The video is the result of a few days of work on my part and several weeks of work by Ivan. When it was just an idea in my head, I gave him a summary of what I had in mind and asked him if he was interested in editing it. I would pay for everything, I just needed his time and talent.
Ivan has a strong background in the visual arts, but this was the first video that he had edited. He took it and ran. He arranged for a location to shoot it, found the priest wardrobe, rented the lighting (a few thousand watts was part of the reason I was sweating), and played cameraman, director and grip. After a few hours of shooting me in everything from an Armani suit, shirt and tie to leather pants and vest, we wrapped it up. Then he started looking for content.
It was my original intent to use still images for everything – the images of anti-gay signs, gay bashing, and the religious extremists that lead the hate groups. I thought we could put up homophobic quotes by these people. Perhaps we could list the top donors behind Proposition 8.
But still images are boring. The quotes we found were horrible – even quotes from the constitutions of certain states – but too long. When you only have a bit over three minutes to communicate, something more dynamic is required. So Ivan combed the web and public library to find appropriate video clips. He spent hours doing research online. He stayed true to the spirit of the outline I had provided him, but made it much more effective.
This was my first time in front of a camera. I didn’t feel self-conscious though I thought I would, but I didn’t know what to do. He encouraged me to stop acting like a robot and move, which ended up as dancing. I have to admit it is a lot more visually interesting than watching me stand there and lip sync.
When I first saw myself in the video as he was working on it, I said “wow, I’m kinda buff, let’s watch it again!” I see myself in the mirror every day and I’m like “meh, whatever,” but watching oneself move on a screen is a very different experience.
There are things I would change. The first is – I would look at the camera more. I didn’t see any of the footage until well after the fact and I noticed that the bits where I address the camera directly are much more effective. The rest? “Eye candy,” to use Ivan’s term.
The next thing I would change? If I had the time, I’d take voice lessons and sing it myself. Screw the lip syncing :-)
Amazing, the video seems to have stayed much deeper in my mind than I thought it would. It keeps provoking thoughts and feelings and I’m sure it will for quite a while. I can’t chase the horrible scenes away, but maybe I shouldn’t try? This is life so thank you for showing it to the world.
Lip syncing, at least in some moments, is good enough to make the impression that you’re singing indeed. I was like: “Rob singing rock – that’s hot!” But I’ll be all too happy to hear you really singing ;-). Can I sing along with you, please? It’s a good thing you said you’re buff, so I don’t have to say it. And this sweaty dance!…
It’s another good thing that you guys chose shorter passages to read. They go pretty quickly but I took down this title: “Unethical Treatment of Gay and Lesbian People with Conversion Therapy.” Whatever it is, I’ll look for it.
However, even though you have every reason for being this pissed off and break those poor chairs, please remember that in far-off countries people don’t enjoy half of the privileges you have: stable job (which makes it safe to be out, without the fear of losing your job), relatively free afternoons for the gym (without the need to take on more work to survive), etc.
Oh, I’m well aware that in most of the world we are worse off than in the US. Countries like Iran and Iraq continue to execute people for being gay. This is why the video is dedicated to victims of ignorance around the world. Yet, among developed western nations, America is behind.
Several people thought I was actually singing, which means we did a good job. But no one wants to listen to me try singing that high!
And no chairs were harmed in the making of this video :-)
I posted on Moby and I’ll post it here too – Good job Rob. Very cathartic.
And yes, just to bump up your self-esteem – you’re buff. Like, married -yummy-out-of-my-league-buff. LOL
One more thing – so does this mean you’re sticking around in blog world for awhile?
I’m out. You’re hot!
Rob, how can I get the video to the guys down in LA? Besides…I want to see it again myself.
You look just as buff in person, btw.