Spork

Spork

Oana Gregory as Loosie Goosie, Rachel Fox as Betsy Byotch, Halston McMurray as Tori and Odelia Hartl as Jecca in SPORK, a film by J.B. Ghuman Jr. Picture courtesy Underhill Entertainment. All rights reserved.

Spork (2010/2011)

Opened: 05/20/2011 Limited

Limited05/20/2011
Sunset 5/LA05/20/2011 - 05/26/20117 days
Quad Cinema05/27/2011 - 06/02/20117 days
DVD01/31/2012

Trailer: Click for trailer

Websites: Home, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube

Genre: Comedy

Rated: Unrated

Short Synopsis

From writer director J.B. Ghuman Jr. comes the colorful and foul-mouthed musical comedy SPORK, a film about a frizzy-haired, pink-cheeked outcast named Spork who is trying to navigate her way through the annuls of Junior High. When a school dance show provides a chance for Spork to show up a mean-girls gang, her trailer-park neighbor steps up to coach her with some "booty-poppin" moves. Featuring a vintage 90's soundtrack (that includes original music by Lady Tigra and Yeti Beatz; JJ Fad's "SuperSonic"; 2-Live Crew's "Get It Girl"), a score by Casey James and the Stay Puft Kid; and extended school-hall dance sequences, SPORK is a film about standing out and fitting in.

Long Synopsis

SPORK, living in a trailer with her white trash brother SPIT, her Mother buried in the back yard, father no where to be found, endures the daily ridicule of her middle school classmates for being "different". Fizzy hair, glasses and braces are just the beginning, Spork is a hermaphrodite.

Isolated and alone at the cafeteria table, Spork reaches her breaking point when the class smart-ass assaults her with a cupcake missile. Racing out the door and crying to herself by the bathrooms, she meets CHUNK an androgynous Asian who councils her "Hey fuck that shit man, whenever anybody bothers you, all you gotta do is close your eyes and think of something happy."

In gym class shortly thereafter Spork is confronted with her arch enemy, BETSY BYOTCH. Who proclaims to her posse of equally blond friends, "I think I can see her ding-a-ling through her shorts." Inspired by her new Asian guru, Spork closes her eyes to think some happy thoughts and hurls a basketball straight at Betsy Byotch, contacting square in the nose.

The battle has now come to a new level as Betsy Byotch plots her revenge. But Spork's new found braverey impresses her "too cool for school" trailer park neighbor, TOOTSIE ROLL, who invites her out to the club to "celebrizate kickin' a girls ass for the first time!"

Timidly joining her pint-sized friend at the "Booty Ball Room," Spork is introduced to a world she has never seen. People of all colors "breakin' it down" on the dance floor and girls her own age "krumpin'" and "klownin'" to the beats of Tommy The Clown. Tootsie Roll and her oversized personality steal the floor, showing the crowd what they can do.

The next day, Spork is inspired by Tootsie Roll and her friends to find a way to fit in. She seeks the council of FELICIA, Spit's equally white trash girlfriend, the only female influence Spork has. She asks Felicia about the cross she wears around her neck, and Felicia says it's so "I can fit the fuck in with everybody else." Inspired again, Spork plucks up the courage to attend the schools Religious Fair later that day with a hope of find a place to belong.

Greeted by the high pitched squeal that the young CHRISTIAN GIRL calls a voice, Spork thinks she might have found a place to belong. "Welcome my little stray lamb, welcome to Salvation!" she cries and asks Spork her name. "So if I join, I'll belong with you guys?" Spork replies. Things quickly go south as Spork explains her name and its meaning to the eager Christian Girl. "I really don't think someone like you would make a very good addition to God's Army of Goodness," is the response. Crushed yet again Spork flees.

The day goes from bad to worse as she gets to anatomy class and sex ed is on the day's schedule. Spork endures the lecture in a darkened room as the overhead projector shows what the normal boys and girls are like. Something that she is not.

Heading off alone again for her lunch, she finally catches a break. Tootsie Roll and her crew, still impressed with Spork's show of defiance to Betsy Byotch, invite her along for their dance practice. A little "booty poppin'" to get ready for the big dance contest at school. Whipping her head around dripping "afro-sheen" on the floor Tootsie Roll, in the middle of her trademark moves, slips and falls to the floor.

Spork helps her injured friend home and they share their desire to get out of the "hood", the two middle schoolers becoming unlikely allies. Tootsie Rolls dreams of winning the dance prize to visit her father in the Cherry Lane Penitentiary are dashed because of her injured leg.

After relating her latest travails to her mother's headstone out behind the trailer, Spork drifts asleep to late night infomercials and dreams that the women in the TV is her mother. Spork wakes to the woman promising her that for only "$200" down she too can be beautiful with the new "Thermal Ball Blasting Technique."

In the morning Spork is renewed, inspired by her dream, with determination to enter the dance-off and take home the prize! It is only after signing up for the dance off that Spork faces the fact that she has never danced, much less in front of a crowd. Admitting this to her only other friend, CHARLIE, a toe-headed blonde of dubious sexuality with two gay dads, he gallantly offers to teach her "all the Justin Timberlake moves" to help her win the prize. Betsy Byotch walks by and overhears the discussion.

Seizing her chance to be cruel to poor Spork, Betsy and her crew attack, "So, Sporky the dorky think she can win my dance-off?" Drawing the battle line in the sand. just when Spork closes her eyes and we think there will be another repeat of the basketball incident, COACH JENKINS intervenes getting everyone to class.

At home, knowing Charlie's well meaning offer of Justin Timberlake dance moves probably won't help, Spork plucks up the courage and calls Tootsie Roll to ask for help. Tootsie Roll proves to be the true friend, "I got your back, you brought my broke-ass home didn't you?" she says. 'Well yeah," says Spork, "Meet me in the gym tomorrow, me and my hoes'll teach you a little booty poppin'" is the reply.

The next day, try as they might, Tootsie and her crew just can't seem to get Spork to move right. "I can't get my ass to move like that" Spork cries. "Well, girl, is there anything you are good at?" replies one of Tootsie's crew in frustration. "Well, I am good at Twister," says Spork. Tootsie Roll lights up and has an idea.

During all of this, Betsy Byotch is spying on her enemy Spork, still bound and determined to get her back for the splint on her nose as the result of the collision with Spork's basketball. She and her minion, LOOSIE GOOSIE, devise a scheme to retaliate.

With fresh confidence in her lessons from Tootsie Roll, Spork shows up for rehearsals for the dance off, all the other contestants there as well. Shock registers on her face as PRINCIPAL TULIP announces from the stage that first up is "Spork and her only friends". Out onto the stage prances Betsy Byotch dressed as Spork with frizzy hair, glasses and a sock in her pants. Her Byotches dancing around her in blackface pretending to be Tootsie Roll and her crew.

Devastated, Spork races out of the rehearsals and runs all the way home, crushed by the cruelty of Betsy Byotch. Pouring her heart out to her Mother's grave, Spork curls up defeated against the headstone and cries herself to sleep.

Magically the next morning, Spork awakens in her own bed. Spit comes in to see her having brought her in during the night. With unexpected empathy and understanding, Spit comforts Spork and reminds her that their mother was an outsider too. And that he is proud of her for being herself and that there "ain't nothin' wrong with that."

Inspired, finding a reserve of strength she never knew she had, Spork decides she isn't going to let Betsy Byotch and her crew best her after all. She is going to go to the dance off and win!

Calling Tootsie for back up, she gets out of bed and gets ready to take on the worst Betsy has to dish out. Arriving late at the dance off, Spork slips in the back with Tootsie behind the stage getting ready to spin the dial on the Twister pad and call out the moves. Timidly Spork gets out onto the stage, tapes down her Twister mat and waits for the music and Tootsie's calls.

But minutes into it, Spork finds her strength and falls into the music, her moves becoming dance and taking off on their own. The crowd marvels as Spork commands the stage. Stunned to silence from the unexpected performance, the crowd sits aghast. All by himself, little undersized Charlie stands up to clap for his friend and her triumph. Followed by the whole audience on their feet.

In the end, with a moment to reflect with Tootsie Roll, Spork hands her the money. Spork no longer wants or needs to change. And Tootsie Roll needs the money for the bus to see her father. And finally, with sweet charm, Charlie admits his love for Spork, asking her to be his girlfriend. Spork confident and secure in her newfound sense of self has found a best friend and boyfriend in one amazing day!

Q&A with J.B. GHUMAN

What is your background and where do you come from originally?

My father is from India, and my Mother is from North Carolina. She is of German decent, but raised me in a Southern environment, with mashed potatoes and all! I am somewhere in the middle. I grew up in Miami Beach, Florida.

What was the genesis of this film?

I was acting at the time and really wanted to express in other ways my ideas and art. So, aside from doing installation art and painting, I decided I'd write a short about something that always appealed to me - being an outcast in a wacky world. After completing a short titled SPORK, the story felt as thought it needed to be expanded. And thus, Spork the FEATURE was born!

How did the film get off the ground? What was the process of getting the film made?

Spork was sitting in my trusty ole Mac for about a year when I connected with an old friend Chad Allen, whom at the time just opened a production company with his pal Chris Racster. While catching up, I threw out there I had a script. Truth be told, I wasn't too keen on rushing into making SPORK just yet, as I myself was just getting into making my own productions -creating music videos for Dirty Sanchez and Perez Hilton, making a couple shorts for my company site, etc. But, Chad seemed to love the idea and Chris was equally on board. Then Chad and Chris's company at the time, Mythgarden, dissolved and left myself and Spork chillin' for a bit. I simply kept working on making my own ideas and stories come to life here and there by my own humble means. Chris ended up having another close friend, Honey Labradore, take a look at SPORK about a year after that. Currently, Honey was and still is head of development for a new production company called Last Bastion, headed by open-minded love birds Kevin and Geric Frost. When all there powers were combined, I found myself in the middle of a producing team willing to back my film and make it our film. Hence we have the birth of cash flow into SPORK.

How long was the shoot and where did you film?

Spork took about 23 days to shoot and we filmed in the beautiful areas of Sunland, CA. Lots of sun screen coupled with even more SPF eye cream saved the day!

Describe the casting process and what drew you to the actors that play these roles.

Casting was headed by Jeremy Gordon who did a phenomenal job! I tried to sit in on even the pre-reads as much as I was allowed, but always felt comfortable with Jeremy's nods. He's got a great eye for talent - that and we used a new service called CAZT.COM where they film every audition and then post it online to their website for you AND the actor to view. It proved more than useful as I was even able to make decisions fast while traveling via my laptop. Very cool! Also, we were uber lucky to get so many random submissions. The first wave of calls was from awesome people. Tiffany, Debby Gibson, and a slew of other entertainers that I'm already a big fan of!! When I met with Rachel she was a spot on Betsy Beyotch! Took a bit to convince her to frost her hair out, but she came around pretty quick and was a sport about it all. She has this quality to come across as a total snot-ball while simultaneously talking politely. She's super-sweet in real life, so it's a pretty neat trick. Savannah came in and right off the bat scored the part in my eyes. We saw a ton of talent, but she delivered the scene where SPORK talks to her mother in the end and literally fell apart in the audition. It was beautiful. I actually got up and hugged her and walked her out. Of course out of that intense sadness came her scoring the lead role! Sydney was the same. Walked in with a battery up her (blank) and just went for it. We all were in stitches as she delivered her lines with crazy energy. Just awesome! Didn't take long for me to be convinced she had the gusto to pull off a character like Tootsie Roll. Charlie actually came to my attention while at an acting class somewhere in the Valley. I got his info to bring him in, but ended up not even getting it to my casting director in time. Sure enough, he was called in anyhow through sheer fate. As soon as I saw him in his youth sized-pink-Lacoste shirt with the collar popped up I said, "He's the one!" He delivered the "Dorothy Song" on his own in the audition room which ended up in the film itself. Amazing! I could go on and on...at the end of the day all of our choices were pretty on point, and I couldn't be happier.

What were your biggest challenges during filming? Was there a scene that was particularly difficult to shoot?

The biggest issue above all issues was simply time. Dealing with a 90% adolescent cast and the obvious constraints that came with that alone coupled with an indie budget and then having a captain whose vision is way beyond a 23 day shoot schedule proved to be the biggest hurdle. I'm so beyond thankful and excited about the result. But note-to-self, no more kids on an indie budget. I don't think my finger nails can take it! As for a scene, the kiss scene between Charlie and Spork stands out. I wanted there lean in to match speed with the light dimming in the backdrop, while the camera pushed into them all at the same speed. After a couple attempts, the clock started to scream at me (clock = producers), and I had to think of something that was going to get me my shot the way I wanted and fast. So, I decided to lie down in-between both actors with my hands on the bottom of there backs and my feet against the slider of the camera. My amazing 1st. A.D. was on the floor holding my walkie up to my mouth seeing as my hands were taken. As action was yelled, I had to pull an "octopus" moment and gently push the actors together while allowing the camera to follow my foot as I quietly whispered in the walkie for the lights to drop. Sounds easy? It wasn't. Sigh. Just re-telling this is giving me anxiety.

Is this film autobiographical or personal in any real ways beyond the fact that it's your feature debut?

It is and it isn't. My dog is named Buster and has a blue tail and ears. My mother did live in a trailer park, my older sister raised me, I've always been obsessed with 3-D, The Wiz is one of my favorite movies, I was a break-dancer in school, and my best friend was African-American. I even had braces in the same grade as Spork. Thou truth is, in school I was a bit of a class clown, which is hardly an out cast. Though I'd come home and bust out my poem-journal and listen to Enya while day dreaming, I was a bit of an odd ball underneath it all. And as it turns out, I saw it as pretty admirable that kids would show up to school and just be, well, themselves. Also, being a gay male in a scene that was pretty much all black and break-dancers made me feel even more a bit out of the loop. I was constantly trying to figure out how to navigate an alternative lifestyle while still being in my current lifestyle. My mind had been tricked into thinking I had to kind of "fit" into a certain category. As I got older and more confident, my wacky "real" sides become more prominent in my day to day life and when it came time for me to tell a story. It seemed only fitting to talk about that journey. Of course...through the eyes of a hermaphrodite that has frizzy hair. I for one, only have one piece of equipment and exceptionally shiny healthy hair!

What are two things that you may want people to know about the film that they may not see on the screen?

Well, I guess that it was a huge struggle in the end to get to the point to even HAVE it on the screen. Though the opportunity was beautiful and fell in my lap, the universe also took my father away (passed just before filming) and a slew of obvious struggles came into play. It's not the sympathy card I'd like to gain from saying this but the understanding that no matter what life throws at you, you have to be able to stand against the wind as best you can and move forward. Never leaving behind your pain, but picking it up and taking it with you instead of standing still next to it. I know for a fact that I probably know nothing about this world. But I do know that everything happens for a reason and being able to say to anyone that "yes, this horrible...thing...happened...and through it all, I have this amazing film..." is something I definitely want to hold on to. It's hard to get out of the way of the dark, but SPORK proves to me and those who wish to pay attention, that life can happen all at once. So be strong. Long winded, I know. But it's the truth, and I'd hope everyone can take something away from that. It's not on the screen, but it's in my heart.

What do you hope is the one takeaway from the film?

Love - your - self! I hate to come across as some self-help guru, because I'm far more cynical than that. But in the end, I've learned that making the right choices in your life seem to always start with loving your self; all your flaws, all your oddities -- all of it. Of course we should always embrace growing and changing who we are as we experience life, but only if it makes you happy. Love yourself and laugh at the bad stuff as much you can. Works for me!

Was your junior high school experience anything like that of the characters in this film?

Actually, they all were. I was teased for being gay in elementary school before I knew how to join the wrestling team and become a break dancer to cover it up good. I loved hanging with my sisters who had huge standing bangs and were total valley girls. I ended up being in an all black-breaking crew and tried to be "the" rad'est white boy. Oh, and I even had bass lines down my head like Spit. Hell, looking back it seems I was pretty much Cybil Shepherd as a boy!!

Music plays such an integral part of this film. What is the one song that always brings you back to junior high school and why?

Gosh... The track that comes to mind is "Me Myself and I" by De La Soul. Though the track was written into the script over and over again, unfortunately it was impossible to get into the film giving all the writers and issues with the track. Major buzz kill, trust me. But it is to this day one of my favorite songs and holds firm as one of the songs that make me want to smile as how funny life was and still is, but especially as a youngster in Florida. It's an obvious song given its title - great, great tune. If you don't have it, go get it!

ABOUT THE CAST

SAVANNAH STEHLIN (Spork)

Savannah Stehlin completed her first feature film for Fox 2000 in "The Family Stone" at the age of nine, where she worked along side Sarah Jessica Parker and Diane Keaton. The following year, she secured guest starring roles on the WB's "Gilmore Girls", CBS's "Cold Case", Showtime's "Sleeper Cell", and Disney's "Hannah Montana". By age fourteen, her credit list grew to include CBS's "ER", Lifetime's "State of Mind", Fox's "The Return of Jezebel James", ABC's "According to Jim" and CBS's "Without A Trace". Savannah is currently awaiting distribution of her first starring role in the feature film "Spork", where she plays the title role of "Spork".

SYDNEY PARK (Tootsie Roll)

At the tender age of 6 years old, she became the youngest person to ever perform Stand Up at the World Famous Hollywood Improv. At age 7, Disney executives caught her act and created a new character based on Sydney for the hit Disney Channel show, "That's So Raven". Since then, she has been featured on numerous shows including The Tonight Show, America's Got Talent, Entourage, Hannah Montana, The Sarah Silverman Program, and Gary Unmarried. In 2009, she co-starred in the feature film Spork and she's currently working on her one girl show aptly titled "Young, Gifted, and Half Black".

RACHEL FOX (Betsy Byotch)

Rachel Fox is currently filming her second feature film for Universal Studios called "Dream House," alongside Daniel Craig, Rachel Weisz, and Naomi Watts. Rachel plays Naomi Watts' daughter Chloe, under director Jim Sheridan. Rachel Fox made her television debut with her recurring role of Buffy on "That's So Raven," where she met and worked with Sydney Park, Spork's own Tootsie Roll. That year, Rachel worked on roles in "Hannah Montana," and later on "iCarly" before she made her move to primetime TV with her role as Young Sydney (Jennifer Garner) on ABCs "Alias." Rachel is best known for her role has evil Kayla on "Desperate Housewives," where Rachel worked as series regular alongside the desperate divas for season 3 and season 4.Rachel brings her play on evil to the film, "Spork," as Betsy Byotch, Spork's main tormentor and arch enemy.

MICHAEL ARNOLD (Charlie)

Michael William Arnold (Mikey), now 11 years old, began acting at the age of 6. He is a transplant to LA from the Philadelphia area and has a love of creating characters and going beyond the limits with his acting completing nearly 20 independent short films in lead roles! He is an avid reader, Honor Roll Gifted student, and video gamer. Michael also loves to play football, soccer, basketball and baseball, as well as performing live as a singer and hip hop dance team member. Delighted to have created the role of Charlie, he credits SPORK and director JB Ghuman as an uplifting, challenging and fun process where he made lots of friends and really got to showcase his acting skill. Michael recently guest starred on ABC's "The Middle" with Patricia Heaten and can be seen on the big screen as Young Reese in the Bollywood sensation "My Name is Khan". He also has a made for television movie, "The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation" debuting this winter with Mario Lopez, Gary Valentine and Dean Cain. No stranger to the theater, Michael made his Broadway Tour debut as Boo Who in "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" at the Pantages Theater, Los Angeles.

OANA GREGORY (Loosie Goosie)

Oana Gregory appears in "SPORK" in the supporting lead role of 'Loosie Goosie'. You can also see her in numerous commercials and print such as JC Penney, Walmart, Billabong, Mary Kate and Ashley Brand and a large campaign for The Bratz Dolls. Oana's past credits include AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, and television series such as "Disney New Year". Oana is best known for her recurring role on the popular Nickelodeon animated series OLIVIA where she appeared in over 18 episodes.

BETH GRANT (Principal Tulip)

Beth Grant 's filmography includes two Best Picture Academy Award winners, No Country For Old Men and Rain Man; also Little Miss Sunshine, Donnie Darko, Sordid Lives, Speed, Child's Play II, To Wong Foo, A Time To Kill, and Extract. Starring roles on hundreds of television shows include Pushing Daisies, The Office, Jericho, Six Feet Under, My Name is Earl, Malcolm in the Middle, King of the Hill, Friends, The X Files, Angel, and CSI.

ELAINE HENDRIX (Felicia)

Elaine Hendrix is best known for her work in Disney's "The Parent Trap", Touchstone's "Romy & Michele's High School Reunion", Paramount's "Superstar" and one of the highest grossing documentaries of all-time "What the Bleep Do We Know?!"; in addition to her episodic work on the hit television shows "The Mentalist", "Castle", "Criminal Minds", "Ghost Whisperer" and two years on the critically acclaimed CBS series "Joan of Arcadia". In the coming year Elaine has a wide variety of projects being released: features "Good Intentions", "Rock Slyde", "Dear Lemon Lima", "Fading of the Cries", "Spork" and Disney's "Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2"; documentaries "Skin Trade" and "Beyond Belief"; season three of the hit web series "Poor Paul"; and the ABC/Fox pilot "Cutthroat". Elaine is on the Advisory Board of the Feel Good Film Festival and the Board of Directors for In Defense of Animals. She has received numerous awards for both her acting and humanitarian work, including multiple festival "Best Actress" awards, two Telly Awards and the "Guardian Award" at the 2009 National Animal Rights Conference.

YEARDLEY SMITH (Mrs. Dahany)

Yeardley Smith has appeared on Broadway, television and films, including: The Real Thing; Mad Men; Dharma and Greg; The Simpsons (Emmy Award); The Legend of Billie Jean; City Slickers; and As Good As It Gets. She wrote and performed her one-woman show, "MORE" off-Broadway in 2004, and in Los Angeles in 2005. She co-executive produced the soon to be released film What's Wrong with Virginia, written and directed by Academy Award winner Dustin Lance Black and starring Jennifer Connelly and Ed Harris. She is also the author of the critically acclaimed novel I, Lorelei (HarperCollins).

ABOUT THE MUSIC

THE LADY TIGRA

She was one of the original members of L'Trimm--one of hip-hop's earliest, sassiest, and most influential female duos (with fellow rapper Bunny D). Many world renowned artists have accredited L'Trimm for having influenced their sound. The girls busted out of the Miami Bass movement and are best known for the infectious "Cars That Go Boom," a deliriously catchy ode to sub-woofers. The bouncy rap glorified the sub-woofer culture and snuck onto the Billboard charts. Having recorded three albums on Atlantic before their 21st birthdays, L'Trimm was voted by Source Magazine as "Hip-Hop Goddesses" (Lady Tigra was then voted "Dime-Piece of the Month" by Source in 2008). After disappearing from the music scene, The Lady Tigra returns with a new album under her arm and control of her music. The Lady Tigra also pounced into action and jumped on the Pinkberry craze. Her jingle "Sorry Ice Cream" (the company's signature song), is incredibly catchy with hooks that refuse to leave your head. The song has been checked everywhere-- from Perez Hilton and New York Magazine to Paper Magazine and the LA Times.

Kicking off '07 was a spot opening for Gnarls Barkley and Kanye West. She has gone on to share the stage with some of the industries most respected artists including De La Soul, Talib Kweli and Peaches and has collaborated with a varied mix of artists such as Kool Keith and Jason Mraz. She can currently be seen on Nick Jr's award-winning children's television show "Yo Gabba Gabba", has appeared in roles in several independent films, slated for release early next year and has appeared in many international ad campaigns for Sweden's WeSC. With music, acting and fashion rotating in The Lady Tigra's reperatiore "LA's under-ground HipHop Chameleon" as Elle Magazine dubbed her, is a triple threat. She is currently writing the follow up to Please Mr. BoomBox.

CAZWELL

A leading figure in the renaissance of New York City nightlife that has taken place over the last five years, Cazwell's music - a ridiculously fun mix of electrified dance music and old school hip hop - is the perfect example of the new spirit of pop music. Says Caz, "When people ask me how to describe my style sometimes I say 'Just imagine if Biggie Smalls ate Donna Summer for breakfast.'" Having collaborated over the years with a who's who of downtown New York and abroad - including Amanda Lepore, Larry Tee, Boy George, David Lachapelle, The Ones, Morgan Page, Chris Joss, Peppermint, GoodandEvil, Risque, Bec Stupak, Karl Giant and Lost Daze - "Watch My Mouth" is the natural next step for a performer schooled in clubland, pulling together some of Cazwell's most effortlessly catchy singles and pushing things forward with new tracks perfectly suited to bring the party. Club bangers like "All Over Your Face," (which tore up the Top 40 dance charts in '06) and the recent viral video sensation "I Seen Beyonce..." (with one-million views on YouTube) sit nicely next to party jams like "Tonight" (featuring the classic Shannon "Give Me Tonight" party hook) and "Get My Money Back" a street-wise uptempo club track with electrofunk masterminds Lost Daze. "All I want to do is party and have a good time! I think everyone can relate to that right about now," explains Caz.

At a time when artist like La Roux and Lady Gaga (for whom Cazwell has performed as an opening act and was featured on her #1 hit "Just Dance") are redefining the art and artifice of dance music, Cazwell is primed to take center stage. The music embodies the same spirit of fun and goofball experimentation that has been the hallmark of artists like M.I.A., Neneh Cherry, Eminem and Deee-lite.

ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS

J.B. GHUMAN, JR. (Writer/Director)

Born and raised in Miami Beach, Florida, JB Ghuman, Jr. (sir name: Jasbir Singh Ghuman, Jr. His father being from North India) moved to New York City to pursue his dreams as an artist, working on paint-on-canvas and installation art. Though originally a theater geek, he soon headed to LA to pursue a career in acting. After doing numerous national commercial spots in addition to film and TV roles, JB decided to try his luck behind the camera. Following a stint of self-produced shorts that he both wrote and directed it wasn't long before JB was moving up the ranks and being hired to direct music videos for celebrities, including Perez Hilton and RuPaul. JB's latest challenge was in writing and directing his first feature length film, Spork, which has its world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. JB is currently working on another feature length screenplay and fielding offers to direct music videos.

CHRISTOPHER RACSTER (Producer)

An award winning Indie film producer and community activist, Racster is achieving a reputation as the "go-to-guy" for the production of quality Queer themed Indie films, partnering with some of the best-known names in the arena and mentoring scores of new filmmakers.

Most recently Racster's first project as a director, "Decoding Alan Turing", made its festival debut and has been picked up for distribution by Frameline. His third feature film, "Save Me", about the Christian Ex-Gay Movement, premiered at Sundance in 2007, opened the Los Angeles LGBT film festival OUTFEST and enjoyed a successful theatrical run prior to sales to both cable and DVD. Previous films include the theatrical debut of his award-winning festival favorite film, "April's Shower". A success quickly followed by the theatrical release of his film, "Say Uncle", from actor, writer, director Peter Paige of Queer as Folk fame. On the small screen in 2006, LOGO acquired Racster's short film "Little Black Boot" where it zoomed to the top of their charts, eventually rated their top short film by audiences. "Other notable film projects include the festival favorite shorts, "The Bug In My Ear" and "The Handkerchief".

In October 2003, Racster paired with long time friends Robert Gant (Queer as Folk) and Chad Allen (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman), to launch Mythgarden, a production company specializing in quality gay and lesbian content for television, stage and film. Their first project, "Save Me", already in the can - they have signed two new film deals. HERE! has partnered with Mythgarden and David Duchovny in the development and production of "The Way Out", about the elder gay issue and Mythgarden has teamed with Dan Karslake of the Sundance 2007 documentary "For the Bible Tells Me So", to create a documentary based upon Mel White's latest book "Religion Gone Bad".

Over the years Racster has received numerous mentions and awards including listing in the International Who's Who directory and being named one of the 25 Most Influential People In California Fashion by California Apparel News. Community activities include membership in The Producers Guild, FIND, Power-Up and OUTFEST and past participation on the development committee for Project Angel Food.

CHAD ALLEN (Producer)

Chad Allen began his professional acting career at the age of five-years-old starring as the autistic Tommy Westfall in the hit television series, "St. Elsewhere," while also reoccurring on the sitcom, "Webster." He then went on to three seasons of the NBC Drama, "Our House," followed by two years on the successful show, "My Two Dads." He then landed arguably his most popular television role playing Mathew Cooper on the long time hit CBS series, "Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman." After six years on the show Allen made the move into producing and formed first, The Creative Outlet Theater Company, with actress Heather Tom, and then the acclaimed independent film company, Mythgarden, with partners Christopher Racster and Robert Gant.

On stage and on screen, the past few years have been quite busy for this multi-talented actor. In early 2008, Allen led a cast of gifted actors in the Tony award winning play by Douglas Carter Beane, "The Little Dog Laughed." If that was not enough, Allen and Valerie Harper opened to rave reviews this past summer with the Pasadena Playhouse' World Premiere of "Looped." Allen and Harper reunited again earlier this winter performing in Palm Beach, Florida.

In just the passed couple of years Allen has done numerous guest roles on shows including the final season of "NYPD Blue," "Cold Case," "Criminal Minds," "CSI: Miami," "General Hospital: Night Shift" and films like "Paris" which premiered in 2003 at the Tribeca Film Festival, and "Getting Out," which landed him a best supporting actor award from the New York Independent Film Festival. In 2005, Allen was seen in the worldwide theatrical release "The End of the Spear." Currently, Allen is starring in here! Networks' "The Donald Strachey Mystery Series," six feature films, the first four of which ("Third Man Out," "Shock To the System," "Ice Blues" and "On the Other Hand, Death") have already been produced. His much anticipated feature film, "Save Me" from director Robert Cary ("Ira and Abby") was selected for the Sundance Film Festival in 2007 and stars Allen opposite actress Judith Light. The film was also chosen as the opening night feature for Outfest 2007, LA's world renowned Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. "Save Me" was released nationwide in selected theatres in 2008.

HONEY LABRADOR (Producer)

Ms. Labrador was discovered as a model in her hometown of Southampton, New York at the age of seventeen. This led to a successful international modeling career that spanned 16 years in New York, Paris, London, and Milan - gracing the pages of magazines such as Elle, Mademoiselle, Marie Claire, Harper's Bazaar, British and Italian Vogues.

Honey began her career as an independent producer in 1994. Amongst her credits are "The Bug In My Ear", "Off Side" (Official Sundance Selection) (Best Short - Sao Palo, Manhattan Short, and the Milan Film Festivals), "Little Black Boot" (Official Sundance Selection, 2004 Planet Out Best Short Film Award), "Prom-troversy" (2005 Planet Out Best Short Film Award Winner) for the Non-Profit Organization POWER-UP, and the feature film "April's Shower", which she produced and stars in. Labrador kicked off 2005 as the one of the stars of Bravo's "Queer Eye for the Straight Girl." In the fall of 2005 Honey embarked on two projects for the Q Television Network - both as a Producer and Co-host: "Xcess/Access" was a 13 episode one-hour original series, giving the viewer a back stage pass to L.A. Fashion Week. "Brunch" was the first live LGBT morning daily talk show having aired 100 episodes.

In 2008 Honey joined Last Bastion Entertainment and is currently VP of Development & Production overseeing both television and film projects. She is the co-creator and Executive Producer of an original series for the Oprah Winfrey Network, set to launch in January 2011.

BRADLEY STONESIFER (Cinematographer)

Bradley Stonesifer was raised in a small agrarian town in central Maryland. Born into wide open space, his love for the outdoors resolved early on as a staple of his intrinsic character, learning right away, the indispensable knowledge of self-sufficient living from his mother and father.

He earned his first feature credit for the low budget indie film, The Vicious Kind, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. Also nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards, THE VICIOUS KIND earned him a Best Cinematography Nomination at the Strasbourg International Film Festival in France. His favorite kind of project is the one that is presented with a world of inconceivable challenges, always seeing beauty in the process of figuring it out.

 

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