The Secret to Finding Investors for our Indie Film(s)!

Hello, Sunshines!

Do you want to know the BIG secret to financing your indie project? Me, too!! So, come on you Crazy Hearts, as we figure this out together. Your perception of what you're doing is about to expand (if it doesn't, at least that sounded cool) 'cause I'm about to share with you a WEALTH of knowledge that'll hopefully take ALL of us indie filmmaking lovers there!

Over the last couple weeks I feel like I've had a string of SIGNS about the direction of our project, Lost In Sunshine, and connecting with like-minded folks in general. And that's what I want to share with you today, Sweets (I can never get away from these things, damn it).

With all the online stuff — social media (Facebook, twitter, etc), transmedia (not to be confused with transfat) and other networks I can't keep track of, I think it's important to explore IF/HOW we're really connected and what that means. So, if you're in it to win it, like Charlie Sheen, this post is FOR YOU! OK... bad example.

FIRST SIGN: EMAIL FROM MARKETING SPECIALIST LANDS IN INBOX
Recently, we were privileged to have a reputable marketing/distribution strategist comment on some of our LIS work. Ouch. That hurt. *Wipes dirt off pants.* One of the comments that stuck out to me was that Facebook was NOT a community. Could I have been wrong all this time? Were those interactive beings merely aliens disguised as humanoids responding to me? Where's my Aether Paranormal team when I need them? Joking aside, however, could this person be right? After all, that's what they do for a living. Could all these seemingly invested hours of what I thought was "connecting" with people, over our movie's message, just be meaningless in the grand scheme of making this film-dream a reality?

If online platfoms like Facebook are not considered an online "community" in the eyes of a specialist, then what is?

I felt frozen with confusion and frustration. But at least it gave me something to think about as I defrosted my dirty pants.

NEXT SIGN: PHONE CALL FROM AN ENTHUSED FRIEND CLAIMING TO HAVE THE SECRET
A good (film) friend called me out of the blue. He'd had a conversation with someone who's very successful in the film industry, who'd shared with him the secret to community building (and inevitably — financing a project) — get out there and network with the like-minded people who will vibe with what we're doing, support it (really support it!) by sharing our projects with others in their network(s). OK, you're pulling my leg... I thought we were doing that. But then again... I'm not even sure of what planet I'm on anymore! :)

THIRD SIGN: AN UNSOLICITED OPINION FROM ONE OF OUR VALUABLE LIS TEAM MEMBERS
A very good friend of ours, who's also a member of our LIS team gave us his unsolicited opinion, which really put everything into perspective (for me, at least). He believes that it's not a big time movie guy who'll invest in our project at all... but that it'll be a WOMAN, who connects with us personally, and believes in our talent, brains, story, team, and over-all message. Because quite frankly, I especially, don't have a proven track record, YET. I get that. I like that. I LOVE the idea.

So, I now had received one detailed email, one phone call, and one unsolicited opinion with basically the SAME message. Could it be a sign?

From these messages, it doesn't appear that financing our film(s) will happen from any online social hook up (although we never say NEVER!). Sure, the online networking part is great, useful, and at times — seems really wonderful & relevent, but if we're looking to finance our films (outside crowd-funding) then we need to be making real (hand shaking) contact, and not just from outter space (however, if an alien finances your film, I WANT TO KNOW!).

Here's a great, inspiring article by Donald Flaherty on filmcourage.com that I feel best describes the intense longevity of the process we must endure if we wish to finance our passion projects.

If you live in Austin, Texas, here are a few women-oriented (sorry, guys!) networking sources to check out, thanks to my enthusiastic friend, whom I sooooo appreciate for this!

http://www.womenschambertexas.com/mm-austin.php

https://austinwomenintech.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=34

http://www.txconferenceforwomen.org/

The secret to financing your film is that there is no darn secret! Follow these simple steps, and keep rockin' the frack on to your favorite tune (AKA your story/project/brain child).

1) Get your ingredients together, hot cakes! Unborn babies have to eat, too! Make sure your story is solid, and that you have a tight business plan with talent (on board) to boot! Do you have your script/info ready to hand out at all time on a USB flash drive (I'm getting mine ready this week!)? ;)

2) Love your (heart) song. Believe in what you're doing, because there are plenty of people out there who'll tell you the myriad of ways it can't be done.

3) Turn off your computers occasionally, and turn on your game (AKA social skills)! It's about continuously getting out there and connecting with folks who share your enthusiasm, passion (for life), and interests. Ask yourself, who's actually going to be watching this movie I'm making? Then go out there in the universe and find a way to find them!

Turns out, that may be what we've been missing. When's the last time you left your computer to socialize with a group of people your movie would intimately connect with?

That's what we're doing (more of) this year, and with all our friends for SXSW this week! Make any time the right time to get your in-person connection(s) on! Besides, there's no substitute for a real hug or hand shake.

Happy shaking! J

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

Filmmaking: Why he did it. Why I do it.

A friend, Misti, forwarded this article on to me today (thank you!). I was happy to learn that other filmmakers are seeing the value of being intimate with their audience and taking risks (if that's how you view it). After all, filmmaking is an intimate experience, really. Why not allow your supporters/viewers to share in that wonderful, chaotic living room space? Some people will never get the opportunity to otherwise learn or appreciate what we do in our (behind the scenes) crafts.

That is a direction we've always hoped to emulate with Lost In Sunshine - creating a wide open space, free for all to explore, interact, share, and grow with us. If we're lucky, our true fans (as Ted Hope often refers to them as) will be there in the end, supporting us on our journey to expand and eventually, yes, even profit from!

I mean, you can scream your ass off, but if no one is listening it doesn't matter, does it?

Which leads me to my next thought on why I do (and will continue to do) what I do. All the blogging, youtubing, posting pictures, videoing, participating in social (media) interaction (i.e., twitter, facebook, myspace, etc.) is a chance for me to connect with different groups that gravitate to different spaces for various reasons. Perhaps they learn through video, or rely on friends to navigate them... maybe they just like to tweet occasionally, or maybe they just want good old fashion words. Whatever it is - I want to be there. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's my job to be there - as an indie artist. Who else is going to do it for me? My assistant? (I'm laughing really hard right now).

So let's get down and dirty for a second. Let's get the grit outta the way, so we can be inspired again! 'Cause it's easy to feel yucky and unappreciated when things aren't seeming to go our way. After all, filmmaking is fucking hard work (excuse my language, but there's no other perfect word!). There's no easy way to make a film, contrary to what anyone reads about in a magazine or is told by a friend that was maybe an extra in a movie... once. You don't make films unless you're completely in love with the fabrication of them. I have yet to meet a person in the universe who makes films 'just for money.' If they do, there was a long time in the making, where they did it for love! Trust me!

But why do we love it so much? It's not fame, and it's hardly money. Sometimes it's downright exhausting. Sometimes we feel defeated and drained by everyone and everything. Maybe we can't get financing when we need it. Maybe someone with a stupid loose mouth pisses us off, and all we want to do is (however mean, but true!) stuff a burrito in their face so they'll shut up and stop distracting us from our vision. Sometimes we have 2am call times, and barely get to see our families. Sometimes we forget to eat, or our stomach's in knots over a decision someone made to do something we haven't had time to know if we agree with YET. Sometimes we are denied sleep, work for cheap, and eat cocoa pebbles to survive. Does it sound like I've done it before? :) If you're a filmmaker of any sort, YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE, too!

So what? We get to do what we love, and that's pretty wonderful. PRICELESS. And, it's (as Shad's dad would say) stinkin' fun, too!

The next time you feel like complaining, or going in a hole somewhere and dying (there are certainly days I wanna!), ask yourself this: Would I rather be doing something else? An office job perhaps, where my legs are cold in the summertime, so I have to bring in a mini portable heater and wear skirts & heals to impress my boss? Or a sales job where the chances of making a living are equally as challenging, but a calculator's my best friend? Does it sound like I've done this before? Hey, it's for some people, I know! They're delighted (and meant) to do it- and thank goodness. 'Cause we're not one of them. Deep down, we both know the truth - we thrive on people telling us "no" because it creates a challenge. And us Indies adore a challenge! I haven't met one indie anything that isn't passionate, and hardworking when it comes to their heart's mission.

So stop complaining about how your life is sooooo bad (I see it all the time posted on FB and twitter) and just take a nap. When you wake up, ask yourself the above, wipe away any dew, stop feeling sorry for yourself, and get back to work. That's what you really want to do anyhow!

Film (work) is for the soul. And being a soul survivor, you know - that to just keep going when things seem really shitty - is the only way to survive this business they call show.

Now go on, knock 'em dead!

With passion, love & hope,

Jentri

Down the list of Jon Reiss' cheat sheet.

Today I went down Jon Reiss' web marketing cheat sheet, courtesy of Ted Hope's blog (link above). Do you have the name of your domain/movie reserved across the board for your film/project? I was surprised that lost in sunshine was taken on twitter already! I've had jentrification now for a while on twitter, as well as my filmmaking blog (forloveofindiefilmmaking.blogspot.com), but never thought to have them ALL in sync with our movie name for the purpose of audience convenience (we all can be lazy!!)....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

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! 

My second HD short film, Only A Kiss (I wrote-produced-directed end of 2008) starring the wonderfully talented Michael Lange and Lynn Burnor, debuted at The Aether Project art show (http://www.theaetherproject.com) in April 2009. The Premise - guy's caught cheating with his wife's step sister.  I'll most likely release it on one of our websites towards the end of this year, too.

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

 

What Not To Do: Spiritual filmmaking & Investors

After a long night of recovery at the Ridge, (I say recovery because the past few days have been wacky, frustrating ones - damn you planet retrograde!) I awoke to information on spiritual marketing by Joe Vitale (click on link above). He considers himself to be a spiritual person, that knows no one will ever know you exist without marketing! here, here! That's one of the reasons for this blog this morning....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

An affair to remember...Joan of Art show!

So I have to say this first, because I'm so excited... Lorie spent most of her weekend at the Producer's conference and boy did she rock it out! She's got to be the most bad ass producer EVER!! She's organized, and excited when she speaks, and people see that... within 20 minutes she had a big wig asking to read our LIS script.... say wh...? Ahhhh, yes, when opportunity meets readiness. Go, Lorie!!!! I'll let you read more on her blog - the creative producer. :)

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)

What's going on with Jentri?

Hello, hello... so this is what I've been up to!

Went to Salvage Vangaurd theater last night to see Kat Candler's jumping off bridges again. http://www.jumpingoffbridges. I was fortunate enough to have done the hair/makeup for that gem. :)

In addition, PJ Raval, one of Austin's great cinematographers, also showed some of his collaborative work with Pepper Island films: POLAR OPS, and a series of hysterical shorts....

(this blog has moved -- read the rest here!)