The corn-beef and cabbage cooking and coffee is flowing and today is a good day to be Celtic. Yes. Scottish/Irish on one side and German/English on the other I believe. The St. Patty’s Day has fallen on a Sat. and with the summer-like weather in Michigan we’re having an outside day of it. Bon-Fire, beer and burgers and later the corn-beef. It has been fun getting the yard and garden ready for the new planting. Bottling of the “Green Goblin” (Read earlier posts) will happen soon. I have a beer batch to try following that. The month was one of promotion and looking at projects both in development and   submitted to me to act in. I cut about 5 inches from my hair in prep of soccer season and the coming heat. I’m excited about the projects ahead and development has also been moving steadily ahead. Let me see if I can give a few good updates but 1st let’s talk about – WORK!

Many people on the outside view our industry as fluff not realizing the intense work of developing, funding, executing and finishing film projects. I understand but still feel slightly put off when people just throw out the “Hey put me in a movie”.  Yeah, because it takes no real skill or development to do what we do. BullSHI*! I would say that I work very intensely to get done what I must. I wouldn’t say “Hey how about you let me weld that ship panel in place” or “I’ve never coached but I can take over team for a week or so”… – you get my point. Ship may sink and team will lose but then again many folks think that TV/Film is done in a matter of hours or days. People are still surprised when I say a 12 hour day might get 3-5 minutes of a film done – rough footage only. Let me remind you that this is with new tech equipment unlike the old days and earlier. Have you ever spliced film together?

I’ve found some people want to say “I’m a filmmaker. I’m a director.” but don’t like to do the work. They are often quick to schedule showings and set unreasonable deadlines and act surprised when they fail to meet them. It does happens BUT this is something that must be corrected in good time or they will not last. It is like an actor that is often late. They won’t be around long because at the end of the day it is work and the weakest link can hurt the whole. Also a recent example which I will not highlight with a name but includes finger-pointing at the artists under them and FIBS. First if you are in a position of power it is your responsibility to motivate, manage and make sure things move along. If not it is YOUR fault. Sure you might have less dedicated artists and they should not be hired again. That said, if you hired/brought them onboard that = your responsibility. Also with filmmaking and other folks $ the executive team must deal in truth. The good, the bad and the ugly. If someone drops the ball you are the bigger person by admitting that. I’m still surprised at the people who would rather blame someone else than accept responsibility. And if they will fib on something small they will easily fib on something larger. It is a major issue with me and speaks volumes about character. My advice is be organized and focused – do your work and motivate/manage positively. A good leader will cover honest mistakes by accepting responsibility for the team, apologize and work twice as hard to remedy the situation. Some people do not know this lesson and will struggle in life because of it. Enough of the behind the curtains of the Great and Powerful Oz – onto updates on projects that have made strides. Just try to recognize how much work actually goes into your favorite film or TV program.

Updates –

– A “Donors” trailer will be forthcoming likely at month’s end or start of next month.

– I’m hearing Hollywood showings of “Darkest Night” will be in May so marketing materials can all be put together upon the completion of the film.

– The followup CDI/GPI film will be “The Beast” and a Philippine director has been chosen by Russ Williams – I need to read new draft of script this week.

– More “Secondary Heroes” location photos are being taken in Ohio & Michigan

– Waiting on some $ word on both “Soul Eater” and a reborn “Wild Michigan”

– “Race to Judgment” revised script complete and more packaging underway including the addition of Lana Wood, Roger Collard & Delvon Roe

– “Dean Teaster’s Long Road Home” packaging our distributor interest for a possible fall Michigan shoot

– “Locked in a Room” will have a Michigan premiere on May 3rd 7:00 and I’m told cast and crew will be free and guests and public will be a paid admission. Additional theatrical showings are also being set up by director Larry Simmons.

I might have a few updates on CDI TV division and our commercial division will soon be announcing a large “Making of” project for a large studio project I’m involved with. With the sunshine comes a new energy to work hard and tell some great stories. BUT today is going to be a day of friendship, family and enjoying the day!

DJ

May the blessing of light be on you—
light without and light within.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you
and warm your heart
till it glows like a great peat fire