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
April Showers- New Growth Personal and Professional
Good morning to everyone. I hope everyone has had a great week. We’ve had a good amount of rain but it is getting warmer. There is a first flea market this week but rain might make it small or non-existent. I’ve been having fun adjusting to progressive glasses. Finding the sweet spot to view different ranges is a trick. I got my back up glasses with different frames that of course has slightly different sweet spots. The eyes are one of areas you can feel your age. But I’ve spent lots of time on the computer and even work on my iPhone. I need to try and do more on my computer vs phone for the larger screen. In the office I just replaced the old TV with a larger one. I’ve also been doing some more wood stacking and organizing. That season of wood stove fires is slowly closing. I am so happy to have gotten so much trimming of trees and bushes done already. My BERRY KA-POW Chuck Norris Tribute Wine was racked to the 6 gallon glass jug. I’ll let it rest in there for a few weeks before I decide to bottle. I need to use up a few more bottles of ‘Paw-Paw Special’ from the previous batch so I can get more bottles. Sounds like I need a few more meetings at the fort.
I had some good conversations as of late with different CDI members all working on various tasks. We did not attend the local film festival mixer like we normally do since everyone was busy on tasks. I have been commissioned to write the screenplay for the follow up movie to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. It is called RETURN TO ALGONA and is about the return of the German artists/former PW who built the Nativity scene gifted to the town. All the deep dive research into 1968 has been just amazing. The film is a snapshot of 68′ and shows what is the same and different from 1944. In prepping for my semi-literary agent search I’ve realized I’ve had 13 feature films produced that I’ve written and several early co-written projects. Various short form endeavors too. I love to write and I do feel it is where many productions could use help. A better built blueprint. I’m not sure as I’ve never put it all in front of me (I need to) but I think I’ve had every screenplay nominated or won as best screenplay award. I think that is a reflection of my joy of writing. I see a movie in my head and I put it on the page. I think it is a gift and I love sharing it. I’m writing a beautiful story that will showcase many of my favorite actor friends. I have one scene in the opening and that is it. Sometimes you are the star and sometimes you are there to help tell the story. I think that is easier to say having starred in many films and I again am very appreciative of that.
I’ve also had a few great meetings with the marketing teams at our home distributor TEG about the artwork for WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS and AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. I love the artwork for both and I think they will help bring new audiences to these films and hopefully the franchises. I’m also very fond of the theatrical poster for ROM COMS MUST DIE (RCMD) our dark comedy. I had talks with a possible small art theater for a RCMD premiere. Our set up for for broader theatrical release is close. A few questions being answered by our post supervisor and delivery hub. I appreciate the nice communications from folks who watched THE QUEST TRILOGY films and the original WILD FAITH. I had one individual reach out full of questions after watching part two of the trilogy CHASING THE STAR. I said, you have to watch part 3 and they did. And it all made sense. But the films are layered and you get something every time you watch it. This person watched part 3 twice to grasp all that was shown. Depending on your view point of The Quest Trilogy, AI Jesus could be a follow-up film in the series. A stand alone but with some great tie-in’s. I’m just beyond excited to share these three new films with audiences and I’m loving how the other CDI films are finding new audiences weekly. It is humbling to know that tens of millions of good folks have watched these films.
While books are not as popular as they once were I still love them. Just like I love album LP’s and other physical media. I always say that if you love something you better own it. The Ghost Town book has been reissued and I need to one day connect my name on Amazon to all the books I’m part of. Maybe it needs its own FB page but I have so many already. I would love to get into soundtracks but I think I want to do a best of CDI music in a K-Tel style. I need to write a few reflection pieces for a few upcoming books on Knight Chills making of book and The Quest Trilogy making of book. Speaking of making of – Adam Towner and I are working on the BTS of AI Jesus.
Development – I’ve been enjoying the script writing on no less than three screenplays. One comes with 1/2 the financing and the other two have interested parties but the scripts have to be on point. Other scripts already polished are being broken down for a 1st budget so we know what to ask for money wise. This order of business is so important. Money without a tight script is not good, yet I hear of that in Hollywood all the time. Unfortunately it often shows. Another good problem to have is too many options and we often have that. I’ve said before that outside development/collaboration is taken serious when it comes with money. When we raise money it goes to developed scripts and projects we’ve consulted often with our distributors. That is why we don’t have to shop we produce wanted product. The project has to be primed for success and so that is why I really scrutinize the script and production team because I plan to win. We have a great project we are considering and I like the direction of the development. We will see in the next couple weeks what happens.
I also plan to have a first draft of RETURN TO ALGONA very soon. I’m on page 70 of the first draft and so I am guessing this time next week I will have first draft. We love our Iowa family just like our Alpena, Yuma and friends around the world. I’m going to wrap this up and eat a few eggs. We’ve been still getting 4-5 a day so we have a little egg factory over here. I’m going to stop by the flea market and see if the vendors show up despite the early morning rain. I have a birthday party today for my niece and I’m excited by that. And to end the night my brother and a few childhood friends with gather. It is my dear brother’s birthday tomorrow! Soccer has been fun. We have one more indoor game and outdoor starts next month until October I believe.
I hope you are all enjoying your Spring. I’m blessed to be healthy and happy and I look forward to the exciting things ahead both personal and professional. I hope you all have a great day and we’ll chat next week. Lastly, be good to one another. The world is in flux as it always is but remember what is important. By that I mean friends, family and fun and not always promoting conflict and division. Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Post 4th of July Updates- Back to Business!
Good morning! I’m back to sipping the hazelnut coffee. I do enjoy the coconut flavor as a change but it is so nice to be back to my true love. It has been a crazy week with a lot of good business. The heat has been hindering at times but the plants love it. I feel bad for the victims of the floods and having been a camp counselor in my past I relate. A time meant to be a fun memory becoming a nightmare. The 4th of July Celebration is great as I do love and appreciate where we all live and call home. I use to enjoy fireworks as a child and young adult so I try to be understanding. But my reality now is having one dog who fears the loud noise. Once they start sometimes before the sun goes down my furry boy Finn is done going outside. He is restless in bed with several nights the huge BOOMS going until the wee hours. That also means him wanting to get up really early to go potty. So I’m up late and rising too early. I don’t love fireworks like I once did. Snakes, sparklers, jumping jacks, M-80’s, Roman Candles and more have been replaced by major explosives. I got out of the game with all my fingers, toes and both eyes so I’m good.
Harsens Island Revenge
Currently we are in a holding pattern with Harsens Island Revenge to see if theaters will give us dates. We just finished a run at the Wells Flame and are ready for more. We are still waiting on dates from Emagine and Fridley who ran SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. We might start planning some dinner and viewings that a few places offered but we wanted audiences to see it on the big screen first. We know 10/6/2025 will be our home video release on DVD and buy/rent streaming services.
We received word from the Red Letter Awards that I talked about last week saying that in the last category of Best Supporting Actor we had two nominations. I received a nod for playing WW1 veteran Axel and Dean Teaster for playing ruthless Abe Axler. Those two characters are polar opposites and even have a run in at the climax of the film. I think Axel was a cool cat and I loved the role and he was an extreme version of myself. As for Dean his role was way outside of his true personality and add in the accent. I would love to see Dean win for the role but I have no control over that. Matter of fact you can just run down our cast list for people I believe could have been nominated for Best Actors or Actress but I am biased. I love the Best Film nomination because it reflects on everyone. Any selfishly I do hope to win Best Writer as it is something I truly love. I even had talks this past week about agent or management representation for literary. I would love to sell off a property a year.
Wild Faith Christmas
Now that the holiday is about over director Shane Hagedorn will be getting together with Dennis Therrian for last listens on music and sound design. The VFX are being dropped in and we are working on end credits. This film will be wrapping up soon and we’ll start to work on the theatrical placement for the run up to the holidays. For those eagerly waiting theatrically will be the only way to see it this holiday season. 2026 will have the film releasing to home video with the theatrical window running into 2026. Again if you have not seen the first one join the tens of millions who have and meet some of the characters in advance. I’m excited for a listen through that will be forthcoming.
ROM COMS MUST DIE – Monday we have a studio watch through to do last looks on the edit, color, VFX and sound design. Once we lock it up we’ll prep it to move over to Dennis Therrian’s studio for music and mixing. This film is just straight up fun and pokes fun at ourselves as filmmakers, actors and artists. I think the goal here will be to do a premiere in Oct. maybe even an event at the McGraw studio or in a theater. After we’ll run it in theaters for 2026 and end with a fall 2026 release to home video. We might do some horror fest showcases in-between.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – Many have been stopping at one of the ad-based video on demand sites like Encourage TV, Roku, Xumo, Tubi, etc…to watch this WW2 home front drama. I did a watch on the 7/1/25 the release date and it was pure joy to watch this story again. This was directed by Anthony Hornus who we are about to talk about in development. Yes. He is getting back into the director’s chair to tell a very unique and timely story.
DEVELOPMENT:
THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP – While this film stands on its own it also falls into a story that fits after The Quest Trilogy. For those unaware of the trilogy they are biblical adventures told with a Star Wars-like vision. Good vs Evil and the Heroes Journey play into the three films FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and The Christ Slayer. I really thought that I had put on the robe for the last time as I’m not funded on the level to tell of the return of J.C.. But this story pulled from the news and given a SciFi (For now) spin is a great follow up. The film has been hailed by several readers as the very best of my scripts. I’m not sure on that but I’ll take it since most all the others have been recognized for the script and/or film itself. I always say that the script is not just a box on a check list of development it is EVERYTHING. We are still in talks over the last few pieces of the funding but the finish line is in sight. We are almost done with the casting save a few that we will be doing some reads for. We have the development crew in place and the schedule is being worked on. We’ve landed on our locations and I’m very excited about the shoot end of September.
Misc. Development-
We have a handful of other film projects that are coming together. That can include script, rough schedule, concept art, budgets and such. I will be following up on more of these projects as we get others out the door. I will say that I did over the weekend start work on a highly anticipated sequel script. I’m in no rush but if it comes out how I imagine it will be very powerful. A hint can be found in a short video segment I posted this weekend. I even put a little Metallica music behind the clip for fun.
WRAP UP:
I see almost daily of artists taken while still in their prime. I’m painfully aware of the friends I’ve lost both in the filmmaking world and outside of it. It makes me really appreciate each day as a gift. The sun, rain, birds, squirrels, my loved ones and my beloved work family. I hope I’m blessed with good health to keep doing what I do. I hope my friends and family also enjoy this good health. Even watching some of Black Sabbath and Ozzy perform one last time due to Ozzy’s health issues made me pause. What if I could no longer do the things I love? I would hope I would find new interests and purpose. I joke when I get frustrated about our biz that I want to go bartend at the Moose Lodge down the road and just tell stories. But I know I would miss storytelling on the grand level that we have taken it. I was doing accounting breakdowns this weekend preparing to report and do payouts to our investors. I really appreciate all those good folks who have supported storytelling and the arts. I’m going to wrap it up here. This week will be fun with birthday gatherings, film mixing and more. I hope you all have a great week ahead. Thank you once again for stopping by and sharing a few moments with me.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 