PILLARS: UNIQUE, PURPOSE, FAITH, COURAGE
A good week of work both professionally and personally and now a long weekend to enjoy. On the personal it was mainly prepping the garden for planting this weekend. Once again it was done by hand and while hard work it does really ground and connect you to the task. I’ve also been reading a 1970’s wine making book I got at a sale for 10 cents and it has been very enlightening. I think a batch of beer might be the next endeavor of that sort. On the professional side many good things are also developing. I will try to give a nice little recap so get your coffee close and take a read.
I did a producers watch on “Darkest Night” and I was extremely happy. If you like the films like PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, THE 4th KIND and the “found footage” genre of horror – you will love this film. It is unique and truly frightening. We are having a distributors screening on June 13th at Dick Clark Productions in L.A. and we have several RSVP’s and additional send outs. I think this film could do very well in a wide theater release but with the ongoing struggle we will see what level of attention it gets. Development work on the follow-up film “The Beast” will start heavy following the June 13th showing. Also there is whispers that they might want to fly me back to Manila for the theatrical kick off this fall.
Same day that night in Saugatuck, Michigan the powerful drama “7 Stones” is playing an event. Michigan folks wishing to attend can buy tickets at http://www.3rdcoastfilm.com we have had two previous “in-progress” showings to collect notes and this showing should reflect the finished product. It is one of 5 CDI associated projects coming out now.
Aug. 7th is the domestic release of another CDI associated film “Deadly Renovations” and the early artwork looks good. I’m excited for everyone involved with this project. “Donors” a new associated project with fellow producer Charles P. in Yuma, AZ should have a 1st look trailer very soon. New announcements should be coming on this and other projects in the coming weeks.
July will also be the month we really start targeting other distribution for “Locked in a Room” and I can see some additional theatricals in the near future.
I had meetings this past week with some potential clients for our CDI Commercial Division set up by one of our sales reps Mr. Jeff Watson. I think that division is really about to start exploding so I will be looking for other sales reps to work other markets for us.
I had a good meeting with our in-house attorney on clearing up some of the outstanding matters within CDI. By this I mean collections and it is unfortunate that he has to deal with that side of the coin vs some of the exciting new development people making their way to THE TRIBE!
The hosting site for my actors reel page is going down so I’m looking at a new set up for all that. (Thank you Dennis Therrian for your help here) Technology is evolving and we have to evolve with it. Our technology is so beyond the old computers I grew up on. Communication via email and such has its positives and negatives. I often see where people read into communications meaning that really isn’t there. It is a source problem. Your own mindset can influence what you read. If something is unclear I always like to clarify. It is the whole water being half full or half empty situation. Communication is key. If you don’t or can’t communicate with your circle taking on projects such as filmmaking can become impossible. I’ve had several talks with other producers on management of people on upcoming films. It is truly a thing of beauty when you see a full film crew operating as one whole. Insecurity of being overlooked, lack of respect for others and/or fear of failure can drive people away from the beauty of oneness. Hence the TRIBE. At the core is the elimination of selfish wants and focusing on collective good. I honestly, sincerely and wholeheartedly try to give and bring out the best in people. I think that is hard for people to truly believe because of the world we live in. Our industry can focus in on the negatives if an individual doesn’t embrace their unique nature and have a sense of fate or destiny. One is internal and one is external but both can bring us to a place and time that we were meant to be at. I think almost all my projects have been like that. I don’t lament the projects I don’t get because I wasn’t meant to. I don’t credit random luck to those projects I get either because I believe artists/storytellers are brought together. Call it MUMBO JUMBO or whatever you will but as I’ve written before, we all have a personal mythology. Bottom line is know you are unique and that you do have a purpose. You have to journey to get where you must go and that requires faith and courage.
UNIQUE, PURPOSE, FAITH, COURAGE – is there anything greater within us than these things?
Be an example – have the faith and the courage to be unique and follow your purpose. If you are a storyteller than commit to that and inspire others to do the same.
I will leave us all with that. Have a great weekend and be safe.
DJ
Congrats to a Young CDI Tribe Member!
What a beautiful day here in Michigan. I’ve been working to get the garden ready that provides fresh veggies for a good part of the year. Venison steaks and grilled corn were last nights menu items and how I love them both. Today my business partner Jeff Kennedy is having their son Jackson graduate from high school and prepare to enter college at Michigan State University. He was top of his class and I’m happy that all those years around the crazy CDI tribe did not have him going Drew Barrymore on us. We have another soccer match Sunday and I’m deeply enjoying all these are wonderful distractions. Why? My “TO DO” lists have expanded beyond my one legal pad page and well into a second page this past week. Let’s look at a few of the things going on in the movie circle.
We are soon to announce a slate of films with a new partnership out west that includes a couple of CDI westerns and the kick off on that slate is “Soul Eater” a stand alone prequel to the wicked horror film “The 8th Plague”.
We are very close on kicking off a few faith films in the wake of the continued success of “Book of Ruth” and I for one enjoy these films which remind me of the old Charlton Heston films.
Speaking of faith films Dean Teaster’s “Long Road Home” is front running on a MI slate of films that we’re pushing hard to launch. Pureflix Ent. (Randy Travis company) has put an offer to distribute down and so we are close here. I really would like to see this slate go so that some of the artists here can be put to work. If you have an interested in being a partner on one of these feel free to contact via the http://www.cdiproductions.com site. You can read all about the new CDI associated film slate that is rolling out now to theaters, private screening parties and L.A. showings for distributors. READ UP!
Tickets for the next June 13th “7 Stones” screening party in Saugatuck, MI can be purchased at http://www.3rdcoastfilm.com
Also on June 13th at Dick Clark Productions we are having a distributor screening of “Darkest Night” http://www.darkestnightmovie.com a truly frightening “found footage” movie. Interested distributors contact me to get you on the list.
Aug. 7th is the Domestic release of “Deadly Renovations” and they are prepping hard on that. Put that on your calendars! http://www.deadlyrenovations.com
Aside from all that “Donors” is in post-production, a few TV shows in development and working to finalize a large studio “making of” project. I’ve got eight films talking to me about acting roles so I’ve been sorting through all that. I was also trying to do a 2 min sizzle reel of sorts on myself but I’m finding it hard to capture my career in 2 min. A couple of these films are foreign films which I find exciting because my work reaches new audiences and my US fans get exposed to some talented foreign artists. It was hinted at that I might be flown back to the Philippines in Nov. for the kick off release of “Darkest Night” in theaters there.
So with all this personal and company business things have been a little bit busy. I’m not going to complain I just keep my head down and work hard. I know when I need a mental break and so I break it up with a little yard work or other relaxing activities. Today will be one of those days with beer and grilled goods as we toast Jackson Kennedy. He made it through high school with high honors AND made a great choice with MSU!
Go Green!
Go White!
Have a great weekend!
DJ
Film Showings & In-Praise of the Digital Age
The day of yard and garden work may be halted due to the approach of the storms outside. It has been another wild week of business, business and more business. A lot of time is being spent on promotion of the projects now coming out. Some are coming out to audiences and some to distributors. Let’s take a look at a few…
LOCKED IN A ROOM – Had 1st Michigan theatrical and setting up a few more. We’ve been getting distribution offers but will likely wait until July to make any final assignment of rights. I feel this film is a small stepping stone to bigger things for the director Larry Simmons.
DARKEST NIGHT – Just finished final mixing in the Philippines and is prepping for a showing to distributors in June. If you are a distributor in the area and want to see a damn scary film give me a holler:)
7 STONES is also now complete. A new trailer is showing how strong this project is. It will play a test run in the theatre next week in Grand Rapids, MI. Following that many festival and screenings are being planned. I think this is some of my best drama in the last couple years.
DEADLY RENOVATIONS – They are prepping the domestic artwork and I know they are in discussions with Redbox, Blockbuster and other retailers. I think this film will scare and entertain. Again a great 1st step for some new filmmakers.
OUTSIDE THE WIRE – This film is gearing up for additional showings across the US. I also know that plans are underway for additional military docs by director Anthony Hornus.
I don’t have any major updates yet from SplitVision Ent. on the status of BENJAMIN. I think this film will be greatly enjoyed by audiences when it comes out. Seek out some of these films on Facebook, IMDB and such to see some preview trailers on these projects.
CDI/Myself are involved in the pushing of two slates of films forward. One is geared towards projects to be shot in Michigan and the other includes locations outside of Michigan. I also heard yesterday that we might be sharing an office on the 20th Century Fox studio lot. I’m not planning on moving to LA but it will make a nice visit from time to time. I’ve been learning from some more experienced mentors in our business. I think we all need those mentors.
As for acting I’ve been in discussions and doing a few reads on scripts. I also did a follow-up read for a director on a drama. I really like technology in the sense of my cell phone camera. I never liked going to casting offices to be treated like cattle. Thankfully those times were few and far between as I almost always get cast off previous work. I recall those casting days where at the end I felt like I gave a sub par read usually due to a forced read with someone from the casting office who could not “give”. Add in a casting director who really has no credit/resume to back up their attempted “directing” – often I would have been better just staying home and working in the garden. Now I can be relaxed, mull over the character, do a read on my phone, email it off…DONE! Back to my day. I don’t often credit technology but in this aspect I love the new digital age. No stamps, no printed headshots, no B.S.. Face to face discussions are a great gauge of mutual VIBE and understanding of character and their place in the story. When location is an issue SKYPE works well. It has opened up the world in many ways and my international filming trips attest to that.
I’m sure I could ramble on about a few other topics but I think I’ll go grab another cup of coffee.
I wish you all a safe a wonderful weekend.
DJ
Past, Present & Future – Embrace Them ALL!
I want to start with sending my wishes to my long-time acting amigo Terry Jernigan who lost his father last night. He and I spoke a few days ago about the loss of parents. It is a journey we will all have to make at sometime. I don’t think we are ever ready for such a thing so I just hope he keeps the strength. That is why friends and family are so important and so remember to be a good friend. I didn’t know any of the Beastie Boys but I was raised on a steady diet of them from high school and into college. The death of one of them puts a solid pillar of age before me. I didn’t feel it really with MIchael Jackson or Whitney but this surely did. I have their newest CD in my vehicle at this time and was so impressed and looking forward to the next. It will never be the same. That is a theme as time moves past – enjoy the present because it will NEVER be the same.
I’ve recently been re-watching some of the past films as I negotiate deals to get the library out there. It was fun to re-live those moments and see the beauty of adventure of the storytelling. The other night I got to see “Locked in a Room” at the multiplex and watch audiences be scared. I LOVE watching others watching the work. There was about 150 people there and I know more showings are planned.
PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE…
We have two slates of films that are firming up – one that is based on Michigan films and the other primarily outside Michigan productions. Development is really starting to gel and I hope to have many artists to work soon.
I’ve got a few scripts/films I’m in talks about working on as talent. One shoots in Paris, France and that would be interesting as I’ve never been there before.
I’ve also got a mystery package from the UK that postal tried to deliver when I was out so I need to maybe swing by and pick that up today. I’ve got a few connects in the UK but was not really expecting anything.
Another film that is from a Mexican production company has been talking to me about acting and so I’ll do a little more communication on that project this week.
I’ve also been getting emails from some fans in Norway and other foreign places in South Africa and such and I recently realized that it is from “Book of Ruth” that is playing in about ten countries as well as a half-dozen US TV networks. I think Ray N. and I are close to launching a few other biblical dramas and so that will be fun. I love period pieces and so I’m sure I will be producing many in the near future.
I’ll leave this all here for now – I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 