Double Your Money Back on the Sniff

Now that Blue Forge Productions has officially launched with a wonderful new website, there are some gems available for those of us who have been working on the sniff for all these months :)

BFP is going to hire us a Producer to raise funds for Season 2 from businesses and corporate sponsors. But in order to hire a Producer, we need to create a cool trailer for Season 2 -- to really show this fancy new Producer what we can do with our awesome new equipment (slate, boom mic, lights galore!) and with actors truly dedicated to the show and ready to give 120%.

To fund the creation Production Trailer we need a First-Look Producer -- someone willing to pledge $300 so we can create the most amazing music video trailer that the big ghosty world has ever seen :) But we can't use a donation.Only an investment.

Here's how it works:

The First-Look Producer pays for the trailer. Only $300.
We make the trailer.
We post the trailer online and send the trailer on CD to professional Producers interested in the series.
The Producer secures the funding for Season 2.
The First-Look Producer is paid back $600.
We shoot Season 2 and all is good in the world.

Isn't that cool? It's a "double your money back" deal for a really good cause! But wait, there's more... :D

Before the First-Look Producer pledges a penny, he or she gets to see the super secret plans for Season 2 -- this includes the breakdown of the episodes, the complete and detailed budget for both the trailer and the episodes, and even sneak peaks at character sketches for the role-playing game.

Do you know someone interested in making a killer investment for a great show? Want to post a link on your Facebook? Link here (http://www.blueforgeproductions.com/firstlook.htm) and ask folks to consider "Ghost Sniffers: Season 2: On the Sniff" for their next investment :D

Season 1 Trailer... with Real Tears

Tuesday, I wrote the special KickStarter trailer for Season 1 of "Ghost Sniffers." Our goal is to create an awesome KickStarter campaign to tie up Season 1 and get the rest of the episodes finished and posted online. The trailer itself was fun to write -- boiling down the spirit of the show and the major points of Season 1 while showing the audience flashes of almost all the characters. Though it was a little tricky to focus and make the trailer Forge-centric (since I've shifted into the ensemble theme of Season 2). The hard part was that, for KickStarter, I needed to splice the trailer with scenes of the cast and crew talking directly to the camera and explaining the heart of "Ghost Sniffers" -- a show about kids and monsters, disabilities and super abilities.

Though most of the KickStarter videos that I've seen have just the director talking to the community, I asked Maxwell, Faith, Kristie, and Bridget to join me. I wanted to expand the cast even further but I had to stay true to Season 1 so Forge, Maxo and Spark seemed the best choices. I wrote the direct-to-camera sequences with the theme "moms" in mind. Why do moms do this? Why do we work so hard for our kids? How do moms feel about "Ghost Sniffers"? How do moms with special kids feel when they see their kids on the show? Do we feel sad... angry... frustrated... nervous?

Neither Bridget nor I got through the shoot without tears and Brianne, as the director and cinematographer, and Cris, as the boom mic operator, were very patient. I think Faith, Kristie and Maxwell just rolled their eyes at us and talked about how many sticks were stuck to my butt (we were all sitting on the porch) -- LOL! Over all, the shoot was a success (or so Brianne announced) but I think Bridget and I are glad it's "in the can."

The KickStarter campaign will launch in a few short weeks -- in the mean time, Brianne and I will be finished Episode 7, and Brianne will be editing down Episodes 2, 3 and 4 to 30 minutes -- and you'll all get to see the trailer :) Were we just two weepy moms or did we sum up with "Ghost Sniffers" is all about? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Episode 7 Funded!

The entire "Ghost Sniffers" team would like to recognize Becky Fitzgerald and Jo Ann Swanson who (simultaneously!) donated the final funds for Episode 7. The episode has now been fully funded and will move into post production today! So start your count downs, fans :) In seven days? Episode 7 will premiere!

Director's Cut

The decision has been made that Episodes 2, 3 and 4 (which are all currently over thirty minutes) will be edited down to 25 to 30 minutes. The longer versions will continue to be on YouTube but they will be marked as "Director's Cut" versions with the new standard, shorter episodes being the ones we link to from the website.

These shorter versions will be similar to what was shown at the premiere with some notable exceptions:

1. Captions won't be embedded (viewers will still be able to turn them on or off).
2. The music will be re-edited so it flows more naturally.
3. The choppy cuts that created the caption errors will be eliminated.
4. The dance sequence in Episode 4 will be slowed down so the music won't distort.

These changes are in preparation of the final Season 1 fundraising effort (which will launch through KickStarter with a beautiful Season 1 trailer) and to show the world that -- even when it means extra work and even longer unpaid hours, the team at "Ghost Sniffers" is dedicated to providing the very best episodes.

We've been asked if we'll be re-shooting Episode 1 (which was shot before we had a professional mic or light trees), but we'd like to leave Episode 1 as our pilot to show how very far we've come :) The pilot episode of a show is often more rough than regular episodes and we're very proud of what we were able to do with so very little.

"Wish Maker" Music Video

Many of the actors who contributed their talents to Season 1 have asked about the timeline for shooting the music video. As a quick reminder, "Wish Maker" is the original song I wrote for the Episode 10 hip hop duet, Green Starr. The song has a sung chorus and rapped verses and was performed in the episode by professional actors Meg McLynn and Angela DiMarco with a little help from Maxo for the last rapped verse ;)

The song will become the series theme music for Season 2, replacing the song we purchased that plays during the opening title sequence and ending credits in Season 1 episodes.

We've also decided to use the music video as the Production Trailer for Season 2. Production Trailers are of vital importance to a production because they are the tool that producers use to secure funding for a project. As you all remember, the goal is for Season 2 cast and crew to be paid. That means the Season 2 producer needs to raise not just the funds that all of us have been raising together for Season 1 that covers props, foods, permits and transportation, but all the salaries as well. The Season 2 producer will need all the help we can give him or her and we think "Wish Maker" would be the perfect heart to any producer's pitch package.

This being the case, we'll be casting only actors coming back for Season 2 for the music video and we will be holding serious auditions for the various roles. Some Season 2 actors will appear in the video acting out scenes from the forthcoming season while others will be singing or rapping. If you are interested in auditioning for the music video, please email me at blueforgeproductions@gmail.com with the words "Music Video Audition" in the subject field. Be careful ;) Don't email the standard "Ghost Sniffers" email address. This message needs to go to the production company because it involves a new audition.

I look forward to working with many of you again!

Wow!

$130 more in donations just flooded in! (Yes, that *is* considered a flood around here, darn it!) Yay! I'm off to update the website again :D

Episode 7 is now down to $52!!

Episodes 7 through 12 Update

I'd like to open by saying thank you to the four incredible people who wrote after my blog and offered to help pay for our last day of shooting. I was able to buckle down, sell a few things (who needs a bike, anyway?!) and make Friday happen. And the family here made me so proud by literally rolling coins and packing brown bag lunches. As a result, we were able to bring Episode 12 to completion for $40 less than the budgeted amount (I've already adjusted the goal on the website) and I was able to turn to those four angels and encourage them to turn their support to any of the other episodes :)

Speaking of donations, we've had quite a few come in from Carol, Louise, Cindi, Marie, Christopher and Harley and so later today an update to the website will post with the current goals. Let me share the good news with you early :) Our goals until each of the episodes post online are:

Episode 7 needs $182
Episode 8 needs $430
Episode 9 needs $352
Episode 10 needs $415
Episode 11 needs $475
Episode 12 needs $400

Pretty awesome, really! We're very close now. Just a little over $2000 and the entire second half of Season 1 will be available. I think we're doing a great job.

Oh! Did you know that there's a packet of great materials that you can download and give to your favorite local business, asking them to sponsor the show? There sure is :) Email Cris at ghostsniffers@gmail.com for the link ;)

Countdown: 5... 4... 3... 2... 1!

Sometimes parents say things they regret. Such as: Won't it be fun to hike to that location again in June when the weather is so good?! June weather isn't always good. Often, it turns out, June weather is just as pouring down rain awful as December weather :) But hike we did and shoot we did... the last shots of Episode 12. Incredibly, we have done what everyone said we couldn't and what so many others have only dreamed about. We shot an entire season of a show. And guess what? Today, almost as if he knew, Brett Cihon's front page feature on "Ghost Sniffers" ran in the Port Orchard Independent (http://www.portorchardindependent.com/news/160029875.html). Even though we drove four hours to hike for an hour in the freezing rain and get souked to the skin before the camera was even "rolling"... we did it. And Brett really captured the show's spirit. It's a spirit that all of you who have supported us throughout have already seen, and now thousands of readers of the Indepdent will join you. Thank you for taking this journey with me. And now? Some sleep :)

Countdown: 5... 4... 3... 2...

It's only 5:30pm and the shooting for today is already wrapped. Captain Snakes, Gogo and Forge threw sporkoons, talked on conch shells and peered through spyglasses :) Now it's time for me to do the magic that all of my family and closest friends love me for -- money. LOL!

I have a knack for coming up with the funds we need at the last minute of the last hour. Perhaps this is because I'm too busy working during all the other hours? Could be! But now is that special last minute moment because tomorrow I need to get five people, one kraken and a Monster Bunny to Fort Worden. That's $60 in gas and one meal out the road (either fast food or packed lunches). So... what will I do? Pawn jewelry? Sell flowers on the corner of the road? Walk home-blended coffee and tea house to house? Offer biscotti or muffins for sale at the local park? I've done all of things but I'm not sure what I'll do today. But I do know one thing:

Tomorrow... come heck or high water... come wind, rain, sleet or snow... we will finish shooting Episode 12 and Season 1 will be complete.

Wish me luck, friends. The reward of completing this Season 1 journey is worth it.

Love,
Jennifer

Countdown: 5... 4... 3...

Today began with Brianne waking me: "Jennifer, you took the battery out of the alarm clock to power the boom mic. We have to leave for your doctor's appointment in ten minutes." Yikes! I am a complete weenie when it comes to doctors. I sulked the whole way there and four times said: "I've changed my mind. Let's go back home." But it's hard to avoid doctors when your kiddos have to go so often and they're so brave... plus, Brianne refused to turn the car around.

Today completed the third of five days of shooting until Season 1 wraps. It was an day of introducing the Ultimate Big Bad (yep, not the Monster Bunny) and a other firsts. Today was Brianne's first day as cinematographer and director. Taking a pivotal scene in Episode 12, Brianne got to stretch in these new roles and test the water, so to speak, to see if she liked the fit. Since she ran away when I tired to take back the camera, I'd say the experiment was a success :)

Tonight will see an intense sit down meeting in regard to many BFP projects. We'll decide who will continue with Season 2, who will executive producer which new series, and if we'll be adding any new projects to the schedule. We'll also be deciding on which of the new projects will be features, which will be shorts, and which will be series (like "Ghost Sniffers"). There's always forty-thousand things going on (and getting done!) around here :) And the great news? I should be able to share most of it with all of you :)

Countdown: 5... 4...

The second day of shooting the final scenes of Season 1 has drawn to a close at last at just before midnight. Today we started the day with a rather surprising turn of events, actually. Not shooting scenes for Season 1 but leaping ahead to Season 2 -- Episode 11! And let me share, friends, if all of Season 2 is as good as this scene was? We're in for a whole new level of entertainment.

Brett Cihon of the Port Orchard Independent came and conducted an interview with some of the cast and crew about "Ghost Sniffers" and the forthcoming workshop. On set were Kristie (Spark), Kyra (Xyra), Maxwell (Maxo) and Faith (uh... Forge!) -- all of which are not just Season 1 and Season 2 actors but also will be workshop attendees so the mix was perfect. Crew on set was our Season 1 producer, Cris, and our editor, Brianne, who today was the boom mic operator :) Moms on set (never to be overlooked, darn it!) were Bridget and Dee.

It was a first "Ghost Sniffers" interview for Kristie, Kyra and their moms and I think they all learned a lot. It's hard to not talk over each other, interrupt one another, and to try to keep answers concise and on-topic. But (as I learned as a pokey teenage novelist) the only way to get good at interviews (with others or alone) is to keep doing them :) The awesome thing about today was that Brett was a pleasure to have on set, a friendly and creative presence.

After we'd shot our special Season 2 scene (which will be used at the end of a Season 1 trailer used in the proposal package for interviewing new producers), Brianne whisked Faith away to change her into her costume and make up for her Season 1, Episode 12 scenes. Her work today included stunts (not unlike Episode 1) and six pages of stand alone and close up shots that will be spliced into earlier footage.

One cool (super secret *wink*) scene included our first ever use of a multi-filter that fractured the image into three. Wow did that look cool!

Just three more days to go and Season 1 will be completely wrapped. *gulp* How will I ever script the music video in a week before the workshop begins and there's so much prep?! Hm... I might have to pull a few all-nighters! All together now:

Sleep?! What's sleep?! :D

Countdown: 5...

Today we began shooting the last five days of Season 1. Episode 12 is incredible complicated in terms of costume and set changes and even spreading the episode out over the week, all five days will be quite full. Today we shot the scenes with Cupcake (Charlie the Golden Doodle), Stickie (Shanti Cece the Giant Stick Bug), and half the scenes with Kraken (with puppeteer Brianne). Everyone did wonderfully -- so wonderfully, in fact, that I take back my earlier comments about the difficulty of working with animals. As a matter of fact, I would like to make Charlie, Shanti, and Kraken the first three actors to be invited back for Season 2 :)

Let the countdown continue!

Blue Forge Productions

Blue Forge Productions is pleased to announce that our new projects (film and web series projects) have been posted at our website. The site now features a complete listing of all of our current projects so everyone who loves us (we love you right back!) can see what we're up to in addition to Season 2 of "Ghost Sniffers."

On the Anvil

The first six "On the Anvil" interviews have been added to YouTube and to the official "Ghost Sniffers" website on a new press and interviews page here. We'll be interviewing six more actors from Season 1 to complete the twelve interviews that will be included on the Season 1 DVDs. While I haven't made the decision yet which six actors I will be interviewing, I'm leaning toward focusing on six of the actors who I'd like to welcome back for Season 2. I think this would be a nice way for viewers to learn more about my choices for the new season and get to know a little more about them as people -- and more about their characters as well :)

Season 2 Format

At the end of Episode 12 of Season 1, one of the central characters is in dire peril and in need of a magical cure. As Season 2 launches, the remaining characters attend a Monster Ball in an attempt to discover more information about the cure. There they meet Xyra, a new character who plays on a mix of Xena and Shera pop culture. Xyra provides a scroll of riddles that gives the team a list of the ingredients they need for the cure. The team of allies then spend Episodes 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 searching for an ingredient. The ingredient episodes all have the core team plus one specialist -- either a new or reoccurring character. Episodes 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 take place in the dreamworld where the character in peril is stuck. These dreamworld episodes parody classic '80s films and other fun American films. The dream episodes are cast with the actors who appeared in the previous ingredient episode. This format varies from our original idea of doing all origin and back story episodes because that idea didn't generate enough interest or allow more actors more screen time. In Season 2, "Ghost Sniffers" will truly shift into an ensemble show so that the focus is shared instead of so much pressure on Faith as Forge. Ingredient episodes will tend t be serious and dreamworld episodes will be more humorous. Additionally, our goal, as we've always said, is to pay our actors and crew in Season 2. This becoming a reality will depend upon the hard work of the cast and crew to create buzz about the show -- talking it up on social networking sites and in their local communities -- and by the hard work of our Season 2 producer, who is yet to be announced. While we all valued having Cris to organize and raise funds as the Season 1 producer, Cris may not be returning as a producer for Season 2 due to demands at her other job. Never fear though -- Agent Skully will absolutely make a Season 2 appearance :)

Episode 6 through 12 Premiere

We're getting a lot of questions about when the second premiere will be. Of course, the most deciding factor is when will the episodes be done. Episodes 6 through 11 have been completely filmed. However, these episodes have not been edited or scored (the soundtrack -- music and soud effects). Episode 12 still has several days of shooting. I had originally thought we only needed three more days but it looks like we'll need six due to travel to Fort Worden and elaborate makeup and costume changes. Either way, Episode 12 will wrap very soon. So starting in July, keep your eye on the website widgets that track the goals for each episode. These funds are what reimburse costs that have been covered such as prop purchases, transportation, food and water, and permits. As each goal is met -- by fans, family of actors, independent businesses who support us -- then we shift into production of that episode. Episodes take five to seven days to complete. As each episode is completed, they will post online. Episodes 7 through 11 need to post online before the premiere; Episode 12 can show for the first time at the premiere. Now, of course, I have no idea how quickly the episodes will fund. But it seems that we'll be looking at late in September. The theater we work with allows us to rent the space on any day Monday through Thursday. We pay for the space before hand. Once Episodes 7 through 10 are edited, I will reserve the theater and add a place to purchase premiere tickets to the website. Remember that if you used a free ticket to the first premiere, you will not be issued a second one unless you appeared as a different character in the second half of Season 1. Tickets will be $10. The premiere event will be 3pm to 9pm. Episodes 7 through 12 will be shown in their entirety :) We will give everyone as much notice as possible so please follow the blog as I announce when goals have been met and when various episodes post.

No Small Roles

It is, today, my little sister's birthday. I believe Angela is turning about 25 though at one point in our lives we were only four years apart in age. However, I believe I am aging faster and she is aging backwards :) Today is also my daughter's birthday. Faith is turning 10. She has mixed emotions about leaving single digits behind but over all she is looking forward to CAKE. A lot of cake.

At the end of this musing blog there are some important announcements about the pretty big changes on the website. Before anyone emails, calls or texts us in a panic, please read the information below the * * * even if you don't want to wade through the rest of the blog :)

Growing up with a beautiful and talented little sister was not easy. She was working hard, stealing the show in commercials and on film and stage while I was still trying to figure out how to stop my hair from frizzing just from hearing a forecast of rain. Even when I had published my first -- and then my first ten -- novels, touring nationally and winning lots of fun awards, I always felt like something of a mutt compared to her silver-green eyes, olive skin and overall awesome Italian look. I cannot count how many times people said to me, "You're sisters? Really?! Wow. I just don't see the resemblance!" Gee. Thanks.

But when something isn't easy, you learn a whole lot more than when it is.

It was my little sister who taught me some of the most important film and theatre lessons I've learned. She proved them true by living them and now, all these years later, almost two dozen actors working on "Ghost Sniffers" have proved them true as well.

1) There are no small roles. You can't make a good episode with just principle actors. Let's be more blunt: Everyone can't be The Star. But guess what? Often, it is the supporting actor (the one playing the smaller part) who stands out the most to the audience... and to the director.

Over the course of shooting Season 1, I have continued to audition every actor I worked with. Sometimes it took me more than one scene, or more than one episode, to determine if I ever wanted to work with that person again. Did they bring 110% to their single line? Did they ask questions about their character? Did they never complain about the reality of "hurry up and wait"? How did they treat the other actors around them? Did they "joke" about how their role was too small, or someone else had a role that was so much bigger? You were right, Angela, there are no small roles. There are only a few actors who simply don't love this show, and the message of this show, as much as I do. And I will only surround myself with people as passionate as I am.

2) Never be afraid to ask questions. I have said this before and I will continue to say it again: Ask, ask, ask! When someone has questions about their character, that tells me they're thinking about their character. I would rather have someone have written fanfiction about their character and created a whole back story for them, than have an actor perfectly memorize their lines, spend thousands on a costume, or never need another take.

3) Good acting is subjective. You may have a favorite actor... who your brother hates. You may have a favorite book... that your best friend set on fire and then stomped on the ashes in glee. Art is subjective and that includes acting. Having a long resume and lots of acting lessons, does not mean I will like the way you speak, twitch your nose, box, ride a horse, or act opposite a cat with a leading role. It doesn't mean you're not great! You may go on to win lots of fun awards... but not by working with me. You want to find someone who loves your style, your brand of talent.

I am not a big television watcher. At all. I've walked away from shows I love just because they take so much darn time to watch them... when I could be writing, for instance. And when and if I do watch television, it is scripted television. If I wanted to watch a reality show filled with drama, I would video tape the next time my big Italian extended family has a meal together. But there is a show I watched the entire first season of that I adored and am currently watching the second season of. It's on Oxygen. Do you know what show it is already? It's "The Glee Project." The show is about the casting process that the co-creators of "Glee" and their unbelievably superhuman team of producers, coaches, and choreographers go through to cast special roles on "Glee" (which is on Fox). Last season Ryan Murphy shocked me with every decision he made as he narrowed down contestants in a reality competition-style format. This season, I am equally amused and stunned at the bottom line that Murphy and his team hammer home:

Be yourself. Your real self. Your hidden self.

I think the undercurrents to that theme are:

Believe passionate in "Glee" and its message, and... check your attitude at the door.

I wish I could make Season 1 and 2 of "The Glee Project" required viewing for every actor who ever auditions for me.

Now for the fourth vital lesson:

4) Always be nice to the director. Now, hopefully, you all laughed or smiled a little. But let me explain the serious part of this lesson. I really mean to say: Be helpful. Be willing to run and get a prop. Move a curtain. Chase away a stray cat. Hand another actor a cookie. Pass out flyers. Hush when I call, "Action!" Cheer when I say, "Perfect take!" Be friendly. Not just to me. But to the other actors who have "bigger and better roles." To the many moms and dads who are exhausted but trying so hard to be supportive. All of these things make my job so much easier and so... it makes me want to work with you again.

See how it all comes back to me recasting you for Season 2? :) But enough of the musing...

* * *

On Sunday, June 10, we secured 75% of the footage needed to complete Season 1 of "Ghost Sniffers." I have six days of shooting left and all of it is with actors with my last name :) Actors who performed on Sunday were patient and good humored, impressed me (some of them -- beautifully! -- for the first time) with their talent and drive, and, most of all, were able to last the long eight-hour day. I appreciated all the actors as well as the moms present who help hang sheets, gather props, and pick up more snacks; we are not funded by a single corporate sponsor and so we don't always have the tons and tons of food we'd like to have. I also felt blessed by our excellent crowd of cheering actors, fans, family and friends who helped bring the baseball battle to life :)

In celebration of being so close to the wrap of Season 1, I have began the redesign of the website. You will now find the first wave of new images -- five at the top of the first page and six below. PLEASE understand that my choices of which actors will be featured where had nothing to do with talent or even who I am recasting in Season 2. My final decisions regarding Season 2 will be sent out the last week of July. My decisions were based on the images I had that were the right composition and emotion; the theme of an episode; how many times an actor appears in the series; my favorite character that they played... etc.

For instance, you will notice that Mau of the Four is shown as the icon for Episode 6. Why not the Monster Bunny? Because Mau (all of the Four, actually!) are also seen as the bad guys in Episode 6, and Catie was giving the camera just the right look that showed the haunting emotion I wanted for the icon without giving too much away.

The icons for Episodes 7 through 12 will be posted this month. They will be:

EP7: Harley
EP8: Sphinx
EP9: Moonlight
EP10: Papercraft Jack
EP11: Maxo
EP12: Forge

There are many excellent actors -- and yes, actors I want to work with again in Season 2 -- who are not featured at all on the first page. Where will they be?

We are finally going to start to build the wiki! This will be the comprehensive one-stop location for all things "Ghost Sniffers" including profiles of every single character -- even the tourists in Episode 3, the actors who supplied voice recordings for the recorder ghost at the start of each episode, the puppets, the cats and the dogs. When creation of the pages begins in earnest, I will be sure to tell everyone here in the blog.

In my next blog, I'll be covering the general format for Season 2 and I'll also be making an announcement about the the premiere of the second six episodes. I'll talk with you again in a few days!

Baseball Game Delay

News Flash...
10 June 2012, 11:00 am

This just in.

Team Leader and Director Jennifer DiMarco called a press conference to announce that the baseball game will be delayed until 1:30 due to a higher than expected number of contributions to the blooper reel.

All cheerleaders and various onlookers should adjust their timetables accordingly.

Today is the Day

Noon! Long Lake Park in Port Orchard. Noon today! Come cheer on Team Forge and watch the ghost hunting team beat that bunny once and for all!

Forge It Workshop Update

Today, Kyra (Potro and Wiz), her mom, Dee, and Kristie's (Spark) mom Bridget got a taste of what part of the Forge It Workshop will be about -- creating unforgettable characters and scenes for Season 2 of "Ghost Sniffers." Working together over popcorn (yum!), we decided:

(1) What Forge's team needed.
(2) What pop culture references we would draw from for our viewers (both kiddos and mommies).
(3) What naming convention would be used.
(4) How the character would make her first appearance.
(5) What archetype the character would be crafted around.

Of course, during Forge It, the crafting of plot and characters is only Week 1. We move on to acting, directing, shooting and even editing and effects, but as Robert McKee says, paramount is, "Good story, well told." Forge It is much more structured and in-depth than what we did tonight but I think everyone will be tickled to know that the kickbutt character of Xyra (Zeer-Ah) was created over triple butter popcorn :)

For everyone who registers ($25) for any Forge It session (Monday through Thursday; Online, or Saturday and Sunday) at the website in the month of June, you will not be billed until July 1. The workshop now officially has enough students to run and so we're full steam ahead!

One Mile = Five Seconds

Sometimes, shooting a series has its own special complications. When creating a series, you need to repeat certain themes that are the core material of your over all vision but you have to do so while still keeping the visuals fresh and arresting enough to hold your audience; and in the case of "Ghost Sniffers," that audience is vastly varied in age.

In Episode 11, which wrapped yesterday at 7:30PM, Maxo finds himself in a fantastical world with towering trees, crazy twisting trails and road signs with names like Flying Squirrel, Croaking Frog, and Trepidation. In order to secure the footage of such a grand forest and such fanciful signs, I knew exactly where to go.

Then the car broke down.

Our family of five was already split that day with Cris, Faith and Maxwell going to see Kyra (Potro of the Four and Wiz from EP7) in a staging of, among other things,"Fifteen Minute Hamlet," so it was just Brianne and I who were going to drive to the location in our borrowed second car and hike in. There was no way I was going to tell the kiddos that they couldn't go see their friend perform, especially since the acting group Kyra is part of (a group of homeschooled kids with an acting coach) is what I based Forge's CPAC on! And so Brianne and I waved goodbye to the three of them with smiles on our faces. Away drove our only working vehicle.

After a few moments, Brianne said, "So, I suppose we'll bike to the location. It's only three miles away and then about two miles of biking the trails to the get the shots you need."

Apparently, when I once mentioned to Brianne that TWENTY YEARS AGO I had ridden a bike and enjoyed it, she took that to mean that I (1) could still ride a bike, (2) could bike on steep, rocky, rooty, muddy, wooded trails, and (3) could still ride a bike. You see, of the three adults in our household, there is about a decade and a half between each of our ages. There are times when we forget this and just assume we're all in our 50s (and so we're more willing to let go of caution and act crazy-silly as Crazy Cat Lady or a talking squirrel or a fey all in white). There are times when we all think we're in our 30s and we buckle down and make deep, personal sacrifices in order to pay bills and keep doing what we love even if it means less sleep and harder work. Then there are times when we all assume we're still in our 20s and so we mountain bike eight miles to shoot eight five-second shots.

And so I learned (and relearned) important things yesterday:

(1) Nature is grand.
(2) I can still ride a bike.
(3) When you lose control of your bike and ride into a ditch, up a mound and into a bush along a busy road, people will stop their cars to make sure you're okay; the best thing to do is laugh and wave them on.
(4) Riding a bike on steep, rocky, rooty, muddy, wooded trails is actually a lot of fun.
(5) No matter what age I think I am while biking eight miles after not biking at all in twenty years, I will still wake up feeling 38.

The real lesson for the day, my friends? Always wear a helmet ;)

Dear Sniffer Fans,

This is just an open invitation -- the very best kind. If anyone would like to join the final episode of Season 1 -- where little Forge and her allies face the Monster Bunny -- you are now cordially invited. Sunday, June 10, from 9AM to 5PM. You can come as late as 10AM if you like and leave whenever you're bored :) Because the shoot is over four hours, we'll be serving pizza, juice-stick drinks (my favorite!) and cookies galore :) Almost the entire cast and crew will be there.

How should you dress? Colorful! And you'll need... pom poms! You'll be cheering for Team Forge as they battle the Monster Bunny in an epic game of baseball. Want to write a cheer for the scene? Go for it! I'll have everyone chant your cheer and work it into the episode. Your pom poms can be rainbow colored or any color at all -- as long as they aren't all white (white is the Bunny's color). You can make your pom poms from colored paper or buy them or borrow them. They can be HUGE or tiny or anything you want. Even Dollar Store pom poms are welcome :)

And guess what else? Your parents, siblings and friends are invited too ;) Yep. The only requirement is pom poms.

Last thing, everyone :) Make sure to RSVP by text (360-550-2071) or email (ghostsniffers@gmail.com) because I want to make sure to have enough cookies!! (Okay, and pizza and drinks, too.)

In admiration and love,
Jennifer
(your hard-working director)

Photo Banner, Duct Tape, Favicons & Cards

Three great "shares" today that will make you all smile :)

Photo Banner
Many of you have already heard that the four small pictures at the top of the website are going away to be replaced with cool shots of all of you in the series :) Today, I assigned Brianne, our post production/image editing expert, and Maxwell, our resident "Ghost Sniffers" expert, to start work on the banner. It will include dozens of characters and their names -- and yes, some of you will be shown twice (or more, Christopher!) because you play more than one character. Not all characters will be shown on the banner but I believe everyone ready to jump into Season 2 with us will be featured :)

Duct Tape
Just so everyone knows: Brianne, Cris, Faith and I wrapped Maxwell in five roles of duct tape today creating the most amazing custom armor that Maxo has ever seen :) It was a blast and I know you'll all love it when you see it in Episode 11.

Favicons
For the geeks (like me) in our fan base, I just wanted to point out that while I adore the rainbow "SNIFF" that appears as the favicon (the graphic on the browser tab and in the bookmark menu) for www.GhostSniffers.com, I had a blast today making an animated favicon for www.BlueForgeProductions.com.

Cards
Many of you have sent in receipts or other requirements for trading cards for the upcoming "Ghost Sniffers" role-playing trading card game. Please know that your requests have been received and are being kept very safe. We are waiting on a huge print order to come in and then we'll be able to ship out cards (and post the scripts for Episodes 7 through 12 in the web store).

Episode 11: All the World is a Stage

Shooting today with Emma, Lila, Sierra, Kyra, Dee, Emerson, Brittney, Abbie, Catie, and, of course, the delightful Christopher Harris (aka The Grown Up Man on "Ghost Sniffers").

While Lila, Kyra, Brittney and Catie -- aided and abetted by Abbie and Dee -- gave powerful performances with emotional depth some might find surprising for a kids' show, they also wound up filling my chest with such admiration. How could I be so happy that Lila fell so into her role that tears filled her eyes? How could I be so touched that Brittney was so believable as a mother suffering unspeakable loss? And for Kyra to act opposite her real life mom, Dee, and then have to step through the motions of losing her? Or for Abbie to step in as Catie's big sister on short notice, to fully inhabit the role, to give 120% for a character that appears in only three images? Catie did her best work for the series today and I'm sure she's thankful to Abbie for making her scene complete.

So many amazing moments today!

Episode 11 is split four ways -- between stories being told by the Four; Maxo lost in a fantastical wood; Maximilian narrating the adventure, and three magical fey with their Lord and Lady of Light. The first and last of those story lines filmed entirely today. The stories of the Four were filled with the powerful, emotional moments I just mentioned, and the fey with their Lord and Lady... well, they were a dream come true.

With Season 1 drawing to a close, I continue to try to craft sniffs from actors. To make the audience believe that the human actors they see before them -- not covered in thousands of dollars in makeup -- are actually mythological creatures with unknown and curious powers. This quest of mine began with the skeleton flock in Episode 4, expanded to the Bunny and the Four in Episode 6, then tested the waters (adding ample special effects) with the Mythos in Episode 8. Finally, with the fey and their lord and lady, I think I found the missing piece. I needed not just the best actors, fully invested in their roles (I've been blessed to have that before) but actors willing to memorize, to emote, and to speak in verse :)

I am the luckiest director in the world.

Why I Love Power Tools

I suppose Freud would say that I love power tools because my father died when I was four, and power tools -- a domain primary reserved for handsome men with trimmed beards, heavy brows and bulging muscles (such as the men who build cupcake displays in under two hours on "Cupcake Wars") -- are my way of connecting with that absent idea of what a father should be.

The trouble with that theory was that I'm pretty sure my father never used a power tool in his life. He did have a beard and heavy brows but he also had a lean build and long hair :) I know he liked to draw and write stories and that he didn't know how to properly cook fried chicken -- resulting in him almost burning down our apartment when I was three.

It was actually my mother -- the construction worker/long haul trucker/farmer -- who taught me how to use power tools and how to find the right tool for the right job. When we needed a dramatic set for Forge's office, I didn't blink an eye. I just grabbed the family, grabbed my tools, and said, "See this closet no one is using? We're going to knock it out and build a gorgeous wall with glass bricks and French door. Go!"

But that wall project was the last time I got to really build something for "Ghost Sniffers"... until tonight :)

Tomorrow is Day 1 of the three-day shoot for Episode 11. In the episode, three of Forge's friends from her acting club, along with Gogo, Boo and GI Handsome/Jack Chickadee/Dean Earnest, all show up in a fantastical dreamscape. Three of the characters have short swords made of wood and so out came the jigsaw and in a few moments, we were all sparring :) Then came the challenge -- to craft a five-foot-long forked sword for a surprise character in the episode. That took a balancing act, but the great sword is sleeping on the dining room table even now.

One of the things that I love about the series is that cast and crew get to push themselves to try new things, to grow. Sometimes, the way they grow is by playing a small role when they're used to getting big roles (sometimes, that teaches more than anything else, I think). Other times, actors tackle poetry and verse or a tricky cadence that may add just the right amount of mystery to a scene. Tomorrow, for the first time, actors have been asked to memorize their Shakespeare-esque lines. How will everyone do? I don't know. But you know what I like just as much as power tools?

Watching actors grow. Because that's when you know you've chosen exactly the right tool for the right job. And everything will turn out beautifully.