House on Black Lake Trailer - Andre Labat's boudoir - filmed at Chateau Tivoli - San Francisco


House on Black Lake - Actors Benny Duskin and Wade Russell - Photographer David Wilson
The presence of psychic phenomenon resonates throughout my book. Alexandra has powerful dreams she does not understand and a dream of a diseased woman handing her a trio of spheres, with Ramey Sandeley's eyes blazing through her sunken orbs, is the catilyst for her to make the journey to Black Lake.
Later, when Ruth takes Alexandra into the underground, she is told some very frightening pieces of information from Kevin, a clairavoyant from an ancient Scottish clan who have carried on "the gift" for centuries. In fact, it is Alexandra's denial of her own gift that has led her to her despair and near self destruction. It is not until she sees the trio of spheres in the glen that she realizes that her destiny is actually a path that has been laid out, and the road is in fact her own personal truth.
As I finished writing the book, I realized that although I was very aware of my own psychic abilities and sought to understand dreams and honor synchronicity and premonition, it was very difficult for me to let go and trust that these indicators were realistic. However, every step in the writing of the book, photography and filming of the trailer have been steeped in messages and helping hands, none of which would have occurred had I not listened to the messages of dreams, intuition and the blessed souls who met me with perfect timing in my journey and offered their personal gifts.
A.
The genesis of House on Black Lake Lake did not come in a dream, as did Stephanie Mayers, Twilight, although many dreams conbributed to its execution. The beginning of my story began with an actual experience not unlike that of Alexandra's. I was a newly separated mother invited to holiday at the summer home of friends. On the night of our arrival, my son and I were rowed out to stay in a decaying house on an island in the middle of the lake. The remainder of my stay was steeped in drama and mystery, and when I returned I told the story again and again, until one night years later I told the story to a man who would encourage me to set the story to paper.
In a seaside bar in Venice Beach, California the elderly poet, who was a muse to younger writers, told me to go home and describe how it felt to be rowed across the lake to the house on the island. The story would take its own shape once I started, he told me. When I returned to my home in the San Francisco Bay Area, I fell while watering a plant and landed in bed or on crutches for over a month. I felt terribly sorry for myself, and began to write The House on Black Lake. As the old man advised, the story did take on its own life, in a way I could not have possibly imagined. None of the scenes were designed by me - they all came unbidden. As example, I dreamt that a handsome French looking man approached me in an antique store, and as I admired a French armoire he said," just because it says its French it doesn't mean it actually is" - then he said the name Labat's. There are endless stories and anecdotes for nearly all of the scenes in the book. They are all interwoven with experiences, and yet separate, with a life of their own.
What has surprised me most about setting out to write this book, is that it has rewritten the script of my own life. The journeys I have taken to bring truth to the book have enriched my life with incredible experiences, and many new friends who are still in my life. Goethe's quote about boldness having power and magic is true - if you have something inside that aches to be brought to life - begin it now!
A.
Jesse Spencer, Frazer Bradshaw and I have been working together to tighen the lastest draft of the trailer. We've added more voice -over and are reworking the music. It's really tightening up and I think I'm close to achieving what I set out to accomplish. Overall, I would say it lends itself to becoming a film, but first things first!
I've recently found a great book designer, Robert Aulicino of Aulicino Design, a former designer with Random House for over twenty years. He plans to use the original artwork created by myself and David Wilson for the cover, while adding intriguing titles and completing the layout for the interior of the book. The manuscript is in the hands of Maggie Schuhy, who's giving it a final copy editing in preparation for print.
Every aspect of the process is a form of art, and I've been fortunate to have collaborated with great artists throughout my journey on this project. Every individual has helped illuminate the world of Black Lake.
A.
I've recently seen the first cut of the trailer, edited by Jesse Spencer, and it's stunning. Frazer Bradshaw has shot visuals that are of major motion picture calabre. It is now our goal to cut and edit the piece into an alluring alter universe, filled with drama, danger and erotic tension. I'm searching for French Canadian singers that can bring passion and soul to the piece, drawing out what can only be found in that part of the universe. I'm also looking for background music to resonate with the intense internal conflict of all characters, and in particular, of Alexandra and Ramey.
At this moment in my journey, I'm filled with awe and appreciate every person who brought their talents to the table to make this trailer a unique work of art. To visually experience what I imaged in my mind on film and to see the characters come to life is an experience I really can't explain. I can only intensify the ride and draw in the the best sound effects to create an experience that will move the audience and drive them deeper into the world of Black Lake.
A.
Ramey Sandely, has lived his life controlling his environment. He brands his animals with his own tools, runs worldwide entrepreneurial pursuits and lives his life by his own rules. But he has a lesson to learn and will take an unexpected journey with Alexandra, although that was not his intention when he made plans for her visit.

When Alexandra Brighton first takes the eyes of Ramey Sandeley she is newly married and believes she is in love with her husband. She has been taught to accept a superficial concept of what love means, and her husband,Matthew Brighton, has the perfect pedigree. He is highly attractive, successful, well educated, and offers all the worldly goods one could desire. Yet, when she looks into the eyes of Ramey, she feels a dormant part of herself come alive, and nothing matters except the wild brilliance of this feeling. Ramey is also wildly handsome, successful, and newlywed. But there is a vast difference between the two. At their first meeting something both terrible and wonderful happens.
For the first time in her life, Alexandra comes viciously alive and experiences an explosive desires to run away with this stranger and free herself of the material world. She's seized by fantasies of riding with him on a winged Pegasus or flying carpet to a world devoid of society - where there are only the two, nature, and nothing else but candlelight, moonlight, bonfires, forbidden writings, crashing waves, thunder, chilling rain, strange bazaars, burning sands, exotic plains, skin on skin, dangerous animals, bareback rides, swinging through trees, danger, inside and out.
In a startling flash, she realizes she is daily judged and heavily reined in by the world around her and nearly owned by a husband who is more master than equal lover. It's now infinitely clear she doesn't even know her husband, let alone understand the nature of his soul. Yet Ramey speaks to her without words - and those unspoken words are powerful. Alexandra has found a true love for her lost soul, but the possibility of their union cannot be achieved until she has claimed the right to this kind of love. And, this will involve many years of great hardship, trials and sorrow.
True Love comes unexpected and unbidden, and when it strikes it both destroys and creates. It will not be denied. For those who settle for less there is no journey. For those who are bestowed the gift and choose to follow, there is a heavy price to pay. It will be nearly thirteen years before Alexandra once again lays eyes on the man who destroyed what she believed an idyllic life, and awakened the brutality of true love. Her days on Black Lake will further peal away the layers of her encased soul to release the divinely idyllic within - the spot where True Love unites.
Anastasia Blackwell
Alexandra encounters a number of female predators in her journey through Black Lake. In the beginning she is as drawn in by the predatory women as the males. However, as she evolves she learns to disengage and reclaim a more powerful womanhood, based on a higher purpose and the values of dignity, self respect and a desire to foster the best in all relationships.
Female predators in the wild can be as vicious as any male. They come in many forms, from the vicious wild cats to the shy Black Widow who catches her prey in a messy looking web, and who may or may not kill and eat her mate after he has helped her reproduce. The human female predator can be just as vicious and toxic. These women are not usually particular about prey - they can be any sex, race or age, as long as they feed their needs. However, it is the mate who must be particularly careful - for she is unquenchable. The dominance of the female predator is often masked, camouflaged to fit in with the territory. Like all successful predators, this kind of female knows how to spot vulnerability, and neediness. Then, when the guard is down, she goes for the jugular.
But, first there is the stalk - she feeds your ego, laughs at your jokes, understands your needs, sexual and otherwise. What you don't know is she is a master at camouflage and subtrefuge. She's an emotional roller coaster, exciting, intriguing. Or perhaps the girl is quite demure - it all depends on the nature of the hunt. Regardless of manifestation, she will become a mirror of what you are looking for, and understand and need you like no other. This is the early part of the stalk. Once she's got you by the neck, you won't see her look at you with enticement.
A predator never looks into the eyes of the prey once the victim is taken.
At journey's end Alexandra will have outwitted one of these predators and guided another to gain what she desires through self actualization.