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. 

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.