Film Updates and Winter Fun!
A beautiful white snow is spread across the landscape. The steamy coffee tastes good on a morning such as this. I did a special mid-week blog based on a fan email I received earlier in the week. It was one of those emails that just deserved a response. I’m happy to see how woven our Civil War film “Wicked Spring” is into the fabric of films in that genre. How schools are using the film to stimulate discussions among the students. I encourage my weekly readers to go back and read the previous blog.
Our 1st look at the “Donors” teaser poster was released this week. We also announced the addition of more cast onto the project such as the beautiful Anne Gauthier whom I shared the screen with in “Darkest Night” and Lana Wood, a legend. Post work is underway and I think a 1st trailer will be following soon.
“Deadly Renovations” is being prepped for Hong Kong film market in March and our DVD/Blu-Ray extras are being delivered this week. I’m excited to see what countries are interested in our thriller.
I’m still trying to get exact street dates on our New Video titles. I’m told that the Michigan showing of “Locked in a Room” will be in May. I also hear that “7 Stones” will be polished up and submitted for showing at the Waterfront Film Festival in Saugatuck, Michigan. I still have no dates on “Benjamin” showings yet. “Darkest Night” will be ready to shop at its theatrical run-time in April. Development continues and progress is being made on the various films.
Verbal talks are underway and I soon may announce my involvement in a film next month. I will hint by saying that it would be the 1st sports film I’ve ever done. I’m also close to closing a deal on a film in April. There is a chance that one of our films may go up in that month if I don’t do the April project. I’m also close to signing a deal memo on a June/July film that shoots in 3 states including Michigan so that would be great.
I’m also waiting on news on “Supermodel Showdown” the TV show I worked on in Costa Rica. Creator Joe Murphy was supposed to take a look at it and get back with me. I think it is coming out on Telemundo/NBC here soon. We use to roll with Big Cat to Night of a 100 Stars on Oscar night and perhaps I will attend again soon but not this year. I’m sure Hollywood is buzzing with excitement and I know the artists there will party hard.
Well I’m going to do some work this morning followed by some domestic activities. The dogs love the snow so that might be in the future. Also might run to go get bottles for the next batch of wine that is to be bottled.
Have a great Sat!
DJ
This is the 1st teaser poster on "Donors"
“Wicked Spring” A Classic in the Classroom?
Welcome to a special mid-week edition of “Clawing My Way to the Middle”. Once in a while you get a great piece of feedback on a film project. Unlike stage performers (musicians and athletes included) that draw energy from a live audience film actors often have to draw from a personal well. Some of the films have been seen by hundreds of thousands to millions of people. Often we don’t get to confront feedback from our audiences but in this unique opportunity I wanted to respond. Here is the email I was sent below
(Email)
Dear Mr. Perry,
My name is Angela Lucus and I am a Senior polisci and economics major at Valparaiso University. I am currently taking a graduate level class called: The Civil War and Reconstruction. The class is comprised of readings, lecture, and film lab. Our latest film lab tonight was actually a viewing of Wicked Spring. And let me tell you, it raised quite a bit of debate. I say that in a sense that, all our previous film labs included big named Hollywood Civil War films such as: The Birth of a Nation, Gone with the Wind, Ride with the Devil, Glory etc. Our professor gave us a lot of literature on these films, and we were able to search for film analysis online. However, with your film, there’s practically nothing online. Although this could be viewed as a good thing, which I suppose it is, because it made us really think about the film without bias, it also raised many points/opinions in class could neither be justified or confirmed by the creators or actors in the movie. This is why I am writing you. The film you starred in brought out such a great discussion in class, better than these million dollar hollywood films, and I would just like to understand the film better. I am attempting to contact both you and Kevin Hershberger (it seems nearly impossible to find him, but I emailed his company so hopefully that proves fruitful), and I chose you because lets face it, I thought your character was the most appealing to me. You felt authentic.
The questions I pose to you are, and I hope you can address these, but I understand if you are busy:
1)What do you think Wicked Spring is about?
2) What would you say the theme of the film is, for instance (reconciliation, no reason for war, humanizing both sides etc)
3) Does Harrison and John represent a reconciliation between the North and the South?
4) Why was the issue of slavery not brought up?
5) Also, why do you think there was not any politics? Most civil war movies bring in politics at some point, yet Wicked Spring barely raises the question as to why there was war.
6) What do you think the final death scene represents? i.e. yankees and confederates laying together dead
Well, as you can see, your film was slightly mind-blowing, especially after watching several Hollywood films on the same subject. I hope you can be of help. Thank you so much for your time.
Sincerely,
Angela
MY RESPONSE
I want to give a big “thank you” to Angela for the kind words and for taking the time to email. It is a unique time because we recently got back all the rights to the film after a great run with Illuminations Distribution which included 5 years of UK TV play and various US network showings usually late at night. We are prepping the film for a special edition release that will also have a 60 min making of doc, soundtrack and more. I hope that we can reach a new generation with this powerful film. Let’s look at these 6 questions.
1) What do you think Wicked Spring is about?
“Wicked Spring” is about the spirit of the common man pushed into the chaos of war. It is about two relationships – one a blooming new love and the other – a deep love of a family man. It’s about two men who both wanted to make the world a better place in their view. It is about the cost of war when virtue’s collide and lives are changed forever.
2) What would you say the theme of the film is, for instance (reconciliation, no reason for war, humanizing both sides etc)
The film has many themes that I love – Courage, Faith, Fear, Love, Hate – I mean the list could go on and on because I think war brings out the best and worst in human beings. I think the one MAJOR theme is CHANGE OFTEN COMES WITH A COST.
EXAMPLE: We can easily dismiss the bodies here and there in the film. We also seem to easily ignore the nightly news that reports 6 dead in Afghanistan on any given day. The dead are just distant. We don’t KNOW their story. They all have a story, a life that was cut short by war.
3) Does Harrison and John represent a reconciliation between the North and the South?
Taking the torch from above – I think that Harrison and John are a focused look at the COST of war. I’m not anti-war because I’m not sure we can truly do away with ambitions and acquisition driven urges. Mankind has been fighting over mates and territories since the earliest conflicts. I think “peace” is realized only when those with fear of losing what they have gained cease – hence temporary peace. I think the film slows us down from our 4G instant download Blackberry haze. It puts us around the most primal of elements (fire) and we have two scared men who bare their souls. A war that was to last a season dragged into a several year war where hell on earth reigned. John and Harrison might have been an illustration of the weariness of the warriors on both sides pushed about like pawns on a chessboard. They perhaps did foreshadow the healing that would soon follow. But a COST is felt. From the chaos of war we learn to feel for these men and at the end – no fairy tale endings. No happily ever after or ending wrapped in a bow – Death! Real people DIE! Real people back home will CRY! The audience is made to swallow the bitter pill of reality. The Cost of War.
4) Why was the issue of slavery not brought up?
My studies revealed that slaves were expensive and mainly used by the wealthy estates. The common southerner likely did not own slaves. Many historians will point out slavery was only a single part of the conflict. In the brutal war of life and death I think that more devoted causes had to lie in the heart’s of the Southern soldier than just slavery. If you look at the film – those men were battered and at the edge of going AWOL. At that point many soldiers will tell you they fight for self-preservation and the lives of those men fighting beside them. It wasn’t about slavery at that point is was about survival.
5) Also, why do you think there was not any politics? Most civil war movies bring in politics at some point, yet Wicked Spring barely raises the question as to why there was war.
High ideals and differences in government screamed for diplomacy especially after someone witnesses a gruesome head or limb suddenly removed by cannon-shot. These men in our film were not freshly pressed uniforms given the hurrah speech before their 1st march to war. These were surviving soldiers in a living hell. I think they prayed daily for wiser men in government to make peace so that they could go home to a life. The world after just might be a tad bit improved for the blood spilled. I think these men were at the point of wanting/needing peace. All they wanted was the safe arms of their loved ones. I don’t think they much cared to stoke the fires of politics. This film is about the human soul not what color uniform they wore. The sacrifice was the same – the cost great. At this point it is not about the chess players but the chess pieces.
6) What do you think the final death scene represents? i.e. yankees and confederates laying together dead
Be Patient and be Productive!
Friends I’m back to chat up all my journeymen artists out there on this fine Saturday. I’ve been going with the flow just like my morning coffee:) It was an interesting week as they almost always are. Writer/producer Russ Williams (Darkest Night) sent me an email with a link
http://www.imdb.com/list/g0L9Czq8jv0/
It has some trendsetting reviewer on IMDB.com who compiled the Top 25 anticipated horror films of 2012. Our film “Darkest Night” was listed at #12. It will be coming out of post at the end of March and already many distributors are checking in with me to see if they can get a look at the film. http://www.darkestnightmovie.com
The dark thriller “Deadly Renovations” http://www.deadlyrenovations.com will make its 1st international appearance next month at the Hong Kong market with Acort International. My fellow filmmakers from Yuma have also been busy. I’m just about done with my role in “Donors” and principal photography in Yuma, AZ is about done. Also Robert Gwinn is working to package his next feature “Virtue”.
I’ve had some conversations with Larry Simmons about “Locked in a Room” another CDI associated property and it is being prepped for summer theatrical showings. More as this develops.
Development
“SOUL EATER” may have just found its main bad guy in a WWE personality. We have his interest now a formal offer needs to be put together and approved by WWE.
“SECONDARY HEROES” – we are making some moves both in casting and location lockdown. Budgeting and sponsorship talks are just beginning. Location scouting is also underway and this project is shaping up nicely. http://www.secondaryheroes.com is our new Official Site. It is not stocked with info but will grow more in the coming weeks.
Writer/Director Jeff Kennedy is also soon to reveal the 1st part of a 4 part “Mythos” script which will surely be interesting! Some of his work can be seen nationally late 2nd quarter with the releases of “Figure in the Forest,” “Heaven’s Neighbors” and a Blu-Ray release of “An Ordinary Killer” that he co-directed with Anthony Hornus.
Speaking of Anthony – upcoming screenings of “Outside the Wire” will soon be announced and development has been underway on “A State of Hate” renamed “Race to Judgment”. Also a good sit-down lunch meeting with Mr. Delvon Roe has him joining the cast. Rewrites are about complete and so Anthony has been turning some attention towards this project.
I could go on about development for another page or so but you get the point – BUSY!
I’ve got a big project “Henry Ford” I’m part of going up June/July timeframe and so I’m busy evaluating the Spring projects that will shoot prior. I would really like to see if “Soul Eater” can shoot just before that rolls cameras. I have to be patient as these things work themselves out. I just want to lock down a schedule within all this chaos of offers.
I’ve got a few projects by friends or with friends involvement that I’ve trying to make a priority. I know well a day will come where I can’t do projects with everyone. As my shoot days get longer on these bigger projects I can see where/why some actors only do a few projects a year. I may have two of those kind of projects this year and I still want to do some of our own projects for sure. So patience and I again have to dance the dance.
Until next time – be patient and be productive!
DJ
“Wicked Spring” and other Updates
The other day I was cleaning up the yard burning sticks and such in a bon-fire. The day was beautiful just like a Spring day – And today SNOW! Tis Michigan – but my hazelnut coffee makes it all charming. I’m looking back on the week and my mind takes me back to the personal mythos creed I follow. I look back at all the places I’ve gone and the stories I’ve helped to tell. They all started as ideas in someone’s head. They evolved into a story crusade as more people rallied to the raised flag. The story gets told and the teller walks on down the road.
Let’s talk about actors a moment. First I think that ALL actors should work to help produce something even just once. I can recall working in pre-production on seven tasks at once and having calls about wardrobe concerns from an actor buddy. On one hand it is like readying a ship to launch and someone is worried about what color to paint the dining galley. I too – myself have had wardrobe concerns when every other crew person is working hard at their tasks. I took care of my brother in this case with a few reassuring words and sure enough it all worked out. He was passionate about his art and that is why he was hired.
Now from the director/producer side of the coin I’ve also met directors that do not really given a crap about their talent. To them they were just set pieces that happen to talk. They saw the talent as someone you just pull a string on their back and they speak their lines. They don’t take into consideration the mental prep and emotional drain a role can have. Remember the feeling next time you have a killer disagreement with someone. Now imagine doing that several times for a master, medium and close up shots. That doesn’t take into account any physical action that might take place. I also believe the actor should do his work without dramatically distracting folks.
RESPECT. It is a balance between all parties and both sides of the camera are equally important. So if you are a director – respect the process and the fact that your talent are human beings not robots. Talent I ask that you do your job without off camera drama – everyone is working hard.
Now onto a few updates – this week had many
“Deadly Renovations” is being prepped for the Hong Kong film market in 6 weeks and the DVD extras are being gathered for delivery. We’re almost hands off on that film save marketing. http://www.deadlyrenovations.com
We just completed a block of filming last week on the new thriller CDI is working on with Charles Pisaeno. It is entitled “Donors”. We were so blessed to have Niki Saletta star in the very demanding film. Audiences will also see her soon in “Benjamin” the NYC romantic comedy I filmed with her a while back. In “Donors” I’ve nearly completed my part in that film. I’ve just got one last little scene to do. Yes. Doctor Savior lives!
I’m being told that late 2nd quarter will be the national release of “Figure in the Forest,” “Heaven’s Neighbors” and Blu-Ray of “Judges,” “Blood Ties,” and “An Ordinary Killer” so if you have not watched any of these please do. There is something for everyone despite what your taste might be.
I’m told that the “Henry Ford” film should start pre-production in 3 weeks or so. June looks to be a possible start date so I will start signing onto Spring projects in the coming weeks. This is the same company doing “In Our Time” and the Madame CJ Walker film and needless to say I’m excited to work on these projects.
Post work continues on the theatrical cut of “Darkest Night” and it is slated to be done by the end of March. I miss my Philippine friends and I’m excited to showcase our work.
“7 Stones” is being polished up on the CGI/audio and will be ready to start theatrical and festival play soon.
Development-
I have to meet with Jeff Kennedy over “Mythos” this coming week. Great development stuff happening on “Long Road Home,” “Secondary Heroes,” “Soul Eater” and “A State of Hate” has been renamed “Race to Judgment” and is almost done with rewrites.
Some meetings on “Wicked Spring” will start concerning the re-issue. Also some talks with TV networks have started. Curtis Hall and I are spearheading this effort after we traded our holdings in Lionheart Filmworks for control on the film. We want to do something really nice for all the fans we have out there.
I’m waiting on another script to be sent over today so I can see if it is something I want to participate it talent wise. I also am being courted for a role in a Texas film that is a powerful and violent thriller. That is looking good as I like the script and the character they are discussing with me. So on this snowy day some good reading may take place.
I hope everyone out there has a great weekend. Keep working it hard and I’ll chat with you all again next week.
DJ
Roadtrips & Rolling Cameras
What a week!
So tomorrow principal shooting on the thriller “Donors” begins in Yuma, AZ. The beautiful and talented Nicole (Niki) Saletta is playing our lead female. She has a youthful innocent nature that pulls from a deep well of drama. I’ve been prepping for my “Donors” role which is extremely dark and twisted. It is nice to bounce between kind and wholesome and dark and devious. Light and dark, good vs evil – the themes that have always been part of human history.
The New Video deal that has five of my titles announced a new theatrical division and I’m now hearing late 2nd quarter for a release. Some are Blu-Ray releases and others like “Figure in the Forest” and “Heaven’s Neighbors” will enjoy their 1st major national release. We were waiting for the company to complete their merger and complete their new deal with major retailer Wal-Mart. I’m also hearing that distributor friend Missionary Pictures International may handle all the faith retailers on the titles that fit.
In that faith/family vein we are on the move to get “Long Road Home” on the pre-production track. We’ve got a great script, cast and commits from distributors are underway. Dean Teaster will be the director on this film and it will be exciting to see him back in action. Dean had a chance to meet Melissa Anschutz, who is slated to be our female lead, at the sold out premiere for “7 Stones”.
Speaking of “7 Stones” – I want to thank everyone who attended and apologize to those who I did not get a chance to meet. We had a big snow storm move through and after the showing which ran late, our party heading back to Lansing from Grand Rapids. They have a month of polishing on the film with audio and CGI before paid showings and festival runs. The story is powerful and I think will really connect with people.
Curtis Hall and I made a run into NYC and retrieved some film stock from a film lab there. It was six boxes of film at 65 lbs each – ah yes, the days of 35mm. We also had time to catch up with our director of photography buddy Dave Isern. We had a lot of time to talk business and the drive through the mountains was incredibly beautiful!
As we enter Feb. I’m looking ahead to March film projects. I’m trying to schedule and finalize certain business deals. I read a powerful script that had a high dose of violence in it. I’m expecting an offer on that film this forthcoming week. I also have a few other films that I need to set in stone and start my character work.
Today, I’m off to visit an art museum in Detroit and tomorrow is an MSU basketball game and watching the Superbowl with my amigos. That will be a good time with food, drink and good commercials and film teasers. Michigan’s own Madonna will be doing the half time show. I saw her on the news and thought she looked good. I’m glad she has not gone overboard with plastic surgery like so many others.
Enjoy the weekend!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 