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

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Desert Stripes and Developments

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I’m sitting in my hotel room looking out over the mountains of Yuma. That day of travel snuck up and once again I find myself in our old filming grounds. This wonderful town was first found when we shot the film “Deadly Renovations” a handful of years ago. I was looking at various locations to stage biblical films and the desert here was the perfect answer. We call it DESERT STRIPES when producing here because the desert comes with unique challenges that you don’t usually find elsewhere. We’ve got a good mix of returning cast and crew along with a new batch of artists ready to make it all happen. “Doc” our transportation captain takes care of us so well and we’ve really gown to have a film family here. I woke up refreshed after going to bed at what would be around 5am Michigan time. I know it will catch up to me later but right now I feel great. I’m sipping the coffee and catching up with all of you. I had all my gear, computer included all packed up yesterday – so you’re getting a slightly late update.

We just concluded our first production meeting down by the pool where we always hold it. The hotel crew here loves our team and they go out of their way to try to add a bit of HOME to our stay. I’ve just concluded my first batch of spending reporting to accounting and wanted to get this blog written before more hits my plate. Today for me will be working to finalize the cast/crew aspects which are minimal and look at our equipment. I will also carve out a little time to take my Michigan white self pool side and also run a few lines. I’m excited to be returning to this role and to tell this story.

This week we should also see final DVD artwork on FORTY NIGHTS (releasing April 3rd) and the CHASING THE STAR film should be completed by week’s end. Another exciting development is the WILD FAITH teaser trailer should also be completed by week’s end.

On the 19th we’re planning a “thank you” test screening for our friends at Champion Church. The Michigan premiere is looking like April 22nd bring my communications with our director Bret Miller.

It is exciting to see Nathaniel Nose our director on “The Christ Slayer” settle into this fine production machine. They are reviewing the schedule and looking at locations later this afternoon. I’m sure we’ll have lots of BTS photos and such start rolling out as we get deeper into pre-production and production. I’m going to cut this short because we have a list of TO DO’s but I’ll be here Sunday to report on the week of prep.  I hope each and every one of you has a productive week.

Coffee sip! Cheers!cropped-img_1720.jpg

DJ

 

Live, Love and DO what you were meant to DO.

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As I sit down to type I’m still stunned by the news of the passing of Bill Paxton at 61 years old. A small actor in big films that made memorable moments and characters and worked up into some major roles. I liked his directing and he was one of those people who I thought I could realistically share the screen with in the coming years. I’m just again reminded that we don’t know how much time we have here and so as we do our final off location prep on “The Christ Slayer” I will be appreciative. Appreciative that I can do what I love to do and feel a calling to do. I know that many are not engaging their passion but that freedom to do so has come by sacrifice. Let’s take a look at what new developments we’ve had this past week. No sacrifice required:)

The Quest Trilogy

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This is very exciting and for those out there who have asked here is the Bridgestone Multimedia Group home video release schedule.

FORTY NIGHTS (April 2017), CHASING THE STAR (Sept 2017), THE CHRIST SLAYER (April 2018) 

Now let’s look at updates with each one

The Christ Slayer (Pre-Production)

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We’re very close to locking up the schedule so we can sign up our talent and start on transportation arrangements. It’s always a chore with a schedule usually it helps one area or another. We’ve almost crewed up and only a few crew members to add. I also want to welcome The Candleberry Company back as a sponsor. These films are made with the assistance of many great companies who believe in what we’re doing and want their products or services associated with our films. If you’re interested in having your company or service associated please do contact me direct at perrydj@aol.com

Thank you!

Chasing the Star

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I had a chance to see the new theatrical poster which we’ll be releasing this week. It is a great piece of artistic work that captures the heart of the film. The end credits are almost done and will be dropped in this week. The VFX plates are in the film and soon it will be a locked picture. I’m excited to complete this second film and for everyone to experience it. The Michigan premiere is looking like April and we’ll follow that with multiple theatrical runs.  BMG will release the home video in September on the run up to Christmas!

FORTY NIGHTS

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This week we should get our first peek at the new DVD artwork. The release  campaign will start heating up with the early April release. I hope that a great mass of people can start off their trilogy experience with this beautiful remastered film. We’ve got a few new reviewers taking an early look but I hope you all will watch and form your own opinions. I think there is a message in there for everyone. Stay tuned!

BESTSELLER is starting to negotiate a sales rep agreement for the foreign market. I think this tension-driven film will excite and frighten people around the world.

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WILD FAITH

I told you of the great reaction to the first draft of the film. We’ve made our notes and should have a locked picture soon. We also got a first look at the teaser trailer and it was powerful! It gave me goosebumps and I watched it three times in a row without saying a word. It is everything I wanted it to be and more. It is in sound polishing now and once done TV series discussions can move forward. I think we’ll see a first poster in the coming weeks and again I’m so proud of the cast and crew.

Today I’m organizing and getting everything ready to kick Monday off hard. It always has a certain amount of anxiety as we always want to do a great job. We can only do our best and to date that has gotten us quite far. Again, bringing it full circle – it’s okay to feel this way but let us not forget the lesson of Bill Paxton, live, love and do what you were meant to do. RIP to Bill and countless others who don’t concern themselves with all our issues. To the rest of us – no rest until the peace finds us at the end.

Have a great weekend and productive week.

DJ