Page 1 / 2 / 3 - Next

AE: Have you or any of your gay friends experienced homophobia in Hollywood?
CD: There are varying degrees of homophobia. In my mind having reservation about asking someone's sexuality is a form of homophobia. The implication is that there is something shameful surrounding the issue. My God! It's just sex! Sex is a good thing. Hollywood is a strange place for political or human rights battles because so much of our media is based on stereotypes. Gender equality, racism, ageism, and homophobia: these are all still very relevant issues in Hollywood and throughout the world.

One of the comments that makes me livid is when I hear an actor, casting, or an agent equate playing gay to being a rapist or an axe murderer. In encouraging a straight performer to play gay they'll say,"Well you'll play psychotic and you're not really psychotic, this is no different." I understand the logic but try equating playing gay to a positive instead of a negative. "You're not really a Nobel prize winner, you're just acting." Geez, sometimes you'd think a straight man or woman had saved the world from impending Armageddon by kissing someone of the same sex on screen.

The accolades! So brave! Gimme a break. Where's our awards for assimilating into straight culture since the dawn of time so we don't get burned at the stake?!?

AE: What writing projects are you working on now?
CD: I penned a screenplay, Mulligans, which my production company Rubber Ducky Films Ltd. is filming this summer. It's the story of two best friends who journey home for the summer holidays after college and the family is threatened to be torn apart when one of them makes a huge mistake. What's the mistake? You'll have to watch to find out but you won't be disappointed.

I say it's The Graduate meets Desperate Housewives. The script has been received well in the Canadian writing community and won some awards. Last week we attached Thea Gill (Queer as Folk) and Derek James (American Dreams, The L-Word) so we're thrilled with how the team is shaping up.

(P.S. Angel Investors please hit up www.mulligansthemovie.com)

One of my favorite aspects of the screenplay is the bond between the two best friends, one gay and one straight. I've always developed really strong relationships with straight men that I can best describe as truly platonic, transcending the carnal and existing in a very safe place. It's hell on my love life but the friendship is amazing!

My best friend, Derek James and a really talented actor, Jonny Fleming and I share that bond. They're both straight but we're best buddies and our sexuality only enhances our jokes, our viewpoints and admiration for each other. I think it's a unique dynamic and I'm really excited to explore it on film.

AE: Do you prefer to write about gay characters?
CD: As a writer I always bring myself and my experiences into the work. Sometimes it's only a small piece and then my imagination creates a world around it. So often there are gay characters or definitely subtext in my work. I used to say my sexuality doesn't define me and I still believe that but it definitely bleeds into all aspects of my life. There is a fluidity to everything and if I compartmentalize my sexuality I think something will be compromised. There are experiences, memories, and feelings we have as gay men that allow us to see from a woman's perspective or from a child's. We also have the benefit of knowing the surge of testosterone. Why would I turn any of that off? Use it!

I do feel there is an under representation of gay and lesbian characters in film and television so if I'm able to bring more of our stories to life, I'm honored to do it.

Page 1 / 2 / 3 - Next