Studio 54 Meets Route 66
-
Date: May 16, 2023
Role: Video Production Lead
Services: Video Director, Concept Development, Location Scout, Crew Management, Videography, Editing, Coloring, Production Design
Location: Tulsa Artist Fellowship
Talent: Studio 66 - Chris VanDenhende and Karl Jones
Crew: Benji Osborne – Director of Photography
To close the conversation series, Tulsa Creative Engine turned to our friends at Studio 66 — a collective rooted in LGBTQ+ artistry, advocacy, and celebration. Filming at the Tulsa Artist Fellowship gave us access to an exhibit that challenged traditional depictions of masculinity, with large-scale oil paintings of queer men styled in Renaissance fashion. It created a meaningful backdrop for a final Ascension St. John video centered on identity, community, and mental health.
Chris and Karl welcomed me and Benji Osbourne into their studio, a brilliant mosaic of art prints, fashion sketches, digital pieces, and pop-culture icons taped to the walls. Their joint interview unfolded like a dialogue between two mirrors — each reflecting their personal histories, their community, and the challenges LGBTQ+ people navigate when seeking mental health support. It was one of the most vulnerable interviews I’ve ever facilitated, and I felt a deep responsibility to hold that space with care.
There was one moment I knew had to stay in the final cut. After cameras had wrapped, Chris mentioned that hearing Jolene sung by a man was the first time he felt permission to express himself differently. That revelation stayed with me, so I wove Lil Nas X’s version of Jolene into the official sound design. It was a small nod of appreciation towards their lived experience that aimed to illustrate finally being heard. Not only did the song choice evoke emotion and a symbolize a perfect collision of southern/gay culture, but it ultimately captured the soul of the project: true representation can shift the way someone sees themselves and make healing possible.
The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of any company or clients.
