New Projects & Licensing Deals

Hazelnut coffee is flowing on a chilly May morning. I’m going to blog out these couple thoughts and updates before going out and about this morning. It’s been a good week of business with the weather limiting yard work.  We’ve had our fair share of rain this week and that is helping our grass seed to grow nicely. I actually was in talks this week on a many new film projects and I will focus in on a few here soon.

I have before me multiple scripts –  WW2, an ancient period piece, a comedy, a western all circling me. I do need to pick one day to do some major reading. I announced last week that I have new management and already I’m working with her on approaching a few studio projects. These projects are directed by some big talents and it would be a true honor. A few of the scripts come from my independent brothers and sisters and so this week I will review, discuss and we’ll see what projects fit me best. I do have a one day pick up on “Bestseller” so soon I’ll be revisiting Mark Franklin for a day. We will start some initial planning on that next week. * TEASE: The trailer is getting close to release and I’m thinking June 1st:) You heard it here first.

There is a big meeting this Tuesday over a project I’ve optioned off. From the talks last week it is looking like it is going to happen and they were asking about me joining their producer team. They did their research and saw some of my acting/producing work. We will see this week how that all shakes out.

I do need to do more of an “open house” and see what gear and such is here locally. We do have a few short form projects on deck. By short form I mean music video and promotional videos. I’m looking for shooters with their own gear and so I will start to look at what a small local team would look like.

Yesterday we had an offer on one of the films come via a 3rd party distributor for China, which is one of the BIG emerging territories. I’ve known this distributor for a long time and they pay out but why their licenses are so darn low I’ll never know. I licensed the same film for much more to another territory. We will see what happens but China is also an option for us in the near future. Most recently “ASHES OF EDEN” was discussed as a possible.

Speaking of…”ASHES OF EDEN” is out to many distributors and we are still sending to more while we decide what the next moves are. We have some PR reviewers that are reviewing now. We  may show at a  few festivals, but licensing is my main focus. I had to preach some patience as it takes a while to seek and make the right deal. Many cannot even get a distribution deal but getting a deal that yields money is another task all together.

We are in talks with several territories and I’m excited to keep licensing, licensing, licensing!

OK. I need to hit the coffee well again and prepare for a nice day out and about.

I hope you all have a wonderful Saturday!

DJ