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

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A WRAP on Benjamin film!

What a beautiful weekend in the Michigan and I got to spend it up North with a little lake time. We won our soccer match on Sunday which is always a nice bonus. Lastly the NYC film BENJAMIN wrapped yesterday so another film in the can. There is a possibility that we may have Jon the director come to Michigan on some post work.

I’m trying to find out shoot dates on IN OUR TIME to see if I can hold or if I need to take on another film in the between time. I like to stay busy and I do have several scripts I’m looking over for acting roles. I have word that LOCKED IN A ROOM is moving along in post and RENOVATION is closer yet. The RENOVATION folks are talking about a Yuma premiere in October and so that will be nice. The doc film OUTSIDE THE WIRE will also be finishing in August and so we will have some good product to keep the fans happy:)

August and September will be busy with film releases for FIGURE IN THE FOREST, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS, JUDGES (Special Edition) and THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ. I’m excited by all the production and releases. Now if we can launch a few more here we will be all set. We are getting closer and with a few more attachments I’m in hopes of closing these down.

I’m thinking of looking for more partnerships with CDI and other small production companies. We can bring assured distribution to the marketplace and that is the HUGE struggle that indie filmmakers face. The key is right script, some distribution friendly talent and the right relationships. It is tough even for distributors these days because even like the studio only 1-2 of 10 pictures are successful. I continue to communicate and learn more every day. Sometimes it is disappointing but I think you have that with any business and/or industry and when you do score a hit it makes it that much more fulfilling. So I need to get myself to make some time for these lunches and such people want to have. Much of my days are filled with emails and phone calls nudging projects along. But for some folks who have a small budget gathered with a touch of guidance they can really advance their project. It allows others to benefit from our mistakes. Is that a pay it forward:)

Well for those in the heat stay cool and I’ll bend your ear soon enough.

DJ

Posted by  |  July 19, 2010 | Categories: Blogroll | Leave a comment

Home Sweet Home!

I’m back in the Michigan drinking my coffee on a Monday morning. Yesterday we won our soccer match and I even scored a goal. I’ve enjoyed following the World Cup with so many friends and it is kind of sad that it’s all over now. As for playing soccer yesterday it was nice to run hard after spending all that time in NYC filming. I had such a great time and I know we did some very good work. I not a big city fan at all but the people and the experience were extremely positive. I made many new friends and saw a few old ones. My final scene was at Grand Central Station and it was a cool way to picture wrap. That place is so BIG! So I will be keeping you updated on that film entitled BENJAMIN.

Now I’m unpacking and jumping back into “In Our Time” and I hope that launches here soon. I’m all warmed up and ready to rock so give me a few and I’ll be ready to roll. Last week RENOVATION http://www.renovationthemovie.com  rough cut was done and the fine tuning now begins. We are prepping for the release of HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST this August and so I encourage you all to join our facebook pages on these projects and buy/rent the films at a place of your choice.

I’m ready to really try and pull some of these projects together so we can do a few more of these little stories:) I do enjoy creating onscreen and the fact that I got to do a comedy again was just great. I got to work with James Russo whose work I’ve admired and he did not disappoint me. I want to thank all the hard working cast and crew of that film and I can’t wait to see the final project. I’m also hearing LOCKED IN A ROOM is nearing a rough cut so fans out there should have a few great projects to wait for.

I’m getting things back to normal so I’ll keep this short for now!

Have a great week everybody!

DJ

Posted by  |  July 12, 2010 | Categories: Blogroll | Leave a comment