Project Description

When Scott Thompson’s iconic character Buddy Cole emerged onto television with The Kids in the Hall in the 1990s, he described himself as an “actor, singer, dancer, model, Canadian.” In the years since, Buddy Cole has proven to be all of those qualities and much more. His persona has transcended mediums, including television, autobiography, webseries, and live performances, while always remaining both bitingly honest and larger than life. But as Scott Thompson repeatedly evokes this creation throughout his career, the question remains: Who really is Buddy Cole?

Filmmaker Jessamine Manchester sets out to answer this question in The Buddy Cole Documentary. With Executive Producers Bruce McCulloch and Paul Bellini, two brilliant comedians who have been part of the Buddy Cole journey since the very beginning, the true story of this controversial gay comedy icon is unveiled for the first time. Featuring never-before-seen archival footage and interviews with other comedy luminaries in the field, this film takes a 3-part approach to Buddy’s narrative. The history, evolution, and impact of the character are all examined, highlighting the real world inspirations behind the character’s inception, the continued relevance of Buddy over the decades, and the influence he has had for comedians today. We are proud to announce The Buddy Cole Documentary, and humbly ask for your support in bringing this iconic character’s story to life.

Giving Back

In exchange for your support on this production, we are excited to offer several rewards open to all backers:

Note: at each higher level, the backer receives the previous rewards as well.

$20 Digital Download of the Documentary
Backers who contribute $20 or more to the campaign will receive a digital download of The Buddy Cole Documentary upon the project’s completion.

$40 Access to Extended Cuts of the Interviews and Live Buddy Cole Performances
Backers who contribute $40 or more to the campaign will receive access to extended cuts of several interviews conducted during the documentary process, as well as footage gathered from Buddy Cole live shows.

$50 Buddy Cole Newsletter
Backers who contribute $50 or more to the campaign will have access to a digital newsletter written from the perspective of Buddy Cole himself, created specifically for this crowdfunding campaign.

$100 Personalized Thank You Message from Bruce McCulloch or Buddy Cole + Name in the credits
Backers who contribute $100 or more will be able to choose between receiving a personalized message from Executive Producer Bruce McCulloch or the King himself Buddy Cole to thank you for your contribution. Your name (or alias) will also then appear in the credits of the completed film.

$200 Buddy Archives Bundle
Backers who contribute $200 or more will receive a digital download of a selection of various Buddy Cole related archival content such as original scripts, never-before-seen footage, and more!

$300 Invitation to Buddy’s Virtual Happy Hour
Backers who contribute $300 or more will receive an invitation to Buddy Cole’s Virtual Happy Hour. Guests will step into the world of Buddy’s Bar via Zoom and enjoy an evening of monologues and a brief Q&A with Buddy as well.

$500 Buddy’s Pen Pals
Backers who contribute $500 or more will receive the digital rewards from previous tiers (the documentary, extended interviews, and the archive bundle) mailed to them on a custom USB bracelet, as well as a printed version of the newsletter and a one-of-a-kind Polaroid.

$1,000 Meet the Team
Backers who contribute $1,000 or more will be able to meet the team putting this project together via a Zoom call with Executive Producers Bruce McCulloch and Paul Bellini and Director Jessamine Manchester.

Every Contribution Matters

Bringing the real-world story behind Buddy Cole to life is a passion project for all involved, but we still require your support to help this documentary reach its full potential. Your financial contributions go directly towards covering the costs associated with a production of this scale. The budget earned will support arranging and filming interviews, shooting a live show, remastering archival footage, and finishing the film. Our goal is always ensuring all fans will receive an in-depth and entertaining viewing experience.

Other Ways You Can Help

Some people just can’t contribute, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help! Spread the word about The Buddy Cole documentary by sharing across all social media platforms and check back for more updates throughout the production process.