JD profile picture

JD

Be the change

About Me

I Make Gay & Lesbian Films

In the last couple of years, I've produced the gay films
EATING OUT 2, SHELTER, GAY PROPAGANDA, HBO's REUNION and NEUROTICA.

Pre Order the SHELTER dvd
by clicking here!

SHELTER on set.




Add to My Profile | More Videos EATING OUT 2 on set and in the press


.. With the cast of SHELTER in the limo
on the way to our world Premiere at the Castro!!!


Here's a slide show of photos from the kick off VIP party for my production company, GP PICTURES, and to celebrate the premiere of SHELTER.


img src="http://www.gpproductions.biz/fgb.gif"

My Interests



Add thesmokingcocktail.com button to your site! Copy code here:

http://outfest.blogspot.com
LGBT Entertainment News and Dish
Click Here

Get this widget! http://outfest.blogspot.com If you like supporting LGBT arts, check out my "TOP FRIENDS" to check out other cool people and organizations I admire and include a lot of really really talented out artists, actors, writers and performers.
SHELTER TRAILERHere is Goodfellas. Only gay.
Goodfaigolas

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I'd like to meet:



If you would like to request to be my friend, here's your check list:

__ You root for the bull

__ You don't refer to your film as "art"

__ You want to do good in the world first, then for yourself second.

__ You can fill in in the blank: "I know why the caged bird______" and "I am big, it's the pictures that got_______ "

__ You got your dog at a pound or rescue (breeding is for straight people, not dogs)

__ You understand that the term "social consciousness" does not mean how you feel when the apple martinis wear off and you remember you left your card at the Abbey.

__ You are brave.

__ You don't think the phrase "homosexual panic" means anxiety brought on when one's socks don't match one's shirt

__ You are more moved by "Cabaret" than by the bible

___ You know that "irregardless" is not a word

___ You know that James Baldwin is not one of the Baldwin Brothers

__ You'd rather be hated for what you are, then loved for what you are not.
If you like supporting LGBT arts, check out my "TOP FRIENDS"... not that they are my top friends (what does that mean?!), but they are people and organizations I admire and include a lot of really really talented out artists, actors, writers and performers.

Music:

Show Tunes, NPR and disco.

Movies:


My Tribute to Lesbian Film

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Heroes:


Some of my press:
To Read about me "telling it like it is"
click on the image below to read full article:
Interview in OUTLOOKS Magazine
click on the image below to read full article:
Interview at GoWeHo
click on the image below to read full article:
Ira Glass on Letterman discussing chicken advocacy.
LOVE THIS MAN!!!
What the Reviewers are Saying about SHELTER...
“Strong performances. The movie’s abundance of tanned bodies, rolling waves and golden sunsets create an aesthetic…that perfectly matches the subject matter. Coming out has rarely looked so pretty.” --Jeannette Catsoulis, THE NEW YORK TIMES
“On one level, this graceful film is a classic coming-of-age story; on another, it explores the challenges of sorting out priorities and making life choices. Markowitz’s people are well-drawn, viewed with both clarity and compassion, and they are very well-played by a cast that includes Tina Holmes.” --Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES
“Shelter rises very high indeed, thanks to a superb performance by Trevor Wright in the lead role, a strong supporting cast, very good cinematography and, most of all, emotional authenticity.” --David Wiegand, SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
“Believable dialogue, low-key naturalism and a solid cast. Nowhere, in portrayals or topic, is there a hint of gay stereotypes–the wounded, unaffected Wright and exuberant Rowe are distinct individuals. The film captures the beauty, thrill and ache of young love and extracts a casual joy out of the process.” --Sid Smith, CHICAGO TRIBUNE
“A winner. Shelter hits all the right notes. Wright is sensationally effective. Jonah Markowitz rates a splendid debut. There’s first-rate work from his cast.” --Stephen Schaefer, BOSTON HERALD
“In the sweet and sexy romance Shelter, the chemistry between two surfer guys magnetically played by Brad Rowe and newcomer Trevor Wright is so electric, so palatable that even the most ardent nitpickers won’t break a sweat over the small stuff. They’ll be too captivated to care. This lovely coming-out and falling-in-love tale refreshingly sidesteps genre clichés. Rowe and Wright make for a perfect match. Add a cute but not overly precocious nephew, a super soundtrack and a couple of glorious slow-mo surfing sequences and you wind up with one of 2008’s best screen romances so far.” --Randy Myers, MIAMI HERALD
“A sweet and solid debut handled with passion and complexity. Trevor Wright delivers a breakthrough performance. What could have been a standard-issue coming-out, coming-of-age movie develops a remarkable intimacy.” --John Hartl, THE SEATTLE TIMES
“A sweet and tender rendering of innocent flirtation, and of the complex deeper emotional phases that a person falling in love goes through. Truly amazing chemistry between the two protagonists.” --Maria Komodore, SAN FRANCISCO BAY GUARDIAN
“An instant classic.” --Eddie Shapiro, OUT MAGAZINE
“Sensitive and sweet as well as sexy. Shelter is a romantic gay surfer fantasy that more than earns its spurs in terms of credible real-world psychology. It’s a great date movie, for gays and bi’s as well as open-minded straights.” --Dennis Harvey, SF360.0RG
“A fun movie that has a complex undertow. The simplicity of the movie is what makes it a relaxing watch. It looks great [and] the boys are hot. A good story, well told.” --Jeff Walsh, OASISJOURNALS.COM
“Shelter is excellent. You should absolutely believe the hype. If the movie is playing at a theater near you, you must see it.” --QUEERBEACON.COM
“A real treasure. Well acted, directed, and constructed.” --Frank Paiva, EDGE NETWORKS
“There’s a tenderness, a vulnerability, in our two heroes that is monderfully refreshing and makes this film both special and memorable. The two actors’ chemistry carries the heart of the movie beautifully; and as their characters’ relationship grows, it develops into a wonderfully scary honesty. Markowitz focused on developing rich characters and relationships that defy not only stereotypes of gay men but also the gay-male characters far too many writers and filmmakers make us swallow. Those who cringe at gay stereotypes will find these two men a refreshing change. Music supervisor Brian Goldman gets big kudos for a wonderful soundtrack that goes beyond the score.” --Cyd Zeigler jr., OUTSPORTS.COM
“A well-made, fresh, and genuinely touching story of first love. Shelter stands head-and-shoulders above most other films in its genre thanks to its solid cast, its intimate, kitchen-sink feel, and its reluctance to play to the clichés that generally plague ‘coming out’ movies.” --Brian Juergens, AFTERELTON.COM
“From the sets, to the perfect music, cinematography and dialogue, Shelter is a beautiful film.” --JUMPONMARKSLIST.COM

My Blog

Photos from Last Night!!!

http://outfest.blogspot.comI can't seem to embed them here, but they are up on my site (click above)Thanks everyone for turning out - I met some really wonderful new people, and it was very exciting h...
Posted by JD on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:46:00 PST

You’re Invited Tuesday Night in SoCAl


Posted by JD on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:33:00 PST

Your OUTFEST Survival Guide and Insider Tips

Starting this week on TheSmokingCocktail. com I'll be previewing the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, with exclusive interviews, movie trailers and the must see films and events.It's the gay f...
Posted by JD on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 04:52:00 PST

Two More Reasons to be Fabulous Next Week

For more info on this, plus all the LGBT entertainment news and political dish that's fit to print, visit TheSmokingCocktail.com Remember Our Page 6 is Page 1...
Posted by JD on Tue, 17 Jun 2008 12:01:00 PST

Video and Photos from Yesterday’s Pride

For more dish, photos and more video: Click here for TheSmokingCocktail.com...
Posted by JD on Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:20:00 PST

Watch Video from Abbey Commitment Ceremony with TR KNight and Jay Leno

Watch video from last night's commitment to gay marriage ceremony at the Abbey in West Hollywood, with TR Knight, Jay Leno and a host of other participants and celebs.Watch video here: http:// www.th...
Posted by JD on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 02:48:00 PST

Im Just Bragging...

It's been this way for 3 whole months and it only just came out.To find out about buying your own copy on sale, check out TheSmokingCocktail.comOkay so today we finally dropped to 2...beat out by DANT...
Posted by JD on Wed, 04 Jun 2008 05:22:00 PST

Teenagers Defy Authority and Mount Gay Play

From TheSmokingCocktail.com: Upcoming EventsClick on that link for a list of all upcoming lgbt cultural events and parties in SoCal. These high schoolers wouldn't take "NO" for an answer and staged ...
Posted by JD on Wed, 28 May 2008 01:24:00 PST

Ellen Calls out McCain on her Show Today Watch Video

I was seriously wondering how Ellen could sit across from her guest today, Senator John McCain and not strangle him. Really what I was thinking was why are you giving him air time? Ellen was recently ...
Posted by JD on Fri, 23 May 2008 05:10:00 PST

TIVO Alert: Lesbian Storyline on Grey’s Anatomy?

Dear god, will they go through with it tonight on the season finale?Lesbian lust and romance has been brewing for weeks on the popular network show Grey's Anatomy.Get the back ground story, the dirt, ...
Posted by JD on Thu, 22 May 2008 02:35:00 PST