The Benefits of Gusbandry
The Benefits of Gusbandry
Love is so gay. At her debaucherous 40th birthday party, serial relationship-killer Jackie meets handsome and charming thirty-something River.Their ensuing adventures in self-medication, late-blooming, and questionable judgment lead them to discover a raucous new kind of “significant otherness”.
Love is so gay. At her debaucherous 40th birthday party, serial relationship-killer Jackie meets handsome and charming thirty-something River.Their ensuing adventures in self-medication, late-blooming, and questionable judgment lead them to discover a raucous new kind of “significant otherness”.
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to contribute cash and loan items - or - Make a contribution by selecting an incentive directly.
Select This Incentive
$5 USD
PSYCHIC HUG
River and Jackie will send you a psychic hug from the universe for your kindness!
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$10 USD
PSYCHIC KISS
River and Jackie will send you a psychic sloppy kiss from bed, plus thanks on our FB page.
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$25 USD
PSYCHIC BLOWIE*
River and Jackie will send you a psychic sloppy blowie, plus gratuitous thanks on our FB page AND a NSFW link to behind the scenes production stills.
*use your imagination
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$50 USD
LOVE IS SO GAY
River and Jackie will send you a psychic sloppy kiss from bed, plus gratuitous thanks on our FB page, full digital EPK (includes BTS video, pictures, and thank you Glory Hole photo).
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$75 USD
SELF MEDICATION
River and Jackie will send you a psychic hug and/or blowie, plus gratuitous thanks on our FB page, full digital EPK (includes BTS video, pictures, and thank you Glory Hole photo).
PLUS:
Our cast, director, writers and producers will sign a cast & crew photo and send it to you digitally with a special thanks.
PLUS FOR THE FIRST FIVE SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* Chicken soup to fix it all: Gift Certificate for Dinner for 2 at Mothers Bistro (PDX) (1 available)
* Vouchers for Whiskeytown USA 2016 tickets and 5 drink tokens (5 available)
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$100 USD
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS FOR THE FIRST 3 SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* A pair of earrings and $25 Gift Certificate from Betsy & Iya (3 available)
* $25 Gift Certificate to Hollywood Babylon Vintage (3 available)
* Gift Certificate for a dinner for two at Mothers Bistro in Portland, OR (1 Available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$150 USD
SCENE STEALERS
You know you want to.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* SOUVENIR signed from the first season of the show (5 available).
* A makeover day with Viri – Tiger Tiger Salon Hair and Makeup (1 available)
* A pair of tickets to your choice of shows at Doug Fir Lounge (1 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
NOT EXERCISING EVER
Get your shit together, girl! Or don't, we love you either way.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS: A SOUVENIR signed from the first season of the show (5 available).
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST 6 SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* 1 Hour with Meagan Faith Schreiber’s Tru Footing private fitness instruction (3 available)
* 10 Class Yoga Pass from Yoga Shala (3 available)
* $15 Gift Certificate for a most sinful treat - a dozen Pip’s Original Donuts (5 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$250 USD
EMOTIONALLY STUNTED SOCIOPATH
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS: A SOUVENIR signed from the first season of the show (5 available).
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* Visit our set on one select day of filming, have lunch with the cast and crew (3 available)
* Jupiter Hotel – A night at the jupiter hotel + tickets to a show at Doug Fir (2 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$500 USD
QUEEN OF THE SCENE STEALERS
You GO, girl.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS:
You will receive 2 tickets to the CAST & CREW "Happy Endings Screening"
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* An original Miss Murgatroid song inspired by the donor (5 available)
* Be a featured extra in one of our scenes (5 available)
* A gift certificate for 50% off a couture party dress by designer to the stars Michelle DeCourcy (1 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$750 USD
HAPPY ENDINGS
Everything’s well that ends well.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS:
*You will receive 2 tickets to the CAST & CREW "Happy Endings Screening"
* A PERSONALIZED VIDEO COMEDY IMPROV THANK YOU from River and Jackie
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* A portrait session with award-winning photographer and The Benefits of Gusbandry creator Alicia J. Rose (3 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$1,000 USD
DIRTY DANCING
We don't mean with your feet
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS:
* A PERSONALIZED VIDEO COMEDY IMPROV THANK YOU from River and Jackie
* You will receive 2 tickets to the CAST & CREW "Happy Endings Screening"
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTER AT THIS LEVEL:
* Private Performance by the "Olivia Darlings" (1 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$2,500 USD
FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT
The Full Monte
You will receive EVERYTHING POSSIBLE (if you want it) plus an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER credit, a personalized thank you video from the entire cast and crew, and an advance release of the season after the first six episodes air and HUGE STREET CRED.
Claimed: 0 of 10
Select This Incentive
$3,000 USD
You rascal! You want to become an Executive Producer? Email Gusbandry@gmail.com
Claimed: 0 of 5
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Story
About The Project
WHY THIS? WHY NOW? WHY NOT!
Inspired by real-life relationships with my own “Gay Husbands” (a.k.a: gay best friends), The Benefits of Gusbandry brings to life Jackie and River - two one-of-a-kind characters approaching 40 and follows them as they find something special in one another, navigating the modern world with a no-punches-pulled comedic purview, and finding true love in a most unexpectedly platonic way.
Ever since my first bout of High School heartbreak, I have had Gusbands - a sweet gay man (or boy) to let me cry on his shoulder, wreak havoc, take vacations and champagne brunch with. There is something magical about the relationship between a woman and a gay man, that any woman with an LTG (long term Gusband) will tell you is ESSENTIAL to her life and general happiness. It seems obvious to me, but when I talk about Gusbands more often than not I get a quizzical stare and questions about polygamy.
There is NO current television show that represents the gay male/female bestie relationship in a fresh and no-holds barred comedic way. Yes, we were weaned on network toned down sit-com Will and Grace, and found hope in Looking before it was cancelled, but for as common as Gusbands are in real-life, there is a pitiful amount of contemporary representation in the media. The Benefits of Gusbandry will take advantage of the DIY aspect of the web series format to deliver a fresh and uncensored comedic take on this relationship through bite-size episodes perfect for binge-watching in traffic, on your phone or in bed while avoiding work.
NOW IS THE TIME
The spark of inspiration for The Benefits of Gusbandry eluded me until I came under the spell of an obviously targeted Facebook Ad (I forgive them) for the Rebel Heart Filmmaking Workshop, a two day intensive led by the badass writer/director Diane Bell and her partner Chris Byrne. On a last minute whim, I enrolled, and by the end of the two days I left with the following things rattling through my brain: DON'T LEAVE PORTLAND, THE STORY IS INSIDE YOU, VULNERABILITY IS EVERYTHING. So, I decided to make something that plumbed a subject matter near and dear to my heart - the relationship between me and my Gusbands. Though I have been prone to serial Gusbandry since High School (as I mentioned), its the relationship with my current Guz - Lago that really inspired the series. Our recent "Goneymoon" to Thailand, endless insane nights out on the town, all the amazing meals he cooks for me, the manic "shit'-shopping" he does on the toilet that has resulted in many stylish accoutrement. Maybe it was all those couples massages in Thailand that got me thinking… What started as a hashtag of pride on the many instagram pix I posted of our adventures - #TheBenefitsofGusbandry inspired the stories I now get to share with you in The Benefits of Gusbandry.
WHERE YOUR DUCKETS GO
The first season of The Benefits of Gusbandry will be made up of Six 8-12 minute episodes. Our initial budget request of $12.5K will cover Pre-Production and Post-Production for the first 3 episodes. Check out the Wish List to see a detailed breakdown. We are making this on a very tight budget with ALL cast and crew on the same day rate.
Incentives
Select This Incentive
$5 USD
PSYCHIC HUG
River and Jackie will send you a psychic hug from the universe for your kindness!
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$10 USD
PSYCHIC KISS
River and Jackie will send you a psychic sloppy kiss from bed, plus thanks on our FB page.
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$25 USD
PSYCHIC BLOWIE*
River and Jackie will send you a psychic sloppy blowie, plus gratuitous thanks on our FB page AND a NSFW link to behind the scenes production stills.
*use your imagination
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$50 USD
LOVE IS SO GAY
River and Jackie will send you a psychic sloppy kiss from bed, plus gratuitous thanks on our FB page, full digital EPK (includes BTS video, pictures, and thank you Glory Hole photo).
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$75 USD
SELF MEDICATION
River and Jackie will send you a psychic hug and/or blowie, plus gratuitous thanks on our FB page, full digital EPK (includes BTS video, pictures, and thank you Glory Hole photo).
PLUS:
Our cast, director, writers and producers will sign a cast & crew photo and send it to you digitally with a special thanks.
PLUS FOR THE FIRST FIVE SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* Chicken soup to fix it all: Gift Certificate for Dinner for 2 at Mothers Bistro (PDX) (1 available)
* Vouchers for Whiskeytown USA 2016 tickets and 5 drink tokens (5 available)
Claimed: 0 of 1000
Select This Incentive
$100 USD
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS FOR THE FIRST 3 SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* A pair of earrings and $25 Gift Certificate from Betsy & Iya (3 available)
* $25 Gift Certificate to Hollywood Babylon Vintage (3 available)
* Gift Certificate for a dinner for two at Mothers Bistro in Portland, OR (1 Available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$150 USD
SCENE STEALERS
You know you want to.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* SOUVENIR signed from the first season of the show (5 available).
* A makeover day with Viri – Tiger Tiger Salon Hair and Makeup (1 available)
* A pair of tickets to your choice of shows at Doug Fir Lounge (1 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$200 USD
NOT EXERCISING EVER
Get your shit together, girl! Or don't, we love you either way.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS: A SOUVENIR signed from the first season of the show (5 available).
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST 6 SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* 1 Hour with Meagan Faith Schreiber’s Tru Footing private fitness instruction (3 available)
* 10 Class Yoga Pass from Yoga Shala (3 available)
* $15 Gift Certificate for a most sinful treat - a dozen Pip’s Original Donuts (5 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$250 USD
EMOTIONALLY STUNTED SOCIOPATH
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS: A SOUVENIR signed from the first season of the show (5 available).
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* Visit our set on one select day of filming, have lunch with the cast and crew (3 available)
* Jupiter Hotel – A night at the jupiter hotel + tickets to a show at Doug Fir (2 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$500 USD
QUEEN OF THE SCENE STEALERS
You GO, girl.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS:
You will receive 2 tickets to the CAST & CREW "Happy Endings Screening"
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* An original Miss Murgatroid song inspired by the donor (5 available)
* Be a featured extra in one of our scenes (5 available)
* A gift certificate for 50% off a couture party dress by designer to the stars Michelle DeCourcy (1 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$750 USD
HAPPY ENDINGS
Everything’s well that ends well.
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS:
*You will receive 2 tickets to the CAST & CREW "Happy Endings Screening"
* A PERSONALIZED VIDEO COMEDY IMPROV THANK YOU from River and Jackie
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTERS AT THIS LEVEL:
* A portrait session with award-winning photographer and The Benefits of Gusbandry creator Alicia J. Rose (3 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$1,000 USD
DIRTY DANCING
We don't mean with your feet
EVERYTHING ABOVE! Mix-Tape, pics, cute video, psychic blowies etc!!
PLUS:
* A PERSONALIZED VIDEO COMEDY IMPROV THANK YOU from River and Jackie
* You will receive 2 tickets to the CAST & CREW "Happy Endings Screening"
BONUS!!! FOR THE FIRST SUPPORTER AT THIS LEVEL:
* Private Performance by the "Olivia Darlings" (1 available)
Claimed: 0 of 50
Select This Incentive
$2,500 USD
FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT
The Full Monte
You will receive EVERYTHING POSSIBLE (if you want it) plus an ASSOCIATE PRODUCER credit, a personalized thank you video from the entire cast and crew, and an advance release of the season after the first six episodes air and HUGE STREET CRED.
Claimed: 0 of 10
Select This Incentive
$3,000 USD
You rascal! You want to become an Executive Producer? Email Gusbandry@gmail.com
Claimed: 0 of 5
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
Alicia J. Rose - Creator/Showrunner:
Known for imbuing riveting story structures and a compelling visual aesthetic into her body of work, Alicia has created popular music videos for national artists like First Aid Kit, Cake and Bob Mould as well as playing a key role in branding NW bands like The Decemberists, Menomena and Laura Gibson. Rose has directed many short-form commercial/corporate videos, over 24 music videos and completed her first narrative short “The Gift of Gravity” in 2014 which was well received on the festival circuit (New Orleans Film Festival 2014, PowFest 2014, PDXFF 2014). She is an award-winning still photographer who spent 20 years in the music business doing marketing and sales before turning her eye to filmmaking in 2008.
Courtenay Hameister - Co-Writer:
Courtenay is a columnist, playwright, filmmaker and the head writer and co-producer of Live Wire, a radio variety show out of Portland, Oregon that airs on over 60 public radio stations around the country. She wrote and directed the award-winning short Stella's Flight, and was co-writer on six prize-winning shorts with the film collective Cinema Syndicate. She also co-wrote the highly successful stage parodies Roadhouse: The Play! and Lost Boys: Live with Shelley McLendon. Her writing can also be found on McSweeney's and in Portland Monthly and Oregon Humanities Magazine.
Brooke Totman, Lead Actress - Jackie:
Brooke Totman has a degree in Theater Arts from the University of Oregon. After college, she moved to Los Angeles where she studied improv and sketch comedy with The Groundlings, eventually becoming a member of their Sunday Company. Totman was a featured cast member on MadTV and has guest starred in several sitcoms including Less than Perfect and King of Queens. She is currently writing and performing sketch comedy with numerous funny people in Portland Oregon.
Kurt Conroyd, Lead Actor - River:
Kurt was featured in Fox Searchlight's Wild and Reverie Films Birds of Neptune (Official Slamdance feature 2015). He also worked with Olive Entertainment in Life and Death of... and Wild Blue. He studied at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre company and loves funny people.
Bradley Sellers – Director of Photography:
For over 2 decades Bradley has been putting a romantic lens on the world. He has DP’d over a dozen feature films as well as a long list of scripted comedy and drama including Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mr. Show, Def Comedy Jam, Carnivale, Top Chef and many others. He has previously collaborated with Alicia on multiple music video projects (First Aid Kit, MC Frontalot, Bob Mould).
Lara Cuddy - Producer:
With over 20 years of experience in concept development, marketing strategy, and project management, Lara Cuddy works as a producer and designer in a broad range of media including film & video, broadcast, print, and interactive. Her skill-set includes producing, line producing, and production management as well as post-production, promotion, and marketing coordination on independent short and feature film projects, commercials, music videos, and television. Recent projects include the feature films Deep Dark (official selection Fantaspoa Film Festival 2015), and Birds of Neptune (official selection Slamdance Film Festival 2015, Winner Best Narrative Feature Arizona Int’l Film Festival 2015), and most recently, Tuff TV's first original scripted series, Combat Report, a WWII drama first aired on cable television in January 2015.
Dan Eason – Production Manager:
At an early age, Dan Eason discovered his passion for filmmaking while shooting and editing skateboarding videos in the Cincinnati Tri-State. His interests in the creative process led him to Philadelphia to where he received a degree in Film & Video at Drexel University. After working in Warner Brother’s production management trainee program, he started location managing features and producing short films. Currently he resides in Portland, Oregon location managing on NBC’s hit show Grimm.
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