There is a new lesbian feature film in the works by critically acclaimed Hannah Free director Wendy Jo Carlton. In order for this film to see its way through the long and winding road of production, post-production and worldwide distribution, Carlton has partnered with KickStarter to raise funds and spread the word about this shoestring budget grassroots effort.
Jamie & Jesse Are Not Together tells the story many of us have lived through privately as lesbians around the world. When Chicago native Jamie decides to move to New York City to become a world-famous actress, her best buddy Jesse must face the impending unwanted separation she not-so-secretly dreads. Jamie, not considering herself queer by any means, has grown accustomed to the attention directed toward her by best friend Jesse. The decision to leave town and head east gets a little bit more complicated when Jesse begins dating a host of other gals to make Jamie jealous.
SheWired spoke exclusively with Carlton about her new project. “Jamie and Jessie are Not Together is based on my own life experiences as a queer woman. But it explores universal themes. How many people in the world have been not-so-secretly in love with their best friend? I’m counting on that broad appeal. As both writer and director, I have a lot of control over the final product, but it’s also scary. I’m responsible, whether it shines or flops. Here’s hoping for the former.”
Carlton continued, “I’m making the kind of film I want to see more of-- a cross between a lesbian buddy movie and a romantic comedy. Think Show Me Love meets My Best Friend’s Wedding, add two cute queer college girls and stir. Jamie and Jessie Are Not Together is about two women whose co-dependent, loyal friendship is fraught with erotic tension. It’s not about ‘coming out’, but about two people on the cusp of adulthood, figuring out how to grow together or how to grow apart.”
If your recent memory resembles anything like that of what we are to view on-screen when this film hits theatres and festivals around the world, you may want to consider backing Carlton’s noble effort to show your support. In a time when two of our favorite LGBT-supported retail stores (Best Buy and Target) have let us down by supporting anti-LGBT causes, the decision to stand behind projects like Jamie & Jesse Are Not Together is extremely pronounced. The “Power of the Lesbian People” is here – jump onboard!
Here is how you can help this feature film grow some long, lean, beautiful legs:
Visit the official KickStarter Jamie & Jesse Are Not Togetherpage and:
Pledge $10 or More – Special thanks in the film credits and lots of good juju!
Pledge $20 or More – A digital download of the finished film and all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $50 or More – A signed DVD of the finished film and all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $100 or More – A complimentary official T-SHIRT with the film logo and all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $250 or More – 2 TICKETS to a festival or private screening, plus after-party, in any city the film screens in which you can attend; plus a signed SCREENPLAY, and all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $500 or More – A CREDIT as an ASSISTING PRODUCER in the closing credits, your name listed on IMDB site, 2 TICKETS to a festival or private screening, plus after-party, in any city in which the film screens which you can attend; plus a copy of the signed SCREENPLAY, and all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $1,000 or More – A CREDIT as a SUPPORTING PRODUCER of the film in the credits, your name listed on IMDB site, A copy of the original adaptation of the Jamie & Jessie are Not Together COLORING BOOK! Plus all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $2,000 or More – A CREDIT as an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER of the film in the credits, your name listed on IMDB site, a WALK-ON ROLE in the film! Plus all of the rewards listed above.
Pledge $5,000 or More – A SOLO title card as an EXECUTIVE PRODUCER of the film in the film's OPENING credits, your name listed on IMDB site! Plus all of the rewards listed above.
Jamie & Jesse Are Not Together needs to raise another $8,000 in the next two weeks or it will not be able to survive. Please consider supporting and forwarding this post to your friends!
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