“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ― Sun Tzu

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Happy Easter! Every Great Film Started as a Conversation

Happy Easter!

I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee on a day where the rain has finally stopped but we have a touch of icy snowflakes. But it is Easter and you can see the signs of Spring everywhere. Last night I watched our 3rd film in The Quest Trilogy film series called The Christ Slayer. The film is a fine parable, a mix of scripture and legend as one reviewer put it. It is the final chapter in the overall story. It was influenced by films like Ben Hur which we watched 1/2 of last night at almost four hours long. And also obscure films like Circle of Iron written by Bruce Lee. There are so many beautiful moments in our film. I can see places where we could have done better perhaps if we had more resources. And when I say resources, I mean money. But we did so much right and I love see friends and fellow actors tell such a powerful tale in the deserts of Yuma, AZ. Part one was Forty Nights and part two was Chasing the Star and of course part three is The Christ Slayer. I’m proud of what we created and love that millions of people have put eyes on the three films. We’ve been working to pull a book together about making the three films. It is getting there but lots to do including writing I need to do. To do three films that interconnect was just an awesome experience. I want to see the three go out on BluRay also but that is a whole different endeavor. But a loose follow up film four will be AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip heading to theaters this late Summer/Fall before home video release. The film is having a wonderful score done by our talented friend Dennis Therrian.

OTHER FILM UPDATES:

  1. Read about our upcoming dark comedy ROM COMS MUST DIE here: https://www.prlog.org/13137307-rom-coms-must-die-unveils-bold-first-poster-and-trailer-flipping-the-script-on-rom-coms.html
  2. We are looking at a ROM COMS MUST DIE premiere showing soon and we’ll start booking theater chains for it very soon. It will release to home video after the theatrical run looking at Q3 around Halloween. Read the PR, watching the trailer and take a look at our poster art.
  3. ROM COMS MUST DIE has been entered into several festivals and so we’ll see how it does with the targeted audience.
  4. WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is going to home video streaming on 11/3/2026 and we’re excited about that. We are looking at several additional events and festivals this year. This follow up is really exciting for us and the fans. I will say on the development front we have a season 1 TV Series WILD FAITH: Hastings consisting of eight shows. Additionally I’ve started work on a stand alone WILD FAITH 3 (working title). This franchise has a lot more to give it is just about the funding. It is always about the funding.
  5. Staying on the subject of westerns DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN is the Smoky Mountain western CDI produced several years ago in Maggie Valley, NC and Cherokee. You can watch the film on several platforms but here is the novelization plus a great intro by Dean Teaster with pictures on how the film was developed. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Town-Bob-Terrell/dp/B0GVSN16T9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18CAPTHDM5PHE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3-DEdK9206G55ho-k3pz8ZvcMOD-buVphhn-hmOq_Be7eZ9dcbL-tYiGZKzRvuUvSMusbh3IgNITRgm7sXBUHKOn7GxbD2KiXqYdZbUOa7n4qr9Oaeyn5HG6DfFz_DTVdQcT1Fh3TpSiJSon_GqXMQ.D1I-TP2no2-hqJyYFortH20F240JSwNQ88Nfn8ROWI8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bob+Terrell+Ghost+Town&qid=1775397295&sprefix=bob+terrell+ghost+town+%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1
  6. Speaking on the older films we are still doing some restoration work on three of the early CDI films from the Classic Collection. The idea is to get them into HD so we can release them back into the market.
  7. We have a few film slates that are being prepared for targeted financing. Either of these could create years of work for our CDI tribe. If you have interest in getting your company, brand or personally involved in helping launch these stories reach out and let’s talk. Every great film started as a conversation. We’ve had so many great partners over the years and we are thankful to each and everyone of them.
  8. Speaking to the bullet point above at CDI we have opportunities both for investors and those that wish to help launch a project with a tax write off. We have a few non-profits we’ve worked with on several projects and so if investing isn’t your thing but giving to a great cause for a write off is, again let’s talk.
  9. Both of the above bullet points tie into the fact that we’ve almost caught up on productions and we’ve been leaning more into development. I’ve been working on budgets for two features inside CDI and also writing on several developing scripts. But one script in particular is front and center and I will have a strong draft by the end of the month. We will be releasing PR on it soon but RETURN TO ALGONA is a follow up to our Iowa-based SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. I’ve been so happy with the way the script is turning out. I’ve loved doing all the deep dive into the history of 1968. It is truly a beautiful story and I think it will be a great follow up film.
  10. Thanks to a dear friend I should have a 2026 acting reel in a few weeks. I do like to participate in the right outside film projects. I’m not one to chase too much but it will be nice to having something from a few of the previous films. The issue often is so many films, character and powerful scenes which is a good issue to have I’m told. I kicked off the year playing a small part in a short that was shot on 16mm this year. I do consider projects that I connect with the character and/or material but I also don’t need the IMDB credit. It does need to come with a pay check.

WRAP UP: This month starts Q2 and we I’m going to be doing some transitional business which started last year. It is all working to streamline CDI business and prepare us for decades of more business. I’ve had many talks recently that once again points out the difference between playing with storytelling and having it all legally cleared so it can monetize in the marketplace. I’m still exploring the literary agent path again since I do have a few properties I don’t plan to produce and I’m very timely on work-for-hire writing gigs.

Film releases, promotions and development all underway to try and make 2026 a great year. It has already come with loss but also gain. Some of the losses have really hit me hard and I know life will continue to hit but I’m going to keep finding the strength to keep moving forward. I’ve said it before, I’m going to keep living forward with laughter and love for those no longer here. I’m going to try and keep being an inspiration to those people.

On this day, no matter your walk or beliefs, reflect on the renewal of faith. For some that will be in God and others in oneself, family connections and the blessings of love that tie you all together. As the weather gets warmer and plants start to grow and animals start to build nests and raise young, take in the beauty of it all. Don’t be afraid to fail. Try new things but do give it your all. Look to find what you share in common and not differences in strangers. I do love that perspective that the astronauts have looking down upon us, that we are all one race on this planet. We fight amongst one another for things here that are all just temporary.

Until we talk again next week, be happy in April. I’ve been balancing my film work with trimming trees and shrubs. The chickens are kicking out eggs. I’m planning improvements to the property and soon will be planting the clover. My BERRY KAPOW Chuck Norris Tribute Wine (It should have a kick!) has been racked once now and I’ve added roasted barley, chocolate and such to the must to add hints of flavor. A Summertime beverage over business talk and corn hole or darts. I’m looking forward to another turn of the wheel and I want to again thank all of you for joining me each week.

Coffee Cheers!

DJ

Posted by  |  April 5, 2026 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CDI Updates and Active Development

(Hershey’s one of the past CDI Product Partners) * Won’t you join us?

Good morning and hazelnut coffee cheers! It is a beautiful Sunday morning and I’m so happy to be sitting down to share with all of you. It has been quite an eventful week and weekend as the cold slowly lets go of it’s grasp. This past week I had a few days with family on day trips up North and to Frankenmuth eating and walking about. A German Christmas town we really need to have SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS play there. A meal and a scout at The English Inn and yet another meal with my dad and his wife on Saturday. So I had a lot of good family time and still have a day trip planned with my brother and dad for Monday.

The Q1 of 2026 is almost over and I’m finally at a good place to start taking care of the last of the 2025 business. I want to get together in person with my legal “tiger” to make sure I’m doing everything correct with the new holding company. This is a year of change but I know it will help us moving forward. On this business front, I put the last funding piece in place on one of the films. That will allow me to move forward focused and we’ll talk more about those projects soon. Let’s take a look at some of the updates. As always you might get some of the info here before the PR releases.

CDI UPDATES:

  1. ROM COMS MUST DIE – we are making the DCP (theatrical file) and will be deciding upon the premiere place. Tony Hornus is looking at a venue to see if they have the correct sound set up. If so it might be where we do the AI JESUS premiere also. We used this place in 2002 for AN ORDINARY KILLER but we brought in all the equipment. We are looking to start promoting on websites, podcasts and such once we can announce the premiere and also the home video dates end of Q3.
  2. We only had a small theatrical window in 2025 for WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS and so we are looking to see if we can book any other showings in 2026. We do have the home video release date which will be Nov 3rd for DVD and rental/buy streaming! I’m excited to see the home video poster art which should be coming soon. If you have not seen the original WILD FAITH movie please do so.
  3. AI JESUS is now having the music composed. The marketing team at our home video asked if we could keep the same art for both the theatrical and home video and our director agreed. So that artwork will be released very soon. We also have footage from BTS being directed to Adam Towner who will be editing another ‘Making of’ for us. This film will look at a limited theatrical before the Q4 home video release. Everyone is so very excited about this release.
  4. If you too are excited about the above AI JESUS film, I ask that you take the time to watch The Quest Trilogy. In order those films are FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. These films are perfect for anytime but the Easter season makes it even more special.
  5. We are close to re-releasing the GHOST TOWN novel back into the market. Have you seen the movie DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN? Also the script and making of KNIGHT CHILLS is underway. And I’m excited to say that THE QUEST TRILOGY book is also being assembled as I collect written recollections from folks.
  6. I’ve been doing a lot of writing over the cold winter and I plan to carry that right outside to the patio in the warm months. The PR release hasn’t gone out yet and I’m waiting on a few documents but one of the films I’m writing has moved into Active Development. It is part of the Iowa slate we’ve been working on. That film is RETURN TO ALGONA (Working title) and is about the 1968 return of the German artist, ex-PW to Algona. It has been an amazing rush to return to some of these characters later in life. The deal will have CDI returning to Algona also once full funding is in place. We will have a large chunk of it in place but also have opportunities for a few other parties. But order of business has me finishing the script which will be done in April. We might start some advanced casting in Iowa to just become aware of some of the amazing talent in that state. It is always easier the second time we film in an area. It could film in 2026 but more likely will be 2027 but that all depends on how fast the business comes together.
  7. Also on the Iowa front, I had a great talk about the SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE script/film and we will see where some of those talks go. We have some meetings over this next week so we will see if this film is getting closer to moving ahead. On this same line of development I would very much like to see the GOTCH movie launch. We are going to return to talks with business folks in Frank Gotch’s home town.
  8. Both of those above are originals and above that we talked about follow up films. That is always a good idea due to a pre-existing fanbase. I have been in my spare time working on Wild Faith 3 should that fund easier than the 8 show Wild Faith: Hastings TV series. Also I’m very pleased with the direction of MBF2. I love writing and have started exploring literary agents and management to sell or take on work-for-hire writing. I really do love sitting and writing with my coffee and my side.
  9. A CHRISTMAS SEANCE is the mystery who-done-it film we pushed to shoot AI JESUS. I’m doing some breakdowns on this film and we might shoot that as time permits. I’ve had several good talks over the project and I’m trying to see what the film would require funding wise. I love it because it also has a great comedic edge with the eerie atmosphere. It is turn of the century and I love that time period. Now that the business aspects of AI JESUS is done I will start to look at this and other developing film projects.
  10. I did hear the short film I acted in locally has a rough cut. I will share more on that when they release more. I do have the itch to perform again and so following suit with some of my amigos I too will look to have a 2026 Acting Reel put together. Taking scenes from movies all the way up to HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE. That movie was an amazing experience and I think audiences are really enjoying it. If you have seen it and enjoyed it consider going to IMDB and voting and leaving a review. I noted that the film was attacked by a few dozen ratings of 1’s. I always know that someone has their nose out of joint when I see that. I also know that they/them/he/she are artists. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a film I would give a 1 rating too. If something wasn’t my cup of tea a three or four perhaps but I’ve never been motivated to rank something a one. It often is a tech savvy person with too much time that feels jilted. Not cast in something. Not part of the crew. Or cannot get their script made or a dislike of a director. I’ve seen it happen my whole career and I can never quite understand it. If I don’t like something I’m not going to waste more time throwing stones at it. And it doesn’t really hinder too much because most people watch and form their own opinions. And those that enjoy the films don’t always take the time to rate or review either. But jealous is the current all artists swim against.

WRAP UP:

I could maybe think of a few other updates but I think those cover the basics. If you have favorite acting scenes you think I should include on my 2026 reel leave me comments here and let me know. If you’ve seen CDI films and want to help spread the word. Leave a review on IMDB and vote. Join the film’s Facebook pages to get new updates. CDI also has an instagram and website at http://www.cdiproductions.com but overall we just appreciate all our fans. Millions of you have watched our films and allowed us to keep doing this for 30+ years.

On other personal fronts, I’ve been trimming and doing work on the property. My BERRY KA-POW CHUCK NORRIS Tribute Wine is bubbling (fermenting) like crazy. Some of it erupting from the airlock so I think it will have some kick just like Chuck Norris. I have two beer mixes which I might do one in the coming weeks. Soon we will be having CDI meetings with darts and corn hole versus wood stove and wood cutting activities.

I’m looking forward to getting some of the plants going soon. I might try to reboot my hops and also catnip that got lost when the new deck when in. I’m in talks on a few other property updates but was a touch sore yesterday after I moved several big logs like it was a strongman contest. I need to slow my roll with that. Indoor soccer has me in good shape and I’m ready for outdoor season to start in a few weeks. A nature walk on Thursday showed me the plant life getting ready to burst forth on the scene.

I’m going to close things up here and get after some breakfast. The hens have been giving 4-5 eggs a day so we’ve been eating well on that front. I still have quite a bit of clean up to do on the property from Winter but it is getting better each week. I hope each of you has a relaxing day and a productive week ahead. Don’t let other people tell you what you can or cannot do. But create a realistic plan and get after it. I look forward to talking to all of you again next week. Be good to one another!

Coffee Cheers!

DJ

Posted by  |  March 29, 2026 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment