Crowdfunding has given the opportunity to raise filmmaking funds to far more people than before, but even so, it can still be tough to reach your target. One gay-themed short film that’s currently hoping to raise funds to help get it made is Public Life, from young filmmaker Matthew Allen.

The short is currently running a Kickstarter in the hope of raising $5,000.

So what’s it about? Here’s the synopsis: ‘After befriending his new classmate John, Eric is forced to come to terms with both his sexuality and the tragic death of a friend. This is a coming-of-age film that examines what it is like to struggle with sexuality, depression, anxiety, and loss in high school. The characters in this story must also deal with these issues in the age of social media. A world where everyone knows what you’re doing and where nothing is ever really gone.’

On the Kickstarter, the director says that, “While everyone’s experience is different, a common theme while growing up gay is questioning who you really are. That process of discovery can be eye-opening, but can also be physically and mentally debilitating, especially when paired with other hardships happening in someone’s life. I experienced that struggle in high school when I realized my sexuality, but didn’t have to experience it while dealing with other problems.

“I want to tell this story because I feel like it’s a unique take on a story of loss and acceptance. It expertly weaves together the ideas of grief and guilt of losing a best friend, as well as the struggle of acceptance of sexuality. It does all this while also highlighting the contemporary issue of school shootings. Grief and confusion are never emotions that someone would choose to feel, but experiencing them can lead you to discovering who you really are.”

The hope is to shoot the film – which takes its stylistic influences from the likes of The Way He Looks, Call Me By Your Name, Short Term 12, and Precious – at the end of February. Take a look at the crowdfunding video below, and if you like what you see, head over to Kickstarter to help out. [Read more…]

Despite the popularity of musicals among gay men, there aren’t actually that many successful stage musicals that cover gay issues – at least openly. However one that’s remained popular since it debuted in 2000 in Los Angeles is Bare: A Pop Opera. Since then it’s played Off-Broadway, in London, Sydney, Houston, Buenos Aires and many other places around the globe.

Now the gay-themed musical is getting turned into a movie, with original director, Tony nominee Kristin Hanggi, returning to adapt the screenplay and helm the film. The original show is a ‘musical with a book by Jon Hartmere and Damon Intrabartolo, lyrics by Hartmere and music by Intrabartolo. The story focuses on two gay high school students and their struggles at their private Catholic High School.’ Jason is the star pupil at the school, but he’s also secretly dating his roommate Peter. It deals with a variety of issues, including bullying, discrimination, religion, and suicide, and has come be to be seen as a significant piece in the hostiry of gay theatre.

It debuted in 2000 at the Hudson Theatre in Los Angeles, then at the American Theater of Actors Off-Broadway in 2004. With numerous other production staged around the globe, it’s gained many fans. Indeed there’s enough that the makers of the movie are looking for people to submit one-minute videos about ‘how the musical bare impacted and changed your life’. You can find out more about that over at the film’s official website.

Take a look below to watch Navigate This Maze, about the creation of the musical. Hopefully it won’t be too long until we get to see the film version. [Read more…]