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Pretty Dudes
GenreDramedy
Sex comedy
LGBTQ
Independent
Created by
  • Chance Calloway
Directed byChance Calloway
Starring
  • Bryan Michael Nuñez
  • Xavier Avila
  • Kyle Rezzarday
  • Yoshi Sudarso
  • Tiffany Commons
  • Joshuah Noah Snel
  • Aria Song
  • Manny Shih
  • Christian Olivo
  • Tae Song
  • Olivia Thai
Opening theme"How We Break ('Pretty Dudes' Anthem)" by Matt Almodiel, Chance Calloway and Peter Su
  • "How We Break (A.J. Sealy Remix)" by A.J. Sealy
ComposerTrey Randol
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes39 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Chance Calloway
  • Jomar Miranda
Producers
  • Matthew Elam
  • Elton Keung
Cinematography
  • Andrew Ge
  • Somlit Inthalangsy
Editors
  • Anthony "Tony Blaze" Blaisdell
  • Boki Vukajlovic
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time9–34 minutes
Production company
  • Stoopid Ambitious
Original release
ReleaseMarch 25, 2018 (2018-03-25) –
present (present)

Pretty Dudes is an American LGBTQ digital dramedy created by Chance Calloway that tells the story of a group of friends in Southern California who navigate in and out of platonic and romantic relationships. Predominantly featuring an inclusive and intersectional cast and crew, the series stars an ensemble that includes Xavier Avila, Tiffany Commons, Bryan Michael Nuñez, Kyle Rezzarday, Manny Shih, Joshuah Noah Snel, Aria Song, Tae Song, Yoshi Sudarso, and Olivia Thai.[1] Pretty Dudes aired initially on YouTube and streams on Amazon Prime Video and VOD service Stoopid Ambitious as of 2019.[2][3]

Premise

[edit]

Set in the greater Los Angeles area, the series follows a group of millennial friends of varying races, genders, and backgrounds as they navigate platonic and romantic relationships. Photographer Zario (Bryan Michael Nuñez), business law student Ellington (Xavier Avila), gamer Alexander (Kyle Rezzarday), and doumi Jay (Tae Song) live with model Sunji (Yoshi Sudarso), where they are frequently visited by hard-drinking neighbor Eagle (Olivia Thai). After entering a bet to get Zario a new boyfriend, resentments and betrayals cause friction in the group. The second season expands the main group to include painter Kish (Tiffany Commons), art gallery owner December (Aria Song), Ellington's younger brother Marshall (Joshuah Noah Snel), and December's younger brother Boaz (Manny Shih).

Cast and characters

[edit]

Main cast

[edit]
Character Actor Occupation Seasons
1 1.5
Hector "Zario" del Rosario Bryan Michael Nuñez photographer Main Guest
Ellington Gomez-Pacheco Xavier Avila business law student Main
Jericho "Jay" Kim Tae Song doumi Main
Alexander Erzhähler Kyle Rezzarday gamer Main
Sunji Spencer Yoshi Sudarso model and actor Main
Eagle Diolosa Olivia Thai active duty airman Main
Marshall Gomez-Pacheco Joshuah Noah Snel unknown Recurring Main
December Lín Aria Song* art critic Recurring Main
Rock Diolosa Marc Fajardo unknown Recurring Main
Kish Yancey Tiffany Commons painter Main
Boaz Lín Manny Shih* photographer Main
Cassian "The Body" Crosby Christian Olivo† actor Main
†Prior to joining the cast as season two regulars, both Manny Shih and Aria Song appeared earlier in the season, Song in a guest spot (episode: "The Death of Romeo") and Shih in a recurring status.
*Olivo appeared in a recurring status for the majority of the season, though was credited as a lead for his initial consecutive appearances.

Recurring

[edit]
  • Stacy Snyder as Mandy
  • Cesar Cipriano as Shane Cortez[4]
  • Chelsea Gray as Ty
  • Kelsey Toussant as Calligraphy "Callie" Reynolds
  • Stanley Wong as Erwin Lee
  • Leo Lam as Gregory
  • Carlin James as Elijah
  • Nicko Sabado as Lando
  • Courtney Grant as Tevin
  • Sammy Cantu as Ken Dahl (season 2)
  • Charlit Dae as Ram Takada (season 2)
  • Tatiana A. Lee as Geneva Fauntleroy (season 2)
  • Anthony Ma as Michael Michigan (season 2)
  • Brennan Mejia as Carver Gomez-Pacheco (season 2)
  • Peter Adrian Sudarso as Quincy (season 2)
  • Angelique Maurnae as Armoni Chantal (season 2)
  • Henita Telo as Fable (season 2)
  • Amira Gray as Nia (season 2)
  • Dickie Hearts as Chance (season 1)
  • Michael Bow as Genie (season 1)
  • Clifford Cisneros as Zach Largaespada (season 1)
  • Tony Garbanzos as Patrick (season 1)
  • Beau Sia as Stranger (season 1)

Guest

[edit]
  • Dion Basco as Samuel ("All-American Type")
  • Osric Chau as Vincint ("The Death of Romeo")
  • Giovannie Espiritu
  • Wilson Lai as Korey ("Spectrum")
  • Avalon Penrose as White Kish ("Chicos Lindos")

Episodes

[edit]
SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
119October 11, 2016 (2016-10-11)April 4, 2017 (2017-04-04)
219December 24, 2019 (2019-12-24)TBA

Season 1

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
11"The Curse"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Tony GarbanzosOctober 11, 2016 (2016-10-11)
Alexander, Ellington, Jay, Sunji, and Zario have an unsuccessful night at the club.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of filmmaker Oscar Micheaux.
Cast notes: First recurring appearances of Cesar Cipriano (Shane), Tony Garbanzos (Patrick), Amanda Suk (Jerrica), and Kelsey Toussant (Callie).
22"The Dudes Make a Bet"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayOctober 18, 2016 (2016-10-18)
After returning from the club, the Dudes decide to enter a high-stakes bet to find Zario a new boyfriend.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of singer Juan Gabriel.
33"Girls"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayOctober 25, 2016 (2016-10-25)
Jay consults with a Stranger and Ellington's younger brother Marshall for assistance with gay dating apps. The Dudes head to the gym, but not before Zario has an awkward run-in with Ellington's girlfriend Mandy.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of activist Marsha P. Johnson.
Cast notes: First recurring appearances of Joshuah Noah Snel (Marshall), Stacy Snyder (Mandy) and Beau Sia (Stranger).
44""Who's Miss Bliss?""Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayNovember 1, 2016 (2016-11-01)
Alexander uncovers mysterious details about Sunji's past. Sunji meets with a director about a potential role.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of performer Dorothy Dandridge.
Cast notes: First recurring appearance of Stanley Wong (Erwin).
55"Millennial Gay"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayNovember 1, 2016 (2016-11-01)
The Dudes try to use their expertise in picking up women to give Zario confidence to get back into the gay dating scene. Jay's positive he's going to win the bet, which causes Ellington to devise ways to up the stakes.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of writer and activist James Baldwin.
Cast notes: First appearances of Olivia Thai (Eagle). Thai would be upgraded to lead with the very next episode.
66"The First Straw"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayNovember 15, 2016 (2016-11-15)
Zario goes out on the first date of the bet, with a nervous suitor chosen by an equally nervous Alexander. Ellington reveals that he has plans to marry Mandy.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of Eddie Aikau.
Cast notes: First recurring appearances of Dickie Hearts (Chance), Nicko Sabado (Lando), and Jeffrey Jay Soto (Mick).
77"Americano"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayNovember 22, 2016 (2016-11-22)
The Dudes discuss gender, sexuality, and marriage over coffee.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of Vincent Chin.
Cast notes: First recurring appearances of Aria Song (December) and Chelsea Gray (Ty).
88"They Call It Falling for a Reason"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Jeremy SinclairDecember 4, 2016 (2016-12-04)
While out on a date with Eagle's pick for the bet, Zario reminisces about his relationship with Shane (Cesar Cipriano).
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of Jason Raize.
99"All-American Type"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayDecember 5, 2016 (2016-12-05)
Zario takes pictures for a podcast, where a group of industry performers discuss the state of Asian American representation in filmmaking. Sunji, Jay, and Alexander battle a spider.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of Sessue Hayakawa.
Cast notes: First recurring appearances by Dion Basco, Chance Calloway and Carlin James, all of whom would not appear again until the second season. First recurring appearance by Leo Lam (Gregory).
1010"Dem Genes"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayDecember 13, 2016 (2016-12-13)
Jay's cousin stops through town in the middle of the night and Jay drags Zario along to meet him. Ellington's proposal to Mandy gets interrupted when she presents a proposition of her own.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of brothers George and Willie Muse.
Cast notes: First of two guest appearances by Michael Bow (Genie).
1111"Three Dinners"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayDecember 20, 2016 (2016-12-20)
Eagle finally convinces Rock to have the Dudes over at their place. Sunji puts a plan into motion in hopes of getting Jerrica back. Zario goes on date number five, but runs into Chance again.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of electronic engineer Gerald "Jerry" Lawson.
Cast notes: First recurring appearance by Kevin Young.
1212"How We Break"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayFebruary 14, 2017 (2017-02-14)
Zario and his date grow a deeper connection. Eagle and Rock's prank war escalates uncomfortably. Sunji's attempts to woo Jerrica backfire.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of writer Qiu Miaojin.
1313"Level Up"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayFebruary 14, 2017 (2017-02-14)
The Dudes decide to focus their energy on fitness over romance, but Alexander and Eagle both find potential love connections at the coffee shop.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of Hazel Ying Lee.
Cast notes: First recurring appearance by Clifford Cisneros (Zach).
1414"Bedfellows"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayFebruary 28, 2017 (2017-02-28)
In the course of one night
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of songwriter Howard Ashman.
1515"Healthy Competition"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayMarch 7, 2017 (2017-03-07)
Zario gives Mr. Seventeen a redo date, but memories of his past relationships threaten to sour the mood.
'Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of performer Eartha Kitt.
1616"Tastes Like Finger"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Bryan Michael NuñezMarch 14, 2017 (2017-03-14)
Zario gives Mr. Seventeen a redo date, but memories of his past relationships threaten to sour the mood.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of LGBT advocate Blake Brockington.
1717"Dude Dares"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Tony GarbanzosMarch 21, 2017 (2017-03-21)
Tensions rise with a high stakes game of Truth or Dare.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of boxer Muhammad Ali.
1818"Liminal Spaces"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayMarch 28, 2017 (2017-03-28)
Zario decides who wins the bet as all the Dudes congregate at Eagle and Rock's place.
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of writer Essex Hemphill.
Cast notes: This episode marks the final appearance of Beau Sia as Stranger.
1919"Where the Music's Strong, the Drinks Are Loud"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayApril 4, 2017 (2017-04-04)
Zario and Marshall go out to celebrate the end of the bet, and the night
Episode notes: Dedicated in memory of Calloway's older brother Travis Parker Johnson. Episode title is pulled from the 1989 Patti LaBelle song "Still in Love."
Cast notes: This episode marks the final appearances of Tae Song (Jay), Olivia Thai (Eagle), Tony Garbanzos (Patrick), and Jeffrey Jay Soto (Mick).

Season 2

[edit]
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
201"The Death of Romeo"
(triple-length season premiere)		Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher Edelen
FlickIt Presents! The Death of Romeo written by Vince Cruz		March 17, 2020 (2020-03-17)
212
223
The Dudes are back, and there are big changes. The Gomez brothers have moved in with Sunji, Alexander, and Zario in a new house. Sunji and Zario don't seem to be getting along, and Alexander starts a beef with Kish, the tenant who lives in Sunji's basement. The Dudes throw a fateful housewarming party.
Episode notes: Dedicated to the memory of Spencer Williams.
Cast notes: Joshuah Noah Snel (Marshall) becomes a regular cast member. First appearances of regular Christian Olivo (Cassian) and first recurring appearance of Manny Shih as Boaz.
234"Amnesty Night"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
245"Jack of All Shades"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayTBA
256"Chicos Lindos"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
267"Meat Cute"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
278"Set Phasers to Ho"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayTBA
289"Gobble Gobble"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
2910"Cake Responsibly"Gerry Maravilla
3011"Merc'd"Chance CallowayAndrea LeeTBA
3112"Spectrum"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
3213"Untitled Sunji Spencer Project"Stanley WongC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
3314"Deus Sex Machina"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
3415"Present Tense"Heather Matarazzo[5]C.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
3516"Arm Candy"Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayDecember 15, 2020 (2020-12-15)
3617"Dick Pics, Flicks & Fucktangles"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher Edelen
FlickIt Presents! The Death of Romeo written by Vince Cruz		TBA
3718"Ken Dahl"Chance CallowayC.S.R. Calloway & Christopher EdelenTBA
3819"The Friends We Became"
(double-length season finale)		Chance CallowayC.S.R. CallowayTBA
3920

Soundtrack

[edit]

Season 1

[edit]
  • How We Break ("Pretty Dudes" Anthem) by Matt Almodiel, Chance Calloway and Peter Su[6]
  • Overthinking by COAH
  • Man Made Mess by Tim Be Told[7]
  • Invisible World (Disappear) by Paul Dateh[8]
  • Stuck On You by Marc Hightower[9]
  • What You Have by Nathan Ray Penland[10]
  • Old-Fashioned Love by Peter Su
  • Underneath by Brandyn Burnette[11]
  • Wasted by Tim Be Told
  • Orion by Ryan Mitchell Grey
  • Change the World by Sivan Levi
  • Santa Barbara by Peter Su[12]

Season 2

[edit]
  • How We Break (A.J. Sealy Remix) by Matt Almodiel, Chance Calloway and Peter Su
  • Nobody Freakin' by Megan Vice[13]

Short films and other media

[edit]

Pretty Dudes: Caught Gay-Handed

[edit]

Caught Gay-Handed was the very first Pretty Dudes-related project, released April 30, 2017.

How We Break ("Pretty Dudes" Anthem)

[edit]

Chance Calloway and Gerry Maravilla co-directed the Malibu-set music video for the series anthem. Featuring Nuñez in an unnamed role implied to be Zario, other cast members also appear in the video alongside the song's singers Matt Almodiel, Calloway and Peter Su.[14] The song and several remixes were released as an EP compilation.

All tracks are written by MattAlmodiel, Chance Calloway and Peter Su

How We Break (Pretty Dudes Remixes)
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."How We Break (Pretty Dudes Anthem) [Jericho Mix]"7Harder4:20
2."How We Break (Pretty Dudes Anthem) [A.J. Sealy Remix]"A.J. Sealy3:53
3."How We Break (Pretty Dudes Anthem) [G // Basco Remix]"G // Basco3:32
4."How We Break (Pretty Dudes Anthem)"MattAlmodiel, Chance Calloway and Peter Su3:23
5."How We Break (Pretty Dudes Anthem) [Lo-Fi Version]"Sammy Minelli3:49
Total length:19:17

Pretty Dudes: The Double Entendre

[edit]

Containing two episodes, "Bravo Double Delta" and "Brother's Keeper," this short was co-written by all of the season 2 writers, Chance Calloway, Christopher Edelen, and Andrea Lee.

This short doesn't seem to be in canon with the actual plot of season 2. Among other things, The Dude House is a different location, singer Tanerélle plays Kish (actress Tiffany Commons has been cast in the same role for season two), and Sammy Cantu plays a character named Aza Keeper, where his season two character is named Ken Dahl.[15]

Pretty Dudes: The Novel

[edit]

Pretty Dudes: The Novel, a novelization of the first season was released on July 7, 2020. ISBN 9781955382427[16][17]

RAM (Like the Verb)

[edit]

In 2024, Calloway released RAM (Like the Verb), which centered on Charlit Dae's season two character Ram Takada. The film premiered on the film festival circuit.

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

The show's first season received a positive response from critics who mostly praised its diversity and inclusive storylines. Philip Hernandez of Black Talent TV called Pretty Dudes "a one a kind web series."[18] Asyiqin Haron of Geeks of Color called the show "incredibly diverse," highlighting the "great storytelling."[19] It was listed as one of "9 Dope, Black Web Series To Dive into for the Summer" by Shadow and Act, called "extraordinary" and "the rare series that showcases nuanced friendship between gay and straight men" by Jordan Simon who went on to add, "If you love Noah's Arc, you will enjoy this.".[20] While noting that Pretty Dudes seemed "created for the gay male and female gaze," Devin Randall complimented the "truly fleshed out story" in a review for Instinct Magazine.[21] RIZEup Magazine called the series "trendsetting."[22] In a negative review, queerguru said the series has a "lightweight plot" "intended to be watched only by other millenials."[23]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Awards Category Recipients Result Ref(s)
2017 NYPS Awards Best Series Pretty Dudes Won [24]
Best Performance by an Ally Xavier Avila Won
2018 Asians on Film Festival of Shorts Best Music Video How We Break ("Pretty Dudes" Anthem) Won [25]
2019 LGBTQ Shorts Film Festival Best LGBTQ Short Pretty Dudes: The Double Entendre Nominated [26]
Comedy Shorts Film Festival Best Comedy Short Pending [27]
2024 Absurd Film Festival Best LGBTQ+ RAM (Like the Verb) Won [28]
Chinatown International Film Festival Best Director Chance Calloway Won [29]
Best Documentary RAM (Like the Verb) Won
Best Visual Art Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Casino, Khier (November 23, 2016). "New 'Magic Mike' Parody Will Have a Cast of All Sexy Asian Men". NextShark. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  2. ^ Amazon Video: Pretty Dudes. Retrieved July 1, 2019
  3. ^ Stoopid Ambitious: Pretty Dudes. Retrieved December 24, 2019
  4. ^ Nepales, Ruben (August 16, 2018). "A Fil-Am actor's life: Cesar Cipriano". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  5. ^ "Heather Matarazzo joins webseries Pretty Dudes as director". July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  6. ^ Stoopid Ambitious Productions (October 13, 2019). "How We Break (Pretty Dudes Anthem)". Vimeo OTT. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  7. ^ Tim Be Told (May 1, 2014). "Tim Be Told - Man Made Mess (FULL AUDIO) - Official Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  8. ^ Paul Dateh (October 23, 2016). "Paul Dateh - Invisible World (Disappear) - Official Music Video". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  9. ^ Marc Hightower (January 14, 2017). "Marc Hightower - Stuck On You". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  10. ^ Nathan Ray Penland (August 14, 2017). "What You Have - Nathan Ray Penland". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  11. ^ EMAN8 (July 6, 2016). "Brandyn Burnette - Underneath". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ petersumusic (January 19, 2017). "Santa Barbara - Peter Su [Official Music Video]". YouTube. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  13. ^ Megan Vice (March 18, 2018). "Megan Vice - Nobody Freakin' (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  14. ^ "Matt Almodiel, Chance Calloway and Peter Su – How We Break ("Pretty Dudes" Anthem)". July 4, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2019 – via YouTube.
  15. ^ Borama, Jennifer (June 30, 2019). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Tanerélle". TVOvermind. Retrieved July 14, 2019.
  16. ^ Pretty Dudes: The Novel. CSRC Storytelling. July 7, 2020.
  17. ^ "Pretty Dudes (Pretty Dudes, #1)".
  18. ^ Hernandez, Philip. "LOOK WHO'S NEXT: Pretty Dudes". Black Talent TV. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  19. ^ Haron, Asyiqin (January 14, 2017). "'Pretty Dudes' Web Series by Chance Calloway [Review]". Geeks of Color. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  20. ^ Simon, Jordan (June 13, 2018). "9 Dope, Black Web Series To Dive into for the Summer". Shadow and Act. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  21. ^ Randall, Devin (June 6, 2018). ""Pretty Dudes" Is An LGBTQ Web Series With Hot Guys, Diverse Storytelling, And A Lot of Heart". Instinct Magazine. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  22. ^ "50 Trendsetters To Watch #37: "Pretty Dudes"". March 15, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  23. ^ "Pretty Dudes: a web series for other pretty dudes". October 31, 2019. Retrieved November 17, 2019.
  24. ^ "2017 NYPS Network Awards". Nyps Network. December 27, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  25. ^ "Asians on Film Festival of Shorts 2018 – AWARD WINNERS". January 29, 2018. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  26. ^ "AUDIENCE AWARDS PRESENTS 2019 LGBTQ SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL". Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  27. ^ "AUDIENCE AWARDS PRESENTS 2019 COMEDY SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL". Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
  28. ^ "Awards of APRIL – MAY 2024". June 1, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  29. ^ "Congratulations to director, Chance Calloway!". Facebook. July 11, 2024. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
[edit]
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