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

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Management, Michigan and Mark Franklin

We’ve had a few beautiful days here in Michigan and I’ve made sure to do most of my work outdoors on the patio. I’ve had some great business calls and meetings this week. We’ve broken into my STAN REED’S SUMMER BREW at these meetings to a good response. It is just great seeing all the green and spring flowers blooming. Today I might be racking the coconut/banana wine to the secondary fermentation – from the activity I’ve seen I think it is going to be STRONG! I’m looking forward to spending some time with momma tomorrow and showing her my appreciation. Let’s take a look at the week and see what film entertainment topics we can discuss.

DONORS – Upcoming first showing in Yuma, AZ on May 24th – so if you are in the area and want to attend

SCREENING LINK : https://www.facebook.com/events/649394905132609/

ASHES OF EDEN – This film is out to those who showed first interest which is about 2 dozen companies. It will take 2-3 weeks to get a full evaluation. Fast response is usually the PASSES and the companies that take a bit longer – that tends to be good sign – usually meaning that they are passing a film about to their team. The decision is take on a film is usually a group decision so a little added time is often a good thing. We’re exploring the various theatrical options currently as that will be the next phase. We will shop for a while to find the right fit for this film. Patience:)

BESTSELLER – The trailer that will give the first look on this film is almost done. I’m excited to let people have a 1st peek. The film cut is almost done also. It has been decided that we will do a 1 day pick up day with a skeleton crew to get a few extra pieces that will enhance the film. After that I think we will do a TEST SCREENING for an audience. After that, the agreements are all in place to start music and sound design. Once we insert those new pieces and lock up the visual we will polish it all up! From everything I’ve seen I think we are about to have a very exciting film.

The first phase of business with our German, Austria, Switzerland distributor is done and we are now in talks on getting a new slate of CDI projects released there. We are also close with Brazil and the UK and perhaps even Australia. It is fun to roll this films out to our international fans. We are also continuing to present to a few TV networks and so perhaps some of the films will be heading to a TV station in your location.

I am happy to announce that I have new management for my acting. Myra MacKay is a 30 year vet working with several of Hollywood power movers and A-List artists. She is set to oversee my transition into TV and Studio films. This model is not shotgun random but targeting projects that I feel will be a strong fit. I’ve been happy working the independents and will continue but this team that includes former power manager to the stars Jerry Cohn, believe that I just need a major platform to introduce my performance to the  larger domestic audience. I’ve already got a couple of major projects that I’m being positioned to participate in. I figure between now and age 50 I might do another 20 films and why not make a few of those studio? I’m ready to mix it up on that level. I just have never liked all the BS in the casting system but now I’ve got some people who seem capable of handling this transition. Some of it is that, WHO YOU KNOW – BUT you have to be ready to present what you have when you have their attention. I think my body of work does that and so let’s do this. If you want to inquire about my schedule, availability contact Myra MacKay at mymack@charter.net  and she will be happy to discuss. Please make sure your project is funded before coming to her with offers. I want to respect her time.

So the next role for me is a one day return to Mark Franklin from BESTSELLER. I had to push back another project a bit because I need to get this done so post work can stay moving forward. We are in talks on a new CDI associated film that I’m starting to get excited about. The film I had to push is still gathering funds and things are coming together there. I’m just taking care of business that is in front of me. A handful of films to roll out to audiences and more coming together. I truly do feel blessed making a living doing what I love – writing, producing and acting.

Follow your dreams and keep CLAWING YOUR WAY TO THE MIDDLE:)

DJ

 

ASHES, AWARDS and ARIZONA HEAT

So I hope some of you had the morning to catch up on my previous week blog. I’ve been taking some family time and hitting a few estate sales that last few weeks. It started with us searching for some antique items for the house and has turned into a fun weekly outing. This week we found a brass lantern light, a cottage rocking chair, brass/wood hour-glass and the list goes on. Some stuff for the office and other stuff for the house or the home bar. This week I’ve also enjoyed the first of the 3rd batch of home-brew shared with Shane Hagedorn during a marketing meeting. Also my banana/coconut wine is fermenting nicely and will make for an interesting wine for sure. I’ve been splitting some time between the computer film work and also doing stuff in the yard as we get ready for summer fun. Tomorrow will be another soccer match and I’m looking forward to that. Last night we had dinner with my brother and his wife and I even held the new niece. It was a nice visit and always nice to see what projects he has going on around there. Okay let’s look at some of the business unfolding in the film world.

First, I’ve left my old LA agency and taken up new management with Myra MacKay. She is a seasoned professional with many good tie in’s to many producers/directors. She also is a fan of my screen work and so we are going to do a trial run this year and see what she can bring to the table.  There is already some exciting stuff developing and so I’m ready to see how that all goes.

“Ashes of Eden” is out to a few dozen distributors and in the next few weeks we hope to start engaging in some serious discussions over the next wave of distribution.

The “Bestseller” trailer is about done visually and so music and sound polishing will start this coming week. What that means is distributors and fans will get to see the first looks at this exciting thriller. The feature will have one day of pick ups before we lock up the picture to start music and sound design.

Next week we start the next round of discussions over the next films to be released into Germany, Austria and Switzerland. I’m looking forward to that. I’ve also got talks ongoing with the UK and Brazil and our sales team is also closing in on Australia.

I’ve got a feature script to read this week from a director I’ve worked with once already. It is a WW2 script and I’m looking forward to the read.

It also looks like we will have a music video and a few promo videos shooting over the summer. We are growing close to announcing more on a feature film script. The question is what side of summer will it shoot on – the start or end because the location is HOT in the summer. That is not good for cast, crew or cameras so we will see how that all plays out.

Also the first talks on a new CDI associated film are beginning. It is a good script and I think it will be another great project that will continue the great tradition of telling stories for a worldwide audience. More as this develops…

IF you are in the AZ area on may 24th I encourage you to attend the DONORS premiere in Yuma, AZ. I’m excited to see this finished film myself.

I had intentions of discussing a few other things that I’ve observed around me but I’m not really wanting to wade into some of that right now. To address it in a zen like way is to say – “If a man wins a race whereas he was the only one running was it truly a race at all?”  Another point to ponder would be to say “An award granted is sincere when it is earned and unexpected but what is the nature of an award when it’s purchased for oneself by oneself?” Just a few things for folks to ponder out there.

I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful weekend. Relax and prepare yourself to have a productive week ahead.

DJ