“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ― Sun Tzu

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Ready For Spring – Projects, Projects & Projects

I’m getting a start on my weekly blog because we have an early commitment. It has been another snowy and productive week. We are starting to have talks with folks over our developing film HOT ROD LOVE. We’ve announced our director and dir. of photography. This has allowed casting talks to begin. We’re also starting to work on some locations and picture cars. And the time period research is just FAR OUT:) The hairstyles and facial hair, the clothes and the attitudes – no social media.

SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, we are just about to release a fun look at the experience our cast and crew had as guests in the town of Algona, Iowa working hard to tell a powerful story from the town’s actual past. After that a teaser trailer will begin which will give audiences their first real taste of this story. For those not aware of our process, the puzzles pieces (footage) was taken into our computers and is being rough assembled from our director notes including script notes and our editors creativity. After that our director Tony will make his adjustments in the edit working with our editor. FX work is being worked on at the same time that will be incorporated into the edit. Once the edit is to our directors liking we lock the picture allowing it to move to music and sound design with Dennis Therrian. So far everything is moving right along. We all look forward to sharing more on this fine project.

BEST YEARS GONE – We are all extremely excited to have this film available to all of you. I get messages every day asking when? when? June is the DVD and streaming purchase and Sept. 1 is streaming rental. We are going to likely have a few festival and event showings on the run up but very soon Gil Gilles is coming into your family rooms, help us all.

I’ve been doing some screenwriting on Secret Project B17 and finishing the Karl Manke book that just might be the next script. I’m loving writing while it is cold and freezing. Soon the spring will beckon me with other tasks. We also did another music performance video yesterday that went great. CDI held a battle of the bands for BEST YEARS GONE and Vertical Bridge won. They won a music video and placement in the film. We had so much fun. I am a product of the M-TV generation which birthed when I was in 7th grade I believe. The medium is a great collaboration of music and filmmaking and helps get the persona of the musician(s) out there. Our video was for the rock band DEEPFALL, and Carl Weyant was our director. I think I’m going to pursue a few more of these music videos especially after how well things went yesterday. Here’s Jamie Sorsen of Vertical Bridge visiting our set yesterday. I’m going to end this because I’m having all kinds of issues with the software. I’ve spent an hour trying to work this out and to be fair at least 1/2 the Blame has to fall on me and my horrible tech skills. Everyone always seems to think because you make movies you are good at tech. I have a top sheet knowledge of most tech but when it goes to interaction – no. Technology is one of the few things that really puts my zen off and why I need time away from it often. I’m sure I missed a few updates but I’m just short of doing a Bruce Lee 3 inch power punch to my laptop screen. So until next week be good to one another and be productive.

Coffee Cheers!

DJ

For now I think I’m going to end this because I’m having issues with this program which they always seem to change just once I start to understand it. These people NEED to remember I started on a TSR-80 playing Oregon Trail.

A Sudden Loss of a Loved One Teaching the Lesson of Living Full

A light snow falling on this Sunday, making the hazelnut coffee taste oh, so good. So we shared a wonderful morning last week and the day was nice with us hunkering down and riding out the snowstorm. Little did I know that later that eve, maybe 10:30 pm , our oldest fur daughter Daphne had a spell of weakness while going potty outside. I had to carry her into the house and she sat for an hour on her daddies lap. She wasn’t in pain just weak and we all gathered and spent time with her on the couch. She later got a touch hot from all the cuddles and blankets and wanted to lay on the floor. She stayed at our feet and rested. We decided to all sleep down with her and before drifting off to sleep I watched her sit up and walk into her create, spinning into her favorite position. We gazed at one another – those old eyes that held the puppy playfulness even at dinner just hours earlier. She was relaxed and peaceful and I drifted off to sleep watching her drift off. She passed in the wee hours maybe around 4:30 am or in her sleep. She has been one of the joys living in the background of my life for the last 14+ years and her loss was deeply felt. But she had gone on her terms as she always has, surrounded by her pack and without any suffering. She is now home, her little wood box joins her brother and sister who had passed before her. Our Finn is doing well to adjusting and we’ve made a point of keeping it upbeat and happy after our day of remembrance and grieving. It is now truly the age of Finn and we plan to give him many loving adventures. That will likely include a new brother or sister to romp and play with. Daphne was 11 when we brought Finn into our home and so he never got that dynamic. Luckily Finn’s neighborhood friends have been here to play and race, giving him some of his normal joys. Anyway, RIP to our baby girl she brought so much joy to us over the years. Things can change just like that so be grateful and never take time with friends and family for granted.

FILM UPDATES:

Read about our new film and the announcement of the director and director of photography.

https://www.prlog.org/12904790-director-named-for-collective-development-incs-film-hot-rod-love.html

This is HOT off the first wins for BEST YEARS GONE at the Maverick Film Awards.

https://www.prlog.org/12903146-best-years-gone-wins-londons-maverick-movie-awards-best-picture-and-more.html

We are going to start circulating our business proposal on our next CDI film looking to shoot in June with a May prep. We are returning to our home turf of Michigan and the time period will be 1975. That means some far out wardrobe and groovy music. I’m beyond excited to return to a much more simple time and tell this story. If you have a business that might want to align for brand with ‘HOT ROD LOVE,’ feel free to reach out.

I also had some great development talks this week over WILD FAITH: Hastings and more. We are on the cusp of some great business that will have the tribe hard at work for a few years. The amazing feature which serves as a pilot WILD FAITH, is going to get featured for Black History Month and is a great watch. It isn’t heavy handed with agenda just a good story that has natural lessons woven throughout much like LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRARIE.

SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is pushing ahead strong with editing and FX work. I’m looking to see if our Behind the Scenes video is getting close. I wanted to have a sweetheart treat for everyone but if it doesn’t release tomorrow I’m guessing this week. We’ve been releasing more photos and I should have another batch from DP Daniel Chipman showing even more of the characters. I will be following up on that this week too. I know that director Anthony Hornus (Tony) has been outlining ideas for the first official teaser. That will start once the BTS releases.

FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH – The first draft of paperwork is being put together for a worldwide release with Deskpop Entertainment. We will also be doing a pow wow and coming up with a plan for the theatrical premiere release. Maybe even something with MSU, we will see.

Speaking of Deskpop Entertainment, I’m excited to see the artwork for the thriller BESTSELLER. This film is one of the most intense performances I’ve given. I have a couple of mega-intense films I’ve done, DEADLY RENOVATIONS and THE 8th PLAGUE come to mind. But looking at intensity and production value, I think BESTSELLER is right near the top. We captured Michigan in the fall at the perfect time showcasing the “Tunnel of Trees” and more. Plus it has a great leading lady in it that I’ve seen somewhere before:)

This week will be shifting gears in development. We’ll be talking some advance casting and crewing talks but until the business is locked we cannot make offers. But something tells me we will be revving up engines in a few short months. I’m looking forward to also ‘developing’ the homestead this spring. We have some nice yard improvements being made and I look forward to some outdoor meetings over darts and corn hole.

Even in the time of writing this I saw that a director friend of mine lost their lovely dog this morning. So the torch of tragedy or sadness is something we all hold at one time or another so give graces to those around you. You don’t always know what people are dealing with and we all are dealing with things as that is life. Okay enough typing but I do LOVE catching up with you all. I going to go get on with life and enjoy it. Maybe starting with another hazelnut coffee.

Take care and be good to one another.

DJ