“Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” ― Sun Tzu

Posts tagged “drones”

Polar Patch for the CDI Folks! Updates!

Good Monday morning! I’ve been having cold weather internet issues so if you get to read this we’ll all consider ourselves lucky. If you stay up on my blogs weekly you know exactly why this blog is coming on Monday versus Sunday. Which we’ll address and that will put ROM COMS MUST DIE (RCMD) at the top of our update list. This weekend we filmed the most difficult portions of the production with most of the scenes being outdoors in the freezing cold. To get you up to speed if this is your first read this project (RCMD) is the result of a writers frustration with distribution development talks whereas a much more elegant film script was liked…but- what is trending is mindless horror and romantic comedies. The distributor asked if we could consider something like that which immediately brought a sarcastic story pitch out of me. And they liked it. Sometimes I feel like I’m living a movie. So I decided to channel this frustration into a comedic and seemingly simple story but is it? What RCMD actually depicts is the many frustrations of being an artist. Of being an actor, writer and filmmaker in a world being dumbed down by social media. Social media can be a great tool or a great time waste. It has made many people worse in their attentions spans and their cravings to be noticed. Internet Trolls are just attention craving people speaking against the grain seeking attention. Lonely, bored people who waste time scrolling through what has become what the trash tabloids of the past once were. They are not living they are just being fed, scrolling garbage.

Okay, back on track. We shot the first of two blocks over the weekend which was an amazing amount of footage. It takes efficient planning and cast and crew on point and focused. We had limos, drones, classic cars and more with one day having almost the full cast. Parking was one of the biggest issues which we managed. This is the first feature length directorial endeavor for Travis Hayward. I’m proud to say CDI has given many artists their first. Adam Towner, well loved by many for his comedic self brought to life his first co-starring role. Some featured actors from CDI got their fist major supporting role. A few others made their first on-camera film debut. Our set ran very smooth with politely interaction everyone happy to be doing our first major creative project of the year.

I was beyond happy to have McGraw Multimedia co-owned by CDI’s own alumni John McGraw. I owned an editing/commercial studio back in the day where he was the main editor/camera man. He edited several of the classic CDI films back in the day. He was in VA with us filming WICKED SPRING. So many adventures and now we get to collaborate again. He and his brother (Eldon) have a commercial studio and they want to expand into features with CDI. So this is our first one up with John McGraw being the DP and editor. I supervised and because of the limited budget I took on the production design. Much of the exterior look is supplied by the wacky, wonderful, wintery Michigan. It gave a great look that is both beautiful and harsh. My chapped upper lip can attest to the harsh part. But I gathered up the props with some help and next week we’ll shoot our studio stuff along with our few pick up locations. It took weeks of planning and prep as a producer but thankfully the cold outside made the days chained to the desk seem not too bad.

So we have a week to reset for the next block. Many things to do including finalizing the catering and having our dir/DP scout the final needed location. I’ll brush up on my lines which as a co-star have been considerable. But I have a great team of people helping and now that everyone is establishing their characters the final block will be made much easier. Plus the next block is in a HUGE, comfortable, climate-controlled studio. I’m thrilled to have a first feature shot so early in the year. We want to get to 2-3 films a year and being ready this early is a step in the right direction. Today after this will be unpacking and stowing the props we are done with. I’ve already been on accounting this morning and other assorting paperwork while waiting for the internet to return. I have several business calls on other projects today. Like what you say?

Harsens Island Revenge – we found one last set of names in the final credits listed in the wrong place so we’ll be re-rendering. But we are going to watch a 2k version that is what theatrical files are made from, on a big studio screen. And when I say big I mean BIG:) Once we are good we’ll re-render with those names in the proper order and any issues noticed corrected. I have our home video deal in front of me for a final review. I’m going to talk with our proposed theatrical rep. And we’ll be rolling either with the rep or with CDI taking point like we did with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. SNIA (Which just played theatrically in Forest City last week!) But the next step after the final large screen watch is making our theatrical film and prep for a 4k home video delivery. Additionally to get some “outside our group” feedback on the film I sent it to the Red Letter Awards.

WHO ARE THEY? They are a group committed to movies with a message amongst many things. But we won last year’s BEST PICTURE with SNIA up against films with budgets as high as 90 million. So curiosity and a deadline had me submit Harsens Island Revenge and we were notified we are up for BEST PICTURE again. The awards director’s comments were as such (paraphrased) – CDI always brings the acting and production value around a story that is powerful and with a message but not blatant and forced. They don’t jump on any bandwagons or try to ride any trends. (Wonder how I got frustrated and wrote Rom Coms Must Die?) While (A popular pair of filmmakers) make quality good films they are not great like CDI films. (END) Okay, so I felt pretty good having my first ever communication with this woman. I have not attended the awards even though many CDI folks have on our film’s behalf. I don’t always need to be the guy handed the trophy and speaking my mind.

I like to have the spotlight often fall upon our hard working artists who deserve some shine. I’ve been blessed to be nominated and sometimes be handed a nice award. When doing so, I love talking about the TRIBE (WE) because no one person can do what we collectively do. But, I am that same young kid in the small neighborhood organizing the BB gun wars, playing capture the flag, building haunted houses and gathering warriors for snow fort building and snowball fights. I dream and believe deeply and when I do, I think that attracts the other like-minded artists. Often they just need that one other delusional persons who doesn’t laugh and shoot down an idea. You want to write a book? Make music? Weld metal? You just need one person to say need a pen? Rock on! And Like the heavy metal and suggest doing an art show. Lynn Drzick (In the Woods my 1st starring role) and after Jeff Kennedy (Who I formed CDI with) were those people. Together Jeff and I build a foundation where we value both sides of the camera equally as a family coming together to create. And working with a plan we have a flow we get into where attitude is valued over experience.

What do you mean DJ?:) If you have a negative mind set and work daily from that place you won’t last long inside the tribe. But if you are a positive, respectful person happy to be drawing breath and making some fun collective art, giving your very best, we’ll ride together until the end. We have employees in their 80’s and some tribal members have passed on to the great here after. But we also have young college folks working with us and everyone in between. We all at CALL TIME bow (Not really) like we do before entering a dojo. (Martial arts practice) Leave all your individuals save your creative spirit and plug into being 10 years old again collectively with your friends. The only time I can recall feeling injured (Not really) is when folks don’t see the whole game. By that I mean that while we (CDI and the films) are Incorporate we are a small business. It is a band of artists many whom are actor/producers who just want to work on quality projects without jumping through unreasonable hoops just to earn opportunity. CDI has the feel of what I imagine an old vaudeville troupe of talent might have been like or during the Golden Age of Studios. We have a focused group of artists who park their differences so we can align to tell a unified story. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. This last shoot weekend was all positive and it leaves one with a glow.

WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – Last week I got to watch the first really strong cut of the film! From the opening moments of having three of our principal actors back on the screen in our fictional town- I had goosebumps. The story flows both with nostalgic tingles and new fresh faces. We will look to polish the edit before we move to music and sound design. I’m happy to report that a first look trailer is well underway. I’m very proud of all the performances. I think fans of the first movie WILD FAITH will love returning to these characters and their new adventures. All this could lead to the Wild Faith Hastings TV series. One can only hope!

KNIGHT CHILLS will release on 1/31/25 on several platforms and I’m excited to see what the new generation has to say about CDI’s first feature film shot in the 90’s and remastered. Blu Ray is still my favorite way to enjoy the film. It has all the extras and BTS which is just as fun as the movie itself.

WRAP UP: I have boxes full of pro – I lost my wrap up writing when trying to add photos. Let’s just say my lost words were wise and profound. I have much work to get to today and this was suppose to be my simple morning coffee writings and rambles. But with the internet being on and off it has caused me many tech issues including not able to add any pics. If you want to see pics from ROM COMS MUST DIE you’ll have to seek out the Facebook site. Okay, stay warm and we’ll have a little more chit-chat next week!

Cheers!

DJ

January 27, 2025 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Starting to Feel A LOT Like Christmas! CDI Updates! December 15th, 2024

Christmas 2024

Hazelnut coffee cheers to all of you my friends! December 15th and we have a handful of days to go before Christmas but really it is the entire season not one day. I enjoyed shopping with a buddy of mine which included a stop for hot tea and appetizers at a Thai place. I’m not against a good glass of red wine with a good piece of meat but I just don’t drink alcohol much these days. My last might have been a tequila toast to our friend who passed away a few weeks ago. Man do I not miss hangovers. I cannot handle that and also I’m on such a good sleep schedule. I go to bed at a reasonable time and I’m up early with fresh batteries. Is that old? Responsible? I’m not sure what it is but it works for me. I would not change any of my days of ‘priming’ before going into bars. Edward 40 hands, 3- Man, quarter bounce, beat the clock Jack at the Sleazy D, $1 pitchers at Ricks and I could go on and on. I have lots of great stories to reflect upon and amuse myself well into old age. My shopping buddy was one of my Viking drinking buddies and here we were drinking tea. Drinking heavy is a young man’s game. I’m not sure if it is as popular as it once was but I suspect on many college campus’s the tradition lives on. I still do enjoy making a run of beer and wine each year and it makes for a special occasion. Do be careful if you are still in the game. Have fun and be safe. Running the streets is never 100% safe that is part of the adventure.

(The most recent CDI adventure – Alpena, MI)

Filmmaking also has dangers from mild to severe. The only safe way is to not do anything. What is the saying, boats are safe in the harbor but that is not what boats are meant to do. So preventative becomes the main goal when we go on filmmaking adventures. You want to limit dangers to a small finger cut, a stomach bug or a nagging cold. Anytime you bring a large amount of people together for an extended time you increase your risks. But you have to go on the adventure to get the gold. In our analogy the GOLD is the footage. I’m a bit of a Bilbo Baggins if left to my own devises. I like to ticker and putter around the property enjoying nature and put some order to my surroundings. But thanks to filmmaking I’ve gone on many adventures to distant places. I’ve met and shared with good people from different lands. We’ve captured gold with amazing backdrops for our stories.

The adventure of filmmaking – photo by GW Burns

I had a very good week of working to wrap up end of the year action items and prepare for the new year. I’ve said before how much easier it would be if it was just SHOW, SHOW, SHOW but it also includes BIZ, BIZ, BIZ. I’m awaiting breakdowns from legal to write out checks to investors. I’m preparing to enter end-of-year taxes which includes more work for projects shot this year. I have to deal with all the aspects of running these projects. I have a great team behind me including our bankers, accountants and of course our producers. We were having some good talks about the future of CDI and growth. We’ve come so far from a few friends playing with a camcorder. I hope all of you are having a great season and enjoying some time with family and friends. Let’s look at some of the updates from the week.

  1. KNIGHT CHILLS, CDI’s 1st feature film fulfilled something on a bucket list last night. It played in Brooklyn, NY at the Spectacle Theater as a midnight movie! When we use to go see HEAVY METAL (My fav) or ERIK THE VIKING at our midnight theater I dreamed of having a film play to a rowdy late-night audience sipping on 40’s or paperboy wrapped whiskey pulls. Last night that went down. They have one more 10pm showing on Tuesday. You can buy the book and Blu Ray on Amazon and on 1/31/25 the film starts streaming! Ride on Sir. Kallio!
  2. Staying with theatrical our WW2 Holiday drama SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA has been playing theaters in Iowa. It just finished an extended run in Algona, Iowa and next up is a one night event in Boone, Iowa on December 16th at 7pm. Our theatrical partners at Dreamscape Productions have been doing a great job of getting it out there. Follow our FB page for this and all the CDI films to see new showings and updates. Also INVITE your friends to follow the pages so we can increase our reach.
  3. HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE is getting close to being finished. The film is being polished up looking for any technical tweaks and to fine-tune the mix and color. I have meetings next week over theatrical and home video. We are planning a series of premieres and a few event showings. We’ve had a few offers to show the film in event rooms with large but not theatrical screens and surely not theatrical audio. After the theatrical run we will do some of these but not until audiences can experience the film in the best format. We have to do everything in an order of business so please have patience as the film is coming and it will be worth the wait. It truly is epic and I’m excited for Karl Manke to see his book come alive. The Purple Gang is large and in charge and a small group of WW1 veterans make a stand. Action, drama and romance await!
  4. WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – Shane Hagedorn has been assembling daily the puzzle pieces from our shoot. Here is at 41 minutes solid and working towards that 45 min/half way point. In the new year we plan to have a teaser poster and first teaser trailer. I’m also happy to say that the new film has created a lot of interest in the original film. For some it is a re-watch after several years and others it is finding it for the first time. The film is among the most popular of the CDI films. It is a truly beautiful film and this follow up with also be another of the same quality. I’m also working on polishing up the 5th of 8 shows in the proposed TV series.
  5. AN ORDINARY KILLER is suppose to go live on The ROKU CHANNEL and XUMO today. I’ll be keeping a look out this week and next week will provide links. If you see it appear anywhere else please do send it over. This based on a true event was the 5th CDI film directed by Anthony Hornus and Jeff Kennedy. It details the hard work of several generations of detectives to solve this cold case.
  6. I mentioned that the Knight Chills book is now available on Amazon. I’m going to be writing a new intro for the re-release of the Ghost Town book. It is the novelized story to go with the movie DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN now playing with Ammo Content on several platforms including TUBI.
  7. Going to the CCC or Classic CDI Collection you can buy the FIGURE IN THE FOREST and HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS DVD plus various other merchandise. Look for more to keep adding to the EBAY site. HERE: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?item=356365913024&rt=nc&_trksid=p4429486.m3561.l161211&_ssn=collectivedevelopmentinc
  8. On the upcoming ROM COMS MUST DIE a comedy we’ve cast two more actors almost rounding out our cast. We need to look at shoot dates for Jan/Feb and get a few more things lined up but it will be a cool experimental feature using one of these new LED walls for part of the shoot.
  9. We will be doing a few updates to the CDI website (www.cdiproductions.com) and adding a new page for HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE and adding the new Ebay link on there. I started a CDI instagram page #tribecdi so you can follow along there as well.
  10. DEVELOPMENT – I have Carl Weyant reading a script for a possible shoot this year after ROM COMS MUST DIE. Also we have a new battle plan coming together for Curran Jacob‘s GOTCH project. We were looking to film in Iowa but the cost there for us is higher with transportation and lodging so we might film a bulk of it here in Michigan and just do some final pick ups in Iowa. We tried to engage the community there associated with Gotch but they’ve had community issues with flooding. We just could not get the support there we needed but we’re adjusting and already have some funding commitments to film here in Michigan.

WRAP UP: I’m very proud of the accomplishments we’ve had in 2024 and 2025 could be even better. I know some in the community have been concerned over the New Multimedia Jobs Act in Michigan to try and fire up the film scene. The first round of incentives did not really benefit us and the one project ran under it was messy to be kind. I’m about outside projects being attracted because it gives cast and crew some experience even if it appears Michigan folks get the crumbs. Vendors and support businesses can really benefit from them. I like more of the internal film grants for longtime residents of the state. We’ll be making films incentives or not. Just like when they had the big election this year. We’ll still keep making films in either environment.

Off topic – I do find all this UFO/UAP/Drone stuff interesting. I’ve enjoyed all the ‘unknown mysteries’ since I could read. NOTE our film BIGFOOT, UFO’S and JESUS streaming now! The fact that they have government committees investigating and the FBI is asking for tips…mighty strange. I enjoy watching it all unfold. What use to be elementary school playground talk is now mainstream news- crazy. We’ll boldly step into 2025 and see what the new year brings. I do know it will bring a few of our movies to all of you.

(Part 3 of CDI’s The Quest Trilogy – The Christ Slayer. Part 1 is Forty Nights, Part 2 Chasing the Star)

Back on topic– I think I mentioned on my FB social media that I had my first ever paid offer to star in a stage play in another state. I humbly passed as it is happening in a busy month and during one set aside for ROM COMS MUST DIE. I’m in the process of becoming Amos Edison, filmmaker. But I thought that was a cool first and again I appreciate the offer but filmed narrative is my medium. I did finish voice over narration for my last book in an audio book series. That has been fun to do so thank you Ronnie Lee. I’m going to finish up here and get some breakfast on with some fresh eggs. We went from bitter cold to a melt down today. We’ll see if the cold kicks up again or not. I’m going to play elf and do some wrapping of presents. I’ve been enjoying the season and you have to take those moments to be grateful for the people in your life. I’m grateful for all of you readers too. Many that I’ve never met but I still appreciate your time. I hope you can take some gems of info from these writings. I’m excited to talk this week about a new CDI Highlights Reel also. Who knows I might even get around to updating a few acting reels. Last week we discussed my tech handicap when it comes to certain things. The coffee cup is low so I’m going to coffee cheers you with the last sip and go make some breakfast. Have a great Sunday and a wonderful week ahead of you.

Coffee Cheers!

DJ

December 15, 2024 | Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NEW ‘CDI’ FILM UPDATES! – November 19th, 2023

This is a truly chilly Michigan morning. Thankfully I was able to get a hot pot of hazelnut coffee flowing. I want to welcome my new readers from India, Philippines, Bangladesh and Canada. I’ve been busy getting things rolling in promotion with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and we’re also chugging along on HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE post-production. I’ve had several meetings over the course of the week. MSU, my alumni actually won a close football game yesterday and we’ll see in the Detroit Lions can keep their momentum.

This week I kept up with the winterizing of the yard. We’re going up North on Thanksgiving so we’re having a holiday gathering at my dad’s today. We enjoyed watching the SILVER BELLS holiday tree lighting fest here in Lansing. From our house we could watch the drone show and the fireworks show put on by one of our “Harsens Island Revenge” sponsors, ACE Pyro Inc. It was a great display.

  1. Met with our BMG Global team on the roll out of PR leading up to the December 1st DVD and streaming release of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. I know Amazon Prime and Vudu are a couple of the streaming sites that will carry the film. Many more streaming platforms will be releasing it I just need to track those links down. It will make a great gift and shared watch with family. PRE-ORDER the DVD here- https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Algona-Anthony-Hornus/dp/B0CL7DFYSK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OKCPJN0M4XQ&keywords=silent+night+in+algona&qid=1700399845&sprefix=silent+night+in+algona+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1
  2. I met this week with an old friend discussion charity work with CDI. It is something we’ll move into more of as we continue to develop and grow the company.
  3. I also had a meeting with Adam Towner this week over our CDI back up RAID that is being assembled. Once that is active we’ll have easier access to our footage for promotional work. One of the the things I want done is a Behind the Scenes video for Harsens Island Revenge to release in December and a CDI highlight reel to drop on Jan 1st, 2024.
  4. I also took a meeting over a possible CDI associated TV show. It was more consulting at this point but it could turn into something more solid leading into 2024.
  5. Met with our production designer GW Burns over CDI merchandise. One of the cool first run items is a collection of Christmas cards featuring locations and vehicles used in Harsens Island Revenge. You can view the cards and order from GW directly at https://www.facebook.com/GregWBurns
  6. I also met with our John “Tiger” Mashni, our fellow producer to prep for end of the year tax work and also film dispersement to our backers either in Dec or Jan. This also includes state filing fees and other business to-do’s.
  7. A beautiful thing is that BMG Global/Encourage TV has created a PLAY LIST for those wanting to watch one CDI film after another. We will be adding The Patchwork Girl from Oz to the list also. Here it is! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2Tn2MhKrkFOCsmKZaxoZCT1R5GEOEL3E&si=KgpKfZOfJOAc91Ne
  8. And while a tad different, the animated CDI associated film THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ is a wonderful watch for the entire family. It features many of your favorite characters. WATCH NOW! – https://youtu.be/qLaw6zOAsw0?si=ThELZd33DsDJqXJv
  9. Climbing in the ranks of films is CDI’s maiden voyage film KNIGHT CHILLS. It actually has a YULE time plot line which I will not give away. The film has been brought into high def and the audio has been remastered. Also many great extra features old and new. Give the gift and maybe a red rose;) BUY NOW! https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Chills-Tim-Jeffrey/dp/B0CJ5WBSZR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=BFQA5294BLA6&keywords=Knight+Chills&qid=1700401692&sprefix=knight+chills%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-2
  10. HERE is the final SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA home video release trailer from BMG Global – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_D35qZCUlc

WRAP UP: So as you can see from above it was a busy week. While all this is underway we’re taking a hard look at development. It is nice to just have a clear head without any character building currently happening. I do love that process. But right now after months of keeping myself more or less clean shaved, I’m enjoying the wild beard. Plus it is helping with the cold for sure. I’ve been getting after log splitting and tonight I’ll have the wood stove kicking.

The fort’s fireside provides a great place to brainstorm and to move business along. I’m looking forward to many more over the winter as we find the spark for new upcoming projects. We have several properties in development. We’ll seek to capture that momentum from our upcoming releases and exciting post production updates. Who is excited to see a Harsens Island Revenge behind the scenes video or teaser trailer? They will be coming. In the meantime you watch follow us on Facebook and watch all the great photos rolling out.

As it gets cold it is a great time to revisit your CDI favorite films like The Quest Trilogy, Lost Heart, Wild Faith…If you want to watch director Anthony Hornus’ last film before SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA releases watch MAN’S BEST FRIEND. I’m going to finish off the coffee and look at getting into some bacon and eggs. I hope you all are having a great harvest season. We are reaping the rewards of past efforts and it feels great. I want to once again thank all our backers, cast, crew and sponsors and most of all, our fans. Have a great week and we’ll chat next week. We might actually get some snow mid week so get out those warm clothes.

Coffee Cheers!

DJ

November 19, 2023 | Categories: Blogroll | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment