Meet Ricky Reidling, Creator of BoysTown

More than 10 years ago Ricky Reidling wrote, directed and played one of the lead characters a pilot about seven men and their lives in a place called BoysTown, a gay mecca in Los Angeles. After shopping it around to the gay networks in the U.S and finding a lack of funding from them, the show ended up on DVD. Much to Ricky's surprise, it became somewhat of a phenomenon and also played at a film festival.

After releasing a feature film called Heels in 2010, Ricky decided to give BoysTown another shot, and he filmed another episode of the show. It caught the attention of the OUTtv in Canada and was picked up for a full season. The show currently airs in four countries and was just renewed for a second season.

You can order the first season of BoysTown on DVD at www.boystown.us, or download it on Itunes. The first season soundtrack is also available on Itunes.

1.Growing up in a small town in Georgia did you ever think you would have your own TV show?

No, I grew up dirt poor and not in the best living conditions and once thought that was the life that was handed to me and I would be stuck with it. I got married (to a female) when I was 20, had a job in a manufacturing plant, and lived in trailer with my father and other siblings. Something didn't feel right and had to change. I knew there was a bigger world out there, and I wanted to experience it. I wasn't being fair to myself or to the other people in my life.

2. So being gay did not feel like an option for you at that moment in your life?

No, or at least I didn't think so. I grew up in a small Bible belt community, and coming to terms with my sexuality was not easy. The first male lover I had was mentally and physically abusive and tried to kill me, and I thought that's what I deserved.

3. You've been with your partner for several years--is he supportive in your career choice?

Very, on his days off he would come help out on set. As we always say, he is the corporate one, and I am the creative one. It works.

4. You were just renewed for Season 2 of BoysTown. How are you feeling about this?

I am truly humbled by it all, but for me it's about redemption.

I am very critical of myself and my work. I was writing, directing, editing, and jumping in front of the camera while wearing many other hats all at the same time last season, and I feel that my character suffered because of it. There were many days where I had to yell action, slate for myself, and then immediately get into character and deliver lines. It's not a good place to be in.

And as far as writing, I think there were some brilliant moments in the show, but there were also some times where I think I went a bit dark.

5. What can we expect for Season 2--and what are your plans for the future and BoysTown?

I now know what to expect, and I am less stressed and ready to bring it. We are bringing a female into the mix who is going make for some fun storylines. My goal is to keep the audience engaged with every episode.

Everything I do is a growing process to things bigger and better than I did before. So expect that from me for next season, on all accounts. I would love to see us air here in the U.S in regards to if it's a gay network or not. I hope Season 2 will open other doors for us. For me personally, I will keep doing what I love and what I am most passionate about.

Thanks, Ricky!

Introducing Cracking Your Creativity Code, A Documentary Film

Below is the press release for a new documentary, Cracking Your Creativity Code.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: CRYSTAL M. LITZ, 213-321-2446

Transformative New Documentary Seeks to Unlock Your Creative Powers

Cracking Your Creativity Code Offers Powerful and Inspiring Journey Into Creativity

Santa Monica -- A new documentary film seeks to help each person tap into their limitless creative potential. Cracking Your Creativity Code, a transformative new film, has just been released on DVD, for streaming online and for private screenings.

Following in the conscious cinema mode of The Secret or What the Bleep Do We Know?!, Cracking Your Creativity Code takes you on a guided journey designed to awaken your full creative potential. Accompanying you on the journey--leading experts in the fields of creativity, neuroscience, psychology, meditation, and peak performance. The film also offers a companion handbook with exercises for use in deepening your creative powers and in conjunction with creativity workshops.

"Watch it once and become inspired… Watch it twice and become inspiring." --Michael Bernard Beckwith, Spiritual Visionary and bestselling author

The release of Cracking Your Creativity Code also coincides with World Creativity and Innovation Week (http://wciw.org/) which is April 15 through April 21.

Some highlights of Cracking Your Creativity Code include:

CREATIVITY AS A LIFESTYLE
The film examines creativity from four perspectives: the rational, emotional, intuitive, and spiritual realms. Prominent creativity experts give viewers a veritable "Swiss army knife" to cracking your own personal creativity code, allowing a true connection with your most creative self.

CREATIVITY AS AN EDUCATIONAL TOOL
Rote memorization of facts and dates doesn't inspire a lifelong commitment to learning. What if we could find a new way of not only teaching, but learning in an intuitive and creative fashion?

CREATIVITY FOR BUSINESS CHALLENGES
Sometimes even the most productive teams or employees get "blocked." Cracking Your Creativity Code and the CYCC companion handbook include exercises that are perfect for team building and brainstorming.

CREATIVITY FOR ARTISTS
The film goes behind-the-scenes into the studios of artists working in various mediums as we learn about their own personal creative process--what is it that inspires them to create, and what keeps them motivated to see a project through to fruition?

CREATIVITY AS A SPIRITUAL/HEALING INSTRUMENT
Cracking Your Creativity Code explores the use of traditional psychotherapy with the integration of mindfulness and meditation to assist viewers achieve mental and emotional healing and open the path for higher creativity.

Cracking Your Creativity Code is directed by Santa Monica filmmaker Jim Wooden. The 90-minute film was inspired by Wooden's concern for creativity and art in today's culture. A companion handbook is available to assist viewers on their creative journey.

For more information about Cracking Your Creativity Code or to schedule a screening, visit www.crackingyourcreativitycode.com.

See the trailer below:

Cracking Your Creativity Code Official Trailer from Jim Wooden on Vimeo.

Introducing GoodMovies4u.com

Looking for movie recommendations? GoodMovies4u is a website where you can find listings giving information and viewer ratings for thousands of great movies from various categories.

Since one of the best ways to find good movies to watch is to browse through a category of films you like (or the type of film you feel in the mood to watch on a particular night!), the makers of GoodMovies4u have also created a variety of popular categories that you can surf, such as comedy. There is even a category for good YouTube videos!

As you scroll through the listings for different films, you can also view movie trailers and read plot descriptions on the site. Plus, as you browse or search, you can filter your list by release year and IMDb ratings. The listings also contain links to Amazon if you want to quickly click over and buy your favorite movie.

This is a clear, useful, and easily navigable site. I can see myself spending time here when I want to find something new to watch!