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

This week: Casting into the universe, launching new, interactive website, and IndieGoGo Campaign!

So, the tension is building inside... we're just hours away from launching our IndieGoGo campaign, which is following the launch of our (version 2) interactive website! During the week, we'll continue to release new features, content, videos, etc. on our Lost In Sunshine website, indiegogo page, twitter, and facebook.

The stressful part about it is not being able to predict the outcome, like most of life. All we can do it put it out there and hope that all of our love, devoted efforts, and continuous passion pays off. We hope that others will, more than just see how crazy hard we work, relate to our concept, characters, spiritual content/message, and theme. We hope that our audiences will want to participate (Then I'll have warm fuzzies).

As an indie filmmaker, there are no guarantees. So, what's comforted me is that the universe manifests itself the way it wants to, when it wants to, with, and sometimes without, our help. In other words, the outcome will be the same whether we worry about it or not. The point is to enjoy this magnificent journey, love the process and when we have completed something - find some satisfaction is looking at the final product and being proud, whether or not it ever makes a dime. Of all people, I know how difficult it is sometimes. But if we are in this line of work for the right reasons, it will not let us down. The universe will continue to aid us in our dreams, as we continue to hang on to hope, and put one foot in front of the other.

Now go get 'em! I'll meet ya out there. :)
J

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

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. :)

Digital Storytelling: Bob and Lyn are smarter than they think they are. You are, too.

Sometimes people ask if Lost In Sunshine is about me. Meaning, did I do the things Lyn Blue will do, and that's why I wrote it, or perhaps the things her co-pilot, Bob, will do. On both accounts, the answer would be NO. However, I think there's a little bit of Lyn AND Bob in me... maybe in you, too.



It wasn't written haphazardly, but instead, from a place I know lots about - dreaming, (current) reality, and (dealing with) death. From a young age, I was encouraged to live out my dreams, despite our tiny town's address. Growing up, I experienced a series of emotional hardships, losing a home, animals, my first love, and confidence in my ability to be fearless (haven't we all at some point?).

But at the end of the day, I found a friend in the form of a pencil and piece of paper. My friend was always around, and never let me down. And after I visited my friend, I always felt a tiny bit better.

At age 13, it was poetry and creative writing, and by age 30 it had expanded into screenwriting. And now at 34- digital storytelling and online fiction. :)

Material doesn't fabricate itself from the non-existent. It fabricates itself from the imaginative mind's collectiveness. So, through those less than desirable circumstances have grown a highly capable, extremely driven and motivated woman who won't take no for an answer.

Best dad advice ever, "You're smarter than you think you are."

Thanks, dad. You're right.

WE ALL ARE.

Love, Jentri

How I'm approaching love, life, independent film, digital storytelling, online fiction, and narrative theory in 2011!

I cannot help it... I'm an eternal optimist.

www.lostinsunshine.com