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

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Congrats to a Young CDI Tribe Member!

What a beautiful day here in Michigan. I’ve been working to get the garden ready that provides fresh veggies for a good part of the year. Venison steaks and grilled corn were last nights menu items and how I love them both. Today my business partner Jeff Kennedy is having their son Jackson graduate from high school and prepare to enter college at Michigan State University. He was top of his class and I’m happy that all those years around the crazy CDI tribe did not have him going Drew Barrymore on us.  We have another soccer match Sunday and I’m deeply enjoying all these are wonderful distractions. Why? My “TO DO” lists have expanded beyond my one legal pad page and well into a second page this past week.  Let’s look at a few of the things going on in the movie circle.

We are soon to announce a slate of films with a new partnership out west that includes a couple of CDI westerns and the kick off on that slate is “Soul Eater” a stand alone prequel to the wicked horror film “The 8th Plague”.

We are very close on kicking off a few faith films in the wake of the continued success of “Book of Ruth” and I for one enjoy these films which remind me of the old Charlton Heston films.

Speaking of faith films Dean Teaster’s “Long Road Home” is front running on a MI slate of films that we’re pushing hard to launch. Pureflix Ent. (Randy Travis company) has put an offer to distribute down and so we are close here. I really would like to see this slate go so that some of the artists here can be put to work. If you have an interested in being a partner on one of these feel free to contact via the http://www.cdiproductions.com site. You can read all about the new CDI associated film slate that is rolling out now to theaters, private screening parties and L.A. showings for distributors. READ UP!

Tickets for the next June 13th “7 Stones” screening party in Saugatuck, MI can be purchased at http://www.3rdcoastfilm.com

Also on June 13th at Dick Clark Productions we are having a distributor screening of “Darkest Night” http://www.darkestnightmovie.com a truly frightening “found footage” movie. Interested distributors contact me to get you on the list.

Aug. 7th is the Domestic release of “Deadly Renovations” and they are prepping hard on that. Put that on your calendars! http://www.deadlyrenovations.com

Aside from all that “Donors” is in post-production, a few TV shows in development and working to finalize a large studio “making of” project. I’ve got eight films talking to me about acting roles so I’ve been sorting through all that. I was also trying to do a 2 min sizzle reel of sorts on myself but I’m finding it hard to capture my career in 2 min. A couple of these films are foreign films which I find exciting because my work reaches new audiences and my US fans get exposed to some talented foreign artists. It was hinted at that I might be flown back to the Philippines in Nov. for the kick off release of “Darkest Night” in theaters there.

So with all this personal and company business things have been a little bit busy. I’m not going to complain I just keep my head down and work hard. I know when I need a mental break and so I break it up with a little yard work or other relaxing activities. Today will be one of those days with beer and grilled goods as we toast Jackson Kennedy. He made it through high school with high honors AND made a great choice with MSU!

Go Green!

Go White!

Have a great weekend!

DJ

Posted by  |  May 19, 2012 | Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Film Showings & In-Praise of the Digital Age

The day of yard and garden work may be halted due to the approach of the storms outside. It has been another wild week of business, business and more business. A lot of time is being spent on promotion of the projects now coming out. Some are coming out to audiences and some to distributors. Let’s take a look at a few…

LOCKED IN A ROOM – Had 1st Michigan theatrical and setting up a few more. We’ve been getting distribution offers but will likely wait until July to make any final assignment of rights.  I feel this film is a small stepping stone to bigger things for the director Larry Simmons.

DARKEST NIGHT – Just finished final mixing in the Philippines and is prepping for a showing to distributors in June. If you are a distributor in the area and want to see a damn scary film give me a holler:)

7 STONES is also now complete. A new trailer is showing how strong this project is. It will play a test run in the theatre next week in Grand Rapids, MI. Following that many festival and screenings are being planned. I think this is some of my best drama in the last couple years.

DEADLY RENOVATIONS – They are prepping the domestic artwork and I know they are in discussions with Redbox, Blockbuster and other retailers. I think this film will scare and entertain. Again a great 1st step for some new filmmakers.

OUTSIDE THE WIRE – This film is gearing up for additional showings across the US. I also know that plans are underway for additional military docs by director Anthony Hornus.

I don’t have any major updates yet from SplitVision Ent. on the status of BENJAMIN. I think this film will be greatly enjoyed by audiences when it comes out. Seek out some of these films on Facebook, IMDB and such to see some preview trailers on these projects.

CDI/Myself are involved in the pushing of two slates of films forward. One is geared towards projects to be shot in Michigan and the other includes locations outside of Michigan. I also heard yesterday that we might be sharing an office on the 20th Century Fox studio lot. I’m not planning on moving to LA but it will make a nice visit from time to time. I’ve been learning from some more experienced mentors in our business. I think we all need those mentors.

As for acting I’ve been in discussions and doing a few reads on scripts. I also did a follow-up read for a director on a drama. I really like technology in the sense of my cell phone camera. I never liked going to casting offices to be treated like cattle. Thankfully those times were few and far between as I almost always get cast off previous work.  I recall those casting days where at the end I felt like I gave a sub par read usually due to a forced read with someone from the casting office who could not “give”. Add in a casting director who really has no credit/resume to back up their attempted “directing” – often I would have been better just staying home and working in the garden. Now I can be relaxed, mull over the character, do a read on my phone, email it off…DONE! Back to my day. I don’t often credit technology but in this aspect I love the new digital age. No stamps, no printed headshots, no B.S.. Face to face discussions are a great gauge of mutual VIBE and understanding of character and their place in the story. When location is an issue SKYPE works well. It has opened up the world in many ways and my international filming trips attest to that.

I’m sure I could ramble on about a few other topics but I think I’ll go grab another cup of coffee.

I wish you all a safe a wonderful weekend.

DJ

Posted by  |  May 12, 2012 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , , , | Leave a comment