“ASHES” Wrap & Present & Future Film News
Again I sit in my cozy chair sipping the hazelnut coffee and pondering the past and future. I’m happy to say we brought “Ashes of Eden” in on schedule and within budget. I had barely wrapped when the holiday was upon us. I’ve been fighting to get my sleep patterns straight after a month of “battle”. I’m very happy with what I saw and I will go to battle with some of them again I’m sure. Next stop is post and distribution. There has been a lot of praise and such tossed about from the shoot but what I saw was film professionals acting like film professionals. It all starts with management and trickles down to keys and all the way to PA’s. (Product assistants) It was one of the smoothest film sets yet and that is dealing with cold and such. I wanted to really showcase Michigan on both sides of the camera. But that proof was also up to the artists to provide. I’ve worked with some amazing people in this industry and taking pride in the work is the key. As I get older I just have zero tolerance for dramatic conflict causing B.S.. I think the key is to isolate and not feed into it. It is also something you cut away on future endeavors. I tell people I’ve made friends in the industry but it stems from respect and hard work. This is not a popularity contest nor strut walk of artists. It is about the individual who can blend their art seamlessly with others. Conforming to a single directorial vision all within the confined parameters of budget. Overall I think we had a great group of artists – I look forward to working with many of them again.
In other film news…
– “Benjamin” had a great showing last Sat. at the Big Apple Festival in NYC to a sold out show.
– Also Eventity Entertainment will release “Deadly Renovations” into Scandinavia on VOD this 2013.
– I’m signing up TV deals on “Wicked Spring” and “Figure in the Forest” to release on Parables Network.
– “Darkest Night” will have a domestic release trailer in advance of its March 22nd release date for US/Canada.
– “Donors” is doing final pick ups before it comes over to MI for musical score.
– “Book of Ruth: Journey of Faith” can be watched on Netflix and is also now at Meijer’s 1500 stores. I’m also hearing Wal-Mart.
– “7 Stones” is to have a Michigan TV premiere in December. More info soon.
Now while we set up “ASHES” post I will start looking at what I’m going to do in 2013 as an actor, producer and with Collective Development Inc. www.cdiproductions.com Our website will need an end of the year update soon. Enjoy family and friends and set your goals for the year ahead! If you enjoy this blog feel free to share it with the artists in your circle.
Be true.
DJ
The Ship Into Port
Today will be the last day of our ASHES OF EDEN journey. It has been an incredible journey filled with one powerful performance after another. It has also been captured by a very talented crew. I’ve had my patience tried once or twice over minor issues but all those things fade. What we will be left with is a story that is a testimony to what we cast & crew did this last quarter of 2012. I was surrounded by some of my old warriors and new ones. We attacked each day riding on the enthusiasm from the day before. What is great is that now the holidays are upon us and we can all rest knowing a job well done. The post process will begin with editing and move into music and sound with my supervisor Dennis Therrian. This will be a great experience putting this story together.
The VOD (Video on Demand) sites for “Deadly Renovations” are starting to pop up. “Book of Ruth” in Meijer stores now and I think Wal-Mart also. Tonight is a big showing of “Benjamin” in NYC at the Big Apple Film Festival. I thought it was last week but that is because I was in some odd time warp and got my days mixed up. I’m excited for that whole team of artists that busted in the record NYC heat to capture that film. I wish I could be there with all of you but I know it will be well received.
The old FORT/office is sold. The new FORT office is built and most of the furnishings are there now just packed up. This week it will be about organizing everything. We are still doing the walls in a few places so that limits what can be placed but by 2013 it will be a fully functional Deathstar:)
I’m off to go prep the final payroll today and off to set to hand them out. After that I’m back to Ionia for the night to help breakdown and oversee the production breakdown. The ship will be in the port and it will be time to secure it and unload our precious cargo.
Have a great weekend!
DJ
Observations From the Captains Deck
It is funny the little life observations you note when you bring many artists together. We are just shy of two weeks in and I have to say the only issues we are truly having are food related. First as someone else noted – you would not work another job whereas you would be consuming calories constantly. Yes. Folks do make stops at a break rooms or maybe they even fudge with a donut or sweet here or there, but this is Man Versus Food stuff going on.
We have had two meals per day on this current film and a craft table that often has dips, 2 kinds of chili, chicken noodle soup and other various spreads. We’ve replaced our craft table once with a different person more organized to the task and pace. We’ve had extra dishes coming in from all sides yet still a few of the crew are not pleased. I will start by saying that those folks do seem to fit the Michigan profile. By that I mean overweight – yes we excel at that in this state. We seek to put protein, healthier calories and use a system of gift thermal cups and large jugs of water, lemonade, teas and such as well as coffee and hot teas. This is a green choice and one based upon the countless times that I’ve accounted for 3 sip bottles that get left, discarded and wasted. Also brand wise with soda or whatnot that we don’t provide – you will never please everyone. This is a small budget film being done in a professional manner. We have been discarding food since we improved on week two with the craft/catering. After seeing homeless in our own state and in other countries I’m really quite ashamed of these few individuals. We’ve negotiated good deals to allow this cast and crew to eat well. But, it doesn’t satisfy all of them. Give A want B – give B now want C – an unending game. I almost feel like giving them their few dollars for the day and be done with it. If I want fancy French Sparkling water and some exotic brand of smoked almonds and the craft table doesn’t have it – you go buy it. No Sun Chips and you must have them – buy it. Dr. Pepper addict – go buy it. A few of these crew guys have recently worked on in-state studio projects and told me how much these personal Michigan based projects mean to them. Yet, if this isn’t SCREAM 4’s craft table – complaints. WOW! I mean I’ve had a $900 dollar bottle of wine and $200 steak dinner where the cow must have been raised as a king to demand those prices. But I still love a good Michigan hot dog. I can eat Mac N Cheese without a complete system shut down. Now to remind you this isn’t diva talent. This is a few select crew guys and all in the same department. I can say that at CDI we don’t roll like that. Respect! It is also interesting to note that as the food portions increase the speed of the crew decreases. Just a truthful note. So as my LA friends say, if craft is your biggest issue – you are doing great. Man Vs. Food Vs. Productivity.
I hope those few continue to make it in the big game because that attitude is not welcome on either side of the camera. Nuff said:) On the other side of the coin I’ve seen many, many folks that I will be using again in the very near future on Michigan CDI projects. The footage we are getting looks amazing. We have distribution folks interested and this will be a solid story that shows some MADE IN MICHIGAN pride. IF any of those complaining people read this blog, note my professionalism in not calling you out by name. Put your feet back on the ground and be the great artist we brought in – without all the extra B.S. please. You can add all that lost weight back on over the holidays. Ho! Ho! Ho!
I think we have a handful of new films about to launch. Dean Teaster’s LONG ROAD HOME was in talks in Chicago this week on financing. We are supposed to do back to back biblical era films and speaking of…BOOK OF RUTH now in Meijer stores for Christmas. I’ve also heard that it is at Wal-Mart but have not seen it there yet.
I’m still being told “7 Stones” completed by years end but we will see. I have no control over that particular post process. I also saw a rough cut of “Realizism” and was quite happy. “Benjamin” is playing Big Apple Festival tonight in NYC at the Tribeca theaters. “Darkest Night” and “Deadly Renovations” working some foreign deals and “Locked in a Room” delivered to the distributor and should make its announcement soon. Post music deal is signed on “Donors” and that will get underway around the 1st of the new year.
I will have the old personal office officially closed on Monday. The new office has my stuff in it but all centered up as the walls are still being covered. It has been quite the journey. This year will soon come to a close and I will regroup for a great 2013. This was a good year so far with more ups than downs and so I can’t complain.
I had the French director Ian contact me about his film and I need to make some time for international communication which is usually on very off hours. I will Ian I promise:) Some great projects on the horizon. There has been talks of helping another friend produce some films and we’ve got our own associations so 2013 will be busy for sure. As for now I’m getting ready to work on pre-payroll stuff. There is just so much work that goes into this films especially if you don’t have Hollywood studio budgets to throw at the small things. All that doesn’t assure a good film as we all know. I just want one more week from this crew of giving their best and keeping their gripes to a minimal. I wonder if those few will give their mom’s, grandma’s, girlfriends and wives shit over not have enough Thanksgiving dinner to feed them despite an abundance of food. Note – I didn’t include any women in the whining:) Score for the ladies! Buck up! The ship docks in a week. This is a war ship not a cruise line with 24/7 buffet:)
Have a great weekend. Damn I’m hungry now. Karma:)
DJ
On the Open Sea…
The ship has moved powerfully through the open waters. The crew expertly navigates the winds and the ship glides forward towards the final destination. Leaders emerge and others stumble as the demands of the ship are met. Success comes from prep and planning – organizing and initiating battle plans. The rations have to be distributed and the wants are separated from the needs. It is a on-going thing day by day looking for strain on the ship. We are moving forward with keen eye on a date – sailing along – the sailor on the sea of fate.
So we have seen some amazing work on ASHES OF EDEN thus far. Next week starts the next 3rd of our film and introduces a whole slew of characters into our story. We also will start the week with our few kinks worked out.
“Deadly Renovations” is now sprouting up on VOD so if you have been waiting for ON DEMAND check it out now! “Darkest Night” announced March 22nd as the release date in US/Canada. ‘Locked in a Room” is delivered to our distributor there and we hope to have some release dates soon. A few TV licenses are underway and maybe a few more street dates on projects moving towards release. “Benjamin” playing festivals – overall great movement.
I’m excited on the actor level to bring my character in ASHES OF EDEN to life. I’ve been building him bit by bit and soon he will live on-screen.
Back to work here!
Happy Saturday,
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 