Previously known as The Doreen Brownstone Film Spectacular and The Barbara Blackwood Movie-Working Title, Whatever Happened to Barbara Blackwood? is a feature film project starring the amazing Doreen Brownstone, OM, currently in post-production.
Check back here for updates.
Although our Indiegogo campaign is long ended, we occasionally hear from people who wonder if they still could contribute The short answer is YES!!
Below we have done our best to recreate Indiegogo experience right here! So you can read all of the information, watch the videos, make a donation, and even choose a perk if you so desire. Read on…
The Original Campaign Pitch Video (2013):
The Second Video:
What is the goal of this project?
To make a narrative feature starring the inimitable Doreen Brownstone.
Who is this Doreen Brownstone?
Now 96, Doreen Brownstone is a mainstay of the Winnipeg theatre and film scene. She started acting in the RAF during WWII, moved to Winnipeg as a war bride, and in 1958 starred opposite Gordon Pinsent in the very first production at the very first regional theatre in North America (Hatful of Rainat Manitoba Theatre Centre, directed by John Hirsch)
Much more recently she has brightened such films as Silent Night (2012), High Life (2009), and an episode of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil (2011), and continued to delight theatre audiences in shows such as: Fiddler on the Roof, Over the Tavern (RMTC) and Over the River and Through the Woods (Winnipeg’s RMTC, Montreal’s Segal Theatre and Thunder Bay’s Magnus Theatre).
If you’d like to learn more about Doreen’s history, stay tuned for SWAK Productions’ documentaryDoreen Brownstone: Still Working After 90 coming to MTS Stories from Home in 2014.
If you’d like to help make a feature film starring this 92 year old dynamo, read on!
About the Film
Legendary B-movie star Barbara Blackwood investigates the mysterious goings on in her apartment building while trying to revitalize her fading career.
Equal parts Curb Your Enthusiasm-style “reality” zaniness, and an affectionate homage to B genre movies of the past and present, the script—which incorporates scenes from past “Barbara Blackwood” movies within our movie—will showcase Brownstone’s ability to act in a variety of movie roles and styles, and exploit screenwriter Angus Kohm’s love of, and genius for parodying, B-movie genres
Why is this project important?
That four out of the six lead characters are female could be said to make this project important (it’s also just consistent with Kohm’s long history of writing smart and funny roles for women); what makes it really important to us is Doreen Brownstone.
Like Betty White, Doreen is doing some of her best work at an age when many actors are long retired. However, unlike White, Brownstone’s greatest performances have been on stage, and therefore are unavailable for fans to enjoy over again, and new fans to discover.
We want to immortalize Doreen Brownstone in a starring role on film while we still can.
Who is this “We”?
SWAK Productions is the film and video production company of Stefanie Wiens (SW) and Angus Kohm (AK). As individuals, Stefanie and Angus have produced an eclectic range of theatre and video projects—from Angus Kohm’s satirical genre musicals, Bad Girls Jailhouse (“Hilarious! 4 stars” Winnipeg Sun)and Sorority Girls Slumber Party Massacre: The Musical (“This is the show you don’t want to miss. It’s fast, funny and macabre…”—the Montreal Gazette; “a raucous, cutting-edge satirical attack on slasher movies” –Winnipeg Free Press) to industrial health care videos. In a variety of arenas we have demonstrated our ability to create successful, effective projects on a really low budget. As SWAK we have produced a no-budget (non-union) feature Vendetta’s Big Slaughter (in post production), and various private and industrial projects. Our most recent SWAK project is the documentary Doreen Brownstone: Still Working After 90
The Nitty Gritty
The film is now in post-production, with projected completion in 2019. It’s looking great, and we’re excited to share it with the world soon!
Where will my $ go?
All money raised goes to
Check out our perks at the bottom of this page. Hopefully there is something there to fit your budget and interests
How else can I help?
We know there may be many people out there who would like the idea of this project but don’t have money to contribute: if this is you, we appreciate you helping out by simply spreading the word to anyone you think might be interested.
To keep costs down, there are many tangibles and intangibles we have been able to secure through partnerships, in-kind donations and other routes. If you have a non-monetary way that you would like to contribute to the film, or want to know more about this, please get in touch with us.
We want to seize our opportunity to immortalize Doreen on film, and to work with this gem of a performer while we still can.
Thanks for reading this far: we appreciate your interest and support! Keep reading to learn how you can donate.
Featured Campaign photo courtesy of Leif Norman, © Leif Norman
Are You Ready To Help Support The Barbara Blackwood Movie (Working Title)?
You may choose to donate any amount that you like, but the drop down list contains some examples of donation levels and their corresponding perks. See below for the full list.
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If you would prefer to send us a cheque, e-mail us and we will provide you with all of the pertinent details.
The Official Perk List (when you donate one of the following amounts, you are entitled to claim its corresponding perk – or any lower level perk that you may prefer – just make sure to include a note telling us which one you want)
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$5 CADWorking actor (between gigs)
Your cashpile is small, but your heart is large. You receive our heartfelt thanks and good vibes AND a thank you in the comments on our indiegogo page.
7 claimed
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$12 CADWorking actor (on contract)
Your savings are small, but your wallet is less light than sometimes…and your heart is as big as ever. As well as thank you in the comments, you receive thanks on Twitter and Facebook and a video message from the producers e-mailed directly to you.
4 claimed
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$25 CADGreen Room Refrigerator
Above perks, plus an I ♥ Doreen Brownstone fridge magnet.
22 claimed
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$50 CADInsider Knowledge
All of the above perks, plus a thank you card from the producers, access to the exclusive production update blog during filming, and a surprise publicity item (poster, handbill, press release, etc.) from a past Angus Kohm production.
14 claimed
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$80 CADWardrobe Fitting
All of the above plus a fabulous and fashionable “I ♥ Doreen Brownstone ” T-shirt (these are nice t-shirts: traditional or ladies fit, sizes XS-XL available)
8 claimed
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$100 CADSorority Girls Special
All of the above, including the T-shirt, plus a soundtrack CD of Kohm’s fringe hit Sorority Girls Slumber Party Massacre: The Musical (2001 Production)
14 claimed
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$250 CADImmortalized on a VHS Box
Your name will appear on a VHS box or movie poster featured in the film (as “Doreen Brownstone”‘s co-star). After filming, you will receive a signed copy of the original poster/box artwork in which your name appears. This is a special, limited number stand-alone perk. It does not include any lower level perks, and is not included in higher level perks.
2 out of 6 claimed
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$300 CADOpening Night
All of the above plus your name in the credits and an invitation to the premiere screening in Winnipeg.
5 claimed
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$500 CADStock Footage
All of the above plus we will feature a photo (which you supply) of you or the beloved pet or person of your choice, in the movie (for example, sitting on “Doreen Brownstone”’s mantle, or somewhere else delightful and visible!). Some conditions apply.
4 out of 8 claimed
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$1,000 CADPA for the day
All of the above (except “Stock Footage”) plus you get to spend one day on set and eat a meal with crew and cast members (must be 18 or over; some conditions apply)
2 out of 5 claimed
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$2,500 CADAssociate Producer
All of the above (except “Stock Footage”) plus associate producer credit in the end credits and on the IMDB
0 out of 4 claimed
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$7,500 CADExecutive Producer
All the earlier perks (except “Stock Footage”) + an executive producer credit in the movie and on the IMDB
0 out of 4 claimed
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If you would prefer to send us a cheque, e-mail us and we will provide you with all of the pertinent details.