Today's Ypulse Interview is with Susan Miller and Tina Cesa Ward, the executive producers and writers behind "Anyone But Me," a groundbreaking web series that centers around a lesbian high school relationship, but explores a lot of adolescent issues beyond sexuality. Given our ongoing discussion on Ypulse around the lack of realistic media portrayals of teens, particularly those who identify as GLBT, I was excited to get in touch with Tina and Susan and ask them some questions.

Ypulse: What inspired "Anyone But Me"? Are the characters of Vivian and Aster based on anyone?

Tina Cesa Ward: Firstly, the characters of "Anyone But Me" are all fictional, but it's great to think we've developed them to the degree that you'd ask that. What inspired the series in general was a couple of things. Today's teens were very young when 9/11 happened so the life that we live now in New York is different to us but not so different to them. Because it's all they know. They're annoyed by the "See Something, Say Something" announcements as opposed to the unwelcome feeling that I get when I hear it. But besides that aspect I wanted to tell a story about a gay teen that has already come out but then is forced to deal with coming out all over again. Gays and Lesbians don't have just one coming out story because we have to do it again and again, whether we change schools or as adults switch jobs. And the anxiety of the task is still there.

Susan Miller: It’s a question now of what continues to inspire "Anyone But Me." I'd say it's the tenuous thrilling moment of being a young adult. It's the undercurrent of discrimination and hate that still divides us. It's the backdrop of New York. What defines the city also inspires the show: Difference. How we celebrate it. How it complicates our lives. And it's the richly diverse characters we get to depict. Like Vivian and Aster. Who are pure invention, but how real are they! Right? I’m excited as a writer to grow them, to take them deeper and out of the box. It’s cool that our fans of all ages find them so relatable. Maybe because our characters are dealing with the perilous human condition we all know as high school, and we’ve all been there.

YP: How did you decide on formatting it as a web series? What were the advantages and challenges to working in that format?

TCW: I came from the film world. I had some success but was frustrated with the industry. So back in 2007 a friend had mentioned doing something on the internet. I immediately scoffed at the idea but then came around to the idea of doing a series. And it's been fantastic ever since, both as a writer/producer and as a director. It's fun to write episodes in such a short format. You really have to get to the meat of a scene fast. And it's obviously a challenge as well. As a director, you have different obstructions. Budget limitations are always a challenge, especially when we are adamant about maintaining a certain standard. But directing a web series is not like directing a film or TV, it's a great amalgamation of them both and that makes it fun. As a producer the advantages are that you're in control of your own destiny to a certain extent. If you can get people to tune in, you’re your series will continue. Of course that's the challenge as well. You have to find sponsorship for your show. And that's something we continually work at. Thankfully we're starting our second season, but we're still in need of sponsorship.

SM: I was so up for this. I love reinvention. I’m a playwright. When I got tired of messengers delivering the message, I wrote a one person show to perform myself. I’ve written for film and television. A web series? I didn’t know what it was or how to pull it off, so of course, yes. Yes! It’s crazy, but it belongs to us! No interfering "development" notes from above. I like that we have a compressed amount of time on the page to develop characters and situations. I’m happy – you heard it here – working my ass off in every aspect of making this show happen. It’s also a complete drain on every other aspect of my creative life. But, hey! One million views and counting is not a bad price to pay.

YP: How do you think teen life today is different in terms of tolerance when both of you were in high school? What factors do you think contributed to those changes and how do you try to examine them on the show?

SM: Well, I’m a baby boomer, so in high school being different in anyway was suspect. Really, if you wore the wrong color on Tuesdays, you were queer. In college that all changed and conformity was the oppressor. I came of age with the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution, so there was an almost giddy sense that we were going to right the wrongs. Who knew the reality would be such an ongoing fight. I think teenagers at this moment are more aware of difference. And less afraid of it. There are places to find company. The internet opens a huge door. Which is why so many people connect to our show and, through our show, to one another. We’re trying to shine a light on young people struggling with identity and modern relationships in a complicated time.

TCW: I think the major difference is visibility. LGBT issues are out in the open for everyone in the country to see now, whereas 15, 20 years ago that wasn't the case. It was easier for us Gen Xers to go unnoticed because it was during a time when homosexuality wasn't as integrated into our culture as it is now. Today you can't see a comedic movie trailer or a TV show that doesn't have the ubiquitous gay joke. And I think that has advantages and disadvantages for today's teens. With visibility comes a higher chance for discrimination and hate crimes but also the higher chance for tolerance. So right now we're in a sticky situation, but it's a major stepping-stone to a better future. And so with "Anyone But Me" we really try to take all of that into account as our characters move through their everyday lives.

YP: On teen TV today gay characters are still often on the periphery and realistic lesbian teen characters virtually nonexistent. Can you speak to what perpetuates those mainstream barriers and why you felt it was so important to
break them?

SM: Religion, fear of losing sponsors, misinformation. These things keep people apart and in the dark. This is so damaging for teenagers, especially. They have to be able to see themselves in other people. Everyone needs access to a narrative that includes one’s own. That’s why "Anyone But Me" is telling their stories. But, being a gay teenager is also being a son, a daughter, a friend, a student, a basketball player, a reader, an actress, a screw up, neurotic, brave, introverted, popular, conflicted, beautiful, nerdy, sexually active, a virgin, wondering what movie to see…

TCW: Well. I think the short answer is that gay characters are still on the periphery because the decision makers don't feel that shows with lead gay characters will attract anyone outside the LGBT community. There is still a major part of this country that is not gay friendly (to put it mildly) And I get discouraged sometimes when I look at how few shows even have lead characters that are people of color. But then I see new shows (thanks to cable) that have women in the lead role. So I remain optimistic. But until then, there is an audience out there that is begging to see characters that they can relate to, that will help them feel better about who they are. And that's what we hope we bring with "Anyone But Me."

YP: What can we look forward to next season? Plot-wise and also in terms of current events. In season one we definitely felt the shadow of 9/11, will the gay marriage or "don't ask, don't tell" debates be a presence at all?

TCW: There's a lot to look forward to this season. And I'll let Susan elaborate on that. But I will say we're never far from important issues.

SM: We’re in the world. We acknowledge the world. So, get ready for situations which reflect that. Our season two opener is going to have people talking. And Tweeting. Can’t say any more.

Categorized under: Web

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