Catching Up with Shanna Riker and Jason Stuart
As part of the Revry profiles of contributors to the queer media and entertainment community, we have asked these creators to update us on their projects and events. From creating television shows and films to making music, explore the many artistic works being accomplished by these queer artists.
Shanna Riker
Shanna Riker has been staying busy since directing & producing The Leap. The Leap had a successful festival run and Shanna is thrilled that it is streaming on Revry. Since then she has co-founded a production company, Honey & Hemlock Productions, with Melissa Bronski. In less than a year Honey & Hemlock has produced two short films, SOLIDARITY and SPACEMAN. Shanna and Melissa co-produced and co-directed SOLIDARITY, a film that speaks on mental health, as depression manifests as a character in Jeremy’s living room. Shanna was the director for Spaceman and also co-produced with Melissa. Spaceman discusses the tragedy of domestic violence with the male protagonist, Bobby, as the victim. Both of these films are in the final stages of post production and we plan to enter them in festivals beginning in fall of 2022. We have big plans for Honey & Hemlock Productions in the near future including hosting a fundraiser in the fall and a feature film next year. We are also a sponsored artist with The Field, an NYC, non-profit organization that supports independent artists and therefore we are currently seeking investors, sponsorships, and tax deductible items for a silent auction. We are also available for hire if anyone needs producers for their upcoming film project. Shanna’s journey has been exciting and incredible so far and it’s only just begun!
Jason Stuart
Jason Stuart recently won Indie Series Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series of the Amazon comedy SMOTHERED he co-stars & co-created with Mitch Hara, said in his speech, "I have had a long winding career with lots of ups and downs. When I was a kid growing up I never thought that a gay man could win an award from his piers for playing a gay man! ...All I ever really wanted was to be a character actor". He also thanked his mother for her love & support with the hashtag #I Don't Live With My Mother, I Live Next door! Also she says “what felt really great was to be honored by my peers for my work. I know Awards are not what really matters and it's about the work. I love the work now more than I ever have. But, Awards mean that people respect what you do and hopefully get to work with the best of the best! And that there is a future for a man of a certain age who still has dreams….”