Welcome February! Looking at Updates and Exciting New Developments!
Good morning, Happy Feb 1st from frosty Michigan! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and I just let the chickens out retrieving one egg. Friday I was feeling the tinges of a head cold but I’ve about beaten that back. I’ve stayed quite healthy but the sub zero temps and being around a few small groups might have set it off. I think the fact that I had such a busy week and I sometimes go into work-a-holic mode. Once it gets nicer outside my time can be divided but when it is freezing staying chained to the desk is easier. I’ve got all the movie end of year tax stuff submitted to our firm. I even got my materials for my personal taxes out the door yesterday. My task I was putting off while recovering the last few days is splitting some logs for the office wood stove. I will get it blazing today and fill the bins. There is something about a good fire that focuses the mind, lifts the spirit and warms the body. I will give a run down of some of the highlights for the week and talk about what the week ahead holds.
- At one minute past midnight audiences got their first look at the director’s theatrical art for AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip and a link to the first preview. READ HERE WITH LINK TO THE TRAILER!
https://www.prlog.org/13124831.html - The above film AI Jesus has locked up their visual and it is moving into music and sound design with Dennis Therrian. This is one of my favorite parts of the process whereas the music magnifies what you feel on the screen. While not a direct follow up this movie has tie in’s to CDI’s The Quest Trilogy, a heroic journey series of stories that you can watch now. In order they are FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. Please do watch all three!
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – I’ve been pulling the final pieces together on the end credits. This coming Friday we will be doing a watch of the full film. Once locked we will add the end credits and create the file for theatrical and home video delivery. We would love to see it hit theaters around April 1st (no fooling) and home video will be Q3 before Halloween.
- Behind the Scenes of ROM COMS MUST DIE edited together by Jeff Behrendt will release on Valentine’s Day Feb 14th!
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS just wrapped up a theatrical run in Algona, Iowa. We will be running theatrical showings up to our Q4 pre-holiday release. This 2nd film follows the action of WILD FAITH streaming now.
- HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE our 1920’s action/romance adventure has started its run on streaming services and I’m getting weekly fan mail from that movie. It was really fun to film and our CDI team did a wonderful job. Pop over to one of the streaming sites and take a watch!
- I’m really excited about the new update to the CDI website thanks to David Gries. You can check out the new website which is still being tweaked and proofed but is looking great! It is at http://www.cdiproductions.com
- In addition that the wonderful website update we have a CDI Highlight Reel coming from Adam Towner. He was given a task and we allowed his creativity to flow and flow it did. We will be releasing this soon but it is to celebrate 30 years of CDI.
- We are exploring a few Dennis Therrian music videos for some of the songs created for HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE and WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS as well as a CDI co-production of another music video from our friends with Shallow Rising, a song called BLIZZARD. We will let you know when that releases. But Yes. CDI does music videos so reach out if you would like us to consider producing yours. We can work with several budget sizes.
- We do have a few commercial projects in development as well as a documentary or two. We have artists that excel in all these different areas. So again reach out and let’s see what we can do for you.
- I had a few great conversations on some feature film development both large and small. I will save some of this talk for another day as I don’t like to discuss too much until it becomes more solid. Also with some of my end of year work coming to a close I can turn more attention to development.
- Last Sunday I filmed on a short film in my home town. It was actually shot on 16mm and it had been a while since I was performing on actual film. The day was a snowstorm and freezing but all went well save a drained battery in my jeep that had to be jumped thanks to great production assistants on set. My battery just needed a charge as it might have came off the lot with a low battery charge. But that is all behind me and I’m looking forward to seeing what these passionate filmmakers created. A rule is often the harsher the weather conditions on cast and crew the better it looks on camera.
WRAP UP: Today is the full moon which is my 24 hours of cheat eating a month so donuts are in order. I’ve been subbing in on my brother’s indoor soccer team and it is getting my running legs back in shape. This will make it easier when outdoor season starts. I had one of the two remaining wisdom teeth removed this week so I’ve been dealing with that. In a few weeks they will do the other one.
This week we will start work on the theatrical poster for ROM COMS MUST DIE and have a meeting over submitting to a few festivals. The AI Jesus film will start expending the marketing based off the new trailer. I’ll be working to place the last few marketing supporters behind this unique story. We are working to expand our sponsorship base and build off the incredible brands we work with now.
I’m going to go refill ye ole coffee cup and prepare myself for some log splitting. I hope you all have a great start to your month. Can you believe that the first month of 2026 is in the books? I want to say RIP to Roger Moore who worked wardrobe on our Ghost Town movie. He stayed on when the theme park was open performing gunfights with Robert Bradley. Also we lost a few legendary artists with Catherine O’Hara and Demond Wilson whom I reached out to before on one of our past films. As I’ve said before we are taking the torch and we’ll keep creating. I hope all of you will do the same. Until next week my friends, coffee cheers! – DJ
Knocking Things Down in January! CDI Updates in the New Year!
(With my post supervisor and my senior producers)
Hazelnut coffee cheers on a cold Michigan day. I got to feel -13 degrees and it was quite chilly. Today we are getting more warmth but some snowfall to go with it. I had a very productive week and I’m happy with many of the developments. We have been fine tuning several projects at various phases. We will list those soon enough. I will say we’ve had some good back and forth on these fine tuning. It is often needed to LOCK something to move forward. Occasionally a good idea hits after this lock and if the next phase has not started there is time to reevaluate. I’ve discovered that often what makes a film rise to greatness can lie in the final tweaks we make. A color, a font, an added sound effect or a some shift. I remember staying in LA on a business trip outside the Magic Castle with Tony Hornus. Back home they were close to locking the edit on AN ORDINARY KILLER. During my last take on one of the scenes where my detective is looking over his “detective board” has to admit defeat. The last take I violently cleared the desk of all the folders and files flinging them everywhere. Only the DP knew and let’s say the production designer wasn’t happy. We got the quiet sad moment and we have this violent outburst whereas the detective hates losing. After a few glasses of wine and chilling by the pool I had an idea to a debate Tony was having on which shot to use. Use both was my solution. Outside he is calm but inside him there is a storm. So quiet, thrash the desk and return to the quiet shot. You were seeing in his mind what he wanted to do. How he felt. But ultimately the calm detective won out. Both shots were used and it made the scene extra special. To have these talks and brainstorms, especially if the idea is on top of something already liked, can only happen by mutual respect. We could have called it done but that change was one of the last tweaks. You can go stream AN ORDINARY KILLER and see for yourself. Sometimes as I said the special lies in that last, “let’s try this”. That can be hard when you are weary of one phase and want to move to the next. We’ve had a few of those moments while discussing final poster and trailer tweaks. Once it is all done that is what we live with but do enjoy those moments of collaboration. I just ask to be heard and have an idea considered. Occasionally a business angle plays into the suggested tweak and other times it just ties in with other themes in the film. These are wonderful talks that happen on all the great films. Don’t get frustrated and try to enjoy these moments. They come and go and pass into history fast enough.
I will make one other note- I’m participating on a film shoot today acting. A director had a mutual friend introduce us and he is directing his first narrative. It is a one day commit in my home town and they are shooting on 16mm film. I started in film and it has been many a moon since I’ve shot on film and the story is interesting so I said, yes. In my desire to network a touch more one of my 2026 goals was to act in two non CDI films. Check one off after today. I know a few of the cast, crew associated with this film and this will be a nice opportunity to just act. We are suppose to have a snowstorm and I am filming outside but as I always say, sometimes the harsher the conditions the better it looks on camera. To date, Pontiac MI I filmed on a movie called DEAD QUIET playing a homeless man. It was the worst icy snow conditions I’ve filmed in followed by THE NEST, a Korean War film that got hit by a blizzard in Pennsylvania on the last day of the shoot. I will see where this shoot falls in the coldest shoots but I’m pretty acclimated to all the conditions from snow to heat to rain and such.
OK. Onto developments-
- Harsens Island Revenge has joined our streaming films on various platforms. If you have not watched it you should and maybe you would be so kind as to leave a review on whatever platform and http://www.imdb.com
- Wild Faith Christmas opened its run at the State 5 Fridley theater in Algona, Iowa where we premiered SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA (SNIA). SNIA is now streaming and same as above take a watch and review if you can. If you are in and around Algona please do take your family to see our beautiful follow up to WILD FAITH. You can watch the first film streaming and Wild faith Christmas will release to home video Q4 of this year. But we will keep traveling it to various theaters for several more months.
- We made a few more business deals on the AI JESUS film in the past week leaving us with just a little bit of business to go. We are looking to lock the picture on Weds of this week after a watch. We are also close to having a director’s poster and the first teaser trailer for audiences. This film is so very unique filled with humor and thought provoking, emotionally driven moments.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – I’m still locking the end credits up and I plan to have that done by end of this week. The new master visual will be married to the master audio and we should have a film. Once I get the end credits locked we’ll render and add that to the movie. We might enter a few film festivals but I am looking at April 1st theatrical release and Q3 home video.
- I’ve been also trying to assist Jeff Behrendt on a BTS of ROM COMS MUST DIE. Thank you to our cast and crew helping to get him footage. These BTS are things that we will look back upon many years later.
- Adam Towner has been working on something near and dear to my heart. That would be a 30th Anniversary CDI Highlight reel. He took a fun approach with me narrating and I’m digging it. I’m considering both a book and perhaps a documentary at some point in time. Always things to do.
- I have a meeting this week to discuss the possible uprez of three of the classic CDI films. I would love to see it happen for preservation and to open them up to new audiences. Our early day films seem more primitive in all areas but you can still see CDI forming into what it is today. I also have all the Blu ray rights and so like KNIGHT CHILLS I would love to have several if not all of them mastered to Blu Ray. If you are a Blu Ray distributor feel free to reach out. I love what Saturn Core did with KNIGHT CHILLS. (Blu ray or streaming) * KC was our 1st feature film at CDI.
- We are developing on several fronts with movie/TV projects both large and small. Some projects have years of development behind them before they ever come to be filmed. I won’t jinx anything. I’ll just say we have some exciting opportunities ahead of us. Work hard. Work smart. Keep the faith.
- Thank you to David Gries for the updating he has been doing to our CDI website. It is greatly appreciated. You can watch as we update it at http://www.cdiproductions.com
WRAP UP: I’m going to finish up here and make some eggs. I also need to get my agreement signed and start to assemble my wardrobe for this afternoon. I’m looking forward to today and appreciate the reaching out. As I’ve said before, reach out and you never know. I do say no quite often but if things feel right, I might say yes. I dissolved my most recent agent relationship at the end of last year. I might take on a new one for literary and producing pending how things shake out. Acting wise I’ve done well just off people contacting me directly. I’m fine with negotiating and have my own legal and that usually gets the job done. Part of my issue was I could not keep up on all the acting material hoops they wanted me to jump through because I was too busy acting. I got some headshots taken but I never look like them because I’m usually always prepping for the next role. Even now I’m behind on updating my resume, reel and such but if you want to see my work google me up and you can watch dozens of films with me doing my thing. Okay, it is time to refill the coffee cut and make those eggs. As January 2026 comes to a close I hope your start to the year has been a good one.
I want to thank John Mashni for assisting me in streamlining CDI. We are preparing to handle bigger projects and that means evolution. Thank you to my friends at Bank of America and our accounting firm. Thank you to all our artists friends for the wonderful work you do. I appreciate you all more than you truly know. Until we meet again next week on the first day of Feb stay warm. Stay focused. Coffee Cheers!
DJ
CDI Tribe Spotlight and 2026 Updates!
A screen shot from the upcoming ‘AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip
What a chilly morning here in the Michigan. I’ve had talks with folks in Florida and even there cold. We might get one more blizzard hit over the next two days. This cold steals a little bit of my motivation. We are deep into the first month of the new year. I have hit the ground running and working hard to get things done. Today I’m going to finish working on some writing for our CDI web page that is getting a few updates. Our Christmas tree came down last week after my blog writing. New gifts and such have been being put into new places. 2025 was a blessed year in many ways and I’m working to make 2026 also be about abundance. I will give a few updates on where things are in the world of CDI. CDI is 30 years old! That is a great accomplishment I’m told and I’ve had everyone suggest I write a book pulling on many topics from my blogs. The idea of a CDI documentary has again resurfaced. I have a meeting coming up to readdress the uprez of three of the early CDI Classic films. I’m excited about that. I do feel the pride of having this company grow and survive the ups and downs for all these years. Let’s spotlight some of the old guard CDI leadership still making it all happen.
My fellow CDI founder Jeff Kennedy was an inspiration in high school of making learning fun and cool. He and his wife Juanita are two of the most creative people you would ever meet. They believed in me and the idea of CDI when nobody else would. Since 2007 time frame Jeff has been medically retired. I add the medical because if Jeff did not have his back issues he would still be in the mix creating. He deserves the peace and happiness he is living in. Not a day goes by that I’m not appreciative of both of them. Knight Chills, From Venus, Heaven’s Neighbors, Figure in the Forest are the first four films we did at CDI. In a way it was our film school. On the 30th anniversary I want to really give the Kennedy’s their due. Without their love and support there would be no CDI. I will work to get those last three films to HD and back into the market. KNIGHT CHILLS can be watched on Blu Ray or streamed now.
Dean Teaster is another gent who I consider one of the founders of CDI. If not a true founder he helped forge the business flow at CDI. Operating as the COO, Chief Operating Officer he help implement many processes that we still use today. He is responsible for the onset accounting we use to this day. It dovetails into our end of the year tax work that keeps everything moving in the right direction. Not only is he one of my closest friends he is a pillar at CDI. His acting has been riding high later in life as he completely surrenders himself to the character he is becoming.
Anthony Hornus was one of the earliest producers at CDI and has proven his value as a writer, actor and director. He is a creative warrior that will go out on his shield. As a writer/co-director he brought us AN ORDINARY KILLER (streaming) but in recent years he directed Man’s Best Friend, Silent Night in Algona and the upcoming AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. He also runs a military themed Non-Profit The Red, White and Blue Project that works close with CDI. Together with CDI assistance he has produced such powerful content such as OUTSIDE THE WIRE: The Forgotten Children of Afghanistan, Standing Post and For the Love of Catch. As a senior producer he is known for his ability to connect with government officials and extras on our film sets.
Melissa Anschutz while seen often starring in CDI films serves as a senior producer onset often working as the unit production manager. She works closely with the marketing of CDI films due to her position of CMO (Chief marketing Officer) for Twin Engines Global that has much of the CDI library under their umbrella.
Shane Hagedorn serves as a senior producer at CDI. In addition to his powerful acting his directorial endeavors have given us Ashes of Eden, Best Years Gone and Wild Faith Christmas. He is a pillar of the CDI company and loves making content that inspires people.
John Mashni is part of the CDI production team serving as CLO (Chief Legal Officer). From investment, cast and crew or distribution documents, Mr. Mashni handles all aspects of legal as it pertains to CDI endeavors.
Dane DeFord has joined the producer’s team as the Transportation Captain. He has been responsible for off set production vehicles and on-set picture cars, boats, planes, wagons/horses and more. He is also building his front of the camera resume with several attention getting roles.
David Gries has worked with CDI on both sides of the camera both by bringing multiple memorable roles to life while also handling the web design and IT work for the CDI tribe. He also works as a designer for Twin Engines Global marketing bringing that experience with him to everything his does with CDI.
Dennis Therrian while maintaining his identity as a powerful composer musician he has also become an amazing sound designer. He is the pos-production supervisor who assists in delivering the completed films to our distribution partners. He has been with CDI from film one and his work has become a pillar of quality in the library of CDI films.
In addition to these good folks this “tribe” of artists has raised the bar for independent film production with a wide group of investors, sponsors, key crew and directors-for-hire chosen to fit the right script. CDI 2026 celebrates 30 years of creating stories via motion picture, commercials, music videos and more. They built the company on basic key points 1) Staying on budget 2) Staying on Schedule 3) The films are all handcrafted with a unique quality that only comes from artists who deeply care.
We have many new artists working to earn their place within the tribe. Some people find that the journey of telling these stories is too difficult. There is no shame in that as our people work very hard to stand out from the clutter of content in the marketplace. Let’s look at the progress being made on the current films.
- Harsens Island Revenge joins many of the CDI films streaming on the popular ad based VOD like Tubi, Xumo, Encourage TV (Youtube) and more. This film is well rounded and full of excitement and drama.
- Wild Faith Christmas just completed an extended run in Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI at Celebration Cinemas. Now Fridley in Algona, Iowa is welcoming the film Jan 23-29th! We are still working several chains so please do call your theaters and request the film.
- Rom Coms Must Die will marry the new color corrected version visual to the sound this week. We’ll do another hard look at the end credits but we are close to a final watch. From there we’ll set up the theatrical which I hope to have hit April 1st. We are looking at a few festivals for fun. Our home video release will be Q3.
- The trailer for AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is being worked on as we speak. Once the music and sound is done we will do final watches before it moves into music and sound design. I’ll be working to land the last few marketing investors/sponsors and we are excited to bring this to theaters before a Q4 home video release. This is gonna be a powerful film but presented in a very entertaining way.
DEVELOPMENT: I did have a good sit down meeting with John McGraw and we are considering putting the feature version of SMOKE & MIRRORS back on the slate. Few locations and a smaller scope makes it appealing. I’ve also been working on some script writing. The work is on sequels to a few of the more popular titles. We also have a few pitches for founding out and we will see how that develops. We all would love to see the season 1 of WILD FAITH: Hastings go into production but we will see.
WRAP UP: I’m going to wrap this up and go make some breakfast. Already gathered an egg from our chickens this morning. I’m going to do some work for the CDI website and I’ve got soccer playing. I did sub in for a house team last week playing indoor soccer. It was good to get some intense running in. First half breath was a touch off but I got my second wind. Second wind but my legs felt heavy second half. I was a touch sore overnight and mildly stiff the day after but I’m ready for Tuesday again! Do something physical to get your body moving and to help clear your head. I hope you all have a great week ahead. 2026 is full of possibilities you just gotta go after them with a good, organized plan. Until next week my friends, COFFEE CHEERS!
DJ
CDI Film Updates! Plus the Secret to Making Your 2026 More Productive!
Good morning! After a few days of rain and gloom we got our pretty snow back. We did enjoy some warm temps for a stretch of days. Yesterday the Christmas tree came down which is sad but also signals the start of the new year being in full swing. It was a very productive week on many levels but still the world seems to be off balance again with negativity in abundance. I’ve said before, it’s what I love about being a storyteller versus activism. I can work with artists from many circles to collectively tell a story that is beneficial to all. That helps remind us of what brings us together and inspires hope for a day of better harmonious co-existence.
On a business level we are in full swing of streamlining CDI and preparing for some great things in 2026. I’ve nearly got all the end of year materials forwarded to our accounting firm. Just a few December statements once they are sent and legal will send investor dispersement breakdowns for last year. I’ve just got my personal taxes to complete but I’m close to having all that together. There is so much business to attend to and I think that for many struggling in the arts that is a direct result of all show and no business sense. I’m proud that we’ve been working to do it right from movie one at CDI.
I’m still working out HOW TO’s on little functions of my new laptop but as you can read I’m getting there. I guess I could say the same thing about my jeep. I’m still working on understanding a few of the buttons and gizmos. Evolving is slow for me as I get proficient in a process and I’m not easy to change. But with good folks around me I’m slowly making changes. CDI’s website will be undergoing some much needed updates thanks to David Gries. CDI has turned 30 years old this year and we’re celebrating that. Adam Towner has been working on a CDI highlight reel. I’ve had others suggest a documentary film, a book and more. One step at a time. I do have a meeting on the books about working on Classic CDI films 2-4 which need restoration work before being ready for the marketplace. We are working on a few literary releases associated with the movies and I still want a few record albums showcasing Dennis Therrian’s amazing work. Maybe like a KTEL (Old School) best of CDI music. I have ideas. Let’s look at some of the more recent updates!
- CDI’s roaring 1920’s film Harsens Island Revenge released to home video on the ad-based platforms like Encourage TV, Roku, Tube…meaning you can watch free with ads. We get paid by advertisers. I’m about to release the first investor checks from theatrical once I get it properly recorded with legal. Again this was based on a book of the same name by Karl Manke so read the book as well!
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS gave us one of the happiest pre-Christmas run in theaters and was extended in Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI playing Celebration Cinemas until the 15th of January! We are trying to lock in dates with NCG and Emagine but things have been slow. Even when we have audiences ready we still need to wait because we don’t control the theaters. We’ll keep playing this film all winter and it will release to home video 4Q before the holidays. The distributor is planning a campaign with the original film WILD FAITH 3Q promoting the forthcoming follow up. The original has done well for us and justified the second film. We do have the TV series to push towards production and I’ve been slowly working on the 3rd stand alone film. This franchise has become a bright spot in the world. Thank you to the tens of millions who have supported it.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – This film is a parody from start to finish about the filmmaking industry. The hardships of actors, filmmakers and distributors who often want junk content. The new audio mix was amazing and of course it was because that is what Dennis Therrian does. Our director is doing a final visual test on film using a filter to see if we/he likes the enhancement. After that we’ll put it all together for a final watch through . We are almost ready to start talking premiere and the theatrical run. I would like to see an April 1st theatrical release. The home video release is set for Q3 before Halloween. It is comedic with a dark, twisted sense of humor. We all think audiences will enjoy it and if you work in the industry you’ll get a few more of the inside jokes.
- In the same week we got to do a watch of AI JESUS: THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP with all the VFX inserted. WOW! It was so cool to see the entire flow with completed VFX. We are making some final tweaks and reviews before the film moves over to music and sound design. It will drop into the studio end of January and I’m guessing 2-3 months of work bring us to May/June. We’ll do a summer theatrical release and home video is set for 4Q. You cannot turn on the radio air TV without ongoing talks on AI. The film used AI in various parts of the production flow and even included a high end production robot. A trailer is being polished up and will have the music and sound design done before work on the main feature goes into high gear. I’m still sitting down with investors and sponsors over the last few marketing units. I’m working to close that up since everyone is excited to get back on set with new film production. PS: This film does have ties to THE QUEST TRILOGY the three biblical adventures CDI produced in the desert of Yuma, AZ. So do take a watch on all three FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER.
DEVELOPMENT: We’ve got a few commercial and narrative projects in development. A few films have pitch packs out to funders and I’m working on a few new scripts. The follow up films are fun allowing endearing characters to return. With pre-existing fans it makes sense business-wise too. Aside from the WILD FAITH franchise there’s 2-3 other CDI favorites that might get a follow up. We do have some original films in development also and I’m excited to see which ones get traction.
WRAP UP: So I talked with Terry Knox this week who people know mostly from ST ELSEWHERE and TOUR OF DUTY but we’ve done a half dozen films together since AN ORDINARY KILLER in 2002. He was bragging at the production value of HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE which he had just watched. He plays a member of the Purple Gang. Somehow we got talking about conventions and meet and greets. I know they have them for horror films, comics, sci-fi and war films/TV series. It must have stuck in my mind. I awoke this morning from a dream I had gone with T Knox to a convention that had actors from all different TV shows. I was representing WICKED SPRING, MBF, SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA…I was meeting folks from Hogan’s Heroes, Band of Brothers and MASH. In my dream I was talking with Gary Burghoff (Radar) from MASH and told him how much I’ve enjoyed his work and asked how he was doing. He was starving and so I went and got him some snacks from a green room table. Funny stuff!
I’m going to wrap things up here. I’ve got some other work I want to get done but as always I appreciate the time we had today reviewing our progress. With the extension of Wild Faith Christmas in the theaters, Harsens Island Revenge to AVOD and the post work flow I’m pleased with how 2026 is already started. We have had a few negative folks come out of the wood work throwing stones at the art. I told someone recently almost all the negativity any of us artists get comes from other artists not the general audiences. Writers who cannot option or sell a script. Producers who can never finance a project. Directors who will never sit in the chair. Actors that don’t get cast. ROM COMS MUST DIE is a love letter to some of these folks but Amos and Clem are doers. Channel this frustration into work and progress versus pooping in someone’s punchbowl. Haha! Maybe too much. But you get the point. Most don’t take the time to review or are unable to navigate the process. But if you can and you want to counter some hate with joy, please do. Amazon reviews. IMDB reviews. And believe or not I’ll send positive wishes even to those struggling and aiming their frustration at at working artists. In the time it takes to write a negative review something positive could have been done to move their own pieces on the chess board. But negativity is part of the game. My above friend T Knox once said if you don’t have haters you’re not doing something right. The rocks thrown haven’t slowed the forward train in 30 years so I don’t think it is going to happen. If you are one of the frustrated focus more on your business and less on the art. The art is fun and the business often is not. But the secret to success lies in doing both and in good time. A company that distributes films cannot work with you if your biz is not in order or your film cannot make deadlines or pass quality control. So focus on these things and make your 2026 better than your 2025!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Welcome to 2026!~ Let’s Toast a Great New Year
Happy 2026! I’m sipping my hazelnut coffee and finally sitting down to share with all of you. January 4th and we are off and running. I felt really good about 2025 and what we accomplished both personally and as a company of artists at CDI. We once again have a winter wonderland outside and I’m enjoying it more than dreary rain. The other day we had our last family holiday meal and it was a good season of memories made. I’m happy to say that I’ve stayed healthy save the occasional sore day from splitting logs for the fire. The last day of the year was work as we are streamlining CDI and making moves to get us ready for bigger things. Some of this is automating the check dispersement process which right now takes about three days. Let’s look at some of the updates-
- Harsens Island Revenge is now released to home video both DVD and streaming. This time period (1920’s) is very popular and the history of the Purple Gang is a worthy subject. If you’ve not seen this film I wrote off Karl Manke‘s book of the same name you should. And read the book. The theatrical run was not as strong as we wanted but that is because of the release time and studio conflicts. But it did some acceptable extra business which is helpful. It played great on the big screen and now on people’s personal TV’s I’m hearing good things. I loved playing Axel and I’ll be forever proud of that film. Check it out!
- Wild Faith Christmas is now in theaters as we speak. We had a great world premiere in Tuscan, AZ winning awards before bringing it back to Michigan. Awesome premiere showings in Alpena and Lansing, Michigan and it is now back in Lansing until the 8th I believe at Celebration Cinema. It is also in Grand Rapids and Fort Worth, Texas. It has played several different states and will play many more before the run is over. SEE this film on the big screen if you can. If you can contact your local theater and ask them to book it. If you’ve seen it leave a review on the http://www.imdb.com page (That is for all films) Thank you for all the love this film has gotten. Ben Lily is a great character and I’m proud to fill those moccasins.
- Rom Coms Must Die – This dark comedy is a joke. The entire film was born from development meetings with distributors seeking low brow content for the audiences. Also the desperation of filmmakers, actors and the pains of chasing dreams. Monday we are watching with the audio elements finely mixed. We are getting close to a locked picture and will look at a cool premiere before it travels into theaters before a Q3 home video release. This is a bit of a departure from our family films but is still very digestible mostly due to the abundance of humor.
- AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – Yesterday I watched the new edit with color correction and the VFX dropped in. Let’s just say it made my day. This film is thought provoking in the best way and also has emotional impact that can match any of the previous CDI films. The acting chemistry between the characters is just wonderful and I cannot wait to add the music and sound design. This film is a loose follow up to THE QUEST TRILOGY (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star. The Christ Slayer) If you have not seen these three biblical adventures give it a go. They are unique and are a good tip of the hat to biblical classics of the early days. Ben Hur (original) is still one of my favorites.
- The CDI website needs to undergo an update that will essentially make it easier for audiences to find all our films. I’ll be working with David Gries our wonderful designer in trying to upgrade that. I hope to have streaming there soon a new 2026 CDI highlight reel. CDI is now 30 years old which is amazing to me. Can we go another 30 years? Perhaps we can. We do have new branches growing on the CDI tree every year. CDI is a place that artists plant the seeds of new projects. Given the proper attention and time and great things grow.
- We do just recently sign a home video deal on the Wild Faith Christmas, Rom Coms Must Die and AI Jesus and we’re excited to work with our partners at TEG. Before that it is a theatrical partnership with Dreamscape Productions, our theatrical rep. I want to thank them both for all their collaboration in 2025. To that I want to add my deep enjoyment of collaborating with McGraw Multimedia, Strike to Burn and of course Dennis Therrian. Choose your partners carefully as they can be sails or anchors to your endeavors. CDI doesn’t have to say much as we let actions speak. Recently someone was discussing why I don’t hype more versus taking the more conservative approach. I like to set reasonable expectations and exceed those versus the other way around. I’ve turned down money and partnerships and projects where something did not fit or feel proper. We are not a perfect company but we work to refine our processes every day. I like to think it shows.
- I set a great list of goals for 2026 both personal and professional. I do this every year and I think it helps us keep accountable to ourselves. It also gives us something to strive towards. We are positioned well and I’m going to work as hard as I always do to bring us into the new era of success. I’ve got a few scripts underway and I’m excited by those. We’ve got a few film slates out there being looked at for financing. I’ve had some great meetings with some interesting people in 2025 and 2026 I see more of the same.
WRAP UP: Our team is on top of the end of year wrap up work. I plan to keep our steady climb and enjoy the company of the folks we are traveling with. I start the new year with new tools such as this computer. I got 13 years out of the previous. I got 15 years out of the old vehicle before getting the jeep. I don’t live flashy and I’m not trying to impress anyone save the fans of our art. I had a most wonderful holiday that allowed me to relax, recharge and reflect on my previous year. My favorite professional joy was hearing the laughter and tears of joy during our theatrical showings. I was once just a pre-teen with a camcorder and a few close friends playing make believe and storytelling.
I don’t have any lessons or insights from events to share at this time. I just wanted to thank all of you for accepting the art we create at Collective Development Inc. and hope you all see 2026 as a fresh start for yourselves. Be mindful of who and how you spend your energy. I’m thinking about eggs. Our chickens are increasing their production with the growing light. I’m going to do some additional organizing and such to get ready for a productive week. Spending this time with all of you each week helps me refocus on what needs to be done forthcoming. I want to welcome you all to 2026 with a coffee cheers. Now go have a great year and I’m chat with you again next week. Be good to one another! DJ
A Goodbye to 2025 and Preparing for 2026!
(CDI has had some great sponsors like Hersheys, Smithfield Foods, Hormel, Pepsi and more)
It is a rainy morning and the hazelnut coffee is hitting the spot. I want to once again thank all my viewers from China and all the countries around the world. Last night we had the last family Christmas gathering and now my focus is slowly shifting to the new year. It is a time to look at all the goals that we either achieved or fell short of. I for one feel like we had a great year not without its challenges and loses for a good year. I’m healthy and ended the year by putting smiles and joy into audiences with our films. Harsens Island Revenge started 2025 with the final run of the film in theaters. Wild Faith Christmas was finished and took awards in Tuscan at the Wild Bunch Film Fest before rolling into theaters. On Dec 22 we got to watch our family, friends and home town crowd view the highly anticipated follow up film to WILD FAITH. That franchise will be looked at as we move forward. I have both a 3rd feature in the works and better yet a season one TV show WILD FAITH: Hastings consisting of eight 44 min shows. We will see what opportunities open up to get these produced.
Harsens Island Revenge is now on streaming and DVD via Amazon. I’m proud of that film because of the world we built as artists at CDI. The film is slick and cool and represents a wild time in US history during the 1920’s. I think we might set up a few dinner and view events with this film whereas people can also get posters signed and such. This film was based on the book of the same name by Karl Manke. Do take a read before or after you’ve seen the movie. If you’ve seen this film please do go to the film’s http://www.imdb.com page and VOTE (10 is high and 1 is low) and leave us your review of the film. This is a good practice with any of the CDI films since it does help the film’s distribution.
Rom Coms Must Die, is our dark comedy and it is almost complete. It pokes fun at the filmmaking industry from all sides. The musical score and sound effects are about done and we’ve been mixing the film before another producer’s watch. One of our CDI tribal members making a splash with his acting in Adam Towner and he shines in his first co-starring role. We will look to have a premiere in the coming new year and start the theatrical run. It will look to release to home video during the 3Q of 2026.
AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is having the VFX dropped in and we’ll do the final tweaks to the edit soon. Once that is complete and Rom Coms Must Die moves out of the sound studio AI Jesus will move into the studio. This movie is a perfect blend of humor and taking a serious look at technology and spirituality existing together. We are still pulling a few backers onto the film for marketing but we are excited to have this film also roll into theaters before joining Wild Faith Christmas for a Q4 2026 home video release.
2026 Preview–
We do have a few funding efforts underway for projects that have been in development for a few year now. We have a few smaller film endeavors developing but I want to finish the business on the current films before announcing any new opportunities. I do encourage everyone to write down your 2026 goals. If you did that last year, study your previous list and see what projects made progress or you completed. I will be doing that myself in the coming days. It can be personal, professional or anything you wish to draw your focus to. I plan to work hard to make 2026 as productive as 2025.
Wrap Up: I don’t have any major revelations to put forth. I’m a simple man and I take pleasure in simple things. I love the friendships with our CDI artists and I’m looking forward to being on set soon. I don’t have a project locked which is kind of nice. I’ve been getting some good writing done and that could lead to a few new films being made. I’ve been working on a few follow up films to previous CDI films. I had no less than four possible writer for hire scripts in 2026 but the business did not gel. That allowed me to do my own writing. So in a way that turned out to be a blessing.
I’m thankful for the new CDI tribal artists that joined us this year. New investors, sponsors and more that see the power of the CDI machine. All these projects are a result of determined hard work to stay on schedule, budget and showcase a handcrafted quality that is always unique. Again if you or your business want to explore getting involved with Collective Development Inc. please do reach out. You never know what a single collaboration can do. For many it leads to a life time journey with a great group of people. I’m excited to grow as a company and as an individual. I am so very blessed to be able to do exactly what I wanted to do- entertain audiences with stories. I’m going to wrap this up and likely go prepare a few eggs. We are working to get the house back in order and I’ll be entertaining a few quests this eve and this week. The wood stove will have to be heated up and great conversations and planning will take place. I want to thank you all for your support of the films, this blog and just our collective endeavors. I will see you all next year! Coffee cheers. DJ
It’s Starting to Look a bit like Christmas! CDI Updates
Hazelnut coffee cheers. I do have my new computer mostly set up but I’m using my phone to post this. I want to thank my readers from dozens of countries around the world. It goes to show how storytelling is important to the entire human race. I’m at that end of the year place of evaluating the past year’s journey. I’ve had a balance of prepping for the new year and taking care of business in front of me. I’ve had a few minor frustrations usually surrounding tech as I try to set up my new systems for 2026. Streamlining and starting new work flow operations with dispersement and management of incoming funds. Let’s look at some of the updates.
1) Harsens Island Revenge which is just starting its home video run on dvd and streaming set records at the distributor for ad engagement which we hope will translate to views. A wonderful story ripped from history and adapted from Karl Manke’s book of the same name. Check it out on Amazon!
2) While ‘Wild Faith Christmas’ has been releasing in multiple states we’ve had many family, friends and fans who want to enjoy the much anticipated follow up to our ‘Wild Faith’ film six years ago. The film picks up five years later and so far audiences have loved it. But this showing tomorrow at Celebration Cinemas in Lansing, MI plays at 6:00 (few tickets left) and 8:15 (tickets available but going steady). It will be a great gift to our loved ones and town. We hope to see you there!
3) Rom Coms Must Die: This dark comedy that makes fun of the film industry is in final mixing of audio. We will have a premiere and go to theaters with it first of the year. It will release to home video Q3 2026.
4) Working its way down post production is AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. This thought provoking film has comedy and real emotional impact. The edit is close to a lock. VFX is being worked on and will be dropped in the first of the year before music and audio work begins. It will go to theaters before enjoying a Q4 2026 home video release with Wild Faith Christmas.
5) A few developmental projects both commercial and features are moving along nicely and hopefully that will plan the course of action for 2026. Businesses wishing to get involved via sponsorship or investment feel free to reach out to have discussions. CDI has been growing steadily and we’re always looking for the right partnerships.
6) CDI website and new highlight reel is in the works. Next year is our 30th anniversary at CDI! Look for some exciting stuff to emerge that celebrates this milestone.
7) I will soon be setting goals for 2026 as something I do on a weekly basis both personally and for CDI. I encourage you to put your own goals down in writing.
Wrap Up: I’ve got some Christmas stuff to wrap up for our three family gatherings. I also love the small CDI gatherings with our folks. I’ve already had some wonderful ones. I appreciate our people deeply and love to watch their growth. I know many are struggling to find their balance personally and professionally. It is not easy being an artist. It is way more than just playing. It is creating within business perimeters. We do just that and so our growth has been steady. I’m going to wrap things up here. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! I’ll speak to you before the new year. Be good to one another. Coffee cheers! DJ
CDI Updates – Success is rarely an accident but often a result.
I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee like I always do but today our little chat is being done on my new work computer. It is a Mac Air and so far so good. My Movie Magic software is up and running and I still need to adjust a few things with my Microsoft Office. How the time flies when you just keep moving ahead. I thought the old computer was not that old but when programs started being limited or not working it was because it was from 2012 and had reached the final operating system it could handle. The old computer might get dedicated to photo management or something of the sort. I’m going into the end of the year with good tidings and joy. I’ve been working to try and round out my holiday shopping for gifts. I do love giving little gifts not just at Christmas but all year long. Much of what I purchase I do so for other people or for the movies will tell. (Props/Wardrobes) I’ve turned the fort office into Santa’s workshop jamming tunes and wrapping presents. I have to do some clean up before my brother and a few amigos come to visit tonight. I might need to split some more wood but I will wait until it warms up a tad. I went out to let the chickens out and it was FROZEN out. Back to the hot hazelnut coffee, see how that comes full circle?
WILD FAITH and WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – The top picture is of Emmett, Ben and Hester in the original film. (You can stream on dozens of platforms) In theaters now is the sequel and it just returned to Alpena, MI where we filmed on Friday for another week of showings. It also opened in several new states from Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire you can see a full and evolving list on our FB page for Wild Faith Christmas. We also are excited to have it playing in CDI’s home town of Lansing, MI at Celebration Cinema on December 22 at 6:00 and 8:15. Being a Monday it should not collide with many people’s holiday plans. This franchise and the second film is getting great reviews from audiences. Laughter, tears and a film that really captures the holiday spirit. I could not be happier. I do have an idea for a 3rd film which I may or may not have started. I also have the eight 44 min TV series season one written. If I can find the right funding without too many strings we just might tackle that series.
Harsens Island Revenge – CDI’s second adaptation of a Karl Manke book. The 1st was Best Years Gone from the book Hope From Heavens directed by Shane Hagedorn (Ashes of Eden, Wild Faith Christmas). The 1920’s historical drama pits WW1 vets versus the Purple Gang. It is full of action and style and you can buy the DVD or stream it on Amazon Prime.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is CDI’s previous Christmas story based on a true event during WW2. It might be returning again to the Fridley Theaters in Algona as the people do a yearly watch of the film and visit the two museums in town. (Nativity Scene, PW Museum) It is also streaming and for sale on DVD for those who do not want to brave the cold. Iowa folks are a hardy lot.
THE QUEST TRILOGY (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer) are a series of Christmas adventures worth watching at any time but even more so during the holidays. Beautifully shot in Yuma, AZ from the rugged desert to the awestruck date farms, this film will make you think and entertain the whole family. I am exploring a blu ray for all three films next holiday along with a retrospective coffee table book on the making of the three films. Interesting enough a new CDI film is a loose follow up to this trilogy and that is the upcoming AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. The film picture is almost locked and in Jan 2026 it will move into the music and sound studio. This powerful and heartwarming film will again promote much discussion as we move ever deeper into the age of technology. This film was directed by Anthony Hornus (MBF, Silent Night in Algona).
LOST HEART, ASHES OF EDEN, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BEST YEARS GONE, WICKED SPRING, DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN, AN ORDINARY KILLER, KNIGHT CHILLS, THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ are all good cold weather watches from the CDI library. We are still working to try and update a few of the older CDI Classic Collection and we hope to bring a few of those back to audiences in 2026.
ROM COMS MUST DIE is a dark comedy that really makes fun of our obsessive film industry. It is in final mixing before it will do a run in theaters before releasing around Halloween on home video. Comparing RCMD to say Lost Heart is like comparing an apple and a screwdriver but if you like horror films and dark humor you will enjoy this very unique take. BESTSELLER is another dark film adapted from the book by Chris Knight and is a good late night watch. I’ve also acted in a handful of scary films having gotten my start with them starting with IN THE WOODS (New Blu Ray out).
DEVELOPMENT: There is several active and passive development underway. It is somewhat limited by the fact I’m still in talks with backers on the few remaining investment units on AI JESUS. Once that is finalized I will be more aggressive in my development. We do have possibles on several fronts. I’ve got several scripts I’m working on including a few sequels to fan favorites.
WRAP UP: I got the final distribution of returns out to our investor pool and we are in the midst of streamlining CDI product making it better tax wise and easier to write out checks to investors. Right now some investors are getting 3, 4 or 5+ checks which would be easier with one check and a broken down control sheet. Many thanks to our legal John Mashni and our accounting firm Davison & Associates CPA for assisting in this process. CDI is growing and might soon make some big leaps in production. You have to be ready for success. Success is rarely an accident but often a result. With that I’m going to wrap this up. This is my first business on this new computer. It really is nice. I often work something until it can go no more. That is how I’m sure I will live my life. I will work until my body can go no more. Unlike several friends entering retirement I feel like we are just getting going. I have business mentors in their 80’s+ who are still creating and making things happen. Those are my role models. CDI will do a big SciFi film my love letter to the original STAR WARS. I have other storytelling goals and with the CDI TRIBE we will make them happen. We bring in new tribal members every year. Find people who fit with you and watch the achievements thrive. Avoid negativity and drama that I hear about and occasionally see but we work hard to eliminate anything like that. At a certain age you want to have fun and create. That is what we do at CDI and I’m proud of that. I’ve said it before, I’m not trying to get to any top of any mountains where only the backstabbers and climb steppers exist. I don’t envy others work but I will admire a job well done. I hope you all have a safe and happy holiday season. I will be back with you all next Sunday to report any updates. I’m working with Adam Towner trying to put together a CDI 30th Anniversary highlight reel. I am working with David Gries also to update and give the CDI website a facelift. I’m excited for 2026 but I’m going to savor the last of 2025. Coffee Cheers my friends be good to one another!
DJ
Catching Up on the CDI Tribe!
Winter is here in full effect and while occasionally troublesome it is refreshingly beautiful. Yes. I’m sipping my hazelnut coffee and looking forward to reflecting on the busy happenings of the previous week. It has had a few downs but more ups. That is life and much of it is what we choose to embrace.
I was recently shocked by the passing of an old friend and was looking forward to paying my respects. Next thing I see it was done. I watched a video of the memorial and all is good but they are gone too soon.
There is a lot of negativity floating out there in the world. That is where the flood of negative news via social media can be unhealthy. I’ve had to do lots of PR lately for our releases on many fronts. It is there I occasionally soak in negative news and so I stopped the scroll. Find better use of your time and energy and you will reap more abundant happiness.
I’ve been fully in on the Christmas spirit with music and our tree which isn’t decorated but smells and looks so nice. I’ve spent a large portion of the week writing residual and ROI checks but that is done I just need to get them sent out.
I had a nice lunch this past week with my cousin and dad while picking up some venison for the freezer. Dinked with tire pressure with the jeep due to the freezing cold. A touch of holiday shopping was achieved and tomorrow I receive my new computer so I should be doing my next blog on there vs my phone. I hope my transition is smooth.
Let’s look at some highlights.
1) On Dec 5th Wild Faith Christmas started playing many theaters in several states. Please follow the Facebook page for the film, we try to keep the play dates updated. Michigan, Iowa, Nebraska, Massachusetts and more.
2) Harsens Island Revenge is streaming and available on dvd with Amazon being one. Travel to the 1920’s and enjoy the adventure.
3) The Quest Trilogy is right in season and if you need some uplift to your spirit and mood a watch on these three biblical adventures might be the ticket. Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer and the follow up AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip which almost has a locked picture. Vfx are underway and it will move to music and sound design first of the year.
4) The above film will be coming into music and sound design as Rom Coms Must Die exits. Next week I will review the film with full music and sound. This dark comedy will go into theaters first Q 2026 and home video Q3.
5) Speaking on releasing Q4 next year will see both Wild Faith Christmas and AI Jesus release. AI Jesus will have a theatrical run prior to home video.
Development: I have been doing some script writing and that has been fun. Winter is my favorite season to write in. My coffee and imagination and off I go.
I have recently parted from my previous acting agency and might look at literary representation but I’ve been at no lack of projects. So I might just ride solo until a right fit presents itself. I do need to update some personal reels and material but my busy schedule hinders that. I think that is good being too busy with work to update your work seeking materials.
We are planning to update the CDI website and a new CDI highlight reel is being planned. Next year will be 30 years for CDI. I am proud of that fact but also shows how fast time flows.
I’ve had several great meetings over projects in development for a handful of years. I think between these few development fronts CDI could be setting the stage for the next 10 years of production. I tend to keep quiet on development because until it happens it is just talk. But as CDI’s resume shows we do get it done.
Wrap Up: I’ve had to think deeply on a few fronts because of others actions. We work hard at CDI to stand alone by our actions not our claims. We follow through and we finish. We have a great team of CDI producers and talented keys that you need for a smooth work flow. If you want the CDI dependability you must go through the CDI tribe.
Selling yourself on work you did not do will show your desperation to the experienced, maybe trick the inexperienced and always put you in a place of liability for your false representation.
Example: If I acted in a non-CDI film, I cannot use that film to try and raise money by saying I produced that film. Clarify your involvement and while it might take you a bit longer to reach your goals it will be honest. Standing in truth without smoke and mirrors or false hype and statements is how you will achieve long term success.
Same principles apply to actors, so don’t fudge skills or credits. A manipulated imdb rating doesn’t make you a star it makes you a liar. I recall an extra trying to sell themselves as a star talent. We requested a “Reel please” – and they don’t have one but look at my imdb score. Same thing with number of followers. It’s nice icing on a cake but you better be a great actor or the door is closed.
Small injustices can stick with me because to me it is disrespectful. Takers. Takers. Takers. They say you are wealthy by what you can give. Seek to be a giver in life vs just a taker. I really do love giving when it is earned and appreciated. I’m not going to stop being kind even when at times it can be a weakness. I do have lines in the sand that once crossed halts business. I said business not necessarily friendship but often when the business tap dries up so does the friendship. I’m at peace with that because for the few lost I have many other solid friendships both inside and outside our business. I bet many of you can relate to this wrap up.
Find your tribe but choose wisely. Laughter. Joy. Creating with a purpose that isn’t just ego driven but is about legacy. I watched The Quest Trilogy while doing work yesterday and what a beautiful legacy just those three films are. Yuma. The friendships and memories making art in the desert. A new phase is upon us and I’m excited about what we will create going forward. Be good to one another and coffee cheers. DJ
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
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
First Snow – Coffee Thoughts and Updates
We awoke to a world of white, bright and beautiful with that brisk chill. I spent the last few days prepping for the freeze bringing in garden hoses and such. A few days ago was doing some organizing in the basement and heard a faint drip only to find the water heater leaking. A builder friend was sending out a fella the next day to quote me on some construction and said he could send his plumber in his team with a new unit. Next day it was done and reasonable too. I admire the trade work immensely and wish my skills were stronger. But water, gas and electricity are areas I like to call in the pros. The previous tank was 30 years old and we got our worth out if that one. My shower was the hottest shower I’ve had here. I still need a Viking Day splitting some wood soon. Winter is upon us.
Movies- It has been a productive time as I work with our legal, accounting folks to prepare CDI for the future. We are streamlining so we can direct even more returns back at our investors lessening the amount spent filing tax returns. We’re preparing to send another 2025 return to investors as the movies continue to find their audiences. Let’s look at some of the updates.
Updates:
- Working backwards- in post Rom Coms Must Die our dark comedy is having a riveting score done by the brilliant Dennis Therrian. The idea is theatrical in early 2026 with home video release 3rd Q 2026 for Halloween season.
- The Secret of the Kingdom Chip has a second edit after some studio sessions. This week we are going to study and evaluate the new cut. The vfx work is being added and we are very happy with the direction of the film. The only people happier would be our distributor. They see big things for this film due to the subject matter. I’m still aligning the last few sponsors and investors that will be for final post and marketing costs. This film is a stand alone follow up to The Quest Trilogy. That is a biblical series of three films which you should watch in advance of this new film. Forty Nights is part one. Chasing the Star part two. And The Christ Slayer part three. All are streaming now.
- New to dvd and streaming is Harsens Island Revenge. This action packed romance set in the roaring 20’s is appearing on many streaming platforms including Amazon Prime. I was disappointed because an associate of one of our producers bought a dvd and tried playing it on a poorly set stereo tv system. They were upset that they thought the dvd was defective and ran to spout off on Amazon with a review. They do QC before all printing and so why these folks would first assume operator error first is beyond me. But they got it to work and last I checked we live with a rush bad review that was their error. I do hope they remove it. People can be have negative knee jerk reactions in this day and age. Sad if you ask me. But the dvd is great and would be a wonderful keepsake or holiday gift. So if you watch and enjoy please go to our imdb.com page or the Amazon page to vote and leave a review.
- Harsens Island Revenge does have a special CO theatrical showing Nov 20 at the Lyric Theater with Don Most there for a Q&A.
- Wild Faith was the first film we did which found tens of millions of fans. It led to a sequel Wild Faith Christmas shot in Alpena, MI. It premiered at the worlds largest film festival winning 7 awards including Best Western. It will know premiere in Alpena this coming week. We have a private cast/crew screening Thursday before it opens to general audiences on Friday for a run. I will be attending and I’m so proud of the work our tribe produced. It will start booking down state and other states for the next several months. It will release on home video 4th Q 2026 likely Nov 1st 2026. I would ask everyone to go watch or rewatch the original Wild Faith. You can enjoy the second as a stand alone but will enjoy several inside jokes if you watch both.
- Development- I’ve read three scripts recently to see what involvement myself or CDI might want to have. As a writer I know how sensitive it can be to receive feedback. But it is also important to have a great blueprint which is what the script is. I’m evaluating a few book to script writing opportunities. I have a few ideas on possible next films but I’m still dealing with investors on our most current film so until that is complete I cannot fully look ahead. But I am weighing several options.
Wrap Up: I’m feeling very optimistic with all the momentum we have at Collective Development. We have worked hard to set ourselves apart from many companies who wing it or fly by the seat of their pants. No thrown together scripts or rushed timelines. It also takes our entire tribe to deliver the quality we have gotten known for. On a few occasions I’ve had to ask associates to clarify how they present our films. If they misrepresent as if they were responsible for a film’s production they open themselves to fraud. Our directors are “work for hire” so make no mistake that CDI produced these films. Hiring a director we’ve worked with will not get you the same product. Same as trying to hire one of our producers, even me, will not get you the same end product of our team of producers. On this same line of thought- if we are asked to join a project that we don’t control $ or has variables we would not have used such as director, keys, script, cast – the quality will most likely fall. So even projects with partial/all funding if burdened with variables that are not something we would do need to be looked at hard. We could do the extra work and fund the project and align the variables in the way experience has taught us. It will almost always result in a smoother work flow and stronger project. I do love to collaborate but it has to make sense. These films are hard to make. It is hard work to make a bad film. Even harder to make a good film. You cannot always control the end result you can control the journey and that often affects the end quality. So as we wind down 2025 I am excited about 2026. We will have to see what the forthcoming journey will reveal. Off to refill the coffee cup and eat a few eggs. The dogs enjoyed the new snow but the chickens not as much. Coffee cheers! DJ
November is Here! Updates!!!
This has been a full year thus far and I’m filled with gratitude. I’m sipping the ole hazelnut coffee and pondering. It almost seems like not too long ago we were watching the ball drop entering 2025. Despite fears and worries by some no end of times or alien invasions. The beautiful world of nature has kept my year simple and serene. The clover and milkweed feeding the bees and butterflies. The growing of veggies and herbs now ready to give warmth to my winter tea cup. The new deck is now sealed and stained and already giving us joy. We’ve fostered many cats/kittens this year and enjoyed our own fur pack. These things bring that love, wonder and joy. Keeping your hands in dirt will keep you grounded.
Two of the four films are finished and being enjoyed. Harsens Island Revenge had a modest theatrical release. We felt the shove of studio films taking the summer space but we took our share. The film is now on dvd (Christmas gift?) and streaming. We just had the first festival premiere of Wild Faith Christmas and we’re booking our first theatricals. The film took 7 awards in Tuscan at the Wild Bunch Film Festival. Soon fans of the first film Wild Faith can enjoy the sequel. Alpena might be the first screening with a premiere on the 13th followed by a run at their Sanctuary theater. I’m hearing of a run post Christmas in Rogers City. We are working on Owosso, Lansing, GR and Detroit. Minnesota is gonna play both Wild Faith films at the Wells Flame I’m told. Follow the FB page to get all the updates.
Rom Coms Must Die is in the sound/music studio and coming to life with Dennis Therrian creating a stylish score. Tomorrow we are in another studio starting the fine tune editing on The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. Yes. There is a secret. Soon. I’m still wrapping up some paperwork and talking with the last backers to help launch this into theaters in the Summer. It will release to home video 4Q 2026 with Wild Faith Christmas.
As you can see it has been a busy year and this momentum will roll right into 2026. I’m still finishing some biz on The Kingdom Chip but my mind is slowly moving to production 2026. I’m about to read a third script to see if CDI wants to participate in some manner and for acting. It can be awkward if a script is not landing right with you. Sometimes it is the overall unique catch versus stereotypical. Sometimes too many characters dilutes the drama. Sometimes it is the flow and transitions between scenes. What I have learned is that usually to have a shot at making a good, award-winning film you must have a great script. When you don’t mediocre is where you often land. The worst is made up or thrown together scripts. I’ve had people brag on that but you can tell. As Rance Howard said, if it is not in the script it won’t end up in the movie. So one secret to success is go into the journey with a strong script.
I’m going to keep working our releases and post work while prepping for our last of the year investor payout. That ties into preparing the end of year tax work with our accountants. We are working to streamline that process even more this month. I’m so appreciative of our executive team and we have some great business folk joining the tribe. They see the growth potential and with their involvement CDI will see new growth.
I’m going to refill ye ole coffee cup and make some eggs. I might do some more winter prep as the wood stove is starting to get a workout. Might watch some Lions football in between my tasks. I hope you all have had a productive year. I know we all have ups and downs but stay the course. Welcome to November the month of gratitude and I sure am. Until next Sunday – coffee cheers!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 