Less Than Three

My latest Bobism post, Love In Numbers, on www.lostinsunshine.com was inspired by a true story I read titled, Less Than Three. Immediately, it intrigued me. What's that all about?

As most of my friends know, I also belong to a production company, which produces paranormal-related documentaries with our team in Austin, TX. We've released four feature length ones, and a couple of shorts, which all stream live (and free!) on our Aether site in high quality. We've recently had a little hold up, since we're collectively working on a BIG project that could really put things over the top for us. A location most would die for. Seeing how we don't have our own TV show, and aren't famous, things take a little more time to solidify (sometimes). :) But we are confident we'll get there. It just might not be until this fall. So we'll shoot a couple of short films in the meantime (i.e. stay tuned for me and Shad's adventure to Haunted Faust Hotel in New Braunfels, TX!). If you want to keep up to date with what's going on with us, join us on FB.

And of course, I hope to be shooting LIS with my fabulous Sunshine team this fall, too. Waiting, waiting, waiting. Yes, that's part of the biz. While I'm waiting, I'm not really waiting though. I'm constantly searching the world for things/ways that inspire me to make myself and projects better. Inspiration can't be grabbed a hold of, or purchased... it must be felt. So, when something inspires me, I really like to bathe in it for a while.

The blog post, Less Than Three, written by our friend, Brian, about a funny moment he shared with his lovely wife, Anna Marie, (with Ghostology - in the paranormal entertainment industry) really made me smile, and inspired me to write the current blog entry for Bob about love.

Some people believe that, 'all you need is love' while others are far more practical about this emotion. Regardless of your viewpoint, most of us have felt its power. It can be fun, silly, profound, and inspiring in moments we least expect it.

Bob's (LIS' lead male protagonist) a man of promise and wonder. He's constantly looking for the next way to be inspired, too. So, it's no wonder that he found this sweet story about an expression of love to be both enlightening, and touching.

Inspiration comes in the most surprising looking packages. Don't be afraid to open different ones up.

less than three,

Jentri

What's up with Lost In Sunshine? We're getting there...

Howdy folks,

I'm really excited that we're getting our car painted for LIS this week! Well, it's not exactly ours... but it'll be Lyn's car in Lost In Sunshine. Our lovely art director, Ia, is allowing us to use her jeep in our film, so our payment is a new (blue) paint job... pics coming soon, yippee!

Meanwhile, we're awaiting response from a really special actress on her thoughts regarding the script.... more of this when there's more to share!

Lorie and I have been exploring the world of spiritual cinema and how that applies to our film for quite some time now. We believe that our film's theme speaks perfectly to those who are drawn to material with an over-all positive message. It doesn't mean it's not dark and twisty, has a perfect ending, or it's not complicated and difficult to get there - but it's got purpose. Not a forced or preachy trajectory, but it's got a clear direction. Yep, that's us! :) So, Lorie's communicating with someone in this circle to figure out how a particular alliance may be able to work with us to expand upon our audience/PR/possible financing/contacts, etc.

We've also been tossing around more alternative polishes of the script, based on some feedback via our new Bob, Ross Partridge. There's always been a small handful of specific moments/details I hope to elaborate on/enhance/dial into and sell, via actor performance. It's only the Very beginning of what I hope/feel is a really powerful experience, working on this story with the right, passionate individuals who help strengthen LIS' messages, characters, and offer variations to the color wheel, with their unique talents. People who will challenge me as a filmmaker, and make me a better artist. That's what I'm most excited about.

Thanks for joining me here each week.

SUNSHINE, TX
slowly but surely, we're getting there...

photo by Goat45 Design

ps. New Sunny Side Up episode coming sooooooooooooon!

Casting our lead male, BOB

The interesting thing about one's perception of actors is that as you acquire more knowledge, speak to a casting director, learn more about actor's agencies, and have some personal experiences with prima donnas, as well as unexpected wonderful talent, your views begin to shift. Visions you had for a particular character shift as well. Being a flexible writer-director in this department helps. I've found that we should be married to our partner, not our idea of an actor, or it's easy to miss your treasure, often buried in the sand. Not being glued to a 'said vision' enables us to see the character's world through a multitude of faces. Some worse. Some better than you could have ever imagined. And better's what we're going for, right?

We're now in the phase of casting our lead male, Bob. Bob's always remained a steady vision for me, for the most part. There were actually two versions of him that I entertained. Ultimately, it was decided that he be the first - a little 'older,' but not necessarily wiser. We felt that this made him more interesting.. more accessibly complicated as a grown-up fuck-up. We didn't want the audience to feel like it was just a 20-something crisis he was experiencing.. but that he's been around the block a few times.. weathered.. disheveled.. he means well, but never seems to say the right thing. He tries too hard. Talks too fast. And there you have Bob, in a nut shell. Well, a big nutshell. He's as lost and complex as a man can get. Yet, he's lovable, too.

The top 5 guys we considered 5 months ago are not even in the top hand today. So many factors became considerations...

Ya see.. We're not just casting an actor. We're casting a relationship, chemistry. One, between the characters. And two, between myself and the actor. We're casting an attitude.. is he "cool"? Is there mutual respect? Does he have range? Does he have presence? Is he capable of delivering the dialog in a fresh, honest, colorful way?

What's his astrological sign? sorry... I wish I were kidding!!! ;)

I love the idea that some of these actors write, too. Taking into consideration we may improvise from time to time, I think that living in the world of writers (yes, we have our own world!) offers its own set of tools.. being able to dissect why the scene's not working, or moving forward... come up with moments of organic seeds that grow, and serve as additives.. so it can bloom into something more beautiful.. yet being able to stay 'in the moment.' And not because it's ever the actor's job to figure these things out, but all egos aside, it's sure nice to know they cradle that vernacular.

Boy, I'm glad I'm not an actor!!! But I sure do love working with them. They have the super huge job of committing to strange characters, and allowing us to sit back, and just feel. The best movies, in my opinion, are ones that make you still.. the ones you sink into, without ever knowing you sank. You forget that there's doggies, and people running around in the room - completely immersed in the experience of simply watching these moving pictures.. faces.. listening to what these people have to say, while suspending your disbelief.. hanging on their every word.. wanting more.. not because you started it or you're in a theater and now you feel you have to, but because you want to.

We've finally decided on who we'll be approaching in the next week to fill the charmingly worn shoes of BOB.. First, our casting director, Vicky Boone, must check his availability. In the meantime, I'm working on a letter to Mr. Right, while our assistant editor, David, is kindly putting a reel together for me this week, particularly for the agency. It helps that our producer, Lorie, has co-produced such a fine feature, jumping off bridges, too. And that our DP, Iskra, is something to write home about, with her beautiful body of poetry she's created through light.

So, some of you may be wondering what a letter to an actor is supposed to say? Lorie had this brilliant advice for me. It seemed clear, and right on, so I thought I'd share it with you!

Lorie's advice: "... imagine you're sitting with him and talking to him about Bob. Who Bob is, and why he's so important to this story. And, why we're excited about the possibility of him being Bob."

If you're out there, Mr. (I can't say your name), please come work with us. I adore you, and think you'd make this person (yes, he's a person to me) sparkle like Smokey's eyes.

More on this process, soon... kindly cross your fingers for us, and visit our official Lost In Sunshine website often to show your support! We love to hear from YOU!

Did you know that we post NEW information/quotes/blogs each week? ;) Jentri