It is a cold yet sunny morning in Michigan. My hazelnut coffee warms me and puts a smile upon my face. I slept deep after a busy week. One that had more up’s versus downs but everyone has those trials in their lives. My only real “issue” came from me not holding to one of my own processes in a work flow. A polite NO would have eliminated an issue but I had my reasons for saying YES. But even with good intentions it still created an issue for me. It can be hard to be the one accountable and making decisions that can be unpopular to a person or persons. I want to make everyone happy. I create art to make people happy. But like many things you should measure the strength of something or someone by how they perform when things are not flowing proper. I also have to make decisions off expert advisement that others have earned. This is especially helpful when you sit between two opposing views on a topic. But in these moments, which are few and far between, where everyone isn’t on the same page, you have to make a fair decision best you can. First, we’re not talking about anything shattering but artists can be emotional which has pros and cons. Passion is a pro and overreaction a con. I’ve said this before, I’ve lost friends in this industry because of decisions I’ve had to make. It can be someone not cast or added to a crew. Or someone who felt one way or another about a direction taken. I’m always willing to remain friends even if the business ceases. But often the friendship ceases because it was truly based on what someone was receiving and not just my friendship. I’m happy to say in this situation the friendship is intact and any future business is for a future conversation. I’ve said, I don’t always do right but I always try to. And sometimes the right is just a perspective and what side you sit on. But when I’m accountable, I have to make the best decision I can. And if I make a decision unpopular with someone I hope my friendship and the good graces I’ve earned brings me some forgiveness. Now that said, I can be harsh with business but tend to be kinder in friendship. Because one involves other’s money and one is feelings. I wanted to put this down here so my readers can see I don’t pitch a perfect game all the time. As artists the most beautiful thing we have to give each other is collaboration. I miss certain collaborators but that absense opens the door to new collaborations. Every time an artist passes on an opportunity it creates a new one for someone else. I’ve gotten several opportunities I’m sure by being the second choice. Even the most recent film I did outside CDI I was the second choice. But it opened a new collaboration. If it turns out good you might become someone’s first choice.

I could write three times as much about the things that went right. I make note of the small missteps to correct those in the future. If you clean up your small errors it will keep you from getting sloppy and making big errors. That is called self accountability and if everyone practiced that and better communication productivity will increase. I am hard on myself because I don’t want to be a DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO person. I want to be a DO AS I DO person. And so I am. Our ongoing success indicates that this is how our organization operates. But it takes time and attention to make constant improvement. I’ve dedicated my life to this very purpose and so we are always improving. I’m so very proud of all our endeavors and our artists. Let’s look at some of the great developments of the week. I will say that my personal week was hampered by a mild head cold, my first in a good long time.

FILM UPDATES:

1. Harsens Island Revenge has started its recoup back to investors as we collect from our theatrical run. This film is making its way now onto various platforms on home video. The marketing seems to be getting this exciting film out there and I appreciate everyone taking a watch and supporting it. A recent talk with the book author was enjoyable as we noted all the positive feedback. We both noted how almost all negative comments come from other artists not audiences. Positive people are too busy managing their own success to cast stones. But frustrated, negative artists dwell in the space of rock throwing. If I don’t enjoy a film or TV show I just keep moving on with the mindset NOT MY CUP OF TEA. I know how hard artists work and I refuse to be negative.
2. If you like books to film you can also watch BEST YEARS GONE (Hope from Heaven book by Karl Manke), and BESTSELLER (Book by Chris Knight),
3. WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is still in the window of theatrical and it might be light on showings until just before the Q4 home video release. But for us indie films the theatrical is like a monetized test audience. That said, this film exceeded all expectations. It is being delivered to our home video distributor to prep for the 2026 holiday season.
4. Wild Faith Christmas director Shane Hagedorn has been giving some loving attention to ASHES OF EDEN. It was the first collaboration with Shane and CDI. He is now able to sell the director’s DVD with commentary and extras. We will also be exploring streaming with it later in the year. It is a powerful drama starring Melissa Anschutz and Steven Sutherland.
5. ROM COMS MUST DIE – the comedy/drama is soon to premiere. We are going to enter a few tests and prepare for a theatrical run. It is also slated for a Q3 home video release. Poster art for theatrical is being worked on and if you go to IMDB and search Behind the Scenes of Rom Coms Must Die you can watch a few short of the making of.
6. AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is now in music and sound design with Dennis Therrian. We have a director’s poster for theatrical and that will happen towards the end of Summer. It will release on home video for the holidays Q4. We are all very pleased with the end result. We released a full trailer and the response has been great. It is both funny, heartfelt and thought provoking. More on this as we move forward.
7. Films from the CDI Classic Collection are being tested to see if we can get them brought to HD for future release. I’m wishing for good news and technology improves monthly so we will see! KNIGHT CHILLS, AN ORDINARY KILLER and GHOST TOWN undergone restoration.
8. I’m really excited about this next announcement. Some might know that CDI turns 30 years old this year. I’ve been working with Adam Towner to create a 30th CDI Highlight Reel. He did such a great job. It was all his concept and execution and I’m proud of his work. On February 14th Valentine’s Day the reel will drop on CDI’s Youtube as a love gift to everyone ever associated with or supporter of the CDI tribe. I will release some PR this week with the link.

DEVELOPMENT: We are always in development at CDI and some projects move faster than others. But we are gaining momentum on a few films. I will not announce anything until it becomes solid but know some of these projects have been developing for years. But we do hope to have some exciting news this year on several fronts. Patience is not something that comes easy for most, myself included. That said, I’ve disciplined myself to have more patience.

Aside from the features we have a few documentary films in development and now that I almost am past tax season I hope to return my attention to a few scripts. The TV series for the Wild Faith franchise might have a few new pathways opening up. Commercially we might have a few new projects including music videos. One of our two finished collaborations with SHALLOW RISING (band) might be releasing soon! I do love music videos.

WRAP UP: If Facebook is to be trusted, today is the day we lost my furry daughter Daphne at 14 years of age. It was sad and joyful to see old pictures. I love our furry family so much. If you ask how much, watch MAN’S BEST FRIEND movie and you will see. I’m glad the Olympics have been filling the TV space with unity and uplifting images versus negativity and division. Try to be kind to one another. We are all here together for a short period of time. I hope this week ahead is as productive as last week minus any head cold or tensions. I’ve been enjoying playing indoor soccer and my running is coming back and I’ve been enjoying the time with my brother. Outdoor soccer league is already starting to form up for Spring. Chickens are enjoying more light and egg production is increasing slightly. I’m ready to be growing plants and tinkering around the property this year. I like our change of seasons but I’m ready for winter to let go. And with that I’m going to finish my coffee and get on with my day. Thank you for joining me from all corners of the world. – DJ