OUTTAKE VOICES™ (Interviews)

Filmmaker David Scheve talks about his new animated TV series “Hard Knock Rock” with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. “Sufferin' Till You're Straight” is the third in a series of ten segments that is currently playing the LGBT film festival circuit. This hilarious animated music video delivers a brilliant history lesson about our LGBT community’s long struggle for equality including Stonewall, gay marriage and more. The lead vocalist Essra Mohawk is a former member of Frank Zappa’s The Mothers of Invention and features background vocals by Scherrie Payne and Susaye Greene both of Motown’s The Supremes. Conceived by Scheve the music was composed by Todd Schroeder and the lyrics were written by Scheve and Neal LaVine. This three minute short was designed by legendary Warner Bros. / Disney animator Willie Ito. We talked to Scheve about “Hard Knock Rock” and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what he would like to accomplish with “Hard Knock Rock” Scheve stated, “These films, I find can address a lot of subjects that are either taboo or difficult to talk about or things that make people uncomfortable, if you use a bit of humor and these films do that. So it brings up subjects that are good to have discussions about, subjects about gay rights and we’re doing a spot on transgender and transsexual people and drag queens and just talking about things that are real life things that sometimes make people uncomfortable and with the humor level and the aspect of animation it lowers peoples defenses and it starts discussions that are really important.”

 David Scheve is the founder of TDA Animation a film company that combines talents and styles from the 50s, 60s & 70s with modern world sensibility. His animated film series features some of Broadway's best including, Lillias White, Loretta Devine, Eileen Brennan and Elaine Stritch, as well as the iconic animated voice talent from his childhood including, June Foray, Lucille Bliss, Stan Freeburg and Jack Sheldon. David is currently at work on his next animated short film for the Hard Knock Rock series that features pop diva Martha Wash.
For Info & Film Schedule...

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Comedian Paula Poundstone who’s currently on tour talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Paula will be appearing at The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, Massachusetts for two shows on Sunday, August 25th at 7:30P & 9:30P. Since Paula is a regular panelist on the hit NPR news quiz show, “Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me” we talked to Paula about our LGBT issues including the US Supreme Court gay marriage decisions, Russia’s anti gay laws and how this may impact the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and more.

When asked about her grueling year-round performance schedule Poundstone stated, “To go into a room of people who come out to laugh for the night is already magical to begin with. In our society it’s almost unique at this point because people are so electronically hooked-up and enjoy that kind of entertainment so much. So to be in a room of live human beings where you can shake hands, make eye contact, talk about what happened to you on the way there, have some real genuine exchanges is a fantastic thing in itself. And then to get to stand on the stage and say what you think is funny and often times by the way I’ve shared things that were very personal on stage. I’ve had lots of struggles along the way and I’ve shared those struggles whether they were the most dramatic struggles or just the lesser frustrating ones and people laugh because the truth is, as much as we may think we’re terribly unique, in all of our difficulties we have a lot more in common than we have differences no matter who you are. So to be in a room of people laughing about those difficulties is the most amazing wonderful thing in the world. I’m really lucky that I sort of just stumbled in that direction and it’s helped me out in the last 34 years.”

In March 2013 Paula joined Whoopi Goldberg, Joan Rivers and several other prominent women in comedy for a feature-length documentary produced by Lions Gate for Showtime TV entitled, “Why We Laugh Too: Women of Comedy”. Her newest comedy cd, “I Heart Jokes: Paula Tells Them in Boston” was recorded during a performance at the Wilbur Theatre in the heart of the city and was released on April Fool’s Day 2013. Poundstone lives in Santa Monica, California with her three children, Toshia, Allison and Thomas E. To catch her at The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, Massachusetts on August 25th Showtime is at 7:30P & 9:30P Tix are $40.
For More Info & Tour Schedule: paulapoundstone.com

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David McFarland, Founder and CEO of United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment (UESE), the nation’s first and only organization dedicated solely to advancing and achieving equality in sports and entertainment for our LGBT community talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. With the controversy over the upcoming 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia we thought we’d get his perspective on the situation. We talked to David about Russia’s anti gay laws, how this contentious situation will impact the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and his spin on our LGBT issues in this country.

When asked what his position is on Russia’s anti gay laws especially with the Sochi Winter Olympics coming up in 2014 McFarland stated, “What we’re seeing in Russia is one of the key reasons I developed and launched United for Equality in Sports & Entertainment. Little did I know we would see this happen in a nation that decriminalized LGBT people in the early 1990’s. My global perspective on this issue is most closely related to the LGBT human rights work that I do with the United Nations and in African nations like Uganda. What’s happening in Russia right now after passing one of the most cornucopian anti gay laws in the world is a major human rights issue that the world needs to pay attention to and stand-up, speak-out about; it’s horrifying and unacceptable. Unfortunately what we are seeing are attacks and violence against LGBT people, you know torture etc. Frankly it’s officially sanctioned violence against LGBT people and it’s no secret that Putin has turned a blind eye towards this violence. Young gay youth as we know are being tortured and beaten in the streets, bullied and even murdered and kidnapped to go to who knows where by Russian authorities. The International Olympic Committee, the United Nations and leaders of all nations and governments across the world need to speak out, stand up and help bring an end to these human rights violations and put pressure on the Russian government and President Putin. And this pressure needs to happen on all levels to end this horrific event.”

David McFarland is the former Executive Director & CEO and Chair, Board of Directors of The Trevor Project the leading national mental health organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBT youth in the U.S. McFarland has spent the last year developing and building the infrastructure and mission for UESE. UESE is based in Los Angeles and will steer the conversation around promoting equality for all in sports and entertainment. UESE will collaborate with its partners to raise awareness about the importance of equality as a powerful tool in the advancement of social change and the creation of a safe and educated environment for openly LGBT athletes and artists.
For More Info: UESE.org

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Kit Williamson, actor/producer talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about his TV series “EastSiders” now airing online on VIACOM/LOGO. “EastSiders” is a dark comedy that explores the aftermath of a gay couple’s infidelity in Silver Lake, California. Williamson plays Cal who discovers that Thom (Van Hansis) has been cheating on him with Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon), which turns their relationship upside down. Cal’s best friend Kathy (Constance Wu) is always there for him to fuel the situation with a bottle of whiskey. We talked to Williamson about “Eastsiders” and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Kit stated, “I’m personally very committed to LGBT civil rights. As a gay person I think that we’re in an amazing time of history where our actions have the possibility to affect change and I didn’t feel that way when I was a kid. I was very pessimistic as a kid growing up in Jackson Mississippi but I’ve seen the world around me change and I’m seeing minds and hearts change, even in Mississippi. I think that things have changed drastically since I was growing up there. I think it starts with being out and open about who you are and vocal about your experiences. You know having faced a lot of intense discrimination in my life I refuse to let fear determine my actions and I think more and more people are living their life that way.” When we then asked for his spin on actors coming out in Hollywood Kit added, “You know I think it’s a personal decision and I am strongly against the witch-hunts that goes on sometimes about people who are in the closet. I think we wouldn’t do that to teenagers so why on earth would we do it to a 20 year-old actor in Hollywood? That said I personally feel a sense of responsibility to be out and open in my career and my life because I know it would have been significant to me as a kid to see more examples of people living their lives that way because I didn’t really know it was a possibility for me.”

In addition to writing, directing and starring in “EastSiders” Williamson is the newest cast member of AMC’s “Mad Men” appearing as copywriter Ed Gifford. He can also be seen in the leading role on the hit comedy web series "Hipsterhood," returning for a second season this summer on Blip.Tv as well as viral videos for Funny or Die and Daywalt Fear Factory. Kit's indie film work includes a supporting role in the Slamdance favorite apocalyptic road trip comedy "Best Friends Forever" from director Brea Grant, slated for distribution by Gravitas.
For More Info: eastsiderstheseries.com

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Wendy Robbins and Karen Paull talk about their new venture Red Capes, the first lesbian owned and operated global crowdfunding site with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. In addition to helping businesses, products and ideas reach their full potential they saw a need for nonprofit organizations and causes to be able to increase their financial capabilities. They have implemented ways to take crowdfunding to a whole new level. Red Capes believes in supporting every worthwhile project regardless of whether the immediate monetary goal has been met. Wendy Robbins, CEO, states, "Red Capes is a power to the people, paying it forward fundraising platform where a large group gives small donations in exchange for unique gifts so everyone gets to be a superhero." We talked about this and their spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what their commitment is to LGBT civil rights Karen stated, “I’ve always been an activist. I spent most of my years in San Francisco and marched and signed petitions and got involved with all the dyke marches and Dykes on Bikes. Wendy and I also got married in New Mexico and we can’t wait for it to be legal here but we had a ceremony here six years ago. Our families came and supported us and as an example of loving each other freely and openly we hope to create a great impact for people that are coming out or are having trouble coming out and personally it makes sense. I can’t believe it’s taken so long. At least California is jumping to the front and we certainly hope our state jumps in line as quickly as possible so we can finally have a legal marriage.” Wendy added, “Take a look at our site; it has a variety of different channels essentially and in those channels one of them is ‘rights.’ It’s because we do want people to speak out and create actions towards rights whether its gay rights, human rights, women’s rights, children’s rights, animal rights, we’re into rights. Also on coming out it’s funny because our publicist asked ‘Do you really want to play the gay angle?’ And we were like yeah because it’s important, because it gives people an opportunity if they’re kind of hiding in the closet or whatever; they’re just going to feel safe on our site and we want to bring that out. Karen concluded, “We have a lot of younger people come up to us in their teens and early twenties saying you guys are such a great example of being who you are and being proud of it and it’s such a time for us to have a revolution of equal rights for all.”

Wendy Robbins, CEO and founder of Red Capes.com co-invented and marketed The Tingler head massager, selling a million to 6000 stores and online, that received massive press. She co-starred with Kelly Ripa on Discovery/TLC on the TV series, "Homemade Millionaire." Wendy also coached women inventors how to pitch and bring products to HSN and wrote the bestseller, "Why Marry A Millionaire? Just Be One!" Co-Founder and CMO Karen Paull is the founder and CEO of Sales Guru Consulting, LLC. Her company serves over a dozen mid to large sized internet and mobile companies where she acts as their out-sourced advertising agency. She is the former Vice President of Sales for Snapfish and she helped orchestrate an acquisition bringing millions of dollars in advertising and bringing the company to profitability. Utilizing the latest technology, Red Capes has created a format where many users can see their project take life in five minutes with full access to Red Capes’ social media contests, PR, advertising and marketing help, weekly training about top fundraising tips, global warehouses for fulfillment of perks and an online store to sell popular funded projects. Red Capes takes a processing fee of 5% in the backend if you reach your goal and 10% if you don't.
For More Info: redcapes.com

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Jennifer L. Levi, Director of GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) Transgender Rights Project talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson, host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. GLAD is the organization that brought gay marriage to America by winning the historic Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health decision in 2003. They also filed the first two DOMA challenges even though their cases were not heard before the US Supreme Court. GLAD coordinated the amicus strategy and briefs as well as party briefs for Windsor v. United States, the DOMA case that did reach the Supreme Court. We talked to Jennifer about the US Supreme Court marriage equality decisions and about GLAD’s Summer Party Event with special guest Edie Windsor that takes place in Provincetown on July 27th.

When asked what her personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Levi stated, “I’ve worked at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders for fifteen years. I came to that work as an attorney from having been an advocate and activist on the grassroots level. I think that this work is, as many have said publicly, the civil rights movement of our time. I think that we’re seeing family dynamics shifting across the country and this work is really critical to ensuring equal treatment and dignity for all families. I also direct the Transgender Rights Project and a focus of that work is to secure protections for transgender people who remain among the most marginalized within our community. They’re tremendously at high risk of discrimination in employment, in housing and at risk of violence on the street and that’s really the focus of my work at this point.”

 GLAD hosts its 31st annual Summer Party on Saturday, July 27th from 4P to 7P outside in the heart of Provincetown on the grounds of Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum. Special guest will be Edie Windsor, plaintiff in Windsor v. United States – the case that successfully brought down DOMA at the Supreme Court. The Summer Party is a fabulous time to mingle with other GLAD supporters, enjoy the view of the harbor, chat with GLAD attorneys and hear GLAD’s Executive Director Lee Swislow talk about the exciting work ahead to create a just society free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression, HIV status, and sexual orientation. The event features complimentary summer fare by Above & Beyond Catering, Ben & Jerry’s, Konditor Meister and ScottCakes. Cocktails will be provided by Bacardi, Barefoot Wines and Samuel Adams. Award-winning political humorist Kate Clinton will be returning as auctioneer extraordinaire and MC of the event. The live auction will feature tickets to a taping of The Daily Show, South African Safari, a Costa Rican vacation, a Virgin Islands trip, 10 Kimpton travel packages, plus restaurants, massages and much more.
The silent auction is now online, including a preview of live auction items. 
For More Info & Tix: glad.org

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Gay author Richard Bowes talks about his new autobiographical novel “Dust Devil on a Quiet Street” just released by Lethe Press with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™. Born in Boston, Richard Bowes has lived in Manhattan for almost his entire adult life. “Dust Devil on a Quiet Street” takes you on an amazing ride. It’s like traveling in a time machine spanning over 50 years of gay life in New York City. Bowes shares everything from coming to terms with his sexuality to his struggle with overcoming years of substance abuse. David Pratt, Lambda Literary Award-winning author stated, “From the Bowery to Times Square, from The Saint to Saint Vincent’s, from Sleepy Hollow to Hoboken, Richard Bowes takes us on an eerie, bittersweet, wonderfully nostalgic tour of a slightly bygone (and very haunted!) New York, New York. It’s like hanging in West Village bar with a gay Joseph Mitchell or Jimmy Breslin. A delightful read for anyone ever captivated by Gotham, by art, by youth, or by the spirits that lurk within ever-shifting cityscapes.” We talked to Richard about his new book and his spin on our LGBT issues.

When asked what his personal commitment is to LGBT civil rights, Bowes stated, “You know it use to be easier and clearer. I mean if you just said ‘I am gay’ you were doing the work. Now it requires more thought, it requires more action and it requires a lot more donations. I remember in the early days of gay liberation knowing that I had to march in that parade. People took an enormous risk being in the parade because there would be pictures and their dear mother wherever she was would see these and realize. That would be their coming out. I always felt because of where I was and because of what I did, I worked in the library at New York University and nobody there cared if I was gay or straight. I think in fact with guys it was more or less assumed that you were gay. I had an easy life in those ways and I’ve tried to remember that and give something to those who are in my opinion on the frontlines.”

Richard Bowes has won two World Fantasy Awards, the International Horror Guild and Million Writers Award. By the end of 2013 he will have published six novels, four short story collections and seventy stories. This year Lethe Press republished his Lambda Award winning 1999 novel “Minions of the Moon”. His modern fairy tale collection “The Queen, the Cambion and Seven Others” appeared in March 2013 from Aqueduct Press. A collection of new and old stories, “If Angels Fight” will be published by Fairwood Press this October. 
For More Info: rickbowes.com

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Gay and straight celebrity filmmakers talk with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ in this exclusive audio montage at the 15th annual Provincetown International Film Festival press luncheon. First, cinematographer Ed Lachman (FAR FROM HEAVEN, ERIN BROCKOVICH, DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN) talked about his films, receiving the Faith Hubley Career Achievement Award at the PIFF this year and his spin on our LGBT issues. Then director John Waters (PINK FLAMINGOS, HAIRSPRAY, SERIAL MOM) shared intimate film stories, especially about Divine and hopefully we’ll talk to him again when his new book entitled “Car Sick” is published. John’s been instrumental with the PIFF since its start and was the first recipient of the Filmmaker on The Edge Award in 1999. Then legendary director Brian De Palma (CARRIE, DRESS TO KILL, SCARFACE) talked about his new film PASSION starring Rachel McAdams and how he thinks that our LGBT community should have the same rights of any American citizen. Next, Killer Films co-founder and producer Christine Vachon (FAR FROM HEAVEN, BOYS DON’T CRY) conversed about the future of telling LGBT stories in mainstream cinema. She also talked about her upcoming films including KILL YOUR DARLINGS that stars Daniel Radcliffe as a young Allen Ginsberg. Christine was the second winner of the PIFF Filmmaker on The Edge Award in 2000. Then we sat down with director Mary Harron (I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, AMERICAN PSYCHO, THE NOTORIOUS BETTIE PAGE). Her latest Lifetime TV film ANNA NICOLE lured in 3.3 million viewers. Harron talked about her films and as a fierce straight ally had a lot to say about LGBT equality. Mary won the PIFF Filmmaker on The Edge Award in 2005. Next we spoke with Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman who together produced and directed the Oscar winning documentary COMMON THREADS STORIES FROM THE QUILT and Emmy Winning THE CELLULOID CLOSET. Their first dramatic narrative film was HOWL starring James Franco and this year they opened the PIFF with their latest film LOVELACE starring Amanda Seyfried and Peter Sarsgaard and featuring Sharon Stone, Robert Patrick, Hank Azaria, Bobby Cannavale, Chris Noth, Debi Mazur, Eric Roberts and more. The film is about the first porn superstar Linda Lovelace and is scheduled for national release on August 9th. They talked about how this stellar cast came together and their spin on our LGBT issues. They’re currently working on a documentary about the Oscars and a biopic about Anita Bryant starring Uma Thurman. Next we chatted with director Malcolm Ingram whose documentary CONTINENTAL takes viewers back in time to the sexually charged New York of 1968 when Steve Ostrow opened the Continental Baths. When they added entertainment this is where Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Patti LaBelle and Peter Allen, just to name a few, took center stage. Ingram talked about the difficulties of making LGBT films and writer Michael Musto who appears in the film added his concern for the future of LGBT stories being told by major studios. Musto’s example was BEHIND THE CANDELABRA that took straight director Steven Soderbergh 10 years before he found a home for it on HBO. We concluded our audio montage with director Jeffrey Schwarz (VITO) whose documentary I AM DIVINE is a fabulous tribute with archival footage of John Waters muse Divine. Jeffrey talks about his film and LGBT filmmaking. His next film is TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL about the iconic screen legend who came out in his memoir Tab Hunter Confidential: The Making of a Movie Star in 2006. For More Info: ptownfilmfest.org

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The American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER), held a conference call just moments after Proposition 8 was dismissed on a lack of standing by the US Supreme Court. Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ was on the call. This historic victory for marriage equality restored gay marriage to California. The Super Team speaking on the call are AFER Executive Director Adam Umhoefer, lead co-counsel David Boies, Plaintiffs Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo, AFER co-founder and HRC President Chad Griffin, Plaintiffs’ counsel Theodore J. Boutrous, Jr and San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera. Adam Umhoefer, Executive Director of AFER stated, “This is an historic victory for California, for equality, and, most of all, for loving gay and lesbian couples and their families. Because of this decision, today we are more American. As historic as the Supreme Court decision is, 37 states still treat gay and lesbian Americans and their children as unequal, second-class citizens. That means that countless children still do not have the security and protection that marriage would provide their parents. The Court needs to recognize that the Constitution guarantees these families and loving, committed couples full equality under the law. Our work is not complete until marriage equality is a reality for all Americans.” Plaintiff Kris Perry stated, “Today is a great day for American children and families. Sandy and I want to say how happy we are, not only to be able to return to California and finally get married, but to be able to say to children in California that no matter where you live, no matter who your parents are, no matter what family you are in, you are equal, you are as good as your friends’ parents and as your friends. We believed from the very beginning that the importance of this case was to send a message to the children of this country that you are just as good as everybody else no matter who you love, no matter who you’re parents love.” Her partner Plaintiff Sandy Stier added, “Today is not just about us, it is about kids in the South, it is about kids in Texas, it is about kids everywhere. And we really need to take this fight all the way and win equality for everyone in this entire country.” The Supreme Court also issued a decision in United States v. Windsor, concluding that Section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional because it violates the Constitution’s guarantee of equal protection of the laws. In an opinion by Justice Anthony M. Kennedy, the Court held that DOMA “demeans” gay and lesbian couples and “humiliates tens of thousands of children now being raised by [those] couples.” Listen to Gay Congressman Pocan On DOMA Ruling
For More Info: afer.org

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U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02) co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus and the only current married gay member of Congress talks with Emmy Winner Charlotte Robinson Host of OUTTAKE VOICES™ about the historic Supreme Court’s decision striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and to dismiss the Prop 8 case on a lack of standing. We talked to Pocan about the future of gay marriage in this country and what Congress will do to expedite marriage equality in the 37 remaining states that discriminate against our LGBT families. Congressman Pocan stated, “I am overjoyed that the Supreme Court has come down on the side of equality, justice and love by striking down the Defense of Marriage Act. No more will thousands of loving gay and lesbian couples see their marriage ignored by the federal government, leaving them without the protections opposite-sex married couples enjoy. With 93 million Americans now living in states that recognize gay marriages, and 58 percent of the country in favor of marriage equality, we now have the public, the courts and the Constitution on our side. I am also thrilled that by dismissing the Perry case, thousands of gay and lesbian couples and families in California can once again have their love respected under the law, and Prop 8 can once again take its rightful place in our country’s history books. As we celebrate this momentous occasion, we must continue to move forward and ensure all loving couples are treated as equals. While my husband Phil and I continue to wait to have our marriage recognized by both Wisconsin and Washington, I am now more confident than ever that full marriage equality is a question not of if, but when.” Pocan, a co-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus, is the only current gay-married member of Congress. His husband, Phil, was recently issued a congressional spouse ID—the first ever spousal ID issued to a partner of a gay member. More Exclusive Audio Broadcasts To Come…:)

Hear 200+ LGBT Interviews @OUTTAKE VOICES™