... at the office. A few more stills from the set of 4PLAY: TAMPA. We did a sneak peak rough cut screening at SXSW last week and "rocked the box". DP PJ Raval confirmed after the screening that we are all now officially going to hell so I think my work on the film is almost done. Photos taken by the lovely OtisIke. - Kyle
Final installment of Atticus Rowe's (Kai in AUSTIN) interview. - Kyle 5) Finally, anything extra you'd like to share about the process and experience of making this film?
One of the most striking things to me about this film and script is how we all think we're special and OUR problems are different or more intense than others, but really they're not. I didn't know Carlos or Kyle before this film and yet, Carlos could write something that I felt so comfortable in.
All relationships face issues and problems and ultimately, they all come from being human. If you strip down what makes us different, there's something at the core that's the same and I hope that makes people able to relate to this film.
And, of course, I would like to share how wonderful everyone was on this project. The blend of professionalism and fun on set was a joy and I look forward to working with any of the cast and crew again. I remember sitting in an alley, in the heat, with our crew of about 6 people and looking up the alley about two blocks and seeing MACHETE (Robert Rodrigues' film) being shot and hundreds of people and trucks. Looking around at our little group and my busted bike and thinking, "we've got it made!"
Perusing readings for a class I'm putting together, stumbled upon this quote from Andrei Tarkovsky is his wonderful book SCULPTING IN TIME that I think pretty much sums up how about feel about the miniaturist "realism" movement still taking up too much space on the national film festival circuit. Life is MUCH bigger that these very small, unambitious, navel-gazing films. - Kyle
I think in fact that unless there is an organic link between the subjective impressions of the author and his objective representation of reality, he will not achieve even superficial credibility, let alone authenticity and inner truth.
You can play a scene with documentary precision, dress the characters correctly to the point of naturalism, have all the details exactly like real life, and the picture emerges in consequence will still be nowhere near reality, it will seem utterly artificial, that is, not faithful to life, even though artificiality was precisely what the author was trying to avoid.
Curiously enough the label "artificial" is applied in art to what unquestionably belongs to our ordinary, everyday perception of reality. The explanation is that the pattern of life is far more poetic than it is sometimes represented by the determined advocates of naturalism.
Andrei Tarkovsky
PT 2 of my interview w/ Atticus Rowe, who plays Kai in AUSTIN. - Kyle
3) What particular challenges did you face playing your role? Any fears you had to overcome?
As I mentioned, allowing myself to truly deal with issues so close to my own was scary, but ultimately it was a gift.
4) During the process of making the film, was there anything you learned about the world or yourself that you feel like sharing?
HA!!! I learned that I have a porn threshold!!! I remember when we first went into the "news shop", everyone was sort of giggling and cracking jokes about the title of a movie or toy etc. Then we started working and everyone was very professional and that settled down and we moved on to trying to get what Kyle was looking for. But at some point, it was if I had been looking at the Sun too long or one of those 3D pictures. It was floor to ceiling porn, everywhere. The only place there was not porn was the floor or the ceiling and I found myself staring at both. And I am by NO MEANS a prude. It was sort of like working on a green screen for a long time and your eyes start to "die." It was like I went from intrigue, to desensitized, to overloaded. I remember Kyle asking me to do something specific with my eyes and it was everything I could do to do it and ultimately, I don't think I could do it.
A new year ... time to move on to the next FOURPLAY short, AUSTIN, which will be making it's way in the world soon. Simply put, it's the story of young couple, Kai and Lily, who debate independence vs conceiving over the course of an evening and arrive at a startling compromise. Below is part one of my interview with Atticus Rowe who plays Kai.
1) What were your first feelings about being approached to play your role in AUSTIN? First thoughts after reading the script?
My first feelings about playing Kai were apprehension and fear. Not because I was worried about being able to play the part or understand the character, but more because of the parallels that I felt with Kai's life and his relationship with Lily and the precipice at which they stood. It's quite a bit scarier to explore things that are true and meaningful, rather than playing at something you need to create.
2) What, if anything, helped you prepare to play your role?
I was recently married when we started production and I would say that the experience of having recently taken a big step and discovering what that step meant helped me significantly. It's funny how you may think, "Oh, I took this step. Now, I am here." and you think you'll stay there for awhile, but before you know it, you're either thinking about, talking about or taking that next step. There always seems to be a next step and if you are in a relationship and you respect each other, one tends to be waiting for the other to be "ready" and then when they are, the other may have backed off!
Thoughts for the day, and in general, how I feel about what we are trying to accomplish with FOURPLAY that perhaps is out of step with the times, but hopefully speaks to some eternal truths that remain constant. The last of the short films that make up the series has wrapped, so now just in post-production land for 2011. Happy Holidaze! - Kyle
Romanticism is precisely situated neither
in choice of subject nor exact truth,
but in the way of feeling.
- CHARLES BAUDELAIRE
The moment of desire ! the moment of desire ! the
virgin
That pines for man shall awaken her womb to
enormous joys
In the secret shadows of her chamber : the youth
shut up from
The lustful joy shall forget to generate and create an
amorous image
In the shadows of his curtains and in the folds of his
silent pillow.
Are not these the places of religion, the rewards of
continence,
The self-enjoyings of self-denial ? Why dost thou
seek religion ?
Is it because acts are not lovely that thou seekest
solitude,
Where the horrible darkness is impressed with
reflections of desire?
- WILLIAM BLAKE
Part five of art critic/educator Andy Campbell's (bold) interview with Paul Soileau, Aliya in 4PLAY: SF, and Chloe, consultant and inspiration for Aliya. Photo above from Paul's performance as "Christeene" in Los Angeles this summer during OUTFEST at the "Bears In Space" party. I love the mash up of high-and-low with the McDonald's signage in the background... although I don't know which is high or which is low? - Kyle
When you were at Folsom, Paul, you did something really genius, that I wish I had been there for. Your drag performance persona Christeene Vale does this balloon dance and for this particular performance you attached the balloons to a butt plug, right? And you inserted the butt plug and then let it fly after dancing with it. Did it actually fly? Was there enough helium in it to lift the butt plug?
Paul: Yeah, one of my dancers, T. Gravel, he was involved in a situation where he had to lift his dick with balloons for a performance and it took twelve large balloons to lift it. So we figured…
And does that mean he has a big dick?
Paul: A big ol’ dick. Oh, I don’t know. It was flaccid when he had to lift it, and he just said it took twelve for him. And his partner, who was doing it too, took a couple more. So they were always fighting about that.
"I’m two balloons more than you!"
Paul: Men! Men! But we knew we were going to need twelve, but we wound up with fifteen helium balloons, and we just tied them to this red jelly butt plug and I did my dance. And then at the end – it was outdoors – and I pulled it out at the end of the little intro dance and let go, and it flew right over a church and it disappeared.
Did you feel the pull of the balloons while you were dancing?
Paul: No, actually it kept…I needed some lubrication, and my friend, all he had was this fancy French lotion, which was so damn silky, and that thing kept wanting to fly out of my butt the whole time. Damn French lotion, it was angel silky.
Paul: Another thing on this trip to Folsom was that it was the first time I had ever met Chloe. And I was dressed up as skanky Christeene, who is just trash, and then the most elegant woman in the world, Chloe, came out.
Scott: Well, when I first saw Christeene, I had to go downstairs and let her in my building. So I had to descend the stairs, and there’s Christeene at the bottom of the stairs –
- where she belongs –
Scott: - where she belongs. I had to convince myself to open the door. And I looked at her, and I was like, okay wait, I do know this person. And I open the door and all of a sudden I realized I spent two-and-a-half hours getting dressed and this bitch is wearing a pillowcase. I’m not shitting you. And looked gorgeous, I have to say. I wasn’t quite sure what was make-up and what wasn’t. It was lots of brown stains everywhere, and I was a little bit scared to give her a hug, but I was so happy to see lovely Christeene.
Paul: It really was like sushi going out with chicken fried steak. It was just tragic.
Scott: But the best part was being in public with you at a bar and people looking at us, trying to figure out, how the fuck do those two know each other? Where did they meet?
It was Folsom, so were those bears all over you?
Scott: The bears were all over us. Paul: The bears loved us. It was amazing.
Scott: The bears loved Christeene… A lot of them were really familiar with Christeene's music and videos. A lot of them were major fans. They knew all the words to her songs. It was this wonderful experience of, I think, people being fascinated and repulsed at the same time, which is a fun place to be, if you think about it.
Part 4 of art critic/theorist Andy Campbell's interview w/ Paul Soileau (aka Aliya) and Chloe, cross-dressing sex-worker script consultant, regarding their work together on FOURPLAY: SAN FRANCISCO. - KyleHave you ever faked a kink, Paul?
Paul: Have I ever what? What do you mean a kink? It can be anything – like being into micro-penises, I don’t know. Paul: Not in my personal life. No, no, I don’t think so. Unh-unh.
Would you like to?
Scott: You’re not a faker, Paul!
Paul: No, it’s not like work for me. If I were doing what Scott does, I’d fake the kinks for sure, but personally, no.
That’s so selfish.
Scott: Does it always have to be your way, Paul?
I think the answer is yes, a big yes.
Scott: What a selfish kind of lover you are!
Paul: I know. I am. I’ll try any kink, though, but I won’t act like I enjoy it if I don’t. But I’ll sure as hell try them out.
Scott: You’ll try anything once!
Paul: My sex-life is like a Piccadilly buffet.
I want you to go into that more.
Paul: Well, my favorite is chicken fried steak.
Does everything have to be fried, Paul?
Paul: No, no…I’ll eat some broiled chicken… But you won’t like it.
Scott: And he’ll let you know.
He’ll let you know. He’ll tell you.
Scott (imitating Paul): No, I’ll try it, but I didn’t like that.
Paul: You have to try it, dammit!
What did you eat today, Scott?
Scott: I had a beautiful smoothie. It made me very happy. Oh, and sushi, I had sushi for lunch.
Is that it? You need to eat more!
Scott: It’s only 7:30 here, honey.
Oh, that’s right. That was the Jewish mom coming out in me…
Scott: And I had two clients this afternoon, and trust me, I ain’t gonna eat no fucking chicken fried steak before I have to work.
No shit.
Scott: Literally, no shit. Literally, it doesn’t happen. We keep it nice and light.
Paul: Yeah, Scott’s very elegant with everything he does.
And you are not, obviously.
Paul: No, I try, but I’m a poser. I try to be all elegant, but once you get into it, you’ll be able to find out.
Vous parlez Français? Oui? Then here's a link for tickets to FOURPLAY: SAN FRANCISCO at Montreal's Image+Nation Festival on Fri, Oct 29th, 9 PM at Theater Hall Concordia (see link for directions to theater).
And more info on a new FREE screening in San Francisco's bay area at Stanford in Palo Alto on Fri, Oct 29th from 6-9:30PM. I'll be participating in the Q&A via Skype and possibly Chloe might be in attendance.
Pt 3 of Andy Campbell's interview w/ Paul Soileau (Aliya) and Chloe, 4PLAY:SF's project consultant. Click here to see Pt 1 or Pt 2. - KyleNow I want to know about this film that you two collaborated on, FOURPLAY: SAN FRANCISCO. In it, Paul, you play a fictionalized version of Scott's sex-worker tranny persona Chloe and, well, you toe-fuck a quadriplegic. What was it like seeing Paul play you?
Scott: Surreal, a bit surreal, and incredibly flattering in one sense, and bit nerve-racking. We actually did some of the filming in my actual apartment here, which is where the character – instead of calling her Chloe, she’s named Aliya in the film –lived. And we did some of the filming in San Francisco, but the actual scene of the session between Aliya and the quadriplegic gentlemen was actually filmed in Austin, Texas and I wasn’t there for that. But it was remarkable how accurate it was and how incredible Paul was. The subtleties and the sensitivities, you know, he really got it. And that has to do with all different levels, starting on working on the script with the screenwriter and director to make sure the sensitivity level was there.
I’ve read some of your writings about your work and one of the things I’m really interested in is this idea of empathy that you talk about, and this idea of coming to your work from a place of non-judgment. And I’m actually wondering if in that process of empathy and non-judgment you feel like there’s a way that you can connect to those that you’re working with.
Scott: Absolutely. I mean, I feel like in any kind of therapeutic situation – and that is how I view it – that there is going to be transference and counter-transference. What that means is that, if the client comes in and he typically is a depressed or lonely person, and he’s trying to sort of scab that situation over with sex, I feel that. I feel that sadness. I see people who are really, really lonely and desperate for that touch of human skin and to have their own skin touched. And that’s sort of a sad situation, and I definitely feel that. I think anyone who is sort of present in that situation and goes through it multiple times after a course of years is going to feel that.
And do you feel like it works the other way, too?
Scott: Absolutely. I feel like I have the power… well, typically, if I’m not in the best of moods, I don’t work. I try to make sure that I’m in the right frame of mind to give people what they’re really coming for, to be open to that. And if I’m having a bad day or something like that, or I’m tired, I would just rather not work, ‘cause that’s just not fair to them. It’s one of the ways that I safeguard against that kind of counter-transference to them, by not working when my head isn’t in the right place.
I was wondering if their kinks become your kinks?
Scott: Oh, interesting. Yeah, um, Paul – I think this is where you and I might connect, ‘cause there’s a lot of acting that goes on. Even if I’m not particularly into a certain situation – if I’m not into rimming, if I’m not into fisting, if I’m not into S&M spanking or whatever – I can pretend like I am. I feel like that’s part of the job. That’s what they’re paying for. I’m not saying I lie to the client, necessarily, but I feel like I can throw myself into the role. As soon as I get in the role of Chloe, I’m ready to be that sexual dynamo and the fantasy that the client has when they arrive at my apartment.
Paul: You really want to make that person feel amazing, right? Verbally, you don’t have to go there, you don’t have to shove your fist up their ass, but you sure as hell can make them think you would, because they’ve brought it up and you’re turned on by it.
Scott: Exactly. You’re absolutely right, Paul. And interestingly enough, the dynamic in most of my sessions is that they’ve come to please me, actually. You know, the whole tranny/chick with a dick thing is about all these men being able to be submissive. So it really puts me into this perfect kind of place to really control the situation. Oftentimes, it’s not really about what turns them on. Occasionally it is, but usually it’s about me sort of guiding a situation and having them sort of figure out what turns me on. Or me telling them, “Let’s do this. This really gets me hot. That’s good.” Because they’re there to please me.
