The Art of Being Straight from Regent Releasing and Here Media

Smart, handsome, twenty-three-year-old Jon (Jesse Rosen) has just moved to Los Angeles from New York, ostensibly "taking a break" from his longtime girlfriend. He moves in with college bro Andy (Jared Grey), whose pals incessantly do that kind of "That is so gay" banter that's essentially harmless -- unless you're the only gay guy in the room. Jon is hardly comfortable discussing his shifting Kinsien scale placement with them, and his new job as bottom-rung gofer at a major ad agency is fraught with sexual tension as a studly boss (Johnny Ray Rodriguez) barrages him with thinly veiled come-ons. Infamous among his buddies as a womanizer, Jon is more surprised than anyone when he ultimately falls for his boss’ seductive charms, which sends him spiraling into a world of sexual confusion. Meanwhile, he becomes re-acquainted with Madeleine (Rachel Castillo), a friend from college, who has recently chosen to become a lesbian. She falls for the affections of a man....until his wandering eye and casual maltreatment cause her to remember why she gave up men in the first place. Ultimately, each of the friends discovers that acceptance in modern American society is not as difficult as they thought, that social mores no longer dictate who we are and that each decision you make has a direct affect on your identity.

Jon’s Story
Before he moved to Los Angeles, Jon broke up with his longtime girlfriend so he could be free to sow his wild oats. In college, Jon was the ultimate dorm room Casanova, and not much has changed since then. He is not threatened by women and he is able to pick up a pretty girl with ease. Jon’s group of loud-mouthed, alpha-male friends see him as a paragon of unshakable heterosexuality, but others are not convinced. When Jon lands an entry-level job at an advertising agency, he catches the attention of Paul, the hunky CEO. Paul’s gay, and is pretty certain that Jon is too, despite his many attempts to deny it. Paul is undeterred by Jon’s declaration of straighthood, and continues to pursue him in and out of the office. Paul’s advances make Jon deeply uncomfortable, but he is not about to ruin his chances of success by angering the boss. When Paul invites him over to have a glass of wine, Jon reluctantly accepts. After the alcohol takes effect, Paul is slowly able to wear down Jon’s defenses and he opens up to having a gay experience. After he does, however, his world is thrown into upheaval. Soon, the question of his sexual orientation becomes all-consuming and he is barely able to eat, sleep or work. He is not comfortable talking to his male friends about his doubts, but he is able to confide in his lady-friend, Maddy.

Maddy’s Story

Maddy is Jon’s friend from the dorms during their college days. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in fine art, but she is stuck in a miserable job at a pretentious art gallery. Maddy has recently chosen to become a lesbian, and she is in a smooth-sailing relationship with a girl named Anna. The relationship is happy and healthy, but monogamy can feel stale if your basic orientation is undecided. She finds herself becoming attracted to the boy next door, who fits and old, long-cherished idea she had about romance. The relationship turns physical very quickly, and within days Maddy catches him bringing another girl home. Recalling the reason she gave up men in the first place, she goes running back to Anna, who provides the safety and stability she craves.



				SYNOPSIS Smart, handsome, twenty-three-year-old Jon (Jesse Rosen) has just moved to Los Angeles from New York, ostensibly "taking a break" from his longtime girlfriend. He moves in with college bro Andy (Jared Grey), whose pals incessantly do that kind of "That is so gay" banter that's essentially harmless -- unless you're the only gay guy in the room. Jon is hardly comfortable discussing his shifting Kinsien scale placement with them, and his new job as bottom-rung gofer at a major ad agency is fraught with sexual tension as a studly boss (Johnny Ray Rodriguez) barrages him with thinly veiled come-ons. Infamous among his buddies as a womanizer, Jon is more surprised than anyone when he ultimately falls for his boss’ seductive charms, which sends him spiraling into a world of sexual confusion. Meanwhile, he becomes re-acquainted with Madeleine (Rachel Castillo), a friend from college, who has recently chosen to become a lesbian. She falls for the affections of a man....until his wandering eye and casual maltreatment cause her to remember why she gave up men in the first place. Ultimately, each of the friends discovers that acceptance in modern American society is not as difficult as they thought, that social mores no longer dictate who we are and that each decision you make has a direct affect on your identity. CHARACTERS Jon’s Story Before he moved to Los Angeles, Jon broke up with his longtime girlfriend so he could be free to sow his wild oats. In college, Jon was the ultimate dorm room Casanova, and not much has changed since then. He is not threatened by women and he is able to pick up a pretty girl with ease. Jon’s group of loud-mouthed, alpha-male friends see him as a paragon of unshakable heterosexuality, but others are not convinced. When Jon lands an entry-level job at an advertising agency, he catches the attention of Paul, the hunky CEO. Paul’s gay, and is pretty certain that Jon is too, despite his many attempts to deny it. Paul is undeterred by Jon’s declaration of straighthood, and continues to pursue him in and out of the office. Paul’s advances make Jon deeply uncomfortable, but he is not about to ruin his chances of success by angering the boss. When Paul invites him over to have a glass of wine, Jon reluctantly accepts. After the alcohol takes effect, Paul is slowly able to wear down Jon’s defenses and he opens up to having a gay experience. After he does, however, his world is thrown into upheaval. Soon, the question of his sexual orientation becomes all-consuming and he is barely able to eat, sleep or work. He is not comfortable talking to his male friends about his doubts, but he is able to confide in his lady-friend, Maddy. Maddy’s Story Maddy is Jon’s friend from the dorms during their college days. She moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in fine art, but she is stuck in a miserable job at a pretentious art gallery. Maddy has recently chosen to become a lesbian, and she is in a smooth-sailing relationship with a girl named Anna. The relationship is happy and healthy, but monogamy can feel stale if your basic orientation is undecided. She finds herself becoming attracted to the boy next door, who fits and old, long-cherished idea she had about romance. The relationship turns physical very quickly, and within days Maddy catches him bringing another girl home. Recalling the reason she gave up men in the first place, she goes running back to Anna, who provides the safety and stability she craves.