How Josh Feldman of ‘This Close’ got his queer show about deaf characters to TV

How Josh Feldman of ‘This Close’ got his queer show about deaf characters to TV

Shoshannah Stern as Kate, Josh Feldman as Michael. Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/SundanceNow

Showbusiness has a habit of attracting extraordinary people, though few are as extraordinary as Josh Feldman.

Feldman made history in 2018 with the release of This Close, a Sundance TV series he created with writing partner Shoshanna Stern. The show follows best friends Kate & Michael (played by Stern & Feldman, respectively) as they try to navigate life and love in Los Angeles. Like the actors that play them, both Kate & Michael are deaf, which adds another layer of complexity to their lives. The acclaimed comedy also stars Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin, Lisa Rinna, Cheryl Hines, Nyle DiMarco, Stephen Weber and Margret Cho in recurring roles.

For Feldman, creating, writing and starring in This Close marks a remarkable first: he’s the first out-gay actor to play an out-gay character as a series lead on television. Queerty managed to get some time with Feldman to chat about the show, his character, and the future of deaf people in media. This Close begins its second season on the Sundance Channel September 12. It also streams on Sundance NOW.

So I’m now totally hooked on your show. I think it’s in part, because it’s a love story between Michael and Kate as friends. Where does that come from with you and Shoshanna?

Shoshanna I met about five years ago here in LA. I was already writing and trying to break into the business as a writer. Shoshanna had been acting for a while. Both of us felt frustrated in one way or another for various reasons in our careers. We became friends and we made a connection with each other, as if we’d been friends forever. Like I said, I was at a very important point in my life where I was creatively frustrated. Socially, everything was going really well. I was having a lot of fun with my life, but that balance—I was really struggling with that until I became friends with Shoshanna. Then we really felt inspired by the partnership we created. She forced me to start acting. I forced her to start writing. We really pushed each other. It’s really beautiful.

That’s really lovely.

We both have things in common. One of those things in particular was in your 20s, the friendships that you have tend to last longer than your relationships.

Yeah.

And it’s those friendships that you lean on in tough times, when trying to go through those difficult days. Often times the love stories we see on TV are focused on relationships. So while the friendships are really love stories on their own as well, we just don’t see it as much. So that’s where the idea came from: highlighting the love of friendship.

Josh Feldman as Michael, Lisa Rinna as Priscilla. Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/SundanceNow

Awesome. Now wait a second though, you had never acted before?

I had never acted professionally, ever before. This is my first credit.

That is impressive. Now, the series doesn’t shy away from dealing with issues that result from deafness, or from queerness, but the show really isn’t about that. It’s all very matter of fact. Do you ever worry—or did anyone ever tell you—that the show was too gay, or too…deaf? Is that even a thing?

The queer aspect, no. We didn’t get rejected on that alone. We encountered a lot of resistance in meetings because people didn’t understand why the characters needed to be deaf. They needed a reason for that, so that actually caused more problems than my character being gay. People just don’t understand. Often times, most of the hearing people that I encounter in my life, I’m the first deaf person they’ve ever met.

Really?

More often than not. I’m the first deaf person they’ve ever interacted with. Whereas, I’m sure people have met far more gay people than they do gay people. So they are much more familiar with gay culture than deaf culture. When we were pitching the show before we were able to sell it, people would often say “I don’t understand why the characters are deaf. What’s the point?” So that’s why we had to make it ourselves, first through Kickstarter, to show them why.

What was the transition from web to Sundance TV like?

When we decided to do the show, we decided to film a pilot. We did that all on our own. Then we started the Kickstarter from there, and we got a lot of attention from that. Super Deluxe, that studio was able to find us from Kickstarter. They wanted to work with us from there. So they really helped us produce five webisodes from the Kickstarter. We showed those episodes at the Sundance Film Festival, and from there that’s where AMC & The Sundance Network was able to find us. From there, we had the opportunity to pitch the web series as a full TV show.

Related: TV dramedy “This Close” shines a spotlight on the lives of queer, deaf characters

Michael’s relationship with Ryan, his husband, is so interesting. Just when I think I have them figured out, something happens to give me pause. Ryan is superficial, but I get the sense he really does love Michael. How do you see them?

I think Michael and Ryan are in love with the idea of each other.

Interesting.

They’re hoping this next version of their relationship will be the one that really works out. And I’ve done that before in my personal life where you break up with someone, you get back together, you think you’ve grown from your experiences, and this time it’s going to work because you’re different people. And you keep trying and trying hoping that maybe it will work the next time.

In that regard, the Ryan-Michael relationship really fits with the idea of the series as a love story. It’s also about Michael and Kate learning to love themselves. Particularly this season, as Michael struggles with his own demons, I see him as a man trying to love himself, and trying to numb the pain of loneliness in his own skin. Is he fundamentally just trying to love himself?

Michael has a very complex family history. Since he was a child, he’s always felt that he had to seem strong, that he had to put on a face. He’s had this mask on for so very long, that he’s now finding in his adulthood, as he gets older, that this mask is not enough for him anymore. It’s not working.

Ok.

Especially the people around him—his best friend, his husband—they’ve never seen Michael’s true self, what he looks like without that mask on. A lot of that has to do with the fact that he’s an addict. He’s using drugs and alcohol to cover up his loneliness.

Shoshannah Stern as Kate, Nyle DiMarco as Ben. Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/SundanceNow

That was my favorite element of the season: not because I enjoyed watching him fall apart, but because you treat a very serious subject with proper respect.

That I love to hear.

One thing I love about the characters on this show, not just Kate & Michael, is that they are all self aware. They realize when they make dumb or self-sabotaging choices. How do you find balance in that—illustrating the contradiction?

The great thing about having a partner like this is we are able to sit down together and have a conversation. So, if Michael is saying this, how is Kate going to react? It’s almost psychology in a way. We’re trying to really get into these characters’ heads and figure out their natural responses to a situation, and figure out if that’s enough for TV, or if we have to amp it up in some way. A lot of the conversations we’re having go along those lines, what the possibilities are and which avenue to go down. We try to figure out what feels more authentic to us. We have a lot of back and forth conversations to really get into those characters’ heads.

When I talk to a lot of writing partners, they describe the partnership as being a lot like a marriage. Billy Wilder said that about Charles Brackett when they wrote Sunset Blvd. With you and Shoshanna, how do you complement one another? How does she challenge you?

[A beat]

It’s definitely like a marriage. Shoshanna will often say the show is like our child. We’re co-parenting a child together.

That makes sense.

It always feels that way. For us, the way we complement each other… For example, if I’m having a bad day, Shoshanna will make sure she’s having a good day, and vice versa. The that we work, we ask questions to each other. We get the other person thinking. So if I’m writing solo, I’m not going to ask a question Shoshanna is going to ask me. I’m just going to keep going. With a partner, Shoshana will say what about this? What if we try this? So we create more possibilities by asking those questions than we would be working on our own.

How do you settle disagreements in that case?

We do have disagreements, but that’s pretty rare. When we do, we talk it out. By the end of that one of us has convinced the other to go one way or another.

Shoshannah Stern as Kate, Josh Feldman as Michael. Photo Credit: Michael Moriatis/SundanceNow

That’s a good marriage.

[Laughter]

It is a good marriage.

So I have to confess: watching the first episode I thought this show would be perfect with Marlee Matlin. So I was very happy to see that she’s a recurring character. She’s a marvelous, beautiful actress.

Love her.

Obviously, she’s amazing. Marlee though is still the only deaf actor to win an Academy Award. There’s such a discussion about representation, particularly for gender, for racial, for queer and for people with disabilities. Do you as an actor feel like deaf characters should always be played by deaf actors?

I strongly feel only deaf people should be playing deaf characters. For me, as a deaf person, when I see a hearing person playing a deaf character, it is painful. It is hurtful. There is never—there is no way the way that actor could play that person accurately. They will never understand the experience of what it means to be deaf. Unless you’re deaf yourself, you cannot understand. It doesn’t matter how well a character is written, or how good an actor you are. Hands down, it just will never be a good portrayal. Period.

That’s a good argument. Now that you are an actor, obviously you can’t hide your deafness very easily. Were you ever advised not to be an actor? That you’ll not work enough?

I think I’m in a unique situation. The first thing I ever acted in was a character explicitly gay, and obviously very deaf. So it’s already out in the world. In a way, that makes it easier for me: I don’t have to listen to anyone else tell me I can’t be this gay or I don’t need to be this deaf. It’s already pretty obvious. I put everything out there in this show.

What’s the biggest challenge been for you in doing this? Obviously, you’re taking on a huge amount by writing and acting in the show.

Big question.

[A beat]

I think the biggest challenge for me would be playing the character of Michael who has a lot of problems he’s dealing with. He’s a very dark person. That’s been the biggest challenge so far: the idea of not taking your work home with you?

Yes…

That’s a bit hard, being in Michael’s head and not taking that home with me. But the experience has also been very freeing. As an artist, I’m so proud that I’m able to write a character like Michael: a deaf, openly gay character who has problems, but is still successful. He has his highs and lows. As an artist, it feels very freeing to do something like that. I haven’t felt restricted in this experience.

So what are your future aspirations? Do you want to keep writing? Acting? Working with Shoshanna? Try working alone?

All of the above. I’ve been writing a lot of pieces on my own. I’m hoping to do a movie next. We’ll see what happens from there.

Are you writing the movie for yourself?

Yes.

What can you tell us about it?

I don’t know that I’m ready to say anything about it yet.

[Laughter]

What’s your dream role?

I haven’t written it yet.

This Close airs Thurdsays on the Sundance Channel. It also is available on Sundance NOW streaming.

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Sam Smith Announces Their Pronouns are ‘They/Them’

Sam Smith Announces Their Pronouns are ‘They/Them’

Singer Sam Smith, the nonbinary genderqueer recording artist, announced on Twitter Friday that their pronouns are they/them.

Said Smith: “Today is a good day so here goes. I’ve decided I am changing my pronouns to THEY/THEM … after a lifetime of being at war with my gender I’ve decided to embrace myself for who I am, inside and out… I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but f**k it!”

I’m so excited and privileged to be surrounded by people that support me in this decision but I’ve been very nervous about announcing this because I care too much about what people think but fuck it!

— Sam Smith (@samsmith) September 13, 2019

“I understand there will be many mistakes and mis gendering but all I ask is you please please try,” Smith continued. “I hope you can see me like I see myself now. Thank you. P.s. I am at no stage just yet to eloquently speak at length about what it means to be non binary but I can’t wait for the day that I am. So for now I just want to be VISIBLE and open. If you have questions and are wondering what this all means I’ll try my best to explain…”

P.s. I am at no stage just yet to eloquently speak at length about what it means to be non binary but I can’t wait for the day that I am. So for now I just want to be VISIBLE and open. If you have questions and are wondering what this all means I’ll try my best to explain…

— Sam Smith (@samsmith) September 13, 2019

Added Smith: “These are activists and leaders of the non binary/trans community that have helped me and given me so much clarity and understanding.@TomGlitter @MunroeBergdorf @travisalabanza @alokvmenon @katemoross @Glamrou @jvn @Lavernecox @stonewalluk @glaad @Mermaids_Gender @HRC Love you all. I’m scared shitless, but feeling super free right now. Be kind x”

Love you all. I’m scared shitless, but feeling super free right now. Be kind x

— Sam Smith (@samsmith) September 13, 2019

The post Sam Smith Announces Their Pronouns are ‘They/Them’ appeared first on Towleroad Gay News.


Sam Smith Announces Their Pronouns are ‘They/Them’

Human Rights Campaign Endorses U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher for Reelection

Human Rights Campaign Endorses U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher for Reelection

HRC announced the endorsement of U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher for reelection.  

Fletcher has been a strong supporter of her LGBTQ constituents while in Congress, cosponsoring and voting for the Equality Act as well as supporting pro-LGBTQ bills. Fletcher’s endorsement marks the second Congressional endorsement of the 2020 cycle and underscores the electoral importance of Texas in 2020. Over the next year, HRC will be devoting significant resources to turning out the 1.7 million Equality Voters across the state of Texas to ensure pro-equality leaders like Rep. Fletcher remain in, or are elected to office. 

“Congresswoman Fletcher has been a steadfast ally of the LGBTQ community during her first term in Congress,” said HRC President Alphonso David. “In 2018, voters sent a clear message by rejecting the politics of fear and division and sending bold pro-equality champions like Lizzie Fletcher to Washington. Now, it’s time to make sure those leaders have the resources and support they need to continue to work on behalf of all Americans, including the LGBTQ community. The Human Rights Campaign is proud to endorse Congresswoman Fletcher’s bid for reelection and we look forward to continuing to fight alongside her for full equality.” 

“I am honored and proud to receive HRC’s endorsement for my reelection,” Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher said. “HRC volunteers were a critical component of our coalition in 2018 and, with their continued partnership, we will build on our work together for a diverse, inclusive, equal society in 2020.”

“Congresswoman Fletcher has been a game-changer for Texas,” said HRC Texas State Director Rebecca Marques. “Not only was she able to flip an unfriendly district, but she has been a vocal ally for LGBTQ people — both in her district and around the country. HRC is proud to endorse Rep. Fletcher for reelection, and we will work tirelessly to send her back to Washington for a second term.” 

In 2018, HRC deployed staff on the ground across the state to help elect Fletcher and other pro-equality candidates across Texas. Alongside its three permanent full-time staff in Texas and four local volunteer steering committees, HRC deployed 13 additional staff and organizers for a major get-out-the-vote effort across the state. Over the last four days in Texas, HRC members and supporters knocked on over thousands of doors and texted over 27,000 Texans voting resources and reminders. In addition to robust door-to-door, mail and phone canvassing in partnership with local groups including Equality Texas, HRC hosted four Equality Action Academy trainings to give HRC members and supporters the tools they need to take action locally in legislative advocacy and in support of pro-equality candidate campaigns.

HRC Endorses U.S. Rep. Lizzie Fletcher for Reelection in Houston t.co/zspB7pL01t

— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) September 13, 2019

Paid for by Human Rights Campaign PAC (www.hrc.org). Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.

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The GLAAD Wrap: ‘Hustlers’ film released; ‘Queer Eye: We’re in Japan!’ release date and trailer; new music from Halsey, Tegan & Sara, Lil Nas X, Wrabel; and more!

The GLAAD Wrap: ‘Hustlers’ film released; ‘Queer Eye: We’re in Japan!’ release date and trailer; new music from Halsey, Tegan & Sara, Lil Nas X, Wrabel; and more!

Photo Credit: Barbara Nitke / STX Films

Every week, The GLAAD Wrap brings you LGBTQ-related entertainment news highlights, fresh stuff to watch out for, and fun diversions to help you kick off the weekend.

1) The already acclaimed movie Hustlers opens this week nationwide. Starring out actors Keke Palmer and Trace Lysette, the film follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. With other cast members like GLAAD Vanguard Award recipient Jennifer Lopez, Constance Wu, Cardi B, and Lizzo, the movie is sure to be a good time. Catch the trailer below and get tickets here.

2) The trailer for Paramount’s film Like a Boss was released this week. The film starts out actor Billy Porter, along with Tiffany Haddish, Rose Byrne, and Salma Hayek. Watch the trailer below and catch the film when it’s released on January 10, 2020. In other film news, short film Darling has won the prestigious Orizzonti Award for Best Short Film at the Venice Film Festival. Set in the Pakistani province of Punjab, the short stars out trans actress Alina Khan and tells the story of a dreamy trans girl who has a goal of becoming a star and the young boy who falls in love with her. Watch the short film here.

3) As part of Outfest + Grand Park Los Angeles’ annual PROUD Picnic Movie Night on Saturday, September 14, a screening of Michael Barnett’s Audience Award-winning feature documentary Changing the Game about three transgender high school athletes will take place. The documentary, which was co-produced by GLAAD’s own Alex Schmider, will screen alongside a Fusion Shorts Program, highlighting an inspiring collection of QTPOC narratives. This event is free and open to the public. Also, in New York City, Mack Beggs, one of the subjects of Changing the Game, will attend a special ESPN event on Tuesday, September 17 with a Q&A moderated by sports journalist Katie Barnes prior to the premiere of short documentary Mack Wrestles on ESPN’s 30 for 30. To attend, RSVP to [email protected].

4)  A premiere date has been set for Queer Eye: We’re in Japan! The four-episode special will premiere on Nov. 1st on the streaming site. Watch the new teaser trailer below. Additionally, out comedian Bowen Yang has been added to the cast of the 2019-2020 SNL season. Yang makes history as the first East Asian cast member of the long-running sketch show, and the first queer Asian member as well. The 45th season of SNL premieres Sept. 28 with host Woody Harrelson and musical guest Billie Eilish. In more TV news, HBO Max has ordered Vogueing competition show Legendary to the new streaming platform. Each epsidoe will follow a ball from start to finish.  

Tokyo!!! Our special season, Queer Eye: We’re in Japan! is coming to Netflix November 1!  CAN. YOU. BELIEVE. pic.twitter.com/YSEncMQcQC

— Queer Eye (@QueerEye) September 5, 2019

5) Out GLAAD Media Award-winning artist Halsey announced her new album today, Manic, which will be released on January 17, 2020 and can be pre-ordered here. She also released a new single from Manic, “Graveyard,” which can be streamed and downloaded here. Out singer and rapper Lil Nas X released a remix to his single “Panini” featuring DaBaby this week. Watch the animated music video below!

6) Out singer Miley Cyrus has joined forces with Lana Del Rey and Ariana Grande for new song “Don’t Call Me Angel,” out today. The song was made in conjunction with the new Charlie’s Angels film starring out actor Kristen Stewart. Listen to the song below and catch the movie when it’s released Nov. 15. Additionally, Camila Cabello released a new video for her song “Liar.” The video features out actor and singer Keiynan Lonsdale. Watch the video here.

7) Tegan and Sara have released a lyric video for their newest song “Hey, I’m Just Like You.” Watch the video below, which features home movies of the out twin sisters, and listen to their new album Hey, I’m Just Like You when it’s released Sept. 27th. Out singer-songwriter Wrabel’s latest song “flickers” is out now. Listen to song here, and check out his latest EP is one of those happy people, out today.

8) Out musician King Princess has released a lyric video for latest single “Ain’t Together,” which you can watch below. The Brooklyn native was recently signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing with an overall worldwide deal covering her full music catalog. In other music news, out actor and performer Ben Platt released a new video for his song “Rain.” The star of the upcoming Ryan Murphy show The Politician can be seen dancing and singing in the pouring rain; watch the video here. Platt also announced this week that his upcoming Radio City Music Hall performance will be turned into a Netflix special. 

9) Charli XCX’s latest album Charli is out today. The album features many out musicians, such as Christine and the Queens, Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Big Freedia, Brooke Candy, and Pablo Vittar. Listen to newest single “2099” featuring Troye Sivan below, and get tickets to her tour here. In other album release news, queer musician Samantha Sidley’s album Interior Person is out today on Release Me Records. Listen to her single “I Like Girls” here, and RSVP for her album release party this Saturday, September 14th in West Hollywood, CA.

10) A new collection of late Queen singer Freddie Mercury’s solo material, Never Boring, is set to be released by Hollywood records on Oct. 11. The 5-disc box set will include songs, videos and spoken words from the singer, across three CDs containing 32 songs, a Blu-ray and DVD with 13 videos and interviews. In case you missed it, watch the previously unreleased song “Time Waits For No One,” also included in the box set, below.

11) RuPaul’s Drag Race is coming to Las Vegas! It was announced last weekend that RuPaul will be be bringing a new show to the famous Las Vegas strip starting in January 2020. Each show will feature seven queens from a rotating cast of Drag Race alumni, including fan-favorites like Aquaria, Asia O’Hara, Coco Montrese, Derrick Barry, Naomi Smalls, and Yvie Oddly. Performances will feature slapstick comedy, dazzling fashions, superb singing and dancing, each with their own special twists. For tickets and more information, visit here.

11) Two LGBTQ-related books were released this week. The first is Pet by Akwaeke Emezi, which is a fantastical young adult tale of a monster-hunting Black trans girlOrder your copy here or visit your local bookstore. The second is a graphic novel Are You Listening? by Tillie Walden, which centers around a magical realist road trip taken by two women and a mysterious cat. Find a copy at your local bookstore or order one here.

12) Ever wanted to wear glitter but didn’t know where to start? Gay designer Marlon Sison has created the SparkleOut Glitter Tattoo Kit to celebrate LGBTQ pride with a little sparkle and shine. Complete with brushes, stencils, and of course, glitter, these kits are a fun way to express your personality and your queerness. Check out the project’s Kickstarter page and consider ordering yours or donating today!

September 13, 2019

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