Finishing the Month Strong! New April 1st Trailer?
(A throw back of ‘Ghost Town’ in Time Square NYC – Going to Historyfix in 4k!)
A warm and damp morning in mid Michigan. I heard they had ice storms up north in the area of Alpena where we recently filmed two of our films. Either way spring is in the air for sure. Plants are starting to sprout and animals are building new nests. My clean up of the property is going well. I’m still leaving the ground leaves for bee cover. My work on the slow dismantle of the old wood shed is underway. I have an estimate from our builder to sand and stain the new deck. I think the first time I will have the pros do it and after that I can have a go at it. I enjoyed it being warm enough to do a few tasks. I may have to do some tree trimming on the mulberry and/or apple trees. That sometimes causes them to skip a season of fruit. I’ve been leaving the apples for the squirrels the last few years.
I mentioned Alpena and I believe we mentioned have an April 25th date to kick off the theatrical run of Harsens Island Revenge (HIR). Tickets should go up for sale soon! That theatrical deal has been signed with our friends and partners at Dreamscape Productions. They will be contacting several of the northern theaters/chains to see if they want to book HIR. We are also starting talks with NCG in Owosso, MI and the NCG chain to run the film. Celebration. Emagine and more. Please contact your theaters near you and request the film. Also get the name of the person who handles booking. We want to travel this film around the country and I’m even looking into Las Vegas. To build the hype even more I think I’m going to drop a second HIR trailer cut by Dennis Therrian on April 1st, no fooling!
Wild Faith Christmas is also moving along nicely. The final locked film is due to be delivered by March 31st to Dennis Therrian who has already did a first pass on dialog clean up. Music beds have also been worked on and it will be exciting to see the sound design and score settle into the picture. Shane Hagedorn and Dean Teaster are doing various color tests on the film. They will work the final look of the picture. A theatrical poster is slowly being developed and we hope to release that soon.
ROM COMS MUST DIE is about to shoot the final opening scene next weekend. The edit is close to a lock. The color correction is about 60% there. The dialog is almost cleaned up save my VO and a few ADR lines. Sound design will be the last little piece to do almost with a suitable score. This dark horse is going to be a fun surprise for many. It marks CDI’s return to comedy/horror and I think it will be well received. A trailer and poster will be in the works in the coming weeks. I saw a great BTS but it gives away a bit too much to release right now.
Misc Release News: We’ve recently seen the re-release of Knight Chills to Blu Ray and streaming. An Ordinary Killer to streaming as well as Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town. A 4k version of the latter is going to Historyfix and is being actively delivered. I’ve hunted up some of the early work tapes of HEAVENS NEIGHBORS and we might start some restorative work on that film later this year. FIGURE IN THE FOREST and FROM VENUS are being looked at. I would love Saturn Core to give FROM VENUS the same treatment they gave KNIGHT CHILLS.
Writing Projects: I’ve got many pet projects in various stages of writing but we’re looking at the scripts and evaluating them. I will say that my script that I wanted to get out of my head working title THE KINGDOM CHIP has a first draft. It is best pitched as an O’ GOD for a new generation. It is also a loose follow up to The Quest Trilogy. If you have not seen these three CDI films I am really asking that you do. Inspired by the ole Chuck Heston Biblical Adventures they are an amazing series of storytelling.
I also have had two books sent to me to read and evaluate for scriptwriting. I would adapt them to screenplays and CDI would perhaps produce. These projects would come with funding. I’m also suppose to pull together a polished draft of a detective story. I’m awaiting that material but the delay worked in my favor as I will do the final polish on The Kingdom Chip before allowing it to be read.
I have the 8 shows for WILD FAITH: Hastings and we’ll see what doors open as we get near the release of the sequel. I have a few fun scripts that are completed and have been sitting. We will see about making those films happen with some of our emerging director/filmmakers.
Development: I started above to delve into the development arena. I do want to pick a few projects to produce this year. The Kingdom Chip which has some interest would be shoot in that “window” in Yuma, AZ before the heat sets in. The feature version of our concept short SMOKE & MIRRORS is a possibility. I’ve been lining up a few things there.
We have a few other outside sources talking projects with funding. FUNDING is what is needed to get you moving to the front of the line in evaluating scripts/projects.
WRAP UP: The last few weeks I’ve accomplished most of what I’ve been wanting to do. Office reorganizing is mostly done. End of Year reporting work on the movies done just need to square those accounts. I did some of them last week and will look to finish this week. My personal taxes are done just need to send that in with the firm sends my paperwork.
I’m looking forward to filming my last piece of the Rom Coms Must Die puzzle and my head will be officially clear of any outside characters. My itch to tackle and new role is slowly building although you think I would enjoy the down time.
Soccer and flea market season is right around the corner. I love looking for wardrobe and props for our films. Soccer is just a great way to test yourself weekly. I’ve been working on strength and flexibility but need to do some running. I dislike running just to run.
This week there is a film mixer for the local film festival that I might attend. It really depends on the flow of the week. I will have my fill of mixers with all the film releases this year. I do enjoy meeting other artists and seeing how they fit into the mix. I’m not going to be at the Alpena showing of Harsens Island Revenge but will be ready to attend the Owosso, MI showing and afterglow.
I’m going to wrap this up here and do a few things around the house. I am going to attack the week and look to make some great things happen. I hope each of you are enjoying the spring vibe returning to us all. Working in the morning with the sounds of birds is really nice. Watching the squirrels building and playing is nice. They had a long, hard winter and deserve some abundance. Until next week my friends!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Day 5 and some Wild Faith Updates
NOTE: Due to storms and internet this is being posted on Monday
Good morning from LOST HEART:) Actually I’m writing in the late night here so I can post before bed. We at have a very full day tomorrow plus we producers are moving into the production rooms after a nice stay during pre-production in the suites. Our crew is enjoying their condos and the area has a serene nature to it. This is the grounds where the infamous ELECTRIC FOREST festival takes place. We were offered passes to this but we had work to do. Plus the older I get the idea of tens of thousands of people does not appeal to me. But it appeals to many people in the 50-70k range. We’ve knocked down our first four days of shooting and after a day of rest we are back at it. We had our biggest day yesterday with lots of extras at a beautiful location in Whitehall. It is a Bed & Breakfast owned by the mayor of the town and her husband. It is called The Lewis House. I got to make some great moments with Don Most, Victoria Jackson and Melissa Anschutz. Old friends and new are being made on this shoot. These two talented actors from Michigan will be joining LOST HEART. I’ve enjoyed all the positive on the story and script and it is a pleasure to see how invested each actor is in their role. Also the artists behind the camera have worked very hard to capture our moments. The heat was very hot but we had good holding areas and won our day.
WILD FAITH just keeps getting recognized. We did not enter this festival so it has been a surprise and an honor to first be recognized with a JUSTICE AWARD and now they announced recognition for set design. IF you have not watched this film and you like what we’re creating please do take a watch.
I posted some PR earlier. Almost immediately I saw that some young living historian we had in the film negatively commented that the film wasn’t worth watching he heard because they were only seen for like 5 secs. First I told him, watch it. The flashbacks to war are much longer than 5 seconds. He also was going off someone else so I told him to watch it. Also people are subjective in what they like and don’t like but make up YOUR mind. Also if you love to present your impression of a Civil War soldier to an audience our film probably will give you once of the biggest showcases of your career. Millions of eyes foreign and domestic but for this fella if he did not get enough screen time the project wasn’t worth it. I can say that in twenty years when an older man looks back at a film that immortalized a younger him in a great story, it will be worth it. It isn’t always about you. Sometimes were are part of something bigger together. I sincerely hope this person finds some peace in his life. I can’t always figure people out. I was nice. He was nice back. He wants to still watch the film. Watch it and make your own opinion. Don’t be a sheep.
Kudos to Jen Raine and Austin Two-Feathers and let’s not forget our director Mr. Low seen in the background. He cares about these films like we do and LOST HEART will make his third with CDI in the directing chair. Congrats to all the cast and crew.
MBF: Man’s Best Friend – We have a lot of upcoming announcements concerning this film but I am going to make you wait. It is past my bedtime and I have our second biggest day shooting on LOST HEART. So I will withhold a little until next week. I’m also trying to confirm a few things.
Have a great Sunday!
DJ
‘ROCKY’ Could Have Been A Faith Film and Other Coffee Ramblings…by DJ Perry
The chilly fall has settled into Michigan making sipping coffee or hot cider even more enjoyable. Now is when I have to start thinking of the winter ahead. The stuff that will have to be put away and stored. The firewood for the coming snow. Even the change of clothes to heavier layers, is a normal process in Michigan. I think last week we discussed something which was the delay in shooting our next feature by a quarter. The funds are there and so many would want to rush to production, the fun part. But, we’re putting the icing on the cake for a wonderful distribution deal on WILD FAITH. It has been a touch slower since I’ve had the joy of working with the Hollywood agent system. But, in the end it will be worth it and will directly have an effect on the TV series. Upcoming 2019 will see the major organizing of the release and push on the series. We are planning to shoot in Michigan. Likely a series of shows shot in a tight production block. It’s new waters for me so I’m learning something new every day.
Tomorrow we’ll announce via PR our recent Crown Award and the Burbank International Film Fest win for ‘Best Faith Film’ and while I would have loved to have it gone against all the films – they work by genres. But WILD FAITH is just an accurate look at 1870’s life. As the screenwriter I did not add any overdue FAITH. People we’re just more living in tune with their faith during that time period. Life was more wooly and I think people had more life and death encounters be it disease, drought, famine, bear attacks – you get the point. I love the faith and inspirational themes. ROCKY being one of my favorite illustrations of that. On his way to the fight – the father priest throws down and few blessings. Yes. ROCKY could be a faith film and it would have surely won ‘Best Inspirational’ as I’ve seen it inspire masses and I’ve been inspired by that film. My point is, I’ve never set out to make a ‘Faith Film’ and I’ve never set out to not make a ‘Faith Film” – I’ve told a story. Characters in almost all stories are confronted by a situation that tests their faith thus the relatable conflict.
Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ must find her faith. Indiana Jones fights to keep his faith versus his scientific reasoning, Men vs shark in JAWS, puts faith out there to be chewed upon as a topic. I think every film made about mankind has faith woven into it. So, is it that the content must have X amount ‘faith’ in it? Judges in chairs that spin around and hit a button if your film has the required ‘faith’? I appreciate it mostly, the acceptance to our films. But because the story, characters, situations, lessons were all something that were touched upon. That shed a bit of light on our faults projected onto a screen, so we can better understand ourselves. Deep. I know. Occasionally, I feel quite grand with my profession, pride like a good woodworker, or any other artist. Mostly, I still feel like that kid, make believing with my neighborhood friends living out our own STRANGER THINGS life.
I’ve changed some in my screenwriting, I’ve noted. My earlier self was darker, heavier and nihilistic. My mom often questioning, why I kept dying in my films. Now, I’ve always had a funny, lighter side to my personality, ask anyone who really knows me. But, most of my writing came in my moments of solitary. Also writers in Michigan benefit from our long winters but the end result is often PSYCHO or THE SHINING writing in nature. Those previously mentioned films are two of my favorite for the season. Another side note: I do want to do another horror film but it has to be good. By good I mean story. Creating horror films in the handful of story formulas is like a rite of passage. The lovers of that genre cannibalize the artists with dastardly reviews. But meet them in person and they’ve always been very nice. Maybe because they saw you on camera foaming at the mouth and swinging an axe. Anyway, I was saying that I enjoy the laughter and smiles. I recall many showings of WICKED SPRING whereas people wept in the theater. We did that with our story. But I see so much negativity and anxiety with people not coping to our new world. A world where we’re more communication-connected than ever before BUT we’re not. FRIENDS have a new definition thanks to FACEBOOK but my definition stays the same. I want to be part of making people think, smile, laugh and still occasionally cry, if that comes with an enlightenment.
The ‘Faith Film’ anti-goodhousekeeping seal of quality is being shattered as more storytellers (without labels) are returning to tell stories that their grandmother, mothers and fathers would enjoy. Ben Hur (The Original) and Ten Commandments (The Classics) were always on TV when we had our family Thanksgiving, Christmas or Easter gatherings. There are great organizations that are rising to recognize and award this kind of content. I always worry about censorship, we can choose to watch what we want. But if a demand is there, look at the rise in METV, Heroes & Icons, and the rise of the faith market. People are casting their votes with their rentals and purchases. I feel most honored by the online communications from viewers having powerful emotions invoked from our stories. It is a dream to have holidays where the films play and families bond over a watch. My goal is to make a few classics. All of them might not make it but we’ll give our ‘best effort’ every time.
I was reminded yesterday when inquiring about a director whom a close associate had worked with – their last film isn’t done. It hasn’t been completed in a matter of several years. As an actor, I’ve got two films shot in recent years, one a co-starring role, not finished. I’ve got a call, meeting, catch up with a director friend who’s trying to finish one of two projects we did together in the very distant past. It bothers me occasionally talking someone’s new project(s) when those people have loose strings to tie up. There are many films about that don’t interest me as a viewer, but I always tip my hat to finishing. Finishing is a skill needed in this industry, without it, suffering. But it sounds like my old friend is trying to finish, so that’s a good thing.
This week I finished my first solid draft on our next script with BMG entitled LOST HEART. In meetings with our distributor, they really liked a concept made easier that I had written something in the same vein. But I wanted to apply some of the growth I had made mentioned above. Same log line but different script. I had a wonderful time creating this story and it became so alive with characters and a world, other’s will long to visit. Jeff Kennedy and I, my partner in CDI, semi-retired – always had that as a goal. To create a world and invite people inside it. The CDI first five – really helped hone this craft. You have to BELIEVE in the world. Another 2019 goal is to get Jeff Kennedy back into a director’s chair. I have a few good ideas but they will require a good pow wow or two.
MBF has been in editing. They shot a few pick up establishing shots and transitions this week. Always good to do this once you get into the edit and really see what could be added. This film I’m so proud of. It showcases and pleads for better treatment of our war vets and dogs, that can heal us. We continue to release official stills from this film. For now the spotlight is given to…
THE CHRIST SLAYER!
Find our social media site on Facebook – lots of updates.
https://www.facebook.com/thechristslayer/
Part 3 has a bold name. But the title has a meaning that audiences will discover, maybe not what they thought. I’m excited to say that Part 3 of The Quest Trilogy is coming all together. I watched a recent 5k work flow version with 98% VFX. Color Correction and conforming still lie ahead. ADR, music and sound design are steadily under construction. I’ve been working with the distributor and their marketing team as we prepare for release in early 2019. I was really happy with the story, smiling throughout. I love watching artists friends give moving performances. That’s what we want deep down. To captivate and transfer that emotion via story. This will be an exciting watch and so again, catch up – parts 1 (FORTY NIGHTS) & 2 (CHASING THE STAR) on Pureflix, Amazon Prime, Google Play, Christian Cinema, Parables TV….and so on. To our cast and crew, it will be worth the wait.
Okay, time for a pumpkin spice english muffin and another coffee.
Have a great Sunday!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 