Happy 250th and Welcome July! Updates on CDI Films!
Happy 250th birthday to the USA. We represent an imperfect nation working towards perfection. That is not truly possible since everyone has a different idea of perfection. Hazelnut coffee tastes near perfection, for me. I hope everyone had a safe 4th. I’m past my days of strong drink and fireworks thankfully. One of our dogs absolutely hates fireworks. Over the years he has gotten better but still to see him shake makes me sad. I once was one of the hooligans drinking and causing a ruckus. Sorry Miss C. Our cats including old Fred doesn’t like the explosions and I can’t speak for our hens and the squirrels and such on the property but last night it sounded like a war zone. We watched something loud “Band of Brothers” to try and drown out the noise. On that note we only have 1 or 2 shows left to watch and I know I’m late to the party but what a great series. While we don’t have Tom Hanks/SS budgets I’m proud to have created many historic dramas and we have many more to tell.
I did wake up feeling very lucky to be alive and living in the USA. I’ve always loved the romantic notion of the 17th century but with the state of technology, medicine and more, I know that life was much harder than we imagine. The above ‘Band of Brothers’ also helped strip away the heroic glamour of war seen in movies. In many cases it did not matter how athletic you were it was where the mortar round fell or the machine gun nest scattered bullets. And the mental anguish that still haunts war time soldiers to this day. That makes me again proud of how many of the CDI stories look at the plight of soldiers after war. An Ordinary Killer, Ghost Town, Wicked Spring, Harsens Island Revenge, Wild Faith, MBF, Silent Night in Algona and more. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to experience these stories.
This past week we left June behind and entered July. For me it represented many things aside from turning another year older. CDI finished the third film that will be rolling out this year. On that topic, we debate the value of theatrical release more and more. The communication between these bookers can be difficult. New reports state that indie film houses are on the come back. I would love to see that. So we’ll keep pushing on that front. We’ll get into some of the film updates now.
FILM UPDATES:
- I spent 4 days doing the film disbursements to our investors and residuals on the union films. I’m proud of what we’ve built slow and steady. I want to thank legal and accounting for helping us streamline the process going forward. I love writing checks out to people. It has always been one of my favorite things to do and it is why I still write the checks myself versus automating the process. That day might come but not quite yet.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is slowly starting a pre-campaign to get people ready for the 11/3/2026 release to DVD and home video. It is also encouraging people to watch or re-watch the first film WILD FAITH. We might try to slip into a few more theaters in October. It would be great to play both films back to back.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is prepping for a 10/2/2026 home video release. The new poster art is great and we’ll be doing some PR on the three films coming out this year. I’ve got a Lansing, MI based brew N view I’m putting together with one of our collaborators/supporters. We are still pushing the theaters and we’re excited to have this film seen. The response so far from the comedy and horror crowd has been amazing. Follow the FB pages on your favorite films to keep up with all the updates.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is being delivered to the home video distributor. We’ll be planning a premiere likely in Owosso, MI the home town of the director and where we filmed. This unique film centers on topics that everyone is talking about. It is part truth and part SciFi fiction blended in a frightfully real way. AI is not going anywhere and so society will have to adjust. Much like the internet itself, I cannot say that people spending hours a day on their phones or online is healthy but it is what it is. Go watch the trailer and get ready for this film. A BTS is being worked on too my Adam Towner and I hope to have that out to audiences soon.
- DEVIL’S PASS – This action packed mid-western has been in pre-production. I’ve been working to pull in the paperwork and funds so the bank account can be opened. We’ll start locking in other logistics once that is underway. The final casting and crewing has been underway. We had a several hour meeting last week over cast and crew. We had two larger speaking roles and we have several featured that are action versus dialog. It was a great opportunity for several CDI folks to gain the experience of auditioning. It was/is a very competitive process. I myself have lost roles to others. One actor I recall was strong but did not fit the family dynamic. I know that one actor who auditioned for PETE was the one to beat. He is an amazing actor who has co-starred in two other CDI associated films. The other role was a brother to our main antagonist and is so very complex. The actor who stood out for this role was totally unexpected. He had shown a lot of dedication being an extra in no less than three CDI films. I know some folks were disappointed to not get the role but that is part of the growth also. Like in martial arts and soccer the role is earned. I saw a lot of promise in several of the reads they are just green. They need to work on their craft and get more comfortable with the camera. I use to teach workshops back in the day teaching acting for camera. This helped talented stage actors make the transition. We had a couple of reads that were just over-the-top theatrical. Some auditions had people pacing or rocking back and forth out of frame. Grounding your energy and stillness can be a strength in film acting. We will be working to distribute the schedule this week to the department heads and to actors. We are all excited to bring this next film to life this September.
DEVELOPMENT: I’ve been outlining scenes and prepping to finish the script for MBF2. I’ve had more than enough fuel for this story and unfortunately much of it is inspired by the ugly side of human nature. MBF was raw and the follow up needs to also have that teeth. I’m also working on WF3 which again has big shoes to fill with WILD FAITH ands WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS but I think this new story is up to the challenge. I do have a few books that have been submitted for consideration in being turned into a screenplay/movie, but no deal has been made.
RETURN TO ALGONA is the follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and I’m really excited to bring this next chapter to life. We are in talks with sponsors that will assist with that. Watching Band of Brothers last night made me proud to be capturing history. These stories need to be told or they will be forgotten.
Now that I’ve got much of this accounting and dispersement work done I can also return my focus to the Katharsys Media three film deal. The proposal draft is much longer than what I normally use or submit. A tip here with raising funds includes not putting in a bunch of fluff. Just the facts Joe Friday. I have a few other projects to touch base on and see where we are in the development process.
WRAP UP:
I’m again going to express my appreciation. My mind drifted to many good folks no longer with us. That is in my business and just in my life. I’m deeply appreciative that I had the tenacity to not give up. I had and still have such great people willing to work towards a collective dream. I’ve balanced my work life with a wonderful personal life. This past week I would take a break every few hours from accounting to go put my hands in the dirt. I love working on the property even though the pollen this year has given me an allergy issue to deal with. I will be taking an R&R trip to CA next week to go to the Disney Star Wars park. I will try to set up a few visits with a few local friends but if unable you will find me by the pool.
This week before I go there we’ll celebrate my mom’s bday although we did a little surprise party for her last Sunday. And my dad’s bday is also this week and we’ll be celebrating that later this month. Again, a blessing to still have my parents with us. I know many that do not have that any longer. I want to thank everyone who took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday. It was low key and calm, something I do enjoy. I just had some eggs from our hens and I’ve topped off the coffee several times. I’m going to wrap this up and I don’t know if I’ll be doing a video update from CA or if I plan to bring my laptop. I know I could get more business done but maybe I could use a break from the computer. Happy Bday to America and let us all try to remember UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. Be good to one another. Coffee Cheers! DJ
Private & Public BESTSELLER Showings & More…
BESTSELLER Premiere info
The heat arrived in Michigan this week and I actually had the first mowing of the yard for the season. Also friend/associate Dean Teaster has been working his chain saw art so I have a nice pair of benches next to the outside fireplace and a tiki totem pole in one of the garden beds. The hops from last year have started growing and this week coming I need to prep the garden to plant. I had many great phone calls this past week including director friends like Larry Simmons (Locked in a Room), Jon Osman (The Terrorist), Shane Hagedorn (Ashes of Eden) to name a few. It’s exciting as everyone is starting to talk new film ventures. Planting seeds of creativity and growing new stories. I had many other business discussions and as many of you know we are in for many exciting updates in the weeks ahead.
Before we get into these exciting updates let’s take a moment to put something out there for thought, discussion, change?
I had an actor friend contact me and he has had some great work moving out into the market. As it is for many – he could still be ready for more and sooner vs later. This passion has to be controlled and not allowed to become desperation. It is sad because agency’s locally are not vetting projects hard enough. These crowd funded dreams are moving people into action well before they are possible. Casting calls, table reads and making people drive, spend gas and take time out of their life only to find they have a crowd fund with $25 bucks in it. That might buy pizza for a small table read. But why do agencies roll with these? To appear busy? To give their talent something to do? If you got a call once a month or every two months but it was real that seems better than a dozen BS auditions for pipe dreams. And I see self-proclaiming official film organizations promoting these social funding efforts. Why? It seems they should be hosting business workshops to educate filmmakers. Not promoting hobby handouts that almost never come to be. I know these are harsh words and only those engaging in this behavior will be angry with me BUT others of you know it to be true. I can scroll right past or unfollow something (true) but the content brands your organization. Your agency. I see people using a cause to try to get money from social funding but still no business accountability. You want to help? Do the work. Start a non-profit. So I had no answers for this friend – just “it is what it is…” I would have them contact your agent with a script and offer when fully funded. Stay home and eat pizza.
Onto business…
TODAY is a special invite showing for a few dozen people associated with the film BESTSELLER. The film is DONE:) That almost sounds odd to say. The project had a lot of issues prior to CDI getting involved but now that seems to melt away as the project is ready to show the public in two weeks (May 23rd). These two showings are being done in Christopher Knight aka Jonathan Rand’s home town and at a beautiful historic theater. We will be announcing some other play dates on the 23rd but also DVD’s will be for sale from Misery Bay starting on the 23rd of May. I’m happy that this film got the professional finish it deserved. We have long-term plans with Misery Bay and that is built on solid business. That is something I talk about here often. When good business is done it creates job opportunity for a lot of people. When bad business is done – just the opposite. Poison too many wells and you cannot support an industry. I will say it again here – We make errors in our business BUT we are sincerely trying 110% to do things the right way. And I see others that don’t even make the attempt – hard work will win the day over and over again. That is TRUTH. So a great heartfelt thank you to all the hard-working cast and crew of BESTSELLER. It is time to share your artistry with the world.
THE TERRORIST is a NYC based thriller that I co-starred in and helped produce. I got to watch the final film this week and it was great. It also has had quite the journey and is now ready to be seen by audiences worldwide. We are starting to show distributors who have been waiting – this month.
I actually have to turn quite a bit of attention back over to distributors – I’ve been focused on BESTSELLER in these final weeks. I also got a some feedback from a TV licensor and it looks like finally next week we will start to close on a few new TV deals.
“40 Nights” is creating lots of buzz. I released the 1st interview for the film here
http://www.examiner.com/article/michigan-s-own-dj-perry-talks-about-biblical-40-nights
the film is in editing and moving right along. I’ve also started releasing some stills as pencil drawings on the “40 Nights” Facebook site. I think it introduces several elements from the movie without giving you the full on epic look…YET:) I’ve also started my research on my next biblical that we have to do for Lightworx Entertainment and so that has been fun. I’ve also been finishing up a couple other scripts and in talks with some production groups on others. By this I mean, they work in association with CDI to produce a script from our vaults that has distribution.
I’m going to cut this short as I have to prepare to go up North today and share BESTSELLER. I just ask that the technology gremlins stay far away:) I’m looking forward to seeing some old friends and enjoying the show as an audience member. I hope to see some of you on the 23rd for the first public showing!
Have a great weekend and Happy Mother’s Day! (On Sunday)
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 