STRETCH GOAL: 30K FOR ALL 6 EPISODES
YES!!! THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! Because of YOU, we successfully funded the first 3 episodes of susaneLand and will head into production!!! Striving toward our stretch goal of 30K for the entire series now!!! Can't wait to share this with you!!! XO!!!
Hello there! I have been working professionally for over ten years in Los Angeles (Gilmore Girls, The Shield, Grey's Anatomy, MTV's Jerks With Cameras, Rizzoli & Isles). Back in 2013, I wrote, produced and starred in a comedic rap video called DREAM BIG highlighting my experience as an Asian American actress. It poked fun of all the common stereotypes Asian actresses are so often called upon to play.
Cut to today and we are still facing the same battle. Diverse actors are still fighting for better opportunities and more visibility onscreen. Viola Davis said it best: "The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity." With that said, I could sit around and wait for opportunities to come my way OR I could create them and be doing what I truly love RIGHT NOW.
That is why we created susaneLand featuring an Asian American female lead and diverse cast. I truly believe a powerful way to affect massive change is to create and produce content that not only challenges the current landscape but also inspires others to do the same!
I wrote an article for Medium about why equitable representation for women and people of color matters and you can access it here: https://medium.com/@susanelee/equitable-representation-in-entertainment-303e0fd2bb8a#.8wnr9wxze
What is susaneLand?
We love subtle, dark, and surreal comedies. We also love looking at human nature. With susaneLand we hope to do both. Each of the six episodes is a vignette inspired by events in my life that we've embellished and played with a little. Some are about people's needless cruelty or awkward situations while others look at the grey areas of human behavior and why people do the things they do. We're creating a show that isn't out there right now but one we would like to watch. Also, this series will have a female Asian-American lead that is not defined by her race or by some stereotype. In susaneLand, women and people of color exist at the forefront not in the background.
We're inspired by the spirit and tone of Louie, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Atlanta. Their ability to look at everyday life from a unique and surprising perspective inspires us to create the kind of show we want to watch.
Where are the funds going?
GOAL: 15K for 3 EPISODES
STRETCH GOAL : 30K for all 6 EPISODES
Filmmaking is very costly and we're essentially striving to make six mini shorts here. Funds will help cover film and equipment rental, the cost of major commercial locations, and paying our professional team, including our actors. I have worked on several projects for no pay in the past and it is important to me that everyone on board susaneLand is properly paid for their hard work and time. The only two people who are not receiving payment is myself and the director. This is our passion project. We have other costs as well such as insurance, hair and makeup, sound, wardrobe, craft services and catering, set design and props, and post production!
Your funds no matter the amount will be making a direct impact on our production!
Once we hit our initial goal of 15K we will begin production! With indiegogo and their flexible funding, we will be able to keep ALL FUNDS we raise and people may even contribute toward the campaign after we even close as long as we hit our initial goal of 15K before we close!!! WE CAN DO IT!!!
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Support for susaneLand
We are so grateful for the outpouring of support from the community! HUGE SHOUT OUT TO:
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KEN JEONG - For sharing my campaign on Twitter! From one Blue Devil to another, THANK YOU!!! #asianshelpingasians
JOHN CABRERA (Brian Fuller on Gilmore Girls, Kyon's love interest) and KEIKO AGENA (Lane Kim on Gilmore Girls) - For all the social media support!!! Kyon was my first theatrical role ever and I am so grateful to have been a part of such a beloved show! Thank you to my Gilmore Girls family and the GG Fan support!!!
Previous Work
The Girl Who Couldn't Get High. Co-Written by Susane Lee and Co-Written/Directed by Andrew Olsen. GWCGH took 1st place at Cake Batter's Funny Women Festival in Los Angeles.
The Team (So far...)
Susane Lee: starring/co-creator/writer (Rizzoli & Isles, MTV's Jerks with Cameras, Grey's Anatomy, The Shield, Gilmore Girls)
Andrew Olsen: co-creator/writer/director (The Girl Who Couldn't Get High)
Alex O. Gaynor: Director of Photography - Alex has worked with many top notch clients as gaffer, camera operator and cinematographer. Those clients include Apple, Sony Playstation, Nintendo, Bose, Gatorade, Electronic Arts, Dodge, GMC, Toyota, Disney, Lowes, Mattel, JVC, Nike, Adidas, iTag, Paul Mitchell, Great Harvest Bread Company, Levis, JCP, Hilton/Doubletree, Netflix, Amazon, MTV, VH1, AOL, TLC, Huffington Post, The Food Network, and Comedy Central.
Risks & Challenges
We no doubt will come across many new obstacles dealing with the challenges of creating a brand new series. It's not going to be easy but rest assured we are working professionals accustomed to seeing projects through.
COMMUNICATION is everything to us so if we do run into any issues you'll definitely know. We're all in this together and you can rest assured that we will be updating you throughout this fun, amazing journey.
With our strong work ethic, positive attitude, and pure heart NOTHING is going to prevent us from making susaneLand the best series possible!
As soon as we complete post-production we will be expediting rewards out as fast as we can. We could not have done this without YOU so please know nothing will make us happier than acknowledging your support.
Thanks again for your time and consideration! Your support means everything to us and together we can change the current landscape of entertainment, make an impact, and create change! Here's to DREAMING BIG! THANK YOU!!! XO!
