October in Full Effect! CDI Updates 2024
Coffee cheers from a cool damp Michigan. Welcome new readers from Portugal and Romania and more. October has been beautiful but a bit dry. I haven’t had to mow in quite some time which is fine. I’ve harvested most of the herbs and I’ve been cutting wood getting ready for the coming cold. I might even polish up the stove and have a first fire tonight. The new younger chickens have been accepted into the big coop and so that is a positive. The older girls are molting and slowing on their egg laying. But the young ones might be getting ready to start. I’m looking forward to steak (venison) and eggs after I finish this. Also we have two more local flea markets one this morning ands one next week. Just in time before we travel up North for our WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS prep. My beard I’ve got to bring ole Ben Lily back to the screen has me wearing a bit of every meal. But I’m feeling ready to ride. I found the last few prop pieces for ‘Ben’ and so that should be good to go.
Staying on topic with WFXmas we’ve been having some great meetings. I’ve got all but one of the investor checks deposited and just a few more sponsors to collect on. The charge on sponsors is being led by PEPSI and had a great meeting with our rep there. I’m awaiting thermal mugs from our friends at the Michigan Community College Association. We have a few more great sponsors to speak with. We are enjoying the partnerships on production sponsors and are starting to explore release sponsors which is for our theatrical runs. If you want to align your company with WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS about to go into production or Harsens Island Revenge about to release in 1st Q 2025 please get in touch!
Harsens Island Revenge team was working to have a special pre-release screening on November 1st in Alpena, MI but to do so would disrupt on final post flow. Additionally the film would not be our final best film but a rushed version. Rush means mistakes and rush would have meant incomplete. We are still going to do a great premiere in Alpena, Owosso, Lansing and likely Detroit and Grand Rapids. We are in discussions over the theatrical and I have some paperwork to review this week. More on this amazing story very soon! If you cannot wait search up the title online and buy the book!
KNIGHT CHILLS – CDI’s first feature film from the late 90’s has now been delivered for streaming. I’ll be awaiting a release date but I also got some great news about a December theatrical play in Brooklyn, NY. More on that deal as I receive it. AN ORDINARY KILLER is still on track for a December 15th streaming and the HD DVD is also coming soon! I’m also excited for the special podcast that features the film coming from TWO AVERAGE JOES MEDIA. Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town smoky mountain western is streaming and the special edition DVD from the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park will be available soon. All CDI merchandise will be charity driven with a % of the revenue going to military veterans and/or animals. We will even have some movie props and wardrobe that people can bid or purchase. More on all that soon!
We are enjoying rounding the corner into the last Q of 2024. It has been a productive year and we are looking forward to 2025. Nov/Dec will be some prep for ROM COMS MUST DIE the feature film debut of Travis Hayward with CDI. We are exploring a few theatrical plays of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA for the holidays. This movie continues to play on TV and available to rent/buy digital or DVD. Next year it will move to ad-based free with ads. We are also starting to push some of the other Fall/holiday titles like THE QUEST TRILOGY. Part 1 FORTY NIGHTS surpassed 2.5 million views on Encourage TV. If you have not watched these three films give them a go. I promise they are not your typical biblical adventures but have a unique perspective to each of them. There is a good change of a few more of those type films making it on our production slate.
BREAKFAST BREAK and WRAP UP!
I have to note I took a break during that last paragraph and ate my eggs and venison steak – so good. The key to venison is prep. Our fresh eggs are also splendid but there is a lot of work involved with chickens. This week will include insurance, communication devices, prop gun pick up, more craft service goods, hard drives and starting to pack personal stuff to be gone 3 weeks. I’ve already been swapping out my warm weather for cold weather clothes and gear.
I’m going to go get dressed and go walk around this flea market. See if any last minute props or wardrobe stuff jumps out at me. I found a great period derby hat that might end up on our antagonist. I hope you all are enjoying the turn of season as we enter that darker phase. As noted earlier I think I’m going to polish up the wood stove and get that ready for a first fire of the season. I’ve had several outdoor fires but there is something about crackling wood in an old stove.
Until we chat again next week have a productive week and be kind to one another.
DJ
Casting, Pre-Production, Premieres and More…
Good morning friends from Germany, India, Brazil, UK and more. Again I love that our weekly circle is international. I want to welcome everyone to Sept 1st and hope the month is a great one for you all. I was walking about the property and enjoying the cool morning that has fall in the air. My college alumni started their American football season will a close win. Our state team the Detroit Lions will start their season next week. I do enjoy a good game on TV while multitasking. I watched a great soccer match yesterday that had me missing my favorite game to play. I am already looking forward to next year but this time off is allowing my body to recoup. I’ve replaced some of that workout with some heavier yard work as I prepare for the new deck build. I approved the paperwork and so materials will be purchased this coming week with the build soon after. It will be nice to have a new improved deck to relax on and enjoy morning coffee and dinners at dusk. I might put a mow on the lawn today or tomorrow. Yesterday I had a nice fire outside and was burning sticks from the storms all day. I also did another harvest on all the herbs growing. I’m thinking of a good crockpot of root veggies if this cool weather remains. Always something to do on the property but I enjoy it between business phone calls.
This past week saw the opening of the account for the new film, the sequel to WILD FAITH. (Wild Faith Christmas) I’m happy to announce that the crew is in place and our cast is getting close. Our director is up in Alpena, MI where we will be shooting and has scouting the final locations. This coming week we’ll lock the shooting script and schedule. Official breakdowns for departments will be issued. We finally got lodging all set and will be working on catering. Along with the mine set the building of an explosives shed also began. It all plays into the story. I’ve started work on bringing ole Ben Lily back and that was a hoot. I did some wardrobe work with Shane for Emmett and again too much fun. I have a tote that I call ‘Ben in a box’ and inside was all of Ben Lily’s gear just waiting for a sequel. It was fun to open it and go through all his wardrobe and props. Our main casting is still looking at reads for two of the children actors. We also brought on some additional sponsors this week that will assist with some of the flights and lodging costs. We so appreciate all the support we get from these businesses who want to be part of something so heartwarming as this film. I LOVE that this is a Christmas story and I think the fans of the first film will too. I will work on updating a few more of the TV series this forthcoming week. I’ve been enjoying that process as well.
ROM COMS MUST DIE our comedy slasher will remain inactive until Jan 2025 so we don’t have to do any end of year work on a film just at the ready. But once this Wild Faith sequel is done we’ll go full on with the Travis Hayward directed film. We are still casting for an actor that has the KEN from KEN & BARBIE appeal. Also a stereotypical country girl actress. If you fit either of those roles feel free to submit something to me.
Harsens Island Revenge – This is the wrap up month for this exciting film. Dennis Therrian has been hard at work on the music. The director Carl Weyant says the VFX should be about done and we’ve been mixing as we go. Once everything is in a final color tweak and mix will be done. We’re about two start looking over the end credits that Anthony Hornus is compiling for review. We’ll take a week or two to review all those to TRY and not miss anyone or misspell anyones name. Sometimes that comes down to the extras handwriting. We are planning a cast, crew, sponsor and investor screening on Nov. 1st in Alpena, MI. We want to have a premiere in Owosso, the book writers hometown and Lansing as well as Detroit near the island itself. A full on theatrical is being planned for the 1st Q of 2025. This film is full of romance and excitement and I think audiences will really love it.
Sept 1st is also the start of the window for some of the fall favorites of the CDI films. LOST HEART also known as BIGFOOT, UFOS and JESUS. BESTSELLER, BEST YEARS GONE (For Race Fans), WILD FAITH, MBF, SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and The Quest Trilogy! I started a new instagram account for CDI and I’ve been adding CDI and CDI associated movies. To be a true fan you should see them all. And for fans, NEWS! A new CDI Merchandise site will be going up on EBAY managed by Bart Ketner. I want all sales to have a donated % to charities and we’ll have some great items going up on there. Maybe even some one-of-a-kind props that can go to fans. A lot of asking for the old Ghost Town in the Sky collector DVD’s of Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town movie. We have some posters available but might start printing up more plus even 3D printing. Anyone down for a KNIGHT CHILLS, Sir Kallio statue?
Speaking of KNIGHT CHILLS, the ink is dry and a streaming release is coming from our friends at Twin Engines Global/Deskpop. To go with is we’re going to re-release the novel and I’m prepping for the script/making of book. AN ORDINARY KILLER collectors HD DVD is also coming. I’ve held the DVD in my hands and it is a worthy additional to the shelves of CDI and True Crime fans! This year which is not over, will see the re-release of three CDI classics. In 2025 I plan to have the others restored and re-released.
WRAP UP:
I’ve already got my two pages of TO DO’s for the coming week. I have to order checks. I’m getting our software set-up ready for our next film. More deposits and collecting of paperwork. We have some new poster work being done. New trailers being cut including a CDI Highlight Reel which I would love for Jan 1st, 2025! We’re working to get our backup RAID working properly. Additionally premiere work for Harsens Island Revenge needs to be set. A theatrical poster for the premieres also should be done this week. I’m going to check on that this afternoon. The list keeps growing and we keep checking things off and once in a while you look back and notice how far you’ve come. There will come a day of rest but while you still have ambition and dreams, keep going!
I look forward to speaking with you all next week!
Coffee Cheers, DJ
PS: Having issues with pics so there will not be any this week.
FOUR Secrets of Filmmaking – Plus CDI Updates
Good morning from HOME! Yes. I’m sipping some coffee after a few puppy cuddles and now I’ll be sharing with all of you some updates and insights. First I want to talk about LOST HEART. What a ride we had. First it was just amazing to go from just a blueprint with the script to capturing magic. This script has been hailed as one of my best pieces of writing. I know that writing is much like a film in that it’s subjective. But the story did a great job of painting interesting characters in unique places and situations. It was my first script with Melissa Anschutz in the lead and she performed beyond all my expectations. Much like Shane Hagedorn in Wild Faith, it was great that my scripts could be used as starring vehicles for my friends/peers.
While we were filming LOST HEART, WILD FAITH was rolling out across the nation. Wal-Mart’s and other retailers around the country starting carrying the film DVD and the fans responded. I had so many people approach me the last few weeks who had watched several of the CDI films. One day in prep – Shane Hagedorn (Emmett) got stopped by a maintenance guy who had seen Wild Faith. Already thrilled to met Emmett, he was further thrilled to be led into a room where Melissa Anschutz and I worked accounting. His eyes got big and his smile wide as he got to meet Ben Lily and Hester Thickett. This meeting of fans played out several times during our multi week stay. All around town – handshakes and kind words. I’m so proud of both Shane and Melissa – they are true leading talent. Everyone sits around and wishes for a starring role but only a select can really ‘lead’ a film. It’s not easy physically, mentally and keeping that arc requires constant adjustments. These two along with my ole workhorse buddy Anthony (Tony) Hornus made up my senior producing team. We have a great associate producer team that helps us do what needs to be done.
Jesse Low made his third film with CDI (Forty Nights & Wild Faith) and now Lost Heart. Nate “The General” Robertson led a great production campaign. One of his very best to date. We had Nancy Oeswein and Witney Wagner working with CDI for the first time in our office. I think it was a great collaboration and while they had to jump into a very existing system they adjusted and brought some new ideas to the table. I look forward to another future collaboration. Now it cannot be all rainbows so what were some of the issues. Now before addressing that I will again say that prep is so important because it allows a production to aim all its efforts at the immediate problem solving. I see too many businesses run in reactive mode putting a bandaid on something but that in turn causes three issues. Put in the hard work in advance – it pays off. We did this and it was apparent on set and in the final footage.
- Communication – making better communication is always the goal. While we are VERY good we always strive for better. Most small issues arrive from assuming and not knowing. We are all guilty of that at times and work hard to correct that.
- Focus – when we are at work people need to set aside their personal relationships aside and focus on the goals of the day. From Call to wrap a film crew works to get its puzzle pieces (Footage). Time is the essence each day and focusing on task will result in earlier days, less mistakes/damages and make a better final product.
- Representation – When you work for a company you not only represent the film company but the craft as a whole. One of our major locations had someone call and warn them before shooting about “filmmakers” because of a bad experience they had. When asked if it was our company they replied NO. CDI was defended by the owners by telling them their experience had been 100% positive. It is why I am so protective and communicate with locations that all companies are NOT equal. I’m not even comparing subjective final films but how we conduct ourselves while working. I’ve had people try to “drop” my name or our company to gain access to a place. Location owners all know to call us first if approached because if your operation is ‘slash and burn’ meaning getting footage by whatever means possible, that is conveyed. Or at the least letting them know we are not connected. Our team was raking up mulch at one location after the shoot. Pride in how your company/work is looked upon as a fine quality.
- Positive Attitude – This is something especial required of KEYS. You set the department tone. For example at CDI vulgar or aggressive outbursts are not tolerated without being addresses. Those examples again show poor communication and tells others that you’re not in control of your department. We always have a few that rise to the new challenge and fly while a few perhaps need more time under an experienced key. Skillset is only part of the equation – being able to motivate, inspire and lead a team with positive enthusiasm is the sign of a great leader. CDI is about developing leaders.
Once things are running smooth I get to sit back and watch everything. I get to ninja about and observe. I see who treats their gear proper. You should always treat gear as if you own it. Watch someone who does own the gear care for their gear. This is much like the care given to our locations. I can see when outside personal issues intrude upon someone’s focus. I see when personal interactions interfere with work flow and cause distractions. I see when people rush versus moving quickly with care. I see when people are not fully conditioned for feature length shoots either due to lack of rest, poor nutrition and/or lack of prep. I’m proud to say our production only had a few occasions where these things happened. But it is easy to spot on a film set that runs smooth. It is the job of management (producers) to sit back after and evaluate performance. This leads to rehiring or perhaps realizing someone needs more development. Sometimes it was a person was used in the wrong place and would be better suited elsewhere. But applying the 4 principals listed above will improve any production.
MBF: Man’s Best Friend – This film is about to heat up! A premiere in the director’s home town is being explored first. The film will be releasing into select theaters and home video in the next few months. We got to do a small private screening in pre-production and…(SMILE) – I cannot wait for people to see the film. It showcases beautiful performances by wonderful actors. The hardworking crew made this story flow and it shows. So get ready for this story that showcases the plight of military vets and adoption dogs to come to the big and small screen.
The Quest Trilogy – The films are continuing to produce even in the non-holiday season. These are adventure films set in biblical times and so they can be enjoyed at anytime. So as we prepare to market for the holiday season ahead – enjoy now. FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER.
I’m going to do final wrap up this week on LOST HEART. We’ll meet next week over post process again and to evaluate the shoot. I have a few acting reels to update – one with Ben Lily (Wild Faith) and one for Jesus (The Christ Slayer). I additionally need to work the final paperwork on the new agent collaboration for my screenwriting/producing. Lastly, I have a week-long vacation in the U.P. coming up. But right now it is about unpacking and also getting the yard/house caught up from week’s away. I hope you all enjoy your weekend and the week ahead.
Be good to one another. Doh! The coffee cup is empty.
DJ
Tomorrow Another Adventure Begins – CTS
Today we are doing final prep on “Chasing the Star” the second film in our QUEST TRILOGY. I’m happy to announce that these three gentlemen are the actors we landed on after looking at reads from around the United States. These three are representing the Texas, South Carolina and NYC (By way of Michigan) markets. If you work hard you can make it happen from anywhere. It’s been fun to see all the artist come together – every day new props, new wardrobe tests, new gear arriving and new family. Yes. The film family is a unique experience and as a producer I’ve always strived to create an experience that people will remember. I think we’ve been doing that at Collective Development Inc. for some time. Even those early films like “From Venus” and “Heaven’s Neighbors” were filmed with great care creating lasting memories for all.
While this new film is launching we’ve been heavily promoting and pushing our other films to market. We’ll be doing our Yuma, AZ “thank you” premiere of “40 Nights” on March 13th, hosted by Champion Church. They helped us with everything from background talent to use of locations. The Lansing/Grand Rapids theatrical run of “40 Nights” has just expired. We’ve been approached by many interested people who wanted to see the film on the big screen, so, we may move the film to the Sun Theater in Grand Ledge or other such venue to keep that momentum. Many are asking us to bring it into Detroit via one of the chains there. We will try. Here in AZ we’re looking at a meeting with Harkins Theaters to do a run, so we’ll see if that comes together. April 5th is the “40 Nights” DVD release at most major retailers. The streaming release looks like it will happen in June – more on that soon! You can pre-order the film DVD at several retailers but here is just one.
PRE-ORDER
We also just released distributor poster art for “BESTSELLER,” which releases in May. This film is a great curl up and watch thriller. Be afraid! “Ashes of Eden” is another film of ours that releases on April 5th – great story, music and performances.
PRE-BUY “Ashes of Eden” here
https://www.fishflix.com/christian-movies-ashes-of-eden-dvd.html
I will write more later but right now our team is doing a dozen different things to final prep for tomorrow. Because tomorrow we start “Chasing the Star” …
Keep clawing your way towards your dreams!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 