UNPACKING THE CIRCUS! THAT’S A PICTURE WRAP
MY JEEP WAS PACKED TO THE MAX FROM OUR ‘DEVIL’S PASS’ ADVENTURE
I’ve landed back home and I’m sipping the java as I sit down to a bunch of mail that I need to process. For those that did not know I’ve just returned from filming DEVIL’S PASS. What an adventure that was. It was such a pleasure to work with everyone but it started with Dan and Eydie Searles. I loved getting to know them both and Florentino who were our EP’s and Dan Searles was the screenwriter. We put the business foundation in the project and we added the McGraw brothers. I knew they had been seeking the right project to tackle together and this project checked the boxes. Months of meetings with them to work the cast that ended up on camera. And what a cast we had. It was truly amazing to experience all the performances. Got to meet many new friends on both sides of the camera. From a Steve McQueen co-star to TV legends and everything in between. The crew was dedicated and hard working from the road closure PA’s and craft services to the masterful men and women who lit and captured the scenes. My art department was top notch with David LeRoux as our builder and armor and TJ “Mister T” our art director. I could rave on and on about our cast and crew. The early days we had to work through some occasional weather challenges and we did. I like to judge a crew about how they react to something that doesn’t go as planned or is/was unexpected. And they reacted perfect to each and every challenge and we were awarded with amazing footage. Find and follow the ‘Devil’s Pass’ page on Facebook. You can follow all the film pages for updates.
I’m looking at my untouched suitcase and the ‘McBride’ tote that needs to be unpacked. I’ve got all the props here and trying to get them restocked. Some CDI period wardrobe will land later today along with some office gear. It will take me a week to get everything processed and reported. Many artists after a film wraps goes through a deceleration sickness going from 60 people a day plus to – a few. Each adventure is unique and the chemistry will never be repeated. DEVIL’S PASS is in the books and it is going to become a wonderful story of good versus evil. I’m very pleased with everyone and what we did. It was an amazing adventure!
Let’s take a look at some of the completed films coming your way.
UPDATES:
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – This dark comedy is coming to audiences nationwide on Oct 2, 2026! This is a ludicrous tale that takes the frustrations of many artists and ramps it up to the Nth degree. Add the DVD to your collection and stream it!
- AI JESUS The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – As the world ponders the future of life as AI enters is examined in this tale part real event and part SciFi. But SciFi for how long? This movie looks at the good, bad and ugly of the emerging technology all wrapped in a humorous tale. It will release on 10/30/26 and I’m sure DVD’s will start pre-sales soon.
- And let us not forget the 11/3/26 release of WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. The follow up feature film to WILD FAITH will stream and be released on DVD. If you loved the first one you will love the follow up. If you haven’t seen either watch the first one now and the second this November.
- We’ll be going end of October to the Will Rogers Awards to accept on behalf of Wild Faith Christmas for screenplay, producing and CDI as production.
DEVELOPMENT: This is always underway and I’ll turn my attention back to the future once I can get all caught up on the present tasks at hand. I’m excited to dive into writing and finish the few scripts currently underway. I’ll be looking ahead to production in 2027.
WRAP UP: Even as I type this the morning news has talked about the indiefilm revolution and the AI emergence and the love of true crime. We’ve done that genre as well with AN ORDINARY KILLER in 2002. I’m looking to promote and push all our releases coming to market. I’m going to get the property around for winter as the days get shorter and the cold slowly moves in. I hope the last few weeks have been good for all of you out there. I’ll have ‘end of year disbursements’ and tax prep coming up but I’ll be happy to enjoy the holiday season. We will get to watch all the world enjoy these new releases. At the same time we’ll be put DEVIL’S PASS together piece by piece.
I’m going to work on setting up my business here for the week ahead. A few eggs and a little more coffee to prep for another day of directing gear where it needs to go. I have some harvesting to do. The apples have been shipped by the squirrels and I’m good with that. The hops and herbs will need a harvesting in the coming days. A final mow perhaps but that did not get out of control. I wanted to again take the opportunity to thank all of you who have followed us for years and the stories we create. I’ll be keeping you all up to speed on here. I look forward to all of you responding to the stories as they release. You can comment here, IMDB and any review sites. I’m going to get settled back in and we’ll talk again next week. Thank you for stopping through for our coffee chat. Best- DJ Perry
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
