In this exclusive audio interview Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ talks with actor/producers Kit Williamson and John Halbach about the second season of their hit TV web series “EastSiders” on VIACOM/LOGO. Last season their critically acclaimed dark comedy starred Van Hansis (As the World Turns) and Kit Williamson (Mad Men) as a gay couple struggling through staying together in the aftermath of infidelity. The new season will have exciting new storylines and additions to the cast including Willam Belli (Drag Race, Nip/Tuck), Satya Bhabha (New Girl, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), Brea Grant (Heroes, Dexter) and Vera Miao (Best Friends Forever) as a lesbian couple. “EastSiders” first season was successfully funded via Kickstarter after reaching their goal within four days. Their second season Kickstarter goal of $125,000 must be met by May 14th or they will not receive any of the funds. We talked to Williamson and John Halbach about “EastSiders” and their spin on our LGBT issues.
When asked what their personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights Halbach stated, “My personal commitment is living a life as an openly gay person. I think that it’s really important that we are visible in the community and to the world and to our family and friends and people who we work with on a day-to-day basis. I think that is ultimately how we can progress our cause. Williamson added, “And also through the storytelling traditions of getting our stories out there online and for me personally, I am from the state of Mississippi and recently Mississippi somewhat quietly in comparison to contention in Arizona passed an anti gay discrimination law. They legalized discrimination against gay people on the grounds of religious belief and there’s a huge campaign going on right now within the state where people are working to promote anti discrimination with a new business coalition of people started in Fondren, which is a really cool neighborhood where I’m from. People are getting stickers and flyers out to businesses to show their support for anti discrimination. Unlike Arizona this bill was signed into law by the Governor, Phil Byrant and we really need to do our best to get the word out nationally about this because Mississippi should experience the same backlash that Arizona experienced when it put this out there. I feel there’s this perception Mississippi is a lost cause that I reject and I really think that we should be focusing on and caring about the LGBT people in Mississippi as much as we cared about them in Arizona.”
“EastSiders” experienced a whirlwind year that included making its cable broadcast debut as a feature film on LogoTV. “EastSiders” won the Indie Series Awards and LA Web Fest. They secured DVD and International VOD distribution from Wolfe Video and released a new web comic. “EastSiders” will begin shooting a second season this summer.
For More Info: eastsiderstheseries.com
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1 comment:
Kit and John's comments about homophobia in entertainment community and discriminatory laws in Mississippi were very revealing and need to be exposed. It appears that the best source of LBGT programming is on the web. I'm looking forward to watching Eastsiders. Thanks for sharing these voices.
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