The journey. The adventure. The wins. The setbacks. The Growth!
I’m sipping the hot hazelnut coffee on a snowy Michigan morning. I’m feeling much better this weekend from last. I was under the weather last week which in part I feel was due to my gut being off from antibiotics. I had my first of two upper wisdom teeth removed and I think the meds threw my balance off. But a few probiotics and I’m feeling much better. It is odd how so much is tied to health. It has been a theme so many times that health is wealth. I stand by that. They say the coloring of the mood is controlled by the gut. And the gut can be greatly influenced by what you eat and dental health. I talk to my young people all the time about staying on top of that. It can easily be one of the things that gets overlooked when times are tough financially. But I’m a person who tries to really keep up on all that.
I have to say while I was still slightly below par last week it was still a very productive week. I’ve been working to streamline things and prepare for the next five years and beyond. Accountants, bankers, legal are all important parts of the filmmaking process. If your start up organization lacks these things it might be part of what is holding your growth back. Filmmaking is so much more than just playing with a camera. Those production skills are very important but what will lead you to the bigger projects is good business.
FILM UPDATES:
- Today I will be meeting with one of my oldest collaborators Lynn (David) Drzick from Katharsys Pictures. They manage the literary part of CDI. We are publishing scripts/making of’s and novels of CDI films where it applies. Next up is the re-release of the Ghost Town novel. And I’ll be handing materials off for the beginning layout of the Making of KNIGHT CHILLS including the script. This movie has had the book by David Hayes released and is now available on BluRay and streaming! It was CDI’s first film. We will be discussing more literary endeavors because I truly do LOVE books.
- I will also note that we’ve been developing a few films with Lynn and Katharsys Pictures with one being IN THE WOODS 2. We are a few drafts deep and some early development is being done on that. It is always fun to talk films and Alex, Wayne and Al just may be fighting monsters again in the near future.
- I was talking about books and one of the books we are really wanting to do this year is THE QUEST TRILOGY coffee table book full of great pictures and interviews with key production members. I have 1 of the 3 director interviews and need to push for the other two.
- The last three films in the CDI Classic Collection are being evaluated for restoration and I feel fairly confident that we will have some success with these films. You become a guardian of these stories and keeping them in the public is work. But I want to see these stories live on as they are part of the CDI history.
- Rom Coms Must Die is completed and this past week we entered several film festivals that might embrace this film. I will be having talks this week over theatrical and we are actively working to set up a premiere showing. A new theatrical poster is being worked on by Adam Towner and this dark comedy will be releasing wide to streaming and DVD in Q3! You can check out a Making of on IMDB and look for promo clips coming soon.
- AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is having all the dialog worked on plus music and sound design. We’ll start hearing parts of this very soon. Based off some initial concept art our theatrical poster is being polished up. The plan is to be in theaters this Summer and Q4 home video. A BTS is being planned and the trailer is getting more eyes weekly. We are raising the last little bit of marketing money on this unique film and cannot wait to share it with the world.
- Wild Faith Christmas is entering thew second half of its festival run. We just found out we were nominated for BEST PICTURE at a great awards show. We’ll be announcing that soon but you heard it here first. We are waiting to hear on several more festivals and at the end of Summer/fall this film will reenter the theatrical market before a Q4 home video release. Home video artwork is underway and this will be a great gift to the fans of the first film. It was very well received in theaters thus far and we have plans to try and launch the TV series again.
- I have been doing some writing on two different scripts both follow ups to popular CDI films. I had the goal of finishing at least two films this year and I’m on track to do just that. I’ve dropped hints on which scripts in past blogs. One is the most requested sequel of all the CDI films. It is always fun to be in the world with these characters beloved to so many people. Do you have any guesses? Or do you have CDI films you would like to see follow up’s on?
DEVELOPMENT: Technically the about update on scripts is considered development but I will leave it up there. We have one film that could launch this year but it is time sensitive. We have a few weeks to tie everything up or else it will be pushed into the next year. These are hard talks when you want something so bad but it also makes sure you have the amply time to do a great job. I want this to happen this year but that is all up to a few moves on the chessboard. We will see very soon.
We have a project that was developed quite a bit before we switched gears to AI Jesus due to the timeliness of the story and subject matter. I also have a script to read this week that we’ve been asked to consider co-producing. Before I get a slew of scripts sent to me, it is funded. But that isn’t an automatic in for us. But we really like this group of filmmakers and we are experienced in this genre. So I’m looking to have a good read and see what happens with the other project that has verbal interest but has not yet gone to contract and deposit. Both could be done pending filming timelines. I believe that I’m led to do the projects I’m meant to do.
WRAP UP:
I am looking to sit down with a filmmaker I recently worked with on a short film shot on 16mm. It was fun to go back to my early film days and the day we shot was truly special. And what a great group of passionate folks looking to carve their own name in filmmaking. I had it hard. All us early Michigan filmmakers had it hard. Lynn Drzicks, Mike Kallio, Rich Brauer, Charles Cirgenski, Jim Bonner, …the short list could go on but go back and read the old MICHIGAN VUE magazines. We didn’t all love each other’s projects and occasionally you might encounter competition over the scarce resources. But that was a respect that we were all going through hardships. Some were better funded versus others and it was still always a challenge with money only being part of it. Now with social media and brash attitudes filmmakers are brutal to one another. We also had our TROLLS who were born when the internet arose. You could now be rude without any real consequences. That has become worse in that many don’t hide their identity but they just blast one another. Some may deserve it partially but my philosophy has also been to just let them burn their own bridges. It doesn’t take long to figure out who the BS’ers are and who is stand up. Sadly, when some burn their own bridges they cause damage to a region which with social media can spill out everywhere. Investors, location owners and such who get burned can hurt many. Because not all filmmakers are alike. But the owner of a nice location doesn’t always know one from another.
I try to be grateful for every opportunity I’m given. In turn, try to give opportunity where it is earned. People who really know me have said at times I’m too nice. But I do have limits and boundaries to be sure. There are a handful who know this to be true. Even in some of those cases I just don’t believe this is that path for them. Or if it is they need to mature and develop on their dime. I’m not writing this with anyone in mind so if you felt it, you might want to self examine. But as sad as I am anytime someone is left to follow their own path it always means a new opportunity for someone. A chance to step up whereas perhaps their appreciation will run deeper. I really do mourn those whose attitudes hold them back and celebrate those who rejoice in being given an opportunity. I am good at turning the cheek as they say a first time but the second strike will be met with redirecting force, out the door. So try to be your best self. Don’t let your negativity isolate you and set bridges ablaze. Enjoy the collaborations. Understand the accountability of others. Flow like water. (Thank you Bruce Lee)
I’m going to go get ready for my meeting with an old friend. One who I did part ways with at one time long ago. I won’t say one of us was more wrong than the other it just was what it was. Call it creative differences to be fair but I’m also pleased to have rekindled that friendship and the work between us. So the beautiful thing is that if everyone keeps growing in a positive direction maybe nothing is permanent. I’m always considering the friendship first but I will be direct to action on business. As I’ve noted prior, sometimes the friendship leaves when the opportunities dry up. You can feel used and unappreciated but I don’t let that jade me. I recharge when new opportunities are given and appreciation flows from them. New friendships can be formed over collaborating on art. That again is the real key. The journey. The adventure. The wins. The setbacks. The Growth!
Keep moving forward. Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Filmmaker Advice and Announcements
I’m sipping some strong coffee due to a slight malfunction in the back up coffee maker. It goes perfect with Fall which has arrived here in Michigan. The chilly air and leaves that are slowly starting to change signal this new push towards the harvest. I’ve had a few great sit down meetings this week with associates old and new. I’m a private person who really likes to focus on goals and stay far away from the drama or distractions. To isolate these elements from your life circle allows you to truly add as much creative into your business as possible. I’ve talked about people who tend to use the same variables and are surprised when they get the same results. If you are happy with your direction – great. But if you are not you have to look at your variables and see what is not working. Adjustments in attitude, time management or collaborations can greatly effect the outcome. I’m writing this week within the framework of this – 2 weddings and one funeral for a 18-year-old girl connected to our 4H yearly activity. To see someone who lived fully without any thoughts of a near end and two pair of individuals making a go of it in life can be rewarding. More so when you realize you still are alive and get to meet life’s challenges. It won’t always be so. One day be it tragic or peaceful – your journey here will end. Your children, your art, your words – what will you leave behind? Let’s move to our discussions on film and entertainment…
ASHES OF EDEN – I was proud when I saw the 42 new show dates for our film in Canton and Novi. (See pic for dates) I try not too let pride take hold to often but in this moment, I was. We are not 4 walling or renting the theater – we’re in a partnership much like the major studios. CDI sales team has a new head of theatrical which we will announce. This team will be pushing “Bestseller” and other films from the CDI library out to market. This is a new revenue flow that previously did not exist. A handful of showings were done in days past to avoid the label of DIRECT-TO-VIDEO but it is now a true avenue. Why? The technology and the quality of the product is at a studio level. (Distributor words not mine) Hiring professionals is not enough it’s the focusing of these artists efforts towards telling the best story possible. At the hobby level of filmmaking this is hard because some scenes stay in the film or aren’t cut because someone loved the scene performance, so and so would be mad, the camera shot is great BUT does it serve the story. I’ve seen much growth in this area and I’m humble enough to say I’m always learning both as a creative and as a businessman. You cannot walk around with a full cup or you cannot accept anything new.
I thought I would share some information that was presented recently to a rising filmmaker I sat down with. IF you have some backing and you want to showcase yourself stronger than you have you need good associations. Until you see a department run as it should it is hard to hold yourself to a certain level. We’ve opened ourself at CDI to associations but first it is with whom. Making films is a lengthy process and requires a lot of close collaboration. If your personality runs against this grain of respecting work flow, non-defensive discussions, openness to options – we will pass. I will not argue or deal with big egos. We PR films on a regular schedule but we also don’t attach any entitlement. It is marketing. If you have successfully done certain things you are entitled to an opinion but even that should be done with caution. I see many people not only marketing but believing their own fable. Now I believe that you must have faith in yourself but nothing says confidence like quiet at times. I had someone once ask me after conveying some negative comments about me – if I care? They were surprised that I wasn’t mad but sad for that person. All someone has to do is usually look at the accomplishments of the doer and the complainer and it quickly becomes apparent who is better at using their energy. The sad is for the wasted energy. That circle of negativity can envelop a person or a group. That old “birds of a feather flock together” saying. Seek something better. It doesn’t matter if you are a hobby artist or professional. Who would keep going to a scrapbook club that was plagued by negativity? Play for a team that is chaos and drama? Same in the workplace – people move on from bad work situations or there is a change in leadership. Decide if you want to be a flocking feather or soar with positive doers. Your choice always.
To circle around again to ASHES OF EDEN – we’ve also signed our National deal for home video and digital. We will be announcing more about that in the coming weeks. In the meantime Shane Hagedorn and I have been busy discussing what will be our next collaboration. If you don’t know Shane he is a salt-of-the-earth, hard-working man who I’ve taught and learned from. That is what a positive collaboration is all about. It was also brought up in a recent meeting (Not with Shane) about the divisions existing in Michigan. East-side, West-side blah blah…I say, we are Michigan. I’ve worked in all corners of Michigan with cast and crew from wherever. I’m looking at their art and attitude not their zip code. Lansing doesn’t usually doesn’t get involved in those film turf wars talks. I mean locally aside from CDI only Jeff Burton and maybe our Ahptic friends have worked at that international level. Still it doesn’t matter. It can be done. Our films can compete just like our cars, wines and other MI products. But to do so you have to make product people elsewhere want to see. You have to make it at a quality level that meets quality control. You have to have all legal aspects tied up so you don’t end up with a big home video for family and friends. This is the reality. If you tried to sell and market an unappealing (subjective) car that couldn’t meet safety codes and compliance – who would buy it? You could cobble together some off-road mud buggy for fun or a zippy little go-cart but you can’t expect it to be highlighted in the car industry. Some films are like Go-Carts and their makers think they can enter the Indy 500 and win. This is not a Pixar cartoon with nitro powered snails:) So be realistic. Set realistic goals. Execute with maximum pre-production so you can handle problems you can’t plan for. Don’t cut corners. Don’t allow your ego to trump the story. Keep modifying your process and watch the success start to grow. Good mentors and associations are also key to success – so if professional is your goal – take the realistic steps.
BESTSELLER – We had a great meeting over this thriller with the book creator Chris Wright/Knight aka Jonathan Rand. He is a self-made man like myself enjoys the journey to success. We made some solid decisions on our distribution flow that I’m quite excited about. If you don’t know him your children likely do may from his AMERICAN CHILLER, MICHIGAN CHILL, ADVENTURE CLUB books and much more. This film is now moving into the sound/music stage with Dennis Therrian and we will have a fun go at finishing this thriller. The 1st trailer has created huge buzz for us in the distribution circles thus far and so in 2015 we will see this film presented on the big screen, small screen and everything in-between. Great job Chad Ice on getting that final edit locked up. He had only done shorts when he approached me during our film shoot about the possibility of editing. I do know lots of editors but in this case having someone already invested in the material was a huge bonus. I think he discovered that a feature is very different animal from a short film. I’m proud that we were his first feature film and I think he gained some great experience and insight while we benefitted from his artistic talent. Much more information on this film will be flowing in the coming months.
THE TERRORIST is on a second pass of music and so they are very close. I really enjoyed this NYC based film and can’t wait to have this finished and in the collection. I think many people around the world will benefit from the messages within the story.
We are funding on a few films currently and with pre-set distribution and some great attachments we should be rolling camera again in the near future. If you have your own funding and want to be considered for an association reach out. If you are a new director without money chances are slim to none that we will slide you into a film that is financed on our end to direct. But if you have your $ support and want to create something that will help you move up the professional ladder feel free to reach out. We do say NO more than YES but it’s all case-by-case basis and much of the decision lies in how collaborative the person is. If you’re NOT a budget-minded/producer friendly director you will not work well in our camp. Same for aspiring actors – know your craft and be production friendly. Actors who have had or tried to produce tend to have a much better respect for the company and work flow. When PR was going around on ASHES OF EDEN announcing the new Canton/Novi screenings – one Detroit-based actor responded to one of our staff that he would support the film ONLY if the actors were paid.
NOTE: We’ve paid our actors since our second CDI film in 1999. It wasn’t much back in the day but it was a wage. It is like this actor was policing productions. The truth is we were likely paying our actors when this fellow was still playing a cloud in his middle school play:) But these jaded mentalities wouldn’t exist if not for shady production companies. We’ve all been there but don’t carry that negative with you from project to project or it will paint you in that negative light. To see what happens to “negative nellies” go back up and read the start of the blog. Okay I’ve enjoyed the chat with all of you. G’Day to our Aussie friends who have been tuned in to this blog. I hope you all have a great day and maybe a line or two of this word spewing can help you.
Keep clawing your way to the middle!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 