Happy Easter! Every Great Film Started as a Conversation
I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee on a day where the rain has finally stopped but we have a touch of icy snowflakes. But it is Easter and you can see the signs of Spring everywhere. Last night I watched our 3rd film in The Quest Trilogy film series called The Christ Slayer. The film is a fine parable, a mix of scripture and legend as one reviewer put it. It is the final chapter in the overall story. It was influenced by films like Ben Hur which we watched 1/2 of last night at almost four hours long. And also obscure films like Circle of Iron written by Bruce Lee. There are so many beautiful moments in our film. I can see places where we could have done better perhaps if we had more resources. And when I say resources, I mean money. But we did so much right and I love see friends and fellow actors tell such a powerful tale in the deserts of Yuma, AZ. Part one was Forty Nights and part two was Chasing the Star and of course part three is The Christ Slayer. I’m proud of what we created and love that millions of people have put eyes on the three films. We’ve been working to pull a book together about making the three films. It is getting there but lots to do including writing I need to do. To do three films that interconnect was just an awesome experience. I want to see the three go out on BluRay also but that is a whole different endeavor. But a loose follow up film four will be AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip heading to theaters this late Summer/Fall before home video release. The film is having a wonderful score done by our talented friend Dennis Therrian.
OTHER FILM UPDATES:
- Read about our upcoming dark comedy ROM COMS MUST DIE here: https://www.prlog.org/13137307-rom-coms-must-die-unveils-bold-first-poster-and-trailer-flipping-the-script-on-rom-coms.html
- We are looking at a ROM COMS MUST DIE premiere showing soon and we’ll start booking theater chains for it very soon. It will release to home video after the theatrical run looking at Q3 around Halloween. Read the PR, watching the trailer and take a look at our poster art.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE has been entered into several festivals and so we’ll see how it does with the targeted audience.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is going to home video streaming on 11/3/2026 and we’re excited about that. We are looking at several additional events and festivals this year. This follow up is really exciting for us and the fans. I will say on the development front we have a season 1 TV Series WILD FAITH: Hastings consisting of eight shows. Additionally I’ve started work on a stand alone WILD FAITH 3 (working title). This franchise has a lot more to give it is just about the funding. It is always about the funding.
- Staying on the subject of westerns DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN is the Smoky Mountain western CDI produced several years ago in Maggie Valley, NC and Cherokee. You can watch the film on several platforms but here is the novelization plus a great intro by Dean Teaster with pictures on how the film was developed. You can buy the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ghost-Town-Bob-Terrell/dp/B0GVSN16T9/ref=sr_1_1?crid=18CAPTHDM5PHE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3-DEdK9206G55ho-k3pz8ZvcMOD-buVphhn-hmOq_Be7eZ9dcbL-tYiGZKzRvuUvSMusbh3IgNITRgm7sXBUHKOn7GxbD2KiXqYdZbUOa7n4qr9Oaeyn5HG6DfFz_DTVdQcT1Fh3TpSiJSon_GqXMQ.D1I-TP2no2-hqJyYFortH20F240JSwNQ88Nfn8ROWI8&dib_tag=se&keywords=Bob+Terrell+Ghost+Town&qid=1775397295&sprefix=bob+terrell+ghost+town+%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1
- Speaking on the older films we are still doing some restoration work on three of the early CDI films from the Classic Collection. The idea is to get them into HD so we can release them back into the market.
- We have a few film slates that are being prepared for targeted financing. Either of these could create years of work for our CDI tribe. If you have interest in getting your company, brand or personally involved in helping launch these stories reach out and let’s talk. Every great film started as a conversation. We’ve had so many great partners over the years and we are thankful to each and everyone of them.
- Speaking to the bullet point above at CDI we have opportunities both for investors and those that wish to help launch a project with a tax write off. We have a few non-profits we’ve worked with on several projects and so if investing isn’t your thing but giving to a great cause for a write off is, again let’s talk.
- Both of the above bullet points tie into the fact that we’ve almost caught up on productions and we’ve been leaning more into development. I’ve been working on budgets for two features inside CDI and also writing on several developing scripts. But one script in particular is front and center and I will have a strong draft by the end of the month. We will be releasing PR on it soon but RETURN TO ALGONA is a follow up to our Iowa-based SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. I’ve been so happy with the way the script is turning out. I’ve loved doing all the deep dive into the history of 1968. It is truly a beautiful story and I think it will be a great follow up film.
- Thanks to a dear friend I should have a 2026 acting reel in a few weeks. I do like to participate in the right outside film projects. I’m not one to chase too much but it will be nice to having something from a few of the previous films. The issue often is so many films, character and powerful scenes which is a good issue to have I’m told. I kicked off the year playing a small part in a short that was shot on 16mm this year. I do consider projects that I connect with the character and/or material but I also don’t need the IMDB credit. It does need to come with a pay check.
WRAP UP: This month starts Q2 and we I’m going to be doing some transitional business which started last year. It is all working to streamline CDI business and prepare us for decades of more business. I’ve had many talks recently that once again points out the difference between playing with storytelling and having it all legally cleared so it can monetize in the marketplace. I’m still exploring the literary agent path again since I do have a few properties I don’t plan to produce and I’m very timely on work-for-hire writing gigs.
Film releases, promotions and development all underway to try and make 2026 a great year. It has already come with loss but also gain. Some of the losses have really hit me hard and I know life will continue to hit but I’m going to keep finding the strength to keep moving forward. I’ve said it before, I’m going to keep living forward with laughter and love for those no longer here. I’m going to try and keep being an inspiration to those people.
On this day, no matter your walk or beliefs, reflect on the renewal of faith. For some that will be in God and others in oneself, family connections and the blessings of love that tie you all together. As the weather gets warmer and plants start to grow and animals start to build nests and raise young, take in the beauty of it all. Don’t be afraid to fail. Try new things but do give it your all. Look to find what you share in common and not differences in strangers. I do love that perspective that the astronauts have looking down upon us, that we are all one race on this planet. We fight amongst one another for things here that are all just temporary.
Until we talk again next week, be happy in April. I’ve been balancing my film work with trimming trees and shrubs. The chickens are kicking out eggs. I’m planning improvements to the property and soon will be planting the clover. My BERRY KAPOW Chuck Norris Tribute Wine (It should have a kick!) has been racked once now and I’ve added roasted barley, chocolate and such to the must to add hints of flavor. A Summertime beverage over business talk and corn hole or darts. I’m looking forward to another turn of the wheel and I want to again thank all of you for joining me each week.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
The Virus of Hate and CDI Updates
Welcome to July! I’m sitting here sipping my hazelnut coffee and just finished watering the garden and yard. I’ve harvested some additional rhubarb and the berries are starting to pop. I’m going to make some ‘ROTHGA WINE’ short for “Return of the Hoppy Grape Ape” which was very popular. I’m also going to do a run of dark beer which I’ve never done. We’ve had several days of grilling and today we’re having a bday gathering at my father’s for several missed and upcoming bdays including his own. This week we’ll also celebrate my momma’s bday with a cook out. The outdoor goal for the week will be to put down some cedar mulch.
I’m a true optimist so I’m sincerely wishing we start a truck back to being a healthy state? nation? world? I’m a tad concerned because so many want to just ignore the situation and I get that. But for every person I talk with who thinks things are overblown I hear about another death due to the virus effecting some family. No they are not all elderly but even so how does that make it any better? But what makes it worse is the virus of hate. I’ve seen so much nasty attitude being thrown about which seems to be a combination of highly stressed people needing to vent off and tribal anger. The political system has weaponized nearly every platform of life. People plugged into 24/7 news are living in a “Breaking News” state of panic. People in SOP (State of Panic) are offended easily and over-reaction has become the norm. With the virus where people could be accountable for lives over-cautious can be a good thing. But over-reaction to partial, incomplete or the pushed message has created something greater than the virus it has created hate. When you start hearing people wishing people of another stance of thought dead, something is wrong. As I said before and I’ll say it again – in the process of condemning hate don’t join the ranks as one who also hates.
Again after getting a dose of the news (this includes social media) I would recommend putting some music on or escape into a nice movie. Put on the Steve Miller Band and write that book or script. Speaking of…
BEST YEARS GONE – Recently we announced more cast for our next CDI film. We have moved primary filming into that last window before Thanksgiving. We will be doing some VFX, B-Roll and beauty exteriors prior. We met recently with our DP Travis Hayward and I’m excited about some of the ideas we have. We have engaged in talks with various companies about sponsorship and have some great partners lining up. We’ll be making a few more cast/crew announcements as we get closer to rolling cameras.
LOST HEART – This film is just about complete. A few of the color corrected shots need a quick tweak and we’re wrapping up the last few things biz-wise. The credits have been gone over and gone over and it’s agonizing because with all the effort still some mistakes are made. When I see a studio film and all those names I cringe as that is a huge task. This will be a big week and as badly as I want to share some exciting news I’m going to wait until the ink is dry. Please do follow us on Facebook and of course the CDI website at http://www.cdiproductions.com
THE QUEST TRILOGY: FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR, THE CHRIST SLAYER – In the often confusing world of biblical storytelling apparent by the multitude of denominations that all claim some sort of pedigree over the others – we distilled the parables to the heart of a teaching. We tried to fill in the gaps to have it make sense to those who require logical connection. A good story can enlighten us to new lessons, ideas and actions within our lives. These films don’t participate in the “our denomination is better than yours” mentality. These are stories that anyone can take something away from if they have never stepped foot in a church or cracked a bible. I listed to a bit of a mainstream podcast that for the most part made fun of the films. But he kept encouraging the other reviewer to watch it so they could make fun of it together. They watched them out of order and went into the watch with their cup full. That is a term we used in martial arts and refers to the zen idea of emptying your cup so you are open to learn and listen. Not to what the other person tells you is true but what you “discover” and “feel” to be true for you. Anyway I get the “rip it apart” mentality trying to be funny (I was 20 before) but these films have a good dose of “CIRCLE OF IRON” to them. That was a film of a spiritual journey written by the late, great Bruce Lee. If you are picking apart small things you are missing the story. Bruce said something about focusing on the finger instead of where it’s pointing to the moon. What is missed is all that heavenly glory. Something to that effect. If you like films that make you think you might enjoy these historic fiction films.
WILD FAITH – This week brings me back to the develop of the ‘Hastings’ TV series. Of our distributor’s films WILD FAITH was again the top viewed on several platforms. I’m speaking with possible TV networks to commit and have several more to explore. If you have not seen this film please do and see what everyone is talking about. The TV series will have many of your favorite TV stars from past years. This type of family programming is in demand and we hope to help fill that void.
MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND – This film continues to engage and create discussion with audiences. I’m so proud of this film and I hope we get to showcase it in LA this fall. I want to thank all our men and woman who proudly serve.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – A handful of years ago I worked with Rance Howard (Ron’s father) as my consultant on a powerful story about WW2 German POW’s in one of the many small mid-west prison camps. The project had many up’s and down’s that can happen when too many cooks are in the kitchen. I left the project and it stalled out but now several years later with our script, plans are being made to shoot this in 2021. MBF’s Anthony Hornus will direct. We have over half the budget officially committed as of last week and we’re putting together our presentational packages. I’m excited to see CDI tackle the WW2 era. We’ll be doing some upcoming PR on this but like always you get it first here.
THE HISTORY OF CATCH-CAN WRESTLING – As a lifelong student of the martial artists I’m fascinated by all the warrior arts. From ancient times to present day the art of wrestling has continued. Now CDI in association with The Red, White & Blue Project is helping to produce and distribute a documentary film with current world champion Curran Jacobs as the host. Some will remember him from MBF as the young defense attorney for Paul Landings. If you have any interest and want you or your company to support this doc-film please do reach out. I’m excited for this collaboration!
I’ve gotta refill the ole coffee cup and get something to eat. Keep working on your art, your dreams and be kind to your fellow humans. I hope July is a kind month to us all and I’ll look forward to speaking with you all next week.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 