Chilly Chill After a VERY Busy Week!
The chill is on in the Michigan! Today is another fall festival day with family over for food and watching the MSU game before a fire outside. Yesterday we harvested the huge amount of green tomatoes from the garden. We’re going to follow our peach wine with green tomato wine. Yes. You heard that right. I also plan to explore the various dishes one can make with them. Our little puppy Luke is gaining in size and is now more or less potty trained with him now able to climb down steps. Yesterday for the 1st time he took himself outside with neither of our other two dogs with him. He is well-adjusted to the home and is also the color of my hazelnut coffee with cream:)
Okay onto the film updates. I was a little bummed at first that I might have to be in flight to the Philippines on Halloween. I love the fall and such but realized it’s time to get back to film work. The work on this mission is seeing old friends, networking and doing PR news conferences/press leading up to our Asian premiere of “Darkest Night”. I spoke to the film editor yesterday via IM and he was saying how spooky the film plays. I’ve got no doubts that the film will bring a little fun/terror into the lives of audiences.
On the downside it looks as if I will miss the 1st festival showing of “7 Stones” at the Michigan Film Festival also in November. I’m not sure when “Benjamin” and “Locked in a Room” will show but I hope to be able to attend the premieres of these two fine films. The cast and crew of “Locked in a Room” are having a Halloween party but I will be unable to attend again due to my return trip to Manila.
New “Outside the Wire” screenings are being set up and we’re collecting interest from distributors. On this same topic we’ve just about got all the fine tuning of the “Renovation” deal done. I was swamped this week and so it took me a day or two longer to get my notes over. (Sorry Charles) Also another large deal might be looming for Collective Development Inc. in regards to distribution of existing product and launching new product. I’ve been working with my LA attorney to put this in order so I hope it comes to pass.
This week we announced that horror icon Tom Savini, has given his interest in the film “Secondary Heroes”. This is a horror/comedy that CDI is producing with director Stuart MacDonald at the helm. Several projects are in development talks and we’re looking for those final pieces of the financial puzzle. (Aren’t we all) I think this end of the year will really help move many things forward. I’m also clearing many projects off my plate of post prod and into distribution so that will free up some time.
I need to take a meeting next week with B4Tyme over the “Jesus” project “IN OUR TIME”. This will follow another film of theirs in the Spring centered on the historic figure of Madam CJ Walker. Ray N. and I who produced “Book of Ruth” have a pair of new biblical dramas that are slowly coming together with interest from the distributors. I’m also in negotiation talks as the lead in a sleek, trippy ROCK N ROLL script that shoots in the Spring. I just had an LA buddy send me another script to read for acting that also shoots in the Spring. Add the Philippine follow-up “Shadow of Death” as a Spring/Early Summer shoot and all in all – it will be a busy 2012 ahead!
I’m just blessed that the work keeps coming and I can make a living doing what I love. It was VERY hard in the beginning but believe in yourself and work honestly and diligently.
Have a wonderful weekend!
DJ
Harvest the Day!
Hello artists,
Another beautiful fall day in Michigan and after a long week of phone calls, emails, contract reviews, script reviews and premiere prep. Tonight we’re having the hometown Lansing showings of our humanitarian/military doc “Outside the Wire” which centers on efforts being done to help and assist the children over there. They will be the future and while the radical views of many adults may never change – children will become the new torch bearers. So I will be attending the 8:00 pm Riverwalk showing tonight to shake some hands and watch many people gain new insight to this important issue. There are also two showings on Sunday at 2:00 and 4:30 and tickets are $10.00. I do believe that includes an afterglow tonight of wine and cheese.
As stated above I will be there tonight but tomorrow I will not as we’ve advanced to the next round of our soccer league playoffs. I’m excited to see how we do. We’ve been playing good as a team and if we win that will take us farther than we’ve gone before in the playoffs. So here is to wishing Michigan State, Det. Lions and our team Ballsy Ballyhoo victory!
We had some announcements this week including the article on “Soul Eater” the prequel to “The 8th Plague”. We also have more updates coming on “Secondary Heroes”. The poster for “Benjamin” was released and can be seen on IMDB. The premiere should be this Fall. We’ve started discussions about my return to the Philippines to do my PR campaign there for “Darkest Night”. I’ve got the premiere followed by development meetings on our other CDI/GPI slate and to talk with a few agents about commercial representation. “7 Stones” is doing final pick ups next week and I’m trying to find info on “Locked in a Room” progress.
A deal on “Renovation” is close at hand as paperwork is being reviewed. If you’ve missed that site/trailer see http://www.renovationthemovie.com
I’ll wrap this up as I’ve got a busy day ahead of me. This is a beautiful time in the turning of the wheel. I’ve got peach wine in the 2ndary fermentation and it is going great! Have been harvesting tomatoes from the garden, burning leaves, shooting archery and spending some time with family and friends at the end of long days. I hope you all do the same and balance your business with quality time.
Enjoy the day!
DJ
HEE HAW HOTNESS, LANSING PREMIERE and PHILIPPINE UPDATE!
A great week of personal and business woven into a fabric of clear thought and imaginative actions. Let me see if I can touch on a few topics for the week.
WAIT! Need a quick coffee refill:) DONE. OK. Back to business –
On the development front –
We announced the Spring “Secondary Heroes” project with director Stuart MacDonald, a CDI alum and all around talented guy. We will be announcing some of the 1st cast this coming week. We are doing our internal casting 1st and will be holding an actual casting call for reels and some in-person reading. This will happen likely in Adrian Michigan this year. I will put this out that the script does require a beautiful set of triplets. So we either have to find talented and beautiful triplets OR cast three alike looking girls. Where is Hugh Hefner when I need him? These are not throw away roles and are actually the female leads of the film in a round-a-bout sort of way so they must also be strong actresses. These girls must have that farm-girl HEE HAW hotness. Okay, if you don’t know HEE HAW I’m showing my age:) So get those reels together.
The second announcement was the formal release stating that I had acquired the rights to make a prequel film for “The 8th Plague” entitled “Soul Eater”. We’ve already got distributor interest but I continue to work the deal. I will be returning to the origins of my Mason character the prison guard who was recently beat out of a deputy job by his former guard buddy Buck. Buck was and will be played by the talented Terry Jernigan. We’ve also added Nadia Dawn as a mysterious and sexy lawyer defending a vicious and demented cult leader. Nitsin who originally played the cult leader wickedly is focusing of his directing and so we will be doing a new search for an Indian (Not Native American) cult leader. Not sure of dates just looking at cast, location and such while dealing with distributors.
Pick up shots on “7 Stones” have been going great and I saw some peek footage and it looks GOOD! Great job to that entire team. Melissa the film’s lead continues as the focus leading lady on Pepper’s DJ Perry fan site. It still feels funny saying that but I do appreciate and love all you fans out there. I’m all your fans:)
We’ve got paperwork coming over for worldwide distribution on “Renovation” http://www.renovationthemovie.com and once signed we can talk more about this. We look to be in agreement on most deal points but we might have a slight bit of back-and-forth. That said, the interest and offer is there and we’ve negotiated certain points so far and so audiences will get to see this film brought to them.
Also this week brought additional interest in the doc film “Outside the Wire” for worldwide rights. We’ll be all sitting down and talking that deal over but other pending offers are also in the works. This powerful film will be playing two days in Lansing, MI Sept 24th @ 8pm and Sept 25th @ 2:00 and 4:30. Tickets are $10 with some of the proceeds going to Riverwalk Theater and The Wounded Warrior Project.
Order online at www.riverwalktheatre.com
by phone at 517-482-5700 or purchase one hour before
each screening at the Riverwalk box office,
228 Museum Drive, Lansing, Mich.
This week had me burning up the phone lines with distributors and development folks. It will be a crazy 4th quarter with releases. The 4th quarter will also be filled with premieres. Marketing on “BENJAMIN” the NYC film I co-starred in, is about to be released. “Darkest Night” is moving towards the finish-line and my producing partner on that project Russ Williams, was in from the Philippines to take meetings in CA. They have started to look at my possible dates for a return trip there for the National premiere. That is a lot of press junket stuff plus meetings on the CDI/GPI slate that includes “Shadow of Death” and “Pandemonium”. I also may talk to a few commercial agents after being approached about the possibility of doing a few campaigns. Anyone who knows me can attest I’m not a big commercial actor person. Probably because before my feature career kicked in I was stuck doing some goofy commercials. But the payday they were talking about makes me say, “Give me that juice bottle or cup of coffee!” Hey! I want to get a greenhouse:)
I know I missed a few updates but you get the idea of the week I had. That said, with the beauty of the bluetooth many of my business calls are done while I walk the garden or such. I feel a great balance between my work and self. Early in my career I was very workaholic in nature but I prefer a better organized use of my time. The two sides feed each other and you don’t want to ignore your personal because it is like the saying, enjoy the journey. It is not always about a destination especially at the loss of important relationships.
Today MSU plays and I hope they win. Tomorrow is the first round of our soccer teams playoff’s. We finished 1st in our division and now start playing the 2nd division and see what happens. We’ve had injuries and such like everyone else but who knows maybe this could be the year. If not it was again a year of great fitness training and time with my soccer amigos.
Enjoy your weekend!
DJ
Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment!
The end of a good week as I sit watching our Nation remember the terrible acts committed those many years ago. I remember I was having one of my mornings of calm and peace until Dean Teaster called me and asked if I was watch the news. The 1st plane had hit and I watched the second plane and all the following events. I cannot image losing a loved one in such a manner. In my daily praise of life I try to appreciate the small things and the big people in my life. This weekend saw the start of a new batch of peach wine and next month is hard cider time again. Also a week with a new member of the pack with our little “Luke” a poop machine of a puppy who has brought many smiles into the house as well as a few other surprises.
I will try to give a few entertainment updates to you fine folks –
We announced the CDI feature film “Secondary Heroes” to be directed by our dear friend Stuart MacDonald in Spring 2012 in Adrian Michigan.
A few pick up shots on “7 Stones” as post in full speed ahead.
Great talks with our partners in the Philippines and “Darkest Night” is coming along great. The new website again is http://www.darkestnightmovie.com
The Lansing showings of our powerful documentary “Outside the Wire” directed by Anthony Hornus are listed below – I’m planning attending the Sat. showing and would love to see some of you come out and support it.
Sat – Sept 24th @ 8:00 pm and Sunday Sept 25th @ 2:00 and 4:30 pm at Riverwalk Theater – Downtown Lansing – 228 Museum Dr. 517-482-5700 tickets $10.00 with some proceeds to Riverwalk Theater and The Wounded Warrior project.
On “Renovation” http://www.renovationthemovie.com we are working out details on foreign sales but are pretty much set on the theatrical and domestic aspects of the deal. I wanted to do a full announcement but I still want to wait. I will say we are looking at a limited release in Dec./Jan. and a domestic release in March 2012. I’m excited that this 1st feature will be getting out there to audiences soon!
September 20th is the release date for “Savage” a bigfoot script I initially penned after stories by my Uncle Jerry Jones and the various readings I’ve done over my lifetime. It is out in the UK and will also play here on CHILLER TV. So tune it to watch both “SAVAGE” and “GPS” on that network.
We’ve got a new featured leading lady on the Texas fan site ran by Pepper. My “7 Stones” co-star Melissa Anschutz.
http://www.djperryfanclub.com/MJ.html
More releases on projects to hit this week.
I gotta get ready for our last regular season soccer match before playoffs. We’ve been on a winning streak but we’ve had a week off with the past holiday. That said it is not boiling hot so it will be good for running.
Enjoy the day. Enjoy the moment!
DJ
Casting, Candles, Costa Rica & CDI
It has been beautiful days here in Michigan. The garden is about to explode into ripe tomato heaven. I had a wonderful tour this past week of the Detroit Masonic Temple and I want to thank John for our tour. I’ve not seen such amazing work since our VIP tour of the Biltmore Estate in N.C.. It was another week of taking little steps on many fronts. Meanwhile Mother Nature is raging with an eastern earthquake and now Hurricane Irene. To any and all of my friends and fans in the wake of these incidents I pray for your safety. Now onto the updates!
The “Leading Lady” page at http://www.djperryfanclub.com ran by Pepper and her Texas friends is featuring my onscreen wife-to-be from “Darkest Night” the talented Anne Gauthier.
http://www.djperryfanclub.com/Gaut.html
Next up will be my Leading Lady from “7 Stones” so STAY TUNED:)
I’m told that rough cuts on both “7 Stones” and “Darkest Night” are done. Tweaking and FX work will begin on both films. “Locked in a Room” is sprinting towards the finish line. I’m also very excited about the development projects moving down the line. “Renovation” and “Benjamin” are completed and deal talks underway. We lastly announced a large slate of my films coming out with NEW VIDEO either on DVD/Blue Ray or both at year’s end. They will make great Xmas presents:)
Also bio updates and such underway as the almost forgotten “Supermodel Showdown Costa Rica” makes prep for a winter release on TV. I’m told it has become eight TV shows and will be available in S. America, Mexico, US and I for one am excited to see it. My aging memory has already forgotten certain things that I’m sure the show will reveal. I hope to have many more updates.
I want to introduce my Zen fans out there to Candleberry brand candles. They provided some stock for “Resurrection” in Las Vegas and are now a personal and CDI/sponsor.
They are EASY for me to endorse because they smell great! From fall scent to holiday hoopla, I’m gonna be getting my candle-zen with Candle Berry and suggest you do too.
I will make one new announcement – I/CDI now have the signed rights to make “Soul Eater” which is a stand alone/prequel to the down and dirty “The 8th Plague”. If you haven’t seen that film this Halloween season would be perfect for a watch. Beware! The Evil may get in your eyes! “GPS” continues to play on Chiller TV and I need an exact date but “Blood Ties” Blue Ray is releasing right after Halloween I’m told. I sense ghosts and goblins amassing for a fall scare:)
We will also be making some announcements on “Secondary Heroes” a comedic/horror film. I will hint that a casting call could be in the near future. Watch the CDI site http://www.cdiproductions.com for the announcements.
To all my friends and fans in the path of Irene be smart, be safe and be good to your neighbors who may need your help. My thoughts are with you.
DJ
Gunga galunga… gunga, gunga-lagunga
Here we are again sharing a few weekend moments on this blog journey. The coffee is nice of hot and my thoughts drift to an unusual make up soccer match later today. We tied a game we should have won last week. Still, to come out without any lasting injury and enjoying the benefits of an hour and a half of running is always good. I’ve introduced my brother and some friends to the awesomeness that is Battlestar Galatica. If you like SciFi and have not seen this series you should. I thank filmmaker Nathan Quinn for getting me hooked up on some BSG. So say we all:)
Let’s start with “Renovation” http://www.renovationthemovie.com this fine action and suspense filled movie has been the source of some ongoing negotiations for distribution. We’ve got a deal in principle for worldwide rights. We’re still back and forth on a few finer points but we might very well be announcing a deal next week. IF this deal works out we would see it out to you fine audiences in March 2012 after a limited theatrical release in certain areas. We’ve already had interest from a few foreign territories including the Philippines. Also there is talk of putting “RENOVATION” in the theaters behind “Darkest Night”.
Let’s move our attention to “DN” (Darkest Night) and a Happy Birthday to GPI owner and producer/screenwriter Russ Williams.
http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/46468/darkest-night-website-now-open-new-stills-and-official-poster
The announcement of the NEW very cool website has been launched. This site actually explores the real story behind this film. It explores the history and lays out some of the more exciting events that took place while shooting. SOMETHING else lives in that location where we shot and it made itself known a few times. Read up if you would like the true stories of the unknown. The premiere should be at CineManila Film Festival if all goes according to plan. Post continues.
“7 Stones” I hear almost has a rough cut and look for a November Michigan Film Festival premiere. “Locked in a Room” has got to be moving towards a close. I’m excited to see the final “Benjamin” once they get that all set up. Director Jon Osman is off recovering somewhere in Asia.
Development – we have many projects moving slowly coming together. I watched the making of “Dances with Wolves” and was thriller to see all the financing and production issues they had. It really made me realize again that these are normal issues for our industry. A domestic studio is looking at “Holly, Jingles and Clyde” and Monday they will meet with our foreign rep. I hope that we might actually get to make that charming film. PR with Ashley Tisdale has been all over the place and her manager Bill said they really like the script. That is because it is a wonderful little script and so I hope it finds it’s legs. Pieces are moving on all our developing properties but let’s look at releases!
This 4th quarter will be an exciting time. We had a change in distributors last year on the run up for release with E1 Ent. and now these projects have been reset with New Video. This distributor is well known for the DVD releases of several popular cable shows and docs. We’re proud to be releasing with them and I want to thank Cecil Chambers for his hard work here.
On December 6th we will see the release of “An Ordinary Killer,” “Figure in the Forest” and “Judges”. On December 13th we will see “Heaven’s Neighbors” release. I’m also told that “Blood Ties” will release in November likely kissed up to Halloween. I have more talks on “The Patchwork Girl of Oz” on Tuesday but I’m hoping that we can get it out in December in time for Xmas. So that makes five maybe six films at this years end. That should give most of you watching material for a while. A few have had a previous release and so this marks either a blue ray or special edition release. I know we are all excited about the first release of FIGURE, HEAVEN’S and OZ!
OK. It was a busy week of phone calls and emails over these projects. Now I’m gonna get around and do some yard work before the game tonight. I’ll leave you with these words.
“Gunga galunga… gunga, gunga-lagunga”
Work with the pack. Trust in the pack. Defend and Attack!
Awoke to a peaceful, beautiful rain. The garden is starting to put forth what will become the harvest. The seeds went in late because of how wet of a spring we had. I love the cool weather we’ve had the last week. It put me in mind of hard cider and hay rides. I had two soccer matches pretty much back to back since one was a make up game. Two hard-fought victories that sent a few folks to the hospital for stitches. Sports are a great meditation and allows the mind to run like a captive animal let go. The action of the moment doesn’t allow second thoughts. It doesn’t allow time for insecurities, self-doubt, questioning, analyzing, line items, cost control – REPLACED BY – Work with the pack. Trust in the pack. Defend and Attack!
Simple – direct – instincts leading! I enjoy activity like this that feeds the inner fire.
Focus, intensity and reacting in the moment. Sounds like another craft – like acting. In some of those intense onscreen moments you cannot get caught thinking. Real people in certain charged situations are just acting, not acting like as in…”I’m a tree” but as in ACTION, driven by emotion. I know after a good rant onscreen I can’t remember anything I was really saying. It was just coming deep from a place of fire.
Fire can provoke fear, comfort, warmth and a death. I think the lesson is BE THE REAL YOU! UNIQUELY YOU! You fuel the fire that ignites the imagination and birth’s fictional onscreen characters. In the great words of wisdom spoken forth to the world by Guru Butthead – “Ah…that’s pretty cool!”
I’ve refused to live my life by the up’s and down’s of the stock market or the endless loop of gloom and doom on CNN. I love news but many of our problems are not really problems. They are a stone in our tire. An annoying squeak of a shopping cart-wheel. My point is that many are born into conditions not even close to what the homeless here can receive. Yes. They might have to get an earful of some practicing preacher but it is not staving in a refuge camp.
Okay. Speaking of the homeless. I had an idea. What if those willing joined an organization like the Peace Corps. reinforced by some Federal spending normally put forth to help a country in need. The potentially amazing work force of homeless could literally make a clean start. A modest pay and costs that are severely offset because of costs in other countries. We get to help our own and help the country while keeping some control on proper spending. And lastly, find me a group of people more suited to such acts of compassion than folks who had previous lived hardship. But, not as hard as others around the world. I see a great chance to set up change in programs like that.
HARD TURN PORT!
Okay blood and horror fans! I’m so wanting to give you some exciting updates on RENOVATION but a bit more time is needed. I’m excited by this film and think audiences will dig it. JEKYLL & HYDE is my only hint or tease.
DARKEST NIGHT the VERY scary Philippine horror film has a GREAT interactive website at http://www.darkestnightmovie.com/
This film is the first of a slate of GPI/CDI collaborations.
LOCKED IN A ROOM is moving towards a close and I think that film will shake a few major scares out of folks.
I could go on more about the films but the week was filled with small steps. I have cultivated immense patience in this industry. Many journey’s require many, many steps and if you cannot be patient stress and frustration will be your life. That said, patience comes once you’ve done your required tasks. I know I always bring it back to an actor friend who is unhappy with the work offers and in almost every situation their materials are not together. Acting reel? Yeah. I gotta finish that up. So instead of fixing a problem you waste time lamenting the outcome of a situation you are directly accountable for. I’ve been guilty before. Yes. I gave myself the first lecture:)
People who know me know not to ask me a question unless you want my often blunt response. That is a good trait when it comes with a reasoning behind it versus just a feeling. Those same good instincts we discussed earlier can twist around if marinated in negativity too long. Honest communication is part of our company’s strength at CDI. Our folks are not a bunch of YES MEN. I’ve disagreed at different times with almost everyone. It is how we deal with differing viewpoints. We talk it out and see who has a truly BETTER WAY vs a DIFFERENT WAY. There is no way of telling which path – or a mixture of the two paths would make the best solution. I know many production companies out there with communication issues. It is a real test to see how many companies gel for the long haul.
In true tribal fashion when a direction is decided upon, mutual respect will motivate them together. This support is despite the understanding that someone has accountability tasking and might have to make a final decision that may differ from someone else’s opinion. If you’ve never worn that coat of accountability I would suggest wearing it a few times. It might create better understanding between task groups. In film, this is ABOVE THE LINE and BELOW THE LINE but at day’s end they’re all there to TOW THE LINE and make a movie!
No. I’m not going to bust into “walking a mile in someone’s moccasins”:)
I enjoyed these few moments with all of you. The coffee is gone and so it is time to move on with my day.
Have a great Saturday.
DJ
The Next Corner – What Lies Ahead?
The morning birds singing and my coffee is soothing my thoughts. It was a busy week readjusting back into the home life. I caught up with some family and friends and also had time to get up to speed on some business.
“Darkest Night” will launch its Official interactive website Weds which will be the start of the build up towards the premiere and release and years end. I’m still waiting for my Magnifico coffee sponsorship to kick in:) Also one of my co-stars Jill Palencia is the featured leading lady. Many more on deck so stay tuned:)
http://www.djperryfanclub.com/Jill.html
I’m in the “come down” phase from “7 Stones” which was a great shoot. Fans of intensity, action and drama will enjoy this film. Here is an official site to keep up with that project. A few of the news stories are also embedded there.
http://www.3rdcoastfilm.com/index-4.html
We should have some exciting updates for you soon on “Renovation” that has been in talks with various companies. Talks will continue this week but I will tease that the announcement could include information on the follow-up sequel.
“Benjamin” that we shot in NYC is done and the marketing campaign and distribution talks will now begin. “Locked in a Room” should be finishing up here possibly within the month. New screening dates for “Outside the Wire” forthcoming including a Lansing, Michigan showing! I’m being told Feb/March 2012 time frame of the historic epic “Madam CJ Walker” and “In Our Time” goes to camera in the Fall 2012. Many new updates on these two projects and I’ll release those updates as soon as I’m able to. Great distribution studio attached and I’m excited to be part of these two films.
I’m waiting on dates for “Love Letters in the Sand” pushed a tad because of a change in locations. Also looking to see what film will be the focus for the end of the year. I will just keep on my path of hard work and see where it leads.
I hope you all are able to beat the heat. I have yet another soccer match in the heat today but I still love it. I hope everyone had a relaxing and/or productive weekend. I appreciate the interest you all have in this blog. I hope it does inspire some of you to dig a little deeper. You never know what lies around the next corner:) Be brave and follow your path. It was meant for you.
DJ
Real Sets & Wrap on “7 Stones”
A readjustment to real life after a week of hotel living, or at least when I wasn’t spending the long hours on our prison set. I’m speaking of “7 Stones” and the wonderful experience I had telling that powerful story. Written and directed by Tom Norton and produced by a team led by Girbe Eefsting. I was completely blown away by a set that reminded me of “The Well of Souls” in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK or some dungeon from MAN IN THE IRON MASK. My thoughts are this…
While CGI does free the filmmaker to create in-computer all these worlds I can honestly state that performing inside a room of just curtain green screen cannot and will not create the same environment to pretend in. I love the story of on GOONIES they didn’t show the kids the pirate ship into they rolled cameras and dropped them into the water. The reaction was REAL! A breathtaking pirate ship of One Eye Willie. As a producer, I have and will use green screen but whenever possible I think that actual sets should be used. I think when just the world becomes the focus and not the actors, storytelling will suffer. So I really had a strong appreciation for the playground created.
I once again was blessed with amazing co-stars In Melissa Anshultz, Dax Spanogle, Burt Johnson, Michael Swain, Justin Kilduff and of course Hershey. Thank you for making it so easy. The CREW! I met some remarkable artists and I hope this film will be the beginning of several stories told together. I think the work is some of the best drama I’ve done in a while. This is due to the material which in this case was a severe character study in the human spirit.
I’m so excited that another great story has moved into post. BENJAMIN is done now and I’m told LOCKED IN A ROOM is right behind it.
NEW “Outside the Wire” screenings will be shown throughout the year and I do recommend that everyone watches this enlightening film. Tony Hornus really found his calling with this project and many orphaned children will benefit. Again a great study in the human spirit!
“Renovation” has a few offers and we plan to make a few moves and announce something in the weeks ahead. I’m excited to get this thriller out to audiences who I believe will really enjoy it.
There is so much happening on the developing slate that I can’t type it all here. The Philippine GPI/CDI slate is forming up with “Shadow of Death” being next for Spring 2012. I will have new updates soon on “In Our Time” and “Madam CJ Walker” two highly anticipated films from B4Tyme with me playing Jesus in one of them. These two projects will mark my move into US theatrical should the upcoming films in post only make it to TV/home video level. I’m excited to get to that next level because I’ve worked with many fine directors/production groups whose work deserves to be on the big stage.
I’m pressing for the 4th Quarter release dates on our NEW VIDEO titles and so a little more patience and I will get those around.
Tomorrow I have an entire day of PR in Grand Rapids with TV, radio and print for “7 Stones”. I’m happy that my long unkept nails and beard are again gone. Not the best facial adornment in 90 degree heat. Here are a few sites associated with the film. They have links to many previous news stories…ENJOY!
“7 Stones” Facebook site
http://www.facebook.com/pages/7-Stones/195785083801954?ref=ts
“7 Stones” website
I hope that all of you out there are working towards your goals. Remember it is not a destination but the journey. Enjoy the ride!
DJ
The Quiet Moment
My mornings are very peaceful. They usually start with coffee and quiet moments reading or prepping for the day ahead. Watering of the garden and the newly planted redwood tree given to me by my brother has become ritual. I go over a mental checklist here shortly before heading off to set. A nice change is allowing me to drive to my hotel and being only an hour from my home. I tell the pets that daddy has to go to work. They don’t truly understand but will eagerly await for me to be done with this movie stuff. To them I’m provider, playmaker and snuggler – not a movie actor. Anytime I think about the time I take to go off to shoot a film my feelings are offset by thinking of military families. They send loved ones off for long periods of time and they are truly in danger unlike the smiling actors who can pretend to abuse me onscreen and on CUT go to craft service for a snack.
That said, I’m working with many new cast and crew members who obviously share a passion like my own. I’m filming “7 Stones” an action/drama where I play a political prisoner. I accidentally scratch myself several times a day and this wild man beard has been less than ideal in this heat. Anyway, “Joseph” is with me and I’ve been living with him for a month or two since leaving “Ken” in the Philippines. Time to let “Joseph” do his thing onscreen. It is a deeply moving and thought-provoking role and I feel honored to have the part. So I leave my quiet moments here to go join the circus. Press interviews, stunts, drama, late nights and laughter:) Let’s do it!
On other fronts – I’m told “BENJAMIN” that I shot in NYC is complete and they have a private producers screening last night. I took in the final chapter of “Harry Potter” and was thrilled how they ended a series of films that went from a children’s fable to a dark vs light battle that can only be described as EPIC.
“Locked in a Room” is also in the final stretch of post and will be finishing up soon.
I will have more updates but for now the shower calls. I have to do my final packing and get ready to roll. So appreciate the quiet moments in your own lives. Do what you must and give 110% and know the quiet moments will await you upon your return.
Have a great weekend.
DJ
4H and Finished Projects!
The hazelnut coffee taste so good on a Sat morning! The last two days have included participating in 4H auction whereas we purchased a 1/4 cow and a pig for the freezer. Add my favorite the venison and you got some major smoker/grilling possibilities. Those kids work hard and the quality of the meat is superior to say burger that comes from who knows how many different animals. I suggest you to explore this in your own area if you’re meat eater.
On the movie front it has been BUSY!
New screenings of “Outside the Wire” are being set up for Sept./Oct. at the same time talks for other distribution rights continue. If you have a church, VFW, school or other place that would enjoy a showing of this powerful doc feel free to email me.
We’re also exploring some other theatrical showings on other projects including a popular Civil War film “Wicked Spring” that was produced in 2000 and has found its way into mainstream Civil War culture. We get the rights back at year’s end and are exploring a “Special Edition” release likely in 2012.
I hear that “Locked in a Room” is moving along in post. I got word from “Benjamin” director Jon Osman that the film will be finished Monday. I wish I could attend the private screening but Friday I report to set of “7 Stones” a drama with a dose of action. I play a prisoner and so I’ve been letting the hair, nails and beard go wild and I’m starting to look like I’ve been locked away in Azkaban.
We will have some new press released on “Renovation” which has been making the rounds to distributors. We do have offers on the table and I’m going to follow-up with a few others and we’ll make some decisions. Incase you have not yet gotten a glimpse at this film that will scare you I suggest you do. http://www.renovationthemovie.com
In development lots of new relationships are being made and I’m looking forward to new projects moving forward. We will be doing some upcoming casting on a few CDI associated projects for 2012 including the female lead in “Shadow of Death” the followup project in the GPI/CDI slate shooting in the Philippines. Keep a watch on http://www.cdiproductions.com for casting updates. Development info can also be found at the home company site.
Off to a belated Bday gathering for my father. I see horseshoes in my near future. Soak up life – the good and the bad and use that in your work. The artist spirit is nurtured by these experiences. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and have a productive week ahead.
DJ
“7 Stones” and Summer Fun
It is summertime in Michigan to be sure. It was a short week due to the holidays and I think many came back to work with their minds still on boating, grilling and fireworks. For me it has been a split of doing my ongoing producer work and my acting prep. On the third front is was domestic business which for me consists of the creation and maintaining of my zen space.
I took so meetings in the “office” which these days consists of antigravity chairs on the patio overlooking the gardens. In this day and age where most of my business is my computer and phone why not meet in a good place. Some of the meetings were on “Holly, Jingles and Clyde” which we have a foreign partner and need to lock in domestic including TV. With a little aligning of planets and stars that could shoot this winter. I could go on and on with developments but I would rather wait until we have a larger announcement on a property. As I stated some casting will be ahead for a few 2012 projects.
I’m prepping to shoot “7 Stones” that shoots soon. It will roll cameras later this month. Sets are being built and they are in full pre-production. This is another CDI associated project with my buddy Tom Norton’s 3rd Coast Film Partners. I will be in Grand Rapids for a handful of days which we can done since most of the shooting is confined to a set. It is always a process for me that starts on complex levels. Maybe it is a belief system for a character. What do they carry in their pockets? Sometimes it starts with a hat or a coat. Sometimes it requires eating less or more. Anyways I’m playing a prisoner so my clean-cut hair and face from “Darkest Night” has led me back to a place that people on the street may try to give me change.
Following that I’m got days on “Love Letters in the Sand” and possible “CJ Walker” if they get that all straighten out. I had another script/offer come my way with an interesting lead so I will get to a read on that this week. I’m not sure what project will go up this fall but if I had my choice it would be “Wild Michigan”. We will see…
I hope to announce some great distribution deals on our films soon. I can say that the Bigfoot project again is heading to audiences on Sept. 20th with MTI. More on all that later.
The biggest news this past week has been the buzz with the new release of “Darkest Night” teaser trailer. The beautiful things is having been there every day and almost every scene I can say that the trailer does not even come close to showing the best scenes. There are so many intense scenes that audiences and fans of the genre will be excited. Between that and “Renovation,” “Locked in a Room,” and “Benjamin” it will be an exciting Fall. Seeds planted in days past will be ready to harvest soon.
And speaking of seeds the garden is doing quite well with tomatoes and pepper plants growing. My small patch of corn getting higher. Berries are ripe all over and so some collecting for wine making is underway. Most exciting is “RED” a gifted redwood tree from Northern California given to me by my brother has a new home. We went from planter to planter as he grew and brought him inside during the winter. He even has Xmas lights and wood ornaments. Yesterday was a reborn Bday for “RED” because he was planted outside in the ground. We were told some can survive in Michigan. We just wanted him to get some size before having to face the chill of Michigan winter. They can live thousands of years and grow to amazing heights so we hope he grows and grows.
GROWTH – the lesson of the now. These are the days to soak in the warmth and allow yourself to grow. Put in the work if you are in the arts. Remember you do have to work twice as hard for half as much BUT the rewards are many times as fulfilling. To work with other artists and create something that will exist for many years into the future is a blessing. To be able to share the art and to have something to reflect back upon as your go further down the path. I had a birthday and again I want to thank everyone for so many wishes. I think I’m about 1/2 way down my career path. I could have another 30, 40 films in me and like my friend Rance Howard I may just keep working. What is retirement when you enjoy your work?
Enjoy your Sunday and have a great and productive week ahead!
DJ
Happy 4th and Week Highlights!
What a wonderful week! It was busy full of wheeling and dealing as usual but I also worked hard on getting the yard work done. Now it is the holiday weekend and I’m sipping coffee and relaxing. I feel blessed.
Let’s recap a few week highlights…
Great meetings this week on development, distribution and working to sort out a few bumps on a few projects. I actually had a cool screen test for a fall movie that has ROCK N ROLL at the heart of it. I think it went very well and so if we have a mutual interest and schedules work…
I had a great table read on “7 Stones” which is one of two dramas I’m slated to do in July here. One I’m starring in and the other “Love Letters in the Sand” is a smaller part but an interesting character.
We had a great string of showings on “Outside the Wire” with the Sat night premiere selling out. We will be doing more showings in Michigan and others states soon. If you have a VFW or other place that might want to host a showing let me know at perrydj@aol.com and we will see what we can do. We own the projection equipment so that part is taken care of.
SAVAGE is a bigfoot film near and dear to me because I wrote the initial draft of the screenplay based on my Uncle Jerry Jones and his stories he told us as kids. It will come out on DVD Sept. 20th and will also play CHILLER TV. It is releasing even sooner in the UK so keep a look out!
The 1st Official trailer and poster for “Darkest Night” hit just hours ago and is creating some major buzz. They did some live interviews with the National media this past week and the Official website will launch this coming week. Here is the Facebook site for the film with a trailer link.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Darkest-Night/165453413505485?ref=ts
So check it out! I’m so excited about all the films yet to release. And while that is happening we are getting additional films ready to rock and roll.
I won’t blather on here because I hope to see updates made to http://www.cdiproductions.com this long weekend. Last night the grill was kicking venison butterfly steaks, wild mushrooms (inktip) w/ grilled onions) and corn. Today it may be seafood day. Enjoy time with family and friends and above all BE SAFE.
DJ
Inspired, developed, produced and premiered – repeat as needed:)
It went from a balmy hot day last week to a nice chilly cool – this is Michigan! I’ve got my coffee by my side and I wanted to write to all of you before my busy weekend. I want to start by saying that I’ve always been a little against the social network process. I think that just like iPhones (I own one), iPods (did condense my CD’s) everyone seems to be PLUGGED IN. Without sounding old as dirt I come from an different time. A simply time where we used land lines, actually wrote letters and a the floppy disk drive was high-tech. I’ll say that for my business the internet has helped greatly. To be able to submit pics,resume and reels via almost instant online is amazing. I just see so many people disconnected to the person next to them but connected to their network 24/7. Their cloud or cloud sharing must be next. I see the positives with my business and I’ve seen it unite people in countries fighting for human rights. The Bday messages started hours before my birthday and continued ALL day. Friends from elementary school, middle and high school, college friends, soccer buddies, Denmark friends, cousins I don’t see enough of, actor and crew friends from almost every film I’ve ever worked on and last but not least fans of the work…I was sincerely blown away! I saw another positive from the Facebook because it made me feel good. Made me feel remembered despite the low-key way I spent my birthday. I still do like face-to-face interaction but I know in this busy world that having a giant party with all your friends is not possible. I just want to tell EVERYONE that sent me a birthday wish that I’m honored to know you all. Be it from past work, past school, sports or just performing for you in a role on your TV – thank you, I’m honored. You all made me feel special and I appreciate that. I think you all are special as well to me and my life. I guess I have Facebook to thank.
Movie news!
TONIGHT OWOSSO, Michigan – 8:00 pm “Outside the Wire” if you can come join me in person as we kick off our Michigan showings. You can go to the CDI site http://www.cdiproductions.com to get tickets. It also plays Sunday but I will only be at the Saturday showing.
We had a great CDI meeting Monday night with almost all of the tribe. I introduced the folks to Mr. Jeff Watson coming on board our commercial division at CDI and Mr. Eric Nelson who is coming onboard as in-house legal with CDI. We also discussed the various projects in development and we have some plans brewing.
This week I did some additional Voice work on “Benjamin” the NYC picture shot last Summer. I was actual on that set for my Bday last year. “Locked in a Room” is moving to the finish line for an October premiere. “Darkest Night” is supposed to launch the official website this forthcoming week. I had some good distribution talks on “Renovation” and hope to lock that up this Summer to release to all of you. The development in the works is more than I can type right here. We have many talented people in our tribe of folks and they are all working with us to get their stories in motion.
Next up for me in July are two films. The first is “7 Stones” a powerful drama about political prisoners. We had a table read yesterday and I think it is gonna be great! Also I’ve been invited to join the cast of the drama “Love Letters in the Sand” also to shoot in July. I’m looking forward to seeing friends and making new ones. It is a very good script and I’m proud to play a small part in telling that story. Lastly, I’m meeting with another director Tuesday visiting Michigan about another cool film shooting later this year. If it is meant to be it will.
I’m looking forward to a great back half of the year. Life has been good and I think we’ll create some more good art this year. Several projects are having the final touches put upon them and so I look forward to seeing those complete. Inspired, developed, produced and premiered – repeat as needed:) I also welcomed in the Summer Solstice and so it is officially Summer! ENJOY! Divide your time wisely between work and play and remember to unplug once in a while. I’ve got a graduation party this afternoon for a great friend whose daughter is moving into the college scene. After that I join Tony Hornus and Dennis Therrian and I hope many of you in Owosso, Michigan to watch a powerful story of the children of Afghanistan.
Have a great day!
DJ
Friends, Food, Father’s and Future Castings
Ah…drinking hazelnut coffee and writing to all of you on this fine Sunday morning. Very productive week both personal and professional. On the personal the deck got stained, the garden planted, the lawn mowed and even some repair work done over on the fort. We won our soccer match last week and this week will bring some good things. First, I have a Bday this week and so another trip around the sun is a CHECK!
I signed paperwork on another CDI associated project entitled “7 Stones” with director/writer Tom Norton and his 3rd Coast Film Partners. It is a story about a couple of POW’s and yours truly is playing one of the co-stars. It is a great script and will be a wonderful challenge. My clean face from “Darkest Night” is being replaced by an unkept beard of a man who’s spent time in a 3rd world prison. The most exciting news is one of my co-stars may be a monkey. No. Terry Jernigan isn’t playing a monkey:)
Speaking of Terry Jernigan, we’ve been in talks for him to direct a prequel to “The 8th Plague” entitled “Soul Eater”. Talks on this film with Two For Flinching is going very well. Also in 2012 will be the “Secondary Hero” shoot with my old friend Stuart MacDonald directing. We will be posting some casting info on http://www.cdiproductions.com soon for this 2012 shoot.
Those who have acting reels get those ready! Despite how Michigan thinks casting works the 1st thing most producers I know want to see is a reel of previous work. It shows 1) What you look like during game time with good cameras and lights. 2) It shows someone else put money at risk to cast you. 3) Various clips shows you likely have a good off camera attitude that gets you cast more than once.
See…producers talk and if you are a problem on one set that can really black mark you.
Be NICE! Always and to everyone!
Most actors do not have reels prepared and agencies are more willing to withhold reels versus pushing them because a majority of their talent does NOT have reels. So while playing the numbers the most experienced actors don’t get pushed forward. And we wonder why we mostly get only extra and under 5 work here in Michigan. So if you want to get priority casting with CDI get those reels ready!
Next week we might see the “Darkest Night” website and 1st trailer! I’ll keep you all informed and you can subscribe to the film’s Facebook site under the same name. The next picture on this Philippine slate GPI/CDI is “Shadow of Death” with director Noel Tan again directing from a Russ Williams script. This is slated for summer 2012.
Interesting developments this week – one person I’ve known for quite some time, I’ve hired before and stayed in touch with over the years finally got their current project up and running. The forces that be can all crash in at that point and some people fold under all that pressure. For them it becomes what they can or can’t do. I understand the casting game and I look out for people when I sincerely feel they are right for a role. Long short is that a script and character I had interest in for years suddenly dropped out once funded. The friend took the stance of – I had no control here. I’m not petty. I firmly believe that the universe presents a storyteller with the stories they are meant to tell. I just occasionally get disappointed like everyone else not just in a lost role but realizing a bond isn’t as strong as you thought.
We’ve all failed here before I’m sure so I’m not throwing rocks just illuminating a point.
In the past I’ve also had a good friend take some money from myself and a friend. Not a lost investment but taken money. Honestly, I wasn’t as upset about the money and chances are had he asked I would have shared what I could have. The sad part is that a value was placed on the friendship. Now maybe I too could be farther along on my path if I played selfish and stepped on whomever to get where I wanted to go. I’m not that person and to me it is not worth getting ahead by putting others down.
My story has a happy ending – so I reconnected with an old friend who was actually my 1st manager ever. She was well-known for placing models in big agencies. She eliminated her acting division except myself back in the day because she said I was out there working so hard to help myself. From her I got to go on trips to NYC only to be escorted from offices and treated basically like a pair of shoes all those years ago. Those early hard trips helped to define me – I either had to GIVE UP and be happy OR come out and KICK ASS. I choose the latter. She is now a casting agent and is working a deal to have me on her current project. We both knew people on the film and that led to the reconnect. The actions she has taken just go to show CHARACTER. All these years have gone by and yet our friendship and respect still exist. Why? How? Because it existed in the 1st place. Look at yourself. Look at those around you. Know who you want to be and be it. The road might be longer but the person who arrives will be a better person. I promise you that.
August may have me on another period drama for a few days. Promotional plans on “In Our Time” have begun with a phone meeting last week. Those wheels are slowly starting to move now and I’m excited to start moving that project along. Also at a CDI meeting this Monday we’ll see where we are with projects and if CDI can get one or two off the ground for the back half of the year. I’m also still trying to get street dates on some of the other CDI titles to release 4th quarter so stay tuned.
My father is on vacation but if you still have your father with you go spend some time with him.
Have a great weekend!
DJ
Development news from CDI
Chilly mornings with hazelnut coffee to start my day. We had a few beautiful cool fall-like days and then 2 hot as heck days and now back to very cool. We are on a rollercoaster of hot/cold. With another soccer match today I’ll take the cool. Tomorrow if the rain stays will be staining/sealing the deck and some final planting in the garden. I’m also debating what kind of wine to make next. OK. Enough domestic ramblings onto some movie updates.
I had a week of good talks with distributors and I can see potential homes for some of the films. We made some good development steps this past week on a few of our projects. One project “Secondary Heroes” set to shoot next year in Michigan is looking at locations and after a great meeting with director Stuart MacDonald some great choices were established.
Working with Terry Jernigan who wants to direct his 1st feature and it just may be “Soul Eater” which is a prequel to “The 8th Plague” and so far things look on track. That will likely be a 2012 shoot as well. I will have more info soon on “7 Stones” that is looking to shoot next month. I’ve got inside information starting to flow on the “Madam CJ Walker” and “In Our Time” projects but cannot release until they do. I’m excited about both of these projects.
“Darkest Night” is picking up steam and this month we will have a new website and trailer releasing. Yes. They are moving fast! Also the 2nd project on the slate in the GPI/CDI slate is called “Shadow of Death” and is in deep development for a 2012 shoot. We have several other development projects moving but they are smaller steps.
Anthony Hornus will get to show home state Michigan the 1st look at the complete “Outside the Wire” doc film and I’m very excited. Those interested in attending can go to the http://www.cdiproductions.com site for links. A tour will be following this film and we are in talks on TV and DVD distribution.
This week will bring some news on “7 Stones” and I also have another possible film offer I just have to read the full script and get back with my thoughts. As a hint, it will unite old friends and new ones:) Meetings, calls, follow ups lie ahead this week.
My last note on some of the film incentive stuff – some of the larger companies may not bring their productions here but for the many artists who migrated here and who live here don’t let all that hold you back. Come together, organize and create! Tell your stories and make your movies. CDI was doing it before the incentives, during them and will continue on despite what caps, limits or eliminations. We do try to look at what location is best for a story as that is the main focus.
Happy Sunday!
DJ
Productive Progress!
It has been a beautiful couple days in the Michigan that feel almost like a perfect day. The air has been warm with a cool breeze. This weekend was filled with some staining, some tilling, some grilling and now a little bit of chilling. The hazelnut coffee is flowing and I’m ready to give you all a little recap.
The Michigan premiere of our doc film “Outside the Wire” is this month and you can get full details at http://www.cdiproductions.com so check it out and get your tickets for the 25th or 26th. I will be at the 1st showing and afterglow in Owosso, Michigan.
At Pepper’s http://www.djperryfanclub.com (Leading Ladies) she is following up my “Darkest Night” mother-in-law played by Zeny Sevilla with the beautiful and talented Marife Necesito so please check her out.
http://www.djperryfanclub.com/Mari.html
More will follow so stay tuned! The wheels are turning on many fronts again and right now I’m trying to see what my summer schedule will be like.
On CDI front we will soon be formally announcing a few new tribal members from our sales team and in-house attorney for day-to-day business. We might be close to posting a few casting calls that will really benefit some local Michigan actors. We’ve recently signed a slate of associated projects to develop. Watch CDI’s development pages for updates.
In the meantime I continue to wheel and deal on distribution for some of our projects. I’m reading scripts submitted for acting roles. I just read a cool one last night that has a ROCK & ROLL theme. I’m waiting on dates for a few projects and waiting to see how the chips will fall for this Fall. That sounded funny:)
Not sure how to wrap all this up as many things are ongoing. I did some post sound work on the “Benjamin” film I shot in NYC last summer and I’m told that film may be complete at month’s end. I know “Locked in a Room” will be complete this summer as well as “Darkest Night”. For all of you out there working your projects keeping pushing forward. I hope to work with some of you one day.
I have a soccer match this afternoon so I’m looking forward to a good day. I hope you all also have a great day and a productive week!
DJ
Info on “Outside the Wire, Forgotten Children of Afghanistan” Michigan Screening
Rain, rain and more rain:) Anyhow you look at it we’ve not had to deal with the wicked storms hitting/destroying other communities. The power of nature and the respect it demands was once again shown. I’ve transitioned back into life here after the whirlwind Philippine shoot. The PR on that project is buzzing and will build towards the fall release. Feel free to seek out facebook sites on “Renovation”, “Darkest Night” and soon “Outside the Wire”.
Speaking of this powerful doc film that had its first showing at the 35th Cleveland Film Festival- it will have its 1st major premiere in Owosso, Michigan (Home of director Anthony Hornus) on Saturday June 25th. I will be attending the showing and party’s and encourage everyone to come see this eye-opening film. It was shot in Afghanistan with our troops and allies.
Ticket master is Jerry Frezon at 989-723-8784 and email: jfrezon@chartermi.net
Starting June 5th TICKETS at Owosso Community Players http://www.owossoplayers.com PH#(989) 723-4003 Tickets are $10.00
You can also see http://www.cdiproductions.com for additional updates and info!
Deceleration Back to Life
So this week has been crazy. I’m sure it was additionally hectic as my body tried to readjust to this time zone. It is almost like traveling backwards in time going from one side of the planet to the other. It is true that we age slower higher up in the atmosphere and I’ve studied other interesting physics that take place. I had 23 hours to ponder some of these things on my trip back. The other crazy thing for me to deal with is the SPEED effect. Be it a dragster or a racehorse, it is crazy to be led to the gate or starting line, hear the START, race to the finish line and then feel that CALM. I was with many, many people – day in and day out and now I’ve got the quiet. The change from MOVIE ACTOR to HOME CHILL can be sudden. I think in part because of the large amount of attention on “Darkest Night” with me being one of if not the 1st American to come film on a Philippine production. The National press was so excited and we really had a wonderful time making this film. Now I’m home and so I think I had a little return culture-shock. I made some lifelong friends and I look forward to the premiere this fall.
This week was touching base with all the business folks pertaining to other projects. There are many new developments underway with CDI and our projects. Monday will start a series of meetings with my CDI amigos to get our task lists before us. I spoke with many distributors and will follow-up more as they return from France.
Several acting projects presenting themselves to me for which I feel blessed. Several of our projects in post are getting close to being complete. I’m waiting on all the new street dates for the CDI projects coming out 4th quarter with New Video. I heard November 14th as a possible “Figure in the Forest” street date. I will try to get all those this week. We will also be making an announcement about a new in-house attorney at CDI here soon. Many new PR releases forthcoming including the new biblical feature I will produce with Reel Frog Films following our “Book of Ruth”. So please stay tune to many new updates in the weeks ahead.
My Texas-based fan site http://www.djperryfanclub.com will start having the Leading Ladies from “Darkest Night” and these talented ladies are worth checking out! We are preparing for an “Outside the Wire” premiere showing(s) in Owosso, Michigan were director Tony Hornus is from. I’ll be posting info here and at the http://www.cdiproductions.com site. We’ve had all kinds of interest in this property and soon will assign a home.
So this week wrapped up with deck cleaning, lawn mowing and I have my 1st soccer match today. The 1st game was while I was away but we won. Today we play last year’s champs so this match may be tougher. I’m lean and mean from my stay in the Philippines with the 95 degree heat so I hope that will help my running. I’m fueled up with steak (venison) and eggs and ready to play.
I will end with a sincere RIP to Randy “Macho Man” Savage. A true actor/sportsman who will be missed. “Oh yeahhhhh!”
Have a great Sunday!
DJ
The Asian Invasion – “Darkest Night”
Back in the USA since yesterday I started my fine morning with my beloved hazelnut coffee. I’m happy to report that while in the Philippines we had a coffee sponsor. I even got to drop the product placement in the film “Darkest Night” featuring our coffee. That coffee being MAGNIFICO! (Ding) The DING being the sparkle, thumbs-up after your first sip. They actually use brown sugar in their coffee which is quite good.
For those unaware, I had 19 days shooting on the gothic horror film “Darkest Night” in the Philippines. I will try to explain the experience here in these lines but I’m sure it will still fall short.
It all started when I decided I needed to find that next international project. After “Karma” in India I knew I wanted to give my existing audiences another unique film experience. I also wanted to expand into additional foreign markets and gain new fans in far away places. The right project came together in a Russ William’s script about an American being taken back to the Philippines to meet soon-to-be wife’s family at Christmastime. What happens after that? (You wish!) Audiences will have to tune in to find out but all I can say is that it isn’t pretty. Well pretty frightening!
The trip started with a 20+ hour flight through Japan to Manila. It was my 1st trip to Asia and all was good when writer/producer Russ and director Noel Tan found me in the crowded airport. A drive through Manila at night that reminded me of Bombay India but with much better roads. The highway was extremely nice and well-kept due to almost all roads being toll roads. They also drive on the same side of the road as we do and the 1st thing I noted was the humid heat. I got to know this heat intimately over the course of the trip.
So after two hours of driving sometime after midnight we arrive at these giant gates down a remote dirt road. The house is large and imposing and looks like the perfect location for a horror film. When I find my room I find the air conditioner is not set up yet and I’m told the plumbing is being worked on tomorrow. DOH! The story is that the owner and her family live in the guest house and they had rented production the main house. Exhausted I sleep beside a fan that reminds me of my Costa Rica trip.
I awake early to a quiet house. I go in search of…anyone awake. I find the art crew set building and they direct me to the housemaid of the owner named Regina. She understands me enough to bring COFFEE! Step one in the right direction. By noon they have the shower up and running. NICE! The water is luke warm but in the extreme heat that is just fine and a shower is so refreshing after the long trip.
I also move to a master bedroom with a nicer bed. It’s large and flat – Japanese style. Best of all the room had a large air conditioner! After a few eggs and sausage for breakfast I start meeting more crew as they come in. Soon smiles, laughter and music fill the air. The first thing I can say is that the Philippine people are a happy people. They are a musically gifted people with beautiful voices and amazing talent with guitars and such. Here I am on the other side of the world with a foreign film crew in full action just like back home.
The pool cleaners come and start to prep the pool which will help cool a few hot days. My 1st co-star Justin Chan from Malaysia arrives and with me having the main air-conditioned room – the first steps towards hosting the DUDES DORM was taken. As my new co-star’s came in we invited them in one by one and almost immediately we all banded like brothers. The ladies set up in another couple of rooms and that afternoon we had a wonderful rehearsal. It was amazing to have everyone all together and start hearing the words flow off the page.
My 1st scenes were actually the opening scenes of the film with my character Ken arriving and meeting the family. Everyone was so open and inviting to the experience before us. We all blended into a tight-knit cast and the scenes started to get knocked down one by one. It was amazing that we had all just met.
We survived a blackout, two Typhoon’s, the steady heat, long nights that almost always saw the sunrise. But by the efforts of all involved we finished the shoot a day ahead of schedule. We earned some amazing footage for our hard work. For the second time ever I lost my voice for a half a day due to the intensity of some of the scenes. Actually the entire 1st week was INTENSITY followed by INTENSITY followed by more INTENSITY.
Week two allowed more of the drama to flow and glue everything together. I’m so excited for those that know me and my work to experience the talent I worked with both in front of and behind the camera. CDI has a formal agreement to develop/produce films with GPI (Gothic Pictures International) and so we’ll see more mutual projects from us produced in the Philippines. This was CDI’s 1st International associated project and that makes me proud as a company owner. This is truly a new benchmark for us and will open up more doors to talent exchanges.
The film is slated to premiere at a Manila festival in Sept and will follow with a theatrical release in a chain owned by the shopping malls across the country.
More PR will be rolling out with photo releases, BTS videos and more – so STAY TUNED!
“Darkest Night” Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Darkest-Night/165453413505485?ref=ts
A website is also under construction
This week I’m going to follow-up on our films that we’re working to place with distributors. I should have release date info and more relating to the projects currently in post and recently completed.
LOT OF PROJECTS in motion so hold onto your seats!
Happy to be home but missing all my new friends who were just MAGNIFICO!
“It’s a small world after all”
DJ
Life & Lottery Numbers:)
A surprise of a nice day yesterday and we can hope for more of the same today. The seedlings we planted indoors to go to the garden have started to sprout! Little leaves turned towards the sun. A few weeks ago we talked sowing seeds and so I hope some of you have done that. It doesn’t just have to be in your career. A smile, kind words, helping the needy are all seeds you can plant.
On this day respected for love I wanted to speak on hate. I was born into an ivory tower as I look back. I was taught to like or dislike someone by their actions not their age, gender, race or religion. I also LOVED people who were different and had their own cultures and customs. Old fishermen in Hornbaek, Denmark talking about the old Norse Gods. Eating squirrel and training martial arts with Mong friends. Painted, sacred cows that walk as they please in India. As long as hate isn’t part of the equation I think it is a beautiful thing. Much like the variety of flowers in a garden they are all different and wonderful in their own way.
Bad business and greed will continue to corrupt until we adjust our value system. I’ve had people frown because of how spiritual I am to my approach of everything. For some they don’t understand how they go hand in hand. I’m here to tell you all your actions stem from who you are and what you believe. I like free market competition but the dollar should not be all-mighty. I’m trying hard to not be all preachy but I see the many flaws in man’s many attempts to harness divinity. The working cycles of the Creator continue despite failed attempts by man to lay claim over them. Ask Japan, we do not hold claim over much of anything save the small shelters we erect.
Again I’m not an actor trying to be all opinionated but an artistic soul living in the same world. I think the Middle East conflict(s) are a progression. A resonating truth that nobody truly has power over us that will don’t allow, give or grant it. Fears that a militant Islamic faction will just take over where the dictators left off I feel is not accurate. People want freedom to speak and to do and whomever oppresses that need will fall to the masses eventually.
EXAMPLE –
On my wonderful trip to India I heard 1st hand that the conflicts with Pakistan were fading. The youth doesn’t want to hold old grudges and certainly not in the name of religion. Controlled grudges in cricket or soccer (futbol) may continue to exist but they all collectively belong to a group that loves healthy competition vs war and conflict. I may be wrong in my recall but even the Olympics were used to settle certain disagreements. Single champion combat replaced massive loss of life in some situations. I say paper, scissors, rock for the Gaza strip:)
OK. Solving world issues here. Let’s address the need for women returning to a status of equality. This is something that needs to happen. Why, how, when this removal of power happened can be debated but the lack of female balance has been felt. Many countries not putting equal value on female children is OUT OF BALANCE. Allow me to illustrate.
Birds + Bees = new birds & bee’s
On this day of reflection we’ve taken a look at a few world issues through the eyes of one person clawing his way to the middle. This title/term is used in reference to my movies career but it is applicable to all areas of your life.
– Responsibility of actions.
– Love of difference.
– Freedom to disagree.
We’ve all allowed this imbalance to maintain. The world needs to change. Storytelling illustrates our common hopes, fears, dreams as one race. Movies can be escapism but it can also be used for eye-opening enlightenment. I try to strike a balance between the two and also seek to convey a message in all the stories I help tell. Some are cautionary tales that over-illustrate the horrific results. But again they are often nothing compared to actual events. Yesterday I was recalling to others the lack of impact “Blair Witch” had on me because upon turning the VCR off the news had a story about a S. American serial killer that was many times more horrific than a stone piling entity that made a few teens disappear in the woods.
I also think that “story reporters” need to take a better role in how they inform people. When you have a reporter asking a security defense person in the wake of 9-11 if someone dropped the ball – Duh! Stupid answers to stupid questions. On days like this I often think about friends and family now passed. Take away all the BS that goes with organic human existence and what do you have left? We all hope to transcend our mortal shortcomings but maybe some of that can start here and now – in our time. (PR plug:) That is wisdom.
I think we’ve had enough esoteric pondering. So my last final ramblings – Garden earth planted by hands greater than we are. We have no true ownership we just exist for a period of time upon it. Divinity exists in ways beyond us and continue despite any human actions using it to justify their personal agendas. The illusion of this ownership compounded by the insecurities of individuals, allows greed and corruption to grow. Actions make one great not possessions. Do. Do good.
MOVIES
On this day I’m happy to report that “In Our Time” is back on track. New web sites are going up to promote the film. I think this will be a powerful film that attempts to cut through all the BS and gets to the heart of a teaching. I sometimes feel that one savior dying for the sins of mankind has given many people a cop-out. Looking back on it all I’m not sure any favors were truly done. Great acts of kindness are deserving only when not taken for granted. I know from martial arts that something earned is always better than something given. Would Jesus make the same sacrifice today given a choice? Maybe he would keep his mouth closed, content in his knowing and finish the oak coffee table he was working on. Just something to think on.
My bags are almost packed and my affairs put to order. I’m excited to meet new artists and a new culture that I’ve only read about. I’m excited to let them know who I am. What I represent and maybe change a few hearts and minds about Americans. We are what we are. The good and the bad. We don’t judge by someone’s station in life or ethnic backgrounds as harshly as I’ve seen elsewhere. We judge more by individual ideas and a simple freedom to explore those ideas. In a trade of cultures I feel we have something to offer. I’ve always learned from others. It will be good.
I will continue to update here from the Philippines and pass that along to all of you. Feel free to watch http://www.cdiproductions.com for some updates as well. I’ll be back to more movie driven news here soon enough. Enjoy the spring day and don’t take anything for granted. While we may one day discover that we are not truly unique in the universe we are unique in the here and now. This is our story. This is our record of civilization. Perhaps one day we may become a world of peace. Maybe that will happen when faced with an endgame situation of some space rock on a collision course with Earth. Maybe that will be the day all guns are dropped, enemies hug goodbye and trivial battles/arguments/wars over resources, land, religion will cease. If all people knew that they may be judged at a set date perhaps we would be better people. It would be a shame to have to wait for that day.
If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it –Now quiet, they’re about to announce the lottery numbers! –Homer Simpson
To Create or Consume?
I just had nice pot of coffee followed by a bacon sandwich from our 4H pig. If you are a meat eater I would suggest 4H livestock. It is raised by children in the farming program. One of our animals was raised by an orphan and the money is used for college. First, the per pound meat is cheaper than your grocery store. Second, no animal abuse if anything these animals are pampered. Third, you’re not eating ground meat from several animals. We’ve been getting a 1/4 of a cow and whole pigs at the fair. This is rounded out by the venison that fills the fridge every year. I was just reading about all this commercial meat and the issues they are having. So if it is an option I would highly suggest you explore this 4H program.
On the veggie tip we started flats of seeds that will be the produce for the garden. My final task is to get that earth tilled before I have to go film next. We had a few days of sunny but now have some rain and high winds. That said, the grill and chill days are coming soon. That is how I like to conduct meetings. A glass of wine, legal pad of TO-DO’s and good old brainstorming.
This week has been meetings and follow ups on “Outside the Wire” and “Renovation” which will likely have new showings here soon. Also more plans are being made for theatrical showings of some of the earlier CDI films before they’re released nationally this 4th quarter. One reason behind this is a projector that I now own and the recent success of Nita Kennedy’s art gallery showing of her foam work has created new opportunities. I’m also looking at a few special showings of “Wicked Spring” for the 150th of the Civil War this year. Contact me if you have a venue.
I still don’t have those exact street dates yet for the New Video titles but will soon. Three projects in development will start down the path to production. One is “Long Road Home” with partners in Las Vegas and Wisc. that will work with CDI. The second is “E & Me” with Arizona partners. Third is “Secondary Heroes” with CDI alumni Stuart MacDonald directing. More will be forthcoming on these projects.
Foreign distribution talks on several CDI projects is underway. I’ve been talking with several TV networks and I’m proud to say we’ve got films playing on ABC, TBN, Comcast On Demand, Inspirational Network. Encore, Gospel Music Network, Chiller TV and the list goes on. We made it a point to focus our efforts more towards TV and international. So in the day-to-day grind you don’t always see how far you’ve come until you take a deep breath, turn around and look.
That is a good lesson to everyone. It is that old saying that every journey starts with a single step. I know where some of you are with your careers. It feels like little progress is being made BUT if you put in the honest work it will move you forward. We’re a generation of immediate want and true visionaries don’t work like that. Thomas Edison tested thousands of filaments to find the right strand for lightbulbs. I like that Walt Disney went bankrupt like 7 times. Babe Ruth hit a lot of home runs but he also struck out OFTEN! You must DO! You will have SETBACKS! Quitters remove themselves and the persistent amongst us will move forward.
I spoke at Michigan State with a few other panelists to soon to graduate students. I was the only person up there happy with my career. One wanted to move out of her field completely. Another chose money 1st and left her artistic endeavors behind but now she fills her spare time with artistic endeavors and regrets “selling out” her art.
I’ve heard filmmaking/acting and such described as working twice as hard for half as much but those are decisions you each must make. Can you sell your time to non artistic endeavors if it means that nicer car, bigger house or higher pay? Or does your soul feed off of creative endeavors and you’re willing to live simple? Now at a certain level artists can leap ahead. They are feeding the need of those who sold out. You create the music, the movie, the writing that others don’t have the time or focus to do. ALL humans have a creative need. Some create and some consume. You just have to pick your place in the tribe of life.
I got contacted about acting in another cool film and we’ll see what happens there. The schedule would have to line up correct but I believe that the projects I’m meant to be in – I am. That is a good way to look at it. So each of you actors out there know that the universe will bring you what is meant to be. That still means you need to be ready when opportunity knocks.
Today is 1st day of practice for outdoor soccer. Some of you know that I play in a Men’s league and not only does it keep you in GREAT shape but I love my soccer mates. It is a great game that is as much a lifestyle as a game. I will have to knock off some winter rust as I did not play indoor soccer because of my film schedules.
Have a wonderful Sunday and a great week ahead!
DJ
New Video is a New Home!
Yesterday was a great day of working in the yard raking and burning sticks and getting the yard ready for the grill and chill gatherings that will surely follow. I love that smell and we ended with some Pakistani food dish that actor/producer buddy Curtis Hall made when he stopped over later that evening. I’m trying to get stuff around before I travel here in a few short weeks.
The big splash was over my short haircut for the “Darkest Night” role. It is funny because all my haircuts (or lack there of) have been a result of movie roles for the last twenty years. So lovers of my long locks – it will return in time when the right role calls for it.
Busy week but with results! I’m proud to announce that some of our library previously assigned to E1 Ent. has been reassigned to New Video! This means that those who were awaiting “Heaven’s Neighbors,” “Figure in the Forest,” and “The Patchwork Girl of Oz” will release 4th quarter this year on DVD and VOD. These are the newly mastered with some great DVD extras. Also I’m told a Blue Ray release of “Judges” and “Blood Ties” will also happen 4th quarter.
I’ve been hearing good reports from people who’ve watched “GPS” now playing many times on CHILLER TV. Also Comcast On Demand watchers can see our western “Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town” playing until 2016 so you can find time:)
“Outside the Wire” and “Renovation” distribution talks going well. I had to do more voice work on “Benjamin” and I was told “Locked in a Room” is also getting closer. Both should have fall premieres I’m guessing.
I hope to have exact dates on releases soon and I’ll continue to work the distribution and development projects. We’re getting closer to making some great announcements on new film projects.
Now I’m off to have pork chop breakfast and finish a few things around the house!
Have a great Sunday!
DJ
April Snow & Planting Personal Seeds
Welcome to April! As I sit and sip my coffee I think back on the busy week gone by. Working to help book international tickets, bank wires, script reads and distribution talks.
BUSY
On a personal I’ve been burning twigs and raking the yard while getting seeds and garden ready. Just like the natural cycles this is a good time to plant your own personal seeds. I had talks with two friends (actors) this week where the talk of work came up and yet their reels are not updated. I had to make the time in January to do so but it was worth it. My point is that if you don’t plant seeds you can’t act surprised when nothing sprouts. That is not completely the case with these two friends but I know many aspiring actors have NOTHING to show on a reel and for those that do have material and not showcase it…ask these aspiring actors if they wish they had the showcase materials.
Helpful Hint
I use social networking for just that networking. Actually I use it more for promotion than anything else but it is used very little for personal use. When I hear/see MAFIA, FARMVILLE or any of these other time wasters covering someone’s page or sending stuff to me (I reject all online games like that) and I see news status pleas of NEED WORK or they complain or not getting the ACTING BREAKS I shake my head. EVERYTHING is a cycle and you tend to get out what you put in. Next time you’re about to give an hour to some mindless online game think what you could accomplish with an hour of research or active updating of materials. (Resume, bio, cover letters, production listings…)
Okay enough of that. Final note while the ever-growing amount of emails I get from people seeking opportunity can be difficult on me sometimes I do give props because I climbed by doing what they are doing. I was the guy coming late to the bar because I was 2 hours at Kinko’s preparing send outs back in the day. Now with internet making it easier NO EXCUSES!
Okay for my fans who’ve had enough of this Yoda artist lecture and who just want to know what is next, here we go:)
PREMIERES!
“Outside the Wire” had a great premiere at the 35th Cleveland Film Festival. It had HUGE success at the Cleveland International Film Festival. More than 40K people at the festival thru our three days of screening. We played to large audiences and standing ovations because of the universal message, brilliant photography and places people have never gone inside Afghanistan
Chiller TV launched a series of GPS the Movie showings starting April 1st (No joke)and the reaction so far has been great. Chiller TV website can give you times and location of the channel on your cable networks. It is national but has gaps in showing areas.
I had additional talks this week with another TV network. It is fun to meet some of these executives and learn about their development process. My honest response to some of these executives when confronted by production questions is this. Take several of your TV producers and I will match them with a project I’ve been involved with producing. The only reason that their numbers may be higher than mine is because of network sales teams maximizing the potential of the film. So I will continue to work TV into my distribution patterns and explore original programming for TV.
I did get a couple of scripts and acting offers over the weekend and so it was read, read, read. One project is an epic period drama by the same company doing the “In Our Time” Jesus project no longer at Lionsgate. They will be announcing the new studio attached to both films. ‘In Our Time” is slated for 4th quarter with heavy prep work and this new drama is slated for July. It is not the same time commit as “In Our Time” but that is fine because I have other projects to work into the schedule.
One project is called “The Human Factor” and I did find a character I connected with. If the schedule and negotiations work out I would love to be part of that story. I’m also in final negotiations on a TV film “7 Stones” I’m to co-star in when I return from “Darkest Night” in May.
I’m excited because so many releases still to come. More audiences will get to see “Outside the Wire,” “Renovation,” “Locked in a Room,” “Benjamin,” and so there are lots of projects to look out for. If you get a chance to see something feel free to post your comments on IMDB (the good, the bad and the ugly)
We have snow falling outside – funny and odd. I want to close by my simple prayer that all these energy folks rethink the downside of these spills, contamination and such of earth, air and water. Like Chief Seattle said, we are all connected by the web of life. Whatever happen to that around us will ultimately affect us all. Sometimes a return to simple ways can be powerful. It would surely be safer.
Happy Sunday!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 