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

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A Special B-Day AND Achieving Balance

I want to start my blog by wishing my brother a very happy birthday. He is an incredible artist in his own. I might be more of a performance artists but he is awesome at work with his hands. He can draw, paint, sculpt, wood burning and the list goes on. We had a great childhood growing up together and even lived together for a handful of years as adults. We still see each other every week if I’m not away shooting a film. He as well as many of my close family and friends are the main reason I don’t live near a hub city. Despite the fact I’m not a city person I just could not be one of those people who see their loved ones once a year or every couple of years. Others can make that move and devote more of themselves to their career path. So I chose the longer path to where I wanted to go so that I could still have all that in my life. I love making movies but I also love the people in my life.  It is a balance that everyone must work to achieve.

In my world of film it has been good, consistent work. I’m working with our post-house and supervisor to complete the music score on “Donors” and the TV series “Supermodel Showdown – The Beauty Within” which has been fun to revisit. I’m also working my patience because our new E.P. is NOT in our business. He seems to be part of the masses that think you wave a magic wand and stuff just gets done. It always amuses me (better than offend) that people so underestimate what we do as artists. Both in the performance and in the creation of these properties. When just anyone thinks they can just step in – say a few lines, smile and hey I’m an actor. I would love to do that to others – “Hey, back up I’ll finish this triple by-pass” or “Take 5 I’ll land the plane for us all” or how about ” Throw me those beakers I can mix us up some chemicals”… I think you get the point. So just a wave of my magic wand and I’ll have this all done in no time flat.

This week I also had some great development talks and we are looking to place more of the films at networks or to foreign territories. We are starting to prep for the July release of http://www.darkestnightmovie.com and we will see how US audiences take to the Philippine nightmare. If you like horror “Deadly Renovations” and “Locked in a Room” are out there on the market. There is still “Donors” moving down the line also.

This month we will see the film “Realizism” which is a comedy drama with a heartfelt message. It was directed by Mitch Nyberg and was shot in conjunction with Grand Valley University. It mixed seasoned professionals with students. It will play next week in Grand Rapids on the big screen before DVD’s go for sale.

I think we will leave this update for now. I hope this cold passes and we can get back to working in the yard. I’m looking forward to getting the garden going and cleaning up the yard from post office build.

DJ

Owosso Event, Editing & Enter Spring

We finally had a few days that were Spring-like in nature. I worked at the biz in the morning and spent a couple of afternoons working in the yard and new office. The dogs loved spending the 5 to 6 hours playing, sleeping in the yard. I build a compost bin after doing some on-line research as well as some yard grooming. The construction of the office really tore up the lawn. We also fired up the grill last night with the 4H pork chops and it was wonderful. I’m ready for another season of grill and chill. Also soccer season will be starting. I’ve done a good amount of strength training but I need to keep working the flexibility. I can see a few sore post game weeks ahead.

On the film front I have some good announcements and a few big meetings ahead. First is TONIGHT! I will be attending the event surrounding a fallen soldier from Owosso with our Afghanistan doc and country music acts. So I will be attending and I look forward to visiting Owosso once again.

We’ve been digitizing and editing on “Supermodel Showdown – Beauty Within” the TV series that is leading the new CDI TV division. I’ve also been reviewing work on “Donors” music score and “Ashes of Eden” editing.

Also we have the national release of “Darkest Night” this July and I’ve been reviewing some key art for DVD release. I’m excited to get that out to audiences. “Deadly Renovation,” “Locked in a Room” and upcoming “Darkest Night” – safe to say I’ve been working to bring you horror fans some new work.

Development work continues with some financial contributions on certain films. We don’t have a full go yet but I think very soon. We are in talks with many new companies/studios over licensing current films and participating in new films.

I’m excited to be in front of the camera again but it has to be the right project – by right I mean both business and artistically. I’m waiting to hear on one film that I really like so we will see what happens with that.

I might be missing a few topics but I have to go to an event with MSU Vet school this morning and then Owosso event tonight. Family birthday gathering tomorrow… BUSY WEEKEND.

I hope everyone had a great week and I wish continued success to all of you in the weeks to come. Be good and don’t look for short cuts. Hard work in gets results.

DJ