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

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Snowing Wonderland and End of Year Updates

Hazelnut coffee cheers my friends! I have awoken to a winter wonderland not just the cold dusting of yesterday. I have been bouncing between film work and end of year winterizing. That includes log chopping, stowing of yard stuff and other cold weather prep. Yesterday we travelled out and harvested our Christmas tree. It looks and smells so great and the energy of the tree adds so much to the house. I know many of us struggle with loss and set backs but gain and success are also part of that cycle. I feel the joy of the season and Thanksgiving was a nice rest. I saw our step sister and hubby’s new home. It was a wonderful time even with the Lions coming up short. (Football) I really do appreciate every gathering and get together. With the unpredictability of life you should celebrate every day as if it could be your last. Let’s move onto movie updates.
1) Harsens Island Revenge is available to everyone either on dvd or streaming. Watch it and leave us a review at Amazon which is the best place for that Watch: https://youtu.be/7MuZzSjwCQI?si=a2vML5a4gAIyRQrS

2) Silent Night in Algona is a great Christmas watch. You can watch here and again leave a review. http://www.imdb.com is another great place to review it. https://youtu.be/mOzU-3AEdoc?si=fAoUUCXdVQQzTuR5

3) Tis the season for The Quest Trilogy which is our spotlight on three very ignored perspectives of the bible. Forty Nights is part 1 watch here: https://youtu.be/E52EV2FPT2I?si=IyzYwxPcRqg0aozG

Part 2 Chasing the Star watch here: https://youtu.be/em6JOnNDC9c?si=gX9Q0tl2xhKYH9wC

Part 3 The Christ Slayer watch here: https://youtu.be/Jd5z9yJ5hVw?si=TuNioGGCk7Zj4MkY

And a film in post due to release next year loosely fits into this trilogy of films above. It was recently announced as AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. You can read about it here: https://www.prlog.org/13113059-collective-development-inc-mcgraw-multimedia-announce-full-title-for-upcoming-feature-film.html

Many are enjoying a first or returning watch on Wild Faith here: https://youtu.be/g0LCdlq-BK0?si=uOzLJNL9O3ThRrEU before you watch Wild Faith Christmas in theaters over the next few months. This week our rep should announce several new screenings. Once again we indie films have to deal with the studio glut of holiday films. But call and talk to management and request Wild Faith Christmas.

With all this momentum I will be looking to see if the tv show could launch. The original film has been successful and the sequel should hit or exceed those viewership levels quicker. If the eight shows of season one can be funded we’ll do that otherwise it might be another feature.

The music and sound design on Rom Coms Must Die, a dark comedy should be done by year’s end. We’ll do a theatrical run before a 3rd Q home video release.

AI Jesus will be looking to do a close to final edit this week. It will go into post music and sound right behind Rom Coms Must Die. I need to explore the first AI Jesus teaser trailer also.

Development: I ran into one of our extras yesterday at Sam’s Club and they wanted to know when is the next film? What is the next film? It always depends on funds. I’m still in talks on the last few units on AI Jesus. Once completed I will turn my attention forward.

I will say that I’ve been working on the script for MBF2. I also had a great catch up with Austin Two Feathers about his character Buddy that would play a big part in the follow up story. I’m taking my time as the script has big shoes to fill with the first film. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/afDYPOiL5pY?si=2TuNZo5mHrIBZ87_

I’ve also read a half dozen scripts that are in development from other folks. The script is the foundation and needs to be solid.

If you want to watch CDI’s first feature you can watch Knight Chills streaming here: https://youtu.be/ognETSVqirE?si=oqyiHyNr8NpbWFPw

Knight Chills was made with more passion than money in the 90’s. Everyone starts somewhere and this was our first step. The other three films in the classic collection (From Venus, Heaven’s Neighbors, Figure in the Forest) need restoration work which is being discussed. Film look from back in the day burnt in is causing issues. Knight Chills has a Yule holiday theme so it might be a fun watch. Also if you like role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons.

Wrap Up: I just had eggs and bacon with sour dough toast and I’m ready to attack my day. This week I’m going to start working on end of year final dispersement to our investors. We are stream lining the company flow working with legal and our accounting firm. This will direct more revenue to our investors which is always a good thing.

As we collectively enter the final month of 2025 do so with grace and joy. Be kind to others and generous with your time and patience. I feel the great losses and successes of 2025. Keep your focus on your personal and professional goals. I will speak with you next week. Enjoy the spirit of the season! Coffee cheers! DJ

Posted by  |  November 30, 2025 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Laughter, Love & Gratitude- Looking Ahead at CDI

Good morning to you all! I woke up to a slightly frosty morning with a beautiful sunrise breaking the freeze. I got the coffee started and took care of the dogs and let the chickens out. I was tired at week’s end from film business and wood chopping. I want to thank you all for joining me including my Chinese followers showing up in force. From the Chinese philosophers to the martial arts and tea, I’m one who enjoys that culture. Below is a great interview I did for The Intense Life with friend John Mashni. Click below to watch.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1E5C2QCp4Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

I want to thank Das for the fine message on Forty Nights and hope he enjoys part 2 Chasing the Star and part 3 The Christ Slayer. I think all fans of the CDI tribe should take a watch. Tis the season and these films are very unique in their perspective.

I’ve been promoting Harsens Island Revenge now streaming. Don Most did a Q&A in CO at a screening last week. I’m getting hammered by people wanting to see Wild Faith Christmas, especially in our home town of Lansing. The film will start announcing more dates as our rep locks them. I was out to the Pines studio overseeing the work on Rom Coms Must Die. It is coming along great and I hope to have a finished film by year’s end.

The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is going to be announcing the full title this week. AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is the full title and the film is close to a locked picture. It will go into music and sound behind Rom Coms Must Die. The AI Jesus film had more backers come onboard and we will assign the last few units of investment for marketing in the coming weeks. The movie is very funny with powerful heartfelt moments. We have a teaser trailer in works that maybe we’ll release around Christmas. But getting the film picture locked is our priority.

Development- I want to get the final biz on The Kingdom Chip completed but we have several projects in process for a possible 2026 shoot. One meeting went great and if funded by end of Jan 2026 it will shoot that Summer. Another Iowa film follow up to our Silent Night in Algona, a great holiday watch streaming now, is making steady progress. It is the Spirit Lake Massacre, the state’s story of the last conflict with the Lakota. Our proposal was given to the governor and several officials. We will see said the wise man. Another project has some funding but the script needs work. It is a hard conversation sometimes over creative endeavors but direct can be the best way. The issue also lies in the momentum we have with Wild Faith. The launch of the tv series would be ideal but a third film is also possible.

I’ve had a half dozen script writing projects in negotiations but none have finalized. On the acting front I’ve separated from Treasure Coast Agency. They are reducing their roster with casting costs rising. I’ve always done my best castings direct. Being a producer who hires directors, I network better in the above the line realm. My reels need updating but I’m busy working so I spend more energy on projects vs casting materials. But I will get some updated reels from these recent films. I might look into a literary agent to sell a few scripts I don’t plan to produce.

In wrapping up my talks here I wanted to mention that with the gains comes loss. Recently a few wonderful people have passed away. That is always a wake up call to enjoy each day. Also take care of yourselves by laughing, loving and letting things roll off versus getting overly stressed. I hold people accountable but I also understand when I see folks struggling or failing that is just where they are. We’ve all been there. I’m loving the occasional Christmas shop between tasks and I’m looking forward to a few festive gatherings. Try to give people grace at this time of year where hardships can be worse. I’m enjoying the end of year wrap up and I’m preparing for another good year. We will see more films release and more get filmed. We have seen the tribe growing in size and strength as more artists bring their projects to CDI. 2026 will be 30 years for our company developing and creating meaningful content. Until next week I hope you have a productive week. For those who participate in Thanksgiving, use the time to reflect with gratitude on your life and all the blessings. Be good to one another and coffee cheers! DJ

Posted by  |  November 23, 2025 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment