On the web.
Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with New Jersey native, writer/ filmmaker Kyle Schickner regarding his groundbreaking web series “Rose by Any Other Name” which tackles the prejudices, stereotypes and misconceptions of bisexuality. Schnickner, who identifies as bisexual, wrote the original off off Broadway play, on which a 1996 feature film and now the web series are based. While the play and original film may have been a little ahead of its time, the web series seems to be catching some positive attention.
“Rose by Any Other Name” is a story about Rose, an out lesbian who unexpectedly falls for a man (Schickner). The series takes you through the confusion the relationship seems to bring the couple as well as their immediate peer groups. The story itself is believable as are the characters, who bring humor to the screen through subtle witty stereotypes we call can relate to. When asked why he chose to base the story on a bisexual woman instead of a man Schickner replied “When I wrote the play, I thought a bi woman would be more palatable for mainstream.”
Schickner, who identifies as queer, says he has “always fit in the LGBT community”. However while attending college at Rutgers he found the “B” in LGBT many times didn’t seem to have a place. In light of the exclusion he felt, Schickner founded the support group BIAS (Bisexuals Achieving Solidarity), out of a “need to know where I am at”. The group was the first college bisexual rights group in the U.S.
“Schickner seeks to point out that no matter our sexualities, dating, friends, and relationships are universally complicated and our paths to finding love refreshingly similar” says his publicist. “The issue of “bisexuality” continues to generate interest and stir heated controversy among both straight and LGBT communities.” BuskFilms.com, one of the leading independent lesbian film websites has endorsed the series and is now exclusively airing the entire first season. Season II of “Rose by Any Other Name” premiered June 1st.
FenceSitter Films, Schnicker’s production company is currently working on “Hurricane Sandy,” a documentary about Sandy Sach’s and Girl Bar’s 20th Anniversary of their Dinah Shore scene, as well as a feature film, called “Text”, a lesbian story due out in time for Sundance in early 2012. “A White Man Walks into a Barber Shop”, a documentary, is also due out in 2012.
http://roseseason1.filmbinder.com and http://www.fencesitterfilms.com
On the web.
Recently I had the pleasure of speaking with New Jersey native, writer/ filmmaker Kyle Schickner regarding his groundbreaking web series “Rose by Any Other Name” which tackles the prejudices, stereotypes and misconceptions of bisexuality. Schnickner, who identifies as bisexual, wrote the original off off Broadway play, on which a 1996 feature film and now the web series are based. While the play and original film may have been a little ahead of its time, the web series seems to be catching some positive attention.
