Why are Bruce Vilanch, LeAnn Rimes, Adam Lambert, Tim Gunn, Cloris Leachman and a host of other celebrities flipping the bird?

As the branding image behind the anti-bullying campaign Friend Movement, the photos show celebrities holding their blurred out middle finger up to the camera in an effort to raise awareness about bullying. Out director/activist Elliot London and openly gay actor/model/activist Ronnie Kroell are the creators behind the controversial campaign that was designed to turn the F-word into the new F-word (“friend’).

“We knew going into this that the middle finger has a lot of negative connotations,” explained Kroell, a Chicago native. “But much of what Friend Movement is trying to do is take a negative and turn it into a positive. It was important for us to make a statement and say that this is not a literal campaign, it is very figurative and it’s about empowerment and it’s about your inner monologue.”

Friend Movement was conceived after Kroell and London were introduced to one another by a mutual friend. Both men thought to combine their independent projects and create one anti-bullying campaign.

“I was working on a film project and Ronnie was working on a campaign project and both our projects really needed a lot of love,” said London who is originally from Australia and got his start as an intern on The Jerry Springer Show. “We decided to figure out how to combine forces and that’s how Friend Movement came along.”

Both Kroell and London were bullied as kids. Kroell was called a ‘faggot’ and had his pants pulled down at school and London was also called a ‘faggot’ and was spit on while riding the bus to Harlem High School in Machesney Park, Illinois. London recently went back to his high school to film a narrative short as part of the campaign. The premise of the film is to capture the stories of kids who have been bullied.

“Each student from the school created the anti-bullying film project and we went in and brought a Hollywood crew and gave it the Hollywood feel,” said London of the project they hope to have finished by late July. “It gives the students self-empowerment, it gets the people involved and it is conversation. This is something that we want to add to what Friend Movement is all about, which is going to high schools across the country and even across the world and bringing them the mentors and the help and bringing a voice to these projects.”

On July 1, Friend Movement held a benefit concert celebrating music and friendship with proceeds going towards their campaign. The concert featured the likes of LeAnn Rimes, The Voice contestants Frenchie Davis and Dia Frampton, Abraham Lin (The Glee Project) and singer Austin Brown, who is Michael Jackson’s nephew. Actress Hana Mae Lee, from the film Pitch Perfect, hosted the show.

Friend Movement has reached out to the fundraising website indiegogo.com to raise money for an upcoming cross-country tour that will get the word out about the campaign in an innovative way. The plan is to shoot 10,000 photos in 90 days across 40 cities.

”Raising our $99,000 goal on indiegogo.com will allow us to go to these 40 cities and take these photos for free for anyone that shows up,” said Kroell. “Not only take their photo but talk to us about their experiences being bullied and why it’s important for them to be a part of the campaign and be a friend.”

London and Kroell work 24/7 to give the campaign worldwide attention. But the success of the project is of no surprise for two guys who had big imaginations and big ambitions growing up.

“Being an only child is really helpful in a way because we never really had the barriers, so for the both of us we just do what we can do,” said London. “We’re not afraid to reach for the stars and push our limits.”

Kroell is quick to point out that Friend Movement reaches out to people from all communities, no matter their sexual orientation.

“I think one of the things that is important about this campaign is that it’s not just an LGBT campaign,” he clarified. “While we’re finding support and strength from our family and friends in the LGBT community, it’s really important to know that bullying doesn’t discriminate. As Friend Movement continues to move forward the reason why it’s going to be so powerful is that it is all about building bridges and uniting us together to really find answers.”

The post Why are Bruce Vilanch, LeAnn Rimes, Adam Lambert, Tim Gunn, Cloris Leachman and a host of other celebrities flipping the bird? first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

There have been many takes on the Charles Dickens‘ classic A Christmas Carol. Besides the many traditional remakes there have been cartoon versions, Americanized modern day tales, a comedy and even a version where the Scrooge character was female. So just when you were thinking that there is no way that this story could be made fresh and exciting, along comes the film Scrooge & Marley to put a new spin on things.

Scrooge & Marley is a holiday movie with something for everyone, comedy, drama…showtunes??? The story is faithful to the Dickens classic, but with a gay-friendly twist. Ebenezer “Ben” Scrooge (David Pevsner) is a mean, miserly nightclub owner who just happens to hate Christmas. He treats everyone like crap, has no friends and barely any family with the exception of a niece Freda (Rusty Schwimmer) who cannot stand him but reluctantly extends him an invitation to her Christmas gala at the request of her partner who wants to reunite them as a family. Naturally Mr. Scrooge turns it down in favor of the traditional anti-holiday repast of Chinese takeout and a night alone.

Well, Chinese food not only makes you hungry an hour later but in Scrooge’s case it also brings on a few spirited visitors, including a visit from his old partner Jacob Marley (former SNL regular Tim Kazurinsky) who has come to warn him of the unpleasant fate that awaits him if he doesn’t change his ways. A visit from the ghost of Christmas Past (Ronnie Kroell) brings back sad memories, including Scrooge being kicked out of his home by a homophobic father and the loss of a great friend and mentor Fezziwig (Bruce Vilanch) , and his one true love due to increasing greed. Visits from the ghosts of Present (Megan Kavanagh) and Future (JoJo Baby) are fairly predictable but done with sparkle and sass. Lessons are learned and the usual happy ending commences, and as Tiny Tim says “God Bless us one and all”.

Narrated by Judith Light (yes, Angela from Who’s The Boss) and set in our very own town of Chicago, Scrooge & Marley is a must-see for the holiday season and Count and I give it **TWO FANGS UP**

For more information and to purchase the film on DVD and Blu-Ray visit ScroogeandMarleymovie.com.

The post Review: Scrooge & Marley first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

CHICAGO — “Scrooge & Marley,” a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens’ classic holiday story, “A Christmas Carol,” is now available on DVD and soundtrack and Blu-ray.

The film is also playing in theaters nationally and in Canada this holiday season. In Chicago, it plays Friday, Dec. 21, 8:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:45 p.m.; and Thursday, Dec. 27, 7:45 p.m. at Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N., State Street, Chicago, http://www.siskelfilmcenter.org/scroogeandmarley.

Acclaimed out actor David Pevsner portrays Ben Scrooge while former Saturday Night Live star Tim Kazurinsky appears as the Ghost of Jacob Marley. The film also stars Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell, David Moretti, Richard Ganoung, and JoJo Baby. It is narrated by Tony award-winning actress Judith Light. The stars at the gala opening include Pevsner, Schwimmer, Vilanch, Cavanagh, Kroell, Moretti and Ganoung.

DVD:

The post ‘Scrooge & Marley’ DVD, Blu-ray, Soundtrack Available Now! Buy Yours Today! first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Chicago, IL — Chicago’s Music Box Theatre played host to a red carpet debut for “Scrooge and Marley”, a modern-day variation on Charles Dickens‘ classic holiday story “A Christmas Carol.”

GAY REPORT (Special Edition) – “Scrooge & Marley” from GAY CHICAGO TV on Vimeo.

The Chicago premiere and opening night celebration on Thursday featured most of the stars of the film including David Pevsner, Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, Ronnie Kroell, David Moretti and Richard Ganoung.

“I love coming to Chicago. Especially in the winter when you know it’s Chicago,” Vilanch joked in an interview on the red carpet.

Kroell talked about the classic tale which has been set to all new music providing a gay sensibility to the spirit of the season.

“I think it’s so important to have movies, queer cinema, that has these positive messages that can be shared not only with the community, embraced by the community, but with our family and friends so they can see what the community really is all about,” said Kroell.

“Scrooge & Marley” was shot all around Chicago last May and features the talents of local performers and filmmakers with narration by Tony award-winning actress Judith Light.

The film runs through Dec. 6 at the historic Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave. It will also screen over Christmas at the Gene Siskel Film Center 164 N., State Street, Chicago: Friday, Dec. 21, 8:15 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 22 at 7:45 p.m. and Thursday, Dec. 27, 7:45 p.m.

The post Video: The Chicago Premiere Of “Scrooge & Marley” first appeared on We Got Bruce!.

Please also share with friends and family, so they can purchase tickets before they sell out.
Thank you

Tracy Baim

Invite you to the Chicago premiere of a Christmas classic for all of our families

Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012
Music Box Theatre
3733 N. Southport

Featuring the cast, directors, writers, and others behind this new independent movie shot in Chicago.

Meet actors David Pevsner, Rusty Schwimmer, Bruce Vilanch, Megan Cavanagh, David Moretti, Ronnie Kroell, Becca Kaufman, Richard Ganoung, JoJo Baby and many more.

5-6:30 p.m. VIP pre-reception
Freda’s Restaurant, 3755 N. Southport

6:30 p.m.: Red Carpet at the Music Box

7 p.m.: Scrooge & Marley Premiere

8:30 p.m.: Q&A at the Music Box

9-10:30 p.m.: After-Party
D’Agostino’s Restaurant
1351 W. Addison (at Southport)

Ticket prices:
GOLD: $250 for all of the events
SILVER: $125 for Movie plus After-Party
BRONZE: $12 for Movie Only

First: RSVP your ticket order to: Tracy Baim, editor@windycitymediagroup.com

Next: Send checks payable to Sam I Am Films, LLC and mail to:
Tracy Baim, 1900 S. Prairie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616

Questions? Call 773-387-2394

Directed by: Richard Knight, Jr. and Peter Neville
Written by: Ellen Stoneking, Richard Knight, Jr. and the late Timothy Imse
Produced by: Tracy Baim and David Strzepek
Narrated by: Judith Light

Tim Kazurinsky also stars but is unable to make this screening

For more details see:
http://www.scroogeandmarleymovie.com

The post Hey Chicago! Scrooge & Marley Advance Ticket Sales Available Now! first appeared on We Got Bruce!.