Good morning! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee on a wet Sunday here in the Michigan. I hope alley fellow Americans are enjoying your Memorial Day. I have so much gratitude for the safety and freedoms we have thanks to our brave soldiers. Everything here is blowing up green with flowers opening. I’ve been doing some good work on the property planting, trimming and mowing. I’ve been looking at projects I can do by re-purposing the old deck wood. I’m also staining a few of the grow boxes to help protect them from the elements.

We had another soccer match on Thursday that we ultimately ties 4-4 against a solid team. We outplayed them and led the entire match. I think we took the attacking pressure off them in the last quarter and let them back into the game. It is a game of inches like many sports. I was so close to shutting down two of their goals but just could not get there before the shot was off. But I love the intense physical activity.

Friday I got to entertain the child in me with a trip to the new IMAX to watch the new Star Wars film. It was like two amped up TV shows but was fun and played great on the big screen. Another friend and I were talking about the original from 1977. I was 7 and he was 14 when we saw it. Different experiences for everyone but without a doubt George Lucas changed the world. I guess you can never predict or plan when or if that will happen when you release a story upon the world. We do hope that a few of the CDI films help to change the world for a positive.

FILM UPDATES-

1. ROM COMS MUST DIE is a parody. One feature-length joke about what many people consume/demand and the industry eager to supply. I’ve said in a few interviews that RCMD was my love letter to the classic films that make fun of certain niches or lifestyles like WAITING FOR GUFFMAN or THIS IS SPINAL TAP. It was interesting to watch the first showing with cast, crew, family, friends and fans. The film, like all films is not everyone’s cup of tea. While to others, it is the perfect cup of tea. If nobody has seen me swear in a film they were likely shocked. And to be told that one couple loves horror films, watches SHUDDER all the time and LOVED this movie. This was followed by the best CDI film they had seen. This hit odd for me. Yes. You want them to love the film that is why we make it. But the best? It goes to show how tastes are varied. My character is purposely over-the-top in a film that makes fun of our film industry. A major storm that passed through cut into our audience some but we still had a healthy turn out. Now we are setting up other theatrical runs and a few brew-n-views. Our goal is to create a film that people in our industry will gather to watch and laugh at our own silliness. We’ve been also prepping for the home video release and should have release dates soon to share. If you get an opportunity to watch this on a big screen great. But if you have to wait until the home video, that is also just fine. I want to thank everyone who came out. Feel free to vote and/or post your thoughts on the film at IMDB.com.
2. AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – If you are missing the thought-provoking feel good movies this movie will give you what you need. We are doing an inside screening next week as we also put the end credits together. Our director Anthony Hornus got to watch and listen to the final music mix. I can say that he was elated by what he heard. It is an incredible gift to be able to tell these stories. This is an amazing story taken from the news and fictionalized with a SciFi edge. Promo will start on this film as we come up with a premiere and look at what kind of theatrical run we want to do with it.
3. WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – On the heels of ICFF we’ve been getting all the Red Letter Awards nominations. Best Film, Screenplay, Director with two Best Supporting Actor and Actress and one Best Actress and two Best Actor. Is that ten nominations? We are so happy that this film is being recognized so well. It really does have some great themes of Christmas, friendship, sacrifice and love. It is a powerhouse follow up to the original film. Have you seen the original? Our home video launch is on 11/3/26 and we’re looking at what kind of additional theatrical we want to do prior. The film was finished just shortly before Christmas 2025 and so the window was rather short.
4. DEVIL’S PASS is up to film in September again working with McGraw Multimedia and two GA based companies with our friend Dan Searles. We will be having crew and cast meetings next week and will be doing a casting for local Michigan for a few great roles. Our energy has been spent on locations, schedule and placing some of the initial cast and crew in place. Please do not reach out directly but follow the Devil’s Pass FB page for upcoming announcements,, All the Extra calls will be going through there also. Right now we are trying to do things in the proper order. We’ll be getting the foundation solidified and this Fall will be more 1800’s fun!

DEVELOPMENT–

Last week I discussed some of the film slates we’re presenting for funding. I’m going to be returning to my writing this week. I had two calls last week about two possible scripts to be written. One is an adaptation of a book and the second, an original work-for-hire for another company to produce. I do love the writing so we’ll see where the chips fall.

Aside from the writing I like having the time to develop the new character I am to play in the next film. I’m truly loving it and it is one of the things that caught my attention. A very unique role and I embrace the challenge. Sometimes it starts with internal decisions and that expresses itself in appearance. Other times it can start with a unique hat or coat and helps develop the internal. I had a short period of time with no character inside my head but I love having a role to contemplate.

WRAP UP-

Enjoy your long weekend and remember why we have it. I’m looking forward to seeing my brother and a few friends later. If the rain holds off I might try to do some more outdoor activities but we will see. I might try to bottle up the BERRY KA-POW CHUCK NORRIS tribute wine this week. I want to sweeten each at bottling with a single raspberry. I might also do another small run of the WINE PINE Soda. Look it up it is pretty cool what you can make with what nature provides. No finding of any mushrooms yet for me but with these rains maybe we will. Next month is my birthday month and I’m thankful for another year on this wonderful planet. Try to look at the positives that life gives each and everyone of us. Even the setbacks and challenges are a chance for growth. Be good to one another and keep work steadily towards your dreams.

Coffee Cheers! Time for a refill- DJ