Stop dreaming it, and just do it!

This year, my plate is full and that's good, 'cause I'm Hungry! How about you?

With an Aether Paranormal (mixed genre piece) in post, a spiritual documentary in the mix, a new script underway (2, actually - new indie drama/apocalyptic sci-fi) and Lorie and I reinventing the wheel a bit with Lost In Sunshine, things are moving right on down the track with love and we ain't lookin' back, my brothas & sistas!

You've heard me blog and sing about "expanding yourself" this year. And for good reason - who else is going to do it, Sunshine? :)

Right now, I'm working with Paranormal Productions in post on a feature. While doing our last set of edits, and having it scored by the beautifully talented Larissa Ness of Austin, we are examining the ending in particular - making sure that it doesn't leave the audience unsatisfied at all. It's surprising - fun - inventive... but could there be more? Don't let ego get in the way of you producing your best work!!

With expansion in mind, I've been writing like crazy (thank you, Mercury in Retrograde!). I'm writing one indie drama I'm planning to shoot sometime this year (around LIS) and the other is an apocalyptic sci-fi that I'm super excited to start 'officially' writing. Just started an outline, but the idea is to keeping writing, improving, and creating things that I'm excited about! Have you tried it? It works well as an anti-depressant, too!

Don't get stagnant. Don't wait on that one special project to thrust you out into the atmosphere! This business isn't particularly patient, either. Like Christmas, it doesn't wait for those who are late.

I'm in the middle of revising Lyn's character to strengthen her intentions/responses as a whole for Lost In Sunshine. One thing I've recently learned is that if you have the time to improve upon your script in any way - you should DO IT. After I made several initial revisions to improve LIS, Lorie and I felt confident that it was at a solid place to "move forward." With unexpected time to do more with our project, I'm finding even more opportunities to improve upon. And I dig some scenes SO MUCH BETTER now. Remember, without a stand-out story or material, you have... well, nothing much I can think of!

Instead of just dreaming it - write it! Instead of being scared of failure, put on your kickass boots (or flip-flops, if you're in TX) and just do it!

Besides, failure means we had to have tried, right? That's worth something, Tiger! In some cases, it's worth everything.
xo J

ps. here's the link to my new docuemntary's blog, What I Know For Sure, if ya wanna follow its progress! ;)

Let the music move you.

http://www.ionimagestudio.com/

We (artists) often share musical/lyrical thoughts as a way to describe feelings about a particular story that moves us. It allows us to describe, what at times, feels indescribable with ordinary ole words.

A while back, Ross Partridge, our verbally attached lead male in LIS, shared with me the song Home, by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. More recently, my friend Natalie said that, "The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti and Spearhead made her think of LIS, too. Reiterating to me, just how important music is to everything we do, especially film.

For the last few weeks, I've been working on a (untitled) documentary that's turning out to really inspire me. When I was cutting the little trailer together, a definitive mood didn't really spill over me, until I began searching for music.

With Lost In Sunshine, music has (already!) moved me so much. Doug Burr's "In The Garden," Larissa Ness' LIS theme song, "Lost In Sunshine" and Cadenced Haven's ambient beats have given me chills, and created an even deeper enthusiasm for the time I can actually consider, with the help of my score master, Ari, and music supervisor, Laura, the perfect music for LIS.

I feel like movies are defined four times: when we write them, shoot them, edit them, and score them (which you could consider as part of editing, but scoring is a job all on its own).

Writing is such an intimate process. It's like oddly making out with yourself for a year. It's fun, (can be) provocative, adventurous, and a little weird being alone so much. But it's all about divulging what's inside!

Then there's the official shoot time, where you have to translate what's in your script/head to screen. Still intimate, but on a larger scale. I suppose you could say it's like making out with a lot of people for a couple months! ;)

Then there's the editing, a place where you must retell the story, but only with what sits in front of you on your machine. It's like having all the puzzle pieces, but knowing there's more than one way it can be pieced together. Especially because of timing and cadence. The editor must understand the pace... the rhythm... the tone.

And then there's music. Music can mend, bend, ruin, manipulate, or magically enhance anything! Music can tell the audience how to feel, if there's an uncertainty in what's being delivered on screen. It can be ironic, literal, or just work to discreetly carry the picture, like subtext.

Don't ever underestimate the importance of a good track, and appreciate your musicians and fellow artists. There are a lot of artists that would value the cross promotion!

Bottom line, when I choose music it has to move me. It has to make me feel something I didn't feel before I hit "play."

Sunny Side Up featuring singer-songwriter, Larissa Ness

About Larissa (from www.larissaness.com)

With 5 albums capturing Larissa’s growth as an artist, Larissa has already begun a heavy promotional assault on the music industry with album, Hello. Hello will continue to reach TV and film placement as well as video and radio play. Ultimately, Larissa wants to bring inspiration and motivation to those who are striving to make a career doing what it is that they love.

Fans can stay up to date on Larissa’s progress and upcoming events, including show dates, upcoming music videos, and special events by visiting her Twitter page: www.Twitter.com/LarissaNess. Live performance footage and Music Video outtakes can be seen on YouTube.

Larissa's FULL BIOGRAPHY

Thanks for tuning in!

Singer-Songwriter and Friend, Larissa Ness, in New York on Thursday (and performing LIS!)!

This is me and Larissa a couple of years ago in LA, just trying to keep our dreams alive! :)

Not only is Larissa a great friend, she's a great human being, full of optimism, exuding a real zest for life. She's one of the most talented people I know, but doesn't let ego get in the way of her goals. Very admirable. She's passionate, thoughtful, and on a mission to succeed. Looks like it's working!

After her SXSW adventure, she's been getting ready to venture off to NY this week for interviews and performances. If you're in NYC, you'll definitely want to check out this class act. If you can't make it to NY, visit her site and get acquainted with her beautiful voice and rhythmic fingers.. that's right, she plays the piano, too. And well.

This Beauty, on the inside and out, took the liberty of writing the theme song (take a listen for free!) for Lost In Sunshine, before anyone else was officially on board to help me lift a finger.

Thanks for believing in me, Larissa!

Wishing Larissa great success on all of her journeys... we're proud to have her be a part of our LIS team!

Lots of Love, Jentri

Why I love musician, Doug Burr

I ran into Doug Burr for the first time about a year ago at Stubbs when he was performing. My husband, Shad, and Doug are 'old buddies' from way back when, and Shad wanted to say hello. If you know me, you know I don't go out much (hey, give me some slack, I'm a writer, we're weird like that!) so there was something synergistic going on for sure! ;) I was pretty impressed with his sound instantaneously. Before we left, we chatted with him a bit. Shad told him I was working on a film, so he gave me a couple of his CD's. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with his vibe. His music just has this capability to create visuals for me.. his music carries some of the scenes in my head, ones that've been there for so long, with no specific musicality emotionally attached.

I approached Doug with my script and asked him if he'd be interested in having some of his music accompany our picture. He was warmly responsive, and tonight was no exception. I saw him perform at J Blacks, and he sounded incredible. I'm telling you, his music just has a filmic quality about it... I can't put my finger on it, other than to say that. Some music has 'it' and some doesn't. By no means do I keep up with the latest, hottest bands. But I know something special when I hear it. And he's got that.

So does Larissa Ness, who wrote the beautiful theme song for Lost In Sunshine. BTW, if you're in NY this Thurs. you can hear her play, and she's informed me she'll be singing LIS there! Go, Larissa!

Back to Doug Burr...

Doug and I talked a bit more today and he said something that I really appreciated and could relate to.. he said that it's not really about the money. He said he understands how these types of projects are labors of love, and that if we are just thinking about money, it's never going to happen. AMEN, brother. It's a big world out there.. and nice to still meet people every day that still get that.

This is super impressive coming from someone who lives in Dallas, has 4 kids (one newborn!), works a tech job by day and plays gigs all over the place on special occasions/weekends, because he loves to, and has a supportive family.

What a great inspiration to learn from.

Tonight, I was once again reminded by the universe (and Doug!) that the money will come, friends. That doesn't need to be the motivating factor, unless that's all you want! Do what you love and stop making up excuses for why you can't. And have fun doing it, or what's the point!

Wishing you all great success in your journeys. May the force be with you. :)

Jentri

Find your WOW and have a happy TG holiday.

So here we sit, in the preliminary stages of Lost In Sunshine, just a few days away from Thanksgiving. Boy, there's a lot to be grateful for. I want to start this blog by THANKING everyone who's put their hearts and souls into making this thing move. And all for the love

of filmmaking....

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

New article on Larissa Ness mentions LIS

Here's a new article featuring my good friend/singer/songwriter, Larissa Ness, who also has a small, yet significant role in LIS....

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

In Search of a Line Producer, Part II

After reviewing tons of resumes/cover letters/bios online, I narrowed it down to a few experienced applicants. There were a lot of impressive people flooding the city, let me tell you. It was h-a-r-d! But I came across an applicant, Michelle M. that stood out. She was around my age (30-ish) and had written, directed and produced a feature called, Douglas (click on link above to watch trailer)....

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