ThroughSteam Room Stories, a series of short but hilarious interludes on YouTube, writer-director J.C. Calciano is making his mark, attracting male and female fans of every orientation from around the globe. This ribald comedy sketch show features more than a dozen of the hottest hunks (and a few sexy sirens) ever to wrap themselves in towels.
Set in a steam room of a West Hollywood gym (the costumes are, uh, condensed, to say the least), each segment is three to five minutes long. Dispensing levity that’s insightful, off-beat, sometimes biting, and bracingly honest, all three seasons are now available on DVD in a new three-disc collector’s edition from Cinema 175.
In the series, Calciano — an out and proud gay man — has found a type of humor that both gay and straight people can relate to. Clearly, the director of the LGBT hits Is it Just Me?, eCupid and, most recently, The 10 Year Plan, knows what makes us laugh.
But what exactly does he think makes for particularly good satire?
“Truth,” he replies. “Truth makes it funny, in any piece of material — comedy or drama. If an audience can look at it and feel, ‘Boy, that’s something that I thought only I thought or noticed’ – if it can resonate with a person on that level – then you’ve got something.”
As a writer, he says, he tries to put himself in his audience’s place.
“I try to proceed from a position of seeing things that I would like to see — or things that I think that other people may have thought about but haven’t spoken. Things that they may have noticed, but haven’t bubbled up to their consciousness yet. If you could hit that chord when they watch and think, ‘Oh my God! That’s so true,’ that’s really the essence of storytelling, both comedic and otherwise.”
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Calciano grew up on Long Island in what he calls “a very small blue-collar community near the beach.” He attended New York University, which allowed him spend his 20s in and around Manhattan during most of the 1980s. But back then, he says, he stayed on the periphery of the local gay community.
“It was an interesting time in the city,” he recalls. “AIDS was very much happening at that time – and I was also in the closet and just didn’t feel that I fit into the community then, so I would just be kind of an observer. In fact, one of the things that colors who I am today is having not been a real participant — which is NOT something I’m proud of, but this was what I was capable of at that time as a young person.”
In his late 20s, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his career as a fledgling filmmaker, working for several major studios. It was around that time that he was deeply shaken by the suicide of an executive he was working closely with. Only after his death did Calciano find out the executive was gay.
“I was devastated by that,” he said. “He hadn’t come out to me, and I wasn’t out then either, but I felt that if he had known about me, maybe I could have helped him – and maybe we could have helped each other and it could have saved his life.”
Calciano was so moved, he said, that he was inspired to produce a documentary in which he interviewed various people about their own coming-out stories.
“Especially in the ’90s, there wasn’t that kind of information. People weren’t seeing other gay people, and they weren’t hearing their stories,” he said. “So I did this as both a cathartic exercise and film project. I wanted to tell the world.”
To his great surprise and joy, he found those within the community to whom he had shown the film to be extremely supportive.
“I realized then that this was a community I wanted to create projects specifically for. That was what really gave me that first taste of being an LGBT filmmaker,” he said.
Calciano has tried to make his films entertaining, yet socially relevant.
“They’re all strong in themes like respect and love, and there’s always a positive message for the community,” he said.
His real challenge, he said, is finding material that encompasses all of these “tones.” He counts the story as being so important to him that it is the most trying element of any project he chooses to take on.
“Acquiring, developing or writing good material is the hardest part for me,” Calciano said. “Coming up with a story that I feel is worth telling and that the audience will want to receive remains tough. For me, making a movie is at least a year process, so to invest a year – full time – of my life, I have to really feel like this is something that’s worth doing.”
Certainly one such project worth doing was The 10 Year Plan, released in late 2014. The winner of numerous audience-favorite awards at LGBT film festivals, this comic romance centers on two best friends: Myles (played by Jack Turner) and Brody (Michael Adam Hamilton), who are complete opposites. Myles is a hopeless romantic perpetually looking for Mr. Right, and Brody is a hot-blooded player who’s constantly on the prowl for Mr. Right Now.
Having once proposed that they’ll get together if both of them are still single in a decade, they find their self-imposed deadline fast approaching and try to do whatever it takes to avoid becoming a couple. Of course, they find that they really were meant for each other all along.
The story is based on real life, Calciano says.
“All my films come from things that I have done—or what my friends have done. Each one starts with that element of truth and that question in my brain – what if?” he said. “With The 10 Year Plan, my two best friends had actually settled on a proposition that if both of them were still single in 10 years, they’d get together and explore something more serious. A decade later, we were all out and individually they each came to me and said ‘Oh my God! We made this deal 10 years ago — do you think he’ll still remember?”
Although Calciano himself has been in a stable, committed relationship for 17 years, he readily grants that he doesn’t have all the answers to such questions.
“Which is why I make these movies,” he said, chuckling. “It’s kind of my own personal exploration as to what love is. I hope I don’t sound like an authority on any of it — but I do have opinions, and my opinion is that being in a relationship is a lot of work. It requires you to put a lot into it — to be (to some extent) a bit selfless. … It requires honesty and truth. … It requires you to put somebody ahead of yourself, and that’s not always easy.”
In addition to producing his own projects, Calciano teaches filmmaking at UCLA.
“One of the things I enjoy most about that is the way I get to take students and introduce them to the tradition of filmmaking and teach them how to be a filmmaker,” he says. This includes keeping them appraised of the latest innovations in getting their projects seen and marketed to as wide an audience as possible – something Calciano knows a lot about.
“One of the amazing things I found about YouTube and platforms similar to it, is that you are immediately in touch with your audience,” he said. “You are putting something out there, and it’s either liked or disliked. There are comments, there’s feedback – your fans become part of who you are, and that’s an incredible thing. I’m a big advocate of learning by doing, and this is an unparalleled device for young people, aspiring filmmakers, or anyone who has stories to tell.”
He says that for Steam Room Stories, his movies, and his philosophy of comedy, his priorities are: story first, then relationships, and then being gay.
“Although I’m an active gay man,” he said, “I don’t always lead with that.
“I lead with my perceptions of society, my political views — with everything else, and so my sexual preference really is not all-encompassing of who I am. The truth about Steam Room Stories is, it’s about being guys — and about being friends. … Whether you’re gay or straight is really inconsequential.”
Both The 10 Year Plan and Steam Room Stories: The Collector’s Edition are now available on DVD. For more information on each film, check out: www.SteamRoomStories.com, www.10yearplanmovie.com, or like them on Facebook. To see Calciano’s films and get more information about him and his future projects, go to Cinema175.com.
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WhistlePig and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Wind Tunnel-Trialed Whiskey Is a Ryed You Don’t Want to Miss
SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.
The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.
Like Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s signature C43 racing vehicles, trial barrels were tested in the team’s wind tunnel in Switzerland before hitting the track. Select barrels then endured varying levels of G-Forces at the WhistlePig farm and distillery for the finishing touch, accelerating the interaction between the whiskey and the wood, staying true to the physical nature of Formula 1.
“Partnering with WhistlePig has been a very exciting experience. Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake is dedicated to being the best on the track, and the crew at WhistlePig is fearless in their pursuit to create the best whiskey out there,” said Valtteri Bottas, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “We’re really looking forward to fans tasting our custom Rye Whiskey and raising a glass to the rookies, veterans, legends and the exhilarating sport of F1.”
"Joining forces with WhistlePig to release a Single Barrel Rye Whiskey that represents my culture and team has been an honor,” said Zhou Guanyu, Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake’s driver. “Formula 1 brings together fearless, thrill-seeking motorsports professionals, and WhistlePig has a shared passion for boundary-pushing innovation. Together, we’ve selected something alarmingly good for fans to enjoy this season when the cars are not on track.”
The Limited Edition Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel will be available for purchase online starting around September 13 for $49.99 MSRP per 750ml bottle and sold in select stores across the U.S. Consumers can win VIP merchandise by scanning the QR code on the back of each bottle.
"We're taking our third Legends Series release on a ryed like never before,” said Meghan Ireland, WhistlePig Head Blender. "Our experiments with dynamic aging went full throttle during finishing trials at the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake wind tunnel, in turn inspiring new ways to expose barrels to G-forces back at the WhistlePig Farm. The herbal and floral notes of the lychee and tea barrel selected with the team create a new, podium-topping experience for PiggyBack Rye."
Fans and collectors have followed WhistlePig PiggyBack Legends Series, celebrating those who give 100% in the name of greatness, since its launch in March 2022 with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer, David Ortiz (“Big Papi”), followed by Country Music Duo Brothers Osborne in November 2022.
To learn more about WhistlePig Whiskey, visit whistlepigwhiskey.com. You can also check out WhistlePig Whiskey on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About WhistlePig Whiskey
Located off the grid on a 500-acre Vermont farm, WhistlePig Whiskey is crafted by a new generation of whiskey distillers and blenders driven to reinvent and unlock the flavor of Rye whiskey. Through their rebellious pursuit of experimenting and pushing boundaries in the industry, WhistlePig has become the leading independent craft whiskey brand for innovation. WhistlePig is committed to becoming the best whiskey on and for the planet, starting with its locally sourced ingredients and sustainable supply chain and distilling process. For more information, head to whistlepigwhiskey.com.
Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz
When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.
I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.
If you don’t have a primary care physician who specializes in LGBTQ+ care in your community, you may need to educate yourself (and your provider). But, before you seek such therapy, here are five things you should know!
- Monitor closely. At Spectrum Medical Care Center, we screen patients for certain risks before starting anyone on hormones. We frequently monitor patients in the first year to ensure there are no adverse reactions and lab results are within safe ranges. Follow-up care is also important to assess your comfort with the transition as well as the social impact and social support you’re experiencing.
- Some changes are permanent, some temporary. For transmasculine individuals going on testosterone, they’ll experience these permanent changes: deepened voice, clitoral enlargement (also known as bottom growth), more body, facial hair, and male pattern baldness. Reversible changes include cessation of menses, increased muscle mass and strength, body fat redistribution, and skin oiliness or acne. For those going on estrogen therapy, the most permanent change is breast growth. Feminizing hormone therapy can also cause atrophy (shrinkage) of the genitals and loss of erectile function that may not be reversible. Estrogen will thin body hair, soften the skin, can increase scalp hair, and decrease muscle mass and strength, all of which are reversible.
- You can’t pick and choose results. Unfortunately, you can’t pick and choose the physical changes you want, which may feel challenging. Some of my patients will say, ‘Okay, ‘I’ve seen the permanent changes I want, and I don’t want it to go any further,’ and so at that point, we stop therapy. Low-dose hormone therapy can slow down the rate of changes, allowing for a more gradual physical transition. We counsel patients in advance about the common changes, and it’s up to the individual as to when they’d like to scale back and determine whether some benefits are worth the potential risks.
- Be aware of risks. Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved. Some risks with testosterone therapy include increased red blood cell mass, acne, hypertension, sleep apnea, weight gain, and dyslipidemia (increases the chance of clogged arteries). Cardiovascular disease is likely increased with additional risk factors for testosterone and estrogen therapy. Transfeminine patients going on estrogen therapy may experience weight gain, thromboembolic disease (when a blood clot breaks off and blocks another blood vessel), and a high level of triglycerides in the blood.
Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area
Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!
Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.
"Our entire team is honored to be named Best of the Best. To be the only gay men's resort recognized in the Top 1% is incredibly humbling," said Kent Taylor, General Manager at Descanso. "We appreciate Tripadvisor and we're grateful to all our guests who gave us such high marks and reviews to help us reach this achievement."
“Ranking among the Best of the Best demonstrates that you have provided exemplary experiences to those who maZer most: your guests,” said John Boris, Chief Growth Officer at Tripadvisor. “With changing expectations, continued labor shortages, and rising costs, this is no easy feat, and I am con6nually impressed with the hospitality industry’s resilience and ability to adapt.”
Santiago Resort was once again honored by Tripadvisor with a 2023 Travelers’ Choice award, placing it among the top 10% of travelers’ top reviewed des6na6ons. Twin Palms will become eligible for ranking in 2024.
Check out all the reviews, and discover more about Descanso Resort on Tripadvisor here. We have an excellent library of resort imagery available to accompany editorial and additional resources on our press page. Please contact Descanso Resort’s General Manager, Kent Taylor, at kent@descansoresort.com for further information.
About Descanso Resort
Inspired by Palm Springs’ history as a des6na6on for Hollywood stars to unwind in privacy, Descanso offers guests a casual yet modern take on the legendary style of that 6me. Created by the same hospitality team that revitalized Palm Springs’ much-loved San6ago Resort and recently launched the all-new Twin Palms Resort, the Descanso property opened in 2022 featuring 15 spacious guest rooms with custom-designed furniture, dreamy King-size beds, and luxe details. Ameni6es include continental breakfast, poolside lunch, welcome snack basket, and lots of special touches. For guests who need to stay connected, the entire property is equipped with blazing-fast Wi-Fi. Mul6-speed bikes are available for exploring the surrounding midcentury neighborhoods and public art installations. Like the Hollywood stars before them, guests at Descanso are encouraged to unwind, relax, and rest in style.
About Tripadvisor
Travelers across the globe use the Tripadvisor site and app to discover where to stay, what to do and where to eat based on guidance from those who have been there before. With more than 1 billion reviews and opinions of nearly 8 million businesses, travelers turn to Tripadvisor to find deals on accommodations, book experiences, reserve tables at delicious restaurants and discover great places nearby.