2018 NYC Web Fest - The Queens Project
The Queens Project (TQP) is a fast-paced comedic web series about gay nerds living in Astoria, NY on a journey to discover whether the pursuit of their hopes and dreams will lead to failure or fulfillment – and they’re not sure which one freaks them out more.
Interview with Creator Ken Arpino
Watch The Queens Project here:
Congratulations! Why did you make your web series?
Thanks! I wasn’t seeing any content that represented me and my friends, so I said, “screw it. I’ll write it myself.”
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this web series?
I’m really proud of this company – the actors are truly gifted performers and comedians. I think the show is entertaining, light-hearted, and totally bingeable – which seems to be popular nowadays.
How do personal and universal themes work in your web series?
We all have a dream or a goal – and those dreams and goals are constantly challenged. I think it is natural (even if it is subconscious) to fear success as equally as you fear failure. What if you reach your goal and it’s not all you built it up to be? What if you ‘give-up’ and everyone looks at you like a failure? What if you are tired of fighting a losing battle? Aside from that, we are witnessing a true fellowship of friends that love and support each other, even if there is teasing and criticism along the way.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
The Queens Project (TQP) was actually developed as a test for another project. I was told by a bunch of straight men that my writing wasn’t funny and no one would talk to their friends the way my characters do. Jokes on them – a lot of the dialogue was taken straight from real conversations around my game night table. So, to prove them wrong (or prove me right), I created TQP to test the reaction I would get. As the viewership continued to climb, I started developing the supporting characters, and now I’m loving how much the show has grown.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
I could never have guessed the response this show was going to get. It warms my heart to no end that so many people have watched and shared TQP. I get messages all the time from viewers all over the world that relate to one or more of the characters or situations. I am so grateful to everyone for the love and can’t express it enough!
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I am surprised by how many people feel a connection to the show. I hope we are given the opportunity or platform to do more!
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
Awareness. It is always an honor to share work with other creatives.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this web series’s message?
We are always looking for more ways to grow—so if anyone has a suggestion, let us know.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this web series to have?
I hope that other #gaynerds will see themselves in the world the series has created and I hope they feel represented. The goal is continue to grow, and someday, have a bigger platform for the show.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this web series?
Failure or fulfillment? If you decide to give up a dream to pursue another path—did you fail?
Would you like to add anything else?
I want to thanks We Are Moving Stories for reaching out and giving me the opportunity to introduce The Queens Project to a new audience!
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I always have pokers in the fire, but my next job is “Ruben and Clay’s First Annual Christmas Carol Family Fun Pageant Spectacular Reunion Show,” a Christmas variety show starring Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken. We will be playing the Imperial on Broadway for the month of December 2018.
Interview: October 2018
We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTQIA+, POC, First Nations, scifi, supernatural, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
The Queens Project
The Queens Project (TQP) is a fast-paced comedic web series about gay nerds living in Astoria, NY on a journey to discover whether the pursuit of their hopes and dreams will lead to failure or fulfillment- and they’re not sure which one freaks them out more.
Length: Each episode is between 5 and 8 minutes
Director: Dustin Williams
Executive Producer: Andy Wilcox
Producer(s): Ken Arpino, BJ Gruber, and Marty Brown
Writer: Ken Arpino
About the writer, director and producer:
KEN ARPINO (writer & creator) is not good at talking about himself.
DUSTIN WILLIAMS (Director) is the Producing Artistic Director of Wolfbane Productions in Appomattox, VA. His creative and immersive interpretations of well-known works has garnered him national attention.
ANDY WILCOX (Executive Producer) is an Emmy-award winning producer with a keen eye for new and exciting projects.
Key cast: Ken Arpino, BJ Gruber, Andre Jordan, Trey Gerrald, and Chris Dwan
Looking for: sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists
Facebook: @TQPseries
Twitter: @TQPseries
Instagram: @TQPseries
Official Website: www.tqpseries.com
Funders: Indiegogo
Made in association with: Pals of Dorothy
Where can I watch it next and in the coming month? YouTube