Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'
Released: March 13, 2007Runtime: 31 min
A look at the unusual process used in the making of the film Shortbus (2006) featuring interviews, behind the scenes footage and clips from the feature film. Director John Cameron Mitchell starts with the concept of using real sex in a film with a positive message. The cast of unknowns is selected from homemade audition tapes and then a callback audition workshop. More acting workshops are used to develop the characters and script. The project overcomes a number of obstacles and the rest of the film's development is followed up until its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
Credits
Related titles
No curated related titles yet. Use the edit affordance to add "More from this director", "Same franchise", or "Adaptation source material" entries — every change goes through the wiki review queue.
Sign in to claim that you worked on Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'. Claims go to a moderation queue and appear in the Self-Claimed Contributors rail once approved.
Technical specs
No technical specs (aspect ratio, sound mix, cameras…) documented yet. Know it? Add it →
Awards
No awards or nominations listed yet. Know it? Add it →
Connections
No connections (sequels, references, remakes…) mapped yet. Know it? Add it →
Soundtrack
No soundtrack documented yet. Know it? Add it →
Filming locations
No filming locations documented yet. Know it? Add it →
Community tags
Be the first to tag this page — tags appear right away. Try a theme, mood, or subject (e.g. WWII, heist, slow burn, time travel, A24).
Cast & Crew
Top billed cast
Directors
1Producers
1Other crew
1Ratings & reviews
We’re attempting to crowdsource this data.
Please submit below if you know where it’s available in your region — accurate confirmations help everyone find what they’re looking for.
Where to watch
Not currently streaming on any platform we track.
Parents Guide
Gallery
Add imageNo community images for Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus' yet
Add a still, a storyboard, or concept art — every image gets its own page where members can discuss it.
Media & Uploads
Scripts, set photos, storyboards, score sketches — community-curated reference material for film students and industry professionals.
Did you or a loved one work on Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'?
Every stage matters — pitch decks and treatments from development, location scouts and table-reads from pre-production, set photos and crew anecdotes from production, edit-bay notes from post, and press kits, festival memories, or marketing ephemera from distribution. Any moment that didn't make the press tour, any document or photograph that's been sitting in a box — please share it so it's not lost to time.
We particularly welcome contributions from writers, producers, cast, crew, festival programmers, distributors, marketing teams, their families, and anyone who was there at any stage.
Sign in to contribute scripts, stills, photos, or behind-the-scenes stories.
Be the first to share something on Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'.
Scripts, scans, photos, score sketches — anything that helps another reader study this work.
Trailers
Browse all →No trailers logged for Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus' yet — add the first one below.
Spot a trailer we’re missing?
Add a trailer from any film, show, or game.
Memorable quotes
Browse all →No quotes logged for Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus' yet — add the first memorable line below.
Got a quote we’re missing?
Submit a line from any film, show, or game.
Trivia & Mistakes
No trivia or mistakes yet for Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'.
The bot is still curating — or no one’s added one yet. Did you spot a continuity slip, a fun production fact, or a hidden cameo? Use + Add trivia above to contribute.
Physical & Digital Releases
No release dates on file yet.
Use Edit above to add the theatrical, digital, Blu-ray, DVD, or 4K release dates. Special editions (Criterion, Steelbook, Limited Edition) go in the dedicated array below the date fields. Every contribution is reviewed before going live.
The conversation
Loading the conversation…
Comments (0)
on Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'No comments yet. Be the first to share what you think.
No discussion yet
Start the discussion on Gifted and Challenged: The Making of 'Shortbus'.
You’ll be the first. We’ll spin up a forum tied to this page, your first post will live there, and other readers can join in.
Edit history
Loading edit history…