EATING OUT MOVES TO ROXIE CINEMA AFTER SMASH RUN AT CASTRO
(San Francisco, CA) March 21, 2005
San Francisco, Ca... EATING OUT, Q. Allan Brocka's delicious award-winning screwball comedy, moves over to the Roxie Cinema ,3116 16th St., after its smash run at the Castro Theatre, where it plays through Thursday, March 24. The picture grossed approximately $17,500 over the weekend making it one of the largest per screen offerings in the country. Showtimes for the Roxie run are nightly at 6:15, 8:00, and 9:45, with additional shows on Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 & 4:00 pm. Ticket information@
415 863-1087.
Winner of the Best First Feature Award at last years San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, EATING OUT hearkens back to the comedies of Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn (who may be turning over in her grave with that comparison.) Caleb is a hunky poli-sci major with an affection for aggressive girls. Gwen is an aggressive girl who falls for gay acting boys. It's a match made in therapy. In a plan hatched by his crafty gay roommate Kyle, Caleb finds himself pretending to be gay to woo Gwen, but their scheme is thwarted when Gwen decides that Caleb would be the perfect catch for her own gay roommate, Marc-the object of Kyle's affection.
The film marks the auspicious feature directoral debut of Q. Allan Brocka (the amazing RICK & STEVE shorts),who was recently featured on AMC's Gay Holywood series. Filled with bright colors, rich textures, and uber-hot boys, this clever and fast-paced flick crackles with smart dialogue, rich characterization and the sexiest sex scene since Sex, Lies and Videotape...Amongst the young cast is Ryan Carnes, a regular on GENERAL HOSPITAL and now the gay gardener on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, as Marc, Scott Lunsford as Caleb, Jim Verraros as Kyle http://www.jimverraros.com/, and in a breakout performance, Emily Stiles as Gwen. The film is an Ariztical Entertainment Release.
BOY CULTURE WRAPS
(SEATTLE, WA) November 30, 2004
Principal photography has completed on BOY CULTURE, the second feature film by writer/director Q. Allan Brocka (EATING OUT). The film was shot on location in Seattle and based on the New York Times bestseller by Matthew Rettenmund. BOY CULTURE follows X, a successful hustler who describes his tangled relationships with his two roommates and a mysterious elderly client through a series of confessions.
The film stars Derek Magyar, Patrick Bauchau (“CARNIVALE,” RAY), Darryl Stephens (NOAH’S ARC, CIRCUIT), Jonathon Trent (SMILE, ODD GIRL OUT) and Emily Stiles (EATING OUT, EAST OF SUNSET). The comedy is produced by Stephen Israel (SWIMMING WITH SHARKS), Victor Simpkins (SWINGERS), and Philip Pierce (who co-wrote the screenplay with Brocka).
Brocka first gained notoriety for his LEGO-animated short films RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD, which played at Sundance and over 200 film festivals worldwide. Brocka’s first feature EATING OUT continues touring the festival circuit winning awards, most recently the jury prize for Best Feature (Male) at the Long Island Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, with a theatrical release planned for early 2005.
OUTFEST ADDS THIRD SCREENING - SECOND PARTY
LOS ANGELES OUTFEST has added a third screening of EATING OUT and DIVA is sponsoring an after party reception.
SCREENING/PARTY TIMES ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Saturday, July 10
MIDNIGHT
EATING OUT screens at the VISTA in Los Feliz
4473 Sunset between Hollywood & Hillhurst
Sunday, July 11 (ADDED!)
2:30 PM - SCREENING
EATING OUT screens at the DGA, theatre 1.
7920 Sunset Blvd between Fairfax & Crescent Heights
4:00 PM – 8:00PM EATING OUT PARTY!!!
DIVA is sponsoring an after-party for the cast and crew at the FIESTA CANTINA in West Hollywood. The bar is sponsoring 2-for-1 Margaritas!!!
Fiesta Cantina 8851 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90069
Friday, July 16
5:00 PM – SCREENING
EATING OUT screens at the VILLAGE: LA GAY & LESBIAN CENTER
1125 North McCadden Place,; 1 block east of Highland, 1 block north of Santa Monica
7:00 PM – all night long EATING OUT PARTY @ SHARK !!! (YOU ALL HAVE VIP ACCESS TO THIS)
5750 Hollywood Blvd.
http://www.tomwhitmanpresents.com/events.shark.html
EATING OUT WINS $10,000 JURY AWARD IN SAN FRANCISCO
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA (June 28, 2004) Filmmaker Q. Allan Brocka received the Levi’s First Feature Award at the 28th Frameline San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival for his feature debut EATING OUT. The juried award includes a cash prize of $10,000 to the writer/director. EATING OUT screened last weekend to a sold-out house at historic the 1,400 seat Castro Theatre, receiving a lengthy, emotionally charged standing ovation. Brocka along with actors Emily Stiles, Jim Verraros, Rebekah Kochan, and producers Danielle Probst and Michael J. Shoel conducted a lively question and answer session following the screening.
EATING OUT marked Brocka’s fifth consecutive year screening work at Frameline. The racy comedy about a straight college student who tries to get the girl by dating her gay best friend was produced by Ariztical Entertainment and shot in only ten days in Tucson, Arizona. It screens next at Outfest Los Angeles, where Brocka is one of five filmmakers highlighted in its “New Director’s Spotlight” series.
EATING OUT TO SCREEN THROUGHOUT US/CANADA
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA (MAY 7, 2004)
May 7, 2004 (LOS ANGELES, CA) Ariztical Entertainment’s production of Q. Allan Brocka’s feature film EATING OUT begins its North American festival tour this month. Its tour includes a number of prestigious festivals throughout the summer, among them Outfest Los Angeles, Frameline San Francisco, NewFest New York, Inside Out Toronto, and the Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. The official US premiere is May 22 at the Boston Gay and Lesbian Film Festival where lead actress Emily Stiles and director Q. Allan Brocka will attend the screening.
EATING OUT follows a hunky heterosexual college student who figures the fastest way to a girl’s heart is through her gay best friend. Produced by Michael J. Shoel and Danielle Probst for Ariztical Entertainment, the film stars Scott Lunsford, Emily Stiles, Ryan Carnes, and of AMERICAN IDOL fame, Jim Verraros. It is the feature debut from writer/director Q. Allan Brocka (RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD, SEVENTY, ROBERTA LOVED, and the UK’s hit reality show PORNO VALLEY).
EATING OUT has sold out all of its festival screenings in Australia and London where it was the Centerpiece Film of the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival last month. It won two awards, including best film of the festival, at its sold out sneak preview at the Phoenix International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
Upcoming North American Screenings:
BOSTON* Boston Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, May 22
TORONTO* Toronto Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, May 29
HONOLULU Hawaii Rainbow Festival, May 29
CALGARY Calgary Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, June 4
ORLANDO Orlando Gay Days, June 5
NEW YORK* New York Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, June 7
SAN FRANCISCO* San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, June 20
LOS ANGELES* Outfest Los Angeles, July
PHILADELPHIA* Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, July
VANCOUVER* Vancouver Queer Film Festival, August
DURHAM* North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, August
PROVIDENCE* Rhode Island International Film Festival, August
AUSTIN* Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival, August
*festival will be attended by cast, producers, and/or director.
For information on international film festival screenings and EATING OUT’s 48-city tour of England, visit the website at www.poshpictures.com/eatingout
SEVENTY WINS PLANET OUT SHORT MOVIE AWARD
MIAMI, FLORIDA (MARCH 22, 2004)
Q. Allan Brocka’s short film SEVENTY won the jury prize for best comedy from the 2004 Planet Out Short Movie Awards. SEVENTY tells the tale of an usual gift exchange between two life long friends on their seventieth birthday. The eight minute film was produced through the FOX SEARCHLAB New Director’s Program by Laura Kellam and Gina Goff. Planet Out will screen SEVENTY and the winners from all categories at the Miami Gay and Lesbian Film Festival on April 25.ONDON, England (March 19, 2004)
EATING OUT SOLD OUT IN LONDON, EXTRA SCREENING ADDED
LONDON, England (March 19, 2004)
The demand for the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival’s Centrepiece Gala film EATING OUT has been so overwhelming festival organizers rushed to include an extra screening. EATING OUT screens at the National Film Theatre in London on April 2 and 6. In order to quell the demand for tickets, an additional last minute screening has been arranged for Saturday, March 27 at 11PM. The director and cast members will attend the April 2 and 6 screenings for question and answer sessions.
The buzz around EATING OUT swelled with enthusiastic reviews such as BBC film critic Rich Cline’s praise that the “sharply written” film “blends comedy and steaminess perfectly” and revered film historian Lisa Daniel’s assertion that EATING OUT is “one of the most polished and brilliantly written indie comedies to come out of the US in some time.”
EATING OUT played to two sold out screenings at the Melbourne Queer Film Festival which concludes this week as well as a sold out sneak preview audience at the Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Film Festival last month, where it nabbed the festival’s top two awards.
Upcoming confirmed screenings for the film include:
Out Takes New Zealand Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (May-June)
Frameline San Francisco International Lesbian & Gay Film Festival (June)
Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival (August)
EATING OUT is the feature debut from writer/director Q. Allan Brocka (RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD, SEVENTY, ROBERTA LOVED, and the UK’s hit reality show PORNO VALLEY). The comedy follows a hunky straight college student who figures the fastest way to a girl’s heart is through her gay best friend. Produced by Michael J. Shoel and Danielle Probst for ARIZTICAL ENTERTAINMENT, the film stars Scott Lunsford, Emily Stiles, Ryan Carnes, and of AMERICAN IDOL fame, Jim Verraros.
Tickets can be purchased at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival website: www.llgff.org.uk
EATING OUT official website: www.poshpictures.com/eatingout
Ariztical Entertainment: www.ariztical.com.
Eating Out premieres in London as Centrepiece Gala Screening
LONDON, England (March 5, 2004)
Q. Allan Brocka’s feature debut EATING OUT will have its official premiere at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. Screenings are Saturday April 3 at 8:45PM and Tuesday April 6 at 6:30PM at the National Film Theatre on London's South Bank. Brocka and the stars of the film will be in attendance.
Festival organizers are presenting EATING OUT as a Centrepiece Selection and say is the fastest selling program of the festival. Tickets are are available through the festival website at www.llgff.org.
Eating Out wins at Phoenix Lesbian and Gay Film Festival
PHOENIX, AZ (February 19, 2004)
Q. Allan Brocka’s feature debut EATING OUT played to a sold-out sneak preview audience at the Phoenix International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival last weekend. Writer/director Brocka, producer Michael J. Shoel, and cast members Jim Verraros, Emily Stiles, Ryan Carnes and Rebekah Kochan were on hand after the screening for a standing ovation and a spirited question and answer session.
The audience’s enthusiastic response was echoed by two top awards, the audience award for Best Gay Film and a festival award for Best Film of the Festival.
Ariztical Entertainment independently financed and will distribute the film about a hunky straight college student who pretends to be gay to woo the girl of his dreams— via her gay best friend. The official world premiere of the completed film is April 3 at the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival.
Brocka’s pre-production and casting of the film was documented in AMC’s documentary GAY HOLLYWOOD. Brocka's award-winning short films include SEVENTY, ROBERTA LOVED, and the animated series RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD which have screened at hundreds of international film festivals. He has just completed directing 13 episodes of the documentary series PORNO VALLEY which follows the real lives of the Vivid Girls, currently airing on SKY ONE in the UK.
Porno Valley season one begins airing January 11 on SKY ONE in the UK
GET READY TO COME... TO PORNO VALLEY
January 10, 2004
In the 13 part series, PORNO VALLEY, indie filmmaker Q. Allan Brocka spent 6 months directing World of Wonder documentary crews as they followed the real life adventures of the Vivid Girls. The first installment of the series made its premiere on SKY ONE in the UK on January 11 to spectacular ratings.
PORNO VALLEY follows the Vivid Girls through their professional and personal relationships on porn sets and at home. The Vivid Girls represent some of the most popular names in adult entertainment and include: Jenna Jameson, Briana Banks, Tera Patrick, Sunrise Adams, Mercedez, Tawny Roberts, Savanna Samson, and Kira Kener.
The show also features a host of colorful supporting characters including Vivid’s founder Steve Hirsch and acclaimed adult film directors Paul “P.T.” Thomas, Chi Chi LaRue, and David Stanley. Several adult industry legends, such as Larry Flynt and Georgina Spelvin, also make plot-twisting appearances.
World of Wonder founders Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato executive produced the series and hired Brocka to direct after he appeared in their AMC documentary GAY HOLLYWOOD. Brocka’s crews gained incredible access to the girls, who bravely shared everything from plastic surgeries, romantic troubles, and drug abuse, to child-rearing, recovery, and religion.
Principal photography wrapped this month after culminating at the AVN Awards in Las Vegas. Stayed tuned for PORNO VALLEY’S domestic release later this year and further airings on Channel Four UK.
Gay Hollywood airs Monday August 11 on AMC
August 6, 2003
For interviews andWriter/director Q. Allan Brocka stars in GAY HOLLYWOOD a documentary directed by Jeremy Simmons and produced by World of Wonder. The film airs on AMC Monday August 11 at 10 PM. Documentary crews followed Brocka and four other openly gay men building careers in the entertainment industry for eight months. Brocka's storyline focuses on his decision to shoot EATING OUT, his feature debut, for Ariztical Entertainment and follows him through the casting process for his film (he shot EATING OUT in only ten days in June and it is currently in post).
Be sure to read Allan's interviews in THE ADVOCATE, OUT, NOODLE, HX, FILIPINAS, IN, and THE SEATTLE TIMES regarding his experience on the show.
Brocka interviews in Out, The Advocate, and Noodle magazines
at newsstands now
July 9, 2003
For interviews and pictures of Allan regarding his upcoming feature Eating Out and his appearance in AMC's Gay Hollywood be sure to check out these magazines on newwstands now: Out, The Advocate, Noodle, Filipinas.
Eating Out wraps principal photography
TUCSON, AZ (June 29, 2003) Principal photography for Eating Out, Q. Allan Brocka's feature debut for Ariztical Entertainment has wrapped after a whirlwind ten day shoot on location in Tucson, Arizona. The comedy was shont on the SONY HD 24P camera and stars Scott Lunsford, Jim Verraros, Emily Stiles, Ryan Carnes and Rebekah Kochan.
Seventy wins New York audience award
NEW YORK, NY (June 16, 2003) The New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival closed last night, announcing its award winners. Among them was Q. Allan Brocka's FOX Searchlab film SEVENTY, which took the audience award for Best Short Film. Brocka won the award previously in 2001 with his series of four animated shorts RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD.
Roberta Loved wins Audience Award in Calgary
CALGARY, Canada (June 12, 2003) The fifth annual Calgary Fairy Tales Film Festival closed, announcing its inaugural audience awards. Winning for best short film was ROBERTA LOVED, Brocka's fifth film to screen at the festival.
Complete Rick & Steve series screening at Orlando's GAY DAYS
ORLANDO, FL (June 4, 2003) – Watch out Disney World, here come RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD. The entire animated series will be screening at the Pixie Flix Fest as part of the Orlando's Gay Day's events, which takes place in the heart of Disney World June 5-8. Over 120,000 people are expected to flood the Magic Kingdom for this weekend's events. For tickets to the festival, visit their website at www.pixieflixfest.com.
Jim Verraros joins cast of Eating Out
LOS ANGELES, CA (May 21, 2003) – AMERICAN IDOL finalist JIM VERRAROS will head up the cast of EATING OUT, a gay-themed romantic comedy written and directed by Q. ALLAN BROCKA for ARIZTICAL ENTERTAINMENT. The film follows a hunky straight college student who figures the fastest way to a girl's heart is through her gay best friend.
Verraros, 20, rose to stardom as a top ten finalist in FOX’s AMERICAN IDOL: THE SEARCH FOR A SUPERSTAR. Amid fielding offers and a nationwide tour, he received the script from Brocka, which spoke to him because of its upbeat gay content.
Verraros, who publicly came out of the closet earlier this year, says, "I’ve found myself being considered a role model for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered youth. I’m beyond ecstatic to have found a project that sends a positive message and has fun doing it." He also finds the part a strong showcase for his acting ability, "I'm so excited to be under the direction of the very talented Allan Brocka…Hopefully others will see why he's cast me in this role."
After seeing hundreds of potential leads, Brocka was thrilled to find Verraros. "Jim has a fantastic instinct for comic timing and an engaging personality that makes him perfect for the role."
Brocka has directed numerous award-winning short films, including the animated RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD, which screened at SUNDANCE and over 200 festivals, winning a host of prizes including audience awards at both Outfest Los Angeles and the New York Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. It was released theatrically through Spike & Mike’s Festival of Animation and spawned three award-winning sequels. Brocka was selected by VARIETY as one of five gay and lesbian filmmakers to watch and stars in the upcoming AMC documentary series GAY HOLLWOOD, which follows him from the pitch through the casting process of EATING OUT. This is his feature debut.
ARIZTICAL ENTERTAINMENT, production company and home video distributor (HIT & RUNWAY, DAME EDNA’S NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH), will release the film on DVD and video after its festival and theatrical runs through its CULTURE Q CONNECTION label, which specializes in films for the gay and lesbian community. Ariztical CEO Michael Shoel will produce the film, "I was overjoyed to find a script that so perfectly matched our company’s mission to break gender barriers. With Allan and Jim’s talent, I’m confident this will be our most successful project to date." Principal photography is set for June on location in Tucson, Arizona.
Seventy bursts onto the festival circuit
LOS ANGELES (May 15, 2003) Q. Allan Brocka's FOX Searchlab short film SEVENTY, which tells the story of an awkward gift exchange between two life-long friends who share their seventieth birthday, rolls out onto the film festival circuit this summer. Seventy had its world premiere at the Philadelphia International Film Festival last month.
June premieres at festivals in New York, Seattle, San Francisco, and Toronto were the first announced this month. Also scheduled this summer are screenings in Tokyo, Austin, and Honolulu. For more infomation see the screenings page.
Frameline picks up Roberta Loved for distribution
SAN FRANCISCO (May 6, 2003) Q. Allan Brocka's award winning short film Roberta Loved, has been acquired by Frameline for North American distribution. The film was awarded the grand jury prize last fall at the Corto Imola Festival and earned its director a slot in the prestigious FOX Searchlab New Director's Program.
The film stars Vickie Rabjohn (Crossing Jordan), who plays Roberta, an obese secretary fired from her job and diagnosed with a brain tumor on the day she turns fifty. Christopher Bradley (Leather Jacket Love Story) stars as the bisexual hustler she calls on the eve of her assisted suicide. Mink Stole (of John Waters fame) plays Roberta's too busy to care sister.
Founded in 1981, Frameline is a national film distributor whose mission is "to support, develop, and promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer visibility through film and video." Roberta Loved is now available for purchase or rental from Frameline at http://catalog.frameline.org/titles/roberta_loved.html.
Brocka to make feature debut with Eating Out
LOS ANGELES (April 17, 2003) Writer/Director Q. Allan Brocka will make his feature film debut with EATING OUT, a gay-themed romantic comedy about a hunky straight college student who figures the fastest way to a girl's heart is through her gay best friend. The project is being financed by Ariztical Entertainment and produced by Ariztical's president Michael Shoel.
Ariztical Entertainment is a home video distribution company that specializes in gay-interest films, with titles carried by national chains such as Blockbuster, Tower, and Virgin. "Ariztical is excited to be backing such a clever script and a talented director in our first feature film production," says Shoel, whose company will distribute the film on DVD and home video after its festival run through its Culture Q Connection label (Hit & Runway, Homo Heights).
Brocka describes the film as "very colorful, recklessly sexy, and well, everything's just dripping wet." Brocka penned the college campus farce while in film school as a ploy to make straight guys in his screenwriting class read steamy gay sex scenes out loud. For fans of the biting, envelope-pushing humor in his animated series RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD, Brocka promises EATING OUT will deliver even more sarcasm, but "from real live people... really hot ones."
The production is casting now in Los Angeles and principal photography is set for June. The film will be shot entirely on location in Tucson, Arizona.
Casting for new film Tolo
LOS ANGELES (MARCH 17, 2003)
TOLO: A non-SAG short film by Q. Allan Brocka about a hearing-impaired Asian girl who asks a gay boy to her high school's Sadie Hawkins dance because he's the only other Asian at the school.
CAST
NAOMI, 14-18, Filipino/Asian, must speak American Sign Language fluently
BARB, 14-18, Caucasian, popular girl, must speak American Sign Language fluently
ROBERT, 14-18, Filipino/Asian, rather effeminate
COLIN, 14-18, Caucasian, popular, high school jock
SHOOTING as soon as cast. A two day shoot. Hopefully this month.
CONTACT PRODUCER: Paul Abelkis 310.422.4327
Brocka attached to direct Boy Culture
LOS ANGELES (January 21, 2003) - Q. Allan Brocka has been attached to direct the feature film adaptation of the best selling novel Boy Culture by Matthew Rettenmund. The story follows a sarcastic gay hustler who falls in love with his commitment-phobic roommate. Brocka adapted the book into screen format along with producer Phil Pierce. Also on board is producer Victor Simpkins (Swingers).
Rick & Steve screening in LA
LOS ANGELES (January 10, 2003) - Episodes 2, 3, and 4 of RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD will be screening as part of OUTFEST's presentation of their favorite animated shorts on Wednesday January 22, 7:30PM.
OUTFEST presents QUEERMATION: FAVORITE ANIMATED SHORTS Wednesday, January 22, 7:30pm at the LA Gay and Lesbian Center's Village at Ed Gould Plaza 1125 N. McCadden Place (one block East of Highland, just North of Santa Monica Blvd.)
=====================================================
Wednesday, January 22, 7:30pm
QUEERMATION: FAVORITE ANIMATED SHORTS
AN OFFICER AND A YENTLEMAN
DIR: Corky Quakenbush, 2002, USA, BETA, 5 min.
This Claymation delight skewers two cinema "classics" of the 80¹s.
BACKSTAGE WITH LITTLE LORENZO
DIR: Christopher Bradley, 2002, USA, 16mm, 3 min.
The real drama erupts after the curtain has fallen.
LADY OF THE LAKE
DIR: Michael Lucid, 2002, USA, BETA, 7 min.
A lyrical evocation of one young man¹s ideal of elusive love.
NUMB
DIR: Dino Alberto, Dave Hughes, 2000, USA, BETA, 2 min.
This eery short will keep you thinking long after the credits roll.
SPENT
DIR: Will Lin, 2001, USA, BETA, 2 min.
An exquisite soliloquy on the beauty of another.
LA DIFFERENCE
DIR: Rita Kung, 1999, Canada, BETA, 9 min.
A marvel about a lonely barfly, straddling genders, who dreams of
transformation.
IDOL
DIR: Grant Nellessen, 2001, USA, BETA, 6 min.
Jacques, a vintage French mannequin, spots his chance for a comeback.
RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD (Episodes 2-4)
DIR: Q. Allan Brocka, 2001, USA, BETA, 24 min.
Scathingly naughty adventures in a WeHo-like wonderland made of Legos.
IN COLLABORATION WITH: GLASS (Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services)
=============================================================
Ordering tickets:
Call the 24-hour reservation hotline (213) 480-7090
Reserve up to two tickets. Reservations are taken on a first-come,
first-served basis. Payment takes place at the door when you pick up your
tickets for the screening. Reservations must be picked up and paid for 15
minutes prior to the screening start time, or they will be released.
General Admission: $8
OUTFEST Members: $7
Students/Seniors: $7
=============================================================
Complete OUTFEST Wednesdays Weekly Screening Series information -
http://www.outfest.org/weekly.frame.html
Rick & Steve wins top jury prize in Oregon
EUGENE, OREGON (January 3, 2003) - Q. Allan Brocka's animated film RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD (EPISODE #01) won the top prize in the jury competition at the Oregon Queer Film Festival. This is the eleventh year for the festival, which is held at the University of Oregon campus in Eugene. The festival accepts only queer-themed work under 45 minutes and runs February 21-23, 2003. The jury prizes come with cash awards and winners are determined before the actual run of the festival.
RICK & STEVE premiered at Outfest Los Angeles in 1999 where it won the audience award and has since played at over 200 international film festivals, including both Sundance and Slamdance. Festival engagements remain consistently strong over three years since its world premiere. For a full schedule of screenings, check out the website at www.rickandsteve.com.
Brocka interviewed in Netherlands' BUTT Magazine
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS (November 10, 2002) - Get yourselves to a newsstand and pick up the latest issue (Autumn, 2002) of the Netherlands' BUTT Magazine. The self-proclaimed "International Faggot Magazine for Interesting Homosexuals and the Men Who Love Them" has an exclusive five page interview with me written by Andy Burmeister out of Paris (photos by Jop van Bennekom).
It's VERY personal we talk extensively about the history of RICK & STEVE, my sex life, and then the really deep stuff like how I felt about SPIRIT: STALLION OF THE CIMARRON and the size of my... student loan payments.
Roberta Loved takes top prize at Corto Imola
IMOLA, ITALY (November 5, 2002) - The grand jury of the 9th Imola International Short Film Competition (CortoImolaFestival) announced its picks today, giving the top prize to Q. Allan Brocka's ROBERTA LOVED. The jury issued the following statement: "The jury were unanimous in their decision that the prize for the best film of the festival should go to the film ROBERTA LOVED by Q. Allan Brocka. We were all impressed by the simplicity of means the taboo subject of sexuality and disability was powerfully portrayed. The film was both honest and deeply moving." Award-winning directors from across Europe headed up the jury: Phil Mulloy -
England, Dusan Hanak – Slovak, and Kornel Mundruczo -- Hungary. The prize comes with 3,500 Euro.
Brocka wrote and directed the 23 minute drama which tells the story of Roberta, a 350 lb. secretary who turns fifty, gets laid off, and is diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor in the same day. As her sickness progresses, she opts for physician-assisted suicide. Alone on her last night on earth, she phones Kevin, a bisexual hustler past his prime, who advertises that "freaks" are his specialty. The film stars Vickie Rabjohn, Christopher Bradley, and Mink Stole.
The complete awards list:
Grand Jury Prize for best film (€ 3.500)
ROBERTA LOVED directed by Q. Allan Brocka, USA
1st – Fiction Category (€ 1.500)
THE CHINESE DOG directed by Lut Vandekeybus - Belgium
1st –Non-Fiction Category (€ 1.500)
IMITATION OF LIFE directed by Mike Hoolboom - Canada
Special Prize (€1.000)
RONAK directed by Hashang Mirzaee - Iran
Special Prize (€1.000)
POSTCARDS OF BELIEF directed by Lesley Adams - England
PRIZE "CITTA' DI IMOLA" (Audience prize)
POULTRY IN MOTION directed by John Corcoran - Ireland
Brocka speaking at Slamdance Bootcamp
LOS ANGELES (9/19/02) Writer/director Q. Allan Brocka (a Slamdance 2001 alumnus) will among the 50 film industry professionals speaking in the Slamdance Bootcamp next month. New directors, producers, and artists can sign up for the first Slamdance Bootcamp, to be held October 11-13 at the Los Angeles Film School. More than 50 professionals, including Slamdance alumni, will be on hand for the "nuts and bolts" workshop.
The event will include 12 seminar discussions "on how to create, produce, post and sell an independent feature film." Other events during the bootcamp include an opening night film and reception, a closing night mixer, and a trade show.
"The Bootcamp is a no nonsense/no frills foundation on what it really takes for first, second and third time directors/producers/artists to get their films made," said event executive producer Leslie Lapage in a prepared statement.
Brocka's panel "TO DIGITAL OR FILM: THAT IS THE QUESTION" (Sunday October 13, 11:15AM) will discuss the pros and cons of video vs. film. Brocka has spoken on this topic on several panels around the world including Frameline's Persistent Vision Conference and Outfest.
Along with Brocka, seminar participants will include producer's rep Jeff Dowd, directors Joe and Anthony Russo, director Penelope Spheeris, Paul Bales from SAG, and producer Leslie LaPage. Space has been provided for underprivileged youth from L.A. to attend as well.
Rick & Steve Selected to Open OUTFEST 20th Anniversary
LOS ANGELES (7/05/02) Q. Allan Brocka's animated film RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD along with seven other shorts will be part of OUTFEST's 20th anniversary Opening Night Gala Event "An Evening of Sex, Love and Life."
The eight films were selected from the hundreds of shorts that have screened at Outfest over the past twenty years. Outfest programmers describe the program saying "the short films represent the joyous, delightful and visionary work that blazed our trails and helped define this community’s artistic heritage. Outrageous, moving tales of gay and lesbian sex, love and life."
This will be the third Outfest screening of RICK & STEVE... (Episode #01 Cum & Quiche), which won the audience award at its first screening in 1999. RICK & STEVE... has since gone on to screen at over 200 film festivals including the Sundance Film Festival, winning numerous awards and spawning an internet series along the way.
The event begins Thursday, July 11 at 6:30 PM in Los Angeles' historic Orpheum Theatre. A swarm of celebrity presenters are scheduled host, including Margaret Cho. Following the screening will be an after party with a ferris wheel and open bar hosted by Absolut Vodka as well as food from over 20 of LA's hottest restaurants.
Also screening during Outfest is Brocka's Cal Arts thesis film ROBERTA LOVED, the story of a 350 lb. woman with cancer who calls a hustler the night before her assisted suicide. The film stars Vickie Rabjohn, Christopher Bradley and Mink Stole, and will screen Saturday July 20, in the Director's Guild of America, Theatre 1 at 4:30 pm.
For tickets to either program, log onto www.outfest.org or contact the Outfest ticket office at (213) 480-7065. For further information on RICK & STEVE or ROBERTA LOVED contact poshpictures@mindspring.com or (323) 634-9304.
Brocka's ROBERTA LOVED LA, NY, and SF Festival Premieres
LOS ANGELES (4/22/02) ROBERTA LOVED LA, NY AND SF FESTIVAL PREMIERES
Great news everyone, ROBERTA LOVED has begun the film festival circuit full swing! Check the website for exact screening times, I'll keep it updated as information comes in.
LOS ANGELES: Don't miss its screening in the Visual Communications Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on Friday, May 17 at 7:30 PM in the Director's Guild of America, Theatre 1 (on Sunset between Fairfax and Crescent Heights).
NEW YORK: Our New York premiere will be at the New York Gay and Lesbian film festival at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. The festival is held from June 6-16. (RICK & STEVE won the audience award at this festival last year)
SAN FRANCISCO: The San Francisco premiere will be at the 26th San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, June 13-30th.
For other upcoming screenings around the country please check the website at http://poshpictures.tripod.com
Brocka Selected for FOX Searchlab
LOS ANGELES (3/14/02) The FOX Searchlab new director's program has recruited writer/director Q. Allan Brocka to join its ranks. The program is run by FOX Searchlight, the independent arm of 20th Century FOX. It is designed to discover up and coming filmmakers and mentor them as they begin their first feature projects.
As part of the program, Brocka will shoot a digital short for FOX and be given a first look feature deal with the studio. Searchlab director Susan O'Leary had seen Brocka's film ROBERTA LOVED when she initially contacted Brocka and was pleasantly surpised to discover he was the same person behind RICK &STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD.
Brocka will be going into production on the FOX short within the next two months.
 Friday, March 15, 2002
Q. Allan Brocka courted by Fox Searchlab
Gay director Q. Allan Brocka (Rick & Steve the Happiest Gay Couple in All the World) has been offered a slot at Fox Searchlab, the year-old digital production program at Fox Searchlight Pictures, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While no production deal is set, the program provides equipment, financing, and mentoring to aspiring filmmakers to provide eventual product for Fox Searchlight.
'Roberta Loved' Wins Audience Award
LOS ANGELES (3/09/02) Q. Allan Brocka's new short film ROBERTA LOVED had its world premiere in competition at the Los Angeles Friday Night Shorts festival last night, where it took home the audience award.
On hand for questions and answers following the screening were the cast and crew: including director Q. Allan Brocka and stars Vickie Rabjohn, Christopher Bradley and Mink Stole. Next, the film is set to close the Flaming Film Festival in Minneapolis this May.
'Roberta Loved' Screens in L.A.
LOS ANGELES (2/23/02) Q. Allan Brocka's new short film ROBERTA LOVED will be premiering on Friday March 8, 7PM at the Los Angeles Film School. The film stars Vickie Rabjohn (stand-up comedian), Christopher Bradley (Leather Jacket Love Story, Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss) and Mink Stole (Serial Mom, Pink Flamingos). The cast and crew will be in be on hand for a Q&A following the screening.
The 23 minute drama tells the story of Roberta, a 350 lb. secretary who turns fifty, gets laid off, and is diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor in the same day. As her sickness progresses, she opts for physician-assisted suicide. Alone on her last night on earth, she phones Kevin, a bisexual hustler past his prime, who advertises that "freaks" are his specialty. As her final hours rush by, they develop an intense, sublime, and horrifying relationship.
Friday's screening will feature several other short films including Brocka's RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD (Episode #01), Glenn Gaylord's award-winning BOYCHICK, and Tamara Tracz's BEACHCOMBERS.
Brocka is the award-winning writer-director behind the animated series RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD, which has screened at over 150 film festivals worldwide, including the Sundance Film Festival and Spike and Mike Festival of Animation. ROBERTA LOVED is his master's thesis at California Institute of the Arts. His next project, BEAUTY AND THE BRAINS, is a feature comedy which he wrote and will direct.
The theatre at the Los Angeles Film School is a beautiful 349-seat venue with stadium riser seating and is equipped with THX and Dolby Digital Surround. It is located in Hollywood at 6363 Sunset Blvd. between Vine and Ivar.
For further information contact (323) 634-9304 or poshpictures@mindspring.com.
03/09/02-03/11/02
Q. Allan Brocka's Roberta Loved premieres
Roberta Loved, the new film from acclaimed gay director Q. Allan Brocka (Rick & Steve, The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World), premieres Friday, March 8, at 7 p.m. at the Los Angeles Film School, 6363 Sunset Blvd. The 23-minute drama tells the story of a 350-pound secretary with a deadly brain tumor, and the bisexual hustler with whom she spends her final night. The film stars stand-up comic Vickie Rabjohn, Christopher Bradley (Billy's Hollywood Screen Kiss), and John Waters veteran Mink Stole. Also screening will be Rick & Steve, along with several other shorts. For more information call (323) 634-9304.
Rick & Steve wins in Palm Springs
PALM SPRINGS, August 13, 2001 - Q. Allan Brocka's animated series RICK & STEVE THE HAPPIEST GAY COUPLE IN ALL THE WORLD won a jury award at the 2001 Palm Springs International Short Film Festival. All three new episodes won coveted slots at this year's prestigious festival, the largest of its kind in the world.
Episode #03 "Potty Mouth Training," in which a gender-inspecific baby learns a naughty word, was awarded the second place jury prize for best animated film. The award comes with $500 and 1,000 feet of Kodak film. Episode #01 "Cum & Quiche" screened at the 2000 festival and won an audience award.
Variety selects Brocka a one of five gay directors to watch
Be sure to check out today's Variety (7/16/01 page A4), it's the special Gay Hollywood issue, and I'm "on the Gaydar."
Reposted from VARIETY
By RAMIN ZAHED
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The randy, liberated characters in Q. Allan Brocka's popular Hypnotic series "Rick and Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World" get to misbehave, say all kinds of dirty things to each other and be as politically incorrect as they want to be. Of course, the fact that they're animated Lego toys plays a big part in how much they can get away with.
"When I was a kid, I used to make a lot of stop-motion films using my Lego toys," says the 28-year-old Brocka, who came up with "Rick and Steve" as a student project at CalArts two years ago.
After the eight-minute short won the audience award at Outfest in 1999, Brocka transferred his short to film and took it the Sundance Film Festival, where it also got a warm reception. This year, the short is back as part of a special animation selection (Friday, DGA 2 at 9:45 p.m.), and all four episodes of the raunchy toon are available on Hypnotic.com.
"I think the appeal of 'Rick and Steve' is that it includes a lot of things that may be mean, nasty and stereotypical, but they're also true," notes Brocka, who says he's very close to getting a TV deal. "I use a real old technology, but capturing toys in stop-motion has the same appeal as using Flash animation. It's amazingly simple, and a good script works with the technology instead of working against it."
Brocka is hoping the "Rick and Steve" notoriety will raise interest in his other projects, "Roberta Loved," a 24-minute short about a 350-pound secretary and her relationship with an over-the-hill bisexual hustler (with Chris Bradley, Vickie Rabjohn and Mink Stole) as well as "Beauty and The Brains," a feature about a trailer park-dwelling single mom. And no, no well-known Lego parts have been signed for the major roles in the film.
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