TWEETS OF THE WEEK
Practical shoes, April Fools, tampons and Lindsay Lohan – all of these topics and more were Tweeted about by queer women in entertainment this week.
If you come across tweets that you think we should feature in “Tweets of the Week” or if you find (verified) Twitter accounts for out lesbian/bi women in entertainment who you think we should follow, please send us that info at [email protected].
THIS JUST IN: TYE GREEN GIVES URBAN LESBIANS SCREEN TIME
You may not know Tye Green’s name yet, but this up and coming filmmaker/screenwriter/web producer is one to watch. The creative force behind TH3M!, a web series and TV pilot about queer women of color, Green is taking independent media into her own hands – and she’s committed to telling stories that haven’t been heard before.
We recently had the opportunity to chat with her about her writing background, how to get good advice in a nasty business, and the many projects she still has up her proverbial sleeve.
AfterEllen.com: Could you tell me a bit about your creative background? How did you get interested in writing in the first place?
Tye Green: I was a lonely kid. [I had] no friends, so writing was always my “friend,” my outlet. Instead of saying things to other kids, I would write about them. I even made up my own language, similar to the one in Avatar, but much cooler! No diss to James Cameron though. The Avatar language was cool as hell, too.
I am more of a poet than anything. And I noticed in my writing; screenwriting or otherwise, there’s a lot of poetry – fluidness. Maybe it’s because that is how I see life and love as one huge never-ending poem.
AE: So what made you want to take the leap from writing poems to filmmaking/TV?
TG: My first screenplay, PreDestined, I wrote shortly after I married my wife. Our story inspired it, and poetry was a huge part of the screenplay. Of course I made it spectacular so that there were no boring parts in it at all! But I didn’t know anything about screenwriting whatsoever. So, I wrote it as if it were a book, not knowing the proper format of a screenplay.
Luckily, one of my wife’s friends Nikki Weiss, who is a rep/manager/producer of Nikki Weiss and Co. in LA, was kind enough to read it and give me some pointers on formatting. She was one of the few people in Hollywood that gave me the best advice ever – buy Final Draft and learn how to craft a screenplay! I hadn’t even heard of Final Draft. All I had was an idea for a movie.
I listened to her advice, bought Final Draft and the books that I needed to teach myself the art of screenwriting. I learned it pretty quickly, reformatted the script, and entered into maybe 20 film festivals in 2008. I won first place in Sweet Auburn, a semi-finalist in Script Shark, and honorable mention in Indie Gathering off of that screenplay. At that moment I realized this is what I want to do. Screenwriting. The difference between screenwriting and poetry is that although they are both vivid in their own right, with screenwriting, you can actually see it play out, on screen. I fell in love with it.
Another person who gave me great advice was Michelle Paradise, the creator and star of Exes and Ohs. … Her main advice and what still sticks out in my head the most is “enter screenplay competitions, and don’t worry about the agent. The agents will come once you have a film that speaks for itself. Just concentrate on writing. Make sure your characters are stand-out characters, and that people can identify with or see themselves in them.” She is the reason I entered into film festivals. Ultimately helping me have one hell of a year in the festival circuit off of my first ever screenplay.
AE: Let’s talk a bit about TH3M! – what was the original inspiration for the show? Where did the characters come from?
TG: The original inspiration of TH3M! came after I said I wouldn’t write anymore. I was done. I would win film festivals, but it didn’t take me anywhere. I spent a year writing a script called 12 Disciples. I would get close to a sale, but then it would fall through. I was disheartened, and figured since I have 2 degrees in information technology, I may as well use them for making a living (at the time, I was out of work for nearly a year).
I was convinced that breaking into Hollywood wasn’t going to happen and didn’t want to continue to waste my time. So after two weeks of being completely miserable because I hadn’t picked up a pen to write, I decided to watch my Friends box set. I love Friends, it always puts me in a great mood. The characters are awesome. Kudos to all the writers who penned them. Then I looked at my DVD collection and remembered that I should order the final season of my favorite series, The L Word. As I was ordering, a light bulb went off – maybe I shouldn’t write a film, but a series! Till this day, I still haven’t ordered that box set of The L Word, I have to do that!
There’s no representation of black lesbians on television. There’s no television series that shows our camaraderie, or our lifestyle. This is our opportunity to show the world that we exist. At that moment, Tye the Writer woke up, and stopped feeling sorry for herself.
Excitedly, I called Julz (Julia Hamilton) who is a poet, and asked her if she’d like to collaborate writing the pilot with me. She said yes. And then I called another friend, AJ Cameron-Pollard, who is also a poet to help write as well. Now we have three writers, and an idea of six characters originally. We all had to create two characters. I created Robbi and Toni. Julz created Ali and Jasmine. AJ created Cameron and Nicole. It wasn’t until after the audition that I created Traci (played by Chantel Sings).
AE: What was the experience like shooting the project?
TG: While shooting, I had the time of my life! I love my cast. Each and every one of them, and they all brought something unique. We all got along really well, and they understood the vision of TH3M!. I sat there in the director’s and writer’s chair watching a script come to life. It was an amazing feeling to have a face to characters you create and to hear them speak. I don’t have children, but from what I can imagine, it was as if I watched my child be born. The feeling is unexplainable. I would shoot everyday if I could. I also had a crew that knew how to have fun, and knew how to be all about business and be professional.
Because of all of them, I don’t feel like it’s just my project. It’s our project. There would not be a TH3M! without the cast and crew.
AE: Music was definitely a huge part of the project. How did you find/come to work with the artists?
TG: I love music. I’ve been a music lover forever, all kinds of music – even some country. But I wanted this project to reflect more of an R&B, neo-soulish, hip-hop vibe. Being an independent artist myself, I wanted to use other independent artists in the show. Even if we’d had the money for national recording artists, I believe I still would have stuck with the underground, independent artist.
As you know, three of the main characters, Chantel Sings, Tish Jones and Katana, are independent artists, but so are all of the writers; myself, Julz, and AJ. Julz wrote the song “Alone (Over You)” that was performed by Katana and Chantel Sings. There were some instrumental tracks used in the pilot episode that were courtesy of a music producer here in Minneapolis named T-Lace. Katana contributed the theme song for TH3M! as well as two other tracks. Erin Stubbs, who also helped with post-production of the music, wrote an original song for the pilot called “Push and Pull.”
Suffice to say, coming to work with the artists kind of fell into my lap. Katana has been a friend of mine since we were 12-years old. She introduced me to Chantel Sings who auditioned for a role in the show. She also introduced me to T Lace who graciously gave his instrumental beats to the show. Erin Stubbs I met during the ADR sessions at the studio. In one day, she wrote an original song for the show. So I was extremely lucky to have them be a part of the show and bring their major skills!
AE: Likewise, how did you find your cast?
TG: I sent out a casting call through MN Film and TV Board and Waldorf Casting. I was truly shocked at the response I received. I was thinking that I’d probably get 10 to 20 replies to audition. I ended up with hundreds.
I dwindled that number down to around 200 to audition for 20 roles. I have to say that there were some awesome actresses and actors that auditioned. But I didn’t only go by acting ability. I went more with who I felt had a great personality, and would mesh well with not only the cast, but the crew. So there were some talent that were amazing as far as acting was concerned, but didn’t have the personality to make the shooting experience a good one. But I couldn’t have picked a better cast.
The role of Traci wasn’t a role on audition day. Chantel Sings and Bethany Ford auditioned for the role of Jasmine. I loved them both, and wasn’t willing to let either of them go. After hours of debating who would best fit the role of Jasmine, I came up with the role of Traci for Chantel. And the next day changed the script to implement Traci.
AE: To wrap up, I’m going to ask all about what’s coming up next. What are your plans for the series? Are there any other projects in your future?
TG: I hope that TH3M! is picked up by a network so that everyone can see how special this series truly is. If it’s not picked up soon, I will continue shooting the series and have webisodes online so that I can share the vision of TH3M! with people worldwide. I have other projects that I’m working on as well. Three of which are already written, and just waiting for me to shoot: PreDestined, my very first screenplay about two unlikely women, one straight and one lesbian falling in love. But sexuality isn’t the only difference they have. They come from different backgrounds, different race, different class, as well as have a 10-year age gap. So their love isn’t easy, but they make it work for them.
12 Disciples is about 12 women who take over the US government computer systems to expose corruption within the political system. And finally, a short film that I wrote recently that has the working title of Something New (not at all similar to Kriss Turner’s Something New). The logline is, a man’s wife and mistress work together to out him, but during that process fall in love with each other.
Something New will probably be shot over this next month, and entered into this year’s remaining film festival circuit. PreDestined, I’m looking to shoot over the summer, just in time for entire 2011 film festival circuit. 12 Disciples is a big budget film that I cannot shoot alone on a measly budget. It’ll probably cost about 200 million to shoot. But if there are any takers out there, contact me!
You can keep up with Tye Green and Th3M! viewings at www.watchth3m.com and watch the first episode here.
– by Danielle Riendeau
WORKING THE POLL: WHAT FEMALE TRUE BLOOD CHARACTER SHOULD SOOKIE HOOK UP WITH?
Now that Anna Paquin has come out as bisexual, we can’t help but wonder who her True Blood character, Sookie, would share a same-sex kiss with – you know, if she took some V and became momentarily gay like her cousin, Hadley.
<a href=”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/2992777/”></a><span style=”font-size:9px;”><a href=”http://www.polldaddy.com”>poll</a></span>In our last poll, we asked you what kind of film should Angelina Jolie and Sarah Silverman should co-star in. It was a tight race, but “a “Thelma & Louise-esque criminal dramedy” won by a mere 11 votes. We suspect this outcome has more to do with seeing some potential gunplay than it does watching the two of them drive over a cliff.
– by Karman Kregloe
LESBIANISH VIDEO CLIP OF THE WEEK!
This might just be the best fan video of all time. Ever.
BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE!
Did we mention that Anna Paquin came out as bisexual this week via a PSA about LGBT hate crimes?
AE favorite Liz Feldman has scored a sweet new gig as a writer on the new Betty White show, Hot in Cleveland. She told us, “All I can say is that I love Betty White so much, I wish I could have her children but obviously that is impossible, because she has turned down all my advances. … I’m working for TV royalty! I am really lucky to have gotten this job.” Yay Liz!
Shonda Rhimes guest blogged for EW and gave us a Grey’s Anatomy spoiler, “Callie and Arizona and Mark are going to do something dirty with pound cake. They were going to do something dirty with mini-muffins, but Broadcast Standards and Practices said no.”
In our recent interview with Joey Lauren Adams, the actress talked about her lesbian fanbase from Chasing Amy and falling for Toni Collette‘s masculine side on United States of Tara.
Jillian Michaels is in the new issue of Success magazine, talking about her career as a multi-faceted fitness expert, including her involvement with The Biggest Loser and her new show Losing It. She says, “I don’t do things for the sake of television, for the sake of hype. I do them because I have a greater meaning behind my agenda, and that is to improve the lives of my contestants.”
Jackie Warner has a new book, This is Why You’re Fat, and promises “a complete nutritional makeover and a failure-proof condensed workout routine.” Check it out April 27.
Check out our review of Chloe, starring Julianne Moore as a sexually frustrated woman who after living vicariously through her husband’s sex life with a hooker decides to try said hooker out for herself.
Ricky Martin came out this week, inspiring Gawker.com to put together a list of celebs they’d like to see come out. The list included Queen Latifah and Michelle Rodriguez. Discuss.
An all-girl band from Iceland called Elektra has a hot new video that you’re quite likely to enjoy. It includes a game of spin the bottle.
Super gay gossip columnist Michael Musto talked with Beth Ditto for Paper magazine’s Beautiful People issue. She discusses her now ex-boyfriend, Freddie Fagula, fame and how she’d be fine without it, and how she can talk to anyone, even a lamppost.
Our GreatLezBritain columnists Sarah and Lee talked to Skins writer Ed Hime about Naomily and AfterEllen.com readers.
A new documentary called Hood to Coast follows four teams of not-so-athletic people trying to run a difficult race. One of the women is a lesbian named Rachel Larsen. The film made its debut at SXSW and will be in theaters this fall.
Indian designer Niki Mahajan wowed the crowd with a Sapphic display of romance during her Fall 2010 show at Wills India Lifestyle Fashion Week.
Musician Alison Goldfrapp talked to us this week about being labeled a lesbian by the tabloids and appearing on The L Word.
Remember that Ellen DeGeneres comic we told you about? Well Ellen has given it the thumbs up and is working with Female Force to give part of its profits to the Humane Society. Lesbians love their animals – and their comics, so now you have even more incentive to buy a copy.
Finally, are you coming to Palm Springs for The Dinah this year? If so, please stop by the Hilton (Club Skirts) and pay us a visit! Trish and I will be there, as will some of the other AE writers and vloggers. We’re hosting two special events on Friday (April 2): Lube wrestling at the main pool area at 2:30 p.m. and at 4:30 p.m. on the mainstage, a “So You Think You Can Dance Magic?” contest, judged by Dance Magic members Bridget McManus, Fortune Feimster, and some special celebrity judges.
If you’re not familiar with the notorious Dance Magic, it’s a group of comics dancers that first made its debut on the Logo show Brunch with Bridget. The grand prize winner will dance with Bridget and Fortune on Logo TV, so pack your leotards and start stretching!
We’ll also be hosting an AfterEllen.com meet-up on Saturday, April 3 at noon in the Logo Lounge. On Sunday April 4 at 12:00 p.m. join us again in the Logo Lounge for a table read of Feed creator Mel Robertson‘s script for her new feature film and episodic series, Queens of the World. Stars Nicole Pacent (Anyone But Me), Elizabeth Keener (The L Word), Nikki Caster Meghan Hall and others will perform, and stick around for a Q & A session with the cast immediately following.
That’s it for this week! Got the inside scoop on a hot new lesbian/bi actor/musician/TV show/film? Tell us at [email protected]. Check back next Friday for another edition of Best. Lesbian. Week. Ever.
– by Karman Kregloe
