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! ;)

Expand You.

To make a successful movie, do you have to first be a successful artist?

Is success really in the eyes of the beholder(s)? Subjective? Or is it across the board?

Have you been feeling frustrated, like we have with LIS, trying to reach your audience and make them care about what you've got going on? You're not alone, cutzies!

In order for us to make successful films, we need to continue marketing, not only the project, but OURSELVES by continuously creating our best art. What have you been working on lately that's going to advance your agenda? What have you been working on lately that's going to get you noticed eventually, therefore, propelling others to want to learn about what you've got going on? What can people watch NOW that will make them want MORE?

I know this has been a big realization for Lorie and I this year with Lost In Sunshine. But the first step to becoming better is acknowledging what's worked, (check) and what's not worked, (check, check) so you can stop the insanity, Sweets. Stepping out into the great unknown with our passion project has taught, and continues to teach, us valuable lessons. And that's what I'm hear to share with you today.

No one cares about characters they have no relationship with. In example: If we care about Heros, perhaps we'll go online and make ourselves one via some game, to see who wins. But that's Heros, not your low-budget movie, or Lost In Sunshine... a little indie ditty that hasn't been sung yet! We mistakenly thought they'd (you would) care about the characters if they (you) only "got to know them." But hot cakes, we're living proof that this is not always the case. Before you throw your pancakes on the griddle, you've got to have the right recipe. And that recipe's you. The characters come later, with the maple syrup. Ya feel me? ;)

This year, I've decided to expand my writing-directing portfolio with a spiritual/inspirational documentary that's in-the-making, What I Know For Sure, an additional (untitled) narrative, which I hope to shoot before LIS, and a mixed genera flick with Aether Paranormal (Paranormal Productions) currently in post. In addition, I'm writing more than last year. Lorie and I are talking about expanding our story with a LIS novel (aka online fiction) that will serve as a novelistic prequel vs. the current character blogs we have from Sunshine's characters, Lyn and Bob, right now on the website.

What are you currently working on that expands you?

Last Chance to participate in Lost In Sunshine's online world & help create a short film!

Hello Sunshines!

While raising the BIG $ it'll take to shoot the movie, Lost In Sunshine, we decided to feature blogs from our main characters, Lyn and Bob, on a website first - Lostinsunshine.com. Our hope is to attract early fans to our expanded online story world.

We're happy and blessed that we've touched those we have, so far! It's been fun to interact with all of you, and to exchange and share information and ideas! And most of all, to be lifted and inspired by your energy - daily!

We've steadily added behind-the-scenes and character content over the last two years, so this (IndieGoGo) campaign is a continuation of the process to keep 'the whole' rising! It's to raise the awareness of Lostinsunshine.com and to raise funds so that we can keep adding new story content to it.

We now have ONE MORE DAY LEFT for you to participate & be a part of something inventive, special, & exciting, like never before!!

What you need to know:
We've changed the campaign a bit! In lieue of 3 of the online games we'd planned, we want to instead shoot a short film, based on the movie.

Please check out this LINK for the simplified campaign!

You can donate any amount or simply share our link, and we'll be GRATEFUL!

Our goal is to now raise at least $1,000 by Friday (but we couldn't change it from the original amt).

Thanks for continuing to be with us though this wonderful, windy, exciting, insanely fun process!

With Crazy Love, Jentri

Lost In Sunshine: Transmedia Talk & LIS Q&A via producer, Lorie Marsh

Hey Sunshines!

If you're interested in what transmedia is and what it means in relation to our indie film, Lost In Sunshine, you have to listen to this interview! It's FABULOUS (not just saying that because she's our producer, promise!)!

In addition, Lorie also explains how she got started in the biz & how Lost In Sunshine came to be what it is now!

Ever wonder:

How did Lorie and Jentri meet?

How did Lorie become the producer of Lost In Sunshine?

How do the transmedia components connect to a revenue model that benefits LIS?

What's LIS's target demographic and what are the challenges of reaching out to them directly?

What's the business model for LIS, and how does it differ from others?

How do you sustain the momentum of the whole process, especially since it's taking longer than initially anticipated?

What's the point/idea/intention of creating version 2 of the (LIS) website?

In terms of longevity, how else can LIS use the written (i.e., blog, prequel) material and maintain its integrity?

How does the LIS differ from other traditional movie websites? Why is it this way?

How long will you continue to create/act upon this (online prequel) narrative world?

What are your thoughts on future distributor possibilities in relation to what you're creating/producing re: advertising,
marketing, content, etc., now?

What are your thoughts for syndicating various types of content re: LIS later (i.e., amazon, kindle, etc.)?

What's LIS's connection/marketing relationship to spiritual cinema? How are you demonstrating that?

What are your thoughts on pre-sales/foreign markets for LIS?

How is LIS expanding its narrative?

What are additional rewards for LIS' audience participation on the website, beyond entertainment?

When did you discover transmedia and what projects inspired you to do this with LIS?

What is LIS doing to drive their own boat, that others aren't doing with comedy-dramas?

What are things that you've noticed on different channels (i.e., FB, twitter, blogs) that you've been able to identify
and change/tweak so that they're working more effectively for LIS as a whole?

If you answered YES to any of these questions, LISTEN HERE!

In addition, if you're an indie producer, you'll want to book mark Lorie's blog! Very helpful!

Forward Marsh is an entertainment and consulting company.
:)

When/If you listen to it, please let us know if you have any OTHER questions! We'd love to hear from you!

Thanks for caring & sharing... Happy Listening! xo Jentri

Lost Without YOU IndieGoGo campaign!

How are you doing today, my Radiant Friends?

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you're bundling up, if you're experiencing this blast the way we are in TX! We're so not built for this weather - we forgot to drip the pipes!

But there's another (indie film) blast under way!

We're finally giving our indie hearts a GO with a Lost Without YOU, Lost In Sunshine campaign!

Our interactive (version 2) LIS website was launched Monday, so be sure to check it out if you haven't already... it's different, fun, and COOL to play with!

We understand that not everyone can help out financially, so I only ask that you please help us SPREAD THE WORD! That would make my heart all warm and snuggie inside. ;)

I'll be doing another VBLOG this week, so send us some love, and I'll send you some right back.

Now go get snug as a pug in a rug somewhere, and check us out with a warm cup of cocoa or apple cider.

We are calling the campaign our Lost Without YOU campaign, because that's the way we truly feel.

Thanks for sticking around over the last couple years with your sweet, loyal support. We sure do appreciate YOU!

Pugs and kisses, (what I'm getting right now!)

Jentri

SUPPORT US HERE

Getting personal: My independent film, Lost In Sunshine, and indie documentary, What I Know For Sure

With eight hundred dollars in hand, I once took off alone to NY at the age of 19. Growing up in a small town (no, no, really small - population 300!) I somehow left with this fearless attitude that I could do anything I wanted. Call it naivety, call it good parenting. I had the will to shoot for my dreams, and I was off!!

It was two whole weeks before I returned back to Texas. :)

What I learned from that experience is what I didn't want to do. Very important. And that I wasn't so fearless. NY scared the shit out of me. I didn't know how to get around, talked the nice person at the closest convenience store into cashing my MO's when I needed them, and ate a lot of muffins for dinner. :)

By the time I was 21, I had lost a lot of what had once made me feel whole as a child - a real home to go home to, a long-term relationship, and a cohesive family that was stable and healthy.

In addition, I had shamefully dropped out of school, worked endless minimum wage jobs, and found my friends in less than desirable places. Yes, I was playing out a role that was full of insecurities, heartache, drugs, dishonest people, and a little hope... just barely hanging on to a valuable existence. There was even a time when I lived out of my car. I wasn't sleeping in it, which would've been very different, but I didn't have a home address. I stayed with friends, and worked as much as I had to - just to pay my car payment and for pizza.

Working on my current documentary, What I Know For Sure, and giving the audience an honest portrayal of me and my beliefs has been more challenging than I'd hoped. Consequently, it's forcing me to look into my past, and face what should've perhaps been faced long ago. Could this be the best therapy?

As I write, I realize this has become a bit of a dumping ground, too. But perhaps that's where my doubt, questions, and quest for the cosmos first arose - though those challenges.

Writing has always been an imperative tool for my sanity, too. I can't imagine my life without it, just as you wouldn't imagine living without air. And filmmaking is what brings everything and everyone together. Once it's created, it's like an imprint of your soul - waiting to be relived by others who are intrigued by the journey (or trailer!) enough to watch it.

As I move forward in my 30's, I find all of my hardships, past and present, to be highly beneficial! Mostly, because hard times are accompanied by something we can at least look back on and laugh about. Especially in writing Lost In Sunshine, my sweet disheartened baby, who also hangs on to hope... even when it feels hopeless.

And just look where we are now. :)

Thank you, Lyn and Bob, for making my life seem so flawless.
:)
Jentri

"What I Know For Sure is Nothing."
-Story Musgrave

Official Press Release for Independent film, Lost In Sunshine, via filmmakers, Jentri Chancey & Lorie Marsh with executive producer, Cynthia Litman

As you all know, we've been working our butts off the last two years to make Lost In Sunshine happen. With all that we're doing, and all that we've done, I feel a sense of peace, wave of excitement, and openness to how and when the universe wants us to fully manifest it.

This past year, it seems that our direction has been towards building an online community. It's been a labor of LOVE, and real eye-opener for me personally, as I never imagined all that could be accomplished so joyfully when you've got the right people on your side (thank you, Lorie, hubby, & loyal teammates!)

So, with gratitude and love, we enter the next phase of our film's journey.

Here's a PRESS RELEASE I'd like to share with you, my devoted friends and supporters.

Cheers to 2011! I think it's going to be a GOOD one for all of us... so let's first suspend any disbelief we have that it will not be everything we want, and imagine that whatever we want, feel, desire, and dream - we can accomplish. Even if it takes years to get there, we will always have a head start if we can just begin. Embrace the vulnerability, open your heart, and live NOW.

With love and hope! Jentri

READ PRESS RELEASE HERE
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2011/01/prweb4961974.htm

Making Movies just got more fun! Lost In Sunshine Happy Dance!

As part of our plan to keep our independent film's energy up, alive, and to manifest a 2011 shoot, we've requested pics and video of our supporters doing happy dances! We know, in order to live it, we have to feel it first. So our plan is to FEEL GOOD, as much as possible! And we also know that love/happiness/positive energy in large masses is more effective! So, please feel free to donate some love to our LIS prequel, on-going show, movie-to-be, too!

I just posted mine on LIS.com, and here's the first LIS HAPPY DANCE pic, just in! Thanks, Izzy and Westin. Aunt Jentri LOVES YOU! Watch KIDDOS HAPPY DANCE VIDEO HERE.

Join in on the fun by sending your pic or video to Jentri@lostinsunshine.com and I'll feature you in one of our upcoming blogs. :)