Queer news, art, culture and discussion blog Accidental Bear recently ran a Q&A with L.A.-based filmmaker David Quantic, who is currently hard at work on his latest project, Bakersfield, Earth, for which Quantic has set up this Kickstarter page. Be sure to check it out and donate if you're interested. We hear there are some pretty great rewards for helping out.

Here is part of the Q&A with Quantic. Read the entire interview, and see Quantic's short Showbears, which was used to promote the Seattle Lesbian & Gay Film Festival, over at Accidental Bear.

Accidental Bear: There are a ton of Kickstarters floating around out there. How might your project be of specific interest or speak louder to our readers?

David Quantic: Bakersfield, Earth might look like a silly alien comedy on the surface, but, if you look a little deeper, I think it says a lot about how religious conservatives try to use public institutions like the education system to shove their beliefs down everyone’s throats. I also think it says a lot about celebrating the individual and staying true to yourself instead of doing what everyone expects of you. I can only speak for myself, but, as a gay guy, these kinds of themes resonate with me.

A B: How was Bakersfield, Earth born?

David: A few years ago, the state school board of Kansas (where I’m from) was taken over by religious nut jobs who managed to insert creationism into the state’s public science curriculum. It was a national embarrassment for Kansas but, fortunately for me, it became the inspiration for Bakersfield, Earth. 

A B: Who is Guy Bowman?

David: Guy Bowman, my lead character, is a cross dressing alien who wants to join a local anti-evolution women’s group because he believes his alien race created humans millions of years ago. Needless to say, this doesn’t go over too well in the women’s group.

Guy is my personal spin on my most favorite kind of movie character: the “I don’t give a shit what people think” character. Characters like Auntie Mame, Maude in Harold and Maude, Mrs. Madrigal in Tales of the City and pretty much any lead character in every John Waters movie. These characters are so fun to watch because they’re all about wish fulfillment. We all wish we could be so free.

For instance, Guy insists on wearing a dress because, when he visits Earth, it’s usually in the body of a woman. He could dress the way society wants him too, but he’s more comfortable in a dress. And why shouldn’t men wear dresses? What’s the big deal?

A B: If all goes well when could this realistically be seen?

David: I’ll shoot in late July and edit in August in order to submit a cut to Sundance in September. After that, I’ll start submitting it to festivals everywhere. The goal is to get as many eyes on it as possible. I feel confident about the script and I’m totally psyched about working with all my actors who are a “dream team” of comedy!