Finishing the 2026 Year Strong and Looking Ahead!
I woke right up today filled with energy. I was up to greet the new day with coffee in hand. It is no secret that I enjoy my hazelnut creamer but I will be trying pistachio flavored later in the week. I had a lot on my mind last week with balance being the goal. I have to say with the days are tough bring your focus in and just knock down each day as it happens. I’ve been dealing with an ill parent and navigating the system can be a true challenge. But, progress has been made. We have a one month follow up coming up this week. At that time we will access several things pertaining to outside help or care. It is easy to become overwhelmed but slowing things down and following one path of information has helped. I am happy to say we are experiencing improvement and much of that is because of taking a hard look at medication. Doctors are quick to add but not to subtract without some prompting to reevaluate. I don’t want to go any deeper on this but you have to try and pay attention and ask questions.
Dealing with other people dealing with anxiety or depression makes you evaluate your own feelings. I think I’ve always had anxiety in some form because it steps from not wanting to make mistakes in a new process. Luckily I have more courage and passion version anxiety. If you accept the worst that could happen and move ahead you often find that those issues never arise. And if they do they are often much more navigational than originally conceived. Every year should and will bring new unsure challenges but that is the excitement of life. So many things in my life I might not have experienced if I did not push forward. Traveling around the world to film with more or less unknown folks as this was before Skype, Teams or FaceTime. India, Philippines, Mexico, Canada and so many states in America to work with other storytellers. So embrace the challenges the rewards can stay with you a lifetime.
Let’s examine a few film updates-
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is streaming and on DVD. I’m starting to hear from people enjoying a watch diring this spooky Fall season. It is fun to read or watch reviews pertaining to the film. So if you’ve enjoyed the film give us your thoughts and any frustrating artists stories that could make you join team Amos and Clem. You can buy the DVD or stream here: https://www.amazon.com/Rom-Coms-Must-Die-DVD/dp/B0HCXXQYMZ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=X8UUY5LE7A76&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.8dwmiRr6bKlk4mL0ZRtVH1ZoPIuUiWRW1F4-Pb2_hk3BLdL8zOT4P581MzjSaCKlstZ6Z8L0mkn2MOzeS6l7SmMmYDHomJmmkVH3Js56vHguCHajle-cX9qJ5aALdauCQDpI2ej5jresRg0fGM2oeRzSonruyGvAxs4N5KGHpPvtI5MCrWUsQKeBlw3Lc6hjB_JJGZHQZ0aYPAQCtvC11AuZBkLs1zCe7ZhDH_cfd9s.9hN0RzWwz-oa9VNqcOPT4sP2goE3E6gXziRIvXUvRHM&dib_tag=se&keywords=rom+coms+must+die&qid=1792326736&sprefix=%2Caps%2C105&sr=8-1
- Next week I’m guessing the PR rollout will begin on AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. I’ve been awaiting the DVD pre-sale site to appear and on 10/30/26 the streaming rent or buy will kick in on Amazon Prime and other participating platforms. This film marks the 3rd time I’ve played Jesus. To see the other two performances watch FORTY NIGHTS which is part 1 followed by CHASING THE STAR part 2 which I am not in, And Part 3 is THE CHRIST SLAYER, a clever play on words as we examine a famous biblical event from a unique perspective. All can be found streaming on multiple platforms.
- I will be going at the end of the month to attend the WILL ROGERS AWARDS for WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. I’ll be accepting for the screenplay and as the supervisor of our incredible producer team. Lastly CDI is being recognized and we will be in some great company of writers, musicians and actors.
- Speaking about WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS which will release on DVD and streaming on 11/3/26 had a great interview with our friend Isaac with FAITH ON FILM Youtube podcast featuring Shane Hagedorn as their guest.WATCH here: https://youtu.be/QAJJTgqlI80?si=Wk2w5ysLcFU6vjZj
- My first starring role in the creature feature IN THE WOODS is playing a few more NYC dates at The Spectacle Theaters. Look them up for times.
- In Post Production is DEVIL’S PASS the stylistic western with a supernatural twist. We had had some great meetings over the flow and I’m exciting to say that the first cut is almost complete. I’m excited by this collaboration because it flowed and that is due to everyone being professional and communicating respectfully. I’m excited to see some first poster art and teaser trailer. So many cool things to say about this film but I will let it speak for itself. If you follow the Facebook page (All our films have FB pages, are you following?) you will be up to date on all things Devil’s Pass.
DEVELOPMENT: I
When I returned from filming I spent some good time organizing and getting ready for the end of the year. That means end of year disbursements to investors of the films. It also means getting all the end of year accounting stuff ready for taxes. And it also means looking ahead to 2027 and what projects to focus on. We are in talks with our GA friends and the McGraws on future collaborations. And internally we have two films that we are starting to make some moves on. The first part of the year I would like to film a who done it starring David Gries and Melissa Anschutz which has almost launched two other times but got replaced by another film. And we are making some good strides in putting this funding together on RETURN TO ALGONA (Working title) the follow up to CDI’s SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. We’ve been in talks with organizations and brands to help support the new endeavor. We will be talking to private investors also once we get a few more of the pieces in place. This would be a 4th Q 2027 film shot in Iowa.
Additionally, I’ve been writing and researching daily on a 3rd WILD FAITH adventure hence WF3. As the 2nd film enters the market we’ll have a few talks on the TV series but if the offers don’t make sense we’ll roll with a 3rd feature film. I am also getting close to my first draft of MAN’S BEST FRIEND 2 which I’ve been working on. I do enjoy the writing and once I get these two finished I will see what I want to focus on. I had a few different talks about screenplay writing or turning someone’s book into a screenplay but those talks did not go beyond that.
Since filming on DEVIL’S PASS I’ve had daily pitch letters on scripts, stories, etc…and I try to respond to most of them. But without financing committed it will not replace anything on the CDI slate. I do know and admire the process. It is hard and I firmly believe that a good blue print is the key to a successful shoot. To some it is only a box to check but I think it is the start of everything. But I am biased when it comes to writing.
WRAP UP: This week ahead I have a good mix of things on my TO DO list. I’m still settling the few action points on my DEVIL’S PASS wrap up. I’m feeling pretty organized and accomplished moving into the end of year. My mind has started to drift a bit to the holidays. I do love the time with family and friends. The cold has had a few nice fires in the office wood stove. I’ve been doing Fall clean up and soon it will be winter prep.
I’m going to wrap it up here and we’re going to stop at the last flea market of the year down the road. We have a family birthday party to attend and that will be fun. I might also need to get after a few eggs. The chicken egg production is slowing down as it gets colder. I thank you all once again for stopping by to read and engage with our circle of artists. I look forward to talking with you next week. Coffee Cheers! DJ
PEACE AND BALANCE – OCTOBER 2026 UPDATES
Hello my friends from around the world. I love seeing the breakdowns of all the readers. I so appreciate all the artists who stop through to reflect on the journey of an artist. To read my trials and tribulations and apply it to your own journey. I am sipping my hazelnut coffee which is my morning favorite. I got up and when cup in hand I explored with my furry son Finn. We listened to all the various birds and watched the squirrels wake and start their morning activities. I try to start my day with nature not technology. It is hard sometimes because of deals or medical monitoring for aging parents. But I try to start my day and end my day with zero technology.
I am and always have been a SciFi fan. I do love that technology has moved from SciFi into our real lives. What we once saw in STAR TREK or STAR WARS is now part of our lives. I’m still wrapping my head around my childhood on fascination for UFO’s now being front and center in the news. I said a month or so ago that riding in a TESLA driving itself was the most SciFi moment I’ve had in decades. We have a great film coming out at the end of the month that puts a spotlight on spirituality and technology sharing space in the new world. I think it is odd for us to image not being the Apex Thinker. We do still process information in a way energy wise that machines cannot quite replicate yet. When robots threatened to replace blue collar jobs the noise was not as loud as when it was suggested that white collar “thinker” jobs could be replaced. This stopped many in their tracks. Accountants billing hours could see machines or programs that can process the information in minutes or seconds. Hours of billable research by attorneys, consultants and such, done in moments. Many industries have been forever changed by advances in technology. Horses and wagons in transportation and military use replaced by autos. The mighty train and streamliners replaced by airplanes. Telegraphs replaced by the telephone. I could go on and on. And for those in the fading professions it became change or die. Not literally but you get it.
This week was a hard one for me personally because of juggling several things at once. Like many my age lucky enough to have one or both parents, I deal with their issues. Both have their current issues in very different ways. The medical system is a double edged sword. Modern meds that can now save someone from was once a death sentence. And a system that knows how to put a medicine bandaid on issues without regular evaluation. And doctors and medical staff are human, for now. We watch LUKE SKYWALKER inside a Bacta Tank being healed by a medical robot. (Sorry non Star Wars geeks) Would they do better at analyzing symptoms, labs and applying the correct medicine. Would they immediately know any bad drug interactions? Likely. A sad truth but the stresses and anxiety of the mind is something more complicated. The issue with compounding medicine is you lose track of what is treating the source issue and what is treating just a side effect.
So this week had me dealing with human faults. Not on purpose as I like to see most human beings as wanting to do kindness because they too benefit from that. Lazy could play into something or job burnout that is real. Another check on why technology and robots could get the edge on humanity. On one small piece of business something off my desk came back to it because someone did not read the submitted letter. On a personal level I also dealt with spending time on something that was declared as “simple” and wasn’t. And it was also thrown back because of their form not being clear. So something technology could do in seconds we take days to sort out. It is not looking good for us on that level. I also think phone trees were created by the Devil. Just joking, maybe.
So this week was full of issues and in the middle of that our elder cat foster-fail Fredrick who was showing serious symptoms has passed. We gave him a beautiful 8 months. He was loved by us and his three female kitty sisters. Or maybe he was Fredrick Hefner with his three ladies. Either way Fred had a good end of life and I encourage folks to give older adoptees a great send off. For me it is the seeking of peace. I saw a high-school classmate say something about peace over happiness. When times are tough strive for peace. Balance is what martial arts teaches and that can be mental also. So I hope all of you find peace and balance and happiness will find you. Onto some movie updates-
UPDATES-
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – has released to DVD and streaming. This is an over-the-top dark comedy about the frustrations of being an artist. The release will widen even more at the end of the month. I’m not sure how audiences nationwide are enjoying it but I’m happy that it is out there. The main push comes as we close in on the end of the month. Record a video and let us now your artist frustrations and maybe we will post it. Write a review on Amazon, IMDB, Letterbox or any review sites and we might spotlight your review. For those who have watched it Amos and Clem thank you.
- Next up to release will be AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip that will start its release on 10/30/26. Like my talk on technology above this film will make you laugh and maybe cry but it will make you think. It isn’t a cheap scare about the coming technology but a real look at the potential good, bad and ugly. I was inspired to write this after a real news story. I did add a SciFi spin but it is a projected path of where we might end up. So add this DVD to your CDI collection when it starts pre-sales in the coming weeks. And watch it when it streams and have those conversations with one another. I look forward to the reviews as I really don’t know how audiences will take it. The acting by the three leads Michael Rene Walton, Melissa Anschutz and Taylor Nichols is great. So I think everyone should enjoy the film. That of course is our goal every time.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This is the follow up to one of our most popular films. Having seen the reaction to the film by our theatrical crowd I am excited to get this out to the tens of millions who have seen the first film WILD FAITH. It will be a beautiful gift of a story that I believe captures the true Christmas spirit much like SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA did. The film releases on DVD and streaming on 11/3/26. I will be heading to the Will Rogers Awards in a few weeks to see if we won GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE for my screenplay, the producing team and CDI as a production company.
- DEVIL’S PASS – (Now in post-production) This film was a collaboration with McGraw Multimedia and our friends in GA. If this project was a success it would have CDI helping produce their slate of films. It is different from CDI just having full control over production but has been healthy. It forces good communication between the parties. So far it has been a very smooth process. We have a few meetings coming up over the next two weeks that is just about communication and eliminating any grey areas that can slow the post process. We all want to make the best film we can and that is the underlying directive. We did a great Channel 10 Lansing/Jackson story that will air this week. The edit is moving right along and our director’s are very happy. If you follow our FB page we are dripping out Screen Captures and other great promo pieces. Coming in 2027!
DEVELOPMENT– I’m happy to be in a place of downshifting from production and looking ahead. As I noted CDI and our GA partners will be discussing a slate that bounces back and forth with our own CDI slate. I have truly enjoyed working with the CEO Dan Searles who like myself is a writer/actor and loves telling these stories. I am reading a few of his properties and vice versa. Our RETURN TO ALGONA (Working Title) has over half the funding committed by organizations and we are looking to close that with participating brands and private investors. It is a beautiful comparison of life from 1944 to 1968 during one of the most conflict ridden time in America. We once again follow the German artist and ex PW on his return to the town that once imprisoned him. The other film being considered being put back on the slate is the feature version of SMOKE & MIRRORS a comedic turn of the century who done it. Twice it was on the runway only to be bumped by two financed projects.
On thew writing front I’m working two scripts MBF2 which is the follow up to MAN’S BEST FRIEND, a powerful drama that has had fans clamoring for a follow up. I am in no rush to produce it but I do want to get the script out of my head. The first draft is almost complete. But I’ve been having a whole lot of fun writing WILD FAITH 3. I’ve had an 8 part TV series ready since Covid times but when the funding opportunities had too many strings we just did another feature film. I’ve adjusted the TV series to take place after the second feature film but if a good deal doesn’t present itself we will just do a third feature film. It is a world that I really enjoy writing in and so it is moving along quite quickly.
We are also working to develop several other film properties and even possible TV. I always like to put forth goals for 2027 and examine how I did with my 2026 goals. We are being forced to reexamine our processes always in the efforts of improving, streamlining and launching new initiatives. I still occasionally have that thought of how much easier it could be to just go bartend at the MooseLodge with my lifetime of stories and adventures. But soon after I realize my adventuring days are not over. I still might have a few characters locked up in my imagination to let loose on the screen. So development continues.
WRAP UP- This weekly reflection really helps me put my TO DO’s front and center. And the ability to talk about some of my own issues personally or in the artistic world helps. I still feel lucky that every day I get to do what I love. I get to work with people I love. I get to be myself and not play a role at a soul stealing job. I sometimes also enjoy the positive energy that comes with someone who was moved by a film or a performance. I don’t always have rainbows and flowers but I do realize how blessed I am. And this blessing came with sacrifice and very hard work. I try not to slip into the work-a-holic mode that helped me build what I have. But to also keep that hunger to push forward. I will be an artist until my last breath. Until I return to the fire ashes to ashes. But as you keep on your journey seek out that peace and balance. Until next week my friends! Coffee Cheers- DJ
New Premiere/Theatrical Showings and CDI Film Updates!
Good morning! I’m up and at it a bit earlier this morning. I have my trusted hazelnut coffee beside me and Scooby Doo playing on the TV. It takes it back to my childhood. What a week. First a big RIP to Val Kilmer who was such a talented actor. Gone too soon after too many challenges. That is why everyone should count their blessings. Health is wealth and remember that while we all deal with the ups and downs in life. This week went by quickly ending in a bday gathering for my niece yesterday. Today we film the last piece of the Rom Coms Must Die movie. We need a change of season look from our previous Fargo heavy snow look. This will be my last scene for Amos Edison and that will officially wrap that character. That film is edited save the opening and insert footage we will film today. The color correction is about 60% there and dialog and some sound design has been done. Once this footage is edited in we’ll lock it and watch through for sound design and music cues. I think I’ll be able to better focus on development once this is finally put to bed.
Harsens Island Revenge released a new hype trailer we call “Dark Days” that shows the darker aspects of the film. It leaves the romance alone and focuses more on the tension and intensity. The film will release April 25th in Alpena, MI with one cast and crew afternoon showing followed by two public showings. It will play likely for two weeks minimum. We have already started working on the other premiere showings and theatrical runs. The Owosso, Michigan showing is about set up and we’ll be announcing it this coming week. It is early in May at the NCG chain and we’re trying to get more theaters involved. We’ll focus on Michigan first and start spreading out from there. This film will place well on the big screen with all the action. We also will start looking at select film festivals to show at as well.
Wild Faith Christmas has locked the picture and color correction is in full swing. Also dialog is about done and music and sound design is underway with the talented Dennis Therrian. This film has so much heart and just like the original should really hit a spot with audiences. We are looking to land it in theaters in November of this year. I was looking at a picture the other day of me with the Ben Lily beard and I was amazed at how big it was. That is what is so much fun doing the character transformations. I might have noted this last week but once I put Amos to bed today I’m characterless.
I’ve read one of two books this week that I was approached about writing considering. By that I mean turning a book into a screenplay. I’ve done that for several books and it is a good service to offer. On some of the books the author/publisher also paid for CDI to produce the film. So I’m looking at three such possible book to screenplay writing gigs. The first book I really liked and it would make a good movie. The second book is more action and we’ll see how that read goes. I’ve got a detective story I’ve already agreed to do I’m waiting to evaluate and work out the fine details on that project. I did finish the script I was working currently and I’m half way through a solid polish on it. This script project could take CDI back to Yuma, AZ in the “window” when Michigan is frozen and Yuma has not yet become a scorcher. I talked with one of our producers there this week to touch base and catch up.
Yuma, AZ is where we filmed our three biblical adventures in THE QUEST TRILOGY. If you are fans of the CDI storytelling treat yourself to these three films. Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer and do watch them in that order to grasp the greater story being told. The script I just finished and I’m polishing somewhat fits into that “universe” of films. I had some good talks with Carl Weyant who starred in the third film The Christ Slayer and who just directed Harsens Island Revenge with us. He wants to be one of the first to read the new script. These films are inspirational without being preachy or forced. If you just need an uplift take a watch on the trilogy and again let me know what you think here.
A Christmas Seance and Hot Rod Love will both be looked at an evaluated as possibles too. I’ve been having key conversations about these projects. Like I was saying once we wrap today it will focus more of my attention on development. Writing and organizing have been a good amount of my time. I’ve still got a few end of year business loose ends but almost there. There is always so much work to do with the films but it is worth the end result. In a few weeks we get to treat audiences to our next story. But there are many films to enjoy in the CDI library. For lovers of film in our town of Lansing, MI the local fest is underway. I was going to attend the opening mixer but I was just so tired at the days end from dealing with movie business.
WRAP UP:
Outside of the films the yard clean up is going well and I’ll be planting more clover. The chickens are doing well kicking about 5 eggs a day. My wood shed dismantle prep is going well and I’m filling the bins. I’m still having fires at the office in the wood stove. Soccer season is around the corner and I’ve been doing some training for that. Always something but keeping that balance of working in nature and desk work is healthy. I’m going to fuel up well for todays filming likely with some of those aforementioned eggs. The sunshine and warmer weather is really helping my motivation and mood. I’m going to wrap it up here. Keep working towards your goals and keep your smile if things don’t always go exactly as planned. Usually it is just patience and persistence that you need to practice a bit more of. Alright my artist friends keep on keeping on!
DJ
Using the 10% Success to Create Momentum
(2025 is underway and CDI is preparing to shoot our first feature of the new year)
Hazelnut coffee cheers on a beautiful white snowy Sunday. The air is bitter and crisp as we venture into our new year. I’ve been moving things right along in with end-of-the year things I’ve got to do. Business tax wise I just have a few things to get over to the accountants. I have yet to tally the data for my own personal taxes. I use to dread or at least look upon these tasks semi-negatively but have adjusted that to just be a thing. Just another TO DO that has to be checked off to keep everything moving. I thanked the great team I have around me last week. That makes it easier and enjoyable. I’m really appreciative of the relationships I have with people.
(Pre-production during a MI snowstorm)
Before we get to deep on the exciting developments I do want to say how heavy my heart has been watching these LA fires. I’ve spent lots of time there in my early years of getting established. We use to take 2-3 week-long business trips out there to set up distribution, launch projects and network. I’m not a big city person but always preferred LA over NYC. I’m not a person who likes crowds. You won’t find me at too many giant concerts, festivals or sporting events. I don’t like traffic which exists in all big cities. I do like the dry heat versus humid heat. But I did/do enjoy my visits to LA. Mainly because of the friends and the long tradition of our film business there. I have been concerned for many years about their increasing wildfire breakouts and decreasing water supplies/levels. It’s just hard to watch people who have lost everything. What do you grab or take in such an emergency. The landscape of LA/Hollywood will be forever changed. How it will effect the movie business I do not know. But many in that industry will be focused on rebuilding their lives. Again my sincere thoughts are with all the people there. The air, water and more now toxic- and their hearts heavy with loss.
(Adam Towner enjoying the synergy)
Longtime labeled the “backwoods’ here in Michigan when it comes to our industry. But I can say for many years that this has been the foundation to build upon not a temporary stepping stone. I don’t and haven’t ever been one who longed for a Beverly Hills address or to work tethered to the west coast studios. I’ve been creating, growing and enjoying the artists I’ve been blessed to work with. 2024 was a great year of doing and prepping and now 2025 will see the manifestation of many of these projects. Other new endeavors will begin to flourish in 2026. This past year saw some of the older films remastered and brought to market. Book division launched. New merchandise store launched. We will continue to grow these fun extra divisions also. Let’s look at some of the exciting things coming.
- Harsens Island Revenge – as with any of the films where we build a “world” or in this case a time period. We’ve combed through to fix anything that is out of that time period. Like any of the films produced by us or others you can and will find misses. Like we say, if you are just looking for misses and not engaged in the characters and stories we did not do our job with you. But for some that is something they like to look for usually after the 1st watch. Our film is done. We found in the last proof a pair of glitches and a pair of format issues with end credits. That is fixed. We found a few out of period, hard to notice “misses”. We fixed what was fixable without adding great expense of time and/or money. Most will never see anything since movie making is like the magician, a master of misdirection. But there might be 1-2 “time travelers” or there might not be. Maybe I just want to encourage you to watch the film several times. WHAT IS NEXT? Our theatrical rep and our home video distributor have had the screening review link. We’ll circle back this week and look to put pen to paper on our deals. Once that is locked we’ll set of premieres because in most cases we want to premiere to be the launch of a theatrical run. The questions are a platform (all same release date) or a roll out (different release dates) and do we push for one weekend or week only to create urgency or allow the film to play in a territory as long as it will justify screening. We’ll also look at a small group of festival showings which we will coordinate with our director. I know many are eager to see the film and trust me when I say we are eager to show it. We just have to follow an order of business but the film is exciting and it is coming! We just wanted the best product possible!
- Talking about releases we have a tight post schedule if we want to get WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS onto movie screens Nov 1st, 2025. I’m proud to report that our director Shane Hagedorn has only 4 scenes left to edit. That was as of yesterday and so even as I type that number may be less. Shane has an awesome level of discipline and has been getting up early 5am almost daily to edit for a few hours. That got us here as quickly as it has. Once the 1st cut is done he’ll work a second pass polishing and working on transitions. A good secret to a smooth flowing film is to pay attention to transitions as a writer, while filming and in editing. It can be with visuals or dialog. EXAMPLE: A teapot blowing steam transitions to plumes of smoke billowing from a train engines smoke stack. Transitions can make a film stronger.
- As of Friday our next film ROM COMS MUST DIE passed the point of no return. All paperwork signed and all funds collected. The account will be opened on Monday and that will also be the day our final schedule and agreements will start to get sent around to cast and crew. This is going to be the first feature length film directed by our friend Travis Hayward. Travis started his journey sometime around FORTY NIGHTS, the first in our biblical trilogy filmed in Yuma, AZ. He was the 2nd AC and I recall him struggling a bit from his sinus allergies and working into a full size crew. The first DP gig was when I put him on a concept film WASTELAND we shot in The Valley of Fire, outside Las Vegas. As he worked his way into performing as a director of photography on several CDI projects he was also directing short format projects. The first for us was the OFF TO THE RACES music video for the winner of the Battle of the Band (Vertical Bridge) for BEST YEARS GONE motion picture. Now reunited with CDI’s John McGraw who will take on the DP/editor duties on RCMD, Travis will sit in the director’s chair and we’re all very proud of Travis and his journey. Cameras roll towards the end of the month. It is also our first test of partnering with McGraw Multimedia shooting some of the film on location and some in-studio. LIGHTS. CAMERA. ACTION!
- Talking of early CDI beginnings, the first feature film we did was KNIGHT CHILLS. Shot in 1998 it was a beta cam film about folks playing a Dungeons and Dragons like game. The 25th anniversary Blu Ray was released and can be bought full of extras. But for the 1st time ever the film will be streaming as of 1/31/2025. The film was remastered and remixed and we even just re-released the book on Amazon. If you want to see the humble beginnings of CDI we encourage you to take a look.
- Two of CDI’s past films DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN and AN ORDINARY KILLER (AOK) can be watched streaming now thanks to Ammo Content. The 1st being our Smoky Mountain western available on Tubi and other platforms. The GHOST TOWN IN THE SKY theme park DVD can be purchased at the EBAY STORE website on the http://www.cdiproductions.com website. AOK is on The Roku Channel and will expand to more in time. That film was remastered to help The Red White and Blue Project, a non-profit that benefits veterans and their families.
- Following this trend we are going to have our friends at McGraw Multimedia see what they can do to help in the restoration of the remaining CDI Classic Collection. Those remaining three being FROM VENUS, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST. These three films were directed by CDI partner Jeff Kennedy. The last two can be purchased as a double feature DVD at the CDI store mentioned above. All three need to have work done to counteract the film look filter from all those years ago before they are uprezed. Fingers crossed and we might have these three back into marketed enhanced by year’s end.
- We have two films in active development to possibly shoot if we can get all the funding pieces in play. One is A CHRISTMAS SEANCE and the other the biopic on turn of the century Catch-Can wrestling champion GOTCH. We have also had some discussions on HOT ROD LOVE, our 70’s racing film that we had some traction but not enough. It happens. A film will often launch when the time is right. I have just two more WILD FAITH HASTINGS TV shows to adapt over to taking place after our sequel film. I think once the promo starts heating up on that film we’ll make a go at launching the TV series to film ideally in 2026.
(Travis Hayward has climbed the CDI ladder and is about to direct his first feature film)
WRAP UP: I’m going to wrap this up as my coffee cup is getting low. I’m going to go prepare some eggs for breakfast. I’m happy to say our hens have been producing well. I’m looking to have a strong kick off to the week. As noted opening our account on the new film with some rehearsal work to follow. We’ve been gathering up props which is always fun. I don’t know what else to add except maybe review those 2025 goals again. You made your list if you followed my instructions a few blogs ago. Start to look at a plan or a series of short goals to get you to your larger goals. Everything starts by taking steps. I conversation from this week just came to me.
(Some of the prep team for the next CDI feature in association with McGraw Multimedia)
Stay focused. Have patience. And again keep hitting those small goals. Stop looking for quick short cuts. Focus on the small wins as they all add up. Pretty soon you look back and see your half way there. Don’t quit. Don’t get impatient with progress going slower than YOU wanted it to. STAY THE COURSE. Persistence is a quality that gets many things accomplished. The field of dreams gets smaller as people get discouraged and give up. I’ve said it before, much of what I’ve done has been built off 90% rejection and 10% success. The key is perspective of looking at the forward movement/momentum. Shane Hagedorn sent something to me this week that again reinforced these values. If you dwell on the rejection your momentum slows and may stop. Stay excited by the 10% success and that % may increase or accumulate at least. Another saying that has been in our industry a long time was “if it was easy, everyone would do it”. I’m here to tell you it is never easy. Being that it is the arts it is actually harder. But the reward is so much sweeter. The friendships. The journey. The long fasting fruits of the labor. It is not for everyone but if you have no choice, start leaning into that 10% success and build. Coffee’s gone. Meeting over. Until next week my friends!
Keep on keeping on.
DJ
