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

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A 2012 Preview!

As  2011 is coming to a close we can celebrate our survival of the ups and downs of the year. Once again we brought the CDI tribe together and renewed our bonds of friendship and toasted to the approaching 2012! The venison steak chili got huge raves and part of that was because of ONE DROP HOT SAUCE. (One of our sponsors) Homemade lilac wine and super-punch put the Holiday spirits into everyone.

This year saw CDI associated projects like “Deadly Renovations” www.deadlyrenovations.com (formerly Renovation) sign worldwide distribution. The powerful doc “Outside the Wire” had multiple theatrical showings and also is entertaining worldwide distribution offers. “7 Stones” and “Locked in a Room” will be coming out of post for a 1st showing early in 2012. CDI also had its 1st international production with “Darkest Night”. I went back to Manila, Philippines at years end for a promotion tour. These are the 1st steps in CDI building Asian distribution ties and participating in forthcoming productions.

New sponsors from candles to moonshine have aligned with CDI and we’ve got a larger development slate than we’ve ever had at CDI.  Everyone of our CDI directors are in development and we’re working hard to package/fund these exciting projects that will carry CDI forward into the future.  CDI’s directors are eager to be back and helm their own projects. We’ve got pieces coming together. Lets take a peek at what a few of these projects are and who is behind them.

“A State of Hate” and a follow-up project in the “Outside the Wire” series are both in development with Anthony Hornus and CDI. Script polishing on “A State of Hate” and outlining on the “Outside the Wire” follow-up have had Tony very busy.

Jeff and Juanita Kennedy have been busy working on new material as well. One project is the popular format of four stories that intersect one another. The film entitled “Mythos” is said to have a gothic horror tinge to it. It’s designed as a project to shoot between the larger projects. The first part will be casting to shoot very soon!

Dean Teaster has a new project that looks like it’s moving into pre-production very soon. It’s called “Long Road Home” and is one very inspiring drama. We’re working to lock distribution before moving to the next phase on this project.

CDI alumni Stuart MacDonald is gearing up to direct “Secondary Heroes” which has been casting and location scouting. It will shoot part in Michigan and part in Ohio.

The forces that be are also lining up for “Soul Eater”.  This prequel to “The 8th Plague” should roll into production in 2012. We’ve been in talks with the film office and looking at locations. Paul Goldblatt is back to helm the special FX so fans will be happy about that.

“Wild Michigan” disappeared suddenly off IMDB but while it still holds the hardest to launch record “Holly, Jingles and Clyde” is trying to catch it. I still have a lot of faith in these two projects and before they throw dirt of me I will make those two films! “Make my word” – Ricky in “Trailer Park Boys”

I’ve got other faith films developing with Reel Frog Films and a solid slate with Gothic Pictures International. Now if we add in the acting projects which I’ve had more scripts/offers for 2012 than any other year that I can think of. I think overall filmmakers are ready to make 2012 into a great year of storytelling!

Part of getting distribution and getting sales strong lie in good marketing. That is one thing that we at CDI have gotten to be very good at. We go after the grassroots marketing as well as the mainline PRNewswire avenue. Our last send out reached over 120 million exposure hits and again had our story in New York Time Square. We’ve used the newswire releases on products as well as the feature films. We’ve done “Making of’s” for other companies, graphic work and poster concepts and now for 2012 CDI is going full ahead with our marketing division. This year saw our sales team and legal fall into place with our commercial production. Now the overall division is officially opening for business. CDI Marketing!

See the new site at:

https://sites.google.com/site/collectivedevelopmentmarketing/

For me it’s back to a bit of script reading and looking at proposed schedules for 2012.

For all of you who are getting crazy for the Eve of 2012 please be safe!

I’ll see you in 2012!

DJ

Posted by  |  December 31, 2011 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , | 11 Comments

Believe and Be Merry!

The house is looking a lot like Christmas! I was wrapping, sorting, cleaning and such until the wee hours last, I mean this morning:) We had so many boxes that at 2:30 am I was burning boxes in the firepit last night. With the soft snow and fire the world seemed to slow and I felt the peace. It has been quite a year and while I can go on about the year to come in my next post I wanted to reflect for a moment.

I recall so many great Christmas times growing up. I was fortunate that way.  My parents always worked hard to make it special for my brother and I. It is those traditions that have been left to me. Like the little chime/candles that burn and spin these little angels. DING. DING. DING. Makes me think of my Grandma Emerson. I recall fondly how much my Grandmas Swope loved Poinsettias. I miss not having any grandparents with us anymore. I also regret that after thirty some years my parents like so many divorced. Christmas is a bit more scattered with a get-together here and than there but overall it still brings back memories of past joy. Now new joy is achieved built upon old traditions.

You have to forgive me if my writing is a bit off. I woke with a small sinus headache (I think from wood smoke at 3am) but the coffee is chasing that away. I remember many Christmas Eve’s waking with a headache but it use to have beer or booze attached to it. I think I’m getting older:) We have a big dinner and family today and it continues to tomorrow. I also have one of my dearest friends flying into town. His parents live here and we’ve been friends since 1st grade. We usually do a dinner with several friends we grew up with but his trip is short this year. I will enjoy seeing him even for the short time.

Movies – As I watched all the Christmas films on TV while working about the house that is a goal. To make one really good Christmas classic. I think I have the script in “Holly, Jingles and Clyde” which I’ve been so close to getting off the ground on many occasions. If it has elves with axes slicing naughty kids up I could probably get it made faster but so far no dice. So for now I have to settle with Chevy Chase and family, Will the Elf and the Rankin/Bass classics.

I did a marathon of script reading last week. I had a slew of offers and scripts come in and I so appreciate when others invite me to participate is their storytelling adventures. Now I will take a couple days to chill with family and friends and give the work a rest. It is hard for me to do that because I really love what I do. I know that it all happens from hard work and taking the steps.

I will close here by thanking all of you who have faithfully read my blog this year. If you want to give myself and others a gift do so by introducing them to “Clawing My Way to the Middle”. I’ve gotten great response from artists who say the words have really helped them in their own journey. So bring someone new into the fold and perhaps they can also find some inspiration. I refused to believe those who said I could not. The trolls who would rather see others fail for they never tried. The unhappy who sold their dreams away. I’m here to say if you believe in yourself you can find success. It may take a while and will come at various degrees but things will happen. I appreciate each and every one of you so from the bottom of my heart I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

Believe!

DJ

Posted by  |  December 24, 2011 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , | Leave a comment