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Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps

After more than a decade of electrifying live performances, and experiments with form at Tribeca and Outfest in 2020, Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps finally makes its long-awaited debut as a one-hour special. Blending dynamic live performance, delightful animation, and bold cinematic imagery, this groundbreaking film picks up where Hannah Gadsby leaves off. Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps is a vital and necessary redefinition of the “transition narrative,” and what it means to be a man. Creator/performer Scott Turner Schofield (the first trans man to earn an Emmy nomination for acting) warmly invites his audience members to consider the transformative power of their own stories. At its heart, Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps is about embracing the radical power of change, and opening up to the joy of being truly alive.

  • Andrea James
    Director
    Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy; Conversations with Coco
  • Puppett
    Director
    Razor Tongue; Wedlocked
  • Scott Turner Schofield
    Writer
  • Puppett
    Producer
  • Terra Naomi
    Producer
  • Michael O'Shea
    Producer
  • Calpernia Addams
    Producer
    TransAmerica
  • Scott Turner Schofield
    Key Cast
    The Idol; Off Ramp
  • Allen Martsch
    Animator
    Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur; Elena of Avalor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Other
  • Genres:
    Comedy, 1 Hour Special, Drama, Biography, Storytelling
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 2 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 1, 2024
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Out On Film
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    September 28, 2024
    World Premiere
    Audience Award: Best Feature
Director Biography - Andrea James, Puppett

Puppett is a trans activist, actor, director, and film editor. Their directing credits include the short film "Glenda" which world premiered at Slamdance, an episode of the Emmy-Nominated digital series "Razor Tongue," and their award-winning first short film, "Wedlocked," which played over 40 festivals and landed numerous distribution deals (now available on OTV).
Andrea James is an American transgender rights activist, film producer, and blogger. Her work as a voice coach for trans women led to her consulting with star Felicity Huffman for the feature film "Transamerica." James' directing credits include the short film "Casting Pearls," about transgender casting controversies, and "Transproofed," about transgender dating and disclosure. She also served as a consulting producer for NatGeo's "Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric," and executive produced a film from the Sundance Native Labs called "Viva Diva."

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Director Statement

Trans media activist Andrea James (Alec Mapa: Baby Daddy, Whirlybird) initiated the film project, led its adaptation, and directed principal photography of 21 Steps. A pilot presentation containing three of the Steps screened at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2020, and a version where viewers chose the order of ten Steps was a Special Event at Outfest that same year.
Puppett (Wedlocked, Not Dating) directed the project in its final form, compiling 11 of the Steps into a One Hour Special which World Premiered at Out On Film in 2024.

Statement from Andrea James:
We’re in the midst of a surge in transgender stories in the media. In this time of unprecedented visibility for transgender people, trans men still largely remain invisible. Male to female transgender subjects and storylines get far more press than trans men. Although Scott was Daytime television’s first transgender actor, and a few other female to male trans actors got some notice, culture’s vision is that transgender = transgender women. Transgender liberation starts with visibility. Transgender men – and everyone around them – need representation that accurately describes their experience also. Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps has toured the world for nearly a decade to rave reviews, making a deep impact in every community in which it plays. It is an award-winning glimpse into the real life of one transgender man whose artistry as a writer and performer has achieved the highest critical acclaim. This show, and the life on which it is based, has been tested and proven to provoke deep audience responses. This is a voice that culture is asking for. This is an artist bringing ready-made art that culture is ready to receive. None of us has ever been more ready, or more in need, of an FTM transgender story of the caliber of Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps.