I’m back in my chair with my laptop sipping hazelnut coffee and watching the LIONS football. For the non-Michigan, USA folks, the Detroit LIONS are the pro-Michigan football team. As a young child I had a Lions helmet and I recall many holidays and family get-togethers with people yelling and swearing at the TV. Our Lions have not had the best record. They are tough and often put up a good fight usually only to defeat themselves via errors. I’ve had several relatives go to their grave awaiting that magic season. The Lions have a new coach and have been playing tough but also losing. They won their first game two weeks back and it was like a Christmas miracle. They liked the taste of that and won their next game in an upset and now they are playing again. I guess I’m just saying they are looking better. I will always be a Lions fan just like I’m a Michigander through and through.
This morning I could not get the ye ole’ blog done since we had an early Christmas gathering at my dad’s house. We ended up having four smaller Christmas get togethers and I think they all went very well. It was easier and more enjoyable versus trying to shove it all in together. I’m not a clothes shopper since high school save maybe the jacket or hat I don’t need but end up getting. So the reason my socks and underwear don’t look like Swiss cheese is because of loving family. The occasional flannel, henley or sweatpants also via loved ones. I will wear something until it is see through and 1/10th the original thread count.
I don’t ask for much and actually enjoy finding gifts that suit people. This year found me slightly behind with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA (SNIA) dropping me right into the holidays. I still have a few wrap up things with that film but for the most part now we are all into post-production. The FX work is starting in Canada and our editor in Boston is ordering things. First talks have happened with our composer and sound designer Tricky T. The Tricky T has been finishing another project for us which is FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH. This amazing doc is being hailed as one of the best on the subject matter. Dennis (Tricky T) has been mixing all the audio elements and putting it all in surround sound. Both these projects will see the first showings in 2022. But let’s make it three – our SMOKE & MIRRORS underwent a final fix just a week ago and this comedic horror short will be making its festival run and release in 2022. We had intended to release in 2021 but with the needed correction and the other projects we decided to wait. I’m looking forward to all these moving down the line. SNIA will likely only be seen by the folks in Algona theatrically as a premiere in Dec 2022 if all goes smooth on post. The VFX is the most challenging aspect and we’ll see how the timeline shakes out but we have great people working it.
SNIA has started to release still photos and as I said last week I’ll be looking to put a behind-the-scenes video and a teaser into production first of the year 2022. Also in 2022 will be the home video release of BEST YEARS GONE. We are being asked about more theatrical showings which might happen and we’ll do a few festivals for fun. The thriller BESTSELLER has it’s home video campaign ahead. It’s looking like 5/31/22 for digital transactional and 9/1/22 for TV/Cable and subscription and ad based video-on-demand. I’m thinking BEST YEARS GONE will be something close to that maybe staggered a month. I will know more soon.
Speaking of 2022 – This week I have a few sit more downs and send outs on our other CDI films. Our distributor is running some good promos on The Quest Trilogy and we’ll be doing one soon for WILDFAITH and possible WICKED SPRING for a western/1800’s film push in the new year. I’m also wanting to have some real conclusive meetings on WILD FAITH: HASTINGS. I think we were ahead of the curve on the western revival and we are positioned well to continue the roll that WILD FAITH has started.
Also I’ve got a good start on a new script (TAGLINE: American Graffiti 1975) that is being custom built for our troupe and to build on some of the good business we’ve started. This film will shoot in Michigan and likely go up in the Spring (March/April) and at that time we’ll have a better look at the playing field for the WILD FAITH: Hastings. If that is lagging another feature will go up 2nd half of 2022. I’m really prepping to have a good year and with a good wind we’ll launch these projects.
I’m going to go hunt up some holiday left overs and take care of a few gifts. Thank you to everyone who reached out with a holiday greeting. Cheers! I have a buddy or two stopping by later to catch up. I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday. It really was holiday season and right now with the sun shining outside, everything right now just feels good.
Have a great week and I’ll see you next year (next week):)
Today is the 23rd of December – the final days of 2018 are coming to a close. I’ve been bouncing between the sound studio where the final touches are being done to THE CHRIST SLAYER. Our director will be coming in to work the final mix after Christmas. Speaking of – we’ve had one of three family Christmas gatherings. Yesterday we enjoyed a good meal and opened presents with my brother’s young ones. We had a good time and from there I went to a yearly holiday dinner at The English Inn, a cool turn of the century manor house turned into a restaurant. Prime rib was my choice as I only eat red meat a handful of times a year. I felt a little sluggish this morning likely due to the Guinness beer added on top, but it was a nice holiday treat with old friends.
Today will be spent getting things around for the other two Christmas gatherings. I will be stoking on the fire in the office stove, trying out my new boiling vessel to make mulled spice wine. I do love that we got a powder of snow which makes it all so much more pretty.
Some journeys will be finishing up, such as The Christ Slayer and new journeys lie ahead. I’ll start talking to our investors about our new film projects. LOST HEART which has distribution lined up will be setting up for a spring shoot. We’ve been looking at cast and directors.
Also some moves are being made on the much-anticipated sequel to CDI’s 1st film KNIGHT CHILLS. We’ve been reading new possible leads and discussing the script. Lots to set up before we would shoot this one but good development taking place. More on this soon.
Also this year I want to package the original 4 CDI films into a DVD collection (Knight Chills, From Venus, Heaven’s Neighbors, Figure in the Forest) – the early years. Put BTS and interview material on there. Maybe do a few educational retrospectives. Because they were filmed in standard def many of these are having a hard time finding new distribution. We’ll see.
Merchandise is another 2019 goal – I want to see more of this. We might be pulling together the backers for this endeavor.
Representation – I have had several regional agents in the beginning. I’ve had CA/LA agents both large and small. In the recent years I’ve just rolled with legal and handled my own business. I cannot help but think that more could be done with the right representation. I will explore this more in the new year. I’m excited to get back in front of the cameras. This year wide audiences will get to enjoy Jesus (again) in THE CHRIST SLAYER, Ben Lily in WILD FAITH and Paul Landings in MBF.
Speaking on MBF – we’re looking to release a BTS piece created by David Gries, directed by Mel Anschutz and shot my Graham Turner during our shoot. We’ll release either Christmas Eve or Day, maybe sooner:) The film’s first edit should be close to being complete. We’ll do a fine edit in the new year.
I’ve said it before but in advance on part 3 of The Quest Trilogy (The Christ Slayer) releasing, I would ask you all to watch Forty Nights and Chasing the Star. They are an excellent watch for the holiday season.
I’m going to fire up the creative engines and get to making new art. I do hope to be approached for participation in new creative acting endeavors. This might be the year RACHEL, RIFLE, FAMINE and a few other films launch. I also plan to produce 2-3 films this year with CDI. What I’m meant to do, I will. Work hard and have faith in your path.
I’m going to get back to finishing up things here. My new furry boy Finn helped me rack the new GRAPE APE wine this past week. We had a little early sampling on our Viking Day this week. It’s our day of friendship and wood chopping. SKOL. I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful Christmas. Let the spirit fill you and be good to one another. Keep some of this holiday cheer and carry it through the year with you. Allow others to have their opinions. Listen as much as you speak. Look for unity with your fellow citizens.
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 