05/06/2008
Remember MySpace Zach who was sent away to 'Ex-Gay' Camp?
Those of you who have read Towleroad for a while may remember the story of 16-year-old Zach Stark, the teenager who made headlines back in June 2005 when he announced on his MySpace blog that he had told his parents he was gay and they were sending him to the Christian fundamentalist "ex-gay" therapy "Love in Action" camp in Memphis, Tennessee. Zach's story was followed closely that year through his release at the end of July.
For the first time, in some pre-release footage from the feature-length documentary This Is What Love In Action Looks Like we hear from Zach, now older.
Watch the clip, AFTER THE JUMP...
Previously
"Love in Action" [tr]
Zach's Father Speaks Out [tr]
Zach's Release from "Love in Action" Imminent [tr]
(via box turtle bulletin)
Posted 8:22 AM EST by Andy in "Ex-Gays", News, Tennessee | Permalink
Comments
so fowl? heart in the right place, i guess, but christ.
Posted by: brad | May 6, 2008 8:27:19 AM
what a beautiful idea. great vintage footage, great interviews. horrifying editing. producers, if you're reading this, you must take out 80% of the text, or do something to make it more interesting. as it stands now, it is unwatchable.
Posted by: brad | May 6, 2008 8:33:54 AM
... plus an editor who can correct all the spelling, punctuation and capitalization errors and inconsistencies, and also re-insert obviously omitted words.
Posted by: Mike | May 6, 2008 8:51:19 AM
Good film, and I hope Zach is doing OK now. I have to agree with the comment by Brad that it has a bit too much text typed onto the screen... if that can be reduced some, or have some of it spoken instead of playing music in the background, it would improve the film. But thanks for making it.
Posted by: Hephaestion | May 6, 2008 8:59:58 AM
Okay...ladies...that was the trailer...not the actual movie. and B, the "spelling" errors are actually quotes directly from Zach's MySpace.
So...those in the know...what is Zach's current sexual frame of mind? Did the camp "work"?
Posted by: Mike | May 6, 2008 9:00:31 AM
Hmm, yes, kind of long-winded text, no? Definitely detracts from the footage and the interviews. Eliminating some text would make it much more compelling.
Also, producers, just to be clear on the above comment: "Fowl" should be "foul." Unless they thought we were chicken, too. :)
Posted by: tony g | May 6, 2008 9:10:42 AM
so is he in the movie telling how damaging and ineffective this camp is?
http://www.queersunited.blogspot.com
Posted by: queerunity | May 6, 2008 9:13:06 AM
yes yes yes i know just roughly thrown together stuffs :-( sorry to have offended so
Posted by: morgan fox | May 6, 2008 9:19:54 AM
just because you have all that great vintage footage doesn't mean you have to USE all of that great vintage footage. I completely concur with the other posters -- the editing makes it unwatchable. UNWATCHABLE. Awful, awful. A shame, since there's some good stuff there ... but who can get through it? Not me.
Posted by: Paulie | May 6, 2008 9:40:34 AM
That started out GREAT, then after the credits rolled and rolled and rolled, the film took on a very clichéd look and that typing to move the plot along was quickly distracting and then annoying.
Posted by: ggreen | May 6, 2008 9:47:26 AM
I agree with those who like the vintage footage but think the text has to go - this is like watching one of those vintage bad Powerpoint inspirational spam emails meant to uplift you.
Posted by: myDogBen | May 6, 2008 9:52:00 AM
Jesus, who knew Ebert and Roeper read Towleroad? There's no need to slam someone else's work so viciously.
Posted by: Joel | May 6, 2008 9:55:42 AM
it's ok i can take it. it's the opening sequence from a VERY rough cut that I have not touched up by any means. Just thought some people might enjoy seeing a little something...I had no clue it would end up on the blog rollllll. If I was a smarter boy I would've considered that people would indeed look at is as something judge-worthy. But you know, I'm one of the gays who got dropped on his head and occasionally forgets to think twice before acting.(it'll prob be down by the end of the day)
All of that text is definitely going, don't worry. Seriously though, I appreciate the feedback it'll help me know what will send people running when the real thing hits.
If anyone has any other detailed suggestions feel free: morganjonfox@sawedoffproductions
<3
Posted by: Morgan Fox | May 6, 2008 10:24:48 AM
Editorialize queens! Let's all step up to the maypole & dance around the issue. Oopz u already did. hehehe
Posted by: DaK | May 6, 2008 10:32:36 AM
Good for them for putting something together. I look forward to seeing the final project, and hearing what they have to say.
The rest of you who feel that publicly denigrating somebody work, up to and including their spelling, especially when you were not asked to, in such a way that becomes demeaning to the people and the message that is being put forth, need to take a long hard look at yourselves, because you must have some seriously harsh lives, not to mention mouths.
Travis
Travis
Posted by: Travis | May 6, 2008 10:34:37 AM
Hey, everyone... the text is from Zach's actual myspace page...typos and all. That is what the whole movie is about... him coming out, putting his feelings on myspace, getting thrown in that camp, the aftermath, etc. Actually, I was not loving the pace or the vintage footage. Depressing! But I know it is just a trailer. Anyway, that's why the text is there. I still definitely want to see the film because of his story.
Posted by: Ari | May 6, 2008 10:45:03 AM
Travis,
It's called critiquing, not denigrating. When something is posted like this, it is open to critique. Morgan has now stated that it was just a rough cut that he didn't intend to hit the blogs, but welcomes the feedback.
I know when I work on video projects that I like to get people's input about what is good/bad. It helps me hone my skills and improve the project.
- Rick
Posted by: Rick | May 6, 2008 11:03:29 AM
Btw, if any of you live in New York city i'll be up there in early June for NewFest, my (other)new feature film, "omg/HaHaHa" is having its world premier there...which is another reason I decided to just go ahead and release the rough extended clip...because it feels like it's taking forever to release the documentary.
Posted by: Morgan Fox | May 6, 2008 12:16:15 PM
Andy, please keep us up to date on this production. I started reading Towleroad sometime in late 2006 so I wasn't aware of this story. I really look forward to a finished project and I thank you for posting this.
Posted by: Sam | May 6, 2008 12:37:22 PM
Morgan, you did a great job. I "got" why the text was there and think it makes the film more compelling. I suggest you follow your instincts and don't listen to these critics. Many artists say they do not listen to or read criticism. Most things designed by a committee are not very good.
Posted by: Voet | May 6, 2008 12:41:41 PM
MORGAN...I don't think anyone here means any harm in their criticism. I had some similar reactions to some of the other comments...not because I felt a need to tear down your work but because I would hope any film exposing the hate and intolerance of Love In Action would be viewed as smart, informed and intelligent. When there are errors as blatant as 'fowl' vs. 'foul' along with grammatical errors, it sort of erodes the legitimacy of the entire work. Best of luck with the project...I can't wait to see it!
Posted by: peterparker | May 6, 2008 12:43:03 PM
Zach is adorable by the way!
Posted by: peterparker | May 6, 2008 12:44:44 PM
Hey Morgan-
Glad you can handle the pre-critique critique.
You're doing something great. Good Luck!
Posted by: Steve | May 6, 2008 1:16:30 PM
Best of luck with the project. I'm looking forward to seeing the completed film and hearing the rest of Zach's story.
Posted by: Ernie | May 6, 2008 2:14:45 PM
Here is the extended Preview:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLaBkiP0-nA&feature=related
Posted by: Steven | May 6, 2008 2:27:12 PM
You know, I've spent the morning tearing here at my desk...this is really an awesome testament to where we are as a culture, that a voice in the wilderness can be heard - and that people join hands and help.
Then, I come here and people seem to be missing the point. Perhaps these are the same people who bemoan the loss of Gay Ghettos and the death of Gay Bars...
*sigh*
Or maybe the English Majors in audience are feeling uppity. Or I need to go for a walk.
Anyway - I cried, it was great.
Posted by: Papa Tony | May 6, 2008 3:14:32 PM
He's my age and he stole my facial hair. Luckily my parents believe most religious are a crock of shit (they support the concept of believing in God, and having faith, but they think the religious leaders such as the Pope, and the stupid limitations established religions have put upon their believers, is stupid and bullshit).
This is child abuse, plain and simple. All programs such as this, if the child is forced against their will into a program which is so detrimental to the mind and psyche, should be outlawed on the principle that it is child abuse.
Posted by: Mateo | May 6, 2008 6:43:25 PM
So is he still a 'Mo or not? I remember following this so (too?) closely and then it all died down, but no one knew if he resisted or became one of LIA's "success" stories. He needs his privacy, but all I ever wanted to know about him was if he survived.
Morgan, did you ever show a version of this movie at The Evergreen State College? I remember seeing a documentary about this whole fiasco a couple years ago there.
Posted by: Brandon H | May 6, 2008 7:28:34 PM
BRANDON:
Hey...yea, I had a brief residency at Evergreen in 2006 mainly documenting one of Mutki Khana's courses, talked to several classes, and screened a "preface" version of the film which followed the protests and news coverage. I had such a great time there. Met some really really awesome people. A time that i'll never forget. Small world.
Posted by: Morgan Fox | May 6, 2008 8:35:59 PM
He came out to his parents on the same exact day I did, in the exact same year. I was a freshman in college. I waited those two extra years...
Posted by: Barto | May 7, 2008 2:03:09 AM
First lesson of creativity: when you want to make a point, understate it. You don't need a sledgehammer.
Posted by: Jimbo | May 7, 2008 6:11:01 AM
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