Page 1 / 2 / 3 - Next

Although he plays the lead character of Charlie, young Renaissance man Lo also functioned as the film's director, producer, editor and writer.

“Writing and acting have always been my passions and they were my favorite parts of working on this project”, says Lo in an interview with AfterElton.com.  “I was also surprised by how much I enjoyed the editing process.  In film school they teach you that a film is really made three times: in the writing, the production itself, and the editing.  It was a unique experience to have control over all three of those stages of The Conrad Boys. At times it was overwhelming, but ultimately very rewarding.”

Lo's many-faceted contributions to The Conrad Boys--his interesting camera work, his natural feel for dialogue, his character driven plot, his subtle sense of acting, all show a considerable amount of creative artistry. It's hard to believe how young and new he is to all this.

“I've been a huge movie fan since he was a little kid,” Lo says. “I have so many favorite directors and actors, too many to name.  I'm one of those crazy people who makes lists of their favorite movies and actors when they should really be doing something productive”. 

When asked to name a favorite director, Lo says, “If I had to pick a favorite, I would have to say Paul Thomas Anderson, especially with Magnolia and Boogie Nights. My main influence for this film in particular was You Can Count on Me by Kenneth Lonergan who is a fantastic playwright as well.  I was really inspired by the way he told such a simple emotional story and the amazingly nuanced acting too”.

Lo graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor's in Anthropology, and is now attending graduate school at USC to get a Masters in Professional Writing. But filmmaking is where his heart lies for now.

“I want to keep writing and acting,” he says. “I love telling stories.  I'd like to continue making films, writing plays, and maybe do some television.  I want to bounce around and keep things interesting--not limit myself to one medium.”

Even though Charlie Conrad's sexuality, coming out, and affair with Jordan are central to the film, Lo treats the issue of homosexuality with an almost reserved and delicate subtlety. The word "gay" is not ever used in the film.  The Conrad Boys is not your typical, politically correct, overtly "out" gay film.

Lo elaborates, saying, “It was important to me to portray Charlie's sexuality in a very matter-of-fact way. When you watch the film, you realize it's not about being gay per se. His sexuality isn't presented as an obstacle; his gayness just is and the conflicts in the movie come from his unique family situation, his relationship with his boyfriend, etc.  I thought it would be still be relatable for all types of people and that it was a perspective not taken too often in the context of 'gay' films."  

Lo has created an especially fascinating character in the drifter Jordan Rivers, and convincingly realized by newcomer Nick Bartzen. Although Jordan seduces Charlie sexually, he may be only doing so as an opportunist. He may not even be gay.

Many gay men in the real world have had sexual/romantic experiences with such a "Jack Kerouac" straight-acting type of guy. Be it a drifter, a beachcomber, a rogue--such mythically masculine characters are potent sexual symbols for temptation, freedom and danger. They represent an eternal lure for gays, just as they do for straights.

“Jordan is a complex character,” says Lo.  "When we first meet Jordan, we sense an instant attraction between Charlie and Jordan but there's also the possibility that Jordan is a con artist making Charlie for an easy mark. It's probably a mixture of both although I have my own thoughts on Jordan's true feelings for Charlie. In the end, Jordan's true intentions are up to each audience member's interpretation, which I think is more interesting.”

Page 1 / 2 / 3 - Next