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
Happy Father’s Day! Losses and Wins for the Week!
I’m awake early on this chilly Michigan Sunday sipping the hazelnut coffee and giving the dogs outside time. Poor Finn, my furry boy is adjusting to the loss of our 18 year old kitty Lulu Belle. Face kisses and snuggles was part of his daily nightly rituals with her. We were all there with her when she passed including Finn. I think it is important that they get to say goodbye versus they just disappear. But he has been visiting all their spots and I can tell he is missing her. We will all miss the queen.
Onto happier news, Happy Father’s Day! I’m so grateful to still have my father with us and that he is healthy. He did provide and gave us everything we needed to survive and thrive as adults. I will see him laster today with a few little love gifts. We’ll also be hitting the flea market down the road in a while. And tomorrow we celebrate my nephew’s Bday with family that will be fun.
I’ve been bouncing between film work and yard work all week. I’ve been working with a pair of 40V electric chainsaws and they work really well. My mower is also now battery powered and it is like vacuuming my lawn with no cords, easy. If I had a huge lawn I would need to get one of those trick 360 turn mowers but mine works fine. The trimming is also prepping the wood boxes for winter.
Let’s move forward onto the film updates-
- I completed the first draft of ‘Harsens Island Revenge‘ and now I’m polishing it up and reexamining dialog. The film will shoot in the second half of 2023 in Michigan.
- BESTSELLER which released May 31st has been selling out on DVD and streaming is expanding. It is a great look at the haunting beauty of Michigan. If you had a chance to watch it please take the time to go to our page on http://www.imdb.com and vote plus leave us any comments you might have. I hope it gives/gave you some edge of your chair thrills and chills.
- We met over promo on the upcoming July 5th release of BEST YEARS GONE. This occasionally heartfelt and often humorous film might play a few more festivals but soon audiences can stream or add the DVD to their collection.
- SMOKE & MIRRORS – We have a few regional festivals we’ve submitted to and even had a few reach out to us. So we’ll be showing/premiering this really cool and stylish short in the coming weeks.
- FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH – We’ll know in early August if this documentary will be playing Toronto Film Festival or not. We’re also awaiting release dates for home video which should be soon.
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is closing in on our picture lock. It has been coming to our director in large chucks so that tweaks and evaluations can be made at the same time. Dennis Therrian has started building our sound FX library for this project and started playing with musical themes. Theaters in Iowa are being contacted to speak with them about runs after the premiere which as of now we are targeting for Dec 10th. Next week we’ll start talking the theatrical trailer and also we have a VFX behind the scenes and some new poster art underway.
- Waiting to hear on the Peacock releases dates for MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND and WILD FAITH. As soon as we know we’ll pass that info along.
- Development on HOT ROD LOVE continues with us targeting a Sept/Oct film shoot. We’re soon to start a script breakdown for scheduling. We approached several new possible partners last week and we’ll follow up on those. I’m excited to story tell in the 70’s, soon!
- HASTINGS (Wild Faith TV series) development continues to move forward. Patience is required and I will do my best to line all the pieces up properly.
- A new “highlight” video for Collective Development Inc. is underway. It is primarily for the website for when folks visit they can see all the wonderful stories that have been told at CDI.
Many updates to celebrate and I’m sure I overlooking a few. I have a Bday coming up this week as well as the first soccer match of the second part of the season. We lost only our first match which was our first as a team. We also were missing some forwards and were a tad out of shape compared to now. Touching back at the forthcoming Bday on the 23rd, it makes me think of our friend and CDI amigo David “Pappy” Pappenfuss, who passed when we were in pre-production in Algona, Iowa from Covid. My Bday get-together on a patio over drinks was my last time I saw him. He always brought me a musical card and sometimes a bottle of booze. I’ve missed his humor and I will surely be toasting this friend loss.
I saw many people commenting on the Texas holiday of Juneteenth that has grown into a more Nationally recognized day. I was disheartened to see so much negativity from some about this day that Hallmark and marketers fully embraced. If it isn’t for you, keep moving. But I saw some straight up hateful remarks and that’s sad to see. I had a thought as I pondered some of that hate I saw posted. Much of that hate comes from lonely, frustrated, and unhappy people. The cruel joke to these individuals might be that the perfect soulmate -the perfect partner to bring that warmth, love and peace to one of these individuals just might be wearing a skin coat of a different color. How sad to live a life and hate, blame and unbalance all because of hate blindness. Try love, compassion and understanding and you too will reap the rewards.
Be good to one another!
DJ
Film News and Release Dates
Good morn to all of you out there. I’ve got my trusty morning coffee by my side to sip as I interact with all of you. As of late we’ve got a new sponsor with Sanctuary Spirits who make outstanding liquors but that is not what I am into for my morning wake up. But I want to welcome them – they will be gracing the meeting table at some of our pow wow wrap ups. We’ve got several whiskey drinkers in our group so they will be happy. On that same front we might roll out a brand of adult beverage as part of a merchandising tie in. But I’m still looking for that sponsor for coffee. We’ve also enjoyed some beautiful weather almost sixty degrees which after freezing temps days ago is just…odd. We did a bit of yard clean up and I got some wood around in the office for the next freeze. Let’s jump into a few film discussions as I know that most did not stop by to hear me ramble about coffee and booze.
Let’s start with Wild Faith, our mid-Western. We watched the 1st rough cut and I have to say I was just stunned. First this film has been a long time in the making and maybe it is a lesson for patience. A film when be made when it is supposed to be made. The messages contained in the story are so important and powerful for the day we live in now. EVERY actor did an amazing job of bringing something special to the role. I know the vibe that happens with a cast on most projects and that is special. But when the writing flows and the artists behind the camera capture the performances and magnifies it with solid art, wardrobe, camerawork and the coordination it requires to create – I cannot even put it in words. I watched the first time for story and flow and the following time to look at tweaks. I found 5-6 small tweaks that were minimal and so my hat is off to Jesse Low our director who also cut the edit. I’ve been working in biblical for a while so it was a refreshing change to change time periods and worlds. The film will get tightened and prepped to move into music and sound design with Dennis Therrian. I think this film has great spin-off possibilities for television and when I return from AZ we’ll be dealing with this.
Coming out of post-production with Dennis Therrian is our second film in THE QUEST TRILOGY, Chasing the Star – directed by Bret Miller. This story we’ve been low-key on but I assure you it is anything but. I got to see some of the VFX opening sequences and the final VFX will be dropping into the film this week. Final sound design around these drop in’s and the picture will be complete. 5.1 mix will be up next and dropping our credits in. I know that the plan is to do a Michigan premiere in April. I’m trying to have a AZ showing in Yuma prior to shooting the third installment next month. We will set up theatrical and event showings from May -August and on 9/5/17 we release nationally with Bridgestone MultiMedia Group. A poster and more PR will start rolling out as we bring this film to a finish.
The first film in the trilogy “Forty Nights” had a Wal-Mart run last year and Sony Home Entertainment is releasing digital. We’ve remastered the film audio and visual for the new April release with Bridgestone (BMG) and it is exciting to have this film releasing.
“The Christ Slayer” has its business almost all done. I want to thank everyone who got behind the financial business as that is what makes projects go. The bank account is filling up and our pre-production team has flights booked for AZ. We have two weeks left here in prep and one additional week in AZ. We had good progress this week with wardrobe and our director Mr. Nathaniel Nose. Casting and crewing is down to the final few – mostly local AZ folks. I’m excited to be stepping back into this powerful role and work with some amazing people. Some concept art has been under development and location scouting has been underway. Full speed ahead!
Melissa Anschutz and DJ Perry in BESTSELLER
On other fronts we’ve got a deal on the table for foreign for “Bestseller” so that will be evaluated this week. The library evaluation will lead to some new releases on some of the properties. Our goal will be to keep pushing and bring these stories to you.
“Book of Ruth, Journey of Faith”
I’ve heard that the “Book of Ruth, Journey of Faith” film is getting a new General Market push I believe with Universal Pictures. Look for it at more major retailers like Wal-Mart, Kmart and other retailers. I’m sure this is being done on the run up to Easter. One link below –
On the DEVELOPMENT front a handful of projects are being discussed. Some have partial pieces in place (say that fast three times) and soon we’ll be looking ahead. Aside from all this film work I’m looking forward to lacing up my cleats and getting back on the soccer field this Spring. If you are enjoying this sunshine do something fun. If you’re dealing with the storms – keep your powder dry.
Have a great day.
DJ
Charting the Course and Preparing to Move!
One of the locations for the upcoming CDI feature “40 Nights”
I have friends in AZ excited that they are having their first under 100 degree day. Here in Michigan we have enjoyed a true fall complete with a nice chill. MSU is on TV and a good cup of coffee is beside me. It has been a week full of good hard work peppered with some great meetings. As I noted last week I was back and forth on some important decisions. Most of these have to do with scheduling. Our follow-up film to “40 Nights” is moving to advanced development. A rough schedule is being worked on so I can break the budget down. Location talks and such have started out west. Our casting call has been listed on IMDB Casting for a few months and we’ve looked at hundreds of reels. We’re looking more at west coast AZ & CA actors on that film due to transportation costs.
Conversely we are looking at Michigan for this western project which will shoot in November or post April 2016 pending some talks later today and tomorrow. We had a good sit down and discussed the two films. It’s exciting to look ahead as we examined the pros and cons connected to each shooting option. Next week we will roll some PR out that talks about our upcoming slate of films.
I had some good talks with management and they are moving into talks with casting on a few TV series. I do like several of the TV series out there and the mini series offer a chance to really develop characters.
Speaking about TV:) We might have an exciting announcement next week on one of our films. You will have to wait to find out if final approval goes through but a TV deal is looming.
“Bestseller” and “Donors” have been finalizing their delivery of materials. We are excited about the Nov. 1st showing of “Bestseller” in Owosso, MI. Also “Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town” will kick off a filmmaker mixer at Sanctuary Spirits in Grand Ledge, MI on Oct. 15th. They make their own booze and I have enjoyed their bloody Mary’s and gin and tonics. See you there!
In the upcoming “Dead Quiet”
I’ve put a call out on “The Terrorist” but need to actually connect. I’ve got no new updates on “Dead Quiet”…
On the “40 Nights” FB site we’ve been adding BTS pictures each day. The distributor also has me doing a video vlog. Check it out! Follow! Share!
I’ve also been writing every day – usually first thing in the morning with my coffee. I finished the 2nd script in our biblical-era 3 picture deal and the ideas we’re flowing so I just kept going. I’m half way done with the third script. I love when it’s just flowing.
DJ Perry as JESUS in 40 Nights
I need to catch up over the “Knight Chills: book/film deal and I’ll be sure to let everyone know the most recent updates.
Have a great weekend and enjoy the season!
DJ
“I didn’t hear no bell” – Rocky
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 