Wrap, Distribution & What’s Next…
Yesterday we wrapped yet another motion picture. The term “in the can” doesn’t apply any longer but “on the drives” or some term would. We rolled in here three weeks ago from Michigan and with the collaboration of many artists both sides of the camera we once again did what we do. We finished on budget, on schedule and with this particular film the distribution deal is signed. “40 Nights” will be distributed by Lightworx Entertainment. The faith-based company is operated by Randy Maricle, the former VP of Operations & Marketing at Pureflix. I got to know him over the last few years and I was impressed by how he helped push “Gods Not Dead” into the marketplace. We had a couple of offers on “40 Nights” and while Lightworx not only offered the best deal – they also sweetened the pot. They have entered into a deal for me to write and produce two additional biblical era movies. I think I already know what the second one will be and have a few ideas on the third. But one step at a time. This film will immediately move into post and we have an aggressive release schedule ahead. Our distributor made a trip to the set on one of our big market days and got to see all the extras at work plus the animals. It is the kind of film that both my grandma’s would have truly loved. I think this film will find its way into the hearts of many and be a favorite for years to come. It is EPIC. 
So now we wrap up the circus. We are having a wrap cook out today provided by the community who has been extremely supportive of our efforts. I think they saw the magic of what was happening. This film is the second I’ve had shot in this area and I think when it gets cold in the Michigan this might become a destination. I also saw a few great locations for our westerns. So I’m certain that we will be returning to film here in the future.
BESTSELLER music should be getting close to done. I can’t wait to return home to do a watch/listen through that film and get ready for our 1st showings in May. May also looks like it will be the month of the special WICKED SPRING showings in Grand Rapids, Michigan. May is also the National release of ASHES OF EDEN. This stretch into Summer is going to be busy with film releases and premieres. I also heard that DEAD QUIET is making its way through post production looking at fall showings.
We have a commercial project to shoot when I return and otherwise just overseeing all this film flow will be the focus. I also had a couple of acting offers present themselves. Right now I’m thinking about home, family and my own bed:) I’m also in negotiations to write a script for a company later this year so that is always fun. I like writing – just me and my coffee on the patio.
So that is the short recap. I’m very proud of the hard work by all our cast and crew here. Only a pair of longer days due to the desert sun which was our biggest monster. I think when we shoot here next time a month or two earlier will allow things to run even smoother.
Stay tuned for lots of more exciting updates in the weeks ahead!
DJ
New “40 Nights” Website and more…
For the first time in many moons I have missed my Saturday blog. We are filming “40 Nights” a biblical era drama in Yuma, AZ. It has been a wonderful shoot but also a taxing one to my body. Shooting up in the mountains on uneven ground wearing sandals. Temps that peak around 90 degrees mid day and lots of dialogue to put forth in character. I’ve been behind on PR releases that are prepared and ready to roll out. I’ve had day after day of great scenes working with friends old and new. Here is the new .com website for the film
http://www.40nightsthemovie.com
We will be announcing the distribution for this film very soon. We had multi companies wanting this movie and we settled on the deal we wanted. We’re excited about everything surrounding the project. The movie is slated for a 2015 release.
The post on BESTSELLER is finishing up for its May premiere. It looks as if we’re going to have additional ASHES OF EDEN theatrical showings in AZ before the national home video release in May.
Lots of new developments on releases and upcoming projects but I have to wait for the PR releases to fully announce. So I’m going to hop off here and jump onto those releases. One more week to go on this project with lots of talented artists participating.
Keep clawing your way to the middle:)
DJ
Updates from Yuma
It is a glorious sunny Saturday in Yuma, AZ. Last week our pre-production team on the upcoming feature film “40 Nights” flew in. Working with our Yuma based team we quickly got our departments underway. I’m so happy with how everyone has just been peacefully moving through their days doing what needs to get done. Morning meetings followed by work, work, work and post day meeting and meals. The people here have been so nice and we are getting huge support from the community. Once again I’m super proud to have the Collective Development Inc. name out there. Not only do we produce films in our home state but other states and countries.
Today secondary crew is starting to come in as we build towards the first day of principal photography. We had an amazing day of camera tests yesterday in the desert that yielding some amazing B Roll footage. I also got to see my character in full garb existing in the world we are creating. Budgetary reasons had us bringing in some keys and also using some west coast production folks. New family joins with the old family and as I said prior – making me proud.
Also the same goes for talent. Today Mr. Rance Howard came in with his wife. It has been a few years since I worked with Rance and it was a pleasure. We had a nice lunch and we’re running lines for a few before he has a wardrobe fitting.
I have many old friends coming in with the cast and I’m looking forward to meeting a few new artists. The last week flew by and I’m sure with me working every day these two weeks of shooting will also fly by. We will also have some exciting news in regards to distribution very soon. We had multiple parties interested in this film. I’m sure audiences will enjoy it. Also official .com website going up this weekend.
The new WICKED SPRING website is also up now. http://www.wickedspringfilm.com
ASHES OF EDEN and DONORS will be having more announcements as they move towards release.
BESTSELLER composing has begun and the 5.1 mix is complete. Color correction is 95% done and the FX have all been completed. May premiere!
Speaking of FX the work on WASTELAND our Sci-Fi is also completed and that film should finish up this month.
THE TERRORIST is completed and I’m hearing great stuff about that film and so I’m excited to see the final version.
I know I’m missing a few things but I have to get ready for my read so I will say goodbye for now.
Happy Saturday!
DJ
ACTOR ADVICE, ARIZONA BOUND & OTHER
I’m enjoying my second coffee indulgences of the day. I’m almost packed for my trek into the world of “40 Nights”. The pre-production crew is heading in to finalize locations and get the ship ready to set sail. I’m excited to go tell this story and return home in time to see spring enter. We are all anxious in Michigan for warmth to return. We all love the yard, gardening and landscape fun tooling about on weekends. The animals also miss being outside for long, lazy days. I plan to bring the warmth back to Michigan with me.
This week I’ve been so happy as the team prepared what was needed to be done in advance of our arrival. We’ve got 99% of the cast and crew in place. Michigan will be represented heavily. While I love shooting in our state you have to be loyal to your story. We’re going to once again go do what we do as artists- tell stories in moving pictures. I can’t recall if I shared this last blog or not but I found myself pondering this next role. While many of my characters were created in the minds of a writer(s), this next role is based upon an known person. His doings are as disputed and varied in descriptions as many known figures. Think George Washington, Gangis Khan or Buddha. But whenever people have a set idea in their mind’s eye you always run the risk of going against that grain. I just sat that all aside and I’ve given into the script, the story, the role and the words. I think as an actor, that is all you can ever do.
I’m the first to point out that EVERY film I’ve done has had some negative critics. A sizable portion of that feedback can be jealous actors, writers, producers, filmmakers, old associates, people who don’t like your face or someone you failed to hire. Or just maybe they sincerely didn’t connect with a film or character. I’m still always amazed at what lengths some people will go to bash a performance or a film. I think EVERY film has audience members who just didn’t like it. But someone who writes extensively about it often has other issues at play.
EXAMPLE: Sorry Will:)
I watched (I use that term loosely) ANCHORMAN 2 recently and my point – I didn’t take a half hour plus of my life to write a thesis on how bad a film it was. To be fair – I like some of Will’s movies (Step Brothers, Talladega Nights) but that sequel seemed to be a “cash in” on the original. Well…they got my money:) The long-short is that I’ve never really concerned myself with what people think. I’ve always just done my thing the best I can and let it go. This role made me pause because of others excitement and expectations. But I say that at the end of the day – same method. “Be the Ball Danny! Be the Ball!”
So I’m a person that loves to be ultra prepared. I always feel I owe that to be fellow cast and crew. We have about 80% of the business done. We’ll have almost all the other business prep done in the first couple of days of on-location pre-production. From there much of my duties are to study lines (Several of them) and get tan. What?
I’m not much of a “get a tan” type anymore but it does fits the role. So perhaps I will soak up the Vitamin D and work on more line prep. As talent I work every day on this one. It’s been a short while since I’ve been 1st billed and had to do the bulk of the scenes. I’m been a happy co-star to let other actors do the heavy lifting for a change in terms of scenes, lines and days. Well, rest time is over. I’m back to the front line but I’m good. I love this stuff. It’s just like when as kids we would recreate our favorites TV and movie scenes. The difference now is that my scene comes from our script. We’re shooting in supremely beautiful locations and I’m have fun with friends old and new. Bottom line – I’m ready.
Other great developments.
WASTELAND is about done with the edit. Music is being considered although we may score it in Michigan. I saw a peek at some FX work. Overall – very good stuff. David Gries as a bad ass – he’s that good. I have always seen him friendly and smiling. Little did I know what was just under the surface. The small teaser released a week or so back doesn’t do the film full justice. I think the finished film will be playing festivals this fall.
BESTSELLER – Color correction is happening as we speak. The FX are all laid in. Dennis Therrian just did a complete system upgrade for this film and the ones ahead. Yes. He will be doing sound design and score on “40 Nights” so excited to have the upgrades. Stay tune for details about the May media and public premieres.
I’m waiting to hear how test screenings of THE TERRORIST went. That film has been polished up and I’m happy that it’s finally going to roll out to audiences.
DEAD QUIET is supposed to reveal a trailer at some point. I only worked it a few days but enjoyed working with those folks. I’m curious to see how that all turns out.
We’re also going to have a film marketing summit over WICKED SPRING, ASHES OF EDEN and DONORS with our distributor while out west. They release May, June and July with rapid fire release dates. The last time I had a trifecta release like this was AN ORDINARY KILLER, JUDGES and The 8th PLAGUE I do believe. I’m ready to get these films out to the fans. Thank you out there for all the emails, messages and notes of encouragement and anticipation. I encourage fans of one film to cross over and see the art of the other artists I’ve worked with. I’ve got a large film family.
TV and foreign sales continue and we’ll be seeing some new announcements soon. I can also say the same about theatrical. We’ll have updates on that front likely starting with a May showing of WICKED SPRING (Civil War film) in Grand Rapids and perhaps Lansing. We’ll also be working on dates for BESTSELLER theatrically in June/July.
When I return from out west we’ll get “40 Nights” into post. I do have a CDI commercial job we’re overseeing. Yes. We do take on larger commercial projects. Additionally, I have an offer on a script writing project coming. I’m also finishing up two personal scripts one of which IS “Knight Chills 2” the follow-up to our 1st role-playing film (Dungeons & Dragons like) we shot back in the late 90’s.
The back half of the year I would enjoy acting in one studio film and maybe do a guest spot or two on TV shows I like. My management has been working down that path and things are moving into alignment. I’m going to close this down as I still have packing and want to spend some family time. By next week we should have even more new exciting announcements from on-location. Maybe a distributor announcement on “40 Nights” ??? Maybe 🙂
Have a great weekend everyone and keep clawing at those dreams.
DJ
One of the locations for the upcoming CDI feature “40 Nights”
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 