Andrew Meikle: Filmmaking, Activism, and Sex
Article written by Alexander Rodriguez, host of On the Rocks with Alexander
Filmmaker Andrew Meikle is steaming up the content market with his new series Two Brothers. Telling the story of two brothers who move to a small town, not only does it offer plenty of sex, hot boys, and booty shots, but it is also a pointed look at homophobia and racism.
Not only did Andrew write, produce, and direct the series, but he also stars as one of the brothers, Aaron, who not only is trying to blend in as a black man but is also dealing with his gay identity. Andrew started working on the piece during quarantine as his answer to the Black Lives Matter movement. Still not seeing his story being told in media, he took matters into his own hands.
No stranger to the industry, Meikle started acting when he was very young. From commercials to runway and TV, he knew that he was destined to tell his own series. Over a decade ago, he formed his own film company, Meikle Productions, and hasn’t looked back since. As a horror film aficionado, he celebrates graphic storytelling…and we couldn’t be more eager.
Andrew spent a little time with us on the eve of the debut of Two Brothers (coming June to AmazonPrime and OUTtv). We spilled the tea about filmmaking, coming out, and celebrity crushes. Check it out.
You've been a filmmaker for over a decade. The movie Scream inspired you to get into the entertainment business? What about it sparked that interest?
When I was watching the first Scream film the opening scene was just so powerful and it took me on a rollercoaster full of emotions. I wanted to be able to do the same thing. As a writer, it’s your job to make the audience feel whatever emotion you want. Whether you want them to laugh, cry, or be scared, it’s all up to you. When writing a series it’s your job to help the audience relate to the characters and what they’re going through. You also have control over what happens in the storylines, and the viewers depend on you to shock them every week.
What did you think of the last Scream movie?
I really enjoyed the last Scream film. I know there are a lot of mixed reviews out there, but I think the writers did a great job paying homage to the originals. This was the first Scream film done without Wes Craven, and I think they did it justice and honored him throughout the entire film. I won’t say any spoilers but I will say that I do wish they showed more of the legacy characters together and maybe a butt shot of Wes Hicks while he was in the shower. The only thing missing from the Scream franchise is nudity, lol!
What are the biggest obstacles facing an independent filmmaker in today's age?
The biggest thing would be finances. It’s very hard to make good quality films and TV these days if you don’t have the budget or a studio/streaming service to back you. Luckily, we have social media and word of mouth. With apps like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter all you need is for one scene to catch and go viral and the right person to see it and the views will speak for itself. If there are any investors out there, hit me up haha1
What is one of your worst dates that could be made into a movie?
Well, I don’t really have any bad date stories but I did get ghosted a lot and I can tell you that story. I met this guy and at first, we were just having fun and then he started introducing me to all his friends and we started hanging out more. I thought to myself that this might be going somewhere. Then he asked me if I could help him move into his new place and of course I said yes. It was just me and him moving his stuff, and it took us all day. We didn’t finish until like 2 am. Then after that, he totally ghosted me. Stopped responding to my messages, and said he was too busy to hang out e.t.c. I don’t know if it’d make a good movie, but it could definitely make it into a storyline for season two of the series
Growing up, you never really saw characters that looked like you on the screen. What is your take on the current emphasis on inclusive and diverse casting, is it just a fad or is it here to stay?
I think it’s great to see more BIPOC fans on TV and more stories being told. I don’t think it’s just a fad, I think people are realizing that they need to do better. I’m extremely happy to see shows like All American on the CW which features a predominant cast of people of color. I think with more black writers coming out and wanting to tell more of their stories, it’s here to stay. With casting roles, if the story doesn’t specify race then I think it should be open to all ethnicities and the best person who can make the character come to life should be cast.
What is your coming-out story?
I didn’t fully come out until I was 25. I had a core group of people who knew, but I wasn’t openly gay until I hit 25 when I met my husband. When I met him I didn’t want to hide it anymore, I decided that I’m older now and I want to be able to do things with him. Things like inviting him to family functions, going out with him in public, and not worrying about someone seeing us. It was hard at first. Especially growing up as a black man and hearing words like “Chi Chi mon” and “Betty mon” (Jamaican slurs) being thrown around. Whenever they would show guys kissing on TV my dad would say how disgusting it was. So it never felt like the right time.
My parents separated long before I came out and my mom ended up meeting and marrying a really nice guy. I never heard any of those things come out of his mouth and I finally felt comfortable enough to be my true self. So I called my cousin, who is also my best friend. We got some drinks and I messaged my mom and told her. I am way better at writing my feelings down which is why I didn’t do it in person. She did respond with “ I love you, you’re still my son. It’s going to take some time” which is fair. But I use to think to myself “How did she not know?” I grew up liking Spice Girls, Buffy, and every other empowered female there was out there at the time. I guess I fooled her with all the That’s So Raven and Mary Kate and Ashley posters on my wall lol.
Eventually, she came around and she would invite my husband and I to dinners and we would all hang out. It was nice. When we were planning the wedding my mom was very involved in helping out and making sure that it was a special day for us. So I am very grateful and happy about that.
I can’t say the same for my dad. Apparently, someone sent him a photo of my husband and me kissing before I could tell him and I haven’t spoken to him since. He essentially ghosted me, stopped texting me, answering my calls, he has completely ignored me. My mom was the one who told me that he found out and that’s the reason why. So we haven’t spoken in 8 years. Yeah, it sucks, but I don’t need that negative energy in my life.
What do you want straight audiences to walk away with from watching Two Brothers?
I would like straight audiences to watch this show like it was any other show on television. Just because it focuses on gay storylines, that doesn’t mean they can’t relate. We’ve all experienced first loves, heartaches, e.t.c. The feelings are no different just because they’re gay. I would also like to use this show to educate them. There are so many people out there who still don’t understand why we need gay pride. I want this show to show them that we’re all the same and there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be treated the same. The only difference between us is what goes on in the bedroom. Gay or straight, what goes on in your bedroom is no ones business but your own
What do you want gay audiences to walk away with from watching Two Brothers?
I want the gay audiences to walk away feeling seen and heard and turned on at times. There’s lots of sex haha and bums ;). In all seriousness, I tried to capture the different stages in my life that I went through before coming out. One character is in the closet, another thought his feelings for the same sex would go away and when he turned 25 he’d settle down with a girl and live happily ever after, and another character is very open and sex-positive. Hopefully, they can relate to and see themselves in the different characters throughout the show.
I know a lot of the shows out that tell queer stories always focus on the negative and show the struggles. Which this show does do. But that’s only because I’m using the series to tell a bit of my story. I plan to steer away from that in the second season and just show these characters living their lives. With some drama of course.
What did you learn most about yourself from making the series?
I learned that if you want something done, you truly have to do it yourself. My dream was to one day star in a tv series on a platform for the world to see. Here I am about to release my own show on Amazon Prime and OUTTV. It’s still so surreal to me, and it won’t feel real until I see it on the streaming platform when I’m scrolling through. I also learned that I still have a lot to learn when it comes to directing, and I thank my amazing cast and crew for helping me along the way.
Like I said before. I’m not great at expressing how I feel out loud, so this series was a great way for me to do that.
What has been your personal experience with racism?
Growing up was tough. I truly didn’t know where I belonged. I went to a predominately white elementary school and my core group of best friends was 5 Jewish guys. I remember going home and asking my mom why I couldn’t spike my hair like my friends. As the years went on I had to figure out who I wanted to be and where I fit in. When white people look at me, I’m not white. When black people look at me, I’m not black enough. So I felt like I was stuck in the middle. People would say things like “You dress white,” "you listen to white people music,” “You’re a half-breed, you don’t understand” and someone even called me a zebra. So I was experiencing racism not just from white people, but from black people as well. Which always confused me because I couldn’t change my skin color just like they couldn’t change theirs.
Should we, as gay men, be trying to build bridges with the conservative side? or has that time passed?
There’s always an opportunity to dialogue with those who may hold different views than our own. Now more than ever it’s important to build bridges where possible.
How can the LGBTQ community best support the black community?
In my opinion, just make more safe spaces for BIPOC members of the LGBTQ community. It’s hard enough being gay and trying to fit in. Being black and gay is a real challenge. Especially when we see things on dating apps that say “No fats, No fems, No blacks.” DO BETTER. You don’t need to specify that on your profile. That’s just you being a dick. I won’t get into it cause there are a lot of different opinions on this subject. I will say this. It’s bad that we have to fight people outside our community so let’s just come together more inside our community. Just like you can’t change the fact that you’re gay, they can’t change the fact that they're black. So why make them feel bad for it?
How can the black community best support the LGBTQ community?
I would say they can be more accepting and show that it’s safe for black people to come and be their true selves. Show kids growing up that being black and gay isn’t a death sentence. This will allow gay black teens that are growing up to feel like they can explore their sexuality and not suppress it and hide it.
Ok, now for some tea. What do love and dating look like for you?
I am happily married to my husband. We have been together for 8 years and married for 6. We have a fur baby named Chucky (yes after the killer doll) and we have been living in our house that we bought together five years ago.
Who is your celebrity crush that you'd love to direct in a love scene?
Omg, I would LOVE to direct a love scene with Andre Lamoglia who plays Ivan in Netflix’s show ELITE. He is GORGEOUS and I think he’s a great actor. So Andre, if you’re reading this….slide into my DMs!
If you were given $10 million to make your next film, what would it be about?
I would definitely go back to my roots and make a horror film. I love horror movies, that’s the genre I am most passionate about. But I would love to see one with some main characters being gay. I haven’t seen any yet so I think it would be a good spin. To have a final boy instead of a final girl.
Is it time for Award shows to go away? The Oscars were a mess!
No Comment….I might want to win one, I don’t need this coming back to haunt me hahaha!
You had the straight actors in Two Brothers try on some Andrew Christians. What did they love about them most?
I think they mostly loved how big it made their junk look haha. There were a lot of comments on the fabric and how it felt against their skin so that was a plus. They were very engaged in the penis pouches at the front. They liked that there was something to hold their dicks in place. They rocked them when they tried them on. It fits them very nicely, see for yourself in the full video!
Check out the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEHvYO3yDac&lc=Ugyk3oZmXGKqUchBiFp4AaABAg
If you were to design a pair of Andrew Christian underwear, what would the look like?
I would make underwear with a flap in the front that I could remove easily for various reasons….to use the bathroom of course….maybe something else haha. You have assless ones, but let's get some that let it all hang out., so we can really see what these guys are working with ;)
Check out the trailer for Two Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6w3B-n-WGM
And head to www.TwoBrothersWebSeries.com for more info!