screen grab courtesy of our awesome DP, Greg Risley
Posts by Jentri Chancey, an indie filmmaker relentlessly dedicated to writing and directing independent films, and sharing her film-related experience(s) with you. www.lostinsunshine.com
Showing posts with label indie filmmakers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label indie filmmakers. Show all posts
Monday, February 3, 2014
Olivia Applegate and Chase Joliet on set of Visible Noise
Beautiful people - Olivia Applegate and Chase Joliet - making us look cool on set.
screen grab courtesy of our awesome DP, Greg Risley
screen grab courtesy of our awesome DP, Greg Risley
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Welcoming our lead actress, Olivia Applegate
We're so excited to have cast the wonderfully talented actress from Austin, Texas, Olivia Applegate, in our new short film, Visible Noise. BIG THANKS to Gordy Hoffman (from BlueCat Screenplay) who connected us!!
She may look a little familiar... if so, it's because she can also SING beautifully, and made it to the far rounds of America's Got Talent. She was recently "Emma" in Terrence Malick's untitled feature, too. All I can say is watch out for this one, World - I've seen audition tapes - and beauty aside, this gal can ACT.
She'll be moving to LA in January, so I caught her just in the nick of time... lucky me.
SO READY TO ROCK THIS WITH YOU, OLIVIA!
She may look a little familiar... if so, it's because she can also SING beautifully, and made it to the far rounds of America's Got Talent. She was recently "Emma" in Terrence Malick's untitled feature, too. All I can say is watch out for this one, World - I've seen audition tapes - and beauty aside, this gal can ACT.
She'll be moving to LA in January, so I caught her just in the nick of time... lucky me.
SO READY TO ROCK THIS WITH YOU, OLIVIA!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Indie Artists: The Skinny on Teamwork & Being Good at Doing YOU.
OK, Honey Buns... here's the sweet skinny on those who aren't good at everything... so, if you're the best at EVERYTHING with a cherry on top, this post probably isn't for you. ;)
Our indie lives often require us to wear so many weaved hats that we can't remember which one we should put on to advance our careers.
Over the past few years, I've been blessed to learn a lot about the production business, specifically through my insanely talented partner, Lorie Marsh, working on Lost In Sunshine.
Being a co-producer on a series of (Aether) paranormal documentaries, I've learned a lot about what can be done on the fly, and in the editing room.
And, because I want to inevitably shoot a BEAUTIFUL film, capture details, and solicit talent, I pay attention to what makes pictures beautiful - is it the lens? Lighting? Acting? Textures? Colors? Rareness? Rawness? Landscape? Skyline? Depth of field? The focus pull? All of the above?
But bottom line is, I'm a writer first. I think it's easy for us indie artists to feel lost when we're being pulled so many ways to make things happen. Seems we're now expected to do EVERYTHING to cut cost. Fair enough. Perhaps we even enjoy the entire process (I know I do!).
But remember this: There's wonderful people out there that aspire to be EDITORS, CINEMATOGRAPHERS, CAMERA OPERATORS, ACTORS, SOUND EXPERTS, ETC. You are not alone. You do not have to do everything (well) yourself. If you know you're weak in an area, find someone that has a firecracker of a heart, and snatch them up! They need experience, too, and will love the opportunity to advance their agendas as well!! After all, isn't filmmaking about TEAMWORK? :) I don't know a lot of one-(wo)man shows. And those guys always think they're better at everything than they really are anyhow. ;)
Be original. Be sincere. Don't spend time worrying about what you're not good at. Anyone can practice to enhance skills. BUT, Talent comes naturally, and can't be purchased. Just focus on what YOU do best, you Courageous Beast, and keep getting better.
Bottom line, being well-rounded is necessary, and appreciated by your peers. But we should be the very best version of ourselves at all times, without apologizing for it. Be GOOD at doing YOU, Sunshine!!!
With love & an open heart,
Jentri
Our indie lives often require us to wear so many weaved hats that we can't remember which one we should put on to advance our careers.
Over the past few years, I've been blessed to learn a lot about the production business, specifically through my insanely talented partner, Lorie Marsh, working on Lost In Sunshine.
Being a co-producer on a series of (Aether) paranormal documentaries, I've learned a lot about what can be done on the fly, and in the editing room.
And, because I want to inevitably shoot a BEAUTIFUL film, capture details, and solicit talent, I pay attention to what makes pictures beautiful - is it the lens? Lighting? Acting? Textures? Colors? Rareness? Rawness? Landscape? Skyline? Depth of field? The focus pull? All of the above?
But bottom line is, I'm a writer first. I think it's easy for us indie artists to feel lost when we're being pulled so many ways to make things happen. Seems we're now expected to do EVERYTHING to cut cost. Fair enough. Perhaps we even enjoy the entire process (I know I do!).
But remember this: There's wonderful people out there that aspire to be EDITORS, CINEMATOGRAPHERS, CAMERA OPERATORS, ACTORS, SOUND EXPERTS, ETC. You are not alone. You do not have to do everything (well) yourself. If you know you're weak in an area, find someone that has a firecracker of a heart, and snatch them up! They need experience, too, and will love the opportunity to advance their agendas as well!! After all, isn't filmmaking about TEAMWORK? :) I don't know a lot of one-(wo)man shows. And those guys always think they're better at everything than they really are anyhow. ;)
Be original. Be sincere. Don't spend time worrying about what you're not good at. Anyone can practice to enhance skills. BUT, Talent comes naturally, and can't be purchased. Just focus on what YOU do best, you Courageous Beast, and keep getting better.
Bottom line, being well-rounded is necessary, and appreciated by your peers. But we should be the very best version of ourselves at all times, without apologizing for it. Be GOOD at doing YOU, Sunshine!!!
With love & an open heart,
Jentri
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Crowdfunding Lessons & how to unleash your inner indie rock star!
OK, so we (@ Lost In Sunshine) took a chance at putting out a direct-approach video for our latest IndieGoGo campaign, which we're afraid has appeared earnest.:) So, no time to buy tissues, we're working on changing that! If we're too late, we'll take what we learned with us, so the experience won't be wasted.
Lesson 1) Inspire people to donate to your campaign with your message, don't bore them to death with your knowledge/hopes/dreams, cuties! ;)
Our demographic has always been specific. But the real question appears to be whether or not our (your) target audience will know what the hell transmedia or social media is, and if they'll contribute/get involved. In addition, if we have a chance at our target audience contributing, assuming we have the wherewithal to reach them, they'll have to understand it.
Are you seeing question marks on your forehead in the mirror?
GREAT NEWS! You're not from Mars...:)
Lesson 2) Whip out your silver spoon, Sunshines, it's time to feed greens to those cats who are hard core chocolate lovers! When not sure your audience will understand what to do, don't insult them or go postal! Just be clever ole you, throw on your creative beanie, and figure out another delivery method!
This reminds me of the show don't tell rule in screenwriting. How will your audience know what to do, if it hasn't been done before?
Lesson 3) Show your audience by example, whether it be via video or instructional. But remember, don't be a BORING wizard! Be a playful pup!
Why should someone care about (y)our project/story anyhow?
Good question.
Sometimes people don't know they should care until you let them know why they should. As an indie artist, I personally back/support/produce material that inspires me. Fills me up. I'm not looking for the most original idea I've ever heard (1800's miner comes back to life and performs satanic rituals to rid the small town of its disease - although that could be good...) or the greatest indie project on earth (c'mon, I'm just a mid-aged white girl from TX, who wrote a dramatic comedy about a small town girl!!... although, my great grandmother was 50% Charokee... hmmmm), but I do look for things that speak to me, ask questions, have an enthusiastic spirit and partners that believe in the message.
What inspires you??
Lesson 4) Respect constructive criticism the same way you respect yourself. :)
Remember that little thing we talked about continuously getting better...?
Well, YEAH! It's part of the process that only you can fight, or work to get right!
Love, Love, Love, LEARN, LEARN, LEARN, and unleash your inner indie rock star, baby!
<3 Jentri
Lesson 1) Inspire people to donate to your campaign with your message, don't bore them to death with your knowledge/hopes/dreams, cuties! ;)
Our demographic has always been specific. But the real question appears to be whether or not our (your) target audience will know what the hell transmedia or social media is, and if they'll contribute/get involved. In addition, if we have a chance at our target audience contributing, assuming we have the wherewithal to reach them, they'll have to understand it.
Are you seeing question marks on your forehead in the mirror?
GREAT NEWS! You're not from Mars...:)
Lesson 2) Whip out your silver spoon, Sunshines, it's time to feed greens to those cats who are hard core chocolate lovers! When not sure your audience will understand what to do, don't insult them or go postal! Just be clever ole you, throw on your creative beanie, and figure out another delivery method!
This reminds me of the show don't tell rule in screenwriting. How will your audience know what to do, if it hasn't been done before?
Lesson 3) Show your audience by example, whether it be via video or instructional. But remember, don't be a BORING wizard! Be a playful pup!
Why should someone care about (y)our project/story anyhow?
Good question.
Sometimes people don't know they should care until you let them know why they should. As an indie artist, I personally back/support/produce material that inspires me. Fills me up. I'm not looking for the most original idea I've ever heard (1800's miner comes back to life and performs satanic rituals to rid the small town of its disease - although that could be good...) or the greatest indie project on earth (c'mon, I'm just a mid-aged white girl from TX, who wrote a dramatic comedy about a small town girl!!... although, my great grandmother was 50% Charokee... hmmmm), but I do look for things that speak to me, ask questions, have an enthusiastic spirit and partners that believe in the message.
What inspires you??
Lesson 4) Respect constructive criticism the same way you respect yourself. :)
Remember that little thing we talked about continuously getting better...?
Well, YEAH! It's part of the process that only you can fight, or work to get right!
Love, Love, Love, LEARN, LEARN, LEARN, and unleash your inner indie rock star, baby!
<3 Jentri
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