Wanna help us make a short film inspired by Lost In Sunshine, and keep our transmedia efforts going? Listen up, my pretties!
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 short films. Show all posts
Showing posts with label short films. Show all posts
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Using memories to make movies
Youth is important to remember for lots of reasons. It can bring us joy, or allow us to reflect on circumstances we can learn and grow from, particularly as an adult. In my new short film, based on Johnny Pott and Lyn Blue from Lost In Sunshine, we'll explore youth, and significant first memories.
In 1997 we lost our home, where I grew up, to a fire. When all the pictures are gone, and the home (and all that goes with it) is ash, all one has left are memories.
Even though my memories are completely different (in every way) to the subject matter of this short film, I'm going to turn my undesirable (past) situation into fuel to ignite this event... because I understand how significant memories are.
The lighthearted drama/comedy will serve as an extension of our story, helping to expand the entire narrative.
Let the memories begin!
Love, Jentri
Thursday, August 5, 2010
My first short film - DropIt!
This was my first short (narrative) film, DropIt! It brings back a lot of memories... what I knew, what I DIDN'T know... and how lucky I was to get such a dynamite crew/cast with a tiny budget (although a lot for our pockets!). My friend, Jeff and I, produced the 3-day short, and paid for the production ourselves, along with the kind and generous food wrangling help from my Dad, Donna and family friend, Patty. Above all, it was a great learning experience, and I met some wonderful people in the process. And we had some good ole fashion silly fun making a comedy! I highly recommend it. Cheers!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Do you love the script of the movie you're working on?
What's in it for you? What's in it for me? What's in it for US?
I ask these questions, not to summon ego and attitude, but to summon awareness.
We all know we take some jobs just for money. Us indie filmmakers have to pay bills, too!! Those are not the jobs I'm talking about today.
Yesterday, Lorie and I were in a meeting with Beaux, someone we hope will be our go-to man for our 'behind the scenes' stuff. She asked a good question, one I learned from, and I hope you do too. She said, (and I'm paraphrasing) "What do you want to get out of this besides money?" She asked this question, because she knew there had to be something else that would motivate/inspire any individual in terms of longevity, and she wanted to know what it was. Primarily, so we can help achieve it, and both of us are happy!
It's not just about US directors/producers making OUR movie. It's about ALL OF US working TOGETHER to make something beautiful we can all be proud of. We are getting something more out of the experience personally, and think you should too.
Let me preface this by saying LIS is a paying project. We are still working on securing all of our funds, but we will have it! And if you work indie, you know that we can't afford to wait until all the funds are secured before lifting a finger. You take a leap of faith with a project.. on something that feeds your creative soul. That's what Lorie and I have been doing the last year together with LIS.
I've worked for free before, and had others work for free for me, too, in the past (which I'll address in a bit). But we're an indie project. And indie usually means you get paid enough to make it that month, but it's not going to afford you the ability to take off for 6 mo. while you look for your next project, like some multi-million dollar ones might.
The reason I thought this question was so genius was because it was so honest and relevant to today's tough times. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a selfish motive for being involved in a film project... especially an indie one.. and especially if it's little or no pay. We, indie filmmakers, need to find out what that is.
Let me give you an example, based on my previous experiences. When I was working on my first short comedy, and paying out of my own pocket, I needed people to work for free in order for the film to get made - period. But guess what, since I was paying, that meant others got to be a part of a fun project - free - if they were looking to expand their portfolio, too!
Side note: Free doesn't mean entirely free. You must pay to FEED your people well, and especially if you want them to return the next day. Food goes a long way. Supplying well balanced meals says, "I APPRECIATE YOU!"
In addition, you'll most likely have to pay for some sort of equipment rental (unless you own everything).
So nothing is ever really free!
Each person who was a part of that film had something to gain, other than money & food, too. Perhaps it was a credit on IMDB for acting they wanted.. to legitimize themselves as actors. Perhaps they wanted to meet new people in the industry, or intern for credit at UT.
My second short narrative film, I knew I couldn't just call on 'free' favors again from the same people just 'cause, but I was diggin' outta the same pocketbook. So, I had to look for new hungry people. Perhaps they wanted to be in an HD film project because they knew I wouldn't let them down (from working with me before) or perhaps they wanted to be a part of its debut at a big local art festival.. perhaps they wanted to be the 'key' person on set for once. You get my drift?
Working with LIS was a different ball game. I knew there'd be money... eventually. But how do we get people on board without it? That was the big conundrum for me to face.
Well, I knew (or thought, and still do!) that I had a solid script, one I had worked so hard for 3 years to perfect. I had a verbally attached TV actress, just coming back from an exciting trip to LA. And shortly after, I had an experienced producer on board! Things were moving. And I had no time for shakin.'
Now I had to use my tools to find the perfect crew. Would they love the script? Could they connect to it somehow.. find something that inspired them to want to create for it? The fact that I had other people willing to 'commit' to it first helped. But I knew that's not why these savvy, artistic visionaries would singularly want to take on this project.
The people who really connected to the material, and me, are still the people that are on board today. Those types of connections are stronger than any motive for money. That's why relationships that marry for money don't usually last. And that's why I was inspired to share this with you today. :)
Remember, just like with actors, we're casting relationships. Ask yourself: Do I get along with the crew members on a 'personal' level? Do I feel comfortable expressing my opinions and asking questions without judgement (especially since I'm a first-time filmmaker)? Do I simply like their energy?
Bottom line, everyone has something else to gain besides money. Find out what it is and help them achieve that, too.
I ask these questions, not to summon ego and attitude, but to summon awareness.
We all know we take some jobs just for money. Us indie filmmakers have to pay bills, too!! Those are not the jobs I'm talking about today.
Yesterday, Lorie and I were in a meeting with Beaux, someone we hope will be our go-to man for our 'behind the scenes' stuff. She asked a good question, one I learned from, and I hope you do too. She said, (and I'm paraphrasing) "What do you want to get out of this besides money?" She asked this question, because she knew there had to be something else that would motivate/inspire any individual in terms of longevity, and she wanted to know what it was. Primarily, so we can help achieve it, and both of us are happy!
It's not just about US directors/producers making OUR movie. It's about ALL OF US working TOGETHER to make something beautiful we can all be proud of. We are getting something more out of the experience personally, and think you should too.
Let me preface this by saying LIS is a paying project. We are still working on securing all of our funds, but we will have it! And if you work indie, you know that we can't afford to wait until all the funds are secured before lifting a finger. You take a leap of faith with a project.. on something that feeds your creative soul. That's what Lorie and I have been doing the last year together with LIS.
I've worked for free before, and had others work for free for me, too, in the past (which I'll address in a bit). But we're an indie project. And indie usually means you get paid enough to make it that month, but it's not going to afford you the ability to take off for 6 mo. while you look for your next project, like some multi-million dollar ones might.
The reason I thought this question was so genius was because it was so honest and relevant to today's tough times. Everyone, and I mean everyone, has a selfish motive for being involved in a film project... especially an indie one.. and especially if it's little or no pay. We, indie filmmakers, need to find out what that is.
Let me give you an example, based on my previous experiences. When I was working on my first short comedy, and paying out of my own pocket, I needed people to work for free in order for the film to get made - period. But guess what, since I was paying, that meant others got to be a part of a fun project - free - if they were looking to expand their portfolio, too!
Side note: Free doesn't mean entirely free. You must pay to FEED your people well, and especially if you want them to return the next day. Food goes a long way. Supplying well balanced meals says, "I APPRECIATE YOU!"
In addition, you'll most likely have to pay for some sort of equipment rental (unless you own everything).
So nothing is ever really free!
Each person who was a part of that film had something to gain, other than money & food, too. Perhaps it was a credit on IMDB for acting they wanted.. to legitimize themselves as actors. Perhaps they wanted to meet new people in the industry, or intern for credit at UT.
My second short narrative film, I knew I couldn't just call on 'free' favors again from the same people just 'cause, but I was diggin' outta the same pocketbook. So, I had to look for new hungry people. Perhaps they wanted to be in an HD film project because they knew I wouldn't let them down (from working with me before) or perhaps they wanted to be a part of its debut at a big local art festival.. perhaps they wanted to be the 'key' person on set for once. You get my drift?
Working with LIS was a different ball game. I knew there'd be money... eventually. But how do we get people on board without it? That was the big conundrum for me to face.
Well, I knew (or thought, and still do!) that I had a solid script, one I had worked so hard for 3 years to perfect. I had a verbally attached TV actress, just coming back from an exciting trip to LA. And shortly after, I had an experienced producer on board! Things were moving. And I had no time for shakin.'
Now I had to use my tools to find the perfect crew. Would they love the script? Could they connect to it somehow.. find something that inspired them to want to create for it? The fact that I had other people willing to 'commit' to it first helped. But I knew that's not why these savvy, artistic visionaries would singularly want to take on this project.
The people who really connected to the material, and me, are still the people that are on board today. Those types of connections are stronger than any motive for money. That's why relationships that marry for money don't usually last. And that's why I was inspired to share this with you today. :)
Remember, just like with actors, we're casting relationships. Ask yourself: Do I get along with the crew members on a 'personal' level? Do I feel comfortable expressing my opinions and asking questions without judgement (especially since I'm a first-time filmmaker)? Do I simply like their energy?
Bottom line, everyone has something else to gain besides money. Find out what it is and help them achieve that, too.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Jentri's film updates
It's been a long time coming, but short comedy - DropIt! is now online for you to watch (click on link above).
After producing 40 Going On 20 (wellness/fitness video) in 2006, this was my first mini DV short film that I wrote-directed in 2007. The story originated when a friend & film peer of mine (the co-producer, Jeff Jones) told me about a short he'd always wanted to do - the premise - a guy has to go #2 really bad but he doesn't want to do it in the stall at 'said location' because the gap in the door is so large that the entire world can see in! I thought the idea was funny, but I was sure there was a lot of 'potty humor' out there and wanted to make sure this would be different, yet relatable if we did it! I had the idea about incorporating some of "The Secret" mentality into it, and from there - it left the building!
We shot it over the course of 3 days, utilizing 3 Austin locations (my home, an office building & the UT bathroom), with a friendly group of crew and insanely talented bunch of actors. Like the humor or hate it, we had so much fun making it!
On a side note: OAK's, Michael Lange is currently working on Spider Babies, a feature film by Austin's writer-director, Christopher Sharpe:
http://christophersharpe.com/projects/spider-babies/the-spider-babies-screenshots-day-2/
From the pictures, it looks like a fun film... and what a great website where you can follow the production too! Good luck, Michael!!
And last, but not least - If you follow my work at all, you probably know that I'm part of a collaborative group of investigators/filmmakers (Paranormal Productions) who produce paranormal documentaries - Aether Paranormal. Over the last year, we've produced 2 feature documentaries, as well as a short on the Federation of Light, which can all be viewed for FREE on our website: http://www.aetherparanormal.com. We are currently in post production on our latest documentary that we filmed in April 2009, and busy planning our next investigations.
Meanwhile, back at the LIS ranch, (visit: www.lostinsunshine.com to see a list of our crew so far!) we're getting closer... most of our dept. heads are already in place, lead female - still affirmative, best entertainment lawyer in the world on board, and business plan being sculpted to perfection... just about a week out from opening up our offering for Lost In Sunshine and I couldn't be more EXCITED!!
Thanks for reading, and have a beautiful day!
Take a gander and join me here too if you'd like!
Film updates: twitter.com/jentrification
Paranormal updates: twitter.com/aetherteam
Lyn's (LIS' main character) updates: twitter.com/lynblue
Aether's myspace: myspace.com/goat45
Jentri's myspace: myspace.com/jentriquinn
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