The story of Johanna - a Lesbian Cowboy* on the run from the law. Not your average Cross Dressing Western.
HI. We are Mark W. Gray and Emilia Lindgren, and we need your help to make our film “Swedish John”. It’s a 15 minute short we’re making for film festivals, and also as a pilot presentation for a TV series. This has exactly the kind of fascinating setting and original characters that would make a great show for HBO or a similar network.
Here’s the synopsis:
Sweden 1860 - Johanna, a horse-trainer, is in an illicit lesbian affair with Ruth, the wife of the Mayor of her town. He catches them in bed together and goes berserk, choking his wife. In defense of her lover, Johanna hits him in the head with his cane, killing him. She flees.
She catches a steamer full of Swedish emigrants heading for New York. She arrives, filthy and bundled up in an oversize coat. When the over-worked immigration clerk mistakes her for a man, she seizes the opportunity to evade her pursuers, and transforms from Johanna into Johan.
A year later, Johanna has fully become Johan “Swedish John - Fastest in the West”, sporting a false mustache, and running courier missions through dangerous country on her stallion, Lightning.
Delivering an important package in a saloon, she sees Goldie, a beautiful prostitute dancing on stage, and falls in love. In the privacy of a brothel room, Johanna pleasures her as no other cowboy can, and risks all by revealing her true self. But this intimacy can’t last. Johanna’s pursuers are closer than she thought, and she must ride for her life.... (Full Screenplay here)
We’ve worked together on a bunch of projects over the last few years, including the kid’s show “Royaletta”, and the award winning web series “Meter Men”. Swedish John is a lot more ambitious than the projects we’ve done in the past. It’s got Horses, Western Sets, Costumes, Props, extras, and more.
Recreating the 1860s doesn’t come cheap, but luckily we’ve found someone to help us... Peter Sherayko is a noted authority on the old West.
He LITERALLY wrote the book on how to make a historically accurate western, and we’re getting ALL of our stuff from him. He’s making us a great deal, but this is an ambitious project. We need all the help we can get.
Please take a look at the premiums we’re offering and get on board. We’ve got some pretty interesting stuff to offer. But don’t feel limited by what you see here. With Kickstarter, you can give ANY amount. And you don’t have to take a premium if you don’t want to. You can even buy multiple premiums to get exactly what you want. And remember, if we don’t reach our funding goal, we’ll get none of your money - you won't get charged anything - it’ll be like nothing happened.
So whether you can afford a lot or a little, there’s bound to be something that’s a good fit. And if you know anyone else who might like this project, PLEASE forward it along to them. Post it on facebook, share it with your friends, shout it from the rooftops.
We can’t do this without you. Thanks!
FAQ
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54
Backers
$5,841
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Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on May 26, 2012.
Funding period
Apr 26, 2012 -
May 26, 2012
(30 days)
- First created · 4 backed
- Mark W. Gray 833 friends
- Website: rocketpictures.net
Pledge $5 or more
1 backer
OUR ETERNAL GRATITUDE - EVERY little bit helps. And if $5 is all you can afford, WE'LL TAKE IT. You will have a special place in our hearts, and we'll keep you informed of how the project is gong, how the film turns out, and where you can see it down the line. And if you want to opt out of emails, that's fine too.
Estimated delivery: May 2012Pledge $10 or more
5 backers Limited (995 of 1000 left)
LIMITED EDITION SWEDISH JOHN MUSTACHE STICKER - Stick it on your bike, your car - even your upper lip. Show the world you helped support "Swedish John" with this hipster-quality vinyl sticker.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $25 or more
17 backers
"SWEDISH JOHN" DVD - Everything above plus your own copy of the final film, autographed by the star and director.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $25 or more
3 backers Limited (497 of 500 left)
LIMITED EDITION "SWEDISH JOHN" MINI-POSTER - A beautiful, High-Quality, full color 11" x 17" Mini-Poster of the film, personally (and optionally) autographed by the star and director. - Suitible for framing and not so huge as to dominate your wall space.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $60 or more
6 backers Limited (494 of 500 left)
"SWEDISH JOHN" BUCKAROO BOOSTER PACK - You get an autographed DVD of the final film, the autographed mini poster, AND 2 mustache stickers.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $75 or more
1 backer Limited (3 of 4 left)
AUTOGRAPHED SCRIPT - Your own copy if the screenplay from "Swedish John", personally autographed by Emilia Lindgren and Mark W. Gray
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $100 or more
2 backers Limited (48 of 50 left)
VIP PREMIERE PARTY - 2 tickets to our VIP Premiere party in Los Angeles. Hob nob with the other backers and the cast and crew of "Swedish John" at our sexy red-carpet Hollywood premiere. (Date TBD)
Estimated delivery: Nov 2012Pledge $100 or more
3 backers
ON-SCREEN "THANK YOU" - Your name, forever emblazoned in the credits of "Swedish John". This might even finally get you into the IMDB!
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
ORIGINAL STORYBOARDS - The original Hand-Drawn Storyboards created for "Swedish John" by director Mark W. Gray.
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
ON-SET VISIT - Be a spectator as we film the big saloon scene. See behind the scenes as we make Movie Magic in one of Hollywood's wonderful western towns! (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Jun 2012Pledge $250 or more
0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
BURLESQUE DANCE LESSON - Learn the liveliest art with LA Burlesque performer Stephanie Paris, who stars as Goldie, the Dancehall Girl in "Swedish John" (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $450 or more
0 backers Limited (8 of 8 left)
RIDING LESSON WITH EMILIA - Learn horseback riding with the star of "Swedish John", expert equestrian Emilia Lindgren. Emilia will give you a beginner lesson in riding and horsemanship. This is a once in a lifetime experience! (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $500 or more
1 backer Limited (9 of 10 left)
BE A COWBOY OR A FLOOZIE - Appear as a dress-extra in "Swedish John". You'll get dressed period-perfect by our wardrobe department, and featured in our big saloon scene. We'll even give your character a name and give you a SCREEN CREDIT. Now you'll be on IMDB.com for sure! (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $500 or more
4 backers Limited (6 of 10 left)
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER CREDIT - Get an On-Screen credit on "Swedish John" just by pledging at this level. You're supporting a great project AND pumping up that IMDB profile! (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
1 backer Limited (5 of 6 left)
VIP DINNER - Come to a special VIP Dinner with The Star and Director of "Swedish John" at Hollywood's most Historic restaurant, Musso & Frank's. Fill up on martinis as we share our war stories at this private, exclusive dinner. (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $1,250 or more
0 backers Limited (4 of 4 left)
PRIVATE BURLESQUE SHOW - Stars Emilia and Stephanie will perform a special Burlesque show at the party or event of your choice in Los Angeles. Their sexy, eye-popping show will blow your mind. (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Aug 2012Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (4 of 4 left)
TRANSGENDER MAKEOVER - Are you a woman who wants to be a cowboy like "Swedish John"? Maybe you're a dude who wants to see what it's like to look like a lady... Our experts will give you the whole treatment, including make-up, hair, wardrobe, and a photo session by "Swedish John" director Mark W. Gray. Buy this along with the "Be A Cowboy" premium above, and be IN the movie with this look! (Also includes DVD copy of the final film)
Estimated delivery: Jul 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (3 of 3 left)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CREDIT. - Buy this premium and you will BE the executive producer of "Swedish John". Of course, this will include the poster, stickers, and as many DVD copies as you want (within reason). It will also include a single title card at the front of the film, and your credit on ALL posters, video packaging, or other printed matter that includes credits. If more than one Exec. Producer buys this premium, the one who buys first will receive top billing. If you want to guarantee you are the sole EP, just buy all of them. :-)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
