John McDonald or Johnny Mack, as his fans know him, was a jazz singer similar to the likes of Frank Sinatra, although time was not too kind to Johnny, retiring in England with his other half - Mary. Time was not friendly to Johnny who ended up a washed up shell of who he once was in his later life. He is struggling with lung cancer and before he passes on he wishes to do one last show. He gets in contact with his old manager's son. Michael Terence and makes an arrangement that if he goes through vocal and performance coaching, he can perform one last time. So he trains with Ben Sawyer, a young, enthusiastic musician, who is a mirror of young Johnny. The two butt heads on occasion but in working together they build a strong relationship and it becomes hard to figure out who is really teaching who. All this leads up to Johnny's final performance; his Swan Song.
Johnny Mack
Robert Bell
Ben Sawyer
Doc Denton
Michael Terence
Connor Howe
Mary Mack
Myfanwy Vaughan
Johnny Mack is an incredible man, an incredibly talented singer and an even stronger performer. His confidence fills a room and resonates with all. Although behind this confidence is any other man, a man with worries and fears. Throughout his years of performing and talent he developed quite the ego, something that leads him to be quite stubborn and challenging at times. Overall he is a headstrong, confident and passionate man. In his later years these traits have twisted and grown into more negative versions of their previous selves; he's snappy and arrogant and needs someone to ground him and keep him humble whether it's his wife Mary or his new musical partner Ben Sawyer.
Ben Sawyer is a young and incredibly talented musician who lacks the swagger and bravado of a traditional performer. He lives a life of music and has excelled in most of his ventures yet still cannot find the confidence within himself to pursue his dreams of performing on stage. When he meets Johnny Mack, a lifelong hero, he is given the chance to mentor him back to full strength. He realises the similarities between the two and how they are almost mirrors of each other and as the two grow closer, Ben helps Johnny achieve his singing abilities and Johnny helps bring Ben out of his shell and grow the confidence he so desires.
Michael Terence is the son of Johnny’s previous manager. He runs a theatre and is kept busy twenty four seven. He is a man about business and making sure everything his father built stays around in an ever changing world. When Johnny comes a calling for assistance, he feels almost indebted knowing what Johnny did for his father in securing a stable career and securing his fathers legacy. Michael takes a risk to help Johnny, a risk he would make again in a heartbeat as he values legacy and protecting what once was. He even knew Johnny in his early life working as a stagehand at his fathers venues, so seeing Johnny fall from grace is something that pains him personally and something he takes pride in fixing.
Mary is, in all regards, the better half of Johnny. Herself, a talented dancer who thrived on stage as much as Johnny. She was one of the few people to challenge him and really push his boundaries. What made her truly special is that she saw the man under the fedora and under the lights she saw John McDonald. Eternally, she was the voice of reason between the two of them and a guiding light for Johnny, making sure he stayed on the correct path at all times. In her later years, she was the rock and anchor that kept Johnny going through all.
Despite the setback of receiving less than half of our desired crowdfunder goal, the team of Swan Song deftly rose to the challenge. With the team’s combined skills, they were able to make this short-film in an effective, and economical manner, all while staying true to the story’s original intent, and envisioned quality of presentation.