When two lesbian TV junkies get together, what do you get? You get a Chicago Web site meant to provide original and entertaining films for, by and about lesbians.
Tellofilms.com is a Chicago-based, Web-based video distribution company whose site serves many purposes. It's an outlet for individuals to share their favorite lesbian videos and films and a place where budding filmmakers can connect and learn from one another. tello also produces original programming to air on the Web site. The site has something for everyone, whether you simply want entertainment during your lunch hour or want to become involved in film production.
Tello LLC co-founders Christin Baker and Nicole Valentine originally met through CMSA intramural soccer. After they met for lunch, they found out that they are both self-described 'entertainment geeks' who enjoy many of the same shows. They loved to dish about the BBC show Bad Girls, and after they finished all three seasons, they realized they needed to do something, especially given the lack of venues for lesbian films.
Baker revealed her desire to do a Web site.
'If we can agree on it, we can totally make it happen,' Valentine recalled saying to Baker.
The idea was to have a video-streaming site ( think YouTube, but not cluttered and easy to use and navigate ) that incorporates writing and original content.
'It grew rapidly after that, as soon as the idea left our mouths,' Valentine said.
Soon, people starting joining in and friends started helping out. Baker brought her background in editing ( she is a successful film producer ) to the table, and Valentine brought her background in writing. They two came up with the name tello.
Before the two friends knew it, they had a video streaming site with 'a mission to give good quality lesbian entertainment a place to live and exist,' Valentine said.
The Web site officially launched in January 2008.
With tello, lesbians can enjoy quality entertainment without being bombarded by negative images of the community.
'It's basically just geekland for lesbians!' Valentine joked.
Tello's creators took advantage of the rising popularity of streaming video. They don't want to become competition to sites such as AfterEllen.com, but want to serve as a hub for the community. 'It's made for you, by you,' said Valentine. 'Whatever is of interest to the community we hope will find its way, either professional or amateur, to the site.'
Tello is currently seeking submissions for pilots and shorts that tello would produce. Check out their pilot, 'Human Potential,' on the site.
Baker recently posted her call for submissions to a lesbian filmmaking listserv, and got responses such as, 'Will your site teach you how to write a pilot?' The responses she received gave her an idea about what other purposes tello should serve.
'We are both very passionate about supporting that budding filmmaker,' Baker said. 'So many people want to tell their story, and so many people have a story, … so one of the things we definitely want to do is be a resource, as well.'
Tello will take anything from an idea that is a framework for a film to an actual film that has been shot, that way everyone is welcome. They want to make sure that nobody is shut out because they are new to the craft. Currently, tello has multiple interviews with lesbian filmmakers so budding filmmakers can learn how others got their start.
'You don't have to live in L.A. and you don't have to know a bunch of famous people in order to make something that is compelling,' Baker said.
After becoming a member of the site, those new to filmmaking can connect with other filmmakers to ask for advice and network. Also, if you are interested in doing pre-production or production, there will soon be ways for people to list open positions.
Right now, members can upload videos, and the site is community regulated. You can upload your own videos, or if you have videos on a site like YouTube, you can transfer your videos over. People are encouraged to contribute and help make the site grow.
Tello's creators are also currently working on the male version of the site. They encourage both men and women to check out tello to get an idea of what is coming. According to Baker, once everything at tello is perfected, they will replicate it for men.
'We don't want to ignore the male aspect of this, either, so we definitely want to get something out there for them, as well,' Valentine said.
See www.tellofilms.com .
