Egypt, Ashes and All Kinds of Updates…
It has been a week of many things in motion and working hard to close them down. It has been a year of assigning distribution and moving things along. I’ve shot a few new films and we have a slew of new films about to launch. This home office has been one of the more challenging things I’ve taken on in many a moons. I’m a tinkering person when it comes to handy work but not a builder. Working with someone who knows what they are doing has been really a great thing. In many ways I’ve said it is like making a film. Smaller crew for sure but many things remain the same. The new FORT will be the hatching place for many new films. Let’s look at a few updates where I can provide one.
First on “7 Stones” they are revamping the sound that was in dire need. It was simply not going to pass any distributor quality control. The drama, the look all great but that sound was lacking. Now they hope to have that all done by mid November and a TV showing/premiere is planned for December just in time for Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho!
We should have VOD (video on demand) dates for “Deadly Renovations” here soon. “Locked in a Room” is delivering to distributor. “Darkest Night” is negotiating a deal as we speak and so look forward to announcements. “Benjamin” is getting accepted into many major festivals including one now in Egypt. I heard “Realizism” has a rough cut done so that is moving nicely. “Donors” is in post and about to enter sound design/music. I would say we have quite a bit going on.
“Ashes of Eden” has been #1 on the list as of late. We have been doing some heavy castings and are about to announce some new cast members. Behind the scenes work is underway and we are soon to enter our official pre-prod phase and we hope to roll cameras end of Oct. and finish just before Thanksgiving. Our team can go eat large and get to work in post production. This is going to be one powerful film! The film is also on IMDB so feel free to follow along with that.
Soccer season is now over and so film work and winterizing has become the priority. I need to create another wind break/insulate the California Red Wood tree we have growing. We use to bring it inside during the winter but it got so big we had to put it in the ground. It survived last winter and is thriving but it needs the help. The garden has only yielding a bit of a harvest here and there but it is still something I enjoy.
On the acting front I’m excited because we did cast the actress in “Ashes” to play opposite myself. You have to watch for the next PR but an amazing talent. I’m being talked to about a role in Grand Rapids/Holland as well as a line up of 2013 projects. That is in addition to what we have lining up and so I’m excited to end the year strong and get ready for another. So have a hot apple cider and enjoy the season!
Go MSU:) Go Lions:)
DJ
Film Showings & In-Praise of the Digital Age
The day of yard and garden work may be halted due to the approach of the storms outside. It has been another wild week of business, business and more business. A lot of time is being spent on promotion of the projects now coming out. Some are coming out to audiences and some to distributors. Let’s take a look at a few…
LOCKED IN A ROOM – Had 1st Michigan theatrical and setting up a few more. We’ve been getting distribution offers but will likely wait until July to make any final assignment of rights. I feel this film is a small stepping stone to bigger things for the director Larry Simmons.
DARKEST NIGHT – Just finished final mixing in the Philippines and is prepping for a showing to distributors in June. If you are a distributor in the area and want to see a damn scary film give me a holler:)
7 STONES is also now complete. A new trailer is showing how strong this project is. It will play a test run in the theatre next week in Grand Rapids, MI. Following that many festival and screenings are being planned. I think this is some of my best drama in the last couple years.
DEADLY RENOVATIONS – They are prepping the domestic artwork and I know they are in discussions with Redbox, Blockbuster and other retailers. I think this film will scare and entertain. Again a great 1st step for some new filmmakers.
OUTSIDE THE WIRE – This film is gearing up for additional showings across the US. I also know that plans are underway for additional military docs by director Anthony Hornus.
I don’t have any major updates yet from SplitVision Ent. on the status of BENJAMIN. I think this film will be greatly enjoyed by audiences when it comes out. Seek out some of these films on Facebook, IMDB and such to see some preview trailers on these projects.
CDI/Myself are involved in the pushing of two slates of films forward. One is geared towards projects to be shot in Michigan and the other includes locations outside of Michigan. I also heard yesterday that we might be sharing an office on the 20th Century Fox studio lot. I’m not planning on moving to LA but it will make a nice visit from time to time. I’ve been learning from some more experienced mentors in our business. I think we all need those mentors.
As for acting I’ve been in discussions and doing a few reads on scripts. I also did a follow-up read for a director on a drama. I really like technology in the sense of my cell phone camera. I never liked going to casting offices to be treated like cattle. Thankfully those times were few and far between as I almost always get cast off previous work. I recall those casting days where at the end I felt like I gave a sub par read usually due to a forced read with someone from the casting office who could not “give”. Add in a casting director who really has no credit/resume to back up their attempted “directing” – often I would have been better just staying home and working in the garden. Now I can be relaxed, mull over the character, do a read on my phone, email it off…DONE! Back to my day. I don’t often credit technology but in this aspect I love the new digital age. No stamps, no printed headshots, no B.S.. Face to face discussions are a great gauge of mutual VIBE and understanding of character and their place in the story. When location is an issue SKYPE works well. It has opened up the world in many ways and my international filming trips attest to that.
I’m sure I could ramble on about a few other topics but I think I’ll go grab another cup of coffee.
I wish you all a safe a wonderful weekend.
DJ
Actors – Doors Open & Doors Close
Welcome one and all to the Sat. ramblings of “Clawing my Way to the Middle”!!! All of us here in the Michigan are ready for Spring to come and despite the chill it is starting to look like Spring is coming. I have been looking at acting projects while we continue to develop new CDI projects. I will speak on ACTORS and try to give a few new updates.
Actors – for some production companies/producers/directors the talent is not given the respect it is due. This is the other-side of the coin from whereas I came down hard on Diva-like attitudes with actors. Many actors are artists willing to fully commit and bring a character from the page. I’ve seen lately whereas many production teams focus on all the other elements of the film and lastly – Oh! Yeah! The talent. I’ve seen where productions are more than willing to spend a few extra dollars on production costs but will skimp on talent needs or basics. I work both sides of the fence and I know about costs but if the performances are bad the film is bad no matter how well it is lit, edited or shot. The other factor that plays in is distribution. If a production would spend that extra to get names that are of appeal and interest to distribution that is a responsible choice for investors and at least gets the film into the market. I can name a dozen films off the top of my head that were made and never got distribution. You can collect festival cheers but that doesn’t assure distribution. I just think when choices are being made on where to cut cost it should not always come from talent. As for talent – don’t accept scraps. Sometimes it is best just to say no to such offers that really just press upon the talent. I had a deal that was in talks not long ago and the artist and businessman were in conflict with one another. The artists wants to wear the role and bring it to life and the businessman pays the bills. On this one deal we were coming from two different places and after the plug was pulled – a new script/offer came in two hours later. Sometimes you have to let it go despite what the artist says. Sometimes this door close is what will allow that new door to open. You can than move on to a project where you are appreciated and never look back. It just might be meant to be.
This week had many good meetings on projects of ours that are developing. Feel free to look at http://www.cdiproductions.com and look at the new updates that took place last week. I’ve been reading scripts and I’m still not caught up yet. I’ve been reading projects shooting in the April-May time frame. This month I’m not sure if I’ll go back in front of the camera but I will say I’ve got the itch. I’m looking for that exciting script, perfect character that just speaks to me and comes with the right deal.
I want to give a shout to friend Amy Poggi who started an essential oil line called Aziza World Fragrances – another sponsor to CDI. Next week more press releases will come out on “Deadly Renovations” which is primed and ready for its debut at the Hong Kong film market. Russ Williams is overseeing the final stages of “Darkest Night”. Same situation with “7 Stones” and I’ve seen a peek at the “Donors” film site that will launch soon. It looks great! I’m still waiting on details for the May Michigan “Locked in a Room” screening(s).
I hope you all have a great day.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 