Tracks gay club denver

A film adaptation of the beloved Denver LGBTQ bar Tracks is anticipated to launch within $2 million of completion.

One of Denver's oldest and most celebrated LGBTQ nightclubs, Tracks—initially established in the 1980s within the current Union Station area (then a warehouse district by the railroad tracks, known as the Bottoms due to its proximity to the South Platte River)—later transitioned to the River North Art District, where it continues to host exhilarating theme nights and lively dancing.

Beyond its popularity as a venue, Tracks previously functioned as a sanctuary, even a home, for LGBTQ individuals seeking refuge in an era when alternative spaces were scarce.

This profound significance resonated with Denver-based filmmaker and Colorado native Shawna Schultz during interviews for a memorial video produced by her company about Tracks co-founder Marty Chernoff, who passed away in 2019.

'As I conducted interviews,' she reflected, 'each narrative deepened my appreciation of this extraordinary story.'

Schultz's investigation revealed that Chernoff not only offered shelter to the LGBTQ community within the Tracks building but also provided substantial support by assisting with healthcare expenses for individuals with AIDS.

'In delving deeper into the collected narratives,' Schultz elaborated, 'the initial intent was to focus on Marty's life, but the interviews unearthed an encompassing sense of belonging for those who lacked a supportive community.'

Schultz transformed the memorial video into a poignant short documentary about Chernoff's life, broadcast on Rocky Mountain PBS during Pride week in June 2021 (the documentary, 'Remembering Marty Chernoff,' garnered a Heartland Emmy nomination in the Nostalgia category last month). However, the desire to explore Tracks' full narrative persisted.

Her ambitious feature-length film concept, tentatively titled 'Making Tracks,' currently stands at approximately half of its $4 million production budget. Prior projects from Schultz's company, Mass FX Media, have encompassed graphics for films such as "The Social Dilemma" on Netflix and "Friends: The Reunion," but this marks their first feature-length film.

If fundraising targets are achieved, Schultz and her team—consisting of Andrew Feinstein (current Tracks owner and son of co-founder Neil Feinstein) as executive producer, Stephen Beer as screenwriter, and Marin Lepore, Anthony Morgan, and Mitch Dickman as producers—plan to film primarily within Colorado, with a concentration in Denver. Schultz envisions meticulously recreating the 1980s atmosphere within the current Tracks space for the film.

This scripted drama spans the late 1970s, tracing a narrative arc through the early 1990s. The story centers on Marty, a fictional character inspired by Chernoff, and Ricky, a fictionalized teenager who finds a sense of belonging at Tracks after being expelled from his home upon disclosing his sexual orientation. Ricky represents a composite of numerous interview subjects.

Schultz expresses anticipation for the film's imminent realization. Her team is temporarily suspending fundraising efforts to focus on casting the two lead roles, hoping that securing high-profile actors will incentivize further funding from distributors, sales agents, and other contributors.

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Schultz noted Chernoff's unique leadership in the gay rights movement, highlighting his status as a straight businessman who refrained from identifying himself as an activist. However, his life's work persuasively demonstrates the contrary.

'I suspect it was a strategic choice,' Schultz remarked. "I believe he was a remarkable activist, but one who sought to avoid undue recognition. My personal impression is that he valued the LGBTQ community's right to self-determination, fostering a safe space and then respecting their autonomous decisions."

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