CDI Film Updates and Looking Ahead to 2025!

(Composer Dennis Therrian and Director Carl Weyant working on ‘Harsens’)
Good morning friends! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and listening to the birds while watching squirrels busily working for the winter ahead. I want to welcome all the new readers from Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and more. I’ve had a very busy week getting things ready for the upcoming Harsens Island Revenge release and the Wild Faith Christmas shoot. Dennis Therrian our composer and post supervisor has been busy finishing the Harsens Island Revenge score. Directed Carl Weyant (happy Birthday yesterday) has been prepping everything else to go into the film such as the stock footage, VFX and color correction. This week is when we start to pull it all together. We producers have been working the end credits getting those around. It will be a wonderful thing to see this story all together on the big screen. The end is always trying as you pull everything together. We are close, very close.

(In studio as we locked picture now we are close to a final locked movie)
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – We are fully cast, crewed and locations locked. We’re still putting a few pieces in play but departments are up and prepping to the shoot in a few short weeks. Insurance will be going up soon and we’ll be getting communications and lodging set. Last week I had the wardrobe items stored at the office picked up. Also the hospitality and health (craft services) items were picked up. Great meetings with some of the companies aligning with us via sponsorship or product partnership. Reinert Pottery will be supplying some of the on-camera items. Anchor Construction Corporation came on board. Welcome! We have a few flights to manage and also we have a trip to NC to pick up props and art director Robert Bradley that just got a LOT more complicated. All part of the process but I’ve also been enjoying getting into the ‘Ben Lily’ mindset. My tops of my toes are raw and sore due to my first multiple hours wearing my trapper boots. I’ll have 10 days of several hours in them so I’m trying to condition my feet now.

Re-Releases-
KNIGHT CHILLS deliverables to Twin Engines Global/Deskpop is almost complete. I just need to digitize some paperwork this week and upload that. But the film, trailers and artwork should all be there. We have been posting some great new screen captures to the FB site. AN ORDINARY KILLER will release soon on HD DVD and streaming in December. People are enjoying DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN and the special edition park DVD will be available soon.

(2.5 million plus views on Encourage TV)
The season for SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and THE QUEST TRILOGY is right around the corner. I’m happy to announce that on ENCOURAGE TV the first of the biblical trilogy FORTY NIGHTS just went past 2.5 million views! Make watching these feel good classics part of your yearly family tradition.

BEST YEARS GONE, LOST HEART and the original WILD FAITH are good Fall classics to watch! I’ve enjoyed some of the communications from fans of these films. I will also add BESTSELLER on the list if you like R rated scare-fests. Again I’ve been so enjoying the season as the leaves are turning and I’ve even enjoyed a few bonfires. I’ve even allowed my thoughts to start to dance around Christmas just a bit.

Looking Forward to 2025
Once we get WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS in the can (Old term from days of shooting on film) – we’ll turn our attention on ROM COMS MUST DIE a fun feature film we’ll do with Travis Hayward at the helm directing. I will be working on updating the WILD FAITH: HASTINGS TV series to happen after the 2nd film. I’m working on show 4 of 8 right now. I also will be finishing a few scripts over the winter and still trying to land another project that would be both the script and production. Once Harsens Island Revenge is locked I’ll have more talks with director Carl Weyant about development. I have a good project in mind for him that might be a good fit. Looking at maybe developing something with Ian Griffin. I’m excited to see where 2025 will lead the tribe.

(Dane DeFord and Robert Bradley in Maggie valley, NC)
WRAP UP-
I’m about to go look into some eggs and bacon before doing some more yard work. I think inside the Fall stuff might come out. Tomorrow I’ll be pulling prop weapons to be handed off to our armorer Bart Ketner for the upcoming shoot. This week I’ll be tying up many of the loose ends and taking us closer to our end of the month move to Alpena.
My thoughts are still with all the good people trying to rebalance their lives after the storms. And I am concerned a tad hearing about two more storms moving towards the coast. I feel bad for the displaced, the dead and the pets too which are in over-crowded shelters.
I hope you all have a peaceful Sunday and allow yourself a recharge. I’m looking forward to seeing my brother and a few friends later in the day. I’ll be back at the business bright and early in the morning. I’m at the end of the coffee pot so that is where I’ll end this. Be kind to one another even if the world politics has you with differing opinions. I’ll be ready for that to all be done and over with.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
FREE4ALL, Mother’s Day, Roger Corman and NEW Project Development Updates!
Coffee Cheers! Welcome new readers from Saudi Arabia, Philippines, UK and more! I’ve said it before but I love how our readers are from all over the world. I want to start by saying Happy Mother’s Day! I don’t know if the entire world participates in this day but they should. Happy Mother’s Day to mine. She is getting over from a cold she caught in Las Vegas and so a raincheck on a grill out. I also wanted to recognize the loss of an icon filmmaker with the passing of Roger Corman at age 98. He helped launch so many careers and stories into the world. I aspire to be such a force for storytelling and giving people opportunities. Development is one of our main phases we are in right now. It is a tricky phase and the hardest part for many filmmakers. Financing is part of the phase but it is so much more. Incoming checks on the films are starting to arrive and once they are all here we process them through our internal accounting to payout to our investors. That is coming up in the next few weeks. The amount received is always an ebb and flow by time of year, holidays and movie watching trends.

When speaking on development we’ve got projects at four different budget levels. What effects the budget level is number of shoot days, number of actors, locations and travel/lodging considerations. We currently have some funds committed to our film budgeted at the 3rd level. This is due to actors and crew from different places who would be flown in and lodged. These costs with also catering are major costs to a production. Many smaller films shoot at locations where actors and crew can drive in and work and drive home. But getting all your cast and crew from the same small area is an issue at small budgets. We are going to keep pushing on our level 3 film but if the mountain is too steep we will look at one of 2-3 smaller scope projects. We are having some good ground work come together on Level 4 films or budgets quite a bit larger due to the scope. But those level 4 films are being planned for 2025.

(The DVD Double Feature from the CDI Classic Collection)
Additional development has been underway on a music video which I’m helping to produce and will shoot this week. We are also putting the ground work together on a series of documentary films. A good amount of energy has also been directed at the restoration, remastering and resetting of distribution on the CDI Classic Collection. KNIGHT CHILLS has new streaming poster and trailer work being done. FROM VENUS has new poster artwork being worked on. Restoration tests on HEAVENS NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST are underway. Both of these have issues in format or with the ‘film look’ that was all the rage in those early days of video filmmaking. AN ORDINARY KILLER is part of a fundraising campaign with The Red, White and Blue Project a non-profit for Veterans and their family members. A Remastered HD DVD Special Release is being done with Two Average Joes the powerful podcast that deals with true crime. GHOST TOWN, our smoky mountain western is being put back out into the marketplace this Summer! For fans of the now closed down theme park Ghost Town in the Sky this movie will be a treat. As you wait you can enjoy this new trailer cut for the new 2024 release! The film is an exciting story and we’re excited to bring it back out to you!
WATCH IT HERE: https://youtu.be/Z1eubAgHvOY?si=nTwcBSHJiUNBth-P

Speaking of cool promo videos- our distributor of many of the films TWIN ENGINES GLOBAL which is the home of Encourage TV for all your family films now has launched FREE4ALL/Deskpop if you enjoy the edgier films. Here is a promo for their new channel and BESTSELLER is right out front. Also BEST YEARS GONE can be watched free with ads. WATCH THE PROMO and subscribe to their channel!
WATCH HERE: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/tbA3t1Uu2rvaPYxd/?mibextid=WC7FNe
We are planning many new promotional events and interviews to get the word out on the films to new audiences. It is a year of streamlining and organizing that is needed every few years as we continue to grow. I have a great team around me and that is what makes it all possible.

Harsens Island Revenge – I’m happy to report that music is being composed and a new theatrical poster is being worked on. As if that wasn’t exciting enough we have the first official trailer preview being worked on also. GW Burns, our production designer did a great ‘Making of’ poster that showcases some exciting and dramatic moments. We will take a temp on our post process in July and try to set some premiere dates but we have to get closer. We have to be able to see the light at the end of the post production tunnel.

SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – Our true story WW2 drama boasted one of our largest theatricals and marketing campaigns to date. The home video flow is showing us that we’re making good strides. Mainly just off our DVD sales, we’ve paid off our marketing costs and will start directing returns back to our investors. From here on out we’re entitled to a greater return having allowed the marketing campaign. Those efforts are going to be reflected in the streaming and we hope foreign licensing. Starting next quarter we’ll start seeing the licensing returns from an on-going TV deal. As I said before, I was in hopes this TV licensing would be a lump sum payout but this deal will give a good payback floor every quarter for several quarters to come. Add on top the ongoing DVD, streaming and foreign and we think we’ve got a strong horse in the race. Now that the home video is launched we want to remaster the theatrical file for the 2024 Christmas season. A common question we get is – will CDI be filming again in Iowa? The answer is we are working towards that end with two projects in development there!

WRAP UP: This week will be the continued push to finish post work and the prep of past CDI films to reenter the market. Last week saw the great steps. It’s all one step at a time. I spent the weekend outlining a new script story that is based on one of our most popular films. I’m in the process of creating a few follow ups to some of the favorite CDI films. I’m in a good habit and flow of screenwriting and I want to keep at that while I do have the time. I love when I return to previously created worlds and working with now beloved characters. What CDI films would you love to see a second installment of? Speaking on that- I know for a while I was talking about the RE-RELEASE of IN THE WOODS, including the new director’s edit. I’ve been waiting for Terror Vision to release some info about it. But I did have conversations this past week with Mr. Drzick and the sequel script for IN THE WOODS 2 is underway.

CDI is also partnering with Mr. Drzick and his new company over the CDI literary properties. Next up will be the KNIGHT CHILLS script and making of and also the novelization. All this to go with the streaming release I’m targeting for this fall. We’ve agreed upon the deal and we’ll put pen to paper this coming week and get that part of CDI officially rolling. Several books and scripts will be releasing with great interviews from the artists who brought these films to life.

I’m going to wrap this up and go have myself a few eggs. I’m also going to hit the local flea market and see what treasures I might find. Last week I found two great old promo cards for the old King Kong and Bela Lugosi’s Dracula. I also recently got some studio promo stills from the old KUNG FU TV show which was/is one of my favorites. I love to find gifts and little treasures many that end up being props in films. I got the yard looking good after the major rains but it is growing daily so I’m working to keep up with it. I love all the plants growing and when not chained to the desk I love being out in nature. I’ll leave you with a beautiful pic from Dean Teaster‘s property of the Northern Lights.
Until next week be good to one another!
DJ
Refuel, Relax, Rest – Much to Be Thankful For – FILM UPDATES!

The hazelnut coffee, is tasting great on this snowy Sunday. I see where many folks elsewhere got 5+ feet of snow! Parts of Michigan, saw a large snowfall and even here in Lansing (Center of the State) we got a good amount. It is pretty to watch fall and it makes everything bright, which has been nice. But, it has been bitter cold for sure. The several days of arctic freeze gave me the time I needed to start catching up on all my biz paperwork.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – We have been working on getting the end credits around and from the list we’ll be double checking against our Algona, premiere list. This week, we’ll get a chance to review the film, with most all the elements inserted. The film will release first in Algona, Iowa on Dec 9th and the Fridley Theaters. Our hope is that they will open the film in all the cities they’re in. We are looking to see when the show times will go live, so folks can start getting public tickets. The trailer will soon be playing in front of other films. We plan to show the film into 1st quarter of 2023 in the theatre chains. We hope to have it expend across Iowa, and the midwest. An LA/Hollywood and German showing via theaters or festival is also being planned.
We also have some exciting things coming together for the 2023 home video release. I really do think that this film could create a “Field of Dreams” effect – whereas once a year the film returns to Algona, theaters and people travel to the town of Algona, to see the museums. We will also be working on the Michigan premiere, that might happen first of the year, due to all the crazy Christmas hustle and bustle. Many will have to have patience, if you miss the select theatrical showings. But come, the run up to Christmas 2023, the film will be getting a major push. Between the theatrical and the home video, we hope to show it in Germany/Austria. Thank you to everyone for your support.
We’re also going to be working with our sponsors and product partners, moving forward. Note, the period wraps on the Spam, Hershey’s bars and more. We are honored to have such wonderful partners in storytelling. We have had many great companies join us over the years. I look forward to many more, as we move ahead in our storytelling adventures.

DEVELOPMENT WORK!

Silent Night in Algona, will be the 5th release this year. Who has seen all five films? Who can name all five films? OK. It’s early and the coffee is still kicking in for folks. 1) BESTSELLER 2) BEST YEARS GONE 3) SMOKE & MIRRORS 4) FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH 5) SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – if you end up watching all 5, you are truly a CDI fan. I’ve had someone talking to me about a CDI fan club. You can SUBSCRIBE TO THE TRIBE at http://www.cdiproductions.com and we’ll be doing some updates there soon. I use to have a wonderful fan club ran by a fine lady named, Pepper. I think she is still with us, loving her dogs and spreading joy. She and several friends, use to travel to different CDI premieres. She did interviews and highlighted co-stars and leading ladies. She reviewed films and really did many great and wonderful things. Her health, hasn’t allowed her to keep up with the webpage and it went down several years ago. I will check in on Pepper, over the holidays. I hope she has been doing well.
Once SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, is finished, we will be all caught up on production. We have been slowly prepping 4 films in the CDI library, for re-release with BMG. In 2023, we hope to bring KNIGHT CHILLS, FIGURE IN THE FOREST, AN ORDINARY KILLER and GHOST TOWN to the marketplace. Two are in the wrong aspect ratio and were shot in standard def so they’re all being digitally enhanced to HD. I will readdress all this once I get this current film locked.
But, I will say- I’ve seen the first draft of the new uprezed trailer for Ghost Town, and it looks beautiful. I need to watch and provide some notes. We are also working to get distributor back ups of all the films. KNIGHT CHILLS, we are trying to get the best source version. But this will get done. We are also working on a few cool extras, maybe even an interview from our director Katie Hicks. I might do a sit down, with Jeff Kennedy, to talk about those days. The sequel and video game became even more exciting, when I got to check out some of the new software and LED walls. Not only, will CDI keep working to enhance of VFX sequences in our films, we will be doing some films that are completely animated films. I have a few people in Michigan, I’ve been watching, about some possible collaborations. Ideas-forming.


Harsens Island Revenge – Get those acting reels together. Yes. CDI is an acting troupe of actor/producers, but we have several friends of the tribe, that we often collaborate with. Like, many projects, we have many more friends of the tribe, vs roles open in a film. But, we have some time, so we’re going to really use the time to cast, and look at talent for future endeavors. I use to travel to more film gatherings, events, networking. Oh, I feel a ramble coming on…
The truth is, with how busy my film work is, my daily hours are pretty full. I unwind, mediate, visualize, the week ahead. Refuel, relax and get good rest (Three R’s) to attack it all again the next day. Staying out late partying, isn’t really on my planner. Now, let me say for the record, I’ve certainly been there, done that and got that tee-shirt, but I’m at a different place on the path. I have a domestic life, that brings me peace and balance. It allows me to better focus my energies, achieving dreams. But, just like at one time, I knew every bar in my town, now, I do not. I was a work-a-holic, binge drinker, in my youth. The binge drinking (Viking drinking) was taught to me, from those glorious nights out, after games in Hornbaek, Denmark, playing soccer as a teen. What a great time that was for three summers. I love those good folks to this day.

Okay, back at it. So, I had unrealistic dreams (Acting) but, once I set my sights, there was no plan B. I worked, and lived in studios, we made our hours, working for days on end. Sometimes forced to using TV stations in the middle of the night to finish films. Often jumping on a jet planes, with my amigos, to go pitch ideas and finished films, around Hollywood for a couple weeks. Days full of 405 driving to meetings, parties in the hills. Hard partying, after, hard work, to try and turn our obsession off. But, the tequila would often just spur even more exciting dreams and ideas. I LOVE those days. The CDI crew was like pirates, we rolled hard, building. But, the journey will burn some out. I’ve seen so very many break, and fall. If I could have made myself fall into regular steady employment, I would have long ago. But, my simple mantra of putting everything into the film I’m working on, so it results in one more opportunity to tell a story, remains. So far, that has worked. I think because, there are so many stories, in every town, in danger of fading away, gone. But, a group of artists like CDI, can bring a story to life, for generations. That is what we do. That is what we are doing.
And back to development- this week saw a few really great steps. The script for Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) is going through that writer/director phase. Each character, action and line, discussed. I can say, every scene improved through long conversations. Motivations. Moments. I love this process with directors. All directors who have directed a script I wrote, have been through this process. It is fun, playful and enjoyable. We got through another 25 pages in a session and have likely 1-2 more sessions to get all the way through. Once the script is locked, the writer part of me steps back. All work from there will be between actors and director. But once you leave the director at the end of the process, they should have a deep understanding. It is an exploring, something even more important with period pieces.
HIR, will start looking at cast and crew, with our director, over the winter. We have a good idea of the look, tone, work flow and our scout trip has us all very excited. So, wrap up your year by getting your highlight reels together. CDI is mostly all actors, so pick and lead with your strongest material. If something is subpar consider leaving it off. Less can be more. At the same time, if someone is interested, they will watch a lot of your work. Especially if they are thinking of working with you.

SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE – After nearly two full days of polishing, I ended my week, with my first draft of the new Spirit Lake Massacre. I’m very proud of the final piece. I’m going to do even more research to add a sprinkling more of the historical gems, to this already powerful piece. In December, I’ll be able to have some more discussions on the locations for this 2024 project. Next year, might consist of some construction, and some prep work.
CDI HOLIDAY WATCHING – With snow and cold, forcing many inside- it’s a good time to watch some of the CDI classics with your family and loved ones. WILD FAITH, MANS BEST FRIEND, LOST HEART, THE QUEST TRILOGY! Encourage TV, Tubi, Amazon Prime, Google Play– check your platforms. I’m going to go do some holiday shopping both online and at the store. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving week. I’m always happy when I get to see family and friends. We are all thankful at CDI, to all of you fans.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ




