Reflecting on Lost In Sunshine's journey and ability to Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome

Lost In Sunshine has experienced many changes throughout the past two years, but we're as strong as ever, continuing to saddle up each day and come to work! It's a constant stream of whatever you think you know, assuring you that you have no idea what's (really) next!

Last year, we had to regroup for a later shoot date (still TBD). As a writer, regrouping meant re-evaluating the steps of the characters, and (re)visiting their everyday lives to figure out what they might be doing all this (extra) time. Extra time is kind of relative, since they’re not on a particular schedule, except for the one that occupies my mind. But it was the only one I had, so consequently, it was the only one that mattered.

Not only did it matter to the characters, it also mattered to a team of passionate, devoted crew members. Would they be available at a later date? What about our verbally attached actor(s)? It would have broken my heart if they weren’t. Especially my devoted art director, Ia and (DP) visionary stylist, Iskra, helping me move my vision along cinematically (i.e. storyboarding, locations). Luckily, we are hell-bent on working together, so we will make it happen!

These changes, however big or small, affect the entire group of people that are involved. Whether it’s wardrobe (long sleeves vs. short) or props (marijuana looking plants that will be looking really BIG & suspicious at our art director’s house this fall) or locations that'll no longer be available, it all must be (re)considered.

For some, it just meant mentally acknowledging it. For others, myself included, it meant that we’d lost other paying gigs for the year. And that isn’t something Lorie and I take lightly.

But, in the grand scheme of things, it’s a matter of improvising, adapting, and overcoming, like the military. If there’s one thing that’s for sure in this universe, it's that uncertainty lives in the film district(s).

Sometimes it feels like it lives on my street!

With love & hope,
Jentri

Lyn's pimp ride!

This is our fancy, newly painted, blue scout (courtesy of Ia) that Lyn Blue will be journeying in with Bob in Lost In Sunshine.

While I'm pretty certain that it indeed falls in the 'pimpmobile' category now, which is perfect for our hot mess, Ms. Blue, I believe it also makes our art goddess, Ia, (the owner) a pimp, (by proxy) too. :)

I love this vehicle so much, I'm sure I'll be dreaming about it for a while (or until we shoot!)... Lyn, (whoever, wherever you are) you're a lucky girl!


Lyn's ride in LIS

Dating motels

Today, I did a little 'motel' scouting in Dripping Springs for LIS. Met with a lovely lady that Lorie introduced me to, Laurie, who's going to be my DS connection, too. So excited about that!

After many scouting trips with my gals, Ia and Iskra, this is a motel in Austin we're deeply contemplating. Question is, can my art goddess, Ia (I know she can) transform this place to match my vision, and under our budgetary restrictions? We shall see.. tomorrow.. as we venture over together.

I feel like I've been dating motels over the last several months. I found this little gem several months ago, but I was holding off..waiting on something 'better' to come along.. now I'm thinking this is the 'better' I've been looking for.

If Ia can work her magic, Iskra agrees, and they're 'film friendly' (have an idea they will be) and available for us, then this could be an option.

Ia presented me with another list of motels to check out tonight (thank you, Ia!) but I'm crossing my fingers that this one works out.. for something. ;)

Have a happy HUMPday, folks.
Jentri

How shall Lost In Sunshine stand out?

Our producer, Lorie, is always thinking of exciting new ways to get everyone involved in what we're doing, and where we're going.

Last week, she sent out an email to the Lost In Sunshine crew that was inspired by one of Ted Hope's prolific blog posts, "Ten Things to do before you submit a script."

Two of Ted's tips were:

9) Make it somehow provocative, intriguing, audacious, or thought provoking -- something that will make it stand out.

10) Make sure it is more than just a good story told well. Be truly ambitious. Take us somewhere new, or take us there in a new way.

So, Lorie asked our crew, "How shall LIS stand out?". She asked us to answer in 1-3 words (yeah, that 3 word thing didn't happen, sorry!) and then communicate how each person would like to see Lost In Sunshine be ambitious.

Among the many valuable responses, one thing that really became a topic of interesting conversation was something our art director, Ia, brought up - honesty. Or our ability to be honest. I say ability because it's a choice.

A huge part of being honest is speaking to the genuine intention of what you wish to communicate. If that's a small town, as it is with ours - then it needs to be sincere. It needs the townspeople's character, the specific landscapes, one of a kind buildings, and the moving, breathing, mysterious, space in between.

Our developer and composer, Ari, mentioned the importance of focusing on women telling a real, authentic story about WOMEN. One that men wouldn't know. :)

Our DP, Iskra, said, "Unite the cosmic with the commonplace, while indulging in a preciously stubborn, lighthearted irreverence." I couldn't have put it more beautifully myself, so I had to share her words with you.

Iskra also added, that LIS stands out because it attempts to capture: a "World in a Grain of Sand"

(her favorite William Blake quote)

I personally want to be able to dive into the authenticity of what inspired me to write about a small town to begin with. Its mystery, solidarity, and range of colors. Its ability speak to people a million different ways, and touch perfect strangers.

Lorie reminded us to be bold, and make specific choices. To remember we're small, not Hollywood, and to be as arty and unique and outside-the-box as we are inspired to be.

That inspired me. Thank you, Lorie. Thank you, Ted. Thank you, one-in-a-million crew. :)

New pictures from Sunshine scout on Thursday

Here are a few more pictures from our latest scout. We've finally decided - no really - for real this time - on our "Sunshine."

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

Lost In Sunshine production meeting with Lorie in town: S 16 mm vs. The Red One

Hello, hello!

It's been a long time coming - but Lost In Sunshine's producer, Lorie's in town again - yay!!!

Yesterday, me and Lorie met with our art director, Ia, director of photography, Iskra, editor, Nevie, line producer/1st AD, Michelle, and our dear filmmaker friend, Kat Candler in Kat's north central office and talked for about 3 fun hours....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

This is how we do it in Sunshine.

Lorie gets us up to speed in her recent blog titled, "Still here" so perfectly, that I think it's best you read our production status there! :)

Meanwhile, I'll fill you in on the *writer-director's perspective of how we're getting it done in Sunshine....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

Storyboarding, Love, & the Aether

I don't like the "s" word, so I'll just say I've been 'under the weather' this week. :) I'm still not up to full speed, but nothing gets me out of bed and on my feet faster than thinking about  Lost In Sunshine. 

After a couple of hours of storyboarding with Ia and Iskra this AM, we began to find our rhythm - our cadence. It was a miraculous experience for me - so wonderful.  What began as a bothersome, anxiously awaited activity, turned into a beautiful, magical process. What can I say... "they complete me!" Ok, that was cornsville, but I do LOVE my gals. They f'ing ROCK!!!

Before we began the process, I conveyed my thoughts to Iskra (DP) of illustrating the character's POV's through the lenses, what that meant technically, and how that would change through the course of the film. How would their worlds be reflected through this method? It was lovely to be able to implement those techniques visually on paper - a great lesson for me with angles, composition, thoughts of lighting - yet another way to TELL the story - emphasize the details of that which you want to enhance or negate. Thanks, ladies!!

Then Iskra and I started chatting about the tone of the film, saturation levels, aspect ratios (what's that? ha. no really...235?) and what camera might best suit our needs. Lately, RED has been all the talk. Now we're throwing 35mm into the bowl of possibilities. So many things are still TBD, but that's the value of early prep-work - there's time to entertain ideas, move, weave, & make the best decision possible for your film!  

We were talking cranes, dollies and steadicams, too. Our film will hold a certain fluidness - little to no hand held action. Then Iskra reminds me that we must not forget stillness. Oh yes, it has a place too.  And thank goodness Ia can draw it. I'm afraid I'll need to reference that later. ;)

Still trying to figure out if we will shoot one or two days in "Sunshine" this Dec. If only one, then we're contemplating shooting "POV driving shots" to capture the essence of fall, if possible. After all, we have found Lyn's car (main character) that we have access to, and I'm VERY excited. This little beauty is a character all on its own. Perfectly imperfect. MUAH.

And with all the great LIS stuff circulating around me, I find even more excitement in the air with the Aether Paranormal documentaries I've been producing with Paranormal Productions. Things are looking unusually optimistic for some network action, so we're keeping our fingers crossed. Things move fast in LA. That's why we reside here. We like to sleep in and stay up late! 

So after a GREAT session with the ladies, and a long, productive phone meeting this afternoon with my kick ass producer, Lorie, followed by some much needed good news regarding the Aether team, I feel elated... yet still under the weather.  What can I say... It's hard to be down with so many loving, uplifting things going on! 

Thanks for reading, and have a beautiful weekend!

ps. LIS official website launch still on for end of October - yeah! 

Love, Jentri

Creating and Storyboarding Lost In Sunshine

Today, I met with our wonderfully artistic Art Director, Ia again for some oh-so-important, Lost In Sunshine storyboarding I've been craving. It's possibly the most challenging thing I've done thus far in my life. Luckily, she's patient, and carries a positive can-do attitude with her, making my life that much easier. THANK YOU, IA! Really looking forward to our creatively brilliant DP, Iskra joining us next week, too....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

Where I found the beauty for creating Sunshine

This weekend, I drove through the two TX towns we'll be shooting some select Lost In Sunshine scenes in this Dec. and next April. They reflect the imagery which LIS was mirrored after. As I briefly drove through them, I was reminded of the understated beauty these places exude. My dad always said that I would grow up and appreciate living there, rather than a big city (I always wanted to move to Austin!) and he was.. uh... yeah... right!!

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)