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➸Make a Movie: Discover Artemis Eternal and join us as an official Wingman!
➸More Dailies: On days that I don't update here, you can catch me on Twitter @JSto.
Photostack: Violet Fog
June 10, 2013
I have material coming soon about the novel and the process (design, writing, editing, etc.) alongside Artemis Eternal (although story-wise they are not related). Right now I'm working with the novel's editor on the beginning, which required some new writing and is therefore more time consuming than typical revisions. So all of the above and more will post the same time the novel becomes available. Always a rush.
These last couple days Greg Martin and I collaborated on the cover and it's nearly finished. I'm confident that you will dig it something fierce!
In the meantime, I call my whipped-up collages "photostacks." As requested in mass via Twitter, here's a photostack that shows the violet hair.
Context: To celebrate this. I did this.
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Artists & Astronauts (Best Commander Ever)
May 12, 2013
The first music video recorded in space: No CGI necessary!
An artist wrote a short story about an astronaut in space 13 years before an astronaut was first in space and another artist read that story and adapted it into a film about an astronaut in space 20 years after the short story was written and another artist got high and saw that film and was inspired to write a song about an astronaut in space and an astronaut heard that song and sang it while in space 44 years after the song was written and 65 years after the short story was written.
The Sentinel --> 2001: A Space Odyssey --> Space Oddity
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Spring Limited
Only 50 left!...
Monies to go toward the scifi-fantasy film project ARTEMIS ETERNAL, obviously!
What you get:
+ 1. You get one of the last first-edition copies of the hardcover book Aidmheil, personally inscribed to you by director/author Jessica Mae Stover (that's me). This means that I write you a dedication note on the inside cover. Here's the official book page and the most in-depth overview.
+ 2. You become an official ARTEMIS ETERNAL WINGMAN at the $100 Aurum-level!
- Aurum with your personal link (shiny!)
- Your name in the film's end credits
- Added to the 'Who's In' official site Wingman list
- Wingman street cred/officially part of our community
- Periodic e-mail updates, project invites and adventure opportunities
- Independent high quality cinema and experimental media production: You're a part of it, in the mix, making it happen, no wimps!
+ 3. OMG! You will be added into a drawing for one of four high-quality artisanal prizes! (see below)
In the notes section please indicate who exactly you want me to inscribe the book to. If there is no note, I will assume you do not want me to inscribe your copy. If you have any difficulty specifying then please e-mail me at jessica [at] jessicastover [dot] com.
You can also purchase a BAM!♥ for a friend as a gift. All you need do is specify the details in the notes section on the order form. Your giftee will receive a direct Wingman welcome e-mail from me, which I will coordinate with you.
In addition, everyone who buys a BAM!♥ Wingman package will be entered into a drawing. Since this is a limited run, the odds of winning are NICE! Plus, I reserve the right to add even more prizes.
The four prizes:
♥. A superbly limited edition ARTEMIS ETERNAL art print numbered and signed by artist Christopher Shy and filmmaker Jessica Mae Stover. Only five of these are being printed. In the fraternal spirit of Wingmanliness, one of the concept art funders (Sean S.) has graciously contributed his print to this cause. It was completely his idea, and I'm happy to honor it. He is also contributing a limited TSL print...
♥. A limited edition THE SILVER LEGACY art print numbered and signed by artist Greg Martin and filmmaker Jessica Mae Stover. Explore the art here.
♥. A BAM!♥ package (personally inscribed Aidmheil and Wingman Membership) for a BAM!♥-ing friend of your choice. If you wish, you and I can conspire to send this directly to them as a surprise. I will coordinate this with you.
♥. A 30-minute video chat with filmmaker Jessica Mae Stover (that's me), a Wingman t-shirt (for your wearing pleasure!) and a super awesome handknitted scarf made just for you by my mom. You customize the color. No kidding!
Tweet this! Tell the BAM!luvas out there all about your BAM!luvin' ♥
Progress Report, Captain's Log, Stardate, Supplemental
Next ARTEMIS ETERNAL production and line items:
- Art prints for funders sent!
- REDESIGN! (we are overhauling the entire experience, our new home is going to be better organized, engaging and, of course, beautiful!)
- Film storyboarding! (sexy! $ tbd - still receiving proposals from artists)
- Scoring tests (yes, music!)
If you are a BAM♥er, we hope you'll make it official and take advantage of this unique package by becoming an Artemis Eternal Wingman today!
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Early Notice
April 26, 2013
Update: If you want to do this, then contact me ASAP. I have enough interest already that I'm about to sunset the opportunity. Thanks!
I'm not talking about this much yet (can you believe that, all this time, I haven't said a thing about it!) but if any regulars want a lead on one of my art-inclusion opportunities:
Novel.
Scifi. Epic. Modern.
Released serial/ebook form first. Hardcopy etc. second.
Would you like your name in it? You know, as a character? DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHARACTER IN A SCIFI BOOK BE CAREFUL YOU MIGHT COME TO AN UNTIMELY DEMISE OR END UP DRIFTING THROUGH SPACE FOR INFINITY OR BECOME AWESOME-IMMORTAL IN SOME OTHER WAY LIKE MAYBE YOU'LL INVENT A NEW DANCE THAT BECOMES SUPER POPULAR. YOU KNOW, INTERGALACTICALLY.
I have a handful of these openings. I'm using the money to fund production costs (editing, formatting...). This is the first time I've offered something like this in-story.
Our lovely, frequent collaborator and stellar designer-artist Greg Martin is designing the cover, which will be simple-elegant and non-cliché. You know our collaborative style. A veteran editor of the publishing industry is editing the novel; TBA shortly. I am the author. There can be only one. …Per book. Except for when there's more than one. BUT IN THIS CASE THERE IS ONLY ONE.
Sassy.
E-mail me with interest, as usual.
Update: Awesome! Only two slots left.
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Veritasium
April 21, 2013
People should go door to door doing this instead of the other things they do.
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Ideas of Scale
April 20, 2013
"More girls have been killed in the last fifty years precisely because they were girls than men were killed in all the battles of the twentieth century.
More girls are killed in this routine gendercide in any one decade than people were slaughtered in all the genocides of the twentieth century."
-- From Nick Kristof's reporting, read aloud by Bill Maher on Real Time
(The show's panel discussion takeaway: Educational is critical to change. Media has a role in gender attitudes.)
Similar ideas of scale that don't require action:
Cleopatra lived closer in time to the Moon landing than to the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
There are more atoms in a single glass of water than glasses of water in all the oceans of the Earth.
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All of This Has Happened Before...
April 5, 2013
"Thus far I too should agree with the many, that the excellence of music is to be measured by pleasure. But the pleasure must not be that of chance persons; the fairest music is that which delights the best and best educated, and especially that which delights the one man who is pre-eminent in virtue and education. And therefore the judges must be men of character, for they will require both wisdom and courage; the true judge must not draw his inspiration from the theatre, nor ought he to be unnerved by the clamour of the many and his own incapacity; nor again, knowing the truth, ought he through cowardice and unmanliness carelessly to deliver a lying judgment, with the very same lips which have just appealed to the Gods before he judged. He is sitting not as the disciple of the theatre, but, in his proper place, as their instructor, and he ought to be the enemy of all pandering to the pleasure of the spectators. The ancient and common custom of Hellas, which still prevails in Italy and Sicily, did certainly leave the judgment to the body of spectators, who determined the victor by show of hands. But this custom has been the destruction of the poets; for they are now in the habit of composing with a view to please the bad taste of their judges, and the result is that the spectators instruct themselves;-and also it has been the ruin of the theatre; they ought to be having characters put before them better than their own, and so receiving a higher pleasure, but now by their own act the opposite result follows. What inference is to be drawn from all this? Shall I tell you?"
--From Plato's Laws, Book II
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Production Triangle
March 24, 2013
If the "fast, good, cheap" triangle is true, and therefore in production you can only have two of those aspects and never all three, which do you prefer?
Which combo choice do you think creates the highest percentage chance for quality?
What kind of blogger doesn't draw you a picture of said triangle?
Comments (8) (Last Comment: 6/18/13 7:09 AM) | Permanent Link | RSS
Aw, SNAP!
March 23, 2013
From Titus Andronicus, which is probably the last of Shakespeare's plays I'd recommend, this clever exchange. (Aaron's lover is Demetrius' and Chiron's mother.)
Demetrius: Villain, what hast thou done?
Aaron: That which thou canst not undo.
Chiron: Thou hast undone our mother.
Aaron: Villain, I have done thy mother.
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Mortality
March 21, 2013
I just asked someone to say "hello" for me to someone who is dying.
Passing along that I'm thinking of them was too formal and "get well soon" doesn't apply. There might not be time to send a card or the like. But that also seems a strange thing to do.
"Hello."
As finite and bizarre as that suddenly felt to me, imagine how it feels for them. No matter your powers of empathy, a part of that feeling remains denied to the lively: likely until you arrive there yourself, personally.
All of you -- us -- despite the cross-generational age gamut we run, are still young enough to have at least some of the illusion of invincibility still hanging about us; a sunny mist, a faint blurring of reality, a subtle coping mechanism. My grandpa still views my mom as a young one and has recently informed me that I'm forever a teenybopper-kid from where he stands.
And if whales and redwoods and giant tortoises were intelligent, surely they too would tease us of our youth in comparison.
And what of turritopsis nutricula, the immortal jellyfish?
The potential of forever.
But then, for a moment, the sun burns off the fog and the finality blinds--
"Hello."
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Albino Brain Chiggers
March 6, 2013
"Wait, so everyone just gets off school for the entire day? So we could do whatever we wanted?! Like go surfing all day?!!"
"Yes. But with sleds. And no ocean."
(Explaining the alien concept of "snow days" to some kids in Malibu.)
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Creative Creeping
March 1, 2013
My afternoon has been colored with a sense of foreboding...
I didn't notice it until I sat down to check my e-mail and in the quiet realized the slight physical adjustments, the emotional directing: since I woke, I've been mentally preparing to take characters into danger.
As in I am partially in a mentality that presents as if I were going there myself.
So I know which sequence will be written soon, tonight.
These are less common sequences, so I suppose it is a strange feeling. Something to do with being overly empathetic, acting training or lost to a blur of fiction and reality, to a world that only populates in the mind. Or maybe everyone does this. I wonder.
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Memory of a Rainbow
February 21, 2013
I read the hardcover re-release of The Giver this past Friday. There should be even more of a fuss about this book. It's literary, which is in too short supply when youth (i.e. "the youth market") is in the picture. The ending is a somewhat abrupt and yet perfect. You'll notice how well it suits the theme. The language is simple and well chosen, which is also a theme of the work and suits nicely. Upon researching the novel after reading, I saw a review that called the language journalistic. Apt.
Otherwise, I insist that everyone see ZERO DARK THIRTY in the theater, then read this analysis of the film published in the New Yorker. Mostly I insist because the work, if considered critically, prompts consideration of what we became after 2001. Due to the filmmaker's choices, the film raises questions about the relationship between film and government subjects (torture). Plus, it offers a look into the intelligence community from an angle that will be new to those who haven't come up around it in DC and perhaps never considered how these agencies work in relation to the military. Consider a critical viewing as an act of citizenship.
What are you reading and watching?
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Now on Goodreads!
February 10, 2013
Tonight I'm finally editing my author profile.
The last books I read were A Memory of Light and Animal Farm. Currently I'm reading Siddhartha and re-reading The Eye of the World. Next up, the '50s translation of Doctor Zhivago. I've also just finished reading the screenplays for Zero Dark Thirty and Moonrise Kingdom.
I will probably lose the next few hours to checking off my favorite novels.
If you're a Goodreads user, let's connect!
Update: Damnit! Amazon just bought Goodreads. So much for that.
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Holiday Gift
December 23, 2012
Get the Single | Get Reading Apps
My holiday gift to you: A new micro-Kindle Single FREE NOW through Christmas.
Happy holidays!
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Lavagasm
November 21, 2012
This video is, like, alien geoids tongue mating into humanoid faces that vomit magma while Bjork is the center of the terrestrial universe.
The director is a strong force in this work. Overall Mutual Core is an example of two clear points of view in successful, seamless collaboration. A success that's fitting, required really, given the theme of the song.
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Location Textures: Marble & Sun
This image shows my approach to scouting a location, understanding the soul of a place and searching for what we can work with, and elevate or evolve via context, during filming.
Now imagine this epic badassery dressed and lit for a SFF movie. If you can do that, you're probably a stellar movie+story fan, so thanks for being you. You're also probably already an official Wingman.
Since I'm updating on the fly, sidebar! There are new production notes available.
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Last Saturday
October 14, 2012
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Midnight in Hollywood
New eBook Single!: Who wants a crack at first comment/review?
(Download free apps for reading here.)
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Wingmen Are Swift!
A M I L L E N N I A L P R O P O S A L
(free Kindle apps for your computer, phone, everything)
When I log on for the first time each day, I'm hoping to find something interesting. Quality media that captures my imagination. Bold news stories or community movements. Bursts of activity in our project web spaces. Essentially: Signs of life.
Typically, it's business as usual.
Today, however, HOO-RAH! Patriots are out in full force!
A few days ago I released an article titled A MILLENNIAL PROPOSAL.
My original intention in testing the Amazon KDP program was to see if it was possible to publish screenplay. Unfortunately it is not: The formatting does not work. At this time it would work as an app, but those cost too much to produce and promote. It wouldn't be worth going that route right now.
Usually when I write, I write first and think about publishing afterward. I generally work with the understanding that writing "for" something begins to compromise the work.
A MILLENNIAL PROPOSAL was no exception. Upon finishing, I realized the essay was highly unlikely to be published by literary or news outlets, which are competitive to begin with. The essay is suited best to presentation without comment, probably through a newspaper platform.
Given the argument involved, I realized that it was unlikely that appropriate op-ed sections would publish such a thing. I mean, think about it: These guys sit around pontificating about the economy every day and then - BOOM! - I swoop in and solve the whole thing out of nowhere.
Once again, I knew I was on my own. I thought about what the nextgen version of literary political pamphlets might be and decided to try the essay as a single for Kindle via Amazon. Of course I am never fully on my own, because of you Wingmen. Evidence:
A couple days later…
"Not all will like her ideas, but they should be seriously considered. This book is going viral in my circle of Millenial friends."
I don't know which of you wrote the reviews populating the page. All I can say is that you are true patriots doing the US of A an important service.
"As a millennial myself, I found plenty of interesting and useful advice on how to make a place for myself in this world."
Via A MILLENNIAL PROPOSAL, together you and I are working to save our country. Thanks for reading. With your techie digital political pamphlets and in-universe reviews, you all are Swiftians from the future!
"I cannot believe what this book is proposing! Any parents out there should be aware! If you see your child reading this stop them!"
Perfection. Don't forget to sign up for Boomify beta!
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Artemis on NBC
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Congratulations to our digital designer Greg Martin whose work was surfed on the telly, and to all Wingman whose support (and faces!) appeared on screen today. It is not at all crazy to me that when we launched we had nothing but big ideas, blank space and a lack of infrastructure and now? BOOM! Significant amounts of tangible success and progress, all while staying true to our ethos, which is unprecedented. I knew we could do this. The first Wingmen knew we could do this. I prepped hard with strong support from colleagues, you took a leap with me and together we've continued to push forward despite the incredible obstacles that mar the media landscape. It's worth noting, and you should all be proud. Go team! No wimps!
And thanks to anchor-personality Angie Goff & her crew for digging into what we're all about. If you're new here, click "begin", load the map and add your fire to ours! This movie does not happen unless you make it official and become a Wingman. And hey, right now you can take advantage of the limited edition BAM!♥ new Wingman opportunity just below!
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Concept Art Preview
>>> Click here to preview! <<<
(As you probably suspect, the preview page design was crafted by Greg.)
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8 Films
In context of moving beyond what teen and young adult women are marketed, and discovering depth...
A list of well-written and made, interesting, semi-recent films that happen to feature leading female characters who further the narrative:
The Virgin Suicides
An Education
Whale Rider
Winter's Bone
Amelie
Pride & Prejudice
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Rachel Getting Married
Spirited Away
 
Estimate the production costs for each of these wonderful, well-made movies and combine them: The total is far less than the cost of just one Transformers or Sex and the City flick. :-D
Enjoy! And if this is of interest or concern to you, do quickly become an ARTEMIS ETERNAL Wingman, especially if you love sci-fi/fantasy.
You may also be interested in Midnight in Hollywood.
Update: For those writing me to say they've seen all of the above, more titles: Maria Full of Grace, I Capture the Castle, Bend it Like Beckham. If you liked Spirited Away, look into all of director Hayao Miyazaki's other wonders, such as Ponyo, Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle.
Update #2: More films to be listed here at will: Melancholia, Moonrise Kingdom, Another Earth, Zero Dark Thirty
*Promotional film stills are copyright their respective production companies
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Concept Art Development
The beginning of art collaboration is always bare and basic, especially in a new collaboration. Here we go with early Artemis Eternal sketches from our artist Christopher Shy. These are all development on solely one piece of art.
Firming up a concept via pencil sketch allows for us to ensure we're on the same page before we advance into detail. The point is to avoid wasting time backtracking on a work that has already seen days of painting. If you're a director, this behavior will save you money and make it easier for top-tier artists to work with you. It will also keep your talent from hating you and making infographics about how much you suck at feedback and workflow. Designers will especially thank you for this.
I'm not sure what you see when you look at these lines. For my part, I can imagine the final and potential for the emotion each might bring and how it plays into the context of the film's story and aspects that will aid me in developing the production aesthetic, as well as conveying more of the story to you at this stage. Depending on how visual and imaginative you are or experienced with development, you might begin to get some emotion from basic sketches. Of course they might look like extremely early work to you and very bare, which they are: One reason why sketches aren't usually aired and especially not out of context of a finished work. Of course we're making an exception here. No benefit of hindsight for you this time!
The last sketch probably evokes something familiar to you, likely because it's contextual to your previous experience with genre art and film advertising in that it recalls "montage" comic and anime covers.
We scrapped all of these.
Also discarded are the ones not pictured. None of this is a waste, however: the feedback about what was working and what was not moves us forward. Chris began to splash color into his next round of sketches while exploring a new take on blocking and composition. The following are still very early sketches, but more advanced in developing palette and a sense of mood.
We scrapped all of these.
Also discarded are the ones not pictured. None of this is a waste, however: the feedback about what was working and what was not moves us forward. We're working on the final piece now.
Each stop on the Artemis Eternal production map is unbelievably complex. Sometimes noticeably so due to the work involved (often times involving new experiences). Sometimes, however, the complexity is not noticeable because it's workflow I've done for years and I don't comment on what comes second nature. Most of my work within the art department falls under the automatic category. However, for those who will benefit from detail, here is the workflow on concept art:
- luck out at SDCC and bump into an artist whose work seems ideal (saved time on research)
- meet-and-greet with Chris, discover it's a fit
- estimate costs for art
- further budget research
- create budget
- pre-order style fundraising
- fundraising met (Wingmen Francis, Ben, Sean, M.Sto!)
- materials sent to Chris (reference images, relevant scripting, short description of what I'm looking for in the piece, relevant notes from the Bible of the world)
- series of pencil sketches delivered
- feedback and discussion, Chris has a feeling about a different take
- series of color sketches delivered
- feedback and discussion, brainstorming, Chris suggests a different composition, I fill in the idea with details from the world
- color sketch
- approval to move forward on new direction: we both like it
- more defined color painting on final piece
- feedback
- more-defined color painting of final piece
- more-detailed feedback
…And so on until all notes have been addressed and the final piece is finished and delivered. This is essentially how concepting and building costume, props, set design, web design etc. flows, with different nuances depending on the leg of the project.
Greg and I usually work a little faster since we've been collaborating for a while now.
Paced and incremental success is something I embraced years ago: As opposed to the instant gratification of the Internet and blogging, deeper, long-form storytelling and specifically filmmaking in general is a long endeavor. Pace works for us because we don't have a steady staff and overhead bureaucracy budget (thus I do more myself and delegate less throughout dev and preparation). Incremental successes allow for us to grow steadily and for me to get to know you, the core community, in a manageable and meaningful way. I also have more time to familiarize production talent with Artemis, which is useful in recruiting on a project that isn't the biggest payday in town.
For ambitious, youthful filmmakers working at visual, genre narrative without corporate backing: Make peace with pace. Although, I'm certainly happy as the pace quickens. Production will zoom by once it arrives. Plan well.
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