OTV | Open Television

Open Television is a platform for indie arts and artists and research project run by Dr. Aymar Jean Christian at Northwestern University. We incubate art and artists commercial television studios and networks cannot develop consistently. We believe television is an art but must also showcase different types of art outside of the competition format we see on reality TV. We believe television must be open to diverse identities and their experiences, so we are committed to developing work from artists most often left out of commercial production: queer, trans, and cis-women and people of color. How does intersectional television develop? We're committed to finding out. http://weareo.tv 

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Now Presenting: Symbiotic

“Symbiotic” is a series created by Rachel Greenhoe about young queer people with invisible (and visible) disabilities trying to make their way in Chicago. The show follows Tara and Maggie, a newly moved-in-together couple who are trying to enjoy a normal life despite the limitations caused by Tara’s autism and Maggie’s host of issues.

Note: All of the actors have the same disabilities as their characters. 

Episode 1

Episode 2 

Episode 3

Episode 4 

Episode 5

Episode 6

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Now Presenting: Hook Ups

Hook Ups is a series by Arnetta Randall about Black queers dating and falling in lust. 

Episode 1 

Episode 2

Episode 3 

Episode 4

Episode 5

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Now Presenting: the T

Jo, a white trans woman craving an increasingly elusive intimacy, and Carter, a queer Black man at odds with his conservative upbringing, converge from opposite sides of Chicago for a magical New Year's Eve night. As hangovers fade, and the two friends face awkward hook-ups, nervous dates, and the unlikely pursuit of lasting love, at least they have each other. 

#TheTTV is written, directed, and stars Bea Cordelia and Daniel Kyri

Episode 1: Team T 

Episode 2: Team T pt. II 

Episode 3: Good Blood

Episode 4: Good Blood pt. II 

Episode 5: History

Watch the season finale here: https://vimeo.com/channels/thet/275682633

Episode 6: History pt. II

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Support work made by trans and queer folks for trans and queer folks and donate to the T’s Kickstarter today: http://kck.st/2HYqZaW

Set across Chicago, the T follows Jo and Carter, a young trans woman and queer Black man, as they learn how to be best friends in the wake of their romantic relationship, and Jo’s transition.

the T is produced and developed by Full Spectrum Features (Signature Move, The Orange Story) and OTV | Open Television (Brown Girls, Brujos), and has the official support of the City of Chicago, which named Bea Cordelia & Daniel Kyri Chicago’s Filmmakers-in-Residence for 2018.

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3 short days left to support this amazing series ! They’re only $3500 away from their goal. 

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Support work made by trans and queer folks for trans and queer folks and donate to the T’s Kickstarter today: http://kck.st/2HYqZaW

Set across Chicago, the T follows Jo and Carter, a young trans woman and queer Black man, as they learn how to be best friends in the wake of their romantic relationship, and Jo's transition.

the T is produced and developed by Full Spectrum Features (Signature Move, The Orange Story) and OTV | Open Television (Brown Girls, Brujos), and has the official support of the City of Chicago, which named Bea Cordelia & Daniel Kyri Chicago's Filmmakers-in-Residence for 2018.

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"the T" Web Series

Former lovers/best friends Jo & Carter, a trans woman & queer Black man, search for love, sex, & kinship in their native Chicago.

Please support this powerful project! 

Bea Cordelia & Daniel Kyri were born on the same day in Chicago on opposite sides of this segregated town. They came together through this show, north & south, black & white, cis & trans, and thoroughly queer! This show is beautiful, full of intimate, deeply felt performances exploring the sexual misadventures of young queer folx learning to love.

Former lovers/best friends Jo & Carter, a trans woman & queer Black man, search for love, sex, & kinship in their native Chicago.

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Now Presenting: Geeta’s Guide to Moving On - Season 1 Part 1

"Loss is inevitable. People die, relationships die. And grief is the gift that keeps on giving.” That’s what 30-year-old Geeta Gidwani learns at her first Divorce Support group meeting. This might make sense to her—except she isn’t divorced. Her Indian parents drag her to the group therapy session because they don’t know where else to get help for their heartbroken American daughter, who’s struggling through a devastating broken engagement. When her fiancé, Dani, dumps her after 10 years of dating, Geeta loses her one true love. Refusing to believe it’s over, she moves in with her Indian family, in the hopes that she and Dani will eventually get back together. The way this all-American girl comes to accept this loss and learns to move on is a new take on the modern American self-love story.

Created by and Story by: Puja Mohindra Executive Produced by: Puja Mohindra Screenplay by: Puja Mohindra and Rich Clarey Associate Producer: Rich Clarey Directed by: Phil White and Reshmi Hazra Rustebakke Edited by: Phil White Associate Editor: Kathryn Skrundz Casting Directors: Marissa Glesne and Kaitlyn Griggs Casting Assistant: Ashwaty Chennat Music Supervisor: Tony Scott-Greene Theme Song by: Eric Backus Additional Music By: Shanker Tucker Parth Shah The Fusion Project

Trailer

Episode 1 

Episode 2 

Episode 3

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Now Re-Presenting: The North Pole

The North Pole is a political comedy web series about three best friends born and raised in North Oakland, CA, who struggle to stay rooted as their neighborhood becomes a hostile environment. Across seven outrageous episodes, Nina, Marcus, and Benny fight, dream, and plot hilarious schemes to save the place they call home. Facing both gentrification and global warming, they combat evil landlords, crazy geoengineering plots, and ultimately each other.

//CREW// Written and Produced by Josh Healey Directed by Yvan Iturriaga Produced by Darren Colston Associate Producers: Dania Cabello, Mecky Creus, and Aleixo Goncalves Creative Consultants: Chinaka Hodge and Adam Mansbach Executive Produced by Movement Generation

//CAST// Reyna Amaya ('Nina') Donte Clark ('Marcus') Eli Marienthal ('Finn') Santiago Rosas ('Benny')

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Now Presenting: F*CK YES

F*ck Yes is a modern sex ed series focused on improving communication (and sex) between consenting adults. 

“Fingers” - In this episode, a couple negotiates morning sex.

//CAST & CREW// Writers: Julie Keck & Jessica King Director: Emily Best Cinematographer: Eve M. Cohen Editor: Jessica King Starring: Marnie Alton & Erica C. Anderson

“Threesome” - In this episode, a couple negotiates a threesome.

//CAST & CREW// Writers: Julie Keck & Jessica King Director: Jessica King Cinematographer: Hannah Welever Editor: Jessica King Starring: Daniel Kyri & Carlton McBeth

“Bucket List” - In this episode, a couple makes a sexual bucket list.

//CAST & CREW// Writers: Julie Keck & Jessica King Director: Jessica King Cinematographer: Hannah Welever Editor: Jessica King Starring: Guinevere Turner & Kaitlin Webster

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Now Presenting: The Exquisite Corpse

Chicago based artist co-op, "The Exquisite Corpse," has one week to come up with rent on threat of eviction. When the roommates decide to throw a huge "let's make-rent" arts fundraiser at the end of the week, all four roommates (Lee, Lizzard, Tre, and Sam) go into a frenzy trying to organize an event that will go down in DIY history. Amidst the chaos, Sam's yuppie sister, Dusty, seeks asylum from her quarter life-crisis spurred by on by the death of her dog Paul. Sam and Tre try to navigate the world of polyamory vs. monogamy, Lee begins a career as a drag queen, and Lizzard falls in love with an unexpected person. The Exquisite Corpse follows one week in the lives of these disparate personalities, with shifting perspectives, as they try to navigate love, family, art, and the acute need to make rent.

Created by Abby Pierce and Cassidy Slaughter-Mason

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Now Presenting: VELVET

Episodes 1-3 now available. Created by Allie Dunn, Leo Gilbert, Dru Greenwood, Tyla Landry, Sydney Levison, Clifton Lyons, Becky Schultz.

When Demetra, a competitive professional, is forced to reevaluate her social life, she strikes up a friendship with Cymone, her seemingly much cooler coworker. As their worlds collide to form a brand new #squad, these five young Chicagoans begin to reevaluate their own identities as well as their relationships to each other. By weaving together public and private experiences, VELVET comedically explores the joys, vulnerabilities, and everything-in-between of making new friends in your mid-twenties.

VELVET - Trailer 

VELVET - Pilot 

VELVET - Episode 2 - Fear Experiment 

VELVET - Episode 3 - First Time 

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Now Presenting: YOGMA

Karla, is a young smart yoga instructor with dreams of becoming a celebrity in the culture. Her starry eyes and optimism are met with conflict, confusion, and trouble in her rise to the top. She and her best friend Pasqual devise a plan for becoming the hottest thing on the yoga scene when they learn that traditional studios just wont support rising stars who don't "stay in their place.” Sheila and Hillary are old school teachers who make it a point to see that the girls stay in their place.

Yogma was created by Karla Huffman.

Starring:  Karla //  Karla Huffman as Karla, Elyse Weasley as Sheila, Hamidah Ihsan as Pasqual, Oliver Williams as Ontario, Tribble as Hillary, Anne Haag as Anne, and Alex Kapp as Uber creep.

Yogma - Episode 1 

Yogma - Episode 2 

Yogma - Episode 3 

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Now Presenting: SEEDS

Centered around the friendship of four college-aged girls, Seeds is a bold and dynamic narrative that explores their conversations through a hilariously authentic lens. Season one follows Jade, Maya, Beth & Danielle navigating a perplexing relationship, a wayward text putting their friendship on rocky waters. SEEDS is created by Deja Harrell and C.J. Thomas. 

STARRING: Deja Harrell as Jade, Kyra Jones as Maya, Dionne Addai as Beth, and Adia Alli as Danielle. 

SEEDS - Episode #1.1 We’re All Hoes

SEEDS - Episode #1.2 Capitalism

SEEDS - Episode #1.3 Minstrel Porn

SEEDS - Episode #1.4 Hollys & Hoteps

SEEDS — Episode #1.5 Dashikis & Cornrows

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Code-Switched is a comedy-drama series by Karan Sunil that follows the interconnected lives of five South Asian-American roommates and friends trying to blaze their own trails in a world of high-expectations, fleeting relationships, and gentrified workplaces.

See the premiere of Code-Switched at In Progress: OTV | Open Television Tonight March 6th!

Stay up to date with all of our premieres and events by signing up for the #OTVProgram weareo.tv/program

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OTV | Open Television is BACK with a brand new slate of #OTVOriginals and #OTVPresents. 

Have a look back at Cycle 2 with @browngirlswebseries , #AfternoonSnatch, #BrujosTV, In Real Life, #STARvingArtists,#GeetasGuide to Moving On, Two Queens in a Kitchen / #2QIK, The Furies, Reality is Not Good Enough, Ambivert, Triggers, and You Should Know This By Now.

Cycle 3 #OTVPresents: 

#TheTTV by Bea Cordelia and Daniel Kyri, Exquisite Corpse by Cassidy Slaughter-Mason and Abby Pierce, Chasing Adam by Derrick Woods-Morrow, FUCK YES by Jessica King and Julie Keck, Hair Story by OTV founder Aymar Jean-Christian, Quare Life by M Shelly Conner, Code-Switched by Karan Sunil, and Sur La Nuit by Alexa Grae. 

Cycle 3 #OTVOriginals: 

#SeedsSeries by Deja Harrell, #Yogma by Karla Huffman, and Velvet.

Join us on March 6th for the 2nd annual #OTVTonight at the @mcachicago where we will be screening the premieres of Seeds, Yogma, and Velvet and interviewing the creators.  Facebook Event.

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BRUJOS Installment 3: Death (Sagitarrius, Capricorn & Aquarius)

Episode 11: Aquarius

BRUJOS IS A QUEER-OF-COLOR, RADICALLY POLITICIZED WEB SERIES FOLLOWING FOUR GAY LATINO DOCTORAL CANDIDATES–THAT ARE ALSO WITCHES. THEY NAVIGATE MAGIC, SEXUALITY, AND SURVIVING A WITCH-HUNT LED BY A SECRET SOCIETY OF WHITE HETERONORMATIVE MALE DESCENDENTS OF THE FIRST NEW WORLD COLONIZERS.

Brujos is a series written and created by Ricardo Gamboa. It is directed by Ricardo Gamboa, Reshmi Hazra-Rustebakke, & Robert Stockwell

Watch the whole first season (11 episodes) here: https://vimeo.com/channels/brujos

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BRUJOS Installment 3: Death (Sagitarrius, Capricorn & Aquarius)

Episode 10: Capricorn

BRUJOS IS A QUEER-OF-COLOR, RADICALLY POLITICIZED WEB SERIES FOLLOWING FOUR GAY LATINO DOCTORAL CANDIDATES–THAT ARE ALSO WITCHES. THEY NAVIGATE MAGIC, SEXUALITY, AND SURVIVING A WITCH-HUNT LED BY A SECRET SOCIETY OF WHITE HETERONORMATIVE MALE DESCENDENTS OF THE FIRST NEW WORLD COLONIZERS.

Brujos is a series written and created by Ricardo Gamboa. It is directed by Ricardo Gamboa, Reshmi Hazra-Rustebakke, & Robert Stockwell

Watch the whole first season (11 episodes) here: https://vimeo.com/channels/brujos