About the Film

Sod and Stubble is the story of a German immigrant Henry Ise and his devoted wife, Rosie Haag Ise who with tenacity and devotion fight to craft a home for their family on the plains of Kansas. 

Based on the book by the same name, written by John Ise with additional material by Von Rothenberger, Sod and Stubble has been remembered by some as a “non-fiction novel” that provides the readers with a realism rarely delivered. 

The Sod and Stubble film project is an investor based opportunity. 

The Project

Sod and Stubble is a TV Film budgeted at $500,000, in the United States and abroad. The film genre is drama with themes of love and community amidst trials and challenges of pioneering.

The Industry 

Independent films have been increasingly successful over the past ten to twenty years as additional markets have become available through streaming and non-exclusive deals available to independent film producers.

The Market

Independent movies have had success both in the theater and in online and streaming markets. This past year, several independent projects gained acclaim including Everything Everywhere All at Once, On the Count of Three, and Good Luck to You, Leo Grande. In addition, family themed films have had a resurgence as movies like Railway Children, Family Camp and a Cowgirl’s Song have had success. 

Lastly, the interest in western movies and mini-series like 1883 have drawn continued interest back to the western.

Distribution Strategy

The film industry is highly competitive with a film’s success often related to the skills of a distributor’s marketing strategy. We believe that our Executive Producers have the understanding, knowledge and relationships with potential markets that could lead us to a successful placement in a television or streaming market. Possible release points would be Hallmark, INSP, or other family and western related outlets.

Investment Opportunity

Sod and Stubble LLC is seeking $500,000 to fund the filming of Sod and Stubble. We believe this can be secured primarily through private investors who would invest at a minimum of 1% of the total needed. A foundation or entity could also act as an investor in this model. Using and with the knowledge of potential revenue projections, the Company projects a gross revenue from the film to exceed $500,000.

This feature film tells the story of Henry and Rosie Ise, homesteaders on the Kansas plains as remembered eloquently by son John Ise. What emerges is the devotion Henry and Rosie exhibited for one another and their tenacity in providing an education for their children. Eventually, opportunity takes the children away from home and what is to become of the parents who sacrificed so much to make those dreams a reality? In the end, we are witness to a family facing the disheartening realities of life on the plains, armed only with love. 

 Sod and Stubble is in post-production after a challenging (Hot!!) and yet wonderful summer of filming. As many of you know SAG-AFTRA called a strike in the midst of our schedule, but as an independent film project we received a waiver to complete our film. We are most grateful, and we are grateful for the team of actors, crew, and support personnel that have been  so committed to this project.  Shortly, our actors will be sharing some images  from the last couple of weeks of filming and we will share a trailer with you very soon as well. We look forward to releasing Sod and Stubble early in 2024. Thank you to everyone for the amazing support! 

Chase Joins Cast

The producers of Sod and Stubble are pleased to announce that actor Bailey Chase has been cast in the lead role of pioneer Henry Ise. Chase is most recognized from the role of Branch Connally in the series Longmire.

Written and directed by Ken Spurgeon, Sod and Stubble is based on the book by the same name by John Ise with Von Rothenberger. It is the true story of a 19th century pioneering family and much of the filming will take place on or near actual locations in Kansas.

“We feel extremely grateful to have someone of Bailey's talent joining our team as our male lead, Henry Ise,” said Spurgeon. “Bailey has a varied and diverse body of work and I feel confident that he'll deliver a wonderful performance as the strong, generous Ise father that we've all come to know and love through this wonderful book and story.”

“Henry Ise is a German-American who fought for his country and followed his dreams to the Kansas Frontier in the 1870’s,” said Chase from his home in North Carolina. “He married his true love, worked hard and created a better life for his children. I was drawn to this role because of my deep respect for Henry’s core values: God, family and respect. These are the traits I’ll strive to help bring to the screen and looking forward to tapping into my German roots as well.”

Chase has appeared in several series including Queen of the South, SEAL Team, The Rookie, SWAT, GRIMM, and Chicago PD. His film credits include Left Behind: The Rise of the AntiChrist (2023) and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016).

Chase joins a cast of veteran actors including Dodie Brown (Grumpy Old Santa, American Horror Story, Queen Sugar) Barry Corbin (Yellowstone, Lonesome Dove, Northern Exposure), Nikki Tomlinson (Game of Silence, Knight Squad, The Vampire Diaries), Buck Taylor (Yellowstone, Hell or High Water, Tombstone), Rudy Ramos (Yellowstone, High Chaparral), Darby Hinton (The Contested Plains, Texas Rising, Daniel Boone), Mary McDonough (The Contested Plains, The Waltons), Wyatt McCrea (The Contested Plains, Big History, Floating Horses, Call 911), and R. W. Hampton (The Contested Plains, Peace River, The Gambler).

Filming will begin this summer. Sod and Stubble is an investor-based project and more information may be found at sodandstubble.com.

Photo by Mathieu Young

Brown Joins Cast

May 4, 2023

The producers of Sod and Stubble are pleased to announce that actor Dodie Brown has been cast as Rosa Haag Ise, one of the leading roles. Brown joins a cast of veteran actors including Barry Corbin (Yellowstone, Lonesome Dove, Northern Exposure), Buck Taylor (Yellowstone, Hell or High Water, Tombstone), Rudy Ramos (Yellowstone, High Chaparral), Darby Hinton (Texas Rising, Daniel Boone), Mary McDonough (The Waltons), Wyatt McCrea (Floating Horses), and R. W. Hampton (Peace River, The Gambler).
Brown (Grumpy Old Santa, American Horror Story, Queen Sugar) began performing as a child. “My step-dad was in theater,” Brown said, “he was the lead in musicals so every night he would be practicing – classics like Oliver, Annie Get Your Gun, Oklahoma!, the Music Man. So I grew up with theatre.”
Speaking from her home in Louisiana, Brown said the script was “an emotional ride.”
“I fell in love with the characters,” she said. “I had read the book and I was impressed to see how closely the script followed the book.”
Written and directed by Ken Spurgeon, Sod and Stubble is based on the book by the same name by John Ise with Von Rothenberger. It is the true story of a 19th century pioneering family and much of the filming will take place on or near actual locations in Kansas.
“Dodie has spent a lifetime acting and performing,” said Spurgeon. “She has a tremendous amount of experience and has proven herself versatile through her wonderful body of work. I feel grateful to have her with us and take on this important character.”
This will be Brown’s first time in Kansas and she has been following the progress of the replica of the Ise home which is being built at Downs. She marveled at the passion of the community.
“I want to say ‘thank you’ to the volunteers who are making this happen,” she said. “It’s amazing to watch this house being built, to watch people come together and work so hard in this pre-production phase.”
Filming is scheduled to begin this summer. 

BARRY CORBIN JOINS CAST

April 19, 2023

DOWNS, KS--The producers of Sod and Stubble are pleased to announce that veteran actor Barry Corbin will join the cast in the role of  “Old Man” Vietz.

While the terms “icon” and “legend” are often tossed around, referring to Corbin as such is well earned. His decades-long career has included television classics such as Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove, Better Call Saul, The Ranch, and most recently, Yellowstone and Tulsa King. His film credits include Urban Cowboy, Any Which Way You Can, Conagher, No Country for Old Men, The Homesman, and the upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon.
Corbin is an accomplished horseman and rodeo competitor and ranches near Fort Worth with his wife, Jo.

Written and directed by Ken Spurgeon, Sod and Stubble is based on the book by the same name by John Ise with Von Rothenberger. It is the true story of a 19th century pioneering family and much of the filming will take place on or near actual locations in Kansas.
“Barry Corbin exudes the West,” said Spurgeon. “To have an actor of his stature involved in this project is exciting for me personally and the cast and crew who will work with Barry on set. Not only is he an acclaimed actor, but he is a gentleman and I look forward to working with him.”

Corbin joins an already impressive cast including Buck Taylor (Hell or High Water,Yellowstone), Rudy Ramos (High Chapparal, Yellowstone), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone, Texas Rising), Mary McDonough (The Waltons), Wyatt McCrea (Floating Horses), and R. W. Hampton (The Gambler, Peace River).
Sod and Stubble is an investor-based project and more information may be found at sodandstubble.com.

Pictured Barry Corbin, Ken Spurgeon, Darby Hinton at the 2022 Wrangler Awards.

For Immediate Release Contact: sodandstubblefilm@gmail.com

February 28, 2023     www.sodandstubble.com 

Sod and Stubble Set to Begin Production

DOWNS, KS – Veteran actor Buck Taylor (Yellowstone, Hell or High Water, Gunsmoke) heads the list of cast members to star in Sod and Stubble, a film based on the book by the same name according to the project’s owners, Sod and Stubble, LLC. 

Director Ken Spurgeon (The Road to Valhalla, Home on the Range) confirmed actors who will be in the project: Mary McDonough (the Waltons), Rudy Ramos (Yellowstone, High Chaparral), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone, Texas Rising), Wyatt McCrea (Floating Horses), R. W. Hampton (What Remains, Peace River), Mark Mannette (Home on the Range), Delno Ebie (Love, Courage, and the Battle of Bushy Run). Other cast announcements will be made in the coming weeks. 

Production is expected to begin in June with filming on the Miller Farm at Downs where sets are being constructed, including a replica of the Ise homestead.

Professor John Ise published his pioneering family’s story in 1936 using his mother as a source. The book has become a classic often used as a text in Kansas studies or classes on the American West. Subsequent editions published by the University of Kansas Press have included additional materials by historian Von Rothenberger, an advisor and Executive Producer on the film.

The screenplay was written by Ken Spurgeon and he will direct the film, with Fall River Productions of Wichita producing the project. This is an investment-based opportunity and related information can be found on the website. This is a made-for-television film.