JUNE – BIRTHDAYS, FUNERALS, FILMS AND UPDATES!
Good morning. It is rainy in the Michigan this morning but Spring growth is everywhere. I will say that when Friday eve came about I was truly exhausted. So many film events all happening at once and several personal things also happening. A lot of talk on business trips that is always pressure for me. I’ll try to dump some of this trails and tribulations out that also include more blessings. It is my Bday month and I tend to get a little off and introspective during this time. I was asked by my mother if I had any June 23rd bday plans and truthfully I have not given it any thought. I have a nephew’s bday, a funeral for one of my mom’s childhood friends and we have been planning something for my mom’s 80th bday. I’ve been treated allergies that have been messing with one of my eye’s sight. On top of that let’s look at the slew of business.
BIZ BULLETPOINTS
- Adam Towner and I participated in a great interview over ROM COMS MUST DIE. We also announced the streaming dates/DVD for home video. We are working to set up brew and views and theatrical and you can follow our FB page for that. WATCH IT HERE: https://www.youtube.com/live/nO4FJSKtWfw?si=ha2GhMP3hGlyyJKd
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This amazing film releases to DVD and home video 11/3/2026 and will be up for honors at the RED LETTER AWARDS in August with ten nominations. Director Shane Hagedorn and his wife Stacy will be representing. In October I’m planning on attending the Will Rogers Medallion Awards where we’ve won either gold, silver or bronze for the script and film. This is requiring some planning that I’m thankful for the help by our team in planning this.
- AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is done and currently being reviewed by our partners at Dreamscape Productions to see if they will rep it into theaters. I think our director Anthony Hornus wants to premiere it in Owosso, MI but they’ve been slow to respond on the last couple films so we will see. I will start to prep all the paperwork for delivery to the distributor while all the audio/video assets are being sent.
- KNIGHT CHILLS – CDI’s 1st film nearly 30 years ago was just highlighted by FANGORIA the premier PR of all things horror, named Knight Chills one of the top 10 SOV (Shot on Video) films that you must see. READ HERE: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cr7agte16/. Available on a great Blu Ray full of extras and streaming on Youtube FREE4ALL and more.
- Pre-production on DEVIL’S PASS is moving along. The LLC is formed and this week we’ll execute paperwork and start collecting funds to open the bank account. We are closing in on having a full boat for crew and cast is not far behind. We are in the middle of a casting and have some reads coming in this week. We had a scout with our art team last week which went great. We will start engaging with sponsors also this week which is always fun.
DEVELOPMENT: I almost have a few of these larger endeavors off my plate and can turn my attention back at some of our 2027 films in development. RETURN TO ALGONA is one of them and we have 1/2 the funding committed and I need to lock in the second part from local investors and/or sponsors. We have a few other slates of films being looked at for funding and I’m going to finish a few of the scripts I’ve got in motion.
WRAP UP: I missed a soccer match because of the TV show I had to do but this week back at it. Watching the USA and other teams play in the World Cup has been great fun. I’m beyond excited to have audiences experience these new films. I’m having fun building a character for this next film. I was going to a flea market today to look for props and wardrobe but we’ve had rain so I’ll have to wait until next week.
I’m going to wrap it up here and go make some breakfast. I’ve been enjoying toast with avocado and hard boiled eggs on top. I might get around to bottling the CHUCK NORRIS BERRY KA-POW wine this week. The hens have been producing well and enjoying all the foraging for food.
We are looking at reviewers and a few more podcasts/shows for ROM COMS MUST DIE. If you are one and interested, reach out. If you have a brand that would like to align with a western, reach out. If you have any questions about anything, reach out. (On here even) I hope some of you took the opportunity to reach out and get sides to read for DEVIL’S PASS. We will look at the reads this week and perhaps start making some decisions soon afterwards. Until next week, I hope you all have a great week. Coffee Cheers! DJ
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EXPERIENCE OVER EGOS and OTHER CDI UPDATES!
A fine good morning to everyone out there. We are now into June and the heat and humidity has arrived. We had a soccer game last week in the heat and we lost but what a great workout. I was so tired after my soccer bag felt like a hundred pounds and I had to drink some pickle juice before my shower. I ordered some prescription sports googles so I can see better on the field. So now I will have the Kareem Abdul Jabbar look going on. My eye doctor also said that my eyes were having allergy issues so I got some drops. I’ve just been steadily adjusting to being a glasses wearer. I will ballergiese missing my Thursday soccer match which might have a rain out but I have a promo show for for ROM COMS MUST DIE on Thursday with Adam Towner. It is streaming live with a live audience so it should be quite enjoyable. This is my birthday month and so I’ve been reflective upon the journey thus far. Again I feel blessed to do what I love doing working in storytelling. Let’s look at some of the other recent updates.
UPDATES:
- ABOVE is the Thursday show that we will be doing. It looks like so much fun. TUNE in Live if you can and listen to us talk about films and making movies in Mid-Michigan for the world market. ROM COMS MUST DIE is an insanely fun ride from beginning to end. We are still trying to work both theatrical pop ups and brew N views.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip had a final watch/listen through and now the end credits are finally done. We had an 11th hour add to the end credits that was almost forgotten by one of our keys. Missing name or mis-spelled is the most common and once you render and deliver that is what it is. Know if we’ve ever made a mistake it was never on purpose. We plan to have a great premiere for this film and we’ll see if Dreamscape Productions wants to partner with us on this title into theaters. This is a very unique and timely story ripped from news headlines and given a SciFi twist. This coming week I’ll be digitizing the wrap book and getting that uploaded to the distributor.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – We have a two punch coming up with the RED LETTER AWARDS and ten nominations in August. And in October we have the WILL ROGERS MEDALLION AWARDS to accept for screenplay and the film. We won either gold, silver or bronze. We are the underdog of sorts with both the other films having some amazing talent from C. Thomas Howell to Dennis Quaid, Mary McDonald, Tom Skerritt and Kurt Russell’s son Wyatt. I LOVE that our troupe is in such great company. I’m looking into using this win to try and connect with a literary agent. I had an agent at one of the big 3 agencies years ago but I’m looking at that once again. I love to write and so it might serve me well to have someone focused on work-for-hire or selling scripts I don’t plan to produce. They will be honoring others like Clint Black, Kevin Costner, Barry Corbin and more…
- DEVIL’S PASS is now in pre-production and we’re forming the production entity now. Next week we plan to start signing on our backers and getting the bank account open. Creatively it has been a wonderful process working with the writer and our directors. We have a walk through this coming week with our production designer. We also just dropped a casting call for three roles that can be found on the Devil’s Pass FB page. It also has the extras submission info but why not read for a role and see what happens. We will be doing some PR announcements soon including pulling BONANZA alumni Mitch Vogel out of retirement. I wish we could work with everyone but we too have limited resources referring to cast and crew. Many of our artists have to be local due to costs. But this September we will film this moody mid-western film. Darby Hinton from WILD FAITH is back as one of our leads. We have a few holes in oBonanzaur cast and crew that we’ve been interviewing and auditioning people for. We will also start talking to sponsors this week.
DEVELOPMENT:
We are making some moves to try and bring on the second part of funding on RETURN TO ALGONA the 1968 follow up film to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. We have some great leads and interested parties. Preserving the history of this PW Camp and the Nativity Scene has been a wonderful process. My goal is to get the matching commits this year and film next year in Algona.
We also have a couple of film’s developing with Curran Jacobs who directed FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH. A slate of films with Katharsys Media and a handful of one offs trying to find the right backers. It is always a process of matching up the right variables to make a movie happen.
I’ve had another book sent to me to consider turning into a screenplay. I’ve been paid to do this several times and it is a process I do enjoy. It is different from an original screenplay but both have their fun aspects. As noted before, even projects with funding are strongly evaluated because the process is complicated and if you get the wrong pieces in play it can stop being fun really fast. Experience over egos is what is required to make these projects a success.
WRAP UP: I’ve been enjoying creating a new character for DEVIL’S PASS. I love working with the voice, motivations, wardrobe and even facial hair. As we cast folks each read of the script becomes more clear as you can imagine performances. Just like with the locations that add fuel to your imagination. So I’ll keep looking for those unique pieces.
I might have to put a mow on parts of the lawn today before the rain moves in this week. I did some grilling yesterday of some venison burgers and it feels great to have the grill operational again. We just had some eggs from our hens and that just really makes a morning.
This week I’m back to working on film disbursements and love how streamline it is becoming. I have my team to thank for that. The back end of the week is the production designer scout on Weds, the live show on Thursday and Friday a Devil’s Pass production meeting. I look forward to a great week and hope you all do as well. I’m going to close this up and go get my lawn things done before the heat kicks in. Coffee Cheers! DJ
Every Big Goal is Achieved By A Series of Smaller Goals! – CDI UPDATES!
Good morning everyone out there. I want to once again thank all the readers from around the world. I see a lot of friends from the asian territories stopping by, welcome! It is sunny today in the Michigan and actually we’ve had a great stretch of good warm weather. The world is popping with green and I love the morning birds including a few neighborhood roosters. Our chickens have been loving the warmth and we’ve getting about five eggs a day. I’ve been spending my afternoons doing improvements on the property in-between business calls. I put in a plank walkway going around the fort office from a home improvement article I saw. It came out looking really good. I’ve also been grinding up some brush from tree trims to mulch. Also the under deck area I’m organizing and planning my retaining wall. I love getting out into nature and working in the dirt. I’m trying to bring back my hops that were relocated when the new deck went in. I’ve enjoyed having my morning coffee on the deck and also doing some of my daily stretching. We lost our first soccer match 6-3 which should have been closer but sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce just right.
I’ve also been adjusting to wearing glasses and also cataracts which has one that is advanced enough that the clarity in that eye varies by light and other variables. I’ve been taking my glasses off for my above mentioned soccer matches but I’ve decided I need to get some prescription “rec specs” for playing soccer. Might get them with glare guard to help my game. I’ve now talked with several friends who have dealt with this and even had the corrective surgery. Getting older is a privilege but a challenge to deal with this and that. I think I’m going to get a larger computer monitor to help versus just my smallish lap top screen. I share these things so folks know that while life is great I too also have challenges. I was wishing an old business associate a happy birthday and discovered he passed away in 2023. Again enjoy the journey. I am on the cusp of my June birthday month and I’m content. Another trip around the sun almost complete. Enough of these things and onto the artistic updates.
UPDATES:
- We have a marketing meeting for WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS with our home video distributor this week. We will try to do a few more theatrical showings in the Fall before we release to rent/buy on 11/3/26. The film will be represented at the RED LETTER AWARDS in August. We still might have a festival or two still in us but we are excited to make the film available to the tens of millions who enjoyed the original WILD FAITH. Just on the distributors ETV (YOUTUBE) the film has about 50k views short of nine million. Across all platforms I’m at a loss to even wager a guess at the audience but I’m deeply appreciative.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is almost all delivered to home video and so we’ll get our streaming/DVD dates soon. But we are going to be releasing into theaters all Summer and even doing some fun brew N views. This movie was very well received and I just need to try and plug into the horror/comedy audience that I once knew well. We are doing a great TV show interview on June 11th called The Baron & Sindee Nyte Show on Youtube livestream at 7pm EST. I will be on there with Adam Towner mu co-star. If you have a review site or podcast and would live to talk this film that makes fun of our beloved film industry, reach out.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – We gathered at the Pine Studio to watch and listen to the film with the first full pass on all music and sound design. The score is just great but with Dennis Therrian‘s work that surprises nobody. But also the sound design was so good. It brings you right into the scene and the score amps up your emotions. The performances were powerful across the board. And the subject matter is so thought provoking. AI is entering into all areas of life and this film will have discussions stimulated. It is a film for everyone as all perspectives are addressed. The scientific non-believers, priests, nuns and everything in between. Technology. Religion. Government transparency. It is all there. We will likely look to do a big premiere in the coming weeks. This could easily be director Anthony Hornus‘ crown gem. Follow the Facebook page for all the updates! All our films have FB pages to follow. You might want to go back and watch THE QUEST TRILOGY (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer) just to give some background. This film loosely is a follow up but not part of the trilogy.
- DEVIL’S PASS is no longer in development but pre-production. This collaboration is a unique western. Traditional in the values with a unique twist. It will be captured in a kinetic high action way by the McGraw brothers directing. We had a great meeting over crew and cast. We are still filling in the blanks on both but the blanks are getting fewer by the week. WILD FAITH alumni Darby Hinton has joined the cast and we’ve even bringing one of the last main cast members from BONANZA out of retirement Golden Globe nominee Mitch Vogel. You can see all the additional cast and crew on the IMDB page. Again all the films have IMDB pages. We have a meeting this week which we’ll be announcing some casting and crewing needs soon. This is for locals in the mid Michigan area. CDI always works with sponsors and we’ll be getting that process going soon.
DEVELOPMENT: Development is always underway and on many fronts from Algona, Iowa to Kalamazoo, Michigan. With several directors and showcasing several stories in various genres. I have a few business plans to review. I also have a few meetings to collect feedback on with funding potential. We are working now to line up 2027 productions. I’m also going to return to script writing as I have a few in process. I took a meeting on another possible book to script endeavor but we will see if that advances or not. I will take this time to thank all our investors and sponsors who make these stories possible.
WRAP UP: I’m going to wind this down and go enjoy some more coffee with donuts. It is the Fullmoon which is when I allow myself to eat something unhealthy. Aside the from the 24 hours usually stretched over two days, I stick to almonds, berries and healthier snacks. But I do love donuts. Trivia: My favorite even while they are all good is the double chocolate. I hope you all have been enjoying the first half of your year. I hope you are meeting your goals and crossing off your TO DO’s. Every big goal is achieved by a series of smaller goals. So get after those goals and make those dreams happen. Until next week- coffee cheers!
DJ
Happy Memorial Day Weekend – CDI Updates!
Good morning! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee on a wet Sunday here in the Michigan. I hope alley fellow Americans are enjoying your Memorial Day. I have so much gratitude for the safety and freedoms we have thanks to our brave soldiers. Everything here is blowing up green with flowers opening. I’ve been doing some good work on the property planting, trimming and mowing. I’ve been looking at projects I can do by re-purposing the old deck wood. I’m also staining a few of the grow boxes to help protect them from the elements.
We had another soccer match on Thursday that we ultimately ties 4-4 against a solid team. We outplayed them and led the entire match. I think we took the attacking pressure off them in the last quarter and let them back into the game. It is a game of inches like many sports. I was so close to shutting down two of their goals but just could not get there before the shot was off. But I love the intense physical activity.
Friday I got to entertain the child in me with a trip to the new IMAX to watch the new Star Wars film. It was like two amped up TV shows but was fun and played great on the big screen. Another friend and I were talking about the original from 1977. I was 7 and he was 14 when we saw it. Different experiences for everyone but without a doubt George Lucas changed the world. I guess you can never predict or plan when or if that will happen when you release a story upon the world. We do hope that a few of the CDI films help to change the world for a positive.
FILM UPDATES-
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is a parody. One feature-length joke about what many people consume/demand and the industry eager to supply. I’ve said in a few interviews that RCMD was my love letter to the classic films that make fun of certain niches or lifestyles like WAITING FOR GUFFMAN or THIS IS SPINAL TAP. It was interesting to watch the first showing with cast, crew, family, friends and fans. The film, like all films is not everyone’s cup of tea. While to others, it is the perfect cup of tea. If nobody has seen me swear in a film they were likely shocked. And to be told that one couple loves horror films, watches SHUDDER all the time and LOVED this movie. This was followed by the best CDI film they had seen. This hit odd for me. Yes. You want them to love the film that is why we make it. But the best? It goes to show how tastes are varied. My character is purposely over-the-top in a film that makes fun of our film industry. A major storm that passed through cut into our audience some but we still had a healthy turn out. Now we are setting up other theatrical runs and a few brew-n-views. Our goal is to create a film that people in our industry will gather to watch and laugh at our own silliness. We’ve been also prepping for the home video release and should have release dates soon to share. If you get an opportunity to watch this on a big screen great. But if you have to wait until the home video, that is also just fine. I want to thank everyone who came out. Feel free to vote and/or post your thoughts on the film at IMDB.com.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – If you are missing the thought-provoking feel good movies this movie will give you what you need. We are doing an inside screening next week as we also put the end credits together. Our director Anthony Hornus got to watch and listen to the final music mix. I can say that he was elated by what he heard. It is an incredible gift to be able to tell these stories. This is an amazing story taken from the news and fictionalized with a SciFi edge. Promo will start on this film as we come up with a premiere and look at what kind of theatrical run we want to do with it.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – On the heels of ICFF we’ve been getting all the Red Letter Awards nominations. Best Film, Screenplay, Director with two Best Supporting Actor and Actress and one Best Actress and two Best Actor. Is that ten nominations? We are so happy that this film is being recognized so well. It really does have some great themes of Christmas, friendship, sacrifice and love. It is a powerhouse follow up to the original film. Have you seen the original? Our home video launch is on 11/3/26 and we’re looking at what kind of additional theatrical we want to do prior. The film was finished just shortly before Christmas 2025 and so the window was rather short.
- DEVIL’S PASS is up to film in September again working with McGraw Multimedia and two GA based companies with our friend Dan Searles. We will be having crew and cast meetings next week and will be doing a casting for local Michigan for a few great roles. Our energy has been spent on locations, schedule and placing some of the initial cast and crew in place. Please do not reach out directly but follow the Devil’s Pass FB page for upcoming announcements,, All the Extra calls will be going through there also. Right now we are trying to do things in the proper order. We’ll be getting the foundation solidified and this Fall will be more 1800’s fun!
DEVELOPMENT–
Last week I discussed some of the film slates we’re presenting for funding. I’m going to be returning to my writing this week. I had two calls last week about two possible scripts to be written. One is an adaptation of a book and the second, an original work-for-hire for another company to produce. I do love the writing so we’ll see where the chips fall.
Aside from the writing I like having the time to develop the new character I am to play in the next film. I’m truly loving it and it is one of the things that caught my attention. A very unique role and I embrace the challenge. Sometimes it starts with internal decisions and that expresses itself in appearance. Other times it can start with a unique hat or coat and helps develop the internal. I had a short period of time with no character inside my head but I love having a role to contemplate.
WRAP UP-
Enjoy your long weekend and remember why we have it. I’m looking forward to seeing my brother and a few friends later. If the rain holds off I might try to do some more outdoor activities but we will see. I might try to bottle up the BERRY KA-POW CHUCK NORRIS tribute wine this week. I want to sweeten each at bottling with a single raspberry. I might also do another small run of the WINE PINE Soda. Look it up it is pretty cool what you can make with what nature provides. No finding of any mushrooms yet for me but with these rains maybe we will. Next month is my birthday month and I’m thankful for another year on this wonderful planet. Try to look at the positives that life gives each and everyone of us. Even the setbacks and challenges are a chance for growth. Be good to one another and keep work steadily towards your dreams.
Coffee Cheers! Time for a refill- DJ
Mother’s Day, Weddings, Scouting, Casting and More…
Good morning! I’m starting this sunny morning with a hot cup of hazelnut coffee. A Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mother’s out there. I’m taking the momma’s in my life to the movies today as it was deemed a bit too chilly for the park picnic or a few out the outdoor ideas. I’ve been so enjoying seeing the green that is springing up everywhere. Plants sprouting, squirrels building and birds are singing. Our chickens have been loving it and happily kicking out the eggs on a regular basis. Already some of the herbs like chives are growing steady. I’ve been getting the grill ready for some grilling and chilling. I had to fix one fence that divides off the raspberries and I still have a bit of property work to do. Having the ability to go work on the property while pondering decisions is helpful. So let’s get into some of the updates from that world.
Film Updates-
- The first draft of a business proposal for three films between CDI and Katharsys Media is done and being refined. These are three genre films with Lynn Drzick (In the Woods) directing.
- The first polished draft of RETURN TO ALGONA is done and sent to the parties in Algona we are working with. If everything follows plan we just might be filming that in 2027. The story is a powerful look at how time had marched on from WW2 to 1968 and the Vietnam War. It also has many lessons and examples that are applicable to what is happening in our world today.
- Following that script I now plan to finish up on MBF2 and the Wild Faith 3 script underway. Both of these don’t have a plan to shoot but better to have them waiting in the wings. I’m really happy with how both of these follow up stories are coming along.
- Wild Faith Christmas – Shane Hagedorn and I traveled to ICFF in Florida and had a great trip representing our film. From our nominations we won for Melissa Anschutz’s role as Hester! Before we left Florida, we heard that she had also been nominated for the RED LETTER AWARDS for Best Actress taking place outside Nashville, TN in August. We are nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress Addy Paddy, Best Supporting Actor Dean Teaster and Best Actor Shane Hagedorn. This train is a rolling and we are so grateful to everyone loving this film. We will work with our theatrical partners at Dreamscape Productions and see if they can book any additional theatrical showings but the film releses to streaming on 11/03/2026!
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is having its first kick off showing May 18th at the Sun Theater in Williamston. The full public is invited and tickets are $10 cash at the box office that opens at 6:30 with sNyte
- Adam Topwnerhow at 7:00. Come out and enjoy this comedy with many of the cast and crew. June 11th Adam Towner and I will be appearing on The Baron & Sindee Nyte Show that livestreams 7pm EST. Other theatrical bookings will start with a proposed Q3 streaming release.
- AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is having a full review on Monday with our composer/sound designer before a producer’s review. The end credits are being built and soon this film will be ready to start some theatrical bookings. We’ll be heating up the PR on this film very soon. I think audiences will find the film heartfelt and will stimulate many discussions.
DEVELOPMENT: Moving soon out of development and into pre-production is DEVIL’S PASS. This adventurous tale is an 1800’s piece brought to CDI by Dan Searles. We will be working with Dan’s company and again McGraw Multimedia. John and Eldon McGraw will be directing and heading up the camera, grip & electric departments. We’ve worked so well with them on the last two feature films and I’m excited to launch them with this motion picture. We’ve set our shoot dates in September and we’ll be again shooting in Michigan. We’ve been working on placing some of the keys and early casting. There will be many upcoming announcements as we bring more good folks onto the film. We had an amazing scout trip last Thursday and found all our locations and more. Some locations are so cool that we might re-stage a scene at a different location for cinematic reasons. If your company, business or brand want to align with us we’ll soon be approaching our sponsors and product partners that help all these films get done. It took several months for CDI to agree to supervise and produce this film. Things have to come together the correct way and I’m happy that it did. So many moving parts and you have to have excellent communications. The schedule is being worked upon and soon I’ll have a rough actors day of days that helps with the casting process. We have an IMDB and Facebook page that we’ll keep adding updates to. We will be doing some local casting once we get done the road just a little bit more.
WRAP UP:
I will say that one of my most interesting experiences I’ve had was last Thursday at the scout. I had driven to John McGraw’s house and we were going to drive from there. I go to get into this car and the handle bewildered me. It was a TESLA. I got in and the entire roof is transparent and that car DROVE us to pick up Adam Towner and out to the scouting location. I’ve always said, “I don’t know” about driverless cars/trucks. But as I moved to the backseat giving up the shotgun seat to mister Towner, I was amazed. It backed out into traffic and started us on our way. The power and pick up to this car with no oil or standard brakes again left me speechless. Now having experienced it, I have to rethink my feelings on that entire process. I truly felt for the first time in my life like a JETSONS moment. Look it up kids, it is an old cartoon. But I could see the day of owning one. It can take you right to its own refueling stations and…just incredible.
I also wanted to mention that on Friday we attended a beautiful wedding as CDI’s Melissa Anschutz’s eldest son tied the knot. It was a beautiful venue and after was an elegant cocktail hour and dinner. Being there with several of the CDI old guard to celebrate with Melissa and her family was just wonderful. Congratulations to Alex and his new bride Catrina. We work hard and it was so nice to just have a little time to relax, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. I even got to try out a few wardrobe pieces I might wear in the upcoming film. Yes. I will be acting in Devil’s Pass but we’ll leave those updates to another date. I’ve got a fresh coffee and I’m going to go eat a few eggs, shower up and get ready to go spend time with the moms. Until next week- be good to one another and don’t just DREAM but DO!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Welcome to May! ICFF Updates and More…
It is a beautiful, sunny Monday and I’m doing my blog here a day later as I was traveling back yesterday from Florida. We had a great time at the ICFF film event representing WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. It has been several years since I’ve been to the balmy Florida. We flew in and right away I met a couple film individuals from my past which was a great start. I got to put some faces with names and met many new filmmakers. This festival has been recognizing CDI films since FORTY NIGHTS many moons ago. It was my first appearance and I think people were happy to finally meet me as well. I went with Shane Hagedorn and we had several good meals, great music and some even greater conversations.
My knee which I hurt sightseeing at a 17th Century windmill the weekend before got still on my flight. Add a few miles of walking around the resort and it was a minor issue the entire trip. Add some nice new shoes that chewed at my heels and I was a mobility mess. But I dealt with it and now with my knee sleeve and some anti-inflammatory meds and I am on the mend. I better I have two weeks before outdoor soccer season.
Back to the ICFF we were up against a record setting submission year and brought home the gold for Hester aka Melissa Anschutz. Anyone who has seen WILD FAITH or WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS knows how much she deserves the award. I accepted for her and cannot recall what I said exactly but I had several people come up and comment on my speech so I guess I did good.
We have just returned and the celebratory for WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is heating up on the Red Letter Awards front. Shane Hagedorn will be attending in August where we are up for Best Picture, Addy Paddy is up for Best Supporting Actress and Dean Teaster, Best Supporting Actor. More will be rolling out for several weeks. We will be looking to push booking back into the theaters before the 11/3/2026 streaming and DVD release. This beautiful follow up film to Wild Faith is making us all proud once again. See this film if you can in theaters or when it starts streaming.
AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – This wonderful film will be ready for our first in studio screening soon. I’m so excited to hear all the sound design and music. This week we’ll keep working on the end credits and we will be discussing the theatrical run for this film before the Q4 home video. The BTS is being worked on by Adam Towner and the first draft was really good and now we’re adding more material to it.
ROM COMS MUST DIE – May 18th at the Williamston Sun Theater 7:00 show with box office open at 6:30 tickets $10 cash only. The QC test on the film went well and so we’ll finalize what we need at the hub that distributes the film to theaters. We will start setting up other showings to take place all Summer. Pop Up Screenings! Find our Facebook page and event page and invite your friends to come watch this zany comedy.
DEVELOPMENT:
We have several projects in development at CDI and we’ve talked before about associated films. For a few months now there has been talks on a film project with a good friend of CDI tribe. They have done a few feature films and wanted CDI to supervise and produce. The script underwent several re-writes to streamline the story. Also they were willing to bring the film to Michigan where of course CDI has a serious home court advantage. We have locked in the directorship of the film and have been working on other prep work. We will be announcing this very soon once we solidify a few last deal points. I take our projects very serious and our associated films are no different. But we will be preparing a PR release and moving soon into pre-production. We look to be filming in September in and around central Michigan.
The first script draft for RETURN TO ALGONA the follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is completed. The script was sent to the Foundation that is supporting the development and part of the production. The script was given major flowers by our director and the main producers. Now we’ll likely give a private peek to a handful of talent too. This is looking like it will film in 2027 in Algona, Iowa if everything works out properly.
WRAP UP:
I’m going to be preparing investment disbursements this month and that will be an all month process but one I love. We are so grateful for our investors and sponsors. I’m so proud of this being our 30th year as a production company. I plan to organize some of the contacts from our IFCC trip and follow up on a few business talks there. Again this weekend I was reminded why I feel so blessed to be doing what I love to do. I will likely give my knee a break from working the property for a few but green is poppong everywhere. I am looking forward to a great week of catch up with a fun event at week’s end. I hope you all are enjoying your May kick off. I’m going to refill ye ole hazelnut coffee cup and likely get after a few eggs. I look forward to giving you more updates this coming Sunday! Be good to one another!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 
Prepping for the ‘RCMD’ Premiere and Multiple CDI Updates!
What a beautiful Michigan morning. Woke to a local rooster calling everyone to wake up. This was followed by Luna Mae (furry daughter) wanting to go outside and eat. Chicken songs greeted us from the hens before Finn (furry son) did his racing with his neighborhood buddy Jake and ate. Now I’m here with all of you. My hazelnut coffee by my side and Man U playing soccer on the TV. We had our first outdoor soccer game winning 8-3 and it felt great to be outside playing again.
For the second weekend in a row we had a wedding to attend and it was great to be with family for such an occasion. It was an outdoor wedding and was just beautiful and the food was also very good. I had one pineapple drink of some sort and after that iced tea. It is a younger man’s game to drink like a Viking, no more hangovers for me. But I came home to some good news from the RED LETTER AWARDS and I watched some MMA fights before bed.
Let’s get into some of those updates!
WRAP UP: I kind of delved into development in my bullet points so I’m going to skip to the wrap up. I want to send our heartfelt condolences to Shelley Perry our Wardrober on many of the CDI films who recently lost her mother. Many of us are dealing with aging parents and others have lost those loved ones. That is part of the reason that these family events have been special. Same with our CDI events being special. None of us are promised tomorrow.
I’m looking forward to the premiere on Monday and soccer on Thursday. I have meetings with John Mashni next week over the disbursements and I’m enjoying doing things around the property. I have a few serving hops plants after the building of the new deck. I built a structure the vines could climb. I might need a mow this week and not just to mulch leaves. I am going to go eat a few eggs and roll on down to the flea market. I love looking for props and wardrobe at these sales. Next Sunday I’ll be able to report on the ROM COMS MUST DIE premiere. I hope to see some of you there. Until next week- be good to one another!
DJ
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May 17, 2026 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: Ai jesus, Anthony Hornus, BEST YEARS GONE, blog, CDI, Chasing the star, chickens, coffee, commentary, crew, Dean Teaster, Devil's Pass, DJ Perry, dogs, Dreamscape Productions, DVD, family, film, Forty Nights, horror, Iowa, Jesse Low, Katharsys, loved ones, Man U, Michigan, MMA, movies, Red Letter Awards, Return to Algona, reviews, Rom Coms Must Die, screenplay, Shane Hagedorn, Shelley Perry, Silent Night in Algona, soccer, Sun Theaters, Teyton Colbert, The Christ Slayer, The Quest Trilogy, tribe, Wild Faith, Williamston, writing, WW2 | Leave a comment