STREAMING CINEMA
“Journeys”: When Three’s Company
Matt Lynn’s second web season probes couple branching out
BY GARY M. KRAMER
Matt Lynn, an out gay cinematographer
turned-fi lmmaker, just released
Season 2 of his webseries,
“Journeys” in both an X-rated version
(available on Himeros TV) and on YouTube
in a PG-13 version (where the four explicit 15-20
minute episodes run 10 minutes).
This season, written by Daniel F. Cardone
and produced by Davey Wavey, features an allnew
cast. This time around, the drama has
Otto (Andre Donovan) and Desmond (Adam
Ramzi) opening up their relationship, only for
Otto to have confl icted feelings about this arrangement.
He eventually meets a couple, Jesse
(Max Adonis) and David (Ricky Roman), who
help him get a new perspective on things.
Gay City News recently chatted with Lynn
about “Journeys” and navigating shifting dynamics
in gay male relationships.
GARY M. KRAMER: This season has a different
feel and cast from the previous season.
How did this iteration of “Journeys” evolve?
MATT LYNN: In season 1, I pitched Davey
Wavey the idea of losing your partner and fi nding
a connection. This season was more lighthearted.
I made it about a couple opening their
relationship. By having Otto talking in direct
address to the audience, it was more playful
and fun.
KRAMER: “Journeys” tackles the topic
of threesomes, which you also addressed in
your other series, “The Third.” What are your
thoughts on open or evolving relationships,
thruples, and the idea of cheating if one is monogamous?
LYNN: It’s funny, I’m broaching this topic
of threesomes in multiple projects. A lot of gay
men feel they need to be heteronormative in
their relationships. But I think exploring and
defi ning our relationships for ourselves is very
important.
In our modern times, to explore what sexuality
means to us is very important, and we are
able to explore that in our cinema and media
by telling these stories. I’ve been in a monogamous,
closed relationship for four years now,
but for a lot of couples, it is important to ask
the questions and fi nd what works for you and
your partner or partners. Because everyone’s
different.
KRAMER: You inject your series with humor
and sex, but “Journeys” actually tackles the serious
subject of relationships and jealousy. Can
you talk about creating a tone that balances
the sex with emotion?
LYNN: I think it’s very important that we
don’t think of sex as something different — that
sex is an equal partner in the story. The sex
scenes have a purpose. Sex is emotion and intimacy
and vulnerability, so it allows you to connect
with an audience.
The opening scene of episode 1, if you’ve been
in a long term relationship, you’ve probably
tried a three-way and the third was far more
into one partner than the other. That immediately
brings up a lot of emotion.
That’s a part of the sexual experience that
hasn’t been talked about a lot. When you have
jealousy, you need to connect. In every episode
we address how do we communicate emotional
truth and character through sexual experiences?
That’s how we started writing, and we went
from there.
KRAMER: Some of the more explicit sex
scenes reveal the characters in private moments,
but these are also where the characters
were being watched. What are your observations
about voyeurism and consuming pornography?
LYNN: One thing I love about doing this project
is that it deals directly with voyeurism. Otto
breaking the fourth wall, saying, “I know you’re
watching this” and jerks off for us. He has an
emotional connection with the audience.
The series is about what does it mean to be
vulnerable — are you cheating on your partner
if you jerk off in a monogamous relationship?
That’s what the show is asking. We all are voyeurs.
What is acceptable to you and your partner?
And it’s about communication and talking.
KRAMER: The series talks about being present
in a relationship, having secrets from your
partner. What observations do you have about
how we engage and detach from our partners?
LYNN: It comes down to communication.
It’s diffi cult to have these conversations with
people you’re intimate and vulnerable with because
you’re afraid of rejection. I like being able
to broach this subject and discuss opening a
relationship or having these feelings someone
can’t explain or understand. Most people in monogamous
relationships don’t know how to talk
about what they want. Three-ways and open
relationships happen; it’s how you choose to establish
it. And we plant a seed for people to talk
about it.
JOURNEYS | Directed by Matt Lynn | Streaming
on Himeros TV and YouTube
JOURNEYS
Adam Ramzi and Andre Donovan in season two of Matt Lynn’s
“Journeys.”
PHOTO JOURNEYS
Andre Donovan and Adam Ramzi as a couple exploring threesomes
while maintaining their intimate passion.
PHOTO JOURNEYS
Voyeurism is also explored this season in “Journeys.”
June 25- July 15, 2 64 020 | GayCityNews.com
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