Flame Magazine Nov 2013

NICK MATTEI

STRAIGHT TO THE GAY COMMUNITY //BECOME WHO YOU ARE

ADVANTAGES OF BEING ON TOP //THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN

THE BRANDING OF TV: PRODUCT PLACEMENT //SOUND CHECK WITH

SASHA GRADIVA //AT THE MOVIES WITH DOROTHY

CARRIE

//PUBLISHER Peter Rayes PETER@FLAME-MAG.COM //MANAGING EDITOR Austin VanKirk AUSTIN@FLAME-MAG.COM //ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Dorothy “Joan” Stevenson JOAN@FLAME-MAG.COM //ART DIRECTOR Paige Hake //LOCAL ADVERTISING Peter Rayes ADVERTISING@FLAME-MAG.COM //NATIONAL ADVERTISING Rivendell Media 212-242-6863 SALES@RIVENDELLMEDIA.COM //PHOTOGRAPHERS Ricardo DuPerron Alejandro Garza DWS Photography Murray Grondin Claudia Ham Tony Lowe Al Shimmary //CONTRIBUTORS Jason Burtt Trent Davis Jai Ferrick Joseph Gerbino Jim O’Connoll Steven Palmer Tyler Ricardi Ed Sikov Joan Stevenson //GRAPHIC DESIGN PR Solutions //WEB DEVELOPMENT PR Solutions INFO@THEPRSITE.NET

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NOVEMBER 2013

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CONTENTS

NOVEMBER 2013

//12 NICK MATTEI STRAIGHT TO THE GAY COMMUNITY On Monday, September 23rd, for the first time in FLAME history, we set out to let the local community choose the next cover model of Flame Magazine. Gigi’s hosted a “Hot Body Contest,” from which the winner would become the November issue’s feature model.

We figured the entries would all be patrons of the bar and readers of the magazine, from which we could surely get a story...

PHOTO BY ALEJANDRO GARZA

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THE BRANDING OF TV: PRODUCT PLACEMENT

THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING ON TOP

SASHA SASHAYS IN A RAINBOW FLAG

CARRIE

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN

BECOME WHO YOU ARE

Product placement: The practice of placing consumer products or brands in movies or television programs so they are featured prominently or covertly. Of course we are all aware of product placement in movies from ET’s Reese’s Pieces to Iron Man Tony Stark’s craving for Burger King...

Recently I have read two articles with opposing views when it comes to the idea of what some are calling “top privilege.” Zach Stafford wrote on the Huffington Post in favor of the idea...

SOUND CHECK Russian born singer-songwriter Sasha Gradiva has received several major music awards and nominations in her native country. She has also graced the pages of the Russian publications of Cosmopolitan, Maxim, and Vogue. Fans love her quirky avantgarde ensembles and in-your-face activism...

AT THE MOVIES WITH DOROTHY Carrie White is an awkward, shy, and quiet girl who lives with her abusive, religious-fanatic mother. Carrie has no friends and is pretty much “invisible” to the rest of the student population of her high school unless she’s being made fun of or harassed. One day in the girls’ locker room, Carrie gets her period. Because her mother is a religious fanatic...

NOVEMBER 2013

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FLAME // THE WORLD ACCORDING TO JOAN

THE BRANDING OF TV: PRODUCT PLACEMENT written by: Joan Stevenson Product placement: The practice of placing consumer products or brands in movies or television programs so they are featured prominently or covertly. Of course we are all aware of product placement in movies from ET’s Reese’s Pieces to Iron Man Tony Stark’s craving for Burger King. In most cases, it seems that movies and product placement go hand in hand, but have you noticed how often it takes place during your favorite prime time shows? I’m not talking about the obvious reality show placements like X Factor, Idol, or America’s Got Talent. I mean sitcoms and dramas.

I have a particular bent when it comes to advertising/ marketing, so I usually do notice it (usually to the point of annoying my friends). Even though this has been in practice for quite a while, it still surprises me, and I find the ways in which it’s done somewhat interesting. So, I decided to do a little digging and find out just how much this has been going on in TV lately and to what degrees. The interest started a few weeks ago as I was watching the CBS Sherlock Holmes drama Elementary. I noticed that Sherlock’s computer on the go was actually the Microsoft Surface tablet with snap on keyboard, and the functions of Windows 8 were featured in a scene or two as well. In a recent episode of Sons of Anarchy as the members of SAMCRO were stocking the fridge in their new club house, cases of Miller Lite were all over the counter as well as bottles in the fridge. New supernatural drama Sleepy Hollow has a scene featuring a newly resurrected Ichabod Crane (who has been dead for 147 years) having a heartfelt conversation with an OnStar clerk. I thought that one was really creative and funny. When I actually started investigating the instances of P.P. in TV I was overwhelmed with incidences far beyond the shows that I frequent. There are your standard car sponsorships when a particular vehicle is featured within an episode, as in the case of Fox’s The New Girl carrying the water for Ford in several episodes; The Walking Dead might as well be “The Walking Dodge.” In the drama Bones, at least four times a season, characters will stop and comment about the features of the Toyota that they are driving. In some cases these products and brands do pay the show for their consideration and usage of the products.

That was very clear in the case of NBC comedy Chuck. Before the show was completely canceled back in 2009, sandwich chain Subway came to Chuck’s rescue. The deal was basically, “You put our subs in your show and we’ll give you cash so you can keep making the show.” And place those subs they did. Applebee’s had a similar deal in place with Friday Night Lights. Simple as that. But in some cases there are no deals, just blatant hawking of product, from Liz Lemon’s spouting off about Diet Snapple in 30 Rock to open pandering in the case of the iPad in Modern Family. A whole episode of Modern Family was dedicated to the father, Phil wanting an iPad for his birthday. You would have thought that Apple had paid for that placement and generously showered everyone with new iPads. NOT the case. Apple does not pay for product placement. They certainly enjoyed the publicity though.

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Even in the wake of TV shows who’s job it is to advertise products e.g. Mad Men and the new CBS Robin Williams/Sarah Michelle Gellar comedy, The Crazy Ones, it’s still placement.

Even though Mad Men takes place in the 60s, some of the brands and products that they are coming up with campaigns for are germane today: Cool Whip, Heinz Beans, Aqua Net, Lucky Strike. etc. These are brands that still exist today. In the case of The Crazy Ones, their first episode was a big pitch for McDonald’s, and in a later episode Allstate Insurance.

Whether it works or not, this practice seems to be the way to go for advertisers. I prefer a more stealthy approach. Yes, it’s still there, but it’s in the background. The comedy approach is fun, but it can only be used so many times before it gets really tired. The show 30 Rock sometimes takes this approach and drops the ad right into the flow of conversation. In the case of a dialogue disclosing the virtues of Verizon Wireless, Tina Fey shamelessly turned to the camera and said: “Can we have our money now?” The only place where it doesn’t feel as contrived is in the shows that deal directly with advertising.

In my researching, I have found one product that continues to keep popping up on the placement radar, and that is Subway.

Subway seems to be winning television at the moment.

Subway subs have been used in a lot of shows: Hawaii 5-0, Community, Cougartown, Chuck, South Park, American Pickers, WWE Raw and Smackdown, The Biggest Loser, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. It seems that Subway can’t swing a sub without hitting a TV show. Even the web series the 4 to 9ers has the lead character working at a Subway restaurant.

With on demand viewing and more and more people DVRing their television shows, that means more and more people are fast forwarding through commercials so companies are continually looking at product placement in shows to sell their wares. This is a trend that will obviously continue, but at what cost? Advertisers risk alienating viewers if the placement is too blatant or obtrusive thus creating the opposite effect they are trying to achieve. A recent study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology seems to suggest that viewers are more influenced by covert product placement than when they are notified that said placement was specifically sponsored for promotional purposes.

So just how much product placement do you see on the shows you watch? Be on the look out. You might be surprised.

If it’s done well, you may not recognize it at all. Well if you will excuse me, I need to pick up some lunch. Five dollar footlong anyone? //

FLAME // BECOME WHO YOU ARE

THE ADVANTAGES OF BEING ON TOP written by: Austin VanKirk Recently I have read two articles with opposing views when it comes to the idea of what some are calling “top privilege.”

Zach Stafford wrote on the Huffington Post in favor of the idea (read his article “Top Privilege?” at www.huffingtonpost. com/zach-stafford/). His opponent, Justin Sayre, writes that the idea of there being kind of privilege is overridden and rendered nearly inchoate by the larger problems faced by the gay population (workplace discrimination and HIV are some examples). Further, Sayre says Stafford’s article failed to create anything of real value and was a “mélange of buzzwords and failed jokes” (read Sayre’s article: flavorwire. com/author/justin-sayre/) Is “top privilege” a real issue? Naturally, I feel compelled to weigh in on this debate. My response: no it isn’t. “Privilege” I think is too strong of a word to use; preferring to be a bottom is not something that one is coerced or forced into, and certainly need not apply to everyday life. Although role popularity varies by state, it seems that as a country, most gay men prefer to strictly bottom (with the number of bottom and versatile individuals greatly outnumbering strict tops). To say that so many would align themselves with an underprivileged role presents a cognitive dissonance. However, I think “top advantage” is a real thing. It may have been so long ago since I’ve has sex that I’ve forgotten how to do it, but in the past I played both on top of the mound and behind the plate. But from what I do recall, being a top was way easier with far less to worry about for many reasons. Every top should be more conscious of this when heading into bed. In fact, I am going to make a list here to make it a little easier to remember: 1. Get over yourself. Despite what you might think, and what a certain sect of society tells us, being a top doesn’t make you more of a man. Wow, you can get an erection and put it into things—congrats, you’re super masculine. It’s not as if top equals male and bottom equals female. In gay sex, there is no female involved, and so the ideas are not entirely comparable.

In fact, many tops, including Sayre, self-identify as being more feminine. Top ≠ masculine. It doesn’t make you less “gay” if you’re a top, either. In fact, some have argued that it makes you even more “gay” because another man is causing you to sustain a hard on.

2. It’s not easy. Being a bottom requires work, practice, and no small degree of endurance. Think about the “selfmaintenance,” the man-scaping, the diet restrictions—it’s a lot to prepare for just a few minutes of pleasure. Then there is also a degree of pain that many must first overcome until the experience is enjoyable (which one might argue makes bottoms more masculine or manly than tops; there would be more bottoms if their active counterparts weren’t such sissies and could take the pain. Think about that.) So next time you ask him to climb on top, remember that he’s already done a lot more work than you have—now it’s your turn!

3. Be grateful. Appreciate the fact that your partner is giving

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control over to you. Being the receptive partner means a man is temporarily surrendering control and his body. This is (at least in my opinion) a tremendous gesture that shouldn’t be taken for granted. I mean, if there were no guys willing to bottom, there would be a hell of a lot of sexually frustrated homos.

4. It’s not all about you. Hey, see that guy your penis is in right now? Yeah, he wants to have a good time, too. Take a minute to figure out what he likes so that the experience is as mutually enjoyable as possible.

5. Wrap it up. Bottoms are more likely to contract HIV than tops. Studies show that most HIV-infected men reported that they were most often the receptive partners. To prevent spreading any sort of disease or infection to him, and also to prevent yourself from contracting any, always practice safer sex and know your damn status!

6. No means no. So, listen. By and large, men like sex. I mean, we really like sex. So, if a bottom says “No, not tonight,” there’s probably a good reason for it. Unless you don’t mind buying new sheets, then go for it.

7. “But you don’t act/look/walk/smell like a ____.” Physical appearance is not a clear indicator of sexual preference. I, for one, am tired of having my preference mistaken because of my physicality. Dress, mannerisms, height, weight, and ethnicity have little to no bearing on this preference. The preference comes from a mental state, and unless you can read minds, it’s hard to be 100 percent certain. Instead of perpetuating stereotypes, how about we all work to change them, yes? Also, constantly trying to assert that you’re a top via your dress and mannerisms doesn’t make you a man, it makes you a douchebag.

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Shit happens. It’s normal, it’s natural. Sometimes, even though great pain has been taken to prevent it from happening, it does. Don’t get mad; don’t freak out. If you’re wearing protection (as you should be) you can simply throw it away and your body has little contact with the icky stuff.

He’s going to already feel terrible—you need not say anything more to make him feel worse.

Ideally, I think, everybody should just be versatile so we could avoid many of these issues and complexities. Then we could all like, you know, just take turns. Seems fair to me anyway.

Since that will probably never happen, I think the next best thing I can prescribe is to just treat everybody with the same respect you would expect—unless of course your partner wants to be disrespected (I’m talking to you kinky guys), then by all means.

But then again, what do I know? //

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PHOTO BY ALEJANDRO GARZA

NICK MATTEI STRAIGHT TO THE GAY COMMUNITY written by: Peter Rayes

On Monday, September 23rd, for the first time in FLAME history, we set out to let the local community choose the next cover model of Flame Magazine. Gigi’s hosted a “Hot Body Contest,” from which the winner would become the November issue’s feature model. We figured the entries would all be patrons of the bar and readers of the magazine, from which we could surely get a story. Then entered Nick Mattei, a 6’ 2” straight man with an impressive build. When I realized that this beefy, heterosexual man might very well be gracing the next cover of FLAME, I certainly had some reservations. I sat down with Nick to get the feature story, and I was pleasantly surprised when I dug past the physique and found that he truly was a part of our community.

Flame on!

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FLAME // THE FEATURE: WORLD NICK ACCORDING MATTEI TO JOAN

Nick, you have a pretty solid build; what influences you to keep it up?

I love to inspire others and it helps me to deal with anger constructively.

Has your body helped you in your career? What line of work are you in?

As a bartender and exotic dancer, it’s paramount to my livelihood. I always need to keep it managed.

How do you develop your dance routines? Are your performances planned ahead of time?

I call our office Friday and Saturday to see if I work. It’s short notice same-day, unless a male revue is scheduled. I play to the crowd. I get as wild as they do.

As an exotic dancer, have you performed for both women and men?

Money is money and I treat dancing just like work. I don’t feel one way or the other about client gender.

How was each experience different? Do you enjoy performing for men as much as you do for women?

Men are less demanding. Guys don’t expect to be thrown in the air and are usually less brutal in regards to biting and clawing.

Have any friendships or relationships developed from those experiences, particularly with members of the gay community?

Not particularly. I’ve always had gay friends ever since my friend Dave came out when we were in our teens.

How do you feel about equal rights for LGBT people?

The fact that same-sex marriage isn’t recognized by the federal government for citizenship is appalling. Prejudice shouldn’t stand between people.

Would you in fact support equal rights initiatives at the polls?

Absolutely, welcome to the modern world, where it takes all sorts to make society work.

How does religion play a role in your acceptance of the LGBT community and equal rights?

“THE FACT THAT SAME SEX MARRIAGE ISN’T RECOGNIZED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR CITIZENSHIP IS APPALLING.”

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PHOTOS BY ALEJANDRO GARZA

My Rabbi is gay. When I converted from Roman Catholicism to Judaism he taught me a new view on faith and choice. As long as you take ownership of your lifestyle then you’ll live accordingly with responsibility.

Do you have anything else you’d like to tell our readers?

Rome wasn’t built in a day and acceptance isn’t taught over night. To quote Rabbi Matisyahu: ONE DAY WE’LL ALL BE FREE AND PROUD TO BE UNDER THE SAME SUN SINGING SONGS OF FREEDOM LIKE ONE DAY.

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FLAME // AT THE MOVIES WITH DOROTHY

CARRIE

IN THEATERS OCT. 18, 2013 RATING: 4/5 STARS written by: Dorothy “Joan” Stevenson

Chloe Grace Moretz // CARRIE WHITE Julianne Moore // MARGARET WHITE Judy Greer // MISS DESJARDIN Portia Doubleday // CHRIS HARGENSEN Gabriella Wilde // SUE SNELL Ansel Elgort // TOMMY ROSS Alex Russell // BILLY NOLAN

Carrie White is an awkward, shy, and quiet girl who lives with her abusive, religious-fanatic mother. Carrie has no friends and is pretty much “invisible” to the rest of the student population of her high school unless she’s being made fun of or harassed. One day in the girls’ locker room, Carrie gets her period. Because her mother is a religious fanatic and everything is a sin, she has never prepared Carrie for womanhood. Carrie goes into hysterics. She thinks she’s bleeding to death. Frantically she screams and pleads to her classmates for help. The girls specifically resident “mean girl” and “ring leader” Chris Hargenson (Doubleday) begin to taunt Carrie by throwing tampons and sanitary pads at her while she flounders in terror on the floor of the shower. Chris even videos it on her phone. Carrie is totally distraught and humiliated before the gym teacher Miss Desjardin (Greer) stops them and comforts Carrie. When she goes to hug Carrie to comfort her, a light bulb over the shower mysteriously pops.

After the incident she is sent home to her mother, who is convinced that her daughter has committed grievous sins.

Why else would the “curse of blood” be upon her? Carrie just wants to talk to her mother at a time like this like a normal girl would, but her mother locks her into a closet to pray for forgiveness for her sins. This incident makes Carrie a total pariah at school because by now everyone has seen the video that Chris has taken. As Carrie continues to try and get on with her life she begins to discover that she has an unusual gift, a power. Telekinesis: The ability to move objects with a thought. As Carrie begins to understand her new found ability, her classmate Chris decides to continue her humiliation of Carrie, but that brings with it severely deadly consequences for her and the entire school.

Carrie is Stephen King’s first novel and the first of his works adapted for film. Of course we all know the Brian DePalma move released in 1976. This movie was a horror classic that started the whole teen slasher/bullied nerd getting back at classmates genre. In this day and age where bullying is in the spotlight, this is a story that will still keep resonating. When the original came out, there was no Internet, cell phones or YouTube. That element modernizes the conflict adding another level to Carrie’s humiliation. DePalma’s depiction with it’s Hitchcockesque tones is hard to beat, but I think director Kimberly Pierce (Boys Don’t Cry, Stop-Loss, The L Word), hit the nail on the head. In some instances the scenes are almost shot for shot. The tone is one of tension from the very beginning. Even if you’ve never seen the original you get the impending sense that something is about to happen and you are excitedly waiting for it. The performances here are solid. Kick Ass “Hit Girl” Chloe Grace Moretz is awkward and uncomfortable enough in her own skin to pull you into Carrie’s world and she is glorious as she conducts her symphony of destruction, exacting her climatic revenge on all whom she thinks have tormented her. Julianne Moore brings more dimension to the character of Margaret White, Carrie’s mother. With the original we only got a taste of just how twisted Margaret is; with this version we see the depths of her lunacy, and we marvel at the fact that Carrie is still alive. This representation is a little truer to the book so there’s not a total annihilation of the school. My only gripe is that I think the gore factor could have been kicked up just a notch, and the carnage at the gym could have been juicier. But other than that, I think Carrie is definitely worth a look, if only for nostalgia’s sake.

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NOVEMBER 2013

FLAME // SOUND CHECK

SASHA SASHAYS IN A RAINBOW FLAG written by: Tyler Ricardi

“I WAS RAISED TO LOVE EVERYONE. IT WAS A CRAZY IDEA THAT MY PARENTS HAD BUT SOMEHOW IT STUCK.”

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Russian-born singer-songwriter Sasha Gradiva has received several major music awards and nominations in her native country. She has also graced the pages of the Russian publications of Cosmopolitan, Maxim, and Vogue. Fans love her quirky, avant-garde ensembles and in-your-face activism

Sasha blames Putin for reverting Russia back to the ideals of Hitler. “My grandfather put his life on the line, fighting to end Hitler’s atrocious acts,” she says. “And for what? For such horrid discrimination and violence to come back within one generation? It’s a travesty.”

But some in Russia are wondering if she’s gone too far with her latest single. The song, titled “Come with Us”, encourages young gay men and women to come out of the closet. On the album’s cover, she proudly flourishes a long flowing rainbow flag. It’s a brave statement for the young pop star and one that could land her in prison. Due to new anti-gay laws, it is now illegal to promote the LGBT flag in Russia.

We spoke to Sasha Gradiva about her new gay anthem and if she thinks there’s hope for change in Russia.

NOVEMBER 2013

Should American gays boycott the Sochi Olympics?

SG: Yes, America and all other civilized countries should boycott the Sochi Olympics. Do I believe a boycott will change the situation in Russia? Probably not. Do I think people around

the world should still do something about it? Yes, I do.

Is a boycott fair to the athletes?

SG: It’s incredibly frustrating to think that standing up for human rights may damage someone’s dreams. But we are talking lives here. We have to fight to save the lives of gay Russians.

Is it fair to compare Russia’s anti-gay movement to the anti-Semitism in Russia that existed ten years ago?

SG: Russia suffers from a bit of intolerance, in general. Most Russians are not homophobic, however. They are simply ignorant. Sadly, most Russians equate gays with pedophiles.

They have been made to believe that the propaganda of gay rights will encourage heterosexual kids to turn gay. It’s a question of education more than tolerance. For the sake of having a healthy society, it’s crucial that Russians learn the truth about the LGBT community.

Is change in Russia possible?

SG: Anything and everything is possible. It will be difficult to change the minds of the people, but I do believe that if we think we can make change the current situation, we can.

You grew up in Russia. Why are you not homophobic?

SG: I was raised to love everyone. It was a crazy idea that my parents had, but somehow it stuck.

Do you have plans to perform in Russia?

SG: I was in Moscow this summer where I performed at a secret Gay Pride. They launched the educational gay web portal www.Tguy.ru at the event.

Is it safe for you to return to Russia now that you have publicly announced your support of the LGBT community?

SG: I will be very cautious the next time I’m there because yes, I can be arrested.

What is your advice to gay people in Russia?

SG: Continue to do everything possible to educate the people.

Many of us support you. I will always support you.

Would you advise gay men and women in America to visit Russia?

SG: No one is going to hurt you on the streets of Moscow for being gay. However, gay men and women need to be aware that several unexplained accidents have happened to prominent members of Russia’s LGBT community so please, take caution.

What’s next for you musically?

SG: I’m finishing my album. I have so much more to say through my songs. Trust me, this is only the beginning.

Visit SashaGradiva.com

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SCENE PHOTOS

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CLUB GOLD COAST

GIGI’S NOVEMBER 2013

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NECTO

THE BIRDCAGE 22//

NOVEMBER 2013