The hazelnut coffee is flowing and I have a few minutes on this fine Sunday. I’m enjoying a few moments of quiet on our last prep day on Devil’s Pass. CDI is collaborating once again with McGraw Multimedia and two fine companies out of GA to tell this stylish western. The concept is more Guy Ritchie or even Tarantino versus say Dances with Wolves. It is mythical versus historical. With some creative licenses being taken with camera work, art direction, costume and even music. That is the fun that I see coming out of collaboration. It pushes you into creative areas you might not have gone too. JUDGES that we did in VA several years ago had a similar energy to me. The McGraw brothers have their own vibe and unique way of approaching things. This is just like Jesse Low, Shane Hagedorn, Anthony Hornus, Nathaniel Nose, Brett Miller and the list could go on. That is always part of my job to pick the right creative visionary(s) for a certain script/story.
As in all these big collaborations respectful communication listening and digesting all the individuals artistic viewpoints is important. Feature films are much different than say the commercial world. The onscreen talent is more than just a way to communicate information. A story will live or die by the performances. You need to capture a great performance as creative as possible but the film starts with the characters. If people relate and like the actors telling the story they will follow you to hell and back. Speaking as an actor it is a crazy process that by the time the cameras go to roll the actor has become the character in their imagination many times over. I always say with respect to the writer or directors, I always know my character better. But the fun is talking together and exploring. Having a director point out something that maybe wasn’t factored in or an actor who provides a new insight to the motivation of their character.
I usually build my own wardrobe most of the time. One is because of my odd sense of fabrics. And something has to feel like your own skin or at least the skin of the character. But I also love to get notes along the way. On this upcoming film I have made a few adjustments to the facial hair, the tailoring and most recently one of my accessories. But that is part of the fun. The process has to be one of communication because an actor has to have every word and action motivated and not contrived or it becomes false. So you can just tell the actor to jump they will want to know why. I have to be about 40 years into this craft and I love to create still. I know it is fun for audiences to meet a new face of a favorite actor. And actors love to create memorable roles. I hope I succeed in doing that on this film and bring something highly entertaining to the screen.
Next Sunday we will be in the heat of battle to get our DEVIL’S PASS story. But today I’m happy to have these few quiet moments before I take a read on the script with a few tightening moments working with the location and sets. I’ve had the pleasure of working with the art team on this film. I do love world-building for make believe. That goes all the way back to being with my brother of childhood friends creating couch cushion space ships or turning the basement into a ‘Temple of Doom’ to explore. Weeks of gathering props and double checking lists trying to have everything on hand to make this story come to life. So rest assured that we are about to capture a new story for your entertainment.
Let’s look at other updates!
ROM COMS MUST DIE – Pre-Order your DVD and get ready to stream starting on October 2, 2026. This funny, dark-comedy should find an audiences since so many folks have dreams that often seem out of reach. Add this to your viewing experience and if you enjoy it tell your friends.
AI JESUS – This unique story that examines a topic so controversial the AI. And examining it in the context of religion and science. This film will soon be appearing for pre-order and will start streaming on 10/30/26. Do not miss this film and I can almost assure it will provoke some interesting conversations. And I don’t know where the future is going but it is always knocking on the door. It is a tool like the internet that will or has already deeply affected our lives. Time will tell said a wise man.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This wonderful film is running down the tracks heading for millions of living rooms this holiday season. Fresh off the Red Letter Award wins next up is the October Will Rogers awards. The DVD and streaming start 11/3/26. You can watch the first film WILD FAITH and be ready for the follow up.
DEVELOPMENT – I’m going to skip talking about the future until we get this present shoot behind us but know new plans are always in motion.
WRAP UP – My coffee is getting low and I’ve got a list of things to accomplish. I hope you all have a wonderful week and wish us good travels as we head off on this next story adventure. Until next week, coffee cheers! DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 