What happens when a gay male and a straight female decide to date the same man? Well, that’s the question a new web series Thr33 hopes to answer, while also giving its audience something to laugh about in the process.
The web series, which will be released on 3webseries.com March 9 at 8 a.m. EST, was created by Lucas Omar, an award-winning independent filmmaker who is currently located in Tampa. What makes this series so interesting is its comedic take on two very serious and controversial issues—sexuality and polyamorous relationships.
Thr33 follows three 20-something individuals––Layla, Jason and Tanner. Layla is straight, Tanner is gay and they have three things in common––they are best friends, they are both sleeping with Jason and neither have a clue this is going on.
However, when Jason approaches each of them asking if they would have a threesome on their one month anniversary, it all comes out, becoming a competition between Layla and Tanner, turning into a sexual nightmare until it eventually becomes a polyamorous relationship that ends up working for them all.
Of course, while this whole situation is a nightmare for the three main characters, it is all the more hilarious for the audience. But perhaps this is a good way to change people’s perspectives—through humor.
Omar, a recent graduate from the University of Pittsburgh and a production certificate recipient from Europe’s number one film school, The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU), has been very interested in film since high school. He has been writing scripts and directing for seven years. But he’s started to get especially serious about filmmaking over the past three years.
On Feb. 17, GLTSBA sponsored an event that premiered Thr33 on UT’s campus in Straz Hall.
UT sophomore Krystal Kirby, who was in attendance, found Thr33 to be both intriguing and unique in its subject matter. Although the advertising and psychology double major was only able to view a teaser of the series, she felt it was filled with great humor and dramatic elements.
“The quality of the directing, the framing, the acting and the editing especially could rival professionals. The director is so talented and I feel like he will do a fantastic job with this project,” Kirby said.
Kirby particularly enjoyed how Thr33 sheds light on different lifestyles and relatable characters that many people are rarely ever exposed to. In doing so, she feels Thr33 strengthens people’s understanding that the GLTSBA community is not defined solely by their sexual preference.
“[Thr33 takes things a step] further by having fleshed out, real characters who happen to be gay, for example, instead of a two-dimensional character who is there because he or she is gay. This puts the focus more on the character person as a whole, rather than selling gay as a novelty,” Kirby said.
GLTSBA President Christian Reich was very excited when Omar reached out to him to ask if he could show his newest project to UT students. Reich is enthusiastic about the UT community’s relationship with the LGBTQ community.
“We have issues every once in a while. For the most part [UT]’s a very welcoming place,” Reich said. “It’s kind of like ‘[if] you have an issue with [LGBTQ], why are you here?’”
Which is exactly the message that Omar wants to project—acceptance.
“When I work on a project, I have some sort of motive and purpose,” Omar said. “That’s why I got into filmmaking, because I was moved by how powerful film is as a medium… it moves us, influences us, alters our perspectives… and I want to be a part of influential television programs.”
Omar, who has been openly gay since he was 18 years old, said that most of his projects surround the subject of acceptance. He hopes that his web series will not only educate people about gay and lesbian individuals but also about bisexual and transgender individuals.
Omar also hopes to make the topic of sex a more open discussion through Thr33.
“College students make bad choices because they don’t do research. Sex is a natural process; it’s something we all partake in,” Omar said. “I just find it very interesting that as a society we try to push it under the rug. That’s what the show deals with it, sexual openness. We need to have open dialogue.”
Claire Farrow can be reached at claire.farrow@spartans.ut.edu
Kai Miller can be reached at kai.miller@spartans.ut.edu