Lost In Sunshine: Then and Now

Below is an article I wrote in 2011 about Lost In Sunshine that was featured on the independent channel, Film Courage. Since it's been a couple of years, I thought I'd take the liberty of adding on to our story and updating you of our status. Reading it reminds me of why I continue this journey, and why you should, (continue yours) too.

A lot of people wonder if Lost In Sunshine was written after my life. The short answer is “no,” but it certainly was a response to it.

The idea.

My life’s been a series of ups and downs, most of which I feel have contributed to the richness of what I am able to bring to the writing table. My losses have taught me there will be light at the end of the tunnel, and to laugh when I feel like crying. I no longer feel the angst I once felt from holding on to my past. I had an epiphany that if I knew how to rewrite my story, then I could somehow do the same for Lyn in Sunshine, in a different way. I felt deeply inspired to tell the story of a woman’s journey – however imperfect, crazy, or deluded she might be. After all, I think there’s a little bit of delusion in all of us.

Two years and 15 drafts later, I contacted script consultant and (my now)
producer, Lorie Marsh, to help me wrestle the story to its essence. With her
help, the full story budded its way to fruition in 6 more drafts. I then felt ready to carry it with me on a trip to LA. I was able to get the script in front of a popular TV actress in Hollywood, who vibed with the story, and was excited at the idea of playing “Lyn.” From that point on, I came back to Austin with a new resolve – I would make this film, no matter what. Lorie, who had been consulting on the project for months, offered to come on board as its producer. We slept on the notion. And the next morning - production-magic began.

Production.

We were planning for “action” by the end of 2009, but it hasn't turned out that way.

We were fortunate to have our first investor early on, who believed in the quality of our business plan, connected to the story, and the message we were trying to tell. And, though we had a fabulous crew committed and interest from actors, too, we needed more money.

We were disappointed and frustrated when things didn’t line up, but it wasn't in the stars, yet. We've never lost hope. We look at our project as a whole, and for every “no” we just say, “no, not that way.” Forward march.
So, what did we focus on? We spent the next year implementing a website, Lostinsunshine.com, to engage our audience.

Experimenting: Social Media and Transmedia.

From the time we decided to make LIS, engaging our audience early was always a priority. By creating a blog by our chronically malcontented heroine, Lyn, from the beginning, we hoped to let our audience have a sneak peak at the girl behind small-town Sunshine, Texas.

Soon afterward, I also began writing bits and pieces of a self-help manuscript-in-progress from our hero, Bob, a desperate optimist.

The idea was to create a world around our movie-to-be that would expand upon the narrative as a whole - a transmedia approach. In addition to a Lost in Sunshine Facebook page and several Twitter streams, we wanted to experiment with online fiction and other forms of digital storytelling (videos, short stories, interactive games). Indie movie distribution and consumption paradigms are shifting, thanks to surges in digital media capacities and mobile platforms; we want to have content available wherever our audience wants to consume it.

A year after we launched Lostinsunshine.com, we debuted a redesigned site on February 1, 2011. We learned that we needed to refine our interface and site layout to make it more obvious to visitors that there is a fictional, story-world section and a real-world, behind-the-scenes section. We recognize that our audience doesn't know the term, "transmedia," nor do they really care. But, a little interactive quiz on the Home page? (Maybe) That's fun, and memorable.

We're further embracing transmedia in our crowdfunding campaign on
IndieGoGo Feb. 1 - March 4th by offering donors opportunities to add content to the online story-world as our Perks

It's all a big gamble, the focus and efforts we've put into setting ourselves apart with our website "channel" approach for Lost in Sunshine. But, it's been something we DO have control over. And, it shows prospective investors or co-production companies what we can do.

Moving Forward: 2013

This is where the article stopped a couple of years ago. With modest Indiegogo success in 2011, and a lack of audience participation, we have since learned to rewire our sound. We've had many ideas about how to expand our story, and inject it into the hearts of those who might want to experience it, but there are many factors that come into making a vision a reality. For us, our restraints have mostly been monetary. Neither of us were born rich, or with a rich uncle, but we're definitely rich in spirit. We mustn't let go, if our vision's ever going to blossom.

In 2012, the talented and funny actress, Nadine Velazquez re-entered our circle and became verbally attached to LIS (again). My heart is really happy about that.

Our most current project, Fucked Up People, is a web series set to be filmed in 2014 on a much more affordable budget. It's inspired by the main characters of LIS, Lyn and Bob. Both are beset by troubles of their own making. Lyn is profane, unfiltered, and unhappily married and employed. Bob is warm, chatty, and a married father and gambling addict. The series will present “fucked up people” that Lyn and Bob must deal with in their respective lives, while uncovering how each of them are messed up, themselves.

We're in the final stages of solidifying the first season's script, and then we'll hit "GO" with our production efforts. In addition, we're working on turning LIS into an e-novel and making it available online. The idea is to give people a choice as to how they'd like to view our story world.

With this web series and e-novel, we hope to build, (re)connect and engage with our audience, and give them (more of) a reason to support our feature film.

Sometimes the efforts seem daunting, but if you've ever thought of giving up don't worry, you're just human. What makes you super human is your ability to hang on, even when it feels hopeless.

Hopefully yours,

Jentri


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Film Courage Inteview - download, listen, share and comment!

Sooooo, a couple of weeks ago I was delighted and honored to be on my favorite indie film (online radio) show, Film Courage, with hosts, David Branin and Karen Worden. They were so inviting, respectful, and encouraging. I only hope they'll have me back again next year (hint-hint!)! J

FIlm Courage (@FilmCourage) Ep. 140 feat. Filmmaker Jentri Chancey (@Jentrification) now available to download, listen, share & comment. Jentri calls in to talk about the benefits of film school, what she does everyday to make herself a better filmmaker, her quest to make her debut feature film, why she is drawn to ‘meaning of life’ stories and her current projects Lost in Sunshine & Born Good, and her work with Aether Paranormal.
LISTEN HERE

OR HERE (GARAGE)

Thanks for having me on, guys! <3 Jentri

The Secret to Finding Investors for our Indie Film(s)!

Hello, Sunshines!

Do you want to know the BIG secret to financing your indie project? Me, too!! So, come on you Crazy Hearts, as we figure this out together. Your perception of what you're doing is about to expand (if it doesn't, at least that sounded cool) 'cause I'm about to share with you a WEALTH of knowledge that'll hopefully take ALL of us indie filmmaking lovers there!

Over the last couple weeks I feel like I've had a string of SIGNS about the direction of our project, Lost In Sunshine, and connecting with like-minded folks in general. And that's what I want to share with you today, Sweets (I can never get away from these things, damn it).

With all the online stuff — social media (Facebook, twitter, etc), transmedia (not to be confused with transfat) and other networks I can't keep track of, I think it's important to explore IF/HOW we're really connected and what that means. So, if you're in it to win it, like Charlie Sheen, this post is FOR YOU! OK... bad example.

FIRST SIGN: EMAIL FROM MARKETING SPECIALIST LANDS IN INBOX
Recently, we were privileged to have a reputable marketing/distribution strategist comment on some of our LIS work. Ouch. That hurt. *Wipes dirt off pants.* One of the comments that stuck out to me was that Facebook was NOT a community. Could I have been wrong all this time? Were those interactive beings merely aliens disguised as humanoids responding to me? Where's my Aether Paranormal team when I need them? Joking aside, however, could this person be right? After all, that's what they do for a living. Could all these seemingly invested hours of what I thought was "connecting" with people, over our movie's message, just be meaningless in the grand scheme of making this film-dream a reality?

If online platfoms like Facebook are not considered an online "community" in the eyes of a specialist, then what is?

I felt frozen with confusion and frustration. But at least it gave me something to think about as I defrosted my dirty pants.

NEXT SIGN: PHONE CALL FROM AN ENTHUSED FRIEND CLAIMING TO HAVE THE SECRET
A good (film) friend called me out of the blue. He'd had a conversation with someone who's very successful in the film industry, who'd shared with him the secret to community building (and inevitably — financing a project) — get out there and network with the like-minded people who will vibe with what we're doing, support it (really support it!) by sharing our projects with others in their network(s). OK, you're pulling my leg... I thought we were doing that. But then again... I'm not even sure of what planet I'm on anymore! :)

THIRD SIGN: AN UNSOLICITED OPINION FROM ONE OF OUR VALUABLE LIS TEAM MEMBERS
A very good friend of ours, who's also a member of our LIS team gave us his unsolicited opinion, which really put everything into perspective (for me, at least). He believes that it's not a big time movie guy who'll invest in our project at all... but that it'll be a WOMAN, who connects with us personally, and believes in our talent, brains, story, team, and over-all message. Because quite frankly, I especially, don't have a proven track record, YET. I get that. I like that. I LOVE the idea.

So, I now had received one detailed email, one phone call, and one unsolicited opinion with basically the SAME message. Could it be a sign?

From these messages, it doesn't appear that financing our film(s) will happen from any online social hook up (although we never say NEVER!). Sure, the online networking part is great, useful, and at times — seems really wonderful & relevent, but if we're looking to finance our films (outside crowd-funding) then we need to be making real (hand shaking) contact, and not just from outter space (however, if an alien finances your film, I WANT TO KNOW!).

Here's a great, inspiring article by Donald Flaherty on filmcourage.com that I feel best describes the intense longevity of the process we must endure if we wish to finance our passion projects.

If you live in Austin, Texas, here are a few women-oriented (sorry, guys!) networking sources to check out, thanks to my enthusiastic friend, whom I sooooo appreciate for this!

http://www.womenschambertexas.com/mm-austin.php

https://austinwomenintech.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=34

http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org/

The secret to financing your film is that there is no darn secret! Follow these simple steps, and keep rockin' the frack on to your favorite tune (AKA your story/project/brain child).

1) Get your ingredients together, hot cakes! Unborn babies have to eat, too! Make sure your story is solid, and that you have a tight business plan with talent (on board) to boot! Do you have your script/info ready to hand out at all time on a USB flash drive (I'm getting mine ready this week!)? ;)

2) Love your (heart) song. Believe in what you're doing, because there are plenty of people out there who'll tell you the myriad of ways it can't be done.

3) Turn off your computers occasionally, and turn on your game (AKA social skills)! It's about continuously getting out there and connecting with folks who share your enthusiasm, passion (for life), and interests. Ask yourself, who's actually going to be watching this movie I'm making? Then go out there in the universe and find a way to find them!

Turns out, that may be what we've been missing. When's the last time you left your computer to socialize with a group of people your movie would intimately connect with?

That's what we're doing (more of) this year, and with all our friends for SXSW this week! Make any time the right time to get your in-person connection(s) on! Besides, there's no substitute for a real hug or hand shake.

Happy shaking! J

Get Lost In Sunshine (with me)!

That's the title of our new article on Film Courage's blog. :) Founders, Karen and Dave, were gracious enough to feature LIS in support of our IndieGoGo campaign!

Their wonderful online community helps and supports indie artists, like us! Thanks, guys!

Read Here!

Art Imitating Life: Jentri speaks candidly on filmcourage's blog about Lost In Sunshine

A lot of people wonder if Lost In Sunshine was written after my life. The short answer is “no,” but it certainly was a response to it.

READ FC ARTICLE!