Filmmaker returns home for final saga

SANDUSKY — Twenty years ago, a young visionary returned to his hometown of Sandusky in order to film and share with the world the intimate story of how he came to embrace his identity as a gay man when the world around him was less than accepting.After its release, the film "Edge of Seventeen" became an iconic coming-of-age story in the LGBTQ community. Its follow-up, "Gypsy 83," which was also filmed partially in Sandusky, was hailed for its relatability to young adults struggling with feeling alienated.Once again, filmmaker and Sandusky native Todd Stephens aims to make his hometown a movie set with his latest project, "Swan Song."According to Stephens, this movie has been a lifetime in the making. The main character is based on another Sanduskian, who Stephens credits for changing his life as a young adult.Filmmaker Todd Stephens on his recent visit to hometown Sandusky, during which he met with city government leaders, the media and various businesses and organization sponsors.Stephens hopes to achieve the goal of filming in Sandusky through the support from the community as a whole, which he has already received exponentially since he first announced his plans."When I made 'Edge of Seventeen,' we were afraid to tell people what the film was about," Stephens said." Back then we thought if they knew it was a gay story, people wouldn't be happy. Now coming back, it's amazing how supportive everybody has been, even the city government, in wanting to see it happen."Many are looking forward to the project and how it'll spotlight Sandusky."We are proud of Sandusky's role in the equal rights movement, and we want to support Todd and his vision," Sandusky city manager Eric Wobser said. "There is certainly a lot of good that comes from having Sandusky portrayed in film, and it's economically beneficial as well. I think it's really exciting, and I hope we can find a way to help."The inspiration for "Swan Song" came from "Mister Pat" Pitsenbarger, who was extremely well known during his life by his fabulous work at Designers Hair Salon, which was in downtown Sandusky, Stephens said. Mister Pat also blazed the trail of social acceptance with how open and proudly gay he was during a time period when homosexuality was still widely demonized.Viewers will meet Mister Pat near the end of his life, as he goes on a journey to fulfill the dying wish of a former client. In order to do this, he must make his way across Sandusky, and, in doing so, he discovers that a lot has changed in the years he spent isolated in an assisted living facility.Stephens intends to cast as many locals as possible to appear in "Swan Song" alongside indie film legend Udo Kier, who will be playing Mister Pat. Additionally, he hopes to highlight all the positive changes that have taken place in Sandusky during the community's renaissance."I really want Sandusky to be a character in the film," Stephens said. "In a visual sense, at first, the movie will be really drained of color, and kind of as Mister Pat gets closer to the center of town, he sort of comes back to life, there's more color in his outfit, and the town comes back to life around him as well."Although filming isn't set to begin until tentatively late spring or early summer, businesses and individuals alike can already become part of making the film by checking out the "Swan Song" fundraising campaign, making a pledge and sharing updates and news on the film's progress with friends and family."I love my hometown so much, and I'm so inspired by everything that's going on here," Stephens said. "I really hope this film helps spread the word of the rebirth of Sandusky."For more information on "Swan Song" and to get involved with the making of the movie, visit kickstartswansong.com. The Kickstarter campaign ends on Thursday.This 2016 photo shows Todd Stephens when he visited Mister Pat's old Salon, Designer Salon Hair, before it was remodeled. Filmmaker Todd Stephens, right, hugs actor Udo Kier, who will play the leading role of Mister Pat in 'Swan Song.'The original Mister Pat Pitsenbarger, who is the inspiration for the main character of 'Swan Song.'A side-by-side comparison of Mister Pat, the main character in 'Swan Song,' and actor Udo Kier, who will portray him in the film.