RIDE: A Queer Kink Adventure

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Thanks for taking the time to watch the teaser for my upcoming documentary, RIDE: A Queer Kink Adventure! I can’t wait for you to see all the wild and wonderful things we still have to show you. We have finished filming and are currently in post-production, but we are in desperate need of funding to bring it all together and share with the world. To learn more about this project, and how you can help us make it a reality, please continue reading below! [approximately 10 minute read]

I think the best way to start telling you about RIDE is to give you the script that I’ve read verbatim during each introductory call with prospective participants in the project. Though some of my priorities shifted during and after filming, the overall concept remains the same.

:::::::::: BEGIN SCRIPT ::::::::::
[WRITTEN IN DECEMBER 2021]

This chat is about us getting a bit more familiar with each other and getting you caught up with my intentions for the documentary. I'm going to read to you about my personal story and the project, then I’ll ask some important questions so we're on the same page about how to focus our interview. Sound good?

A BIT ABOUT MY BACKGROUND
I identify as a nonbinary, masculine-presenting queer attracted to other masculine-presenting people. I'm from Fresno, a city in the exact center of California, where I was born and raised. I moved to San Diego after high school to study Studio Art at UCSD. After graduating, I moved to New York City and lived there for 14 years, during which I got my Masters in Design from Parsons and married a man.

I currently work remotely as an event producer, but there hasn't been much to do since COVID started. My husband and I moved upstate right before COVID and my existing drinking problem got much worse. As the marriage fell apart, I had an alcoholic downward spiral. My husband filed an order of protection and I was removed from my house by the police a little over a year ago and haven't seen him, my belongings, or my dogs ever since. After my removal, I moved back to Fresno to live with my dad and sober up while my divorce settled. I am technically still married, but the divorce should be finalized soon. [NOTE: My divorce has been finalized since. Additional personal information has been redacted for my ex-husband's privacy.]

Now that I am single and looking to explore the queer sex scene, I'm realizing that a lot has changed in the decade I’ve been out of it, especially with the introduction of PrEP. My father was an emergency room doctor during the AIDS pandemic, and I was born in 1983, as circumstances were growing dire. So to me, GAY=AIDS=DEATH was always in the back of my mind, and prevented me from exploring my true self—especially within any kink or fetish communities, where it seemed like AIDS was inevitable.

In the last year, I got my shit together and started a queer art website [now called dandyland.art], which is an online shop promoting queer artists that features a lot of masculine erotic art. I have decided to go back to New York to further pursue my careers in event production and queer art, and since I have to drive all of my stuff across the country, and I have a lot of questions to answer, I'm using it as an opportunity to explore my sexuality, and hopefully have a transformative experience.

Lately, the more friends I've gotten to know who are into kinks and fetishes the more I have realized that everything I'd been judgmental about or thought I knew is wrong. I'm starting to see that embracing kink/fetish cultures and communities can be a powerful therapeutic tool. I want to dig a lot deeper, because I am fascinated by—and feel drawn to—exploring sex and sexuality, while furthering the very important conversation about the positive impacts of kinks and fetishes as mechanisms for healing, self-discovery, and pleasure.

ABOUT THE DOCUMENTARY
Above all, I want the whole experience to be as natural and honest as possible, so I'd like our conversation to be comfortable and informal. My journey will likely be as much a part of the overall narrative as yours, so I want us to share the experience and walk away from it feeling like we have made a positive impact on each other.

As of right now there are four general angles I want to cover:

Exploring the history of kink and fetish communities.
Demystifying preconceived notions about the type of person drawn to kinks and fetishes.
Showcasing the broad spectrum of personalities and communities involved.
Better educating the audience, using myself as a conduit, by documenting the answers to all of my questions and the results of my sexual experimentations.

Topics to be covered may include shame and pride, trauma and healing, identity and self-expression, siblinghood and community, mindfulness and escapism. I will be having all participants sign a contract before filming. If at any time between our interview and the release of the final result, you feel uneasy about allowing anything we discussed to become public, I may present a case for including it if i think its important, but you will have the final say about what you do or do not want shown.

ABOUT THE DEMOS
This is entirely optional, but I would like to introduce a demonstration element with each of the people I visit. This can look like anything from showing me a collection you have (like outfits or toys) to a demonstration of your skills (like knot tying or flogging) to a physical sexual encounter with me or other partners—which can be filmed or not, depending on your level of comfort.

At this point I want to make it very clear that I am not attempting to coerce or pressure anyone into a sexual situation with me during the course of this documentary. I am merely presenting that I am open to experimenting and pushing my limits, should you desire to include me as a part of your demo. I will always draw the line at blood, scat, vomit, extreme pain, and my own use of drugs or alcohol (except poppers or marijuana). [NOTE: Most participants opted to perform a demo; some did not.]

:::::::::: SCRIPT CONTINUES WITH PERSONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SUBJECT ::::::::::

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FAQS

Why would anyone want to pay to watch you fuck your way across the country?
The information and stories that I gathered on this trip amount to much more than the fucking. Though my sexual experiences will be featured at appropriate times, the project leans more heavily on education through humor and honest conversation. I want to embrace the sexual curiosity I think we all share, and help viewers see the benefits that exploring kink can provide. We will be pushing a lot of boundaries, and there will definitely be some unbridled content, but this film—like kink—is not just about sex.

And for those of you who are invested because you want to watch a pale middle-aged divorced alcoholic faggot clumsily fuck his way across the country: I see you, and I’ve got you covered.

What makes this documentary unique?
I filmed alone without a script or notes, embraced a strong curiosity about exploring my sexuality, and had great chemistry—often sexual—with nearly every participant—so the documentary offers a level of intimacy and honesty that is rarely captured. We cover a wide range of topics that many people seem genuinely intrigued about, and the film is designed to inspire people of all sexual persuasions to become better lovers, communicators, and self-advocates.

Where and when were the interviews filmed?
The majority of conversations took place during my month-long solo road trip from Fresno to New York City in February 2021. Destinations included San Francisco, Reno, Denver, Kansas City, Chicago, Detroit, Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. All NYC conversations happened within about six months of my arrival there.

Is filming complete?
All of the featured conversations have been filmed, but we are planning to include some additional content—most likely of me reflecting on the journey and the filming process—which will assist with narration and structure where needed. We will film this once we are further along in the editing process.

How many people are in it?
I filmed conversations with 40 participants, but some have since requested not to be featured in the project, because of new employment risks or other life changes. We currently have 32 people signed on (a full list is at the bottom of the page), and we are waiting for final decisions from several more.

Are your participants exclusively cisgender gay men?
All of the participants are masculine-presenting queers, but there’s a mix of non-cis identities involved, including my own. The participants also come from a diverse range of generations, races, and socio-economic backgrounds.

What are your plans for the documentary after its completion?
We plan to make the film available to those who helped fund the campaign, and to enter it into as many film festivals—especially queer ones—as our fundraising can support. Ultimately, we want to get it in front of as many eyes as possible, so we can showcase kink culture and communities through a positive and relatable lens, and offer an entertaining exploration of the fringes of queer sexuality to both queer and straight audiences.

When will the film be completed?
We are currently aiming to have the final version completed by Spring 2025. But depending how much money we raise and how quickly we raise it, we may be able to release it sooner.

How much money are you trying to raise?
Our funding goal is $80,000. This will provide us with the resources to produce a festival-worthy feature-length documentary.

How are you raising the money?
We will be throwing fundraisers, seeking out sponsorships, applying for grants, reaching out to investors, and otherwise depending on the kindness of friends, family, and strangers on the internet. If you have any ideas, or might be interested in hosting or assisting with a fundraising event, please reach out to info@dandyland.art.

FUNDING ALLOCATIONS

Funding Allocation Breakdown
• Filming: The cost of the February 2022 trip from Fresno to NYC, during which the bulk of the footage was shot. Includes cost of cameras, lighting, sound, transportation, lodging, meals, and other related expenses.
• Production: Production organization and execution services, from pre-production through completion.
• Editing: Film editing services.
• Score & Sound: Creation of a musical score, plus sound mixing and editing.
• Art & Visuals: Custom art including story visuals and title designs, plus incorporation of motion graphics and animation.
• Marketing: Campaign design and implementation, mostly related to festival promotion.
• Festival Fees & Travel: Festival entry fees and travel costs for at least one festival outside NYC.
• Fundraising & Fees: Costs of creating and implementing fundraisers, including credit card fees and crowdfunding platform fees.
• Miscellaneous: Additional spending where necessary.

CURRENT FUNDRAISING

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The Fundraising Phallus is updated weekly and when major contributions are received.

Raising $80K is no small feat, so over the course of the fundraising period we will be holding satellite fundraisers for specific goals (e.g., hiring a composer or paying an artist for visuals) on crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, and in person across the US in 2024.

Please check back here often to see new content like clips and trailers, and new donation rewards including erotic photo sets, movie posters, and more.

DONATION REWARDS

”Sloppy Firsts” Rewards

$20 • ATHLETIC SUPPORTER
Thank You In the Film Credits
• Your name or alias (max 30 characters) will be listed in the film’s final credits.
UNLIMITED BACKERS
[please allow 18+ months]

$45 • VOYEUR
Advance Screening
• Exclusive download of the FINAL VERSION of RIDE, upon the film’s completion, before it is made available for public viewing.
+ ATHLETIC SUPPORTER Reward
UNLIMITED BACKERS
[please allow 18+ months]

$95 • DOM
Naughty Personalized “Thank You” Video
• Video of producer Patrick McNaughton thanking you very kindly for at least 20 seconds. Make requests in “messages” area of donation form.
+ ATHLETIC SUPPORTER and VOYEUR Rewards
ONLY 50 STILL AVAILABLE
[please allow up to one month for video]

$275 • MASTER
Editorial Input
• You will be shown an extended rough draft of the film, and invited to offer feedback on the shape the final version.
+ ATHLETIC SUPPORTER, VOYEUR, and DOM Rewards
+ special MASTER status toward future fundraising reward discounts and giveaways.
[please allow 10+ months]
ONLY 20 STILL AVAILABLE

$2000 • DADDY
Producer Credit
• You will be listed as a Producer in the film’s final credits, receive two tickets to the nearest available festival screening, and receive production updates every two months via personal live video chat with director/producer Patrick McNaughton.
+ ATHLETIC SUPPORTER, VOYEUR, DOM, and MASTER Rewards
+ special DADDY status toward future fundraising reward discounts and giveaways.
[please allow 18+ months]
ONLY 10 STILL AVAILABLE

NOTE: Rewards and price points are subject to change.

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WHO WE ARE (SO FAR)

Patrick McNaughton
PRODUCER/DIRECTOR
Pronouns: he/they/she (nonbinary, no preference)
Originally From: Fresno, California
Current Location: NYC
Education: BA Studio Art from UC San Diego, MFA Interior Design from Parsons, 12-Step Program that shall remain Anonymous.

I have worked in event production for over a decade, and founded and run dandyland.art, the queer erotic art website you are currently viewing! I also produce dandyland, a bimonthly erotic art and gift fair in NYC. I am trained as an interdisciplinary artist specializing in sculptural installation and photography. I am a promiscuous and polyamorous divorced alcoholic in recovery, and I currently have one boyfriend, and one boyfriend's husband, both of whom I love very much.

Damon Beirne
EDITOR
Pronouns: he/him
Originally From: Richmond, Virginia
Current Location: Brooklyn, NY
Education: BA in Film Post-Production from George Mason University

Damon is a director and editor with a diverse portfolio that spans multiple cinematic genres. Influenced by both classic and experimental filmmaking, he creates unique genre-blending works, and has recently found a home in documentary filmmaking. His directing credits include the Issa Takeover series, featuring musicians on the Trans Trenderz record label; Lavender Outlaws, a short film about a queer country music festival; and the upcoming Mx Nobody: Notes on Nope, which highlights performers competing in Brooklyn's Mx. Nobody Pageant.