreams while surviving the drama. At every turn, these friends get pushed to the limit and run the risk of losing all they hold dear.

Pandora Boxx, an alum of RuPaul’s Drag Race who was named by Entertainment Weekly “as their America’s Next Drag Superstar,” plays Adora Jarr, a twisted bartending version of herself. She has performed around the world first with the sold out Off-Broadway comedy show Lick this Boxx and debuted a new comedy show Missed Connections in New York City in September.

Steve Hayes plays Patrick Carter and is a three-time MAC award winner and veteran of NY stage. He is best remembered for his performances in the films Trick and Big Gay Musical. He also hosts his highly popular web show, Steve Hayes: Tired Old Queen at the Movies. Steve’s character is the master of sexual innuendo and always ready with a scandalous quip. He often acts as the voice of reason, even if he won’t listen to his own advice.’

“Each character has a moment in the season where they must decide if they are on the side of the saints or the sinners. The choices they make have a direct effect on everyone else, which makes it so much fun to watch,” says co-creator Baltimore Russell. “The thing that compels the characters to action is the same thing that might be also holding someone else back from achieving their dreams.”

“We see the characters love and scheme and fall victim to their own insecurities. It’s what really makes the show relatable,” says John Dylan DeLaTorre, co-creator. “Anyone can watch the show and find a character to identify with and then root for them to succeed. It’s that drama and intrigue that sets the show apart from other series.”

The current plan is to resume production of the final 7 episodes of season one in mid 2015.

All six episodes of season one, part one are currently available to view for free here.

Early in the new Season of Old Dogs & New Tricks the boys had their own Thanksgiving meal, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that it’s now time for an Old Dogs Christmas with episodes 6 and 7 – ‘Putting the X in X’mas’ and ‘All About Xmas Eve’

Things get potentially embarassing when Ross’ (David Pevsner) happy-ending massage, which was videotaped, is made public and has gone viral. Nathan (Leon Acord) leaps into action, and calls in “PR guru” Dan Karmel (Jeffrey Scott Basham) to handle the crisis.

However on a more Christmassy note, Brad (Curt Bonnem) puts the “ho” in “Ho Ho Ho!” when he tries out being a department store Santa Claus.

After all that Lydia (Amanda Gari) lures Nathan to a Christmas Eve cocktail with her and Andy (Andy Gates).  It’s a fun celebration, until Lydia & Andy leave. Afraid to be alone with his cellphone (and Damian’s number!), Nathan stays behind–and finds himself in the sites of a sexy, opportunistic bartender (Aaron Wimmer).

Is Nathan about to do something he’ll regret? Is Muscles leaving forever? Is Ross giving in to Dan’s advances? Is Brad at the end? All will (hopefully) be revealed when the Season finale premieres next week. [Read more…]

The third season of Old Dogs & New Tricks is going strong, and now it’s time for episodes four and five, which you can take a look at below.

In Episode Four, Brad is looking for a new job and there’s an appearance from guest star Marissa Petro as Ross’ new leading lady, Tanya Dickson. Meanwhile Nathan is getting closer to Jake, which then leads through to Episode Five, where Nathan is desperately trying to give up smoking in order to please his new love.

As always there’s plenty of fun to be had, and if you needs to catch up on the rest of Season 3, you can watch Episode 1 here, and Episodes 2&3 here. [Read more…]

Brothers has been breaking new ground with its look at a group of trans men, which unlike most mainstream inclusive entertainment actually has real trans people playing the roles. We previously posted the first four episodes, which you can watch here and here, and now it’s time for the last few episodes of this debut season.

The show is about ‘Jack, a transgender man living in Brooklyn, [who] has recently started sleeping with a cisgender* man after exclusively dating women his entire adult life. His friend Davyn is on the verge of proposing to his longtime girlfriend, Amy. Aiden, the youngest of the group – pre-testosterone and pre-surgery – is aiming to raise money for his top surgery as the date approaches. Max, the eldest, has been on hormones longer than both Jack and Davyn, but hasn’t had the financial resources to obtain his top surgery.

As you’ll notice things end on a bit of a cliffhanger, with the hope being that the makers will be able to secure the funding to make a second season.

Take a look at the season finale episodes below. [Read more…]