What I Know for Sure Quest Documentary

It's been a long time coming...watching clips that go back as far as 2009 roll a voice of reality and perspective through my head. Movie making of any kind is a life-long test of patience. This is particularly difficult if you're a Scorpio, like me. The process will test your patience and skills on every level. It even tests your confidence, and keeps any ego in check. What ego? :) What is here today can be gone tomorrow. What is not here here today can arrive tomorrow. It's all relative to the business. More commonly than ever, I hear about films taking 7 plus years to complete. It can be a matter of integrity, money, logistics, or resources, but it's always a matter of time. You're a product of movie making, just as the movie is a product of you - both breathing and living as one. I'm excited an honored to be able to give you this little piece of me this year in What I Know For Sure (Quest for the Cosmos). We explore a question I've contemplated all my entire life. Here's our extended trailer. Enjoy!! xo

Now Casting: What I Know For Sure (Quest for the Cosmos)

Are you someone with specific beliefs about the universe, your purpose, and afterlife?

4020 Productions is now casting real folks to answer "the question of all time"!

Taking our documentary to CO this summer! Know anyone in the area that would like to be (or should be) in this documentary? Send them our way & tell us why! email: project4020@yahoo.com ♥

Photography by Goat45 Design

What I Know For Sure about Matt Valentine!

Matt's featured on the new season of Face Off on SyFy! Starts January 11, 2012. Matt was also in my documentary, currently titled, What I Know For Sure: Quest for the Cosmos. Watch Trailer Here.

If he looks familiar, it might be because he was also in our Aether Paranormal documentary, House of Torment, AND his talents are also showcased in our new (unreleased) movie, Volando Muerte.

Be afraid... be very, very, afraid...



We're all cheering for ya, Matt! J

Want to know more about the quest? GO HERE!

Happy New Year!!

So now that you've had time to wine, dine, cheer, kiss, relax, and be rowdy (in no particular order) to ring in the new year, what are you going to do with it? :)

My personal to-do list for 2012:
-Get my esthetics Lisense
-Shoot Born Good and begin editing process
-Move to CO, have serious fun, and see where it takes me
-Finish What I Know For Sure (documentary)
-Secure (needed) investors for Lost In Sunshine
-Shoot Aether pilot
-Write another screenplay

Wishing you all a year that you wouldn't want to trade for anything!

Love, Jentri & Izzy

What I Know For Sure (behind the scenes)

Hey my lollipop kids, yesterday we shot some sweet pics for our documentary, What I Know For Sure!

If you want to spirituality-stalk us, you can do it on its OWN PAGE!

We shot these "bookends" in Mustang Ridge in SE Texas, and in my ole neck of the woods, South Austin.

Beautiful (still) imagery was captured by Shad Chancey (Goat45.com) and Gabri Means (photosbyGabri.com) in addition to the moving images, captured by LeVan Owens, and I couldn't be more high if I consumed ten thousand sugar cookies!

BIG THANKS to my fab model/actress, Venus Monique, too. Can it get any more gorgeous, daring? I think not.

Talk about 3 peas in a pod! Exchanging lenses, drooling over focus and brilliant manipulation... It was all an F stop blur to me, but I think we came out clearly OK! ;)

Love, J

More pics to follow SOON... in the meantime, join us on FB too!

Born Good: Road to Liberation

Born Good is a dramatic dark comedy I wrote about knowing when to hold on… and when to let go.

This story deals with the guilt that a lot of us carry around through the years over regret. It’s about looking in the mirror and having the guts to face our own truths, or follow our own dreams, despite our diagnosis, believed fate, or what might “make sense”.

Like our Lost In Sunshine characters, these (Born Good) characters are forced to dig a little deeper. But unlike LIS, the two main characters, Katie and Steven, have "history" together, and history can often complicate things... but when it's used as a tool to determine why we've made the decisions we've made - it can clarify things, too. They just have a lot of work to do on themselves and with each other before they can figure that out!

I’m a big question asker. If it doesn’t make sense, I normally don’t want to do it – UNLESS, it’s a matter of the heart. I think we all make decisions based on passion, and daily human emotions, too. Especially women. This topic piques my interest -- raises my curiosity, and it’s one I wanted to explore with the lead female character, Katie, while writing this story.

Born Good is a dramatic dark comedy about a twenty-eight year old hot southern mess, and aspiring country music star, Katie, who returns to her tiny hometown in Texas to tend to some unfinished business, before traveling to Nashville to become the next big thing.

Born, raised, and still living in her hometown is, Steven, who secretly wishes he could be a comedian, while running his family's B&B and Hollaback Funeral Home business, but he doesn't have much hope for his dreams or future.

After Katie learns of her potentially life-threatening illness, she decides to visit Steven, and reveal a secret so big that it will change their lives forever.

I've also been working on What I Know For Sure, a spiritual documentary that asks one of the biggest questions of all time (as we know it). And with my paranormal group, Aether Paranormal, questions are essential. But we all know that asking questions, often, only leads to more questions.

Which lead me to this one: Are we all born good?

This is a tricky question that I want both of my main characters, Katie and Steven, to undertake, consume, and breathe in Born Good. I want this film to let all the ghosts hang out. I want the skeletons to not just come out of the closet — but to walk, and be free from their self-inflicted coffins.

We all have reasons for hanging on to what we shouldn’t. And we all have reasons for letting go of what we hope comes back. It can be tough. Blinding. And hurt. A lot. But when we find that balance… when we do it right, it can be really liberating, too.

It's less about how we're born, and more about the choices we make. Choose wisely. :)

Jentri

ROAD TO LIBERATION

Stop dreaming it, and just do it!

This year, my plate is full and that's good, 'cause I'm Hungry! How about you?

With an Aether Paranormal (mixed genre piece) in post, a spiritual documentary in the mix, a new script underway (2, actually - new indie drama/apocalyptic sci-fi) and Lorie and I reinventing the wheel a bit with Lost In Sunshine, things are moving right on down the track with love and we ain't lookin' back, my brothas & sistas!

You've heard me blog and sing about "expanding yourself" this year. And for good reason - who else is going to do it, Sunshine? :)

Right now, I'm working with Paranormal Productions in post on a feature. While doing our last set of edits, and having it scored by the beautifully talented Larissa Ness of Austin, we are examining the ending in particular - making sure that it doesn't leave the audience unsatisfied at all. It's surprising - fun - inventive... but could there be more? Don't let ego get in the way of you producing your best work!!

With expansion in mind, I've been writing like crazy (thank you, Mercury in Retrograde!). I'm writing one indie drama I'm planning to shoot sometime this year (around LIS) and the other is an apocalyptic sci-fi that I'm super excited to start 'officially' writing. Just started an outline, but the idea is to keeping writing, improving, and creating things that I'm excited about! Have you tried it? It works well as an anti-depressant, too!

Don't get stagnant. Don't wait on that one special project to thrust you out into the atmosphere! This business isn't particularly patient, either. Like Christmas, it doesn't wait for those who are late.

I'm in the middle of revising Lyn's character to strengthen her intentions/responses as a whole for Lost In Sunshine. One thing I've recently learned is that if you have the time to improve upon your script in any way - you should DO IT. After I made several initial revisions to improve LIS, Lorie and I felt confident that it was at a solid place to "move forward." With unexpected time to do more with our project, I'm finding even more opportunities to improve upon. And I dig some scenes SO MUCH BETTER now. Remember, without a stand-out story or material, you have... well, nothing much I can think of!

Instead of just dreaming it - write it! Instead of being scared of failure, put on your kickass boots (or flip-flops, if you're in TX) and just do it!

Besides, failure means we had to have tried, right? That's worth something, Tiger! In some cases, it's worth everything.
xo J

ps. here's the link to my new docuemntary's blog, What I Know For Sure, if ya wanna follow its progress! ;)

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?

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

Larry Flaxman scheduled to appear in documentary, What I Know For Sure

Does 11:11: The Time Prompt Phenomenon ring a bell? It's one of my favorite books!! So I'm super excited that the best selling author and paranormal hunter, Larry Flaxman, will be participating in our spiritual documentary, What I Know For Sure.

WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE (working title) TRAILER

Interviewing Story Musgrave for documentary, What I Know For Sure

What I know for sure about Story is that he's completely embraced his journey here on Earth. He's followed his dreams,
realized his potential, and literally - aimed for the stars. It was an honor and privilege to spend time with him, and have
him be a part of this magical experience with me. I can honestly say, today, I learned something significant about life (as we
know it) and beyond. I can't wait to share it with you in this documentary... may he inspire you, as he has me, to go after your dreams with fire and aim for beauty... coming soon... 2011-2012. J

Shad & Story


Jentri and Story

Interviewing Story Musgrave for documentary, What I Know For Sure

I'm excited and nervous to interview Story Musgrave tomorrow for my documentary, What I Know For Sure.

This man is AMAZING. I don't use that word too much, because I think it's one of the most overly used words of this decade. But he IS!!

Here's a short summary of his work from IMDB:

One of the most famous and most versatile NASA astronauts. He is not only a medical doctor, but also a chemist, mathematician, biophysicist, physiologist and computer scientist. Selected in 1967, he took part in as many as six Space Shuttle missions. He left NASA in 1997.

To get a taste of what he does and who he is, visit his website.

Wish me a good interview, and I promise to post behind the scenes pics for ya!

Join What I Know For Sure documentary on FB!

With hope & love, Jentri

ps. Story's created some of the most incredible sleep music I've ever gotten my hands on... or ears on! If interested, GO HERE.

What to do when what you know for sure keeps changing...

That's what this documentary, What I Know For Sure, is doing to me - raising more questions about life and the universe. Every time I find a bit of information I think makes sense, something else happens... another voice of reason or illogical reasoning supports a theory I can't draw a solidified conclusion from... and then I ask someone else the (same) question, just to go through this again.

It's a brilliant ride... a delicious adventure... but it's like a magic trick you can't figure out... ya know, the one that drives you mad!

So what happens if what we know for sure keeps changing? Is that a good or bad thing?

I'm tempted to label it as GOOD, since that's the way I feel we learn and grow... by continuing to ask the hard questions.

It might ask 'the question of all time' but I wish it'd give me the 'answer of all time.' Unfortunately, I'm being left with more and more questions, or more and more sessions of analyzing the same circular question. As close as I can ever get to an answer I truly believe in, I don't think I'll ever be satisfied. Perhaps I'm not supposed to with this one.

I wish I could tell you the question, so you can weigh in, but you'll have to wait until the movie (if you're not IN it) to find out. Thank goodness I'm good at keeping secrets. I'm a scorpio. ;)

If you dig mysterious topics, and films that engage people in thought-provoking questions, please consider supporting this inspirational/spiritual documentary.

http://www.indiegogo.com/What-I-Know-For-Sure-?i=pite

If you like this material, you'll also like Lost In Sunshine, a dramatic comedy about finding yourself.

Did you miss The Shadow Hour show?

If you missed my interview on The Shadow Hour this past Wed., you can catch it HERE.

We talked about indie filmmaking, my new documentary, Lost In Sunshine, and Aether Paranormal!

Chris Walden was the perfect host. Thanks, Chris!

Word is, Aether Paranormal will be on Ghostology's kick ass (paranormal entertainment) show soon, too... will keep ya posted! ;)

And, thank you again to all of my indiegogo supporters for What I Know For Sure. Chris Savino, Sherry Vargas, Chris Walden and Paula D'Etcheverry - it's people like you that allow us indie artists to produce heartfelt material without the restricitions/permission of a HW studio dictating our every move. Love and respect to you ALL!

xo Jentri

Join me on The Shadow Hour tomorrow night to learn more about my new documentary, What I Know For Sure!

Hey guys, if you're around tomorrow night, Sept. 8th @ 10pm (central) join me for Chris Walden's radio show, The Shadow Hour, where I'll be talking about my upcoming documentary, What I Know For Sure. Can't promise you I'll give on the question, but I'll definitely give you more hints to ponder! And we promise you a mysteriously fun night!

How you can make this documentary with me!

Want to get in on the action? NOW YOU CAN! Work behind the scenes and get feature credit, be IN the film, or meet the stars!!!

Check out my documentary's new page - with a new look, new comments, updates, perks and more... find out who's saying what about this film, What I Know For Sure, what goodies you can get your hands on, and how you can (literally) make it happen with me!.

MORE HERE!

What I Know For Sure (*new* extended movie trailer)

To support this documentary, please visit: http://www.indiegogo.com/What-I-Know-For-Sure

Who's going to be in the documentary?

A few (familiar) names are now revealed in the documentary, What I Know For Sure!

Find out here!

Note: Just click on the title of the film and read 'the reveal' below the video blog! :)

Huge THANK YOU to FINANCIAL SUPPORTERS (so far)!
Chris Savino (visit: http://bfandg.blogspot.com)
Sherry Vargas

What I Know For Sure (documentary) and how you can support it!

Vlog: How I came up with the idea for this film.


THE DOCUMENTARY IDEA:
One hundred people are invited to answer the same question, not knowing what it will be in advance. A collection of colorful, everyday people, including a few familiar faces, (i.e. an astronaut who’s worked on the hubble!) candidly attempt to answer one of the hardest, most controversial, and profound questions of all time – in one minute. And some of them, surprisingly discover a little more about themselves along the way…

WATCH TRAILER
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnmMX-GfeNs

NOTE TO CONTEMPLATOR OF SUPPORT :)

Hi there,

I’ve already asked over twenty people the same question, and to my delight, I’ve laughed a lot, almost cried a couple of times, and been seriously inspired in the process. Each person offers a genuinely heartfelt perspective, regardless of how frank, harsh, or passionate. While some answers may feel recycled, others are humorous, engaging, and enlightening. The beauty and power of this film’s message(s) comes from the honesty of those who tell it, and their diversity. Ya see, those people are just like you and I, each sharing, however different our cultures may be, a similar experience because of our location – on Earth.

What I also appreciate about this topic is that there’s no right or wrong answer – no forced messages – only raw emotion from a select number of people that are generous enough to share their thoughts with the rest of us (out there wondering).

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this project. Any donations, however big or small, are greatly valued and accepted with extreme gratitude.

Your contribution enables me to keep doing this stuff that I love so much, and most importantly, share it with you. And c’mon, don’t ya want to know the question? :)

To support this film, donate here, and receive your special perk(s)! Just click on "fund this project" on the right hand side. THANK YOU!

With love & respect,
Jentri