CDI Film Updates! Plus the Secret to Making Your 2026 More Productive!
Good morning! After a few days of rain and gloom we got our pretty snow back. We did enjoy some warm temps for a stretch of days. Yesterday the Christmas tree came down which is sad but also signals the start of the new year being in full swing. It was a very productive week on many levels but still the world seems to be off balance again with negativity in abundance. I’ve said before, it’s what I love about being a storyteller versus activism. I can work with artists from many circles to collectively tell a story that is beneficial to all. That helps remind us of what brings us together and inspires hope for a day of better harmonious co-existence.
On a business level we are in full swing of streamlining CDI and preparing for some great things in 2026. I’ve nearly got all the end of year materials forwarded to our accounting firm. Just a few December statements once they are sent and legal will send investor dispersement breakdowns for last year. I’ve just got my personal taxes to complete but I’m close to having all that together. There is so much business to attend to and I think that for many struggling in the arts that is a direct result of all show and no business sense. I’m proud that we’ve been working to do it right from movie one at CDI.
I’m still working out HOW TO’s on little functions of my new laptop but as you can read I’m getting there. I guess I could say the same thing about my jeep. I’m still working on understanding a few of the buttons and gizmos. Evolving is slow for me as I get proficient in a process and I’m not easy to change. But with good folks around me I’m slowly making changes. CDI’s website will be undergoing some much needed updates thanks to David Gries. CDI has turned 30 years old this year and we’re celebrating that. Adam Towner has been working on a CDI highlight reel. I’ve had others suggest a documentary film, a book and more. One step at a time. I do have a meeting on the books about working on Classic CDI films 2-4 which need restoration work before being ready for the marketplace. We are working on a few literary releases associated with the movies and I still want a few record albums showcasing Dennis Therrian’s amazing work. Maybe like a KTEL (Old School) best of CDI music. I have ideas. Let’s look at some of the more recent updates!
- CDI’s roaring 1920’s film Harsens Island Revenge released to home video on the ad-based platforms like Encourage TV, Roku, Tube…meaning you can watch free with ads. We get paid by advertisers. I’m about to release the first investor checks from theatrical once I get it properly recorded with legal. Again this was based on a book of the same name by Karl Manke so read the book as well!
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS gave us one of the happiest pre-Christmas run in theaters and was extended in Lansing and Grand Rapids, MI playing Celebration Cinemas until the 15th of January! We are trying to lock in dates with NCG and Emagine but things have been slow. Even when we have audiences ready we still need to wait because we don’t control the theaters. We’ll keep playing this film all winter and it will release to home video 4Q before the holidays. The distributor is planning a campaign with the original film WILD FAITH 3Q promoting the forthcoming follow up. The original has done well for us and justified the second film. We do have the TV series to push towards production and I’ve been slowly working on the 3rd stand alone film. This franchise has become a bright spot in the world. Thank you to the tens of millions who have supported it.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – This film is a parody from start to finish about the filmmaking industry. The hardships of actors, filmmakers and distributors who often want junk content. The new audio mix was amazing and of course it was because that is what Dennis Therrian does. Our director is doing a final visual test on film using a filter to see if we/he likes the enhancement. After that we’ll put it all together for a final watch through . We are almost ready to start talking premiere and the theatrical run. I would like to see an April 1st theatrical release. The home video release is set for Q3 before Halloween. It is comedic with a dark, twisted sense of humor. We all think audiences will enjoy it and if you work in the industry you’ll get a few more of the inside jokes.
- In the same week we got to do a watch of AI JESUS: THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP with all the VFX inserted. WOW! It was so cool to see the entire flow with completed VFX. We are making some final tweaks and reviews before the film moves over to music and sound design. It will drop into the studio end of January and I’m guessing 2-3 months of work bring us to May/June. We’ll do a summer theatrical release and home video is set for 4Q. You cannot turn on the radio air TV without ongoing talks on AI. The film used AI in various parts of the production flow and even included a high end production robot. A trailer is being polished up and will have the music and sound design done before work on the main feature goes into high gear. I’m still sitting down with investors and sponsors over the last few marketing units. I’m working to close that up since everyone is excited to get back on set with new film production. PS: This film does have ties to THE QUEST TRILOGY the three biblical adventures CDI produced in the desert of Yuma, AZ. So do take a watch on all three FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER.
DEVELOPMENT: We’ve got a few commercial and narrative projects in development. A few films have pitch packs out to funders and I’m working on a few new scripts. The follow up films are fun allowing endearing characters to return. With pre-existing fans it makes sense business-wise too. Aside from the WILD FAITH franchise there’s 2-3 other CDI favorites that might get a follow up. We do have some original films in development also and I’m excited to see which ones get traction.
WRAP UP: So I talked with Terry Knox this week who people know mostly from ST ELSEWHERE and TOUR OF DUTY but we’ve done a half dozen films together since AN ORDINARY KILLER in 2002. He was bragging at the production value of HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE which he had just watched. He plays a member of the Purple Gang. Somehow we got talking about conventions and meet and greets. I know they have them for horror films, comics, sci-fi and war films/TV series. It must have stuck in my mind. I awoke this morning from a dream I had gone with T Knox to a convention that had actors from all different TV shows. I was representing WICKED SPRING, MBF, SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA…I was meeting folks from Hogan’s Heroes, Band of Brothers and MASH. In my dream I was talking with Gary Burghoff (Radar) from MASH and told him how much I’ve enjoyed his work and asked how he was doing. He was starving and so I went and got him some snacks from a green room table. Funny stuff!
I’m going to wrap things up here. I’ve got some other work I want to get done but as always I appreciate the time we had today reviewing our progress. With the extension of Wild Faith Christmas in the theaters, Harsens Island Revenge to AVOD and the post work flow I’m pleased with how 2026 is already started. We have had a few negative folks come out of the wood work throwing stones at the art. I told someone recently almost all the negativity any of us artists get comes from other artists not the general audiences. Writers who cannot option or sell a script. Producers who can never finance a project. Directors who will never sit in the chair. Actors that don’t get cast. ROM COMS MUST DIE is a love letter to some of these folks but Amos and Clem are doers. Channel this frustration into work and progress versus pooping in someone’s punchbowl. Haha! Maybe too much. But you get the point. Most don’t take the time to review or are unable to navigate the process. But if you can and you want to counter some hate with joy, please do. Amazon reviews. IMDB reviews. And believe or not I’ll send positive wishes even to those struggling and aiming their frustration at at working artists. In the time it takes to write a negative review something positive could have been done to move their own pieces on the chess board. But negativity is part of the game. My above friend T Knox once said if you don’t have haters you’re not doing something right. The rocks thrown haven’t slowed the forward train in 30 years so I don’t think it is going to happen. If you are one of the frustrated focus more on your business and less on the art. The art is fun and the business often is not. But the secret to success lies in doing both and in good time. A company that distributes films cannot work with you if your biz is not in order or your film cannot make deadlines or pass quality control. So focus on these things and make your 2026 better than your 2025!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Strong Week of Developments
Cool photo that I found inspiration in this week.
Hello my friends. I find the blog worldwide breakdowns very interesting. These are the countries my leading readers are hailing from. 1) The USA. I would hope so but you never know. 2) Australia. Hey Mates. I’ve never been down under but would love to one day. Mad Max/Kings Road/Miller…I’m looking at you. 3) Denmark. I LOVE this country. Always will. 4) Germany. I’ve had a lot of releases here. Wonder what their favorite is? 5) India. Namaste. Thank you. 6) Philippines. Like family. Great hospitality. 7) Ireland. Never been but will one day. Irish/Scot blood runs through me.
Okay. I was just enjoying where everyone is tuning into from. It has been a good week. Okay. That is modest, the week felt ultra productive. I think once you set a destination it becomes easier. A target to focus upon. In our business it starts with a solid blueprint (script) interested key talent and crew to make your proposal package. I think many chase money and when someone does say YES, at that point they start looking at details. I look at the details first knowing if they say yes, I can do this. I have the team that can make this happen. Again I see too many people saying yes, to endeavors they are not qualified to handle. And if they mess up it just becomes one more poisoned well. I personally would love 3-4 Michigan film entities making films and a few TV series rolling. That might lead to some good roles and guest star moments. So I really do wish all those around me the best. I’ve just seen over 20+ years so many good contacts ruined by bad business. I’ve actually reached a point in my career where the bad business makes us look better. But some drop out of the film game all together and everyone loses. So DO THE WORK. GIVE YOUR BEST.
Let me see where to begin.
The new CDI website is under construction. I will be uniting all the films and product to a central place where audiences can find what they are seeking. This new platform will eventually help other filmmakers out there. It will explain itself in time – stay tuned as THE TRIBE is on the move.
Here is the interesting side note… I was just having an unplanned chat with one of our vet members going back to the late 90’s. I was trying to explain where I was with everything. There is potential all over the board and I’m looking five years down the path and trying to chart the best course. But it actually feels fun. The final product is actually making it fun again. Make the wrong alliances, associations, partnerships or agreements and you lose time. Time is LIFE. The saying Time is Money is smaller in value to the other. Time is LIFE. I work as concise as I can and encourage the team to do so because another story is always in the womb. I have no less than two films I’ve given myself as a role in a world created by artists. The management in both cases – WAIT. Accountability – I’ve also WASTED time in my journey so refrain from a defensive stance. I’m saying IF you’re truly doing it for the art don’t hinder the endeavor with people who are not serious. How serious you say? Serious to me is when actions speak and words are not even needed. So be more careful with your foundations. Work out all the details before you accept investment. I know artists whose years have become consumed with production entanglements and endless legal loose-ends. That will rob you of your time, your LIFE. That space & time dance where you can create art for audiences if you choose. Just make good choices. Allow it to be fun.
Knight Chills
OK. So when CDI was a tribe consisting of three crazy artists – myself, Jeff and Juanita Kennedy – we hatched many great ideas. Much inspired by our mutual love of classics especially in the fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Pulp genres. See STRANGER THINGS was my childhood. The love of the vibe that is that Golden-Age of Nerds whereas by playing Dungeons and Dragons you could also be a Rebel. Because much like young Rock and Roll, they (mainstream) did not understand it and feared it. “Knight Chills” is a classic tale, an urban myth almost of the bullied nerd. Retold in a world that now people are trying to recreate. STRANGER THINGS does that and my amigo Myke Michaels is up for an Emmy for his work on that show. But the film was shown in many circles over the years including Special Edition releases and box sets. It was released legally and not in several foreign territories. The film was common talk on Comic Con circuits. Hey, I didn’t believe “In the Woods” truly had a drinking game until I saw a theater full of people doing it Rocky Horror Picture style. So my vet of the Comic Con circuit David Hayes was a fan of the film. We joked about him doing a book until finally we made it happen. I wrote three other scripts that all took place after the first. Each one a small budget likely as we tried to harness and contain our imaginations. BUT graphic novel and comics…
Some of our early content is a perfect fit. KNIGHT CHILLS is the first and it will be for order in stores and also E-Book I believe. I know they are going to be selling on the Comic-Con circuits and we’ll be doing some cool promo. PR will go out next week but for all of you. Here is our new front cover.
I also think this could be a jumpstart for the original film for new licensing and the sequel script is written and director talks have taken place.
THE QUEST TRILOGY
Forty Nights continues the roll forward as Chasing the Star enters the home video orbit. DVD’s were being mastered to prep for the warehouses and Sept. 5th release. Now this Friday following a development meeting we were all treated to the first teaser to The Christ Slayer with temp sound/music. What the…! Holy…! Speechless… Play that again please. And another time. It pummels you with emotional power. What moments given by the cast and what power captured by the crew. I’ve been feasting on the Summer Movie Trailers so my taste are high. (Production Value)
I’m proud to once again have our collective names put on a story invoking much emotion. Right now its being used just for a few business things but audiences, cast, crew will get a first strong showing of the Official Teaser. But the few who’ve seen it can attest – it makes all the hard work worth it. It almost makes it fun again.
Wild Faith sits in a good place right now. Strong interest as business talks keep moving ahead. The talks are centered on the first season of the TV show. The interest is there on a few fronts and once we have the additional trailers and final film to show I feel that the tv deal is a real possibility.
Looking forward to working with this guy as an actor again on M.B.F. – The last time was ‘An Ordinary Killer” a few years ago. Mr. Anthony (Tony) Hornus is our director.
Man’s Best Friend is Officially going to go by M.B.F. – we’ve had a surge in business since announcing this project. The foundation of the house is almost in. Another great meeting this week is showing us a clear path. The response to the script has been on-point, luckily:) Some people are being reached out to about availability. Casting Calls will be going up. I’m excited about telling this story. I think it will strike a chord with many people.
Okay, I’m off to eat some lunch and I have to get ready for a soccer match in this balmy heat. The garden has been kicking and I’ve enjoyed the results. I had fresh BLT’s yesterday. I didn’t grow the bacon:) The masses have enjoyed the Irish Stout and I’m soon to make my batch of mulberry/rhubarb wine.
Have a great Sunday and rest of the week.
DJ
Father’s Day – Sunday Chat
The coffee is fresh and hot and I’m sitting here in the lazy boy with all of you on this fine Sunday morning. I want to welcome new readers from the Czech Republic to the blog. I love that as the movies expand our circle of artists expands. The garden got some much-needed rain and is growing fast. We’re already enjoying lettuce for salads and on sandwiches. Also the large dead elm tree we had dropped is finally cleaned up. I spent a few meetings going outside and slowly feeding the outside chiminea and organizing the logs. Wood does not get wasted with the wood stove in the office and in the winter you need it. Also the siding is purchased and has been picked up to do the upper part of the office. I have a small bday/CDI gathering coming up so I did not want to try to do that this week. It will be a nice bday present to myself. I got to watch two good films this week that we’re not my own. One was “Wonder Woman” and I really enjoyed the film. It featured great action, locations and the production design for WW1. I also finally watched “In the Heart of the Sea” directed by my good friend’s son Mister Ron Howard. A great peek at life during that time period and how some thrived and fought to survive by the sea. It was said to be the inspiration behind MOBY DICK. I might have to try and tackle that book again. I fell asleep many times with that film on my chest trying to read it. Two very different films but both had great glimpses into other periods of time.
Let’s talk development first. I’ve been working hard to put everything in order here at CDI as all these great films roll out. Even other older titles are finding new life as people discover our films and potential $ still locked into some of them. The new slate of films I’m working on with the studio is coming nicely but I require another 12 month slate of smaller films until that deal can get going fully. So I might use this time to produce a few films that distributors have been asking for.
The symbol of the KNIGHT CHILLS franchise.
Knight Chills the film that kicked off CDI in the late 90’s has grown into a bit of a cult classic. It has been turned into a book that will release on paper and digital this Summer. It will be sold at Comic Cons as well with Source Point Press. I’ve written three sequel scripts now but the first two were too high of budget for what that small little film did. I did discover that it sold with Spectrum Films much better than we thought. The company liquidated and went under and we never recouped all our profits. The film sold again with another minor horror distributor and released to several countries. The bottom line is that a friend of mine in the Comic Con circuit via films, comics, books and graphic novels was a big fan of the film. He asked to write a book off the screenplay and we set up distribution with his Source Point Press. I’ve always thought the entire ‘idea’ could be a great franchise. I think this winter we’ll shoot the sequel. It’s a fun romp in the vein of TUCKER & DALE VS EVIL. They want to do a book on the sequel and expand into graphic novels. Not bad for a little film thought up by the Kennedy’s and I all those years ago.
I’ve also finished a first draft of a new script we’ll produce either this Fall or next in Michigan. The working title is “Man’s Best Friend” and I feel it’s a powerful piece that will find a broad audience. We’ll soon start doing some advance casting trying to find a few of the required roles. I’ve been identifying the 3 new films in THE CONQUEST TRILOGY the BMG follow-up to THE QUEST TRILOGY (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer) that will film once again in AZ. I’m also setting up talks with a few entities about the Wild Faith TV series. A few discussions also over literary representation after writing/producing the last 4 films. I’ve done several work-for-hire writing jobs in the past including adapting books to script. Soon I’ll be throwing my hat into the ring with some large production companies. I love to write and so I might get the right team behind me.
Let’s look at a few new updates on the CDI film front.
Forty Nights – I’ve had several buyers, promoters and PR companies contact me over this film and our trilogy and I’ve directed them over to our distributor. I think we’re just at the tip of the iceberg with these films.
The Christ Slayer – This past week we got to see the 1st cut of the film. It was moving to see the 3rd film in this trilogy there on the screen. The film with no color correction, minus VFX and with minimal sound clean up was still beautiful. I also got to see the difference between Jesus in “Forty Nights” and now “The Christ Slayer” to fully see the evolution of the character. That can be said about several of the characters. They have started building some of the VFX modeling since we brought on our VFX folks. We had to get a special piece of equipment from New Zealand and that finally got worked out. Two scenes are still being worked but it will be a worthy add to the trilogy.
Chasing the Star – the film is delivered to our distributor and it is already creating positive dialog. See – http://lenovotips.net/news/The-Star-of-Bethlehem/
I’m excited to see this film pushed during the Christmas holiday season. It’s truly a biblical adventure that I think will help make that story seem more based in reality. I’ve said in many interviews that I wanted to take people behind the figurines of 3 wood or plastic nativity scene wise men and make them breath. I think we’ve done just that and while the film is darker in tone it paints the picture of why a celestial Messiah was sought after. Pre-Order this title when you can and prepare for an adventure.
Wild Faith – VFX work and sound design has been underway. Once music is applied this film is truly going to be something special. I love the film also because of all the special people involved in the making. We stayed in little lake side cabins and created this beautiful story. I do sincerely think that this film is a beginning of something more.
Well, I have a full day. A short flea market stop followed by a visit with my dad. Later if the fields hold we have a soccer match to play. I want to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers and father-like figures out there who mentor and guide.
Have a great day and be good to one another.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 