These personal letters document my journey navigating the world of monetizing creativity.

Updates On the Show

So it looks like I found my DJ for the next live show. It’s still too early to confirm but he seemed very interested in the idea I presented.

It would become a themed immersive dance night. Basically he spins hits from the '80s, '90s, and 2000s all night. The theater/drag show portion is from 10:30 PM to 12:00 AM. We would take small music breaks throughout the show. Audience members can request/dedicate songs to be read live by Shaniah.

It could happen as early as late January. Will keep you posted.

Ru Girls

I'm so excited to find out that Hershii LiqCour-Jeté will be a contestant in the upcoming season of RuPaul's Drag Race 16. This is the second queen, along with Selena EsTitties, to become a Ru girl after joining the Mother's Cream Diaries podcast family.

What’s really funny is that the world works in mysterious ways!

While producing the podcast last year, I reached out to a bunch of Drag Race queens, hoping to get some star power attached to the podcast. That was a nightmare... Granted, I didn't have a huge budget, but really, all I was asking for was an hour of their time out of drag to be a part of something new and fresh.

While many Ru girls politely declined, I found two who were excited to record. However, excitement doesn't always translate to professionalism. Tammie Brown was one of those queens excited to record. After a song and dance with her manager, we finally settled on a date and time and compensation.

A few days before the recording, I sent the manager an updated script. I heard nothing back. I followed up, and still, there was nothing. It was literally a day before the shoot and I was going crazy. I decided to DM Tammie directly.

She responds to me with a voice note, "Um, just reach out to Diana and we'll get everything going there. Thanks for reaching out to me. Kiss, kiss, kiss.”

What??? Finally, Diana gets back to me.

I didn’t even respond to that nonsense. I sent the original script weeks prior. How do you wait until the weekend before the shoot to read a script and decide whether you like it or not? I don't know exactly who dropped the ball on this, but I'm placing the blame on each of them. As a small production, I ended up losing money on the studio space and had to reschedule the rest of the cast for a new date, not to mention finding another queen.

The sad truth is, I've forgiven but I won't forget. There are too many talented performers out there for me to lose sleep over one person. This is about respecting the work I've invested in these projects.

This applies to all performers. If you're only working with me as a "favor," then don't bother. Your work ethic will leave a sour taste in my mouth that will last life times.

But on the other hand, when you show up on set or to rehearsals with a generous, collaborative spirit and want what's best for the project, you instantly become a part of my family for life.

Back to my story.

As I lost one drag race alumnus, the universe sent me another one that the world hadn’t heard of yet. I replaced Tammie Brown with none other than Hershii LiqCour-Jeté from the upcoming season sixteen. Even though Hershii wasn't a Ru girl during recording, hang in there, because good things come to those who wait.

I have been consistently receiving subtle signs from the universe to continue with MCD, and I have a strong suspicion that the podcast will feature one more Ru girl as the seasons go on.

Do you want to know my prediction???

Lorelei.

More on this in my next letter.

HERE’S MY BACKSTORY 3.0

This is when I created a Pornhub account for all my violated posts... and posts that I knew were too explicit for mainstream socials.

I was fascinated by all the stuff that's kind of a no-go in comedy. Mixing explicit visuals with sketches.

I reached out to a friend of mine at the time, and asked if she was open to going topless for a Freddy Krueger skit. Luckily, she was down to clown (I hate that saying). This was my first foray into nudity from a scene partner.

On the day of the shoot, like a gift from God, I received a text from Christina (who would become my best friend and producing partner), asking what I was up to. I asked her to drop by and help me with this skit.

Side note: Christina’s boyfriend had lost his mind and broken up with her. She was a free woman.

The skit was based on the premise of a sleepover that turned naughty (what else is new?). While watching the film "Showgirls", a 1-900 commercial for Freddy Krueger came on. My friend Esmeralda begged me to call, and you can watch what unfolded in the P-hub link below.

I slowly transformed into a one-man production company, getting a crash course in writing, directing, acting, and editing. I loved it.

If an idea popped in my head, I shot it!

Hump! Film Festival

I was always searching for alternative events or festivals outside of mainstream media. I happen to fall on Hump Film Fest. Founded in 2005 by Dan Savage, HUMP! is a curated festival of short erotic films made by real people for real people. Each year the festival travels around the country showcasing the winners.

I started following the IG account and noticed they were holding a contest for free tickets to their Palm Springs festival. I had to tag a friend or something.

Anyway, I won two tixs!

I was a changed man after that festival. Experiencing so many short films revolving around sex was eye-opening. Some were off the rails, but I didn't care. I felt like I had found a space I could delve into further.

Pimples n’Nipples

Okay, where do I begin?

After the Hump Film Fest, I knew I was going to produce my first official short film. That meant getting a cast and crew together.

I also knew I was going to go all the way with this project. That meant full-on oral and penetration in the film. Time to put my money, and someone else’s penis, where my mouth was, LOL!

I needed a script. I utilized what I knew best, which was flipping horror tropes on their head. Instead of writing about a videotape that curses you, resulting in death, I zeroed in on a sex tape featuring someone's mom, showing a whole new level of scary.

I also incorporated three extra credit items into my short film to let the audience know that the film was made for the festival: TSA Agent, Confetti, and Jell-O Shots.

I needed a title… Upon visiting Cafe Gratitude to pick up a delivery order, I bumped into an old improv classmate at the checkout stand. She was one of those annoying classmates who always seemed a bit awkward whenever an improv scene got a little sexual. She didn't seem to have changed much. She was still wearing those skin-tight crop tops that exposed her erect nipples, while dealing with severe acne.

I immediately called Christina and told her whom I had bumped into. She asked how it went. I told her my experience was filled with pimples and nipples. We laughed uncontrollably, and I knew "Pimples n' Nipples" was the title of my short film.

Casting

I was still in my Charlotte and Cristal Connors sketch comedy phase, so I played both the mother and daughter roles. Christina played my handicapped friend Sherrie and Malina played the hot bitch, Louise.

"Pimples n' Nipples" takes place in one room. To save on locations, I transformed my one-bedroom apartment into Charlotte Connor's, a typical high schooler's bedroom.

I had a great time sourcing props from thrift shops and Facebook Marketplace that reflect the 90s era I was going for. I also found a love for set design.

Next, was arranging my sex scenes in the film… to be continued.

Leverage behind a product

Strive for excellence every single day.

My first theater production at Lyric Hyperion was my trial by fire in running a show. Give it your best shot and see what people have to say.

Most of the feedback from the audience consisted of things I already knew. However, one comment stood out because it came from a performer I admire and it referred to a significant part of the show's finale: a fisting scene

This individual expressed that the finale felt like it was shock value for the wrong reasons. My ego took a hit straight away, but instead of giving the note a good look, I just brushed it off as someone being envious of my work.

After producing the same show at Precinct on Halloween, I started rethinking my choices of the finale. The screens at the second venue are so large that the scene overshadowed the actors. On top of that, the crowd didn't really react, even though it was a bit smaller than my first.

Could it be true that the finale felt like it was purely for shock value?

Weeks after the Halloween show, I had drinks with a girlfriend who was at the first performance. While chatting about the show she echoed the sentiments about the fisting scene coming from nowhere. Again I was shocked.

I asked her to explain. She says, more or less, "The video was lazy and felt cheap because anyone can download a porn and play it at a live show. You are an incredibly creative person who came up with this innovative drag show, and I know you have the creative brain to figure out something else to shock us”.

Damn, it finally sunk in. The way she said it to me really made me pause and think it over.

Subconsciously, I think I was afraid that the show wasn’t enough, so I sought a "WOW" factor.

Anyway, I’m excited to see how all this information translates to the next show.

That concludes this week's letter. I can't believe I won't be back until January 12th, 2024, all the way from London but make sure to check out the next letter. I discuss how I placed a casting call on Scruff to find my actor ;)

Thanks for reading xx

Derek Viveiros

P.S. If you have any questions or suggestions for the newsletter, please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected]. This is an open creative space!