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User:CheeksTV/FirstDraft

< User:CheeksTV
Cheeks
Cheeks at the premier of "Lushes" in July, 2009
Born
Bradley C. Bell

(1985-10-04) October 4, 1985 (age 39)
Dallas, Texas, USA
Other namesBrad Bell
Occupation(s)Actor, screenwriter, musician, producer
Years active2006-present
WebsiteWeYuMe

Cheeks (born Bradley C. Bell; October 4, 1985) is an American actor and musician based out of Los Angeles, California. Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, he began his career at an early age doing commercials and theater. Cheeks studied film and acting before branching out to write, perform and produce electro pop music in 2008.[1] [2] [3]

Cheeks released his sophomore EP, Glambition[4] [5] [2], on September 1, 2009, independently. The EP reached number 3 on the iTunes[6][7][3] and number 8 on the Amazon[7] electronica charts on its day of release. In addition to music, Cheeks continues to produce a variety of mixed media content including socio-satirical videos on his YouTube channel[8], GoCheeksGo. A series of podcasts, Cheeks: Unbuttoned, can be found on his own social network, Cheektopia[9][3]. He is currently starring in the upcoming comedy web series called Husbands.[10] It is set to be released September 13, on the official website.[11]


Biography

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Early life and training

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Cheeks began showcasing his interests in entertainment as a young child in Dallas, Texas. His aunt, a 5th grade teacher, nurtured his talents and urged him to perform songs for her class by artists such as Paula Abdul and the Beach Boys. He was cast in several commercials and theater productions during these early years. He developed an interest in film production while attending high school; eventually forming a film club which allowed other students that shared common interests an environment to hone their skills.[1]

Following high school, Cheeks decided to move to Los Angeles, California in 2004 to develop his knowledge of the entertainment industry. He studied film production with a strong interest in editing at Los Angeles City College. During this time he began making short horror films and music videos, this would later lead to experimentation with his own music.[1][3]

Cheeks continued his studies at The Second City Training Center, an improv-based sketch comedy theater and training center with an alumni list that includes John Belushi, Steve Carrell and Tina Fey[12] to name a few.[1] He performed in a graduate show, Stereotypecast[13][14], a humorous exploration of the way minorities are viewed by the mainstream.[1]

Television leads to inspiration

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In addition to his early commercial roles, Cheeks appeared in 2006 on MTV in Why Can't I Be You?[15][16], a reality show featuring ordinary people wishing to gain self improvement and emulate characteristics of others more outgoing and confident than themselves. Cheeks coached his pupil on techniques for building a stronger self image. This appearance would become the catalyst that allowed Cheeks to discover his ability and desire to motivate others to gain their own self awareness through positive affirmations; he would later utilize his social network account on Twitter[17] to spread motivational messages of hope and love.[3]

Character Roles

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Cheeks continued to pursue his love of acting in several independent projects. He collaborated with Dana Lauren, an actress and producer, playing a character named Chad in the internet based show Bruno's[18]; a satirical series based on the true adventures of working in a wacky restaurant. The series was launched on Roband.tv.[19]

In 2008 Cheeks landed the role of Basil in Lushes[16][18][3], directed by Ash Christian of Fat Girls (2006) fame. The film chronicles the tale of two “Transtastic” drag queens, Cork (Ash Christian) and Desi (Parker Torres) that have set out to make a name for themselves in the formidable bar scene of the West Coast. Cheeks portrayal of Basil, the arch nemesis of Cork and Desi, received critical acclaim during its 2009 run at Frameline Film Festival, a San Francisco based LGBT film showcase by reviewer Jay C. Bird "Basil...performed with such perfect sexual ambiguity in style, fashion, manner and humor"[20]. The short film was also featured at Outfest 2009 in Los Angeles, CA and at the Indianapolis LGBT film festival.[21][22]

Following his success in Lushes, Cheeks appeared in the comedic Door Mat: It's a Boy![2][18], a digital film series by writer/director Erik Larson. Door Mat was a three part series based on the adventures of Aunt Doreena, played by Uncle Alice, as she adjusts to life in her new neighborhood. In part 2 of the series, Cheeks plays Xoie, a character with a couple of secrets to hide, the new girlfriend of Auntie Doreena's favorite nephew, Buckley, played by Christopher Logan. In 2010, Cheeks appeared in the thriller, Dreamkiller[16], as Julian Stoli. Cheeks also developed a webisode series, Frontmen, released in Summer, 2010.[17]

He portrays an already out actor, as well called Cheeks, in the upcoming web series Husbands.[23] It will be released on the official website September 13, 2011.

Internet builds a following

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In 2008, Cheeks created his own YouTube channel[8], GoCheeksGo, focusing a large portion his efforts on the development of Internet based content after recognizing the opportunities afforded to progressive artists through consistent exposure to new audiences and the ability to spread his work through viral video[24][3].

His popularity grew as he introduced such comedic videos as It's Hard Out Here for a Cheeks[25], 7 Things to Hate About Me[26], and the socio-satirical commentary on Miss California DETHRONED![27] capturing the attention of celebrity internet blogger Perez Hilton[28].

In June 2009, Cheeks urged his fans to follow him into "the 21st century" by launching a new video, Things You'd NEVER Twitter[29], to officially launch his Twitter[17] account, @GoCheeksGo. It was on Twitter that Cheeks began to provide followers with motivational affirmations encouraging people of the power of positive thinking[3]. Following the launch, Cheeks placed 8th in overall competition for the Mr. Twitter Universe, an online contest where followers nominated their favorite Twitter personalities.[30][31] One month later, followers voted him to the 3rd place finish in the Ultimate World Mr. Twitter contest.[31]

In August 2009, on the heels of this surge in popularity, Cheeks founded his own social network, Cheektopia[9][3], a community where members are encouraged to 'share, create, explore' through self expression and connectivity with one another. In September 2009, a podcast series, Cheeks:Unbuttoned[3], was launched on the network, resulting in membership levels tripling in the first day of release.

Music emerges

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Cheeks began experimenting with music as a medium while still pursuing his studies in film and acting. With such early musical influences as Depeche Mode, Britney Spears, and Madonna, the resulting sound emerged in the electro pop genre.[32] This early experimentation captured the attention of writer/director Liz Adams who commissioned Cheeks to co-write and record the title song[33] for her horror short Side Effect[34][35]; a film that went on to win awards at film festivals around the world.

In September 2008, Cheeks independently released his first EP, The Boy From Venus[36][3], on iTunes. Through self promotion on his MySpace page, Cheeks began to build a sizable following for his music.

Encouraged by positive feedback and digital album sales, Cheeks went to work on what would become his second independent album. On September 1, 2009 his sophomore EP, Glambition[4][5], was released worldwide. The EP began climbing the electronica album charts on iTunes and Amazon within hours of release[7][3]; capturing the attention and praise by fellow artist Adam Lambert, "GREAT hard electropop!!!!"[37]. LA Celebrity Examiner music critic Viviane Feilhaber states "The four song EP blends synthetic production, unrepentant naughtiness, and pulsating beats...".[38]

On September 27, 2009, Cheeks released a collection of ringtones on iTunes[39] and Voeveo[40] titled, Put a Ringtone On It; a mixture of whimsical and inspirational messages for cell phones.[3]

Cheeks released a video for the single "Down Low" on his YouTube channel[8][41] that was well received by fans and critics. A video for the single "Instant Gratification" was released on January 29, 2010.[42][8]

Television

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Year Series Role Notes
2011 Torchwood Nurse Chris Episode: "The Categories of Life"
2011 Husbands Cheeks Set to premier on September 13

Discography

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The Boy From Venus (September 1, 2008)

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Track listing
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All lyrics are written by Cap'n Phatty & Cheeks; all music is composed by Cap'n Phatty & Cheeks

No.TitleProductionLength
1."Take It In"Conglomotech Labs2:36
2."Bump (Of Your Love)"Conglomotech Labs4:28
3."Sweet Spot"Conglomotech Labs4:01

Glambition (September 1, 2009)

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Track listing
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All lyrics are written by Cap'n Phatty & Cheeks; all music is composed by Cap'n Phatty & Cheeks

No.TitleProductionLength
1."Instant Gratification"Conglomotech Labs3:39
2."Champagne & Cocaine"Conglomotech Labs4:35
3."Down Low"Conglomotech Labs2:47
4."Animal"Conglomotech Labs4:11

Other albums

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Year Album details
2009 Put a Ringtone On It
  • Released: September 27, 2009[43]
  • Formats: CD, digital download

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Nicole Rodriguez (12 April 2009), Sassy gets Cheeky...and Cheeks gets Sassy
  2. ^ a b c http://www.doormatmovie.com/DMM/Cheeks_.html
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Maddie Sheehan (11 December 2009), Go Cheeks Go! A Cheektopian Revolution, Mission Buzz
  4. ^ a b Glambition on iTunes
  5. ^ a b Glambition on Amazon
  6. ^ , 1 September 2009 http://www.cheektopia.com/forum/topics/glambition-is-3-in-itunes-keep {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ a b c , 1 September 2009 http://www.cheektopia.com/forum/topics/glambition-on-the-charts {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d Cheeks on YouTube
  9. ^ a b Cheektopia
  10. ^ {{citation|url= http://www.therealstevegray.com/2011/08/more-about-husbands-from-cheeks-and-legend-jane-espenson/
  11. ^ http://thebambolafactory.tumblr.com/post/8105367900/jane-espenson-talks-husbands
  12. ^ Second City History, Retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Marc Warzecha (2008), http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=376017476&albumID=8635&imageID=3098249 {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  14. ^ Stereotypecast Comedy Show on Myspace, retrieved 26 January, 2010 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  15. ^ , 10 July, 2006 http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0832831/ {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ a b c Cheeks in imdb, retrieved 26 January, 2010 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  17. ^ a b c Cheeks on Twitter {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  18. ^ a b c Cheeks, Myspace Blog, retrieved 26 January, 2010 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  19. ^ , March 2008 http://www.danalaurenonline.com/ {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |access date= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Jay C. Bird (4 June 2009), http://jaycbird.blogspot.com/2009/06/frameline-33-sf-lgbt-film-festival-2009_8266.html {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ^ Cheeks (10 November 2009), http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=174949366&blogId=517973957 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  22. ^ Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival 2009 Schedule, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  23. ^ http://www.mediablvd.com/magazine/jane-espensons-new-web-series-husbands_201107263902.html
  24. ^ http://www.cheekstv.com/uploads/fullpresskit.pdf, retrieved 26 January, 2010 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  25. ^ Cheeks (22 December 2008), It's Hard Out Here for a Cheeks
  26. ^ Cheeks (8 April 2009), 7 Things to Hate About Me
  27. ^ Cheeks (23 April 2009), Miss California DETHRONED!
  28. ^ Perez Hilton comment (April 2009), http://www.youtube.com/comment_servlet?all_comments&v=Acg657akdMY&fromurl=/watch%3Fv%3DAcg657akdMY%26feature%3Dchannel {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  29. ^ Cheeks (4 June 2009), Things You'd NEVER Twitter
  30. ^ Candy (10 June 2009), http://gossipcandy.com/2009/06/finally-the-fucking-twitterwall-of-fame-is-open-i-hate-it-already/, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  31. ^ a b http://www.cheektopia.com/forum/topics/cheeks-on-the-mr-twitter, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  32. ^ Cheeks on Myspace, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  33. ^ Liz Adams (2008), Side Effect Credit List (PDF), retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  34. ^ Side Effect the Movie Official Website, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  35. ^ Side Effect on imdb, 2008, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  36. ^ The Boy From Venus on iTunes, Conglomotech, 1 September 2008 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  37. ^ Adam Lambert (1 September 2009), http://twitter.com/adamlambert/status/3700779509, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  38. ^ Viviane Feilhaber, LA Celebrity Examiner http://www.cheekstv.com/Media.html, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. ^ Put a Ringtone On It on iTunes, Conglomotech, 27 September 2009 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  40. ^ Voeveo Own Your Phone, Conglomotech, retrieved 26 January 2010 {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  41. ^ Cheeks (20 August 2009), Down Low {{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  42. ^ Cheeks (29 January, 2010), Instant Gratification {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  43. ^ "Put a Ringtone On It - Conglomotech Labs".
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