A surprise of a nice day yesterday and we can hope for more of the same today. The seedlings we planted indoors to go to the garden have started to sprout! Little leaves turned towards the sun. A few weeks ago we talked sowing seeds and so I hope some of you have done that. It doesn’t just have to be in your career. A smile, kind words, helping the needy are all seeds you can plant.

On this day respected for love I wanted to speak on hate. I was born into an ivory tower as I look back. I was taught to like or dislike someone by their actions not their age, gender, race or religion. I also LOVED people who were different and had their own cultures and customs. Old fishermen in Hornbaek, Denmark talking about the old Norse Gods. Eating squirrel and training martial arts with Mong friends. Painted, sacred cows that walk as they please in India. As long as hate isn’t part of the equation I think it is a beautiful thing. Much like the variety of flowers in a garden they are all different and wonderful in their own way.

Bad business and greed will continue to corrupt until we adjust our value system. I’ve had people frown because of how spiritual I am to my approach of everything. For some they don’t understand how they go hand in hand. I’m here to tell you all your actions stem from who you are and what you believe. I like free market competition but the dollar should not be all-mighty. I’m trying hard to not be all preachy but I see the many flaws in man’s many attempts to harness divinity. The working cycles of the Creator continue despite failed attempts by man to lay claim over them. Ask Japan, we do not hold claim over much of anything save the small shelters we erect.

Again I’m not an actor trying to be all opinionated but an artistic soul living in the same world. I think the Middle East conflict(s) are  a progression. A resonating truth that nobody truly has power over us that will don’t allow, give or grant it. Fears that a militant Islamic faction will just take over where the dictators left off I feel is not accurate. People want freedom to speak  and to do and whomever oppresses that need will fall to the masses eventually.

EXAMPLE –

On my wonderful trip to India I heard 1st hand that the conflicts with Pakistan were fading. The youth doesn’t want to hold old grudges and certainly not in the name of religion. Controlled grudges in cricket or soccer (futbol) may continue to exist but they all collectively belong to a group that loves healthy competition vs war and conflict. I may be wrong in my recall but even the Olympics were used to settle certain disagreements. Single champion combat replaced massive loss of life in some situations. I say paper, scissors, rock for the Gaza strip:)

OK. Solving world issues here. Let’s address the need for women returning to a status of equality. This is something that needs to happen. Why, how, when this removal of power happened can be debated but the lack of female balance has been felt. Many countries not putting equal value on female children is OUT OF BALANCE. Allow me to illustrate.

Birds + Bees = new birds & bee’s

On this day of reflection we’ve taken a look at a few world issues through the eyes of one person clawing his way to the middle. This title/term is used in reference to my movies career but it is applicable to all areas of your life.

– Responsibility of actions.

– Love of difference.

– Freedom to disagree.

We’ve all allowed this imbalance to maintain. The world needs to change. Storytelling illustrates our common hopes, fears, dreams as one race. Movies can be escapism but it can also be used for eye-opening enlightenment. I try to strike a balance between the two and also seek to convey a message in all the stories I help tell. Some are cautionary tales that over-illustrate the horrific results. But again they are often nothing compared to actual events. Yesterday I was recalling to others the lack of impact “Blair Witch” had on me because upon turning the VCR off the news had a story about a S. American serial killer that was many times more horrific than a stone piling entity that made a few teens disappear in the woods.

I also think that “story reporters” need to take a better role in how they inform people.  When you have a reporter asking a security defense person in the wake of 9-11 if someone dropped the ball – Duh! Stupid answers to stupid questions. On days like this I often think about friends and family now passed.  Take away all the BS that goes with organic human existence and what do you have left? We all hope to transcend our mortal shortcomings but maybe some of that can start here and now – in our time. (PR plug:) That is wisdom.

I think we’ve had enough esoteric pondering. So my last final ramblings – Garden earth planted by hands greater than we are. We have no true ownership we just exist for a period of time upon it. Divinity exists in ways beyond us and continue despite any human actions using it to justify their personal agendas. The illusion of this ownership compounded by the insecurities of individuals, allows greed and corruption to grow. Actions make one great not possessions. Do. Do good.

MOVIES

On this day I’m happy to report that “In Our Time” is back on track. New web sites are going up to promote the film. I think this will be a powerful film that attempts to cut through all the BS and gets to the heart of a teaching. I sometimes feel that one savior dying for the sins of mankind has given many people a cop-out. Looking back on it all I’m not sure any favors were truly done. Great acts of kindness are deserving only when not taken for granted. I know from martial arts that something earned is always better than something given. Would Jesus make the same sacrifice today given a choice? Maybe he would keep his mouth closed, content in his knowing and finish the oak coffee table he was working on. Just something to think on.

My bags are almost packed and my affairs put to order. I’m excited to meet new artists and a new culture that I’ve only read about. I’m excited to let them know who I am. What I represent and maybe change a few hearts and minds about Americans. We are what we are. The good and the bad. We don’t judge by someone’s station in life or ethnic backgrounds as harshly as I’ve seen elsewhere. We judge more by individual ideas and a simple freedom to explore those ideas. In a trade of cultures I feel we have something to offer. I’ve always learned from others. It will be good.

I will continue to update here from the Philippines and pass that along to all of you. Feel free to watch http://www.cdiproductions.com for some updates as well. I’ll be back to more movie driven news here soon enough. Enjoy the spring day and don’t take anything for granted. While we may one day discover that we are not truly unique in the universe we are unique in the here and now. This is our story. This is our record of civilization. Perhaps one day we may become a world of peace. Maybe that will happen when faced with an endgame situation of some space rock on a collision course with Earth. Maybe that will be the day all guns are dropped, enemies hug goodbye and trivial battles/arguments/wars over resources, land, religion will cease. If all people knew that they may be judged at a set date perhaps we would be better people. It would be a shame to have to wait for that day.

If you really want something in this life, you have to work for it –Now quiet, they’re about to announce the lottery numbers! –Homer Simpson

I just had nice pot of coffee followed by a bacon sandwich from our 4H pig. If you are a meat eater I would suggest 4H livestock. It is raised by children in the farming program. One of our animals was raised by an orphan and the money is used for college. First, the per pound meat is cheaper than your grocery store. Second, no animal abuse if anything these animals are pampered. Third, you’re not eating ground meat from several animals. We’ve been getting a 1/4 of a cow and whole pigs at the fair. This is rounded out by the venison that fills the fridge every year. I was just reading about all this commercial meat and the issues they are having. So if it is an option I would highly suggest you explore this 4H program.

On the veggie tip we started flats of seeds that will be the produce for the garden. My final task is to get that earth tilled before I have to go film next. We had a few days of sunny but now have some rain and high winds. That said, the grill and chill days are coming soon. That is how I like to conduct meetings. A glass of wine, legal pad of TO-DO’s and good old brainstorming.

This week has been meetings and follow ups on “Outside the Wire” and “Renovation” which will likely have new showings here soon. Also more plans are being made for theatrical showings of some of the earlier CDI films before they’re released nationally this 4th quarter. One reason behind this is a projector that I now own and the recent success of Nita Kennedy’s art gallery showing of her foam work has created new opportunities. I’m also looking at a few special showings of “Wicked Spring” for the 150th of the Civil War this year. Contact me if you have a venue.

I still don’t have those exact street dates yet for the New Video titles but will soon. Three projects in development will start down the path to production. One is “Long Road Home” with partners in Las Vegas and Wisc. that will work with CDI. The second is “E & Me” with Arizona partners. Third is “Secondary Heroes” with CDI alumni Stuart MacDonald directing. More will be forthcoming on these projects.

Foreign distribution talks on several CDI projects is underway. I’ve been talking with several TV networks and I’m proud to say we’ve got films playing on ABC, TBN, Comcast On Demand, Inspirational Network. Encore, Gospel Music Network, Chiller TV and the list goes on. We made it a point to focus our efforts more towards TV and international. So in the day-to-day grind you don’t always see how far you’ve come until you take a deep breath, turn around and look.

That is a good lesson to everyone. It is that old saying that every journey starts with a single step. I know where some of you are with your careers. It feels like little progress is being made BUT if you put in the honest work it will move you forward. We’re a generation of immediate want and true visionaries don’t work like that. Thomas Edison tested thousands of filaments to find the right strand for lightbulbs. I like that Walt Disney went bankrupt like 7 times. Babe Ruth hit a lot of home runs but he also struck out OFTEN! You must DO! You will have SETBACKS! Quitters remove themselves and the persistent amongst us will move forward.

I spoke at Michigan State with a few other panelists to soon to graduate students. I was the only person up there happy with my career. One wanted to move out of her field completely. Another chose money 1st and left her artistic endeavors behind but now she fills her spare time with artistic endeavors and regrets “selling out” her art.

I’ve heard filmmaking/acting and such described as working twice as hard for half as much but those are decisions you each must make. Can you sell your time to non artistic endeavors if it means that nicer car, bigger house or higher pay? Or does your soul feed off of creative endeavors and you’re willing to live simple? Now at a certain level artists can leap ahead. They are feeding the need of those who sold out. You create the music, the movie, the writing that others don’t have the time or focus to do. ALL humans have a creative need. Some create and some consume. You just have to pick your place in the tribe of life.

I got contacted about acting in another cool film and we’ll see what happens there. The schedule would have to line up correct but I believe that the projects I’m meant to be in – I am. That is a good way to look at it. So each of you actors out there know that the universe will bring you what is meant to be. That still means you need to be ready when opportunity knocks.

Today is 1st day of practice for outdoor soccer. Some of you know that I play in a Men’s league and not only does it keep you in GREAT shape but I love my soccer mates. It is a great game that is as much a lifestyle as a game. I will have to knock off some winter rust as I did not play indoor soccer because of my film schedules.

Have a wonderful Sunday and a great week ahead!

DJ