A readjustment to real life after a week of hotel living, or at least when I wasn’t spending the long hours on our prison set. I’m speaking of “7 Stones” and the wonderful experience I had telling that powerful story. Written and directed by Tom Norton and produced by a team led by Girbe Eefsting. I was completely blown away by a set that reminded me of “The Well of Souls” in RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK or some dungeon from MAN IN THE IRON MASK. My thoughts are this…

While CGI does free the filmmaker to create in-computer all these worlds I can honestly state that performing inside a room of just curtain green screen cannot and will not create the same environment to pretend in. I love the story of on GOONIES they didn’t show the kids the pirate ship into they rolled cameras and dropped them into the water. The reaction was REAL!  A breathtaking pirate ship of One Eye Willie. As a producer, I have and will use green screen but whenever possible I think that actual sets should be used. I think when just the world becomes the focus and not the actors, storytelling will suffer. So I really had a strong appreciation for the playground created.

I once again was blessed with amazing co-stars In Melissa Anshultz, Dax Spanogle, Burt Johnson, Michael Swain, Justin Kilduff and of course Hershey. Thank you for making it so easy. The CREW! I met some remarkable artists and I hope this film will be the beginning of several stories told together. I think the work is some of the best drama I’ve done in a while. This is due to the material which in this case was a severe character study in the human spirit.

I’m so excited that another great story has moved into post. BENJAMIN is done now and I’m told LOCKED IN A ROOM is right behind it.

NEW “Outside the Wire” screenings will be shown throughout the year and I do recommend that everyone watches this enlightening film. Tony Hornus really found his calling with this project and many orphaned children will benefit. Again a great study in the human spirit!

“Renovation” has a few offers and we plan to make a few moves and announce something in the weeks ahead. I’m excited to get this thriller out to audiences who I believe will really enjoy it.

There is so much happening on the developing slate that I can’t type it all here. The Philippine GPI/CDI slate is forming up with “Shadow of Death” being next for Spring 2012. I will have new updates soon on “In Our Time” and “Madam CJ Walker” two highly anticipated films from B4Tyme with me playing Jesus in one of them. These two projects will mark my move into US theatrical should the upcoming films in post only make it to TV/home video level. I’m excited to get to that next level because I’ve worked with many fine directors/production groups whose work deserves to be on the big stage.

I’m pressing for the 4th Quarter release dates on our NEW VIDEO titles and so a little more patience and I will get those around.

Tomorrow I have an entire day of PR in Grand Rapids with TV, radio and print for “7 Stones”. I’m happy that my long unkept nails and beard are again gone. Not the best facial adornment in 90 degree heat.  Here are a few sites associated with the film. They have links to many previous news stories…ENJOY!

“7 Stones” Facebook site

http://www.facebook.com/pages/7-Stones/195785083801954?ref=ts

“7 Stones” website

http://www.3rdcoastfilm.com/

I hope that all of you out there are working towards your goals. Remember it is not a destination but the journey. Enjoy the ride!

DJ

My mornings are very peaceful. They usually start with coffee and quiet moments reading or prepping for the day ahead. Watering of the garden and the newly planted redwood tree given to me by my brother has become ritual. I go over a mental checklist here shortly before heading off to set. A nice change is allowing me to drive to my hotel and being only an hour from my home. I tell the pets that daddy has to go to work. They don’t truly understand but will eagerly await for me to be done with this movie stuff. To them I’m provider, playmaker and snuggler – not a movie actor. Anytime I think about the time I take to go off to shoot a film my feelings are offset by thinking of military families. They send loved ones off for long periods of time and they are truly in danger unlike the smiling actors who can pretend to abuse me onscreen and on CUT go to craft service for a snack.

That said, I’m working with many new cast and crew members who obviously share a passion like my own. I’m filming “7 Stones” an action/drama where I play a political prisoner. I accidentally scratch myself several times a day and this wild man beard has been less than ideal in this heat. Anyway, “Joseph” is with me and I’ve been living with him for a month or two since leaving “Ken” in the Philippines. Time to let “Joseph” do his thing onscreen. It is a deeply moving and thought-provoking role and I feel honored to have the part. So I leave my quiet moments here to go join the circus. Press interviews, stunts, drama, late nights and laughter:) Let’s do it!

On other fronts – I’m told “BENJAMIN” that I shot in NYC is complete and they have a private producers screening last night. I took in the final chapter of “Harry Potter” and was thrilled how they ended a series of films that went from a children’s fable to a dark vs light battle that can only be described as EPIC.

“Locked in a Room” is also in the final stretch of post and will be finishing up soon.

I will have more updates but for now the shower calls. I have to do my final packing and get ready to roll. So appreciate the quiet moments in your own lives. Do what you must and give 110% and know the quiet moments will await you upon your return.

Have a great weekend.

DJ