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

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‘RED LETTER AWARD’ WINS AND MORE!

CONGRATS TO ‘WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS’

I’m smiling as I sip my hazelnut coffee even with the soft rain that has fallen all morning. I just had a great call with a childhood buddy from kindergarten after a week or so of phone tag. It is always a joy for me to catch up with those friends. I’ve been dealing with heavy pre-production work on our next film and also dealing with some health issues with a family member. I think we are finally getting the right answers so some treatment can begin. I know having my parents is a blessing and not something everyone still has. It has been a balancing act as this next film is my one big project for this year. I will be away for the prep week and two weeks of filming. So I’ve been trying to be as helpful as I can prior and I’ve been navigating that the best I can.

The plants are all drinking in this water and the cool night weather as we slowly start moving towards the fall. I’ve already been harvesting some herbal teas and such. I successfully have my hops growing again. I will want to arrange for another good mow before I have to be off filming. We’ve been enjoying the new deck immensely. The hammock gives a few quiet moments to reset the mind. The gazebo covered rug is perfect for my stretching and roll outs for my back with a CHIRP WHEEL. They work look them up.

I’m going to move onto some film updates!

  1. ROM COMS MUST DIE – We had an intimate showing at the Studio 414 which was us giving everyone an opportunity to see the film before it goes to home video on 10/2/26 on DVD and streaming! We surprised everyone by removing the cover charge and just making it a little celebration. They even had a special drink made for the film called the FINAL DATE. We might try to keep bringing films there as a nice mixer to meet other artists. So mark this on your calendars and BUY the DVD for your CDI collection. It is pre-order on Amazon right now!
  2. AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – I don’t have any word on theatrical dates which will run until Jan. 2027 but the home video release will be 10/30/2026. The topic of AI is everywhere and this film looks at the topic from all sides. This is my SciFi spin on events taking from the real news headlines. I hope you will all check this film out in theaters and on home video!
  3. WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This film is still working through awards events as we move towards the 11/3/26 home video release on DVD and streaming. I just got word this morning from director Shane Hagedorn in Nashville, TN that last night at the RED LETTER AWARDS we won Best Actor Shane Hagedorn. Adasyn won Best Supporting Actress, Teyton won Best Actor and was there with his family. I heard he gave a great acceptance speech. And I want to note our dear friend Ronnie Lee whom both Shane and I have served as narrators for his audio books, won Best Children’s author! We want to also give congrats to all the other nominated artists and winners. NEXT up will be the WILL ROGERS AWARDS in October.
  4. DEVIL’S PASS – We are closing in on our on-set pre-production week and two weeks of filming. It has been a slow and steady build up as each department handles its business. It is going to be so much fun. I’ve been slowly morphing into the new role. The big beard is gone replaced with a stylized mustache and I’ve been assembling all my props and wardrobe. We are getting close to go time and that is always exciting. I think with Mondays being my day off (Right:)…I may do my blog on Monday for those few weeks away filming.

DEVELOPMENT – I am working on the funding commits for RETURN TO ALGONA the follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. We are closing in on the 2/3 funded and will be soon opening it up to other investors. We gave an exclusive opportunity to the initial funders and will open up from there. I’ve also been doing some work on the WILD FAITH 3 script and the MBF2. I will be devoting more time on all this Q4.

WRAP UP: I’m appreciative to be able to do all these wonderful creative endeavors. The stories are collectively told and put out there for many generations to enjoy. I want to do a nice push on THE QUEST TRILOGY this holiday season. I’m going to keep just knocking down the TO DO’s every day. I’ve been keeping myself level and focused and I’m going to enjoy watching audiences enjoy these new films. I hope each and every one of you are enjoying your final days of Summer and preparing for a wonderful Fall. It will soon by the harvest, time to reap the rewards from the seeds planted and the nurturing that took place. Nurture yourselves and keep pushing forward. I wish you all a wonderful Sunday and a productive week. – Coffee Cheers! DJ

Forthcoming Release Event, Film Updates and More!

I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and enjoying the morning. We’ve had two nights of pretty heavy storms that had one of our furry children restless. I can’t believe 16 days before we’re in pre-production on our next film Devil’s Pass. I’ll talk more on that soon. But as for the property, I’ve been harvesting herbs for my tea, tincture and tonics. I’ll need another round of tree trims here soon. The cool mornings have begun and I’m enjoying the hints of fall in the air. The chickens have been giving us a good supply of eggs which when put on avocado toast is just incredible. I really do love eggs in all their forms. Okay onto movie updates!

FILM UPDATES

ROM COMS MUST DIE – This Friday August 28th Adam Towner and I are hosting a brew in view showing of the dark comedy. It is in Lansing, MI at a place called The Studio 313 formerly The Loft. $10 cover and doors/bar open at 6:30pm with the film starting at 7:30pm. We hope to meet some of you other artists in the area and this comedy should speak to you. At the same time you can pre-order the DVD now on Amazon with the release being 10/2/2026!

WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – At week’s end director Shane Hagedorn will be going to the RED LETTER AWARDS to represent the film. It is up for ten nominations I do believe. The film will also be repped at the WILL ROGERS awards in October. And on November 3rd, 2026 the film will be available on DVD and to stream!

AI JESUS – This super timely and unique film is being pitched to numerous theaters for a theatrical run. You know the drill if you want it to play near us call your local theatre. Talk to management and request the film. We are awaiting for NCG to book so we can do a premiere showing in the town we filmed in, Owosso, Michigan. The film will play theaters until early 2027 and will become available on DVD and to stream late October. This film examines the good, bad and ugly of AI.

DEVIL’S PASS – This past week we’ve have work underway with all departments. We had a big art meeting last week and it was a great brainstorm session between the team led by AD Adam Towner. We have some great props at our disposal to help bring the world to life. Wardrobe department has been busy working to bring our characters to life on screen. Hospitality and Health, legal, accounting, transportation, extras and every other department are prepping. We’ve gotten our office and AD team communicating with cast and crew. I just love when the machine starts moving on its own. You can go to the FB site and sign up for Extra work with co-producer Anthony Hornus. We want to thank the entire community for all their support and assistance.

DEVELOPMENT –

RETURN TO ALGONA – This 1968 follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is developing well. We have another interested funder and that brings us closer to our goal. Our plan is to have all the funding commits by year’s end. That will allow us to start some pre-production the first of the year.

WILD FAITH 3 – The third installment of the Wild Faith franchise is underway. I’ve been writing where and when I can but I’ll really focus in starting in October.

We do have other proposed films to consider and I’ll be evaluating that also as this year draws to a close. I’m also soon to finish a first draft on MBF2 and start a second pass. I also want to turn my attention back to two literary projects THE QUEST TRILOGY book and the Making of Knight Chills book. Have you seen MAN’S BEST FRIEND? How about the three films in The Quest Trilogy?

WRAP UP: Last week the flea market got rained out. I did a bit of looking this week at props but we are getting close to the finish. A few things we still have to construct but minor things. I plan to do a full costume check on my Devil’s Pass character McBride very soon. I think when I meet up again with Curran Jacobs on his wardrobe extras this week we might do some pictures.

Again I invite you all to come out and join us this upcoming Friday for the Lansing, MI showing of ROM COMS MUST DIE. I am guilty of not getting out and about enough to meet some of the emerging artists. I always try to make the CCFF mixer if not on location filming. This could be the first of a film series if it is successful. So if you are looking for something to do this Friday come on out and have some fun.

I’m going to get after some of those eggs I was telling you all about. I hope you all have a great week and I look forward to discussing with you all again the updates on our projects. Until we meet again, have a great day and a wonderful week! Coffee Cheers! DJ