TOO EDGY, TOO OUT-THERE? YOU JUDGE.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
6:00PM - 8:30PM
'HALF-SHARE' MAY BE THE FUNNIEST SITCOM YOU'LL NEVER SEE ON TV. SEAN HANLEY, BRADLEY JACOBS, JOSH ROSENZWEIG AND CHRISTOPHER WILLEY TELL STEVE WEINSTEIN WHY.
On Wednesday, August 17, Out Professionals invites you to a benefit screening of the half-hour TV pilot "Half-Share," a no-holds-barred sitcom about a group of renters in Fire Island Pines. Prepare to laugh -- and then to ponder the state of television as a roundtable of insiders discusses the difficulty of selling an original, scripted series in 2011. Given the economics of television today, this may be the funniest sitcom you'll never see.
Watch the trailer!
Steve Weinstein (above), the editor-in-chief of Edge Media Networks, leads the discussion on why edgy gay programming is proving so difficult to get on the air -- or even on cable TV. Steve's panelists include Sean Hanley (at top, far left), a writer/producer/director of "Half Share;" entertainment journalist Bradley Jacobs (near left), a senior editor of Us Weekly; Josh Rosenzweig (near right), Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Development at Here Media; and Christopher Willey (far right), Logo TV's Head of East Coast Development and Production.
The take-no-prisoners humor of "Half-Share" not only skewers gay men, but breaks a lot of other rules by presenting recreational sex, camp, and alcohol and drug use in a way not seen since "Ab Fab."
Other factors contribute to the industry's current skittishness. Among them: the high cost of professional actors compared to reality and tabloid programs; the proliferation of channels and consequent siphoning-off of viewers; and the growth of other viewing options, including the Internet, mobile devices and Netflix.
Sean Hanley wrote, produced and co-directed "Half-Share" with Jesse Archer. (Archer, currently in Sydney, appears in the pilot as Lex.) Hanley began his career in L.A. with three seasons on the writing staff of "The Nanny." Sean's other television credits include "The Simple Life" (starring Judith Light, CBS), "Kelly Kelly" (starring Shelley Long, WB) and "Daytrippers," (created by Fran Drescher, MTV). Film credits include Todd Graff's musical, "Camp" (IFC). Currently Hanley is working with his editor to complete his debut novel, "The Convertible Life."
Bradley Jacobs, a senior editor at Us Weekly, edits all movie-related stories and reviews, weekly features, and the breaking-news-packed Hot Stuff section, one of the last departments to go to bed during the magazine's hectic Monday-night close. He has covered the film festivals at Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto, as well as Comic-con and the Academy Awards, and regularly hosts Q&As with talent, and inside and outside Us. Bradley, who covered showbiz for Newsweek and Newsweek.com before joining Us in 2003, appears regularly on the morning shows and nightly entertainment programs discussing film and celebrity news.
Josh Rosenzweig, host of "Just Josh," the here! TV talk show, joined Here Media in 2005, after serving as Director of Development for Harvey Keitel's production company. Utilizing the assets of all of Here Media's brands -- OUT, The Advocate, Gay.com and here! TV -- Rosenzweig created an Integrated Marketing Department to offer advertisers new multi-platform programs. Josh began his career in the entertainment industry as a filmmaker, theater director and video editor. His first film, "Scream Teen, Scream," written by and starring Jackie Beat, played the Berlinale/Panorama 1997, won the OUTfest Audience Award and was distributed theatrically by Strand Releasing. Another, "Charlie!," was chosen by the Andy Warhol Museum to be part of its permanent collection. Josh has directed over 50 theatrical productions, including the 2006 Off-Broadway smash theatrical adaptation of Stephen King's "Carrie," starring Sherry Vine.
As Logo TV's Head of East Coast Development and Production, Christopher Willey oversees "The A-List" franchise, "NewNowNext Awards" and "Be Good, Johnny Weir." His other recent projects include "Setup Squad," "Pretty Hurts," "The Big Gay Sketch Show" and "Jeffery & Cole Casserole." Before joining Logo Original Programming in 2005, Willey worked in TV and film development with Comedy Central, Walden Media, Scott Rudin Productions and Paramount Pictures.
Steve Weinstein is the editor-in-chief of Edge Media Networks, nearly three-dozen local websites that cover LGBT news, arts and entertainment, style, nightlife, and health and fitness. He is also the editor-in-chief of noiZe, the nationally distributed glossy magazine that covers music and the gay dance scene worldwide. Steve's writing has appeared in the Village Voice, New York magazine, and the International Herald Tribune. He authored "The Q Guide to Fire Island" (Alyson, 2007). For several years, he covered the television industry as a stringer for industry magazines before he became the editor of a TV trade-show daily, and later, the publisher of his TV trade-show daily.
NEW: 'HALF-SHARE' CAST MEMBERS APPEARING THIS EVENING AS SPECIAL GUESTS!
Kevyn Morrow and Kyle Spidle from the cast of "Half-Share"
IT PAYS TO BE AN OP MEMBER. Join or renew now and receive a complimentary $25 gift card to GILT.com: Luxury brands. Hand-selected styles. Members-only prices. Offer is limited to the first five new or renewing members. After joining, email membership to secure your complimentary $25 gift card.
WHERE:
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The LGBT Community Center, 208 W 13th St. between 7th and 8th Avenues. (map) Subway: 1/2/3 or A/C/E to 14th Street. L train to 8th Avenue. Directions from where you are: www.hopstop.com
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PROGRAM:
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Doors open at 6:00pm for socializing and networking; complimentary bar. Screening at 7:00pm. Insiders roundtable and audience Q&A at 7:30pm.
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PRICE:
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Nonmember, $15; OP Member, $10; complimentary bar. Portion of proceeds to benefit The Center. RSVPs are closed, but please feel free to just show up!
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