New Premiere/Theatrical Showings and CDI Film Updates!
Good morning! I’m up and at it a bit earlier this morning. I have my trusted hazelnut coffee beside me and Scooby Doo playing on the TV. It takes it back to my childhood. What a week. First a big RIP to Val Kilmer who was such a talented actor. Gone too soon after too many challenges. That is why everyone should count their blessings. Health is wealth and remember that while we all deal with the ups and downs in life. This week went by quickly ending in a bday gathering for my niece yesterday. Today we film the last piece of the Rom Coms Must Die movie. We need a change of season look from our previous Fargo heavy snow look. This will be my last scene for Amos Edison and that will officially wrap that character. That film is edited save the opening and insert footage we will film today. The color correction is about 60% there and dialog and some sound design has been done. Once this footage is edited in we’ll lock it and watch through for sound design and music cues. I think I’ll be able to better focus on development once this is finally put to bed.
Harsens Island Revenge released a new hype trailer we call “Dark Days” that shows the darker aspects of the film. It leaves the romance alone and focuses more on the tension and intensity. The film will release April 25th in Alpena, MI with one cast and crew afternoon showing followed by two public showings. It will play likely for two weeks minimum. We have already started working on the other premiere showings and theatrical runs. The Owosso, Michigan showing is about set up and we’ll be announcing it this coming week. It is early in May at the NCG chain and we’re trying to get more theaters involved. We’ll focus on Michigan first and start spreading out from there. This film will place well on the big screen with all the action. We also will start looking at select film festivals to show at as well.
Wild Faith Christmas has locked the picture and color correction is in full swing. Also dialog is about done and music and sound design is underway with the talented Dennis Therrian. This film has so much heart and just like the original should really hit a spot with audiences. We are looking to land it in theaters in November of this year. I was looking at a picture the other day of me with the Ben Lily beard and I was amazed at how big it was. That is what is so much fun doing the character transformations. I might have noted this last week but once I put Amos to bed today I’m characterless.
I’ve read one of two books this week that I was approached about writing considering. By that I mean turning a book into a screenplay. I’ve done that for several books and it is a good service to offer. On some of the books the author/publisher also paid for CDI to produce the film. So I’m looking at three such possible book to screenplay writing gigs. The first book I really liked and it would make a good movie. The second book is more action and we’ll see how that read goes. I’ve got a detective story I’ve already agreed to do I’m waiting to evaluate and work out the fine details on that project. I did finish the script I was working currently and I’m half way through a solid polish on it. This script project could take CDI back to Yuma, AZ in the “window” when Michigan is frozen and Yuma has not yet become a scorcher. I talked with one of our producers there this week to touch base and catch up.
Yuma, AZ is where we filmed our three biblical adventures in THE QUEST TRILOGY. If you are fans of the CDI storytelling treat yourself to these three films. Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer and do watch them in that order to grasp the greater story being told. The script I just finished and I’m polishing somewhat fits into that “universe” of films. I had some good talks with Carl Weyant who starred in the third film The Christ Slayer and who just directed Harsens Island Revenge with us. He wants to be one of the first to read the new script. These films are inspirational without being preachy or forced. If you just need an uplift take a watch on the trilogy and again let me know what you think here.
A Christmas Seance and Hot Rod Love will both be looked at an evaluated as possibles too. I’ve been having key conversations about these projects. Like I was saying once we wrap today it will focus more of my attention on development. Writing and organizing have been a good amount of my time. I’ve still got a few end of year business loose ends but almost there. There is always so much work to do with the films but it is worth the end result. In a few weeks we get to treat audiences to our next story. But there are many films to enjoy in the CDI library. For lovers of film in our town of Lansing, MI the local fest is underway. I was going to attend the opening mixer but I was just so tired at the days end from dealing with movie business.
WRAP UP:
Outside of the films the yard clean up is going well and I’ll be planting more clover. The chickens are doing well kicking about 5 eggs a day. My wood shed dismantle prep is going well and I’m filling the bins. I’m still having fires at the office in the wood stove. Soccer season is around the corner and I’ve been doing some training for that. Always something but keeping that balance of working in nature and desk work is healthy. I’m going to fuel up well for todays filming likely with some of those aforementioned eggs. The sunshine and warmer weather is really helping my motivation and mood. I’m going to wrap it up here. Keep working towards your goals and keep your smile if things don’t always go exactly as planned. Usually it is just patience and persistence that you need to practice a bit more of. Alright my artist friends keep on keeping on!
DJ
Dare to LIVE! Read, Write, Paint, Draw, Laugh!
Hazelnut coffee cheers! I’m fresh back from the flea market where I walked away only with a few trinkets. We went early because of pending rain. We’ve had quite a bit the last two days but at least today cooler weather and a breeze came with it. This week we ended our outdoor soccer season. In our play off match we lost 2-1 in the last few minutes. It was a great game that could have gone either way and a great season. I will miss my Thursday workout on the field. It really pushes me to the max and I love it. I’m in strong running shape and I credit that to this sport that I love. The best part is playing with my brother and friends. I love the physicality of it all smashing into other players fighting for space and possession of the ball. I’m already looking forward to the next outdoor season.
The heat has been more taxing due to the sizable ‘Ben Lily’ beard I’m sporting. In two months and change I’ll be stepping back into that role from WILD FAITH in our sequel. Our crew is about set minus one or two individuals. Our cast is growing as we announced a few more actors this past week. We just cast another co-star this weekend and we’ll be announcing them soon. The actor was pretty touched by getting the role. I remember the joy of getting those first couple roles. I don’t take it for granted but I’ve grown to a point of confidence that I don’t ride the highs or lows when it comes to casting. I’m a believer that the right roles will happen but you still have to do your own part.
We have been adding sponsors onto the WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS project and we’re so appreciative to all of them. I distributed all our business paperwork and the first returned sets of them are coming in. I’ll be opening the bank account this week and getting things rolling. Again we’re so appreciative to all the investors on these stories. Art is a special investment and often there is better ways to make bigger returns faster but the payoff in being part of a story can be priceless. This story has such beautiful themes and moments and will be a worthy follow up to the original. This has led to me doing a 2024 polish on the eight shows in the TV series. I’m working on show #3 and it is so wonderful to revisit this season one of shows. Not sure how I feel about carrying this beard for another year if the series launches but I’ll cross that bridge later.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is getting some high profile play on some of the platforms. We were looking at something to watch on Amazon Prime and there it was right up there with the studio films. I’m looking forward to a discussion on the holiday push for this film. It is such a beautiful true story and an important piece of history.
Harsens Island Revenge is full speed ahead on music and I’ll be getting a full update this week. We’re closing in on plans for a premiere in November in Alpena, MI and we’ll do a few other premieres also. Looking at Owosso, Lansing and Detroit near Harsens Island itself. After we’ll be looking at a full 2025 theatrical run followed by home video. We’ll be having a sit down planning meeting on this very soon. I’m in hopes we’ll have a theatrical poster soon as well.
Re-mastered and re-released versions of Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town, An Ordinary Killer and Knight Chills are planned. The first above is already released to TUBI. AOK and Knight Chills will be releasing info soon but Knight Chills can be purchased on Blu Ray and AOK will soon be releasing the special HD DVD. NEW poster art for Knight Chills streaming and for the Making of book and script is underway. AOK will be getting a new trailer and we’re still doing some tests on the remaining classic CDI films.
We still have some casting underway for ROM COMS MUST DIE which will film the first of the year. We are going to be tweaking the schedule in the coming weeks and that will give us our shoot dates as well. 2025 sequels also being discussed include a KNIGHT CHILLS 2, IN THE WOODS (Now on Blu Ray!) sequel and a long form feature of SMOKE & MIRRORS, a Victorian comedic who done it. Several other projects are working on development including GOTCH and SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE and another project that we’ve not released any info on yet.
WRAP UP:
I will look forward to some script writing over the winter months. I recently did a small harvest of hops which the inchworms got into and I let them because the vines have to come down for the new deck. I’ve been harvesting tea herbs on a regular basis and drying them. I’ve been enjoying the variety of veggies as of late including eggplant which I really like. I might get outside here in a bit and do some more organizing on the property to get ready for the new deck. I’ve decided to re-purpose the old deck and put my handy man skills to the test. I might rebuild the compost bin and try my hand at a few planters. As it cools I’ll be doing some more log splitting and might put a polish on ye ole wood stove. I’m thinking of having a chimney sweep also done to it. I love when the wood stove starts crackling.
I will be unpacking my ‘Ben Lily’ garments soon and breaking in my trapper boots again. I will look to see what needs improvements upon. I know from speaking with Hester (Melissa Anschutz) she might have to rebuild some of her outfit as part of her outfit is buried in storage. I know Shane Hagedorn who plays Emmett, is looking at hats but I love my old Ben Lily hat. (Thank you Austin Two Feathers) We’ve been centralizing all our breakdown sheets and taking inventory. I’ll also be bringing down some of the craft service stuff and seeing if that can live with our hospitality and health department head.
I wanted to say a little prayer for our friend and my co-star (Lost Heart, Best Years Gone) Victoria Jackson, SNL alumni who announced that she has a cancerous tumor on her windpipe that she cannot have operated on. She will be taking some medication to slow the disease but how awful. I’ve been much love being given but also some hate do to her politics. As an artist and as a company we’ve tried to be inclusive to all as artists. An individuals priorities and what box they check doesn’t matter. We are all flawed and have hopes, fears, dreams and can all be led to a more positive place but good storytelling. We have folks that would possible be opposite sides of an issue stand shoulder to shoulder to help create a story. I’m proud of that. As we get closer to November elections I hope that people will try to be kind to one another. I’m going to keep doing what I do despite who wins. The sun will still come up. The moon will still sit in the night sky. I would never want to be a politician. Would you? With everything they put those people through. Every misstep or mis-communication thrown up in your face. Every bone in your closet used to club you with. I’ll stay with being a storyteller. But back to Victoria, my best wishes for healing and comfort. Also for my buddy Ronnie Lee’s loved one recovering as well.
With the context of people I know passing away as of recent it really gives me courage to tackle the difficult tasks. In the end we all rest and all this day-to-day stuff means nothing. Again I say, write that book. Start that small business. Get up on stage and sing. Read. Paint. Draw. Laugh. Live. Celebrating 25 years plus with some of our art is humbling. In another 25 years (If lucky enough) how old will I be? My beloved dogs I love and cherish now will be a memory on a wall. How many more family, friends and loved ones will have gone quiet in that peaceful rest. Will my body allow me to run or kick a soccer ball still? I had to stop for a moment and compose myself. I wasn’t trying to make this a sad post I swear. It is just a reality and a plea to not poison your joy with doubt, fear and insecurities. I’m going to call this good for the week because I allowed it to get a little heavy. But I love what I do and who I get to do it with. I love the journey I’ve had, I’m on and the mystery of where it might lead. I appreciate that I have all of you from around this incredible world to share these thoughts with. Until next week!
DJ
NEW ‘Harsens’ CAST Announced Plus March Film Updates
After a few mild days where Spring was pushing with little sprouts of green and birds returning. I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and I want to welcome all our readers including our new readers from France, Ireland, UK, Russia and Saudi Arabia. WELCOME! Also thank you for the wonderful comments. It is the season to watch THE QUEST TRILOGY and I’m humbled by the comment that I was someone’s favorite performance of Jesus. That is a compliment as many great performances of the man has been done. If you have not watched them all together, you should. They trilogy is shown below in order and also a few other good watches for a cold snowy day (In Michigan) like today.
Author Nancy Gideon, ordered up the MAKING OF ‘In the Woods’ that we talked about last week. A great recalling of the massive effort that went into making a movie on film with limited experience and funds. This was my first starring role and Co-producing effort almost 25 years ago. The film is getting a new campaign and the book was just a start. A new transfer is underway going all the way back to the original film stock. So a blu-ray and new streaming in HD release could be coming later in the year. Add in some badass merchandise and you got a fun new push. So you wanna see baby DJ fighting monsters, this might be your movie. Buy the book and enter the crazy world of IN THE WOODS. Will the world see Alex Kerwood, monster hunter again? Never say never:)
This film has continued its trek across the midwest theatre to theatre traveling to where the people have called their theatre and requested it. Thank you so much to all those who actually reached out and brought the film to their town. We are booked into April and we’re exploring either expanding with a 3rd party theatrical distributor based off our current efforts. We also might look at a big final event showing just before the home video kick off this Fall. We have a few possible paths to consider. We are already getting theatrical booking requests for December 2023. Crazy. But not really. I think this film will become a Christmas classic. It is a truly unique story based on actual events which is different from most Christmas fluff.
This weekend the film opened in a few new cities. We had a beautiful note last weekend sent to our director, it noted that at one of these showings that audience gave a standing ovation. That’s at a normal showing not a premiere or event. It was very touching and we love that people are connecting with the story. We were nominated for several awards at our first festival/award submission.
We are still looking to showcase overseas and our distribution will license to foreign territories as we get further down the road. Congrats to all the nominated artists and films. This theatrical is just the tip of the spear and wait until we get to the home video making the film available to millions of viewers.
HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE
This film is next up for #tribeCDI and things are really falling into place. Thank you to those who sent their reels DM on the CDI Facebook page. Also thank you to those who got right on their reads. We are closing down roles quickly now This week we welcomed Michael Walton, Martez Moore, Adam Towner and today we’ll be announcing David Gries. We also have been crewing up and this week we welcomed several folks onto the next project. We are moving from department to department and having deep discussions about each. We only have so many crew slots and so I know some will not be able to travel with us. Some folks have other scheduled endeavors and so they will not be joining. We are very excited about this new story. Many departments are getting up and running and we’ll be doing another scouting trip the end of next month.
I actually chopped down the Winter beard and I’ll be looking to get my hair trimmed closer to the period. Plus I have soccer season and getting my hair out of my eyes might be helpful. Our director will start doing reads with some online and we’ll likely do a read through in Michigan, which will be fun. The cars, the clothes and the overall vibe of the era is quite amazing. Also the impact of the war on the soldiers is something to note. Look below at this picture of the soldier before and after the war.
The effects of war on these vets is striking and shows you the damage. Those that did survive WW1 wanted to live peacefully. These were not the men the Purple’s wanted to push. We’ll be reviewing more incoming reels and locking in more roles this week. Thank you to all of you have have put yourself forth for consideration.
DEVELOPMENT WORK-
SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE, will be undergoing budgeting work. The response to the script has been strong. We will see how fast it all comes together. This endeavor is larger and requires more production elements with horses and possible builds.
SHJ – This developing project is looking to be moving in a positive direction. Once we get the intent to fund we’ll put the in-association deal in play. CDI will be producing and we have many exciting things lining up for this supernatural thriller.
FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH 2 – The operational agreement will be in place end of this week. Talks have already started to put the funds in place for this follow up doc film. We hope to have this funded and cameras rolling this Summer.
KNIGHT CHILLS– I’ll be reaching out to co-writers Jeff & Juanita Kennedy about doing an updated interview maybe from the Kennedy ‘Dungeon’ showcased in the film. I also sent out emails and texts to our cast about recording a video interview. It will be cool to have them recall a few memories and let people know what they are doing now. The extras have to be turned in by June. I’m told the new transfer and up Rez is looking great. I want to do a Making of book like what Lynn Drzick did with IN THE WOODS. Maybe a script and a bunch of extras. Thoughts?
WRITING– I’m working on two stories for an upcoming book. I want to finish up a few of the scripts I have in progress. One a comedy ands one a SciFi film. Currently I’m doing a clean up on the Harsens script.
(Dennis Therrian aka Tricky T, will be again doing music and sound design on Harsens Island Revenge)
WRAP UP:
I’m happy to report the chickens are back to full production on eggs. That might be what is next on my list. Today I think I’ll get at some desk work today to get a jump on the week. Next week is St. Patricks Day and so who knows, green beer could be in order. I’m also starting to reach out to sponsors on the new projects. We have some cool, fun tie in’s that will work really well for our next 1920’s story. If you have a service, product or just want to align yourself with these films and reach millions, reach out.
I hope you all have had a relaxing and recharging weekend. Here is a big coffee cheers to us all having a good week ahead. Make your TO DO lists for the week and get after it. Everything is built brick by brick. I’m sure I missed a few updates but I hit upon many of the major ones. Be good to one another. Have a wonderful Sunday.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 