Alexis Marie Chute's Blog, page 10
June 14, 2016
Expecting Sunshine: June Film Update
This time last year, I was still in the mental planning stage Expecting Sunshine Documentary. Now, in June 2016, we have captured all the interviews, creative scenes and recreations. I have talked to so many people who have lost children and gone on to have others.
Experts and parent advocates have shared their stories. We cover topics from the desire to parent again after loss, struggles in marriage, to welcoming the new baby. Healing looks different from person to person. The stories are sobering, heart-wrenching, but also encouraging and inspiring!
My film crew and I are now in a season of post-production and editing. This is where everything is being cropped, finessed and ordered. It is a huge process!
While I wish we were through the editing, we are allowing this stage to be a focused and intense time. Our topic is too precious to rush it. We hope to wrap up in a month or so. Then we will move into another transition. Distribution! We have already received confirmation from Shaw TV in Edmonton that they will screen the film. We are also submitting to film festivals and hope to locate a big network to show Expecting Sunshine. I have my fingers crossed for somewhere like W Network, the Women’s Network. This film deserves a great network with a wide reach. Cross your fingers on that.
I will continue to post here on this blog, keeping everyone updated on our progress. For now, here are some Expecting Sunshine film stills captured over the last six months.
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Alexis Marie Chute creative scene in Sedona, Arizona.
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Creative scene in Sedona, Arizona.
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Reflections of loss.
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Interviewing Dr. Alan Wolfelt.
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Interview with labor and delivery nurse.
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Welcoming rainbow baby Luca.
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Interview with Alexis Marie Chute about the early days after delivery.
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Creative scene creation.
Here is more information about Expecting Sunshine Documentary :
The documentary film, Expecting Sunshine, brings together the poetic prose and visual incarnations of the memoir, as experienced through the innovative, sometimes surreal, sensibilities of its creator.
The film documents an actual pregnancy of Alexis Marie Chute, as she grapples with the unique challenges of having a child after the death of child. With poignant narration from the memoir, along with new revelations and interesting interviews, the documentary casts fresh light on a private and isolating experience.
The documentary contains scenes across multiple seasons, and numerous locations – from Alberta, Canada, to Sedona, Arizona. It features real-life medical appointments, artistic manifestations, thought-provoking interviews with experts and bereaved families, and a comprehensive view from conception till the actual delivery. The film successfully avoids being a bland, sterile or sentimental expose. Instead, it is a collaborative and culturally relevant work of art.
As a filmmaker, Alexis Marie brings together her unique skillset as both a visual and literary communicator. She exposes unseen emotional and psychological challenges, curating them into an artistic presentation that will live on in the minds of viewers long after.
To be a part of this important film, please contribute to our CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN . Also, subscribe to our mailing list for updates on the film.
For broadcasting and screening inquiries, or if you are a network wishing to show the film, please contact Alexis Marie Chute directly: phone 780-499-4311, email info@alexismariechute.com
The post Expecting Sunshine: June Film Update appeared first on Expecting Sunshine.
May 26, 2016
She Writes Press to publish Expecting Sunshine
Big announcement: My memoir, Expecting Sunshine: A journey of grief, healing and pregnancy after loss, will be published by She Writes Press. This is exciting news! I am honoured that my book has found a home at such a supportive woman-focused press. SWP hone their creative community and choose titles that really matter.
The topic of Expecting Sunshine is incredibly important. Baby loss and pregnancy after loss have touched so many people. I am passionate about offering support, encouragement and community for these families – and their networks. Storytelling is healing and I hope Expecting Sunshine will be an inspiration to many.
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Expecting Sunshine will be published spring 2017!
Here is the synopsis for Expecting Sunshine:
After her son, Zachary, dies in her arms at birth, visual artist and author Alexis Marie Chute disappears into her “Year of Distraction.” She cannot paint or write or tap into the heart of who she used to be. She mourns not only for Zachary, but also for their future together. It is only when Alexis Marie learns she is pregnant again that she sets out to find healing and rediscover her identity – and just in time, she hopes, to welcome her next child.
Tangled in the silent stigma of her loss, Alexis Marie fails to anticipate the avalanche of struggles ahead. She grapples with her strained marriage, shaken faith and medical diagnosis with profound results – all framed within the forty weeks of gestation.
How can a mother survive the guilt that she could not protect her child?
Can Alexis Marie reconnect with her husband and her art?
Will the pregnancy bear new life or only more heartache?
Glowing with riveting and gorgeous prose, Expecting Sunshine chronicles the anticipation and anxiety of expecting a baby while still grieving for the child that came before. Alexis Marie envelops her readers with insightful observations on grief and healing, life and death, and the incredible power of a mother’s love.
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Here is more about She Writes Press:
(From SWP About Page)
“She Writes Press was founded by Kamy Wicoff and Brooke Warner in 2012 as a response to the barriers to traditional publishing getting higher and higher for authors. Kamy’s online community, She Writes, had been founded on the principle of connecting and serving women writers everywhere, offering a community for established and aspiring writers. Brooke had been the Executive Editor at Seal Press for eight years, and was witnessing firsthand the contracting publishing environment, where she personally was having to reject beautifully written books on a regular basis because the submitting author didn’t have a strong enough author platform.
Kamy and Brooke envisioned a company where authors would be invited to publish based on the merit of their writing alone. They wanted to found a press for women writers that would be a platform—that could launch their writing careers, and where they could legitimately compete with their traditional counterparts.
In 2013, She Writes Press secured traditional distribution through Ingram Publisher Services and established itself as a real player in the hybrid publishing world. This relationship secured the right for SWP authors to submit their books for review through traditional channels, creating a more level playing field. SWP authors have been featured in O! magazine, People, and USA Today, and have been reviewed in all of the trade magazines: Publishers Weekly; Kirkus; Booklist; Library Journal; and featured on Shelf Awareness.
In 2014, She Writes Press became part of the SparkPoint Studio, LLC, family. With a new CEO, Crystal Patriarche, at the helm, She Writes Press now has a powerful combination that no other hybrid publisher brings to the table: 1) a curated list with a strong editorial vision; 2) traditional distribution; and 3) an in-house marketing and publicity team (through Patriarche’s publicity company, BookSparks) that SWP authors can choose to utilize.
As of 2015, She Writes Press has reached another milestone, having signed its 100th author. We are a mission-driven, female-run company with a strong vision, passion, and work ethic. Our roster of impressive, accomplished authors speaks for itself, and we’re proud of being an industry game-changer.”
Soon I will be sharing my cover AND starting pre-sales!
If you haven’t already, please subscribe to receive Expecting Sunshine updates. Click here to join our mailing list now.
Thank you for reading!
I hope you enjoy the sunshine,
The post She Writes Press to publish Expecting Sunshine appeared first on Expecting Sunshine.
May 4, 2016
Expecting Sunshine Update: Now to Edit!
I have loved every second of filming Expecting Sunshine. It has been a wonderful learning experience, an excellent team collaboration, and a great opportunity to connect with bereaved families. Thank you to everyone who made it such a success!
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Filming a creative scene with a globe. You can see the fab camera operator, Tom Lim, and Alexis Marie Chute – plus baby Luca on the bottom right!
We had our last filming date on April 30th. We captured recreations, creative b-roll, and family life after pregnancy loss.
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Choosing the wardrobe for the film has been fun. Only two out of four of these outfits actually made the cut. Thankfully Walmart saved the day at 8am on film-day.
Now, my crew and I enter the next exciting stage of the film: post production! This is where we combine all the video and still footage we have captured over the last eight months. We will combine all the visuals with the moving scores we have recorded with live musicians. Here is where we bring the vision to life.
Distribution Updates:
We plan to have the film ready for a number of the major film festival deadlines. These are coming up before summer.
We have confirmation from Shaw TV in Edmonton that they will be airing the film. This will take place AFTER we, fingers crossed, premier the film at one or more film festivals.
We are still searching for a major network to show the documentary. This search will continue in earnest once editing is complete.
Thank you so much for reading! And for supporting this film. Expecting Sunshine will make a huge difference for many, many people.
Sincerely,
Alexis Marie Chute
HELPFUL LINKS:
To learn more about Expecting Sunshine book and film, please click here.
Get to know the film’s director and producer, Alexis Marie Chute.
Read testimonials for the documentary and memoir.
Check-out the awesome film crew for the documentary.
Read more posts on the Expecting Sunshine blog.
Visit Expecting Sunshine’s sister blog, Wanted Chosen Planned.
Learn how you can donate to support the film by clicking here.
Contribute to Expecting Sunshine documentary.
The post Expecting Sunshine Update: Now to Edit! appeared first on Expecting Sunshine.
April 21, 2016
Early Film Reviews for Expecting Sunshine
Making a documentary film about pregnancy after loss, which I lovingly call Expecting Sunshine, is a labour of love and a creative process of joy. I am honoured by all the amazing people that have participated in the filming. Hearing their stories is encouraging and uplifting as we who have lost can realize that we are not alone. Others have been there. They have survived, one way or another – and we can too.
I am incredibly grateful for all the generous people who have made this stage of the filming such a huge success.
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Here are some early film reviews for Expecting Sunshine: The Truth about Pregnancy After Loss
“The first film of its kind that tackles the honest emotions of grief, fear and hope the mom expecting again after a loss experiences during her next pregnancy. We need more films like this that raise awareness about the struggles of pregnancy and parenting after loss.”
Lindsey Henke, Pregnancy After Loss Support
“I’m watching your trailers and bawling my head off, I’m so overcome with emotion. I appreciate your candidness and the words you say resonate so much. Even though our babies aren’t with us, we still have that strong love. When you talked about feeling intense blues after Luca, I could get that. Even though I’m soon to have our rainbow baby, I’ve been shedding a lot more tears about losing our Eli and talking about him a lot more. It’s so true that they are a part of us and that part of us will never die. I’m really looking forward to your documentary and want to thank you for your honesty. I know it will make a lot of mamas feel permission to grieve and to talk about their loss.”
Leanne Brooks, bereaved mom
“So powerfully capturing my emotions so far on this rainbow journey. There is nothing else like this….great to see more opportunity to share our stories with the world!”
Amanda Mayberry
“Beautiful and moving and important.”
Gene Luetkemeyer, MFA, author of Penitentiary Tales, a novel
“Documentaries often have this need, this urge to tell something to the viewer, whether it was a critique of some situation in a faraway land, during a distant period in time or merely an explanation of economical phenomenons that had a global footprint, recently. On the other hand, some documentaries are stories that captivate audiences. Expecting Sunshine, a documentary made by Alexis Marie Chute, is exactly that. Based upon the idea of giving birth to a child after having lost a child. On first glance, this documentary might seem like one of the abundant movies that emerge from the Hollywood abyss but it is not. This movie is a work of art (and this is not a cliché, given the fact that Chute is an artist) that shows the fragility of life, the delicate aspects of a mother’s love and that reiterates the idea of “gone but never forgotten”. Despite having to talk about a topic that seems dark and despairing, the documentarist and protagonist uses a palette of positivity, warmth, when talking about her “still born” son.”
Alex Micati, Blogger
“….touching and moving…well captured!”
ChanPeew Wan
“Expecting Sunshine touched my heart. I never met the child my Husband and I lost 15 years ago. My husband and I never gave that child a name. I feel as though we never properly grieved the loss of our first child. Though in some ways I feel as though I never stopped grieving the child who I never had the chance to meet. Expecting Sunshine taught me that losing a child at any point during pregnancy, birth or even years later that I am a mother to ALL my children. I care and dedicate my life and soul to nurturing, loving and protecting my children, earth bound holding my hand or smiling upwards and never forgetting the child I remember as my angel. Thank you Alexis Marie Chute for bringing Expecting Sunshine to life. Your film has brought me peace, comfort, permission to grieve, but most importantly knowledge in knowing how to celebrate the life of my child that I never met. Thank-you!”
Erika Breen, Artist and Educator
“It is 2016. It should no longer be taboo to talk about how babies can die and how subsequent rainbow babies can never replace the other baby. Artist, writer, and photographer Alexis Marie Chute tackles this taboo head on in the documentary Expecting Sunshine. Join her on her eye-opening and creative journey of recovery.”
Man-Sum Yau, Writer and veterinarian
“Everything Alexis Marie does is straight from the heart, introspective and challenging. Traveling with her through loss, grief, growth and renewed perspective on life promises to be an insightful journey. Expect sunshine and to walk away changed.”
Donloree Hoffman, Executive Coach and author of If I Die, Please Bring Cheesecake to My Funeral
Thank you for reading and for subscribing to this blog feed. This is an exciting project and my crew and I are thrilled you are coming along for the ride. I believe we are stronger together. More updates coming soon, for example, from our amazing evening filming the musicians performing their pieces for the film. Stay tuned. And – Thank you!
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Sincerest thanks and gratitude from Alexis Marie Chute and the entire crew of Expecting Sunshine.
Find more film reviews on ExpectingSunshine.com
Find out how you can contribute to the film.
Learn about the companion to the film, the memoir entitled Expecting Sunshine: A heartwarming journey of grief, healing and pregnancy after loss.
Check-out more news and updates on the blog.
Support the film with an “In Memory/Supporter/Rainbow Baby” credit in the film.
Check out Expecting Sunshine’s sister site: Wanted Chosen Planned, Life After the Loss of a Child
The post Early Film Reviews for Expecting Sunshine appeared first on Expecting Sunshine.
April 4, 2016
Powerful Testimonials for Expecting Sunshine
Expecting Sunshine memoir has been receiving wonderful responses from all our early readers! I am so grateful for these individuals and their words. This book is my passion and I hope Expecting Sunshine will speak to many.
There is so much coming up on the publication landscape – from choosing a subtitle, approving a cover, and planning the launch – but for now, I am proud to share the latest testimonials for the book.
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All current and future testimonials will be posted on the Expecting Sunshine website.
You can view them by clicking here.
New testimonials for Expecting Sunshine:
“An amazingly moving and emotional story that any woman – or any parent – can easily relate to.”
– Jennifer Hamilton, Editor, CanadianFamily.ca
“Expecting Sunshine is an exquisite book for all those who have lost a child and those who need to understand and cope with untimely grief. It is one woman’s heart-rending story of a mother’ loss which confounds ideology, faith and any of the prescribed cures for mourning. It’s pain and wisdom are as old as time, the simple truths of nature, nurture and the bonds of mother and child. It is also an uplifting lesson in redemption.”
– Rachel Manley, Governor General Award Winner for the memoir Drumblair: Memories of a Jamaican Childhood
“Wow! The story of Alexis Marie Chute and her precious pregnancies was almost impossible for me to put down. I know that this book will be so helpful for families living through subsequent pregnancies- a chance to validate their varied emotions and know that whatever they are feeling is “normal”. Thank you for sharing your story so that others can learn from your journeys. Thank you Zachary for helping your mother tell yours and Eden’s stories.”
– Lori Ives-Baine, RN, MN (CPB), Perinatal and Pediatric Grief Support Coordinator, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
“Expecting Sunshine is a brave book, walking the reader through the deep grief that accompanies the loss of a child and moving beyond immediate pain to recovery. Alexis Marie Chute speaks honestly of all the areas of life that are threatened by the death of a child: the relationship of the parents, and their faith, creativity, and belief in themselves and one another. At the same time, Expecting Sunshine acknowledges the myriad support systems that exist to help bereaved parents heal from this kind of trauma and emerge together, altered but vital. Part memorial, part celebration, this is a striking book.”
– Jenna Butler, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Award winner and author of Profession of Hope
“An honest and tender memoir about the complex and difficult emotions of grief and joy a mother goes through during a pregnancy that follows a death of a child. Alexis Marie conveys the delicacy of emotions that go into motherhood after loss and shares with us her courageous journey through the pregnancy that follows. Moms pregnant again after loss will find a fellow companion in her words that are much needed to be shared.”
– Lindsey Henke LICSW, founder of Pregnancy After Loss Support
To read more about the memoir, please click here.
To read about Expecting Sunshine author, Alexis Marie Chute, please click here.
Learn about Expecting Sunshine – the documentary – and how you can contribute.
Thank you for reading!
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The post Powerful Testimonials for Expecting Sunshine appeared first on Expecting Sunshine.
March 8, 2016
Beautiful Testimonials from Expecting Sunshine Readers
The ARC’s for Expecting Sunshine Memoir have been flying through the mail and into the hands of my early endorsers. ARC = Advanced Reader Copy. The beautiful testimonials from Expecting Sunshine readers warm my heart and encourage me that my book will make a difference.
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All current and future testimonials will be posted on the Expecting Sunshine website. You can view them by clicking here.
Here are the current testimonials:
“Alexis Marie Chute, tasked with living as she mourns the death of her child, writes vividly and honestly about loss and grief. Expecting Sunshine records a journey that proves to be revelatory for reader and writer alike. This is a brave, memorable book.”
– Jane Brox, author of Brilliant: The Evolution of Artificial Light
“This memoir is a moving journey of infant loss and the pregnancy that follows in the midst of a society that does not understand the dynamics of perinatal loss. The book explores the different ways men and women process grief, suppressing grief while wanting others to remember a baby no longer physically present, and how to find a new normal. The pregnancy that follows brings multifaceted feelings of continued grief, memories of the previous pregnancy along with anxiety and fear for the safety of the much wanted new sibling. It is a book for parents, professionals and families and friends wishing to support someone who has suffered a loss.”
– Joann O’Leary, PhD, Parent-Infant Specialist, author of Meeting the needs of Families Pregnant and Parenting after the loss of a baby.
“Honest, raw and vulnerable – Alexis-Marie Chute opens her heart to share her journey of love, loss, transformation and rebirth. Her message that love binds us together even beyond death, resonates deeply with me as a bereaved mother; it is also a consistent message I heard in my research with bereaved families who experience perinatal death. This is an important, engaging book for bereaved parents, especially those who are considering a subsequent pregnancy.”
– Christine Jonas-Simpson RN; PhD Professor of Nursing, York University, Toronto, ON Canada
“Alexis Marie’s honest, unflinching memoir reads more like a novel in its elegant use of prose and narrative structure. But there’s no mistaking its truth – that losing a child at any age can cause a shift in a parent’s universe. Alexis Marie’s struggle to move forward and heal, and still honour baby Zachary, is an inspiration.”
– Janice Biehn, Editor, ParentsCanada magazine
“In Expecting Sunshine, the Edmonton-based writer and artist Alexis Marie Chute writes about loss—the most primal loss we can experience, the loss of a child—in such luminous prose and with such clear-eyed insight that the beauty of the text brings the reader to the edge of tears. Tears of sadness for her family’s loss, yes, but more profoundly, tears of release and healing as we witness the cathartic powers of art and the scope of a young family’s love. This is a beautiful, honest, important book that makes death a starting point for the continuation of life—literally, as the book chronicles Chute’s first pregnancy after the death of her son Zachary–and grief the catalyst from which joy is born.”
– Pamela Petro, author of the books The Slow Breath of Stone, Travels in an Old Tongue, and Sitting Up with the Dead
To read more about the memoir, please click here.
The post Beautiful Testimonials from Expecting Sunshine Readers appeared first on Expecting Sunshine.
