After months of creative individual fundraising efforts, the Atlanta Cotillion social season culminates in the lively and entertaining Atlanta Cotillion Ball. In keeping to tradition the escorted debutantes are presented on stage to celebrate their fundraising successes. As the highlight of the evening, the debutante who has raised the most funds is crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball. Now in its ninth year in this format, the Atlanta Cotillion Ball is one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Atlanta and has achieved national awareness. Check out more about the Cotillion by cliking here.

This year’s event shattered previous records—the six debutantes raised over $171,000 in six months with pool parties, wine tastings, and so much more. Jacqueline D’Bouvier VonSeco (AKA JD Kellum) was crowned Queen of the Atlanta Cotillion Ball after raising over $42,000 – a new individual fundraising record for Atlanta Cotillion. There were 425 people in attendance on September 17th, the most attendees Atlanta Cotillion has ever hosted. Atlanta Cotillion has raised over $1,155,852 over the last ten years.

FENUXE: Thanks for taking the time to chat boys. Richard, give us a quick rundown of what Judas Kiss is all about.

RICHARD: It revolves around Zachary Wells who is a washed up filmmaker in Hollywood who never made anything of the talent he had. And he was very talented, he squandered his possibilities. It’s a chance to redo the mistakes he made in his life and he gets the opportunity to go back and convince the younger version of himself to take things more seriously and think things through a little bit more.

FENUXE: What characters do you guys play in the movie?

RICHARD: I play the cocky young film student that he sees himself in my character, for good reasons. He tries to help me, but I feel like I am doing everything right. In my mind I don’t need his help in anything.

SEAN PAUL: I play the character to Chris Wachosky. He is also a young filmmaker. He is the previous winner of the Keystone Film Festival. Richard’s character is up for the same scholarship. They meet and have a good strong connection. I have always looked at the characters in the film, the different roles as different approaches as to how we can take on decisions in life. I think Richard’s character and Charlie David’s character and my character and even Abby’s character all represent a different way on how we approach life.

FENUXE: How did you get involved in the project?

SEAN PAUL: A handful of years ago I did a short film with Jody Wheeler who is also a producer on Judas Kiss. There were just two of us in it. He cast JT (director of Judas Kiss). We did this three day shoot in Southern California. I play this body inhabiting creature from the closet world and take JT’s character home and sacrifice him to the monsters. It was one of the first times I had an opportunity to take on a role and see some value in my ability as an actor. I think JT saw some of that as well and asked me to come on board Judas Kiss. They attached my name. I lent a helping hand in bringing some visibility to the film at an early stage when they were looking for funding. I was very happy to be a part of that because I thought the writing was stellar from the very beginning. I was proud to be a part of it.

RICHARD: My story of how I got involved isn’t as interesting as Sean’s. My agent found out about the movie, thought I would be good for the role of Danny, sent me the sides, I auditioned, felt a good connection to the character. I really didn’t see it coming. A few weeks later JT flew to Vancouver to ask me to do it and I was ecstatic to do so.

FENUXE: Richard, you recently got some attention for your role of Jasper Ames in AMC’s The Killing. How long have you been acting?

RICHARD: I have been acting professionally for about 10 years now. I did a reoccurring on Caprica a few years back, a feature film called Trick or Treat.

Fenuxe: Most of your work has been dramatic. Is that the direction you want your career to head?

RICHARD: I love comedy. I think I am pretty good at it. When I audition for comedy they always tell me that I am good, but then they tell me that my face looks angry. Unfortunately that is just how my face is built. (laughs)

FENUXE: Did you do The Killing before or after you did Judas Kiss?

RICHARD: I got the role of Danny and then we had a few months before we started filming Judas Kiss. In that time I booked the pilot for The Killing and we did the first episode. While were waiting for it to get picked-up I shot Judas Kiss and then it got picked up and we filmed the rest of the season. It kind of happened all at the same time.

FENUXE: Are you going back to season 2 of The Killing?

RICHARD: I have no idea if I am or not. You never really know with that show they keep it very close to the vest.

FENUXE: It is a great show.

RICHARD: I also loved it. Even after my character was gone I watched every episode.

FENUXE: Sean what has the journey been like for you with this film. It has picked up a lot of traction since it was released in April. What is it like to be a part of something from the beginning and then see it come to life?

SEAN PAUL: You are cautious when one becomes attached to something, particularly at the level that I was attached. And you go through a lot of ups and downs, but then you breathe a sigh of relief and say yes it is actually happening. What is so great about it and I think Richard can attest to this, especially with hearing him talk about The Killing and Judas Kiss, alot of this stuff happens right on top of one another. I got another role in another film right after I did this and it was a starring role. Both of the films have been doing the gay and lesbian festival circuit at the same time. I have had two films in a lot of the same festivals which is really exciting and it is also exhausting because you are in a different city every weekend. As much as I love to travel, I have had to learn how to pace myself. It has always been go big or go home. You know when you travel as much as I have been traveling; you certainly have to realize you don’t need a blow out at every opportunity. More than anything it has been overwhelming, but it has also shown me quite literally that even though I come from a place where it is not common, or hasn’t been done, that basically it can be done, as far as moving from one direction to another. It is not much of a secret where I got my start, but I am sure hoping that by this time next year people will have a clear idea of where I am going with my future.

FENUXE: Are you completely stepping away from your past?

SEAN PAUL: Am I stepping away from it. I still produce, I still have my website. I like to say I am officially, unofficially retired, which is my way of saying I have not made any such distinctions yet. Things are going really well in main stream. It’s where my heart is, it’s where my head is, it’s where I want to be in some capacity. At some point I would like to make my own films, I’d like to direct. I have already been doing that in the adult genre. With the recession things have changed. It has changed the playing field. It just isn’t something that does it for me anymore. If we all had the pleasure and the opportunity to do what we love than I would be doing acting.

FENUXE: It is great that you are not trying to hide it and put it all aside. It is what made you and the reason you have the opportunity you have today.

SEAN PAUL: We all know there is no putting Brent Corrigan back in the closet. He’s not going away anytime soon. (laughs) I am proud of the fact that a lot of my fans have been very respectful toward me, they stand by me. One thing that I hope that they can do is recognize that there is so much more to me than that one element and they see some value in that as well. All I am asking is “just give me a chance.”

FENUXE: Richard, what was it like for you to walk onto a set with mostly gay actors?

RICHARD: Honestly it wasn’t uncomfortable at all. I can fully give credit to Charlie, Sean and Timo. They knew what to do to make me feel comfortable when doing scenes like kissing.

FENUXE: What are you boys working on next?

RICHARD: I have a few things in the works, but can’t discuss them just yet.

The new president will be called upon to champion federal and state legislative efforts aimed at full equality, to continue to build the hallmark programs of the HRC Foundation such as Welcoming Schools, the Corporate Equality Index and the Healthcare Equality Index, and to serve as a voice that inspires LGBT people and our allies across the country.

With the assistance of stakeholders, the board will develop a job profile that highlights the various skill sets required of a new president. The final job profile will be posted publicly at www.hrc.org.

“The entire HRC board understands the importance of this search to our community, to our continued progress as a movement and to our organization,” said HRC board Co-Chair Rebecca Tillet. “That’s why we will run a process that is inclusive and respects the importance of diversity in the candidate pool,” added HRC Foundation Co-Chair Andy Linsky.

Ingredients:

- 1.5 fl oz SMIRNOFF Green Apple Flavored Vodka
- 3 fl oz Cranberry Juice

Directions:

Friday night Joining Hearts held a party at Jungle Nightclub to present this year’s donation checks to the causes. This year the organization was able to present AID Atlanta and Jerusalem House checks for $92,500 each for a total donation of $185,000. This amount topped last year’s record by over $60,000.

The Joining Hearts board, hosts, volunteers, patrons and sponsors should all be very proud of their efforts this year. If you would like to learn more about how you can get involved with this great organization check them out by clicking here.

Also check out a couple of great events coming up from AID Atlanta and Jerusalem House. First up: AIDS Walk Atlanta happening on October 16. It isn’t too late to sign up to walk, sponsor a walker or to volunteer. Click here for more info.

Also be sure to check out Jerusalem House’s: “Carnevale: Myths and Legends” being held on October 22nd at the Atlanta Marriot Marquis. Click here for all the details.

Out on Film kicked-off last night with a bang. Now we are all getting ready for a long weekend of fab gay cinema. The films over the weekend will help wet your appetite for the world premiere of Morgan. The film was made by long-running gay filmmakers, Sandon Berg (producer/writer) and Michael Akers (writer/director). Sandon took a few minutes to sit down with Fenuxe and discuss the film which screen on Monday October 3 at 9:10PM at the Landmark Midtown Art Cinema.

Fenuxe: Tell us about the film, Morgan.

Sandon: The movie is the story of Morgan who was an avid bicyclist who was injured and rendered paraplegic in bike race. The story joins him on his first day home after 5 months of grueling surgeries and rehabilitation in the hospital. He comes back in a wheelchair into the same apartment and the same life he left as a walking person. His walking specter sort of follows him around and drives him to madness throughout the film ad He tries to be the same person that he was and not accepting the fact that he can’t walk anymore.

Fenuxe: What inspired the film?

Sandon: Every time I sit down to write a script and I am throwing around different ideas, I try to figure out what is already out there. What stories have already been told? I try to challenge myself. There are only about seven different stories in the world. If there is a unique was to tell a story that is fine or to try and come up with a perspective on life or in a story that has never been done that way before. I didn’t think, especially in gay genre films, an area that had been explored very much at all.

Fenuxe: How would you classify the film genre wise?

Sandon: There are two story lines in the film. One is about Morgan deciding to do this bike race again, but as a wheelchair entrant. And the other one is his meeting and falling in love and discovering how to physically love this other man. Those are the two storylines that go along and intersect with one another. Dean, the love interest, inspires Morgan to believe that he can compete again. By inspiring Morgan he sort of taps into an un-faced demon that Morgan has which is the crux of the story.

Fenuxe: Did you talk to other gay paraplegics when writing the story?

Sandon: I looked around for different groups. The way that I was actually able to get in touch with someone is that I found a dating site that caters to men in wheelchairs and were looking for relationships. Through one of these sites I was able to contact a couple of people, hoping I didn’t sound too creepy. They were very open and very excited about the idea that there could be a movie about a gay guy in a wheelchair. One guy in particular lives in Texas. He was very open, very generous and very candid about all my appropriate and inappropriate questions. Everything from how did your injury happen. What was the process you went through to accept the fact that he was injured and was never going to be the same again. How did adapt to your new way of life. How do you go to the bathroom? How do you have sex? He was so candid it made what I had to do much easier.

Fenuxe: Would you call this a true story?

Sandon: I can’t say that is it is a true story. None of what is in the movie is based on anything they told me. The story itself is completely unique. The perspective that each of these guys gave me on what it is like to live in a wheelchair was really helpful in sculpting a story. I think it is a very universal story. I don’t think it is gay specific at all.

Fenuxe: Morgan is world premiering at the Out on Film festival. Has anyone seen it other than the production team?

Sandon: We did have one works in progress screening in Philadelphia where we always screen our film. We have a small following there with a strong core audience in Philadelphia. They are always very honest about. A lot of times they are seeing things without a score, without color correction, with missing scenes and little cards with what would go on. This is our opportunity reshoot or re-record any lines. But what the audience is seeing in Atlanta is the first finished product. It has been color corrected. The beautiful score is in. It is great.

Fenuxe: Will you be on hand for the premiere?

Sandon: I will not be there, but Michael Akers, the director/writer, will be there. He will probably introduce the film and do a q and a afterward.

Fenuxe: Are you nervous?

Sandon: I am really, really excited. I can’t say I am not nervous particularly since it is the first screening. But at this point in the film when you get into color corrections and sound fixes and stuff where you are really going frame by frame by frame you completely lose sight of the film. The last couple of times I watched it it was a very technical experience for me and I wasn’t emotionally involved in it. It is getting the point where I need to see it from an audience point of view because it is so fresh.

Fenuxe: It is like seeing it for the first time.

Sandon: Yes, Exactly! You know along the way I might show it to a couple of filmmaker friends and ask about little technical things. At the end of the day the only thing that matters are the people who are going to the theater and see it or go to the store and rent it or buy it. Those are the opinions that matter.

Fenuxe: Hopefully they like it.

Sandon: (laughs) Yes, hopefully.

Fenuxe: When you cast your films do you specifically seek out gay actors?

Sandon: For the first time we have these two straight actors playing gay roles. It was very brave of them even if they don’t have any unfounded fears about being a straight actor playing a gay role. There is a weird moment during the audition process. We’re to the point where we are trying to figure out which actor is going to play which role because we were considering both of them for both roles. We got to a kiss in the scene and I was like okay let’s do this through again and I would like to see you kiss. Whether the actors are gay or straight it is irrelevant. But I don’t want to get into the middle of shooting and find out they are uncomfortable with that. Then there is nothing I can do about that. So these two guys kissed and it was like electricity in the room and there chemistry was astounding. They left and said Michael and asked him if he thought that was the first time they had ever kissed another man. I would never ask them that. I don’t want to know. It doesn’t even matter, but the ease that they just did it because that was the job at hand.

Fenuxe: Did Leo have a hard time getting used to being in a wheelchair?

Sandon: I sent him home with an old rickety wheelchair that didn’t even roll straight. He took it home and lived in that wheelchair. He came back and didn’t use his legs. Some of the other actors who hadn’t met him would come on set he wouldn’t get out of the wheelchair. He would be there and be there and be there. Then he would have to go to the bathroom and would get up and walk. The other actors would be like, “You can walk!”

Fenuxe: You have been producing for a while. Tell us a little about your other films.

Sandon: This is the fourth film Michael and I have done together. The first one was called “Gone but Not Forgotten.” It was about a forest ranger who rescues a guy from the city who escapes his life in the city and heads to the mountains. He has an accident and gets amnesia. While he is recovering from amnesia he ends up falling love with the ranger. When he gets his memory back and he has to go back to his life in the city. This is what the end of the movie is, so I won’t reveal it for people who want to see it. That movie explores is being gay a choice? Of course our perspective it is not a choice you know when remove all the elements of expectation from this person’s life he is free to fall in love with who he wants. “Gone but Not Forgotten” is one of the most successful gay films of all time.

Fenuxe: Are you working on anything now?

Sandon: We have a couple of other things that we want to move onto. One is something that has been a long time in development. It is called “A House Divided” which takes place at the very end of the civil war. It is about a young straight lawyer who takes the case of a confederate soldier who is on trial for crimes against nature. We come to learn that his partner in crime is a young heir to a plantation. He is protecting his family name by not coming forward. It is a sexy period courtroom drama that addresses the issues of separation of church and state. We also have a gay fatal attraction and we are going to try and shoot that one if 3-D.

Check out the trailer for “Morgan” below and check out the rest of the fest by clicking here.

Michael Akers’ MORGAN – Trailer from Michael Akers on Vimeo.