Ah…drinking Hazelnut coffee in my Las Vegas hotel room while watching the final cut of the NYC film “Benjamin” directed by Jon Osman. 2010 has created some great work. This movie I’m watching is just wonderful with great characters and a very unique story. It was submitted to Sundance as was our doc-film “Outside the Wire,” so with a little luck one or both will make it in. I want to go to Sundance but to participate not just to watch.

I’m off today here in Las Vegas prepping for the next week ahead. This should be my final week and I’m looking forward to getting home and relaxing for the holidays. The people here have been wonderful and many new friendships have been made. The city has changed some since I was here last but Vegas is always just what it always is:) Bright lights and glitz! A handful of years ago I was a bit more open to all that crazy but I’ve been there and got that T-shirt. Don’t get me wrong nice place to visit but living here would be tough.

I promised my dad I would play $20 on the Elvis slot machine so I will seek one out today. The story is that I’m not a big gambler but twice I hit on the Elvis slot machine. One time winning back everything I spend in Vegas. You can’t beat that! It is like a refund by the King! TCB in a flash!

I’m actually anxious to get home and get “SILVER LAKE” back in motion. But 1st I must finish my battles with the mafia and the Lords of Darkness here. The footage we are getting here looks amazing! The sets, the actors, crew all 1st class and so again I’m happy to be part of this production.

DAMN! I’m having issues with this screener playing online. Maybe it is my connection here in the room.

The other stuff I’m working on production wise is finishing up the polish on “Renovation” http://www.renovationthemovie.com followed by the setting up theatricals and prepare screeners for distributors. That film has some great character action and twists and turns. So proud of the quality achieved under a tight budget on that one. The Hotel Del Sol has part of my soul now:)

Also working to get previously mentioned “Outside the Wire” where it needs to go. New deals on the existing library of our films and existing products. I recently heard that “BOOK OF RUTH” will be released in Brazil (I found a poster in Spanish) and in the Walmart chain for the holidays.

They are all great films to have worked on and I’m excited about the future projects I have going on with these producer/directors. Great updates coming up with “Holly, Jingles and Clyde” and the CDI westerns now being pushed along by my attorney. New castings on some of those to be announced soon.

I’m gonna go shower up so I can go walk about and sight-see some today. For those of you reading out there the day of thankful wishes will soon be upon us. Count your blessings and prepare for a good end of year wrap up with family and friends. 2011 will be another go around that I hope will be even more productive. Time for another cup of coffee:)

Another day or so and this Elvis is ready to leave the building.

Thank you very much!

DJ

Ok. I know I’ve been only here at the blog a few times. I got caught up in a whirlwind of movie going-ons. A new deal is being carved out with CDI being one of two Michigan based companies working on a slate of films. We’ve been asked to be the production arm of this entity. We did a good 1st run pulling together a fabulous cast and crew behind a great horror script called “Silver Lake”… We pulled together the production and captured some great footage. We hurried into pre-production trying to beat mother nature. Tornado storms and freezing cold that froze up all pipes/water at our primary location created a major issue. We’ve put the production to sleep until we can determine to finish filming at location in early spring or set the film back up at a Southern location. We will see. Either way it was crazy fun pulling a circus together on the fly and meeting/working with some great individuals. This film already has a destination and we’ll be discussing that soon. We are working to adjust our delivery date but I assure you it is more exciting news.

I finally got to watch “RENOVATION” on my home system and what a great little film. It was cool to see the audience react at the outdoor premiere in Yuma. That said I had some questions about the audio/visual aspects but realized the projection/sound equipment at the premiere were not a true representation of the films look and sound. We are doing a final polish and have distribution interest already. We will find a good home and look for it in 2011.

Great week for producer sneak peeks. I saw the new “Locked in a Room” trailer they are working with and WOW! Audiences will love that flick. Great job to our partners Gordon and Larry busting it out in post.

I also saw a nearly locked picture of “Benjamin” and again WOW! It is getting ready for other post work and once complete…watch out!

“Outside the Wire” we just got a GREAT quote from Clark Bunting the president of Discovery Network and we’re looking for the right home for that powerful doc. I love my fiction but this doc film is so heartfelt and meaningful. People will get an entirely different look at what is happening in Afghanistan.

I’m back home and on hold because I may fly out to Vegas to shoot on a movie there. I wasn’t sure I could but this hibernation on “Silver Lake” may allow that. I’m just feeling very blessed as the year ends. With “In Our Time” and several projects lining up 2011 looks to be an exciting year!

DJ