I cannot tell everyone how energizing it has been to be back among family and friends here in the old USA. I loved my trip to the Philippines and as always the people were great! We got lots of media attention for “Darkest Night” and I think the audience of our 1st showing enjoyed seeing the full directors cut before the next hard editing choices are made. A lot of work will happen in the next two months on that film.

I’m still about 2-3 hours off in my sleep schedule but it is getting slowly better. I’ve been getting up mega early 5-6 am and doing work in the quiet time. A few updates -

1) “Renovation” materials are about to be delivered to the distributor for 2012 roll out

2) The titles we had slated for Dec. release “Heaven’s Neighbors” and “Figure in the Forest” are being held up by Walmart negotiations so likely a push of a quarter. DVD’s are all mastered and they look good but we need to make the best deal possible.

3) Premiere of “7 Stones” lies ahead in December. Premiere’s for “Locked in a Room” and “Benjamin” soon after…

4) “Love Letters in the Sand” pushed into 2012 which is fine with me:) I didn’t want to be working up to Christmas.

5) Strong developments on a pair of horror films “Soul Eater” and “Secondary Heroes” and both should shoot in 2012. A casting call for a major character went out on the Collective Development Inc. Facebook site – did you see it? Get those reels ready!

6) Additional meetings on our western projects including the possible addition of a major casting agent. Distributor may control 3 castings on the films. May have to compromise if private investors don’t show.

7) I have to sign and send some paperwork this week on “In Our Time” (Jesus project) and “Madam CJ Walker” but that is moving ahead.

8) May have good news around the bend on a few faith films with my “Book of Ruth” producing partner Ray N.

9) Planning out my battle plans for 2012/2013! Set goals and build steps to success.

My hazelnut coffee is hot and in my hand now. I have another family Thanksgiving up North and so I’m ready for another round of good eating. I came back light from the Philippines so I’m getting a touch of my winter weight back so I don’t freeze when the snow flies. Beef in the Philippines is not as common as chicken, pork and seafood so I had to have a Porterhouse a few days ago from our 4H purchase and it was like eating heaven. Sorry my plant only eaters out there. I love my veggies as well. I wish I had more to go on about right now but I’ve been just readjusting and getting ready for a few final weeks of work before things shut down. I’ve been getting some Christmas stuff around and I can feel the holiday spirit. We decided to skip shopping yesterday and work/play outside because of how nice it was. Good choice. I’ll pay a dollar or two more because a beautiful day with the dogs and family can be priceless.

Enjoy the weekend!

DJ

My Hazelnut coffee wrapped in an American flag greeted me on my return trip from the Philippines for PR and 1st public showing of the directors cut of “Darkest Night” for cast, crew and their family and friends. Now the hard part of seeing what scenes will kiss the editing room floor in the attempt to get our run time down to theatrical. If you’ve been under a rock look up “Darkest Night” movie on Facebook or go to www.darkestnightmovie.com

For those that have also traveled from one side of the world to the other it must be much easier to understand the concept of parallel universes. I mean you can find yourself in a distant place that is at times extremely different (the language), sometimes strangely homelike (the friendliness of the people) or sometimes familiar but something is a touch off (ketchup, taco-bell crunchy taco).  But be it here or there it is the same you walking through this place. A long trip into the clouds and you walk back to your grounded place of reality that would in turn could be someone else’s parallel universe. Two places and people bound together on this one eco-sphere different yet connected.

The BARD

Over a beer (common to most cultures:) I got to answer questions about the Cherokee medicine bag I often wear. I got to explain how that western film “Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town” brought us in deep with the fine Cherokee people living UNTO THESE HILLS of N. Carolina. Search ON DEMAND on Comcast

That is the other part of my job I love. As I travel – I get to laugh and share stories of other fine artists I’ve had the pleasure to work with.   The Philippine trip was worthwhile and maybe a touch long as the holidays stirred many thoughts of home within me. Every time I go away I come back with a deeper appreciation for my home state. Lansing, Michigan is many things to many people,  but what I love is what Michigan isn’t.

1) It isn’t one steady climate but allows one to attune with the cycle of seasons.

2) It isn’t a place that tries to be anything that it’s not.

Nope – Just many hardworking (Or wanting to work) proud people who carved out a few good industry’s here in our not so distant past. (Bring Film Incentives back!) I get frustrated at my own state on many occasions but I’m one to just go try to improve conditions and not depend on all the checks and balances built into most political systems. Often they’re justified as being helpful but are actually just dysfunctional mechanisms that slow or stop forward movement.

From within the system I’ve often seen the existence of adult artistic social clicks. Much like how I remember high school but I always prided myself at being able to float between most circles. I guess the insecure artists who honestly don’t feel they offer something unique (They do, they can) end up acting more in competition than just selling their art.

Now this is a real attitude among some artists – they live by the FAKE IT TIL YOU MAKE IT path. Simple fact – Words can be faked and actions cannot. I’ve always felt that actions speak strongest and as a martial artist I know the FAKE IT will only get you kicked around. Be humble to the masters of that art form until you also acquire the right amount of experience.

“Snatch the pebble from my hand quick as you can.” – If you don’t know what this means your training is surely not complete:)

Behind the camera always remain yourself. Yes. I’m “method” (Acting) often but make “polite” a “method” always. I say if you’re too “method” to thank the assistant who brings you a water than you’re not too “method” to get your own damn water. I’ve had an assistant on a handful of films and is does help when on set and also someone is keeping your stuff close. They get to watch and learn (Darn – I owe Terry Knox a dollar)

The Lesson (Especially young talent)

Don’t believe the spin and marketing associated with the film to be anything more than what it is. An opportunity to tell good folks about a new story/film you helped to tell. And to invite those good folks to honor you with a watch. It is a big world and I really do realize what a sacred gift it is to be a storyteller. To furthermore be a storyteller given the opportunity to cross oceans and reach new audiences – that is  amazing. The sharing!

It has been rest and recoup as my body fights to rebalance itself since getting home last night. MSU won in football yesterday and maybe the Lions will win today. Next week is a family holiday and Christmas lies beyond it. I have lots of end of the year wrap up work before  our industry goes on vacation. That said, I make some of my best plans during the “DARK TIME”. I know 2012 is going to be exciting as every year proves to be. I’m not sure which of the irons heating in the CDI forge will burst to life but 2011 had some good ones catch ignite.  More premieres lie ahead and many deals still in motion. I’m back to resting!

I hope Hilary had a good Philippine trip. Sorry we couldn’t meet for dinner. I wish I could have flown on Airforce One.

DJ

The streets here are full of music as Manny “PacMan” retained his heavy weight boxing title. Tonight I have a final producers watch through on “Darkest Night” before our premiere this week in Manila. The theater is beautiful and the people here are excited. I’ve been chilling here in my adopted country or I should say they’ve adopted me. I’ve been eating great food that includes LOTS of seafood! Washing it all down with some local beers but one of the most popular beers from US here is Colt 45 so that is a change. I bought new underwears and T’s since getting laundry was gonna be a pain. I’ve been treated so well here and I’m happy that DJ Perry and the Philippines are getting to be fast friends. I was treated to a familiar sight when I saw by actor buddy Taymore Ghazi on a TV show last night here. I also watched friend/mentor actor Rance Howard on the flight over. I do enjoy seeing my friends in movies and on TV. I will have more to write after the premiere but I thought I would do a fun top 10 on here. Let’s do top ten things I’ve learned, saw or experiences here in the Philippines.

1) Being called “Chuck Norris” on the street – I know I’m looking older but DAMN!

2) Noontime means after lunch between 1-4 not 12:00

3) Participating in traffic walking I see where the game FROGGER was inspired.

4) I saw a traffic cop breakdancing while directing traffic (moonwalk, pop locking, etc..) you don’t see that in NYC

5) There is not an active EPA for car pollution and so things are like LA 10 years ago

6) Cheeseburgers with egg on them are quite good

7) It must be a National law against getting one beer they always bring you two

8) Only here can you eat two RED LOBSTER + level meals and wash it down with 6 beers for a few dollars – won’t find that in NYC or anywhere in the USA

9) Santa will have to shave his beard and wear shorts here

10) Manny “PacMan” is like SUPERMAN, Mr. T and Bill Clinton rolled into one.

This is DJ signing off until next time!

Have a great Sunday!

Greetings from the Philippines! I’m here safe and sound reunited with my “Darkest Night” family once again. Our premiere is Thursday and after the amazing success of our press conference the interest in the film has left me speechless. Those that know me or my blog know this is rare as I usually have something to say. TV, radio, magazines, print all celebrating this hybrid horror film. It was slated for a showcase at a local film festival but the committee had concerns about the English usage in the film. I think the public interest in the film illustrates they made a mistake. The festival director contacted yesterday to say as much but we’ve invited them to our premiere. The world is truly getting smaller with the web and the people here are truly ready to embrace both Eastern and Western films. I think many great foreign films don’t get seen by English-speaking audiences because they don’t have a character to relate to. DARKEST NIGHT fixes that by using a character KEN (played by me) who returns to the Philippines with his soon-to-be wife at Christmas time to meet the family. Audiences get to experience many of the rich traditions because the family speaks mostly English out of hospitality to their American guest. The film than takes a dark turn that will let audiences experience Asian filmmaking without it being re-made as an American version which almost always falls short of the original. The film is the 1st for me using the doc or “found footage” style. It has been a great honor for me to take part of this project and I want to keep this post short and ask you all to check out the www.darkestnightmovie.com site and search out the DARKEST NIGHT Facebook site to see the many pics from the press conference the other night. I’m eating seafood daily and so I’m in heaven. I’m suppose to attend an awards show Tuesday night and we’ve got many more media events leading up to the film premiere. This film will get a USA distribution set-up as I’ve been given interest from several of my distribution friends. Once we get past this event we will start taking meetings on the film I promise! It will be heading to theaters here and is the 1st of a slate of GPI/CDI films. I appreciate all the support and will blog here again soon!

Happy Sunday!

DJ