out is in
An intimate docu-series about queer musicians, the moments that shaped them, and the communities they’re building through their art.
our inspiration
As artists ourselves, we're inspired by the musicians who risk everything to come out, transforming the industry and dismantling barriers for future generations. Their impact extends far beyond visibility. It lives in their courage, authenticity, and willingness to be vulnerable in the most public of spaces.
This series goes deeper. We pull back the curtain on the lights, the production, the stage persona, creating intimate space for artists to share their truth on their own terms. We're documenting the person behind the performance.
What makes these stories universally powerful is their connection to community. By living fully as themselves, these artists don't just enrich their own work; they empower others. The result is storytelling that resonates across audiences, queer and straight alike, because authentic vulnerability is always compelling.
Our sizzle reel is designed as a proof of concept to pitch the full series to networks. We've assembled a team with serious credentials: commercial filmmakers with over a decade of experience, a Creative Manager who has collaborated with major musical artists, and an Executive Producer with established television relationships.
For our sizzle artist, participation means receiving a professionally produced, intimately edited live performance of a song of their choice, plus the opportunity to be featured in a full episode once the series is picked up by a network.
We believe deeply in this project and its power to connect, inspire, and endure.
2 full production days
1 hour sit down interview and b-roll with audio
Shoot your community outreach or activism
Location for the interview will be in a space that feels intimate or familiar to you
Playing from different well-lit angles at an interesting location
Eventual rights to the content for web distribution with attribution
the sizzle production plan
the series
Queer artists are reshaping music, culture, and community. This series takes audiences behind the spotlight to reveal the human stories that drive their artistry.
We follow them through the rhythms of everyday life: trying a new hobby, cooking a meal, volunteering in their neighborhood, flipping through their record collection, casting a line at the river. We capture the side of themselves that exists beyond the stage and fame.
These artists reflect the full spectrum of humanity. They're breaking barriers and rewriting narratives while rooting us in the universal moments that connect us all. Through intimate, cinematic storytelling, the series amplifies their voices, celebrates authenticity, and invites audiences to see the world and themselves through a bolder, more inclusive lens.
giving back
Many of these musicians use their platforms to uplift causes they believe in, and each episode will highlight that commitment. By featuring the organizations and ideas they care about, we showcase both the critical work happening on the ground and the meaningful ways queer artists give back to their communities.
Their influence reaches far beyond their music. They use their voices to create real change.
We will collaborate with each artist to identify the cause they want to spotlight. This element is essential to the show because we're not here to tell audiences that queer people are making a positive impact. We're here to show it.
on the shoulders of giants
We have come a long way since artists like Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Big Mama Thornton, Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, Prince, Elton John, and Indigo Girls first pushed against gender and sexuality norms. Their courage shaped the landscape that today's artists stand on. As more musicians publicly embrace their queerness, they open the door even wider for the next generation.
Our show creates space to honor that lineage. Each episode will include a moment to recognize a musical influence who shaped the featured artist, exploring how these trailblazers broke the mold and made this generation possible.
This does more than acknowledge heritage. It reinforces why representation and visibility matter, connecting past courage to present freedom.
reference videos
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Jade Ehlers
CREATIVE DIRECTOR/CASTING DIRECTOR/EP
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Ash Bernal
DIRECTOR/POST-PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR/EP
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Wade Yamaguchi
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY/EP
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Jason Harper
STORY PRODUCER/EP
The production will feature an interview, behind-the-scenes footage, and performances from each artist. To foster comfort and vulnerability, we'll maintain a small, diverse crew and use a stripped-down camera setup for the most intimate moments.
By spending time with artists in personal spaces, we'll capture honest interviews and vérité moments that reveal how they navigate both their private and public lives. The approach is intentional: create trust, then document truth.
the approach
the look
the look
It's essential to capture the duality between how artists are seen by their fans and how they see themselves. We'll collaborate with each artist to shape a visual style that reflects their personality and story, whether polished, gritty, or avant-garde.
The visual approach is organic and intimate, inviting viewers into the artist's world. A handheld documentary style will create the feeling of a living room conversation, supported by wider lenses that showcase the environment. Warm, rich tones with slightly lifted blacks will give the image a film-like quality, while vintage lenses add natural flares, soft focus falloff, and unique character that enhances each narrative.
Throughout the process, we'll work closely with every artist to ensure the look and feel reflect their authentic vision and brand.
a final note from the creators
Ash Bernal, Director
“I'm a queer artist who grew up in rural America, raised in a conservative, religious family. I didn't know a single queer person. During those years, queer artists saved me. They helped me understand myself when I thought something was fundamentally wrong with me. Music and art weren't just hobbies; they were proof that people like me existed, and that I could survive long enough to find my community. This show is for the artists building and emboldening the queer cultures they desperately needed growing up. I know what it means to search for yourself in other people's courage, to cling to every scrap of representation like it's oxygen. Now I want to use my lens and craft to amplify these voices, show what representation actually saves, and clear the path for everyone still fighting to live their truth. This isn't just a show about queer artists. It's about the power of being seen.”
Wade Yamaguchi, Director of Photography
“Growing up in a small, conservative town in Colorado as a half Japanese, half German kid, I know how important diverse representation is for young kids. I discovered my passion for music through guitar, eventually joining a punk band that defined my youth. After high school, I fell in love with visual storytelling and launched a vibrant career in film. Meeting friends in the music and film scenes opened my eyes, challenging my family's beliefs and inspiring me to document queer narratives to combat ongoing discrimination. My background shapes my storytelling, and I recognize my privilege as a straight, cisgender male, striving to be an ally to the LGBTQIA+ community. Inspired by queer artists, I hold hope that my children will grow up in a more loving and accepting world.”
