Loss, Gains and Everything In-Between – CDI Updates!
(Life can sometimes have clouds but the sun is still there)
Hazelnut coffee cheers. I was planning on jumping right into all the film updates but I have to mention a subject we all deal with. The death of a friend. I have spoken before about how blessed I am to have many of my friends from elementary school, middle school and high school. I think it is about friendship. If we are friends that means something to me. I have many friends from different circles and movies are actually more recent if you want to call 30 years recent. Before that I’ve got friends from martial arts, gym, soccer and of course classmates. One of my friends from middle school carried through several years after college where we just drifted a bit due to life. Chance brought us together again maybe 4-5 years ago and we’ve stayed close. He was one of a handful of friends that enjoyed ole school wrasslin’ stories. He had the best sense of humor and laugh. I use to train him when I managed a gym. He was trying to get into the police academy. He always fought his weight but was a fearless talker to the ladies, a real charmer. I taught him martial arts when he was a bouncer. I have a slew of fun stories that only really mean something to the handful of us but he was just jolly. I use jolly because the years apart allowed him to get heavy. We were once again working on that with better habits and food choices. He was making progress and feeling better about himself. He cared for an ill parent for several years putting their health above his own. Once she passed he was really dedicated to working on himself. His confidence was growing and he was becoming more sociable and got back into the work force. We got together every 2-3 weeks but talked or texted weekly about some childhood BS. We got together shortly before I had to go to Alpena and film WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. Upon my return last week I texted to check in on him. After two texts went unanswered I rang him to find his phone disconnected. My heart sank and I had a bad feeling. I googled his name and an obituary immediately came up. He had passed on November 6th. I’m not sure how he passed it was sudden and at home but I cannot believe that I’ll hear no more laughter recalling the college heist of a keg of beer from May Fest back in the day or BB gun wars because we didn’t have paintball guns. This is not a trend I’m looking forward to at all. He was enjoying making his way through the CDI catalog of films and was eager to hear about the new adventure. RIP my friend.
I have some holiday music on and I’m actually feeling very good about everything that has been unfolding. The death reminds me to not sweat the small stuff as when the game is over there is no more stress, worry or concern so give yourself a break. But until it is my time I’ll keep on creating and spending time with friends from all my circles. I was tired last weekend but not exhausted. It was a smooth ride filming our Wild Faith sequel. One of the smoothest in recent memory. And I think we created a wonderful story with powerful moments. It still takes a few weeks to deconstruct the circus. I’ve had craft, wardrobe and several folks come through the office. We discuss, debrief and wrap up business. I still have props coming through likely next week. These are all secured until the next big adventure.
(Ben Lily as captured by GW Burns)
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS UPDATE:
The film elements of visual and sound have been married and editing has started. Shane Hagedorn our director is editing and he is several scenes in and very happy. We plan to move quickly through the process to release to theaters Nov 1st 2025. We are also using this film as a test of sorts for the TV series. A teaser poster won’t be far behind and a trailer cut in the new year. Currently people are enjoying all the BTS and official GW Burns photos on the FB page for the film. If you have worked on any of the CDI films I ask you to join and invite your friends and followers. Thank you again to all who have helped make this film happen.
Harsens Island Revenge UPDATE! The film is sprinting towards the finish line. The word that came from the director and the post supervisor is FANTASTIC. It felt like you were watching an exciting film when we completed the edit. But now with music, sound, VFX and color correction the film is gonna be amazing. We have our in studio review on Dec 6th and if we can toast and call it a picture lock we’ll move to the next phase. That is setting up the theatrical and premiere showings for Q1/Q2 2025. I’ve also been in negotiations for the home video side of distribution. The back half of 2025 will be home video.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – We’ve signed a theatrical deal with Dreamscape Productions to book our WW2 holiday film back into theaters due to the demand. We’re also working with them to get the film (and others) out to military base theaters. I do know the Fridley theater in Algona will run the film Dec 6-12th and it is the remastered best version of the film. The first run we were rushed by early dates given by the theater and so the VFX were not at 100% and now they are. Those who don’t want to brave the outdoors can still watch the film on TV (UpTV) or various streaming platforms. It will go to ad-based streaming like Tubi and such summer of 2025. Check with your local theater and if they are not running it request it. It is a wonderful watch on the big screen.
NEW CAMPAIGNS– We have new release campaigns for both LOST HEART with great new artwork. The same for BEST YEARS GONE. The latter was the last film that WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS director Shane Hagedorn directed with your’s truly starring. Both of these films are fun to watch and we’re just trying to capture more eyeballs. Tis the season for THE QUEST TRILOGY also and I try to watch every year. Watch them in order FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. These films showcase the one other time I’ve played a character twice, Jesus.
Misc Updates/PR and more:
- The KNIGHT CHILLS book has just released https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DNTC87LN/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oWEuGRguzuwqKy9XFPbUPfLJRAVIgJdOuUU7SgI0KXAZ4iDSoEToT_Xya5E4yfrlCFKsGyaIil8uGpbIv6Q6P7fYzPyAd8qYgNViSddkWXiYe1WGJmzEuFFj2ItcxvE188xDjA4iFtyckUSblL-bYA2uXaAVRbRifNm7PGt0eMQjBL6iRvrD3Thkn443l2hwAMLsv2LQGcZzvCl_cMwHTJxSszMCydREd_JsfJJba6I.R_s_RN1krO1XGsddtx_8B-Cw_go2tuYC6nCF6Kqzntw&dib_tag=se&keywords=Knight+Chills&qid=1732301704&sr=8-3
- Read all about the KNIGHT CHILLS book and the upcoming 1/31/25 streaming premiere here: https://www.prlog.org/13049488-classic-role-playing-movie-knight-chills-coming-to-hd-streaming-and-book.html
- AN ORDINARY KILLER HD releases to streaming on Dec. 15th, 2024
- Casting has resumed for ROM COMS MUST DIE a Q1 film that will be Travis Hayward‘s first collaboration with CDI as a director.
- I finished revamping the 4th of 8 tv show episodes for WILD FAITH HASTINGS. I will get the others updated to take place after the 2nd film versus the first.
- I was also approached about two additional feature writing projects that would not shoot this year but if all goes as planned we would have two scripts. Development-
- I also have a book from Baker Publishing releasing December 2nd and it is fun stories about birds. I’ve contributed stories to books on horses, cats and dogs. Now to round it out with birds. I will provide a link once available.
- I think the next book to release under our CDI/Katharsys Media deal after Knight Chills will be the Ghost Town book. The movie Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town has been released to Tubi and other platforms under our Ammo Content deal. WATCH HERE: https://tubitv.com/movies/616519/dean-teaster-s-ghost-town
WRAP UP: I’m going to keep working towards wrapping on the last film shoot and getting our new film ready for 2025 release. I’m also looking ahead at our new productions. I’m reconnecting with many friends over the holidays and being thankful for what the year has provided. I’ve been also working to winterize the yard. I might have to split some more wood as the wood stove is now in use at the office. Again thank you to all the family, friends and fans who support these creative endeavors. I do know how lucky I am to do what I love and I never take that for granted. I will see my brother and a few friends tonight and likely raise a toast to our departed friend. It has been a year of loss, gains and everything in-between. That is life I suppose. I hope you all have a good Thanksgiving and enjoy getting ready for Christmas. I enjoy finding little appreciation and love gifts all year round but this time of year is extra special. I look forward to the tradition of the live Christmas tree that makes the house smell so wonderful. We usually go on a tree hunt after Thanksgiving. Be good to one another. Check on your friends and loved ones. I hope you all have a wonderful week.
DJ
Seeking Balance Amongst the Lions, Lots of Snow and Loss of a Friend (Again)
I want to welcome our new readers from Hungary, Belgium and Finland. It is feeling like Finland here in Michigan with us getting what some call an arctic bomb. In the 70’s we called in winter but we really did get a good amount of heavy wet snow that iced up and now we’re getting frigid temps and some Lake Effect snow. That said, the Great Lakes are protecting us from the brunt of it all causing some cold air to go around us. I love living in Michigan but also realize how precious it is here and we need to protect our water. That can be said for everywhere in the world. Water, food and air supply and not sure why many folks can’t understand that. We are getting smarter with chemicals but many big companies would rather just pay fines versus proper disposal. I’m always trying to better my eating habits and I’ll keep refining that process. I drink Apple Cider vinegar every day and last year my Mexican Style Chili Beer was very popular. I saw a group that creates various ‘Fire Ciders’ which is a variety of ingredients consisting of fruit, herbs, roots and veggies in a vinegar mixture. It is meant as a preventative and to attack any oncoming sickness. So last night I put mine together and I’m looking forward to trying it in several weeks. I’ve been diving in deep on my study of herbal teas and that is fascinating to me. I’ve said it so many times on here that health is wealth and I’m feeling great in these first weeks of the new year. Detoxing the body and mind and stepping up my workout routine. I’ve been in martial arts since 7th grade and I was a gym rat for a long time even managing a health club for a couple of years. I’m not sure if I’ll start back at the gym versus my home workouts but I’m always exploring new arts. My flexibility is good which is what many people start to loose. I’m really looking forward to soccer season in the springtime. I might jump on an indoor soccer team to get my conditioning up to speed if our team assembles one.
All the above has me feeling great with even more energy. I’ve attacked my end-of-year to do’s and I’m ahead of where I was last year. I’ve got most all the business info submitted to our accounting firm on my end. My personal tax info is all assembled and I’m just awaiting docs that will come in this month to submit them. I am just thrilled at where I’m at energy and focus-wise moving into the new year. I was pretty depleted at the end of 2023. But the much needed family time of the holidays gave me the recharge I needed. The Christmas tree just went down and the boxes and wrapping paper recycled or used to start the wood stove. I’ve been having various beginning of the year meetings and I have a good plan in place. Let’s update you all on some of the develops with our projects.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – Now past the holiday we’re starting our mainstream PR starting with Iowa and moving to national. Our cast and key crew are now open for interviews. We’re also working to get some reviewers involved also so if you have a blog, vlog or review site please do. If you have not seen this based on true events WW2 drama please do so.
Seeking Balance-
Most of the reviews for our films have been overwhelmingly positive. But as we know that will draw out the occasional negative person who has to try and poop in the punchbowl. Twenty years ago I felt those reviews personally but now I feel for the reviewer. If I don’t like something I will limit or not comment. What did momma use to say? If you don’t have anything nice to say don’t say anything at all. I live by that. But when someone who has faced rejection sees the success they wanted, hate for that success can be born. What they don’t understand is they create that failure with their attitudes. When I see people complaining and bemoaning how everyone and everything is keeping them down they fail to self realize. Who wants to have a ‘Debbie Downer’ or a woe is me ‘Charlie Brown’ on their team? And they wonder why they didn’t get cast or asked to be part of a crew or team. People complain publicly about their inability to raise funds for a project or endeavor and that in itself is a signal to potential backers that this person is not stable. Stable can mean in many ways. Spewing your personal issues without accountability signals mental instability. Screaming financial woes can show a lack of stable self management that could result in the misuse of funds and ultimately a failed project. The opposite can happen too whereas people try to brag up their lavish lifestyles and wants investment dollars. True wealthy people do not tend to be flashy. They don’t need a Rolex to tell people they are successful. High flying lifestyles can be a prison. A level that must be met at all costs or you could lose it all. I have always kept it simple. When struggling it was out of necessity and when successful it was out of wisdom. What I drive, wear or the size of my castle doesn’t make me a better manager, creator and artist. Keeping things simple allows me the freedom to make sacrifices needed for success at times. Boasting success or lamenting failure both show instability. Balance, zen and harmony is the stability that breeds success. Social media is not many people’s friend. Quite the opposite, it harms them most of the time. Think on these words as they might help you to get where you want to go.
Harsens Island Revenge – We are in the final stretch of our edit on the upcoming film we shot in 2023. Shot in Alpena and on Harsens Island this story is set in the 1920’s and centers on bootlegging in Michigan. Our director will be back the first week of Feb and we’ll do a producer’s watch through and plan the films opening scene. We’ll also start our sit downs with our composer and sound designer Dennis Therrian. I LOVE that process and that will mean some great meetings out at the sound studio set within a pine forest. I’m meeting tomorrow to discuss the ‘behind the scenes’ and I know that theatrical poster and a first teaser trailer are also in development. I’m as excited as all of you! We also have some great things in the works with Pepsi that could effect our theatrical release in a positive way. Fingers crossed!
KNIGHT CHILLS – During these cold months if you’re part of the great circle that plays fantasy role playing games like Pathfinder, Dungeons and Dragons…I sincerely hope that you’ve been flagged to CDI’s first movie that was released late last year to Blu Ray. We’re working to get it streaming in 2024 and much more. Rumors of a sequel have been swirling for years but we are getting close. ROLL THE DICE and add this bad boy blu-ray to your collection!
DEVELOPMENT – As noted above a sequel is in the works to Knight Chills and the hope is that we’ll see that happen this year. HOT ROD LOVE is being tuned up for a 2024 filming. We brought on another backer this past week and we’ll keep pushing. PEPSI is on-board and we’ve got some great marketing ideas with them. Shane Hagedorn is slated to direct this 1970’s drag racing comedy. It promises to take us back to an earlier time. A few other features are in development with me working on a couple scripts. Additionally we’ll be looking at other CDI classics to bring back into the marketplace. I’m looking forward to new meetings over SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE and WILD FAITH: HASTINGS. If your not amongst the tens of millions worldwide who’ve seen WILD FAITH, take a watch. We recently went over 8 million views on our distributor’s Encourage TV.
WATCH FREE WITH ADS WILD FAITH: https://youtu.be/g0LCdlq-BK0?si=zrJyM5iAQSKs5zmq
We’ve also been enjoying a surge in audiences watching our film that highlights the plight of adoption dogs and wounded veterans MAN’S BEST FRIEND just soared over 2 million views on Encourage TV.
WATCH HERE FREE WITH ADS MANS BEST FRIEND: https://youtu.be/afDYPOiL5pY?si=X2qVoXehNkdrG8vJ
I plan on touching base with a director friend Lynn Drzick working to put together one of two horror films we’ve discussed last year. He was in hopes of a Jan. funding commitment and so we’ll see where we are with that endeavor. I do know we have a new director’s cut of IN THE WOODS and we’re looking for a theatrical run followed by a Blu-Ray and streaming release. I still need to get my scan for my Alex Kerwood action figure.
WRAP UP: After 30 years the Detroit Lions are in a playoff game at Ford field and I’m so excited. I’ve said it before, I’ve had many relatives pass away waiting for a playoff game. Speaking on passing away I wanted to give a RIP tribute to a filmmaker friend. I found out that on Christmas Richard N. Bailey passed away. He was a filmmaker who was developing a project IN OUR TIME, a retelling of the Jesus story in a modern world. It was after I had done BOOK OF RUTH and as Benjamin I had received many comments on how I looked like Jesus in that film. That led me to submit to this film (I read for Judas) and they came back and wanted me to read for Jesus. The worldwide casting led me to being one of 7 possibles. And from there I won the role. I was also offered roles in two other studio films one about Madam CJ Walker and the other Henry Ford. I still have the contract faxed to my LA attorney at the time. Health issues hindered the slate of films and IN OUR TIME went into turn around aka Development Limbo. But I had already started my deep dive into the life of Jesus and noted a very important part of his life waxed over by most. That was the 40 nights Jesus spent in the wilderness. This inspired me to write about this self exploration and the temptations thrice by the Devil. Hence the movie Forty Nights came to be. While I did not play Jesus in the big studio film that would have been my largest to date it did set me on my path to THE QUEST TRILOGY. I want to thank Richard Bailey for believing in me and my thoughts are with his family who lost this man who was always such a well spoken and kind gentlemen. If you want to watch the journey of those three films you can do so on Encourage TV again FREE with Ads.
Part 1-FORTY NIGHTS: https://youtu.be/E52EV2FPT2I?si=UjNqo6VdonX7lP2O
Part 2-CHASING THE STAR: https://youtu.be/em6JOnNDC9c?si=BV-WG_aj6WkGUALi
Part 3-THE CHRIST SLAYER: https://youtu.be/Jd5z9yJ5hVw?si=8wkFOFJV_AENin72
Richard I’m sure was proud of these stories. He was a deeply religious man who always only had kind words. He was such a refreshing change from the shark pool you’ll often find. I’m gonna sign off here to go make some oatmeal and get ready to cheer the Lions on tonight. Stay warm if you’re in the cold zone and we’ll talk next week. Thank you all again for your support and stopping in to have a coffee and a read. Be good to one another!
DJ
NEW CDI Development Projects, New Platforms and Premieres
I’m bringing the bday week to a close and I have to say I was so appreciative of all the family, friends and fans who reached out to wish me a happy Bday. Thank you to all the new readers from around the globe joining us here. I’ve got my mug full of hazelnut coffee and I’ve just enjoyed a few eggs from our hens. It has been a good week of progress being made on several of the film projects. Let’s take a look at a few exciting updates.
1) WILD FAITH has made its way to NBC’s Peacock streaming – https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/wild-faith/be7fcef2-f423-3114-b26c-c66588e2d7ed – We’re happy to have our story available to the 33 million plus subscribers.
2) MANS BEST FRIEND has followed right behind at NBC’s Peacock streaming – https://www.peacocktv.com/watch-online/movies/mans-best-friend/a0e02318-16e4-3b33-9550-f2a633ad2333 – Excited to make these two films available to a much larger audience.
3) SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is closing in on the first edit and in July will be polishing it up towards a picture lock. This week we’ll start some discussions on the theatrical trailer. We’ve been gathering theatrical interest from a few chains. Another round of poster art is being worked on for the theatrical release most likely. A BTS of the model and VFX work is being edited together to share with all of you very soon.
4) BESTSELLER has been released to Amazon Prime and several platforms and on DVD. Thank you to those fans who reached out directly to share your thoughts. I told you it was intense:) A little mood, murder and mystery sound about right – travel to beautiful Northern Michigan with the birch and the pines. Buy/Rent here and let me know your thoughts at our http://www.imdb.com page –
Buy & Rent here BESTSELLER – https://www.amazon.com/Bestseller-Melissa-Anschutz/dp/B09YH7X3RY/ref=sr_1_3?crid=UV4JFVKKJBZQ&keywords=bestseller&qid=1656251166&s=movies-tv&sprefix=bestseller%2Cmovies-tv%2C81&sr=1-3
5) SMOKE & MIRRORS – I just got loose word that we’re in the MOTOR CITY NIGHTMARES festival. I’m hearing Sat July 30th late afternoon (5:00 pm wish) as part of a block. We don’t usually do shorts but a commercial opportunity allowed for us to shoot a proof of concept for the full feature. I’m going to try and attend with a few of the CDI team. It will be fun to return the horror scene. I went to a Frankenfest with the family yesterday and had a great time. All the cool art and merchandise spun off from the films. That is what I want to do with some of the older films that have gained some cult classic status.
6) BEST YEARS GONE is coming JULY 5th and we’ll see how the world reacts to this wild ride. We did get a great response from our theatrical crowds and I think folks will really dig it. We have some fun PR coming up this week. We’ll be starting the engines and waiting for that flag to drop. I’m very excited about how this film turned out and I hope you take something away with you that you enjoy after watching.
TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StL5oUdnOlc
MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=393380005705951
BTS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgt-xeK1LCw
7) FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH – the documentary went through quality control and our team addressed a few small issues and now they should all be adjusted. We’re awaiting our home video release dates and also our submission to the Toronto Film Festival. Step by step it moves closer. Soon the world will know a lot more about Catch-Can and its importance to the history of grappling.
8) HOT ROD LOVE – is projecting a Sept/Oct shoot and this week we made some good strides in our package. We’ll be announcing more exciting updates as pen finds paper. This 1970’s comedy about drag racing will surely be a fun one. This film is getting traction and I for one could not be happier. Do you have any 1975 or before rides you would love to feature in the film? If so let me know but we are shooting in Michigan.
9) HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE, the first draft is completed. Shooting is planned for fall next year 2023. I will be circulating this draft to a few in the circle as we’ll start having background development talks. I LOVE how the film script came together and it will make a wonderful film.
10) DEVELOPMENT – Hastings TV series as well as several feature films are in active development. It was my desire to double the CDI output of content this year but Covid and various variables have slowed things. We managed to keep creating in the hardest of times. We will keep moving forward thanks to all of you! We appreciate you all.
WRAP UP:
Aside from all this movie work I’ve had the pleasure of conducting business in our zen yard. The mulberries are in ABUNDANCE but I’m leaving them to the chickens, squirrels and birds save the handful a day I eat. We’ve been eating raspberries and soon blueberries from the yard also. The apples and hops will be coming in strong and maybe I’ll make some hard cider this year. The clover has been quite beautiful and also requires less mowing as the height stays low. I’m growing four leaf clovers. A Memory- Our 1st AD Carol on JUDGES could spot a four leaf clover in moments. She pulled like four from a patch in under a minute. She surprised me with a framed and matted group of four leaf clovers which I’ve kept to this day.
I had a few days where I forgot Lulu (Our last cat) had passed on. I was concerned if the upstairs was too hot or not wanting a door to close her in. I took one short nap before an event and she would always crawl up for a nap with me. No Lulu. But the Finn and Luna Mae (Our dogs) have kept us busy and entertained. Attack the water hose stream is one of the favorite games.
I had a week of business meetings that also involved birthday toasts and additionally several family dinners. All this around my birthday of the 23rd but the actual day was quiet by design. I still play soccer in a men’s league with my brother and several old school friends. No gym/dojo workout has every matched the raw competition. No value of name tags or titles just warriors, old warriors giving their all to show themselves they still got it. I’ve learned to love my opponents as they challenge me and my steel is sharpened. Sometimes in victory and sometimes in defeat. We’ve got a good team this year and during the first part of the season we lost once. And on my bday we lost to that team again. We were ahead until the last 15 min of the game where a call evened the game. We had one healthy sub and we had battled the heat. The other team had six subs and a strong will not to lose. I had a fast striker attacking that took everything I had to nullify his attack. We battled to the end and on my birthday I had been gifted health and humility. To play as hard as I do at my age is a blessing. Win or lose I won because I got to play. I felt a lesson in there that came out in another later conversation.
In that conversation we reflected on life as many of my talks do. I was asked, if I ever wished I had more in the film world. I want and work towards more frequent and better compensated films. But, I will tell a story that needs to be told for a modest pay day versus not having the story told. I also would not change being known for our art (stories) versus anyone else’s art. I think the best is yet to come and what I carry is patience and experience. I don’t chase dangling carrots and I’m not seeking short cuts. I’m not making the stories to impress or gain any glory just to offer a perspective that could affect people in a positive way. I don’t worship at the alter of value symbols pressed into metal or parchment. I say no more than yes but when I say yes, things happen. Okay, gonna slow on the coffee and head outside to mow and put up a windmill. Yes, I said a windmill. I just put up a wonderful set of wind chimes that were a gift and those are very peaceful. Tend to your zen and space and watch how things flow.
Have a great day and week ahead. Coffee cheers!
DJ
Happy 4th! Crazy 8 Updates (NEW Trailer)
(Gil Gilles and Sylvia say have a Happy 4th and don’t drink light beer!)
Good morning and Happy 4th to you all! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee as the morning started chilly but is suppose to get warm today. This day is about the Independence of the ole USA. A pretty incredible nation has been created but it was messy and not an easy task. The trials and tribulations continue but I will say having traveled many places in the world that we have it good. I didn’t say ‘perfect’ but good is something many of us have been able to build upon. This past week we had some storms bad enough with tornado sightings that many took to their basements. I’ve been studying WW2 for our upcoming Nov film and can’t imagine dealing with air raid warnings and yet many countries still do. The great thing is that anyone can grow up to make a change. That opportunity, not promised but it can be earned, found, imagined. I have to admit to liking the competitive space race amongst the private sectors. Add a dash of national space race and I really think I might get to enjoy space travel in my life time. Instead of just sitting on their earnings they are pioneering and that is exciting. The UFO report was released minus the national security aspects given to congress. That is also promoting much talk and speculation but I think the good thing is that the mystery objects could now provide recognition vs ridicule for scientist.
It has been good to be engaging in family and friend get togethers again. Catching up on missed birthdays and such gatherings. I hope all of you have enjoyed some of these gatherings and better appreciated the company of one another. Our own property has hosted a few gatherings and I enjoy keeping it rustically groomed and harvest the bounty of berries and such found on the property. But the other day after mowing 1/3 the yard the mower and I got caught in one of those downpours of rain. It just did not want to start after that and I tried all kinds of “online” tricks and such. I literally pulled the start cord 300 times trying to get it started. I got a little obsessed followed by #@!#^%$ which had my arm feeling like I had down super sets in the gym with one arm. That morning after a few sips of coffee the challenge set in again. I marched out and with my left arm (fresh and strong) but 50 increasing pulls yanking the rope out of the machine with a roar. Mechanics and technology are not my strong suit. Apparently wrecking shit is. The long short was a decommissioned mower whereas maybe the motor kept for a go-cart but a new mower was ordered. It is sitting here and I’ll be putting that together. It is an electric vs gas after going that direction with my weed whipper. The gas one always had be tinkering vs whipping weeds.
Let’s look at some of the top ten updates from the films here at CDI
- Plans might be soon underway to have ASHES OF EDEN joining BESTSELLER with a new BMG Global campaign. This was the first CDI collaboration with Shane Hagedorn who recently directed the upcoming BEST YEARS GONE. Did you see the trailer? Did it grab you? Make you laugh? Join us and follow us here at the FB site and watch the trailer. https://www.facebook.com/Bestyearsgone/videos/942523879863374
- More WW2 casting sand crewing choices and we will look to start putting agreements under folks end of July/start of Aug because we have an Aug scout trip to Algona coming together. We met over the agreements because film projects are really a web of interconnecting agreements. SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA follow along on Facebook for all the new updates.
- BEST YEARS GONE premiere events are forming up and I have theatrical talks in the next couple weeks. We are going to do a badass spectator drag race and outdoor screening of the film SEPT 11th you are getting advanced notice. A theatrical premiere will also happen in Owosso, MI at the NCG and I will let you know on dates soon but it will also be in Sept maybe the 18th, 25th? Not sure yet. Stay tuned! We plan to film and broadcast this all out at a later date like we did with the LOST HEART premiere at the Double JJ Resort.
- BIGFOOT, UFOS and JESUS – A fun title for a fun film that also includes some serious drama. That said, it will leave you feeling uplifted by the time the credits roll. Take a look for yourself because seeing is believing:)
- MANS BEST FRIEND the surprise awards at the ICVM were talked about last week but yesterday at a family gathering I was sitting with a just retired motorcycle mechanic. Nearly 7 feet tall (really) and use to be with a biker club and is polite as you get. Often quiet and soft spoken he told me he saw my movie MBF. Now his best friend is his dog who hangs in his garage as he creates and fixes. He said it really got to him and that he thought I did a really excellent job as Paul. I told him while the law might often regard dogs as property, dog owners know better. They are family that make each and everyone of us better. To be frank, that one kind comment letting me know our story had touched his heart was better than any award. The awards do tell me that many have enjoyed our story and been touched enough to recognize it. We are thankful and for those unaware, the next WW2 film in Nov will be directed my MBF director Anthony Hornus. I know once again we will create something special with a small army of artists and supporters.
- SMOKE & MIRRORS VFX should be almost complete. I hope to see something final soon. I’ve also been finding some time to work on this feature. After doing the short I broke apart the feature script and I’m reworking it based on some things I saw while filming the short derivative.
- FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH – Some of you know my life long love and practice of the martial arts. Inspired by my education of Catch-Can by Curran Jacobs we set out to trace the origins of the art. And to showcase the branches of the art as it extended into college wrestling and professional wrestling. Also the doc showcases the colorful factions that are reviving the art because of their love of it. Today at 1:00 pm the 1st trailer will be released to the public. It will release on the ‘For the Love of Catch’ Facebook site and Curran Jacobs (our director) social media sites. It will go PUBLIC at 1:00pm is my understanding. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkISvIrv4hU&list=FLDu-wRzCwru4EOPLvW0HClg&index=2 I’m very proud of the work that our team has done on this documentary. So enjoy the sneak peek.
- WILD FAITH / HASTINGS – So I watched this film for the first time in a while as I polished up the coverages of the TV series. I was reminded of the beautiful camera work and music and the wonderful world we created with the Murphy family and friends at the heart of it. The TV series brings many of those beloved characters out more while introducing new ones. I’ve set up and had a few great conversations that has brought things closer. I have continued talks this week but I think my goal of having the series green light by the end of the year just might happen.
There you go – your Crazy Eight Updates! I have a new mower to assemble and I’m going to do a few yard things. Okay maybe nap in a hammock. I hope you all continue to have a good time with family and friends. Be thankful for being able to spend time with them again. Relax. Laugh. And after a good rest get back to your tasks with a renewed focus. Just keep walking your path and you just might surprise yourself with how far you travel.
Until next time.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 