You can dream it, but can you plan it?

It's easy to dream. It takes courage to follow a dream. And business sense to develop a smart business strategy to execute after post production.

Here are some (beginning) questions to ask yourself:

What makes this film stand out? Who's its audience? Why will movie goers invest in seeing it? What's my business plan after making it?

When I began my film journey with LIS I can honestly say that I had absolutely no clue about the 'business' side of things. Not really. I come from a string of filmmaker friends who thrive on late night brainstorming sessions, finding good deals on equipment, and whose motto is to just shoot it however we have to! Nothing wrong with that, it's quite creative in fact, but we had never (really) SOLD anything. That's the big difference we're looking at with LIS.

After my front line experience with co-producing several Aether Paranormal documentaries, building a solid brand and audience, and spending countless days experimenting with social media, I know that putting yourself out there is not enough, if you're wanting to profit financially.

More questions to ask:

What's the incentive for an investor to invest in this project? Is it a low-no risk project? If not, how can I make it less of a risk? Do I have connections to well known talent? Do I need an agency rep?

Lost In Sunshine producer, Lorie's, understanding of post survival was key in our BP. When we first decided to make it together, I remember her saying that, "anyone can make a movie... sure, we'll make it... but we need to make sure we have funds to do something with it." I'm writing from memory, but you get the picture.

More to contemplate:

Am I focused on making a movie for the buyer(s) (distributors and/or studios)? Am I focused on making a movie for my audience?

Ted Hope makes a great point in one of his latest posts, Simple Thoughts on a Big Secret. He says, "I am dismayed by those that don’t recognize how irresponsible it is to just promote or adopt a “build it and they will come” philosophy."

Lorie was so on the money. Asking for big bucks is really a (different) ball game where you have to prove yourself all over again. Indie film producer, Jane Kosek, describes the life of a producer as constantly negotiating. She says, "a film is a business. And negotiating is an art form." (read more)

After an in depth conversation this morning with a person, whose company specializes in providing seed money for premiere projects, some ideas we'd been considering for LIS were clarified.

I'm learning about the power of being able to adapt, and adjust to the circumstances of our project, rather than hanging on to an old way.

If you're not where you thought you'd be -- don't give up. Use the unexpected time slot to reevaluate your business plan, pick brains, learn, and continue to grow as an artist. Be prepared for the Good that awaits.

But don't just rush to have a plan. Take time to prepare a smart one -- all the way through. People respond to smart, even if it's giving you an hour of their invaluable, precious time.... because they know you care... and they were there once, too.

Filmmaking: Why he did it. Why I do it.

A friend, Misti, forwarded this article on to me today (thank you!). I was happy to learn that other filmmakers are seeing the value of being intimate with their audience and taking risks (if that's how you view it). After all, filmmaking is an intimate experience, really. Why not allow your supporters/viewers to share in that wonderful, chaotic living room space? Some people will never get the opportunity to otherwise learn or appreciate what we do in our (behind the scenes) crafts.

That is a direction we've always hoped to emulate with Lost In Sunshine - creating a wide open space, free for all to explore, interact, share, and grow with us. If we're lucky, our true fans (as Ted Hope often refers to them as) will be there in the end, supporting us on our journey to expand and eventually, yes, even profit from!

I mean, you can scream your ass off, but if no one is listening it doesn't matter, does it?

Which leads me to my next thought on why I do (and will continue to do) what I do. All the blogging, youtubing, posting pictures, videoing, participating in social (media) interaction (i.e., twitter, facebook, myspace, etc.) is a chance for me to connect with different groups that gravitate to different spaces for various reasons. Perhaps they learn through video, or rely on friends to navigate them... maybe they just like to tweet occasionally, or maybe they just want good old fashion words. Whatever it is - I want to be there. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's my job to be there - as an indie artist. Who else is going to do it for me? My assistant? (I'm laughing really hard right now).

So let's get down and dirty for a second. Let's get the grit outta the way, so we can be inspired again! 'Cause it's easy to feel yucky and unappreciated when things aren't seeming to go our way. After all, filmmaking is fucking hard work (excuse my language, but there's no other perfect word!). There's no easy way to make a film, contrary to what anyone reads about in a magazine or is told by a friend that was maybe an extra in a movie... once. You don't make films unless you're completely in love with the fabrication of them. I have yet to meet a person in the universe who makes films 'just for money.' If they do, there was a long time in the making, where they did it for love! Trust me!

But why do we love it so much? It's not fame, and it's hardly money. Sometimes it's downright exhausting. Sometimes we feel defeated and drained by everyone and everything. Maybe we can't get financing when we need it. Maybe someone with a stupid loose mouth pisses us off, and all we want to do is (however mean, but true!) stuff a burrito in their face so they'll shut up and stop distracting us from our vision. Sometimes we have 2am call times, and barely get to see our families. Sometimes we forget to eat, or our stomach's in knots over a decision someone made to do something we haven't had time to know if we agree with YET. Sometimes we are denied sleep, work for cheap, and eat cocoa pebbles to survive. Does it sound like I've done it before? :) If you're a filmmaker of any sort, YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE, too!

So what? We get to do what we love, and that's pretty wonderful. PRICELESS. And, it's (as Shad's dad would say) stinkin' fun, too!

The next time you feel like complaining, or going in a hole somewhere and dying (there are certainly days I wanna!), ask yourself this: Would I rather be doing something else? An office job perhaps, where my legs are cold in the summertime, so I have to bring in a mini portable heater and wear skirts & heals to impress my boss? Or a sales job where the chances of making a living are equally as challenging, but a calculator's my best friend? Does it sound like I've done this before? Hey, it's for some people, I know! They're delighted (and meant) to do it- and thank goodness. 'Cause we're not one of them. Deep down, we both know the truth - we thrive on people telling us "no" because it creates a challenge. And us Indies adore a challenge! I haven't met one indie anything that isn't passionate, and hardworking when it comes to their heart's mission.

So stop complaining about how your life is sooooo bad (I see it all the time posted on FB and twitter) and just take a nap. When you wake up, ask yourself the above, wipe away any dew, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and get back to work. That's what you really want to do anyhow!

Film (work) is for the soul. And being a soul survivor, you know - that to just keep going when things seem really shitty - is the only way to survive this business they call show.

Now go on, knock 'em dead!

With passion, love & hope,

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. :)

Down the list of Jon Reiss' cheat sheet.

Today I went down Jon Reiss' web marketing cheat sheet, courtesy of Ted Hope's blog (link above). Do you have the name of your domain/movie reserved across the board for your film/project? I was surprised that lost in sunshine was taken on twitter already! I've had jentrification now for a while on twitter, as well as my filmmaking blog (forloveofindiefilmmaking.blogspot.com), but never thought to have them ALL in sync with our movie name for the purpose of audience convenience (we all can be lazy!!)....

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

It's a great time to make movies - theory by Noah!

The Key Points (click on link above to read Noah's full article)

So let’s summarize the key points at work here:

1. Film is a risky investment. It always has been and it always will be. It is only a question of how to mitigate and evaluate that risk. (I say this because I believe if we are not up front with our investors we are bound to get into trouble down the line – also because some offerings require disclosure).
2. The contraction of capital means there are going to be fewer films made right now. If I can make a film right now it will enter the marketplace with less competition than at any time in the last ten years.
3. The cost of production is lower and incentives are better than they have been so your dollar will get you more than at any time in the recent past.
4. The films being made right now are going to be entering the digital marketplace roughly in line with when we will expect the consolidation of that marketplace to take place. These films will ride the first wave of global digital distribution revenue. We have geometrically larger audiences with geometrically lower cost. The decline in per-viewer revenue is irrelevant.
5. Whether you are making a traditional 90-minute feature or a ‘new media’ work, we are ALL in a new distribution model. As filmmakers we need to not cling to the arguments of past success but instead look at the future and show where our products can exist and thrive. (HT: Scott Macaulay for helping to clarify that point)

So get out there. This is a great time to make films.

It's Never Crowded Along the Extra Mile

After watching Ted Hope on TV this week, reading his blog, and Jane Kosek's response regarding DIT, I find myself in deep thought, contemplating Lost In Sunshine.

The optimist in me will never give up - no matter what. But my left-brain tells me, we must adapt. It’s only logical. We must adjust to what is going on around us and embrace it in order to achieve the level of success we aspire to, without relying on someone else to do it for us. We simply cannot place all our BP eggs in one dreamland basket. I also feel it’s smart to start from a foundation, which we already have access (i.e., twitter, facebook, etc.) to.....

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