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

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Ashes of Eden, Announcements and Becoming an Uncle

So I think first and foremost in breaking news is that I became an Uncle for the first time. Yes, my baby brother and his wife had a beautiful baby girl. Also the fact that springtime is here is noteworthy. I bottled some beer this week and I have banana/coconut wine on deck to be made. We’ve been doing some great yard work and we also grilled out. We will likely do a bit more of both prior to the start of this weekend activities.

Tonight we have a VIP party for “Ashes of Eden” followed by tomorrows Pre-Party, Sold Out screening and post party. I’m out of practice on the multiple party front so who knows a nap could come into play. See for filmmakers, a large showing consists of more focus and hopeful wishing that the technology side of things runs smoothly. Tomorrows showing is mainly for cast and crew and the festival sold about 500 tickets to the public plus fest pass holders – this could result in 800 or so people at the screening tomorrow. I’m happy to show family, friends and fans but I’m really just happy to be completed with the film. I’m ready to engage in the business dealings with the dozen or so companies that have been following our film. We do need to spend a few days on our 5.1 mix but we have a complete film. This film is one of 4 still in post and one of two I’m directly helping to supervise.

DONORS is complete and will have a May 24th 1st showing in Yuma, AZ. I may or may not be there it depends on a few other factors. I’m excited to see this film all polished up.

BESTSELLER is moving nicely down the post production line. I have a new set of notes to go over to editing next week. Also the trailer is moving along and should be ready at the end of the month.

THE TERRORIST is also entering final music and sound design and should be rolling out at year’s end.

To be honest I’m a tad tired. I do have some very exciting stuff brewing with new management and upcoming film roles. I had my work evaluated by the upcoming director of a studio film that will have a major release. The work was really liked and it seems I will be playing a good part in this upcoming film which I cannot speak of. But it is based on a world-famous author’s work and it’s being done on the highest level of quality. I’m honored to be participating.

Another project that I’m not yet ready to announce has several distribution offers and is gaining great momentum. I just worry about time lines and schedules between projects. I just tell myself one step at a time and I’ll deal with it as it happens. We have product out to a few networks and new buyers from the UK, Australia and I might be announcing some films releasing to Brazil/S. America very soon.

So I’m going to try just relax and enjoy this weekend. We have some good associates/friends in town for the ASHES OF EDEN screening and so again I will try to check the producer into rest mode and just enjoy the experience for a day or two. Yes. I do co-star in ASHES OF EDEN and I think my fans will not be disappointed in the role. The test audience really liked the character and he really helps the story move along. I just wanted to address some of the questions I had emailed to me asking if I was acting – thank you for asking:) Sometimes after the film wraps and we go into post – the actor part of me has to take backseat to the producer. I do enjoy both but I do truly produce stuff that I love acting in. It is not the other way around. I will seldom produce something that the actor in me hasn’t been drawn to.

Have a great weekend and again congrats to my brother and his wife.

BELIEVE! (Tribute to U.W.)

DJ

 

 

Making Beer & Wine/Films Releasing in the Springtime

What a great week it was both personal and professional. I have to say that seeing plants start to grow and the warmth slowly creep over the land has been a positive and uplifting thing. I do love winter but this one was pretty intense. I had a chance to do some yard clean up. We’ve got plans to get the patio rocking this year also getting the pond going. Taxes both company and personal are submitted so that is off the plate. This week should have me becoming an Uncle which is an exciting thing. I have 6 gal. of beer brewing which I’ve called STAN REED’S SUMMER BREW. It is named after my character in the spring break movie TANGY GUACAMOLE. I’ve also got everything for my Banana/Coconut wine and that will be put into play very soon. So I’ve about drained the hazelnut coffee and I’m ready to throw you all a few new updates.

ASHES OF EDEN – This week has been watch-overs on the final version looking for tweaks here and there to be made before it all gets mastered out. We have one final watch/listen again on Tuesday of the stereo mix version. We spotted 5 or 6 improvements and those are being made as I type. The excitement by the masses is growing with record-setting ticket sales topping 500+ in only a few days. We could have close to a 1,000 people ready to watch the local showing. I hear that we will have several of our out-of-state stars coming in as well. If you are in the Michigan area and you want to be part of this showing go to the Capital City Film Festival site. Tickets are only $5 through the festival. I’m looking forward to telling this story to the masses. From there we will start talks with the interested distributors.

BESTSELLER should be close to a locked edit by month’s end. We should also be releasing the 1st trailer about that time. I’m excited by the preview because it really did capture the essence of the original story.

DONORS, the thriller we helped produced out of Yuma, AZ will have its first local showing on May 24th. There is a good chance that we may be in the area shooting on another feature. That is a HINT and if things go as planned I would look for an announcement around Easter.

REALIZISM a great short film that I acted in for Mitch Nyberg will play also on April 13th at the Grand Rapids Film Festival. Check out their site for times.

Several of the CDI films are in talks for additional Network and foreign licensing and I’m confident that we will have several releases to inform you of very soon. I’m going to keep it short but let me see if I can give any insights pulled from this week of business.

My advice would be to invest of yourself and your time wisely. If a project is going to be sub-quality or never be seen by any audiences beyond a few fest crowds why do it. If you need to build a resume and hone your skills – sure. But if you are established, which can be hard to do, do not kill your worth by taking on projects that are not worthy.  Value yourself.

Have a great weekend.

DJ