Fundraisers, most hopefully agree, are a very important element to our community. Not just the community, but particularly the gay community. True, we’re not a special case. Yet, we are a minority. What is historically true of a minority is they are often overlooked and get by with very little resources. Often times niche causes, a minority, must embark on their own journey to achieve the visibility & recognition they readily need to see that their causes, interests and needs are met.

Within the queer community there are no shortage of causes to invest your time & energy. As a people we are notoriously creative. As a people, we are also notoriously alone. We are often cast aside politically. Socially; we are often ostracized. Famously we dominate the creative movement. Making fashion, art, decorating homes for everyone else and yes – even their movie sets (as well as directing, writing, producing, creating and so often acting in them as well!). Despite, it’s no secret queer media; gay & lesbian films, have systemically been a tough pill to swallow. A niche market pandering to a niche market and yet as a community we are so fragmented with our preferences & attitudes about life that we can never really achieve success with one gay artist or one single queer film. There are so many reasons why gay cinema is not only given broadly a bad wrap. Because of this many of our films are unable to recoup costs and turn a profit.

The determined never accept no for an answer. Which is why more than two years ago I said yes to J.T. Tepnapa & Carlos Pedraza when they asked to attach me to their first feature film, Judas Kiss. Our hope was that my involvement could garner some, any even, interest in raising the capital to make a full length feature possible from pre and post production on to the festival circuit and distribution. Truth is, even some of the best (not to mention most queer films) never end up on any silver screen but at the gay & lesbian festivals. A queer little indie feature has a rough road to travel. It is not an easy journey. Certainly not meant for a director, writer or even actor of a faint resolve.

For an outsider looking in, it probably looks like one giant gimmick. The constant pandering and promotion that goes on before a film has even been shot. But for a movie like Judas Kiss, which you will come to know as one of the greatest queer releases of this decade, release only happens when our community comes together and insists that it be made. Judas Kiss is the truest of the true independent films. That term. The genre. Over the last ten years it has cropped up out of almost nowhere; it’s become a mainstream concept. The meaning of an independent film is clear enough that it has never acutely, officially, been defined.

The weaknesses of the independent film industry are that the major distribution is controlled by MPAA members, there is a dramatic increase in production and advertising costs, the international growth for American films is eaten up by the major studios, and there is a very high supply of films on the market. This not only makes it harder to get projects made, but get them out there so newer projects can be funded after the release of a precluding one. But this also makes films with gay elements struggle even more so. Because queer is not a mainstream ideal.

This is why we do things like play bingo. You know, auction off signed copies Brent Corrigan’s gay porno’s you’ve probably already seen and own!

Wednesday night a group of us working the fundraising process put ourselves out there on the Santa Monica Strip to utilize our best known talents. No, not that. Organize a bingo night, of course. Alright, so maybe bingo doesn’t require much of a talent; but something should be said for it’s avid enthusiasts. Wednesday’s Bingo night was jam-packed with serious bingo ball-loving connoisseurs! Among them the reigning Bachelorette (you know, from that awful “reality” show that continues to persist like a bad case of head lice) and Jennifer Love Hewitt.

I had serious doubts. I mean, really? Bingo? Seriously. You’re kidding right? I thought I was being realistic when I projected low attendance – but after seeing the line at the door at 8:30 PM I realized I was just being negative. The place was packed. Not a free table in the whole joint. I could not believe it! It had everything. Even paparazzi staking out the front entrance.

And there’s this whole culture. When a certain number is called, they’ve got all these assailing catch phrases. The G in binGo? It’s not just a G. It’s the G Spot.

Everything went smoothly. Trying to keep up with Belaire, the bingo host, was not easily done. I think I managed alright. There were times when I got a little flustered. It was easily remedied by taking my shirt off.  You should know, though, that sitting in front of a basket of balls wasn’t much for my concentration.

The one true highlight of the evening was when we auctioned off a set of 5 of my DVD’s. The way the bidding starts is, everyone participating in the Bingo game must raise their hand and be a part of the first $1 bid. I mean, obviously no one was going to win the bid if everyone was placing. It’s a tactic the hosts use to get everyone on the same page. Paying attention – aware and conscientious that the biggest deal of the night was about to be made. Naturally none of the blondes sitting with the Bachelorette at the table just adjacent to the bingo stage could grasp this very simple concept – so they refused to play nice and go along with it. The Bachelorette was concerned that her contract could be breached with her network if she placed even just one $1 bid on a few measly gay pornos. So there I am, sitting on stage, praying hard to the universe that I manage to secure more than a $20 bill for the Judas Kiss via the auction and The Bachelorette from season like, fifty-five, is reminding me how being an adult star is still completely misunderstood & still very wrong in the eyes of ABC Network (who gives a fuck anyway? I certainly don’t think you do. I know I don’t! But BITCH, don’t come out to a gay restaurant on HUMP DAY to play our game of Bingo and act like we homos are bad press for you. Just don’t do it and you won’t look like such a loser!) So The Bachelorette is dumb and she has no guts. Jennifer Love Hewitt, on the other hand, has guts. Balls. And she used them.

Knowing her place in West Hollywood, at a gay bingo game raising money for a gay independent film, she stepped up to the plate and bought a handful of Brent Corrigan’s best projects ever released. Yes, that Jennifer Love Hewitt. She took one for the team. I sure hope her homo’s are proud. Cuz you know she’s got ‘em! And I sure hope they enjoy the DVD’s. Or she does. I guess we shall never know. Though, we wouldn’t fault Miss Love if she did get a little curious and popped one in her DVD player one afternoon, now would we? No, we certainly would not. Because we have love and acceptance for all of our friends and family.

Financially it was a successful night for Judas Kiss. Especially considering we raised what we did playing Bingo. I still can’t get over it. Bingo!?

However, we have a long one & a half months ahead of us to campaign and raise funds to make Judas Kiss the best picture it can be. By raising the money we still need we can ensure the best production quality. It also means we can get the project edited right after we wrap filming. The goal is to have the film on the festival circuit right out the gate in Spring 2011. Most feature films require six months to a year to edit and finalize post procedure. We’re trying to do the same thing, just as good as anyone else, in THREE or so MONTHS!

We’ve even began making plans for an event in Seattle prior to filming. We won’t be shooting at the University of Washington until the end of August. Though, historically communities are very supportive of movies filmed in their area.

Judas Kiss has registered for Kickstarter, which is a stellar fundraising website set up for indie films to take on donations from multiple sources. It’s a great deal and we are extremely thankful for Kickstarter for giving us the opportunity – but there is a catch. This is the entertainment industry! There is always a catch. If we don’t reach our goal of $5,000 we don’t get to take home any of the money donated to help Judas Kiss through Kickstarter.

Every little bit helps. Five dollars goes a long way when we all do our part. And for the big spenders who are aptly enthusiastic about seeing this film made – and me in a major supporting role (the biggest yet to come around for lil’ ‘ole me!) there are thank you packages put in place to show our appreciation.

We have raised half of the money we need to take home our donations from Kickstarter. There are only 13 days to secure the rest!

Please take a moment to help us make a movie.

Donate to Judas Kiss via Kickstarter!

Thank You!

Your Friend & Lover,
Brent