When it premiered in 2012, the acclaimed LGBTQ dramedy Eastsiders started to take viewers on a fascinating journey through the thrills and heartbreaks of same-sex relationships. After three seasons and eight Emmy nominations, Eastsiders’ outstanding run concludes with its upcoming fourth season. The show’s three prior seasons can be seen on Netflix.
The series’ co-stars/co-executive producers, Kit Williamson and John Halbach, are now endeavoring to make Eastsiders’ final season possible through its Kickstarter fundraising campaign. Details on how to pitch in to the campaign, as well as information on its incentives, can be found on the show’s Kickstarter page here.
The drive continues through October 11th, and has cracked through its bare minimum goal of $100,000 as of this report (enough to produce four episodes).
The brilliant ensemble cast of Emmy-nominated LGBTQ dramedy EASTSIDERS, now funding production of its fourth and final season on Kickstarter. The campaign concludes October 11th.
If it gains $125,000 or more, viewers will be rewarded by a six episode farewell season for Eastsiders, which wraps up with a spectacular “drag wedding” for one of its most popular couples: Quincy (Stephen Guarino) and Douglas (Willam Belli).
Production on season 4 of Eastsiders will tentatively begin on November 1st, according to Williamson and Halbach. As the producers note, though, the completion of Quincy and Douglas’ courtship is only one of Eastsiders’ most intriguing storylines in season 4.
“We have a lot of exciting developments this season – most notably the return of the show’s ensemble cast including Jeremy (Matthew McKelligon) and Derrick (Leith Burke) and, of course, a giant drag wedding! We’re working with a designer right now on Willam’s character’s dress, and it’s going to be epic.”
A second reward is also in the offing for fans who help Williamson and Halbach to exceed the $135,000 total for Eastsiders’ Kickstarter initiative: a full-length documentary that pulls back the curtain on the series’ remarkable story and cast. If the campaign reaches and/or surpasses $150,000, pre-production on a spinoff series will commence. That series will involve some of Eastsiders‘ most popular supporting characters. With those goodies awaiting the campaign’s contributors, Williamson and Halbach say that every dollar counts in successfully making Eastsiders’ final season.
“We are a completely independent production, so the funds raised through the campaign are vital to help us pay the actors and crew, rent equipment and secure locations and insurance. We also have an amazing documentary filmmaker waiting in the wings if we reach our stretch goal of $135K that will document the entire process.”
Like its superb cast and crew, Williamson and Halbach consider their campaign contributors to be a critical part of the Eastsiders family. “We really mean it when we say our Kickstarter backers are members of our team, and we make sure to keep them in the loop every step of the way from production to distribution.”
EASTSIDERS co-stars/co-executive producers Kit Williamson and John Halbach.
The benefits of donating to the campaign are remarkable. “We have some awesome rewards this season, including digital downloads, t-shirts, an invitation to appear as an extra at the big wedding and even producer credits.”
Williamson and Halbach, who married in 2016 before Eastsiders’ third season started production, have both grown as much as their series has since its 2012 launch. “We really can track our professional development with the show, and we also have marked so many personal milestones while creating it. It’s been a huge part of our lives and identities making the show over the last 6 years.”
As Williamson and Halbach reach the end of Eastsiders’ story with its fourth season, their creative growth has gone hand in hand with the evolution of the show they’ve devoted themselves to. “Every season, we learn more about how to efficiently and effectively produce the show and we think the show’s production value has gone up every season as a result,” they explain.
Both Williamson and Halbach share huge ambitions for Eastsiders’ final chapter. “Season 4 is going to be the biggest and best season yet.”
To contribute to Eastsiders’ season 4 Kickstarter campaign, visit:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1503081443/eastsiders-the-final-season
All 3 seasons of Eastsiders are now streaming on Netflix:
https://www.netflix.com/title/70304246