My first feature to direct solo, Born Good

So I thought my first feature to direct would be Lost In Sunshine. I was wrong.

Since my first endeavor to produce LIS with Lorie Marsh in 2008, a lot has changed. All but our willingness and dedication to see LIS through to fruition.

Since then, we've both gone on to work on and produce other successful film projects, which we feel will be a greater asset to LIS, when it's ready to hatch.

Last year, I co-produced Volando Muerte, a horror docudrama with Aether Paranormal, which will be for sale at this year's Transworld in March! *Can I get a hand in the air!* Shad will be accompanying Matt Valentine in support of Matt's team, and Global Fear Enterprises. Look for 'em if you're there! Can someone say, I mean, scream #FaceOff!?

As cool as this is for us indie folks, I crave the excitement of directing a feature film solo. Perhaps it's because one of my new year's resolutions (which I don't believe in) is to fear less, and adventure more! Whatever the case, I feel I need to prove to myself and to other (future) investors that I can make this happen. And with balls on! Nothing funny.

So here we go, and off to a crazy start as expected with any indie film! So far, we have changed the shoot date (at least 3 times!), only gotten thru the first draft of my script, and lost our lead male actor (due to family matters).

I have one producer, Sabrina, in NY, one associate (satelite) producer in ATX with me, Jeff, and I'm looking for another right hand (wo)man to help me move things along. I thought we'd have 5-8 people on set, but it'll probably be more like 10 (who's counting) and we'll probably have to pull some bank out of our arses. But hey, Jentri, what'd you expect? Luxurious smelling pink roses sprinkled on you while drinking hot chocolate in a bubble bath?

Maybe. Don't judge.

Hey, at least love don't cost a thang. Thanks for nothing, JLo! You never worked on an indie project in your life.

And I never shoulda written scenes with 70-year-olds who have to act dead in a coffin. Ouch.

Ya win some, ya lose some.

The crazy thing about all the crazy, is that it doesn't matter that much. It's part of the excitement... fun.. adventure.. zest!

I've secured '36 Colors' to be our go-to place for vintage clothing, a kick ass makeup artist (actually 2), a dance instructor and studio, a church (for our funeral home), extra house to shoot at, food donations, an additional assoc producer, a caterer, sound person, ridiculously great music (can someone say #DougBurr), and script consultant, all in about a week. Oh, and I met with a possible lead male actor. Things can move really fast when you're focused on your intention(s).

Just give me some money for post and I'll be golden!!! Or give me another week. ;)

Lots of Love from above, J

Me and my lead princess, Katie!

Let the music move you.

http://www.ionimagestudio.com/

We (artists) often share musical/lyrical thoughts as a way to describe feelings about a particular story that moves us. It allows us to describe, what at times, feels indescribable with ordinary ole words.

A while back, Ross Partridge, our verbally attached lead male in LIS, shared with me the song Home, by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. More recently, my friend Natalie said that, "The Sound of Sunshine" by Michael Franti and Spearhead made her think of LIS, too. Reiterating to me, just how important music is to everything we do, especially film.

For the last few weeks, I've been working on a (untitled) documentary that's turning out to really inspire me. When I was cutting the little trailer together, a definitive mood didn't really spill over me, until I began searching for music.

With Lost In Sunshine, music has (already!) moved me so much. Doug Burr's "In The Garden," Larissa Ness' LIS theme song, "Lost In Sunshine" and Cadenced Haven's ambient beats have given me chills, and created an even deeper enthusiasm for the time I can actually consider, with the help of my score master, Ari, and music supervisor, Laura, the perfect music for LIS.

I feel like movies are defined four times: when we write them, shoot them, edit them, and score them (which you could consider as part of editing, but scoring is a job all on its own).

Writing is such an intimate process. It's like oddly making out with yourself for a year. It's fun, (can be) provocative, adventurous, and a little weird being alone so much. But it's all about divulging what's inside!

Then there's the official shoot time, where you have to translate what's in your script/head to screen. Still intimate, but on a larger scale. I suppose you could say it's like making out with a lot of people for a couple months! ;)

Then there's the editing, a place where you must retell the story, but only with what sits in front of you on your machine. It's like having all the puzzle pieces, but knowing there's more than one way it can be pieced together. Especially because of timing and cadence. The editor must understand the pace... the rhythm... the tone.

And then there's music. Music can mend, bend, ruin, manipulate, or magically enhance anything! Music can tell the audience how to feel, if there's an uncertainty in what's being delivered on screen. It can be ironic, literal, or just work to discreetly carry the picture, like subtext.

Don't ever underestimate the importance of a good track, and appreciate your musicians and fellow artists. There are a lot of artists that would value the cross promotion!

Bottom line, when I choose music it has to move me. It has to make me feel something I didn't feel before I hit "play."

Reflections, a dream sequence inspired by Lost In Sunshine

Hi guys,

This is a dream sequence I put together, Reflections, inspired by Lost In Sunshine. My main character, Lyn Blue, often reflects back on her life, and this is a chance to get a glimpse of her world. Sometimes her childhood is exposed through flashbacks, while other memories are intimate portraits shaped through her daydreams.

This is sort of a window into Lyn's secret past... some of which actually happened that way, while other memories are distorted by the way she would like to remember them.

You'll have to wait for the movie to determine her truth for yourself.

BIG THANKS to one of my favorite musicians, Doug Burr, who allowed me to use his beautiful song, Blood Runs Downhill, for this clip.

Enjoy. With love, Jentri

Why I love musician, Doug Burr

I ran into Doug Burr for the first time about a year ago at Stubbs when he was performing. My husband, Shad, and Doug are 'old buddies' from way back when, and Shad wanted to say hello. If you know me, you know I don't go out much (hey, give me some slack, I'm a writer, we're weird like that!) so there was something synergistic going on for sure! ;) I was pretty impressed with his sound instantaneously. Before we left, we chatted with him a bit. Shad told him I was working on a film, so he gave me a couple of his CD's. It didn't take long for me to fall in love with his vibe. His music just has this capability to create visuals for me.. his music carries some of the scenes in my head, ones that've been there for so long, with no specific musicality emotionally attached.

I approached Doug with my script and asked him if he'd be interested in having some of his music accompany our picture. He was warmly responsive, and tonight was no exception. I saw him perform at J Blacks, and he sounded incredible. I'm telling you, his music just has a filmic quality about it... I can't put my finger on it, other than to say that. Some music has 'it' and some doesn't. By no means do I keep up with the latest, hottest bands. But I know something special when I hear it. And he's got that.

So does Larissa Ness, who wrote the beautiful theme song for Lost In Sunshine. BTW, if you're in NY this Thurs. you can hear her play, and she's informed me she'll be singing LIS there! Go, Larissa!

Back to Doug Burr...

Doug and I talked a bit more today and he said something that I really appreciated and could relate to.. he said that it's not really about the money. He said he understands how these types of projects are labors of love, and that if we are just thinking about money, it's never going to happen. AMEN, brother. It's a big world out there.. and nice to still meet people every day that still get that.

This is super impressive coming from someone who lives in Dallas, has 4 kids (one newborn!), works a tech job by day and plays gigs all over the place on special occasions/weekends, because he loves to, and has a supportive family.

What a great inspiration to learn from.

Tonight, I was once again reminded by the universe (and Doug!) that the money will come, friends. That doesn't need to be the motivating factor, unless that's all you want! Do what you love and stop making up excuses for why you can't. And have fun doing it, or what's the point!

Wishing you all great success in your journeys. May the force be with you. :)

Jentri