CDI Film Updates- Lessons of Staying in the ‘Right’
Spring is officially upon us and today our clocks ‘Sprung’ ahead! The rain has taken the snow and the ground has drunk up the water. Small buds and bits of green can be found here and there. I want to do some trimming before growth goes full onward. I am enjoying the last of the wood stove fires as soon the temps will tip in the other direction. The added light has the chickens kicking out the eggs. I’ve started the property clean up from the harsh winter. I’m making my list of TO DO’s for the property and I think this coming week I am going to start a batch of Frankenberry wine. That is wine that is made from all the berries around the property with a little rhubarb thrown into it.
I’m about past tax season work with the films. I still have to organize for payment. We’ve worked to streamline some of the process which will help with check writing to investors and end of year tax work. Again I thank the CDI support staff from Dean Teaster, John Mashni and Gary Davison and his team. Filmmaking is a business and it takes a lot more than just what happens on set.
OTHER FILM UPDATES:
- The big news being ran through the PR machine is the nomination of Wild Faith Christmas for several awards topped with BEST PICTURE with the IFCC. One of the largest fests that recognizes family and inspirational films. I’m actually going to join Shane Hagedorn at a hit and run visit to Florida for the awards show. We want to try and have a few conversations about the funding of the TV series and/or a 3rd feature film.
- The Red Letter Awards which is a fast growing event that recognizes positive and inspirational art gave us advanced notice that WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS was up for Best Picture. I think we last won that with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. The individual nominations will be forthcoming and that show is outside of Nashville.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is still up for recognition at several other festivals but will also be going into theaters again end of Summer/Fall before the home video release. I think we almost have everything submitted to TEG and this coming week I will start on the delivery items for RCMD. What is that you ask?
- ROM COMS MUST DIE! If you are fans of films that make fun of things such as Spinal Tap, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind or Waiting For Guffman you might really love this film. The theatrical poster is now complete and we are trying to set up the premiere. After we are planning a series of theatrical events. It will release to streaming and DVD before Halloween Q3. This is comedy/horror and will really hit a note if you work in or follow the actual film industry. You can pop over to the IMDB page and see the poster, watch the trailer or the making of.
- Speaking of Making of – I’m trying to catch up IMDB on the making of’s. These are interesting for the public but also a major joy for cast and crew to look back upon. The journey is a beautiful one. We are also doing this on the literary front with CDI’s collaboration with Katharsys Publishing. We are almost ready to re-release rhe Ghost Town book back to Amazon. We have a Making of Knight Chills with the director’s script and notes. We already have a few of these products out there but we’ll be putting many more out to market. Shane Hagedorn and I have been assembling everything for a beautiful book on THE QUEST TRILOGY. It will have great reflective stories from all the directors and more. If you have not watched FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER in that order you should. It will prepare you for AI Jesus coming to theaters and home video this year.
- I’ll give you the drop here early but we are soon to announce a CDI collaboration with Lynn Drzick to do a slate of genre films. One a detective slasher, a SciFi piece and a sequel to IN THE WOODS. I plan to get that PR around but development work is underway for the first film.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is in audio post and the first pass is done on dialog and sound design. We’ll review that soon before the musical score begins. We’ll also start the end credit creation. The front credits need a touch adjusting as we have a few new credits to add. I’m down to the last two marketing units on this film and I think we’ll wrap that up soon. The theatrical release will be Summer followed by the Q4 home video release. This film is very deep but also dressed in humor. The topic of AI is everywhere and this film looks at all angles of this emerging technology. You can watch the trailer online and we will soon have a BTS and final theatrical poster soon!
DEVELOPMENT – The Katharsys/CDI slate in development was mentioned above but that is only the tip of the spear. This coming week will be very telling on two different films where funding is concerned. I did a magazine interview this past week and I was asked the hardest part of making movies. That is easily the funding. I also mentioned the WILD FAITH franchise developing the TV series and a 3rd stand alone film should the series budget be too heavy to lift currently. I’ve noted before a few scripts that I’m working on in-between paid writing. One of them is MBF2. I’m not in a hurry to film this but I’ve had the story in my head for several years and wanted to get it out in script form. If you have not seen MAN’S BEST FRIEND it might be a good watch. I’ve got partial scripts for LOST HEART 2 and WILD FAITH 3. I love to write but funding as we stated is the hard part. The feature film version of SMOKE & MIRRORS could jump in the development line pending what happens this month on other film funding fronts.
WRAP UP: People who know me know that I like to build modest expectations and if we far exceed that projection – great! I don’t oversell or hype with unrealistic goals. To get BIG rewards you often have to RISK big. In the indie film circles one big risk fail can hinder you for years. It is why I’ve always chosen the slow and steady. I hear all the horror stories of promises made and promises broken. Deals without paperwork and people left out to dry. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. People seeking short cuts and unearned glory usually drive these tragic situations. A face of success can be put upon it all until the bridges start burning. At that point, these filmmakers usually move away and disappear looking to use another market’s gullible. I urge you if you really love this industry don’t play the short game. Play the long game and build your experience to delivery creatively more than was expected. Keep your business tight and be known for your follow through. Unsolicited I had two different individuals speak into the shortcomings of an individual and group. It saddens me because you try to set good examples and give good advice to people but it doesn’t always stick. I think some people are just users and others use their own experience to try and develop people and give opportunities. I always want to stay on the latter side of being a giver vs just taker even if it makes me a fool in some eyes, it’s how I like to live.
If you’ve gathered your wealth by back stabbing and stepping on people it doesn’t make you great. It makes you sad and often lonely once you’ve burned all your bridges. My mind just jumped back to an individual like this who once he had burned all his relationships he killed himself. A loss that did not have to happen. There are filmmakers I know that I don’t agree with and most of them know it because we’ve said our peace. And that said, I know they work hard just a much different process and philosophy from mine. And I know toxic ‘users’ that I will not deal with and will give my truth if asked. But I don’t go out of my way to say anything because after all these years I know that these people burn themselves out. Now many do damage the industry as a whole because a ruined location. An investor burnt by a project never finished will not likely invest again. I’m proud to have investors that have been with us on many films and that should speak for itself. There is more than enough resources for many artists to prosper and I just ask that you all respect your business. People find out eventually that differences exist between production companies and how they run their business. I’m not perfect but I challenge anyone to say I don’t give my best efforts. I’ve dedicated my life to the arts and much to the medium of filmmaking. I deeply appreciate everyone in and associated with the tribe CDI. Slow your roll and do good business and good art.
I’m going to call it. I dislike lecturing but I dislike hearing about bad business even more. Especially if it is people I care about. Note I did not use past tense. I can still care about people even if we don’t have current business between us. But when the business dries up often the friendship goes with it. Maybe it is shame for actions they took. Maybe it is the fact that got everything they are going to get from me. I don’t know the truth of what lies in people’s heart. But I do know I have a wonderful tribe of people that want to do things right. If slower is right. If good communication is right. If good business is right. I can say that the extra effort to stay in the right is well worth it. Have a great week ahead.
Coffee Cheers! DJ
HAPPY Mother’s Day! Also CDI’S TOP 10 UPDATES (There are some good ones)
My first sips of hazelnut coffee on this Sunday morning. I’ve been recovering the last two days from my first of the season soccer matches. My legs are in good shape but not ready for the constant run and directional changes. Yesterday my legs were stiff and tad heavy giving me the ‘mummy’ walk – “COIN!” (Old Scooby Doo reference)
I had a very productive week on many fronts and I’m just so pleased with how everything is moving along. But before we get into all the film updates let take this moment to celebrate mommas. EVERYTHING I’ve done in this life I’ve done because I was brought into this world. Every story that started as a spark in my imagination and brought to screen is because of her. (Dad also had something to do with it:) But I’m just so appreciative that I was given this opportunity. We will have the moms over this afternoon for an early dinner. A few love gifts and a good meal. I LOVE you momma:) Happy Mother’s Day to all of you. That counts if you mother child or animal, so again – thank you to all the mothers for what you’ve done, are doing and will do because that is what mother’s do. LOVE.
Maybe let’s try a TOP TEN Updates
- FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH documentary is now in editing. We had a post meeting last week and we’ll even having a teaser trailer coming soon. This is about the history of the grappling arts and the evolution of “Catch” as told by those who love it the most. Hosted and directed by two time world champion Curran Jacobs. We have some great interviews. Big Kudos to Dan Chipman our mobile production and Adam Towner, B camera and post. This just might be the first of many documentary collaborations between #Tribecdi with The Red, White and Blue Project Inc. You can follow us on IMDB and Facebook as we have pages for both now.
- BESTSELLER – This “Hitchcock” like thriller adapted from the book by Christopher Knight has been signed for a new release campaign. This film stars Melissa Anschutz, DJ Perry, Ralph Lister, Taylor Nichols and Lana Wood. It has really only had a limited DVD release and so this new push will be much greater. It is R-rated (language and implied violence) but is done without being overly graphic. This film captures Michigan in the fall in all it’s haunting glory. I will have more info as we go but I believe the idea is a late summer/fall release!
- BEST YEARS GONE – the first pass on dialog clean up is complete. Last week our director and composer discussed music cues and even sound design ideas. Color Correction is happening as we speak along with the edit of our first official trailer. As if that wasn’t enough- we’re planning the premiere, manufacturing merchandise and more official stills are being prepped for delivery to our distributor (BMG) so they can begin poster art. Lotta fun ahead with this movie and I think audiences will really enjoy it. I need to add that the Battle of the Bands judging is underway by our team and celeb judges. We will be announcing a winner this month!
- LOST HEART is really a film that has a lot going for it. But to try and convey that via shelf art alone is hard. The film is a story is about music star Hannah Sweet going back to her home town for a funeral but the B story is the town of ‘Lost Heart’ itself. It started with fan mail before Christmas from men who had lost the remote and via wife/girlfriend and was made to watch ‘Lost Heart’ and really loved it. I recall one gent saying that he would have never watched that film except by his wife’s choosing. But he loved the Bigfoot, UFO (UFA?:) and humorous mystery in our story. In a meeting with our distributor I recall telling these stories after discussing the demographic audience that is being drawn to our story. A joke was mention that if the title was “Bigfoot, UFO’s and Jesus” the film would find its partially missing male demographic. Guys hanging out amongst themselves are unfortunately not going to randomly watch a film named ‘Lost Heart,’ which is a name I truly love. It was pointed out to me that a title like “Bigfoot, UFO’s and Jesus” would also attract more women who were equally into the mystery aspects, like my own cousin Angie. So I stand corrected. This GM release should add to our overall audience by revealing the wonderful B story of our film. It was a nice hidden gem inside our story but I think we need to be more direct. So a ‘General Market/GM’ campaign release is underway with a new title, poster art and trailer. I will share this new artwork at the end of this update. But I’m very excited because this film/story deserves to be seen by many, many, many more people from around the world. And so it will.
- WILD FAITH/HASTINGS – I want to do a polish up on the “Hastings” scripts for simple grammar mistakes but I had a few more connections start to open up on the WILD FAITH TV spin off. I’m excited to put that into play to shoot next year. I know the feature is growing an audience around the world and so the series would have a nice welcome audience.
- MBF/MAN’S BEST FRIEND – This film has been working its way into the marketplace. I was told a new deal was just executed taking the film into Latin America. I know it is making its way into territories around the world. The top two questions I get with this film 1) Will you do more martial arts filming? I do have a great concept that will eventually make it to script. 2) What was Paul’s sentence, will there be a sequel? Right now I like keeping Paul’s fate in limbo with audiences. Will there be a Part 2? Never say never. If you have not watched this film – watch it. If you have and enjoyed it, pass it along. Thank you to the many fans of this film out there.
- The Quest Trilogy (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer) – A special message is spread across these three stories. Actually several lessons are presented and the way the story is told – everybody can take something positive away. The film series just ran through the holidays at Sony/Pureflix and again I so appreciate all the fan mail letting me know how much you enjoyed our stories. It is humbling and powerful what can be done with a story.
- SMOKE & MIRRORS – This early 1900 short tale is getting the final touches. Maybe we’ll cut some teaser in the coming weeks. It’s spooky. It’s kookie. Wait a minute! It’s a really fun little film that was derived from one of my feature script. This will make a great feature film. All in good time.
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – We’re making great strides on all fronts. Last week we announced Garry Nation and David Reardon coming on board. Our German casting is almost complete. Discussions with the art departments has started in earnest as we prepare to create the world of 1944 Algona. This week we should start in on our sponsorship endeavors. We have a lot of excitement in these circles and we’re excited to align with these brands. To do what we do at these modest levels requires the assistance of the community and our sponsors. Thank you to all of those supporters past and present. And here is an additional cheers to our future ones! This week we should roll out two more of the great talent associated with this film. I’m beyond excited to tell this story. If your company or business wants to support this based on true events WW2 home front drama please reach out.
- TRIBE CDI – The biz of the biz, I had a VERY productive week working with Bank of America to streamline our fleet of films. All this is to help streamline our inner workings. This all can make a days work only a few hours. Also had a good meeting with another one of the team (Tiger) who oversees dispersement amongst a other things. We will be prepping some of those to go out in the coming weeks. Thank you. As you all support the films, we get to keep making the films. I’m excited to see in the next decade what stories are brought to life on screen! Thank you also to Dean Teaster (COO) and Gary Davison and his team. David Gries & Carl Weyant who maintain the website. #Tribecdi is not a catching hashtag it really does represent a tribe of artists and the business that supports it.
I just enjoyed a wonderful breakfast bagel with our own eggs and 4H bacon – so good. The yard is really looking good and the warmth is creeping into Michigan. I look forward to having many enjoyable meetings both business and social in the coming weeks. I’m going to end this here with some great new poster art for Lost Heart’s new general release. Be good to one another. Be safe and keep following your dreams.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
PS: The new trailer is almost done and I really do love it. I could not stop smiling.
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 