The other day I was cleaning up the yard burning sticks and such in a bon-fire. The day was beautiful just like a Spring day – And today SNOW! Tis Michigan – but my hazelnut coffee makes it all charming. I’m looking back on the week and my mind takes me back to the personal mythos creed I follow. I look back at all the places I’ve gone and the stories I’ve helped to tell. They all started as ideas in someone’s head. They evolved into a story crusade as more people rallied to the raised flag. The story gets told and the teller walks on down the road.

Let’s talk about actors a moment. First I think that ALL actors should work to help produce something even just once. I can recall working in pre-production on seven tasks at once and having calls about wardrobe concerns from an actor buddy. On one hand it is like readying a ship to launch and someone is worried about what color to paint the dining galley. I too – myself have had wardrobe concerns when every other crew person is working hard at their tasks. I took care of my brother in this case with a few reassuring words and sure enough it all worked out. He was passionate about his art and that is why he was hired.

Now from the director/producer side of the coin I’ve also met directors that do not really given a crap about their talent. To them they were just set pieces that happen to talk. They saw the talent as someone you just pull a string on their back and they speak their lines. They don’t take into consideration the mental prep and emotional drain a role can have. Remember the feeling next time you have a killer disagreement with someone. Now imagine doing that several times for a master, medium and close up shots. That doesn’t take into account any physical action that might take place. I also believe the actor should do his work without dramatically distracting folks.

RESPECT. It is a balance between all parties and both sides of the camera are equally important. So if you are a director – respect the process and the fact that your talent are human beings not robots. Talent I ask that you do your job without off camera drama – everyone is working hard.

Now onto a few updates – this week had many

“Deadly Renovations” is being prepped for the Hong Kong film market in 6 weeks and the DVD extras are being gathered for delivery. We’re almost hands off on that film save marketing. www.deadlyrenovations.com

We just completed a block of filming last week on the new thriller CDI is working on with Charles Pisaeno. It is  entitled “Donors”. We were so blessed to have Niki Saletta star in the very demanding film.  Audiences will also see her soon in “Benjamin” the NYC romantic comedy I filmed with her a while back. In “Donors” I’ve nearly completed my part in that film. I’ve just got one last little scene to do. Yes. Doctor Savior lives!

I’m being told that late 2nd quarter will be the national release of “Figure in the Forest,” “Heaven’s Neighbors” and Blu-Ray of “Judges,” “Blood Ties,” and “An Ordinary Killer” so if you have not watched any of these please do. There is something for everyone despite what your taste might be.

I’m told that the “Henry Ford” film should start pre-production in 3 weeks or so. June looks to be a possible start date so I will start signing onto Spring projects in the coming weeks. This is the same company doing “In Our Time” and the Madame CJ Walker film and needless to say I’m excited to work on these projects.

Post work continues on the theatrical cut of “Darkest Night” and it is slated to be done by the end of March. I miss my Philippine friends and I’m excited to showcase our work.

“7 Stones” is being polished up on the CGI/audio and will be ready to start theatrical and festival play soon.

Development-

I have to meet with Jeff Kennedy over “Mythos” this coming week. Great development stuff happening on “Long Road Home,” “Secondary Heroes,” “Soul Eater” and “A State of Hate” has been renamed “Race to Judgment” and is almost done with rewrites.

Some meetings on “Wicked Spring” will start concerning the re-issue. Also some talks with TV networks have started. Curtis Hall and I are spearheading this effort after we traded our holdings in Lionheart Filmworks for control on the film. We want to do something really nice for all the fans we have out there.

I’m waiting on another script to be sent over today so I can see if it is something I want to participate it talent wise. I also am being courted for a role in a Texas film that is a powerful and violent thriller. That is looking good as I like the script and the character they are discussing with me. So on this snowy day some good reading may take place.

I hope everyone out there has a great weekend. Keep working it hard and I’ll chat with you all again next week.

DJ