Documentary series on The History Channel

[brent.henderson (imported)]

My name is Brent Henderson and I'm producing a 10 part documentary series for The History Channel about human sexuality. I'm visiting this message board to understand and possibly discuss the topics of sex reassignment and eunuchs.

I'm a documentary producer and not a doctor, so I apologize ahead of time if I don't use the proper terminology when discussing these sensitive topics.

In one of the episodes we will illustrate the historical significance of voluntary castration, which in ancient times seemed to be motivated by religious and social beliefs. However, in the modern world, it seems many males undergo this procedure for different reasons: sexual desires, gender identifications, hormones, etc.

I want to explore the anatomical science behind these desires. With that said, I need to find subjects that are considering having this procedure as well as ones that have already undergone their transformation.

Below is a two paragraph treatment of the series as well as the website to my company's credits. My email is [email protected]. Though not an academic, I have spent a great deal of time researching this subject. I recognize its sensitive nature and will treat it accordingly.

best,

Brent

-----------------------

RITES OF PASSION

8 x 1hr for The History Channel

Dangerous, terrifying, redemptive, uplifting, sex is the most fundamental of all human activities. And because of its power, it's been surrounded with more myths and rituals, taboos and ceremonies, laws and prohibitions than any other. It's shaped cultures, started wars, and brought empires to their zeniths - and their knees.

Rites of Passion is a bold new series which plunders the globe to explore the relationship between humanity and its most powerful drive. Intriguing, compelling, fast-paced and forthright, each film spins three stories around a central theme. One will be historical, one anthropological, and one rooted in the contemporary West. Stories will be covered documentary-style, focusing on impressive access, beautiful photography, and expert storytelling. And they will be held together visually by stylish graphic packaging and a swift yet sophisticated narration.

Company website:

www.incubatortv.com

[Paolo]

To the Members: Before anyone starts screaming, and we all know why, this one has been checked out and he is valid.

To Brent: Good luck. You aren't the first person interested in such, and after the last couple of fiascoes concerning this that went badly (American Eunuchs comes readily to mind) you should be warned that you could have a problem in getting anyone to talk to you about this.

Members here have been stung by the sensationalism approach before, if not downright lied to about the producer's intents.

You're welcome to be on the Boards, however, we expect courtesy and professionalism as well. Not that I expect it, but should any Member contact me about what they feel is harassment, I will IP ban your provider service from the site.

It may not read like it, but welcome to the EA...

[JesusA]

Just to reiterate what Paolo has written, I have had an email correspondence with Brent Henderson and had a long telephone conversation with him yesterday. I think that his current direction is a good one. As with all journalists, however, we will need to be wary. Their agenda is not, and cannot be, the same as ours.

I expect to be providing information toward his project as it proceeds. The History Channel is an excellent venue and not overly sensationalistic. This has the potential to be useful to the community.

[Paolo]

Yeah, where's the "eunuch-wannabe" producer when you need one?!

[DeaconBlues (imported)]

Well, if this is for REAL, and Paolo and Jesus seem to say this guy is for real.... Then I am elated, very happy to see this interest castration and eunuchs. I wish the best for Mr. Brent Henderson and his documentary.

[jemagirl (imported)]

I looked up Brent Henderson's filmography on imdb.com. I have not personally seen his work, though I have heard of some of the shows he has produced. His work seems to be geared toward the edgier side of the mainstream, as opposed to shockumentaries like American Eunuch, which nearly every one here agrees, did not paint flattering let alone accurate picture of the community. If you have had a chance to see some of Brent's work then you probably have a good idea of what to expect from him in the future.

Keep in mind all good documentaries are about uncovering truths that would otherwise remain hidden. In the case of the eunuch community this translates to a person's status as a eunuch and their motivation or desire to become a eunuch. You must weigh the advantages and disadvantages of sharing your most intimate truths or keeping them private. I think as a community we are actually fairly open, but to different degrees, and ultimately this documentary is just another decision on how open you as an individual choose to be.

Jema

Brent Henderson's Filmography (http://posters.imdb.com/name/nm1714505/)

"Surgery Saved My Life" (co-producer) (1 episode, 2007) (producer) (1 episode, 2006)

- Vampire Tumors (2007) TV episode (co-producer)

- Extreme Spine Surgery (2006) TV episode (producer)

"Extreme Makeover" (associate producer) (1 episode, 2005)

- Steve and Ryann (2005) TV episode (associate producer)

[brent.henderson (imported)]

I've spent the past two years on the 20 episode series titled Surgery Saved my Life with my current production company. Not all of the shows have broadcast, but here is the former site.

http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/surgery/surgery.html

[brent.henderson (imported)]

Also, the overall product of the show has less to do with me and more to do with my Executive Producer Simon Andreae. He is the former director of science and education at Channel 4 in England. While there, he commissioned the documentary Middle Sexes and is also the author of "Anatomy of Desire."

[Danya (imported)]

I've got mixed feelings on this project. I agree that the History channel isn't overly sensationalitic and a well-done documentary would be beneficial. I might be interested in talking with Brent about my own situation. This may not be the right time at all for me to do that, though, as I'm in an emotionally vulnerable spot.

OTOH, I've been extremely open about my feelings here as I transition. Being so open was initially really difficult for me and I still sometimes wonder if I'm revealing way too much. Some members have encouraged me to continue this way. Right now I'm a little concerned if I'll continue to feel free to be that open.

Paolo, please don't misread this in any way that I'm feeling harassed . I'm not at all. I've just got some concerns that I need to work through on my own.

-todd

[kristoff]

After initially intercepting the gentleman's registration, I reinstated it after being assured by Jesus as to his apparent legitimacy. As I indicated earlier by mail, welcome to our site.

Having been hanging here for a good many years (more than the number that other things haven't been hanging here), I've seen a number of film efforts, as well as some published pieces (i.e., the Philadelphia weekly paper - I forget the name. They did an EXCELLENT workup.). Some of these have been quite well done, some attempted excellence and ended in that direction. Others have been miserable piles of shit (American Eunuchs).

We will not advise anyone to talk or not talk with people such as our new producer friend. That will be strictly your choice, and any consequences from that also your own (i.e., being publicly identified, whether good or bad...). I am always skeptical and wary, yet open to possibilities with things like this.

One good documentary is wonderful, earning a good solid point. One bad one inevitably engenders a deal of unfavorable reaction, and undoes a lot of progress, earning many times that good point for the bad side.

As Sgt. Phil always used to say, "Hey, hey! Let's be careful out there!"

[IbPervert (imported)]

Just to reiterate what Paolo has written, I have had an email correspondence with Brent Henderson and had a long telephone conversation with him yesterday. I think that his current direction is a good one. As with all journalists, however, we will need to be wary. Their agenda is not, and cannot be, the same as ours.

I expect to be providing information toward his project as it proceeds. The History Channel is an excellent venue and not overly sensationalistic. This has the potential to be useful to the community.

The one thing that would cause me pause (at this point) is what would the higher up bosses do down the road.

[Falcon (imported)]

Brent: Will it be in Hi-Def ??

Falcon

[brent.henderson (imported)]

Haha...actually, yes it will be shot in HiDef. FYI, any conversations I share with an individual on the board would be off the record.

[Cilantro (imported)]

This future documentary...

Would it include men who lost their testicles and become Eunuchs on involuntary basis?

Such as: some diseases,soldiers injuries,cancer patients,victims of medical negligence, various sport and other accidents?

Or is it going to concentrate on voluntary Eunuchs?

Not everybody who is one, wants to be one.:-\

[DonFL (imported)]

ditto, speaking as someone who didn't chose this path but it chose them, i have to say our inclusions will have to depend on your goals. I'm a rare case of true pathologic hyperandrogisim (testosterone far above normal, in my case 3-4x the maximum normal limit). Castration was my method of last resort, but im happy with the results. if some of the percapents will be allowed to remain anonymous (screen, pixulated, etc) you might find more interest. I also take an scientific interest in the subject as im trained and educated in it.

[brent.henderson (imported)]

I approached this subject by exploring the biological and psychological motivations for transsexualism/transgenderism. I hadn't really considered the subject of involuntary castrations and the circumstances that caused them. It is a different perspective, but I am curious to understand how it affects a person.

[jemagirl (imported)]

I approached this subject by exploring the biological and psychological motivations for transsexualism/transgenderism. I hadn't really considered the subject of involuntary castrations and the circumstances that caused them. It is a different perspective, but I am curious to understand how it affects a person.

There does seem to be plenty of overlap between the mainstream TG community and the Eunuch community. In fact there are quite a few mtf TG folk here at the EA. At the EA there are mtf folks and there are also mte or male to eunuch, and of course there are folks like me who fall some where in between mtf & mte. Of course the Eunuch community is much more diverse than just mtf & mte folks. I can't really speak to motivations that I don't have, or even have a position on whether or not they are valid, but suffice it to say there are many.

Some of the boys don't have gender issues at all, it's just that they don't like their penis. They feel as male after their castration as they did before. There are also people who's motivation is to control their libido, or are seeking the "Eunuch Calm". There are people who have medical reasons. There are also folks in power sharing relationships with Doms and Subs, and seek castration as part of their relationship, and there are quite a few folks here who are just into this as a fantasy. Many people state this information in their profile.

I guess the reason I am raising this point is that I am not sure if you are focusing on a narrow subset of the eunuch community or are interested in showing the wider picture. Each approach has its own pitfalls and challenges. If you are clear on where you want to take this you may get more traction.

[NaziNuts (imported)]

Herr Director,

What, by the way, led you to this site?

* * *

It is good to see that the members here are as cautious with cockumentaries as they are with analyzing the gains and losses of contemplated and consummated losses.

Best regards to all in this project, and again thanks to the community represented here that tries very hard to watch out for, and watch over, its own.

NaziNuts (not a Nazi but fascinated by the bastards), and others here I am sure, would be angered by any monkey business misusing eunuchs in the film business.

[brent.henderson (imported)]

I found this site through simple research. There aren't many websites that deal with this subject.

[JesusA]

WARNING!

I have just been on the telephone with the THIRD PRODUCER assigned to this documentary in the past three weeks.

Brent Henderson originally approached the Archive through an email directly to IEunuch asking how to go about making contact. I checked him out. He seems bright and educable. He had the normal social prejudices, but seemed eager to learn. I was reasonably confident that he would do a fair presentation. I had several long email exchanges with Brent and spent a couple of hours on the telephone with him. The show seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

After two weeks, Brent was replaced by Debbie Blum. She had done her homework and seemed to have a good understanding of the eunuch community. She had read and understood the articles that Richard and I have written. She seemed to clearly understand the reasons that one might want to become a eunuch. She knew that the vast majority of eunuchs are so because of prostate cancer and she appeared ready to produce a documentary that was fair and unbiased. I, again, spent quite a bit of time with her on the telephone.

Today, I got a telephone call from Henry Schipper, the THIRD PRODUCER to be assigned to this proposed documentary by the History Channel in three weeks.

After talking with him, I am afraid that the design of the show has gone off the rails and what is now being developed is far more likely to turn into yet another

FREAK SHOW!

The current working title for the show is

<<WOMEN ON TOP>>

and it is to focus on such topics as Joan of Arc, the Amazons, and Dominatrices who want castrated male "slaves" as attendants.

My advice to all who read the Archive is to respond with great caution. I am willing to continue to work with the History Channel, but have very low expectations. My goal will be to try to redirect their planning in a more positive direction and to try to ensure as much accuracy as possible in what they ultimately present. They will probably go through with the show regardless of anything we do. What's important is to try to make it the best show we can get out of them.

[JesusA]

I need to add that a VERY different program has been proposed by a Canadian TV producer.

SexTV sounds very different from the generally non-sensational ten-year run of programs that it has actually broadcast. A listing of their 9-1/2 seasons to date is available on the Internet Movie Database (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210450/).

Unfortunately, the program is only available on cable in Canada. The two shows that I have seen were both very well balanced. If I were still teaching, I would probably use one of them in class.

Judith Pyke of SexTV is currently searching for normal everyday eunuchs who are willing to take part in a show. She wants to show them as no different from the average people in your neighborhood, EXCEPT for the one detail. She is comfortable with both GID and BIID reasons for voluntary castration.

I will try to keep you informed as this project develops.

[JesusA]

Yet another comment on the History Channel documentary.

I just got off the phone with a colleague who suggested that I ask anyone here who is a member of any other eunuch-related web site to pass on the warning about the History Channel. Some may find it exciting to participate, but they need to know what the intent of the producer will be.

[A-1 (imported)]

Yet another comment on the History Channel documentary.

I just got off the phone with a colleague who suggested that I ask anyone here who is a member of any other eunuch-related web site to pass on the warning about the History Channel. Some may find it exciting to participate, but they need to know what the intent of the producer will be.

Fucking History Channel...

...anybody that would air excerpts from that shitpiece Posner's book "Case Closed" should have their fingers slammed in the door...

(not to mention their private parts)

[jeff_macadams (imported)]

Fucking History Channel...

...anybody that would air excerpts from that shitpiece Posner's book "Case Closed" should have their fingers slammed in the door...

(not to mention their private parts)

Well, it just seems that perhaps they could not resist the typical temptation to sensationalize. Maybe the BBC could do a documentary about Eunuchs? At least they seem to be able to put together something without turning it into a circus!

[jemagirl (imported)]

Perhaps we should make our own documentary