Paranormal Productions: Reinventing the wheel with Aether Paranormal

So, if you read this blog you know all about my first love, Lost In Sunshine! When I'm not working on Lost In Sunshine, I'm making paranormal documentaries with my team, Aether Paranormal via our production company, Paranormal Productions in Austin, TX. I'm partners with my husband, Shad, and our best friend, Beaux, to bring you these full length documentaries to enjoy FREE via our website, year round.

The last year has been quite a journey. After Aether signing a right-to-pitch agreement with a production co. in LA for about 6 months last year, and nothing happening, we partnered with a fire cracker of a talent manager, Scottie Ward with CCM in LA, to co-create a new spin on our reality TV show idea, and pitch to new production companies via his connections. Our original slant has been VERY well received, stepping away from the predictability of an over-saturated market now filled with similar 'ghost shows'. So much so, that a top notch line producer has verbally attached himself to pitching our project to a reputable production co. in Hollywood, as soon as all our very specific ducks are in a row. Those ducks may take 6 mo. to get in a row, for all we know. So what do we do in the meantime?

We keep making f-ing documentaries & movies!! What else?

We've made a bold decision to take a new approach with our NEXT film project, to advance our agendas career-wise, and keep the momentum of our Aether Paranormal team's goals on the rise. We'll still be preforming real investigations with our team throughout. But this experimental project will start from the ground up. We'll forget all the stuff we've been told by Hollywood that we can and can't do, and just make an authentic, raw, killer flick. Because we can.

The brain storming session will begin tonight, before we finish editing our latest investigation that was filmed at the Aquarena Center in San Marcos.

I've always been a fan of the Duplass Brothers. And while I LOVE the way Lorie and I are approaching making our feature, Lost In Sunshine, Paranormal Productions thrives on being more experimental.. inventive.. a little more risky, in the grand scheme of things. We can make our films for A LOT less money, using no big stars, and without permission from anyone, especially since we're not asking for investors to fund us.

Instead of creating a business plan, having a tight script, and nearly a year of prep-work, like Lost In Sunshine's had, Paranormal Productions is choosing to make an outline, similar to the way Katie Duplass describes her experience with a 6-page outline before filming her directorial debut with, The Freebie. They had no scripted dialog, and shot it in 11 days. I believe everyone was getting paid on the back-end, too. Their picture was purchased at Sundance this year. Go, Katie!

The Duplass' Baghead was a great example of melting genres, and experimenting, too. I highly recommend any indie filmmakers, seeking an alternative, unconventional approach to doing things HW style, to check out their films! They do a super job of allowing film folks to know what can be done, if you've got the vision & time, and with little money. I've always been fans of their work, particularly because they don't make up excuses for why they can't do something.. they just do it. And they don't apologize for the imperfections, but rather use those as things to make them stand out.

With this paranormal project.. we want to create something that's never been done before. We want to step away from all the copycat versions of scary movies we know will be made.. others trying to recreate a Paranormal Activity success by emulating that style. Screw that. We have our own style and ideas.. so we've made the decision to start from the ground up... no limitations.. just high quality equipment, real people (no actors!) put in an extraordinary situation. We'll focus on story, originality, details, and entertainment value, at low cost - filming over the next year.

Next week, after some brain storming sessions, I'll have more details to share as to HOW we'll be tackling this.. but I'll blog about our journey, how we pull it off, and the fun obstacles we face.

This year, I'll have the luxury of learning how to operate under tight deadlines and regulations while making a low budget, high quality SAG feature, Lost In Sunshine with professional actors, and an experienced crew. And on the flip side, I'll be making a no budget genre film with real folks (no professional actors) using only a comprehensive outline.

Let the unknown begin- again!

You can connect with Aether here. :) Jentri

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DIY Artists

There's a reason Lost In Sunshine's not trying to be Hollywood, and I love our DIY approach more and more each day. Nothing against that system, or ANYONE doing what they do, here or there, or anywhere for that matter, but the rat race games are just not for me. Good thing everyone's not the same, right? Especially since it takes a myriad of crazy-talented bodies to bring a script to a screen.

Look, I don't mind busting ass. I don't mind hustling. But I like being able to be part of the creative side of things, too, without all the originality of what I've created, being sucked out or stripped away, trying to conform to massively generic standards. And to top it - that's usually not good enough! I'm not trying to be all rebellious or defiant. I'm just expressing that I love being in Austin making this film, and even if I had a million bucks right now, I'd prefer to stay here and make movies. And I'm excited about the way we've chosen to do it.

I hear the question all the time - "How's the movie industry in Austin?" My answer is, "It's here, but it's not Hollywood. And that's not a bad thing.."

I read a great article yesterday, thanks to our web developer/music composer, Ari, who enlightened me. A DIY music artist did an experiment and had some really great creative points about HOW DIY artists must take alternative, creative routes these days to have their voices heard. I loved his non-egotistical approach at just getting his name/work out there. And the proof was in the pudding. It really is a well-documented journey, if you have a little bit to sit and read - CLICK HERE.

It just reminded me that, us artists, really do have control over how we chose to play the game or not play it. If we go the DIY route, we have to commit to being flexible. We have to see the larger picture, be patient, ambitious, dedicated, inventive, and creative. Get rid of our egos, folks, 'cause no matter what, someone else is always doing something similar, and possibly able to do it better! SO F-ING WHAT!!! If that is your excuse for not living your best, authentic life, you're doomed.

Some ways LIS is creating new pathways is by taking advantage of all the new media outlets (i.e. twitter, youtube, facebook, myspace, blogging, film website, etc.). Using seemingly obvious next steps to deliver new material (i.e. main female character's voice in blog, twitter, myspace, and highlighting like-minded artists in newsletters, etc.) to those who like to be entertained before/after the show. ;)

We have a business plan that's both specific, yet flexible.

We have a limited theatrical tour that's built into our budget, with ideas as to how we can maximize on merchandise sales, as well as our DVDs at festivals.

We are making behind the scenes footage and still photography a priority - an integral part of what will make LIS unique and special. Not sure all the ways we'll maximize that potential,
yet.

We have a year's worth of 'journey' planned out for our lead male, Bob, on our site.

AND, we're making our movie AVAILABLE through as many channels and outlets as possible, after the festival run.

I'm sure there will be a lot more experiments, ideas, and mountains to climb...

Point is, we have to change with the times, don't let the times change us. It can feel exhausting sometimes, sure, but I'd rather have a hoarse voice, than no voice at all!