Springing from a YouTube video called It Could Happen to You, the movie Bridegroom went from the big screen to the small screen, capturing people's attention along the way.
The documentary depicts the relationship between Shane Bitney Crone and Tom Bridegroom. Tragedy tears them apart, teaching them how important marriage laws are in the process.
Director Linda Bloodworth Thomason ( Designing Women ) splices the story together with photos and personal footage. There are humorous moments at the beginning of the film but by the end there was not a dry eye in the house of a recent screening at the Chicago History Museum.
Windy City Times spoke to Crone after that screening and before the debut on OWN ( the Oprah Winfrey Network ).
Windy City Times: Hi, Shane. Take our readers through you story from the beginning. How did Linda Bloodworth Thomason become your director?
Shane Bitney Crone: It was right after I posted my YouTube video and it went viral. She saw it and called me to meet with her at her office. She convinced me that this was a story that needed to be told and she wanted to be the one to tell it. Just given the fact that there was such a positive response from the video and how it was helping people, I felt like making a documentary was the right thing to do.
WCT: When did the YouTube video come out?
SBC: That was May 7, 2012.
WCT: Sounds like a whirlwind.
SBC: Right, and it has been a journey. We posted the YouTube video and had that whole experience then we launched a whole crowd funding campaign, which became the most successful crowd funding campaign in the history of the website Kickstarter.
We premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and had President Clinton introduce the film. Now we are premiering on the Oprah Winfrey Network. It is all kind of crazy!
WCT: I saw Adam Lambert from American Idol had been at a recent screening.
SBC: Yes; we had the premiere a few nights ago in Los Angeles and he came. I had met him at a GLAAD event about six months ago. We sat at the same table and we talked about the film. He wanted to help any way that he could. It was his idea to let us use one of his songs called "Outlaws of Love," which is in the film. He came to the premiere to show his support, which is awesome.
WCT: How did the film get picked up on OWN?
SBC: It was sent to them and, fortunately, Oprah saw it and she wanted to premiere it. It is huge for us and a tremendous honor. It will help us reach people that we would not have been able to before. I am grateful for that.
WCT: Have you met the big O yet?
SBC: I have not. I hope to someday. She is someone that I look up to. I consider her a hero so that would be an honor.
WCT: It is also being released on Netflix the same day?
SBC: That is right and it will be on DVD Nov. 19.
WCT: It's so fast how things happen now.
SBC: It really is. We worked on the film not even a year before it premiered at Tribeca. It was really on the fast track. We worked on the film seven days a week usually ten to twelve hours a day to get it done in time.
WCT: How are your grandmothers that were in the film?
SBC: My grandmas are great. My Grandma Pat and Grandma Judy have not seen the film yet. They are looking forward to seeing it. I want to see what they think. They are just so proud and happy with everything that has happened. I am so grateful that they participated in the film because I think that they added a lot.
WCT: They were a hoot. Illinois will possibly pass gay marriage the week that this movie comes out.
SBC: Really? The irony...
WCT: What would you say to all of the people fighting for that?
SBC: I want to say thank you for everyone fighting for it. It really will be a situation where it is, state by state. I am grateful that they are doing that because it will hopefully lead to other states passing it. I am hopeful and wish I could be there!
WCT: What a pleasure it was having you here for the screening here in Illinois, though. I am glad you made it to that.
SBC: Thank you. The screening was incredible and the audience that night was amazing. To be there and make the announcement about the OWN premiere made it a very special evening. I am glad you were there, too.
WCT: How do readers keep updated about things with you?
SBC: I usually post on my Facebook page. It is www.facebook.com/ShaneBitneyCroneOfficial or the Bridegroom Movie Facebook page.
Look for Bridegroom on the Oprah Winfrey Network on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 9 p.m. CT.
