Rock & Roses & Ashes of Eden
A beautiful Saturday for drinking coffee, eating some peanut butter toast and organizing my communications from the previous week. It was a week of many happenings – first it started with me finding out about the loss of one of my close friends and business mentors. It continued with some great meetings over “Ashes of Eden” which officially announced this week as well. It is a CDI associated film teaming with New House Entertainment and Ahptic Productions. We’ve been in the scheduling, key casting and crewing stage as well as locking locations. We’ve had some resume’s and reels coming forth and will be announcing some of the first attached cast very soon. I will be playing a supporting character named “Donnie” in the film and that led to a newer shorter haircut as I find the character within.
I see that the French film “Man in Wood” made an IMDB appearance and I hope to have some more details on that film in the weeks to come. On the acting subject – I had an actor who has been touching base over the last year or so contact me upon reading about our next film. I asked for a reel of his dramatic work and he responded by saying it was in the works. I looked back and saw that a previous message had that same reel “in the works” from December 11th, 2011. Anyone who knows me or reads my blogs understands that REELS are the way we like to work. Show me your “game footage”!! – As talent myself, I hate “reads” and seldom do them. Sometimes a producer wants to see if you can play some nuance of a character that isn’t displayed in your reel. But if you’re out there saying “Why can’t I get any work” – yet your materials are lacking… SIMPLE – If you don’t have a reel you go to the back of the line. IF we watch EVERY reel link submitted for a character and cannot find the right actor we may go to cold reads. So I cite that as an example to help you all out there. Also a past associate messaged me with interest in a department – I said send over a resume. It has been 3-4 days and nothing yet. We are likely hiring that key position next week – so again not being ready will likely get you bumped. So if your career is lagging look first to your materials. Check your coverletters, resume, reels, websites…control what you can control.
This week also saw the national release of “Deadly Renovations” and I’m proud of the team. I had to give a notice to some of them stepping up on the stage with their art for the first time. See I’ve found that you NEVER will make everyone happy. Don’t try. Have a glass of red wine, fire up a steak and toast the success of job well done. There will always be a slew of unhappy actors not hired (check those materials:) ready to throw their frustrated opinions. Also aspiring directors, producers and writers who so far cannot get their projects produced, script sold or what not. They often see someone else doing what they want and they see green and red. Jealousy and Frustration- a misplaced anger that can lead to troll activity. I say, ignore their frustration and count them amongst your fans. What is Lex Luthor without Superman? I’m just saying, don’t waste your time in a back and forth, defending your art. While someone is trying to rip down your deeds you are developing new projects. You’ll end up getting yet another leg up and those same folks unfortunately get even more jealous and frustrated. Vicious circle of negativity those people live within. I just wanted to awaken some of the team to the rocks that will get thrown along with the roses. That is how some get attention by going against the grain. “AVENGERS” – Hulk smashes Loki – “it was okay – I didn’t really dig how…” WRONG! Scene kicked ass:) Move on. So I thank all of you that have sent roses and to the rock throwers – I sincerely hope to one day create something that you really like. If you find yourself spewing a pattern of hate, hate, hate…maybe it is your filter/eye and not so much the project. Just a thought…:)
We should have film festival dates soon for “Darkest Night” making its first non-distributor festival appearance in the USA. “Benjamin” looks to wow audiences in NYC again after its first festival showing. Distribution talks worldwide continue on these two projects and so they will find their way to audiences in the near future. “Donors” and “7 Stones” still in post-production and “Locked in a Room” is polishing up for distribution. There will be an official announcement on this in the coming weeks from At Risk Ent. CEO Larry Simmons.
I’m looking forward to making a few exciting announcements on a few biblical era films looking to follow-up on our very successful “Book of Ruth” film. Also looking for some good news on “Long Road Home” so stay tuned for that as well.
OK. I’m going to get back to my Saturday. I hope you all have a wonderful day.
DJ
Advance Notice on CDI’s New Associated Film & More…
It is feeling a bit like fall outside and I LOVE it! It is my favorite time of year and today will include garden work, grilling and fire pit. I might even get to starting the new BEER making. Let me give a few cool business run-down.
First August 21st is the official release of “Deadly Renovations” on DVD so get to amazon.com or your favorite retailer and give it a buy/rent. I hope you all enjoy the film. The critics have been enjoying it and so I’m very happy it is releasing. We are also in talks with the UK for a release.
“Darkest Night” will screen at the Filipino Arts and Cinema, International (FACINE) film festival has accepted and will be screening “Darkest Night” as a part of its film lineup. The 14th annual FACINE festival is slated to begin in late October in San Francisco, California.
“Donors” trailer will be releasing very soon! The back and forth final negotiations on “Locked in a Room” are almost complete. We are looking at a good release on the film domestically and once I can spill the beans I will. “7 Stones” still having final audio work done.
For those who subscribe here to the blog you get an advance news on “Ashes of Eden”. CDI has officially associated itself with filmmaker Shane Hagedorn. I will be producing and playing a very cool character in the script. It is best described as an “Urban American Graffiti” both gritty and inspirational. This week a more complete press release will go out including some teaser art. We’ve been in talks with locations, scheduling and looking at cast and crew. Cameras are planning to roll this October. Old friend Dominic from Ahptic Productions is our DP and I’m excited to be working with him again after all these years. “Knight Chills” was the last time we collaborated with one another. Stay tuned!
Many deals underway for TV/rights sales on the CDI library of films. Also financing on a string of biblical/inspirational films is almost complete. “The Book of Ruth, Journey of Faith” has been selling great including now being available at Wal-Mart. If you see it snap and email me a pic to perrydj@aol.com .
I think I’ve covered much of what consumed my week. In addition development continues and I see even more films getting ready to roll! I’ve read script(s) (more still to read) and may play a few acting roles in other projects shooting at the year’s end. That is IF I can work the schedules. OK. Well off to more coffee and some breakfast. From there a wonderful day of getting things done at the homestead!
Have a great weekend!
DJ
“Green Goblin” and NEW “in associations” for CDI
The rain has been falling like crazy playing catch up for the poor crops here. The garden will surely drink all this up and we should have more harvest soon. We’ve been having a few tomatoes ripen here and there and so those are being enjoyed. We broke into the first bottle of the “Green Goblin” our fall harvest wine from last year made with green tomatoes and ginger root. It was a hit at our dinner party save for my mother. She’s picky – what can you say:) As I was told recently – at least I know where I get my brutal honesty.
I’m here to announce that CDI has entered into “an association” deal to develop and produce a feature film with local Lansing filmmaker Shane Hagedorn with his New House Entertainment. The working title is “Road to Eden” which may or may not remain – but we’ve been having all the foundation meetings to put key elements into play. This project will provide a chance for a mix of old CDI guard and new upcoming folks to work together. I will be producing and playing a role in the film. I was not expecting to dig on this one character as much as I did. Sometimes a character jumps off a page and right into your head. So we will be doing an official PR release this week but you heard it here first.
I also did a read on “Kinship of Death” the TV pilot to shoot after Thanksgiving and before Christmas in the Philippines. I was so surprised and really excited about bringing the character to life in that show. He is a cool antagonist and I think it will showcase a new side of me while also playing to my strengths. If network numbers are strong we will shoot an entire season early 2013. I hope to have some updates on “Darkest Night” here very soon for fans out there.
“Deadly Renovations” in 10 days – August 21st so get your copy on any of the various retail outlets. Blockbuster is one of the newest additions. I’m also hearing that an in-store signing will happen at THE HASTINGS video store in Yuma, AZ with director and producer. Here is a good interview I did last week that centers on “Deadly Renovations”.
Interview Link
“Locked in a Room” has isolated a distributor deal they like and are doing some back and forth to get all parties happy. It is a good company and will get a strong push. This will announce very soon so hang in there.
I’m hearing the wildly popular “Benjamin” has been invited to participate in another major festival – 29th annual LONG ISLAND FILM FESTIVAL. September 18, 2012 to September 29, 2012. Stay tuned….”7 Stones” is still in final post, “Donors” still in post – “Realizism” now in post – some good pics coming forth now. I still have had a little drama from certain members of that team but I’m trying to just write it off as just inexperience and leave it at that. These kids will find out that the world doesn’t owe them and everyone doesn’t always win. Things aren’t always followed by juice boxes, cookies and pats on the head. A few of them I will likely see on film sets, maybe even ours – but more than most will realize the harsh truth that few will work in this industry of ours.
I still have the new draft of “The Beast” to read and another Philippine script with an acting offer attached. I also have some work to do on “Road to Eden” pre-prod. so I think I will draw this to a close and get back to some work. Thank you one and all for sharing your morning with me.
DJ
Blockbuster Release and Business Updates!
What a solid week it was for business and such. I love my Saturdays sipping coffee and giving you all a peek into the life I lead. I’m often one for just staying focused on what I need to do and not engaging in too much outside back and forth. My last few blogs that centered on the film “Realizism” (the default title since director Mitch had his hands tied on that issue) whereas I was ASKED to point out things that I saw that could be improved upon. I’m happy to see from the high traffic that the words were heard. And if those words help one or two students move to the next level – great. Job done. If some read only what they want to read – and take their own skewed meaning – I can’t control that. Anyway – they wrapped principal photography and I think we put some professional work down on camera. They had a wrap party yesterday and I hope they do pat each other on the back but also look at where they could improve. I was told that my words of truth offended a few people. Well, we self evaluate every shoot and look at what we did right. Those things often become policy and what could be improved upon is noted without hurt feelings. These kids will be moving to the real world and I hope they are ready for a different set of challenges.
We’ve been in full speed ahead mode for distribution. “Deadly Renovations” is getting some good reviews and retail buyers are taking to the film. It releases August 21st and this week saw us get picked up for online/in-store buy with BLOCKBUSTER. We will be bringing you VOD information in the coming weeks.
“Locked in a Room” is in negotiations and I’m excited about the release being put together nationally on that film.
“Darkest Night” is negotiating US/domestic offers and working some foreign deals. In one of our meetings I was told of the wide South Korea release being put together. Also a Philippine theatrical where they are talking about me going there to promote the opening after Thanksgiving. While there I will be playing the bad guy in the TV pilot for KINSHIP OF DEATH. It is their AMERICAN HORROR STORY and it has a network time slot and if ratings are good we shoot the 1st season in early 2013. I also got the new script for “The Beast” which is the next GPI/CDI feature film.
A new CDI associated film has been in the works and next week we will have some announcements. I will be helping one of my peers produce and playing a role in a powerful story. I’ve already got some major interest in the soundtrack and have started distribution talks. This month is development, next month starts pre-prod and October should be our shoot month. We’ve started some initial cast and crew talks while we finalize our company deal. Stay TUNED!
I’ve also had a good amount of interest in me participating in upcoming film roles. I’ve had casting directors from the west coast in touch with me this week. I’ve also had some direct talks with directors and producers. Many options. What is meant to be will be. But it looks like I will stay in the USA for late Summer/Early Fall and end the year in the Philippines.
We do have some great development films that have been submitted to funding sources and we are awaiting word. So 2013 is being planned now. I look forward to bringing fans/audiences more stories. I wish each of you a great weekend. Enjoy!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 