God Made Man Frequently Asked Questions:
When will this film finally be released?
We’re still working on the film. We still believe in it and love it- it’s pretty badass so far! It has taken a long time because we want to get it just right. Plus, it’s independent and we often have to work on it during off times from day jobs etc. But it will get done. Once it’s ready for the world we will blast the news all over social media and this site. Stay tuned…
Who are the characters again?
Rhett: a homeless transgender man and (occasional) sex worker.
Doyle: a drag queen and (occasional) sex worker.
Ted: a sociopathic lawyer, who’s partially into “masking”-like activities and has scopophobia.
Wait, what is Masking?
A subculture known as ‘female masking’ is where men wear latex or silicone masks and torsos to make themselves look like women.
The result is a largely immobile face, giving the impression of a doll or mannequin.
Our antagonist character, Ted wears a very feminine/androgynous mask partly because he likes the idea of dressing up in a different gender but more likely because of his scopophobia and fear of being caught in his illegal transgressions.
Okay, so what’s Scopophobia, then?
Scopophobia, scoptophobia, or ophthalmophobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a morbid fear of being seen or stared at by others. Scopophobia can also be associated with a pathological fear of drawing attention to oneself.
Our antagonist, Ted deals in some bad stuff. Plus, he’s running for District Attorney. Though his severe anxiety attacks (for which he takes medicine for) are never expressly mentioned in the film as “scopophobia” that’s what we researched and wrote for the character to have.
Is God Made Man based on a true story?
No. Though the subject matter was based on research and statistics. There are many in the LGBTQIA+ community that are suffering due to violence, oppression, bigotry and being treated as unequal. This can change but it’ll take people to change the way we view and treat our fellow humans. Once we realize we’re all humans and all connected regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious views and so on, then the hate will cease to exist. Until then you work on being the change. Respect each other and try to understand each other. And never forget we’re all on this Earth together and only for a short amount of time.
Why is it called, “God Made Man?”
See our post on, The “God” in God Made Man, [click here]
I see that it sort of deals with religion, so does that mean it gets all “preachy?”
We don’t think so. Our crew and cast were made up of all types of people with all types of belief systems. We respect and admire everyone to believe or not believe how they choose. Even though our characters struggle with thoughts of a higher power we never judge anyone or put these characters or situations above anyone else. Our main goals are to be entertaining, help inform on some of the atrocities on the LGBTQIA+ community and to get viewers to think, feel and debate. Mainly, we just love cinema and creating dramatic stories.
Who are the filmmakers again?
Kayla Olson originally conceived the idea for God Made Man back in 2009 and wrote a short screenplay. The script was put on the back burner for other projects including the award-winning series Kayla and GMM director, Nate Locklear made titled, Once You Leave. Kayla won a Best Acting Award for her performance in Once You Leave. Over the years Kayla crafted the short screenplay that was God Made Man into an unfinished feature length script. But it still wasn’t completely ready. In 2015 a window of time opened, so Kayla handed the script over to Nate Locklear. Nate took the partial draft Kayla had written and re-wrote it, fleshed out the characters and situations all-the-while staying true to Kayla’s original intentions. Soon after they went into production.
Nate Locklear has been making films since the 90s in Austin, TX. Besides all the awards he won for their series, Once You Leave, he also won two Emmy® Awards for his work on the Texas PBS show, The Daytripper.
Have another question?
Leave us a comment below or visit our CONTACT US page to send us a message.
We’ve released a new trailer. We call it “Labels.” It’s intense (Trigger Warning, For Mature Viewers). Feel free to share on social!!!
We did it! Our Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign was a huge success. We raised over our goal and now have some funds for finishing the film. We’re thrilled! Thanks to all those that pledged money, shared our campaign and/or followed us. We adore you!
Wanted to donate but didn’t get to? Well, believe it or not we’re still paying off expenses from production and we’ll have some expenses beyond the Seed&Spark amount raised. We’ll be paying for things such as Film Festival Entry Fees, Travel to Festivals, Legal Fees, Festival Screening Materials Fees, and More!!! So, if you’d like to be a part of making this indie film please consider donating on our
Donate To God Made Man page.
In exchange you’ll receive some great incentives. It’s handled safely through PayPal, we never see your Credit Card or bank info. Hit us up for questions! Thank you!
God Made Man stars Sebastian Cummings. Sebastian studied Theatre at Rutgers University. Afterword he began working as a stage actor in Philadelphia for local companies while also self-producing theatrical work centered on sexuality and race. He thoroughly enjoys the art of storytelling through film, TV and theatre. Sebastian plays lead, Doyle, in God Made Man.
Check out this video of Sebastian talking about his love of telling stories and how he relates to Doyle.
God Made Man stars Mike Gassaway. Before acting Mike was one of the most successful and famous defense attorneys out of Oklahoma. He retired to Austin, TX and took up acting, appearing in such things as The Magnificent Seven and The Westworld Interactive Experience in addition to dozens of shorts and indies. Mike plays the antagonist, Ted, aka Mr. Ruby in God Made Man.
Check out this video of Mike talking about his complicated character and the real-world statistics behind Ted’s transgressions.
God Made Man stars Lee Dawn Hershey. Lee is a model, actor, creator and producer and has appeared in commercials for companies such as Adidas, T-Mobile, Bonobos and more. They are also the founder of the event production company Girls With Flair! This will be Lee’s breakthrough performance in a feature film as the lead character, Rhett.
Check out this video of Lee talking about their past, present and future as a non-binary actor.
We’re running a Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign to raise finishing funds. We’re raising at least $6,000 for such things as: color grading, additional music, visual effects, and post sound mixing. Any additional proceeds from Seed&Spark or our fundraiser will go towards film festival submission fees and other finishing costs. The Seed&Spark campaign runs January 15th – February 14th and can be accessed here: http://seedandspark.com/fund/god-made-man
Seed&Spark is a streaming service that connects audiences to original new voices in indie film via subscription streaming and crowdfunding. Seed & Spark is listed as one of the most successful crowdfunding sites for filmmakers and has a 77% success rate for Dramas and 74% success rate for LGBTQ films.
On January 19th at 12:00pm – 5:00pm, the God Made Man cast/crew including Nate Locklear, Kayla Olson and Lee Dawn Hershey will hold a fundraising event at Austin’s Violet Crown Social Club. The day will be filled with entertainment: a cast/crew meet & greet and Q&A, a viewing of the new God Made Man trailer, plus a viewing of the Seed & Spark campaign video and two select scenes from the film, a raffle and more. Bourbon Barrel Smoke House BBQ (out of Santa Fe, TX) will be onsite with all proceeds going towards the film, and drinks will be discounted. The event is free but has a five-dollar suggested donation at the door. Brandon Watson of the Austin Chronicle listed the Violet Crown Social Club as 1 of 25 bars that define Austin in 2017.
In conjunction with the fundraiser party the God Made Man team are also running a Seed & Spark crowdfunding campaign to raise finishing funds. They’re trying to raise at least $6,000 for such things as: color grading, additional music, visual effects, and post sound mixing. Any additional proceeds from Seed & Spark or the fundraiser will go towards film festival submission fees and other finishing costs. The Seed & Spark campaign is scheduled to run January 15th – February 13th.
Seed & Spark is a streaming service that connects audiences to original new voices in indie film via subscription streaming and crowdfunding. Seed & Spark is listed as one of the most successful crowdfunding sites for filmmakers and has a 77% success rate for Dramas and 74% success rate for LGBTQ films.
To find out more about God Made Man, the Violet Crown Social Club fundraising event, or the God Made Man Seed & Spark Campaign please visit:
Official Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/GodMadeManFilm
Official Site: http://GodMadeManFilm.com
Seed & Spark Campaign Page: http://SeedAndSpark.com/fund/god-made-man
In this teaser trailer, meet Ted (aka “Mr. Ruby”), a sociopathic lawyer. If he’s going to survive the night he’ll need to cope with his feelings of guilt. (Trigger Warning, For Mature Viewers).
(This trailer was inspired by the trailer for the film, Love by Gaspar Noe).
Main music: Excerpt from the trailer to Love by Gaspar Noe
End music: “King Night” by Salem
In this teaser trailer, meet Doyle, a gay drag queen. If he’s going to survive the night he’ll have to make harrowing decisions between right and wrong. (Trigger Warning, For Mature Viewers).
(This trailer was inspired by the trailer for the film, Love by Gaspar Noe).
Main music: Excerpt from the trailer to Love by Gaspar Noe
End music: “King Night” by Salem