Good morning! It is a hot, humid morning here in the Michigan with little rain spurts adding to the warmth. I hope it doesn’t ruin the flea market down the road. I’ve been collecting props for the upcoming film. Outside the film world I’ve been adjusting to our soccer season being over. The growth on the property is getting wild again so I’ll have more tree trimming as a few wild branches are touching the siding. I’ve been harvesting some sage and mint and my hops just appeared overnight. From little hairs to little cones. I’ve used hops in my beer but also as a tea, tincture or tonic with apple cider vinegar. I love the chicory flowers and was pleased to read all the parts of the plant are edible. The roots roasted have been used as a coffee replacement or to extend the life of the coffee. I’ve also made a few Pioneer Pine sodas which is basically pine needles and sugar and the yeast creates a bubbling Sprite-like treat high in Vitamin C. Old timers use to drink it to fight off scurvy. One of my favorite home improvements is a new lamp that hangs over my cozy chair where much reading is done. Super stylish in a 60’s vibe and I got it at a sale for $5.00. It looks and works great. SCORE!

CDI FILM UPDATES:

DEVIL’S PASS – We have all our main crew and all but one cast member and we’re in talks over that role. I’ve been collecting props and getting ready for our art team meeting this week. Last week I had almost two full days drafting agreements for cast and crew. All departments have been working steadily along. I’m happy to say that I am minus one huge beard and I’ve had my facial hair trimmed into my character’s look. Now to learn to maintain it and soon a few dress rehearsal. This week we have the pre-mentioned art meeting. We have insurance meetings, final lodging and we’ll start looking at catering. Dane DeFord and Tony Hornus have been lining up some great production value for the film. Wardrobe has been reaching out and getting in step with our talent. It is going to be a fun film adventure. I love when we bring all these artists together for a short run and capture what we need to edit our story together. I am appreciative to each and every artist involved.

WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This beautiful film is going to be up for multiple awards at the RED LETTER AWARDS at the end of the month. In October a small group of us will be representing the film at the WILL ROGERS AWARDS. The marketing on this film will start in earnest as we get a touch closer to the home video release date which is 11/3/2026. I encourage everyone to watch or rewatch the original WILD FAITH. I have also been working on the WILD FAITH 3 script and can focus more attention on it come October once we have filmed DEVIL’S PASS. That said I still love writing here and there when I get tired of working numbers.

ROM COMS MUST DIE – This film has the DVD’s on pre-order for the 10/2/2026 home video release date including streaming. We are having a fun brew and view showing in Lansing, MI on Friday August 28th at the place formerly THE LOFT now THE STUDIO AT 313. $10 at the door which opens at 6:30 and the film starts at 7:30. This dark comedy is about the frustrations of being an artist. I think MANY people will relate to this film if you are an artist. The main characters might have went a little far but that is the comedy of it all. Adam Towner and I will be there and so will other cast and crew members to enjoy the film. There is a chance that Shane Hagedorn might book a few theatrical venues but much of that depends on the theaters schedule.

AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – This movie has been delivered to both theatrical and home video. I will be getting some updates soon on both. This film is a lighthearted look at the possible good, bad and ugly of AI and the impact it could have. I have a story and a few thoughts on AI which I will share in the wrap up. I think this film will make you laugh and think. I’ve said before as a writer I like to tackle serious subjects even if it walks up to the line of uncomfortable and let the audience off with humor. Some amazing performances in this film for sure. More soon… There is a mild tie in to THE QUEST TRILOGY films so I invite you to watch FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER in that order.

DEVELOPMENT:

The lead film on the development track is RETURN TO ALGONA the follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. I’m happy to say we took a few more steps on the funding of this film this past week. We also have a few major sponsors and product partners we are once again looking into. The first film had HERSHEY, HORMEL, SMITHFIELD FOODS, IOWA BANK just to name a few. The film takes place in 1968 and will be a blast to film preserving this important part of history.

WRAP UP:

So a great friend of mine who is an actor and hall of fame magician recently published a book that he had previously written. I’m guessing it is about getting ahead in the magic game. He created a book cover using AI to save scarce funds and keep the cost of the book down I’m guessing. But there is an entire group of people who are in denial of the AI integration. By that I mean if you use any software, apps, searching you are likely using AI. When a writing program anticipates your sentence and gives you a short cut like my WordPress is now. People will LOSE jobs in certain fields as technology advances. But I find it ironic that if a small film company whips out a flier for casting and use AI some people will boycott it. The actors that don’t boycott it LOVE it, the competition just got less. But my friend got messages to go kill himself because of using AI to make a book cover, what? We use AI to do concept art to look at an actor imaging certain hair cut or wardrobe. I know people have used it to just see what they would look like with this style or another. Yes. Some concept artists (only hired at the highest level) have lost work. Voice over, actors and the list goes on. But drones removed the risk and cost of hanging a DP outside a helicopter. The change to digital away from film put labs out of work. Film stock, records LP’s, VHS, DVD, BluRay, HD, streaming – PROS and CONS. Concept artists might learn to prompt AI increasing the turn around time for their art. Digital backs up footage immediately versus the risk of mailing footage, processing, storage. I have boxes of raw 35 mm footage taking space. You cannot stop the future. You can roll with it. I miss many of the old school ways of doing things. My first scripts were on typewriters. I bet typewriter sales are way down now. You have to take the good with the bad. Our cars. Our houses. Music I hear is like 65% AI driven now. Autotune was a CON to singers who could really sing. VIDEO PLAYBACK is taking power from referees in sports games. I could go on and on but you can choose to use it or not. If someone made a Garage Sale sign with AI and printed you boycott. The scoutmaster who makes a flier for a Pinewood Derby you tell him to kill himself? You don’t have to like it but keep yourself in check. Chances are if you are against it you are a hypocrite because you likely used AI to type your mean spirted message. I like the technology when it makes something safer.

I’m off my soapbox now. I’m going to see if the rain lets up allowing a flea market visit. I hope you all have a wonderful week and get many productive things done. I was missing a few of my friends recently passed away. I was looking for some prop badges and found a bottle of whiskey that Dr. Greg Zivic and I injured last time he was at the fort. We ended with a musical jam with him on the bongo drum and me on guitar. I miss him. I miss many of my dear family and friends now at rest. And I think it is a great honor to keep living and trying to spread happiness with our stories. So try to live with less anger and more joy. You absorb what you manifest so be kind to yourself too. Give yourself grace. A happy Sunday to you all. Coffee Cheers! DJ