Gaming in Color
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2014) |
| Gaming In Color | |
|---|---|
| File:Gaming In Color movie poster.jpg | |
| Directed by | Philip Jones David Gil |
| Written by | Ryan Paul |
| Produced by | Anne Clements Matt Conn Kayce Brown[1] |
| Starring |
|
| Edited by | Ryan Paul |
| Music by | Matt Hopkins (2 Mello) |
Production company | MidBoss LLC |
| Distributed by | Devolver Digital |
Release date |
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Running time | 61 minutes |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $75,000 |
Gaming In Color is a documentary film by MidBoss about queers in gaming released on April 22, 2014.[2][3][4][5] Directed by Philip Jones and David Gil, Gaming in Color focuses on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) issues in video games, gaymer culture and events, and the rise of queer themes in gaming.[6] The film is largely interview based, and features notable gay gaming personalities in the industry and communities.[7]
George Skleres from Riot Games stars, as does Matt Conn who organized the GaymerX convention, a prominent topic in the film.[8]
The film was funded on Kickstarter in May 2013, with 1,026 backers, pledging $51,158.[9] The successful Kickstarter campaign came after an initial campaign seeking $125,000 was cancelled.[10] The new campaign noted that resources had been donated, and David Gil had signed on as the director, so the new campaign reflected an adjusted budget of $50,000.[10] It was filmed throughout 2013, conducting individual interviews as well as shooting a great amount of GaymerX in August.[11] GaymerX had been funded on Kickstarter as well.[6] The crew worked to include varied stories and experiences that fell into the same broad category.
The film also stars Naomi Clark (game creator), Colleen Macklin (game designer and professor), Joey Stern (Geeks Out organizer), Shane Cherry (NYC Gaymers promoter), Jessica Vazquez (games journalist), and Matthew Michael Brown (“Gaymer” of The Tester, Season 2 winner).[12][13] Everyone in the main cast either identifies as LGBTQ, and/or active in gay gaming work of some kind. Many GaymerX attendees also make appearances, including Game Revolution’s Editor in Chief, Nick Tan.
Plot
Common topics in the film include why games matter, what a game is, what they do for individuals, and how they affect culture are explored. Sexuality in culture bridges the gap to sexuality in games, to make room for the topic of non traditional sexualities and expressions being a part of culture, and thus video games. Hate speech and bigotry are common in online spaces, and how that affects people personally when they play games is commented on. Solutions to harmful activity is postulated, and many point to the GaymerX convention for doing good work in creating a safe space in adding visibility, to influence a more open-minded gaming community, as well as more LGBTQ characters in mainstream games.
References
- ^ Kickstart "Gaming In Color": New Documentary On LGBT Gamers
- ^ "Groundbreaking Queer Video Game Documentary Needs You". The Advocate. May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Kickstart This Documentary About The LGBT Gaming Community". Kotaku.
- ^ "Gaming In Color: The Kickstarter Trailer". GayGamer.Net.
- ^ "[Midboss] Turns To Kickstarter To Fund Documentary". Forbes.
- ^ a b "Gaming In Color" wants to tell LGBT gamers' stories
- ^ "Gaming In Color film highlights LGBT culture in gaming". Financial Post, May 1, 2014.
- ^ "Status Update, Cast Member #1, and Crew". Kickstarter.
- ^ Gaming In Color
- ^ a b Gaming In Color Kickstarter Relaunches
- ^ Gaming in Color Documentary Kickstarter Launches
- ^ "Cast Reveals #2 and #3". Kickstarter.
- ^ "Cast Reveals #2 and #3". Kickstarter.