Good Monday morning! I’ve been having cold weather internet issues so if you get to read this we’ll all consider ourselves lucky. If you stay up on my blogs weekly you know exactly why this blog is coming on Monday versus Sunday. Which we’ll address and that will put ROM COMS MUST DIE (RCMD) at the top of our update list. This weekend we filmed the most difficult portions of the production with most of the scenes being outdoors in the freezing cold. To get you up to speed if this is your first read this project (RCMD) is the result of a writers frustration with distribution development talks whereas a much more elegant film script was liked…but- what is trending is mindless horror and romantic comedies. The distributor asked if we could consider something like that which immediately brought a sarcastic story pitch out of me. And they liked it. Sometimes I feel like I’m living a movie. So I decided to channel this frustration into a comedic and seemingly simple story but is it? What RCMD actually depicts is the many frustrations of being an artist. Of being an actor, writer and filmmaker in a world being dumbed down by social media. Social media can be a great tool or a great time waste. It has made many people worse in their attentions spans and their cravings to be noticed. Internet Trolls are just attention craving people speaking against the grain seeking attention. Lonely, bored people who waste time scrolling through what has become what the trash tabloids of the past once were. They are not living they are just being fed, scrolling garbage.
Okay, back on track. We shot the first of two blocks over the weekend which was an amazing amount of footage. It takes efficient planning and cast and crew on point and focused. We had limos, drones, classic cars and more with one day having almost the full cast. Parking was one of the biggest issues which we managed. This is the first feature length directorial endeavor for Travis Hayward. I’m proud to say CDI has given many artists their first. Adam Towner, well loved by many for his comedic self brought to life his first co-starring role. Some featured actors from CDI got their fist major supporting role. A few others made their first on-camera film debut. Our set ran very smooth with politely interaction everyone happy to be doing our first major creative project of the year.
I was beyond happy to have McGraw Multimedia co-owned by CDI’s own alumni John McGraw. I owned an editing/commercial studio back in the day where he was the main editor/camera man. He edited several of the classic CDI films back in the day. He was in VA with us filming WICKED SPRING. So many adventures and now we get to collaborate again. He and his brother (Eldon) have a commercial studio and they want to expand into features with CDI. So this is our first one up with John McGraw being the DP and editor. I supervised and because of the limited budget I took on the production design. Much of the exterior look is supplied by the wacky, wonderful, wintery Michigan. It gave a great look that is both beautiful and harsh. My chapped upper lip can attest to the harsh part. But I gathered up the props with some help and next week we’ll shoot our studio stuff along with our few pick up locations. It took weeks of planning and prep as a producer but thankfully the cold outside made the days chained to the desk seem not too bad.
So we have a week to reset for the next block. Many things to do including finalizing the catering and having our dir/DP scout the final needed location. I’ll brush up on my lines which as a co-star have been considerable. But I have a great team of people helping and now that everyone is establishing their characters the final block will be made much easier. Plus the next block is in a HUGE, comfortable, climate-controlled studio. I’m thrilled to have a first feature shot so early in the year. We want to get to 2-3 films a year and being ready this early is a step in the right direction. Today after this will be unpacking and stowing the props we are done with. I’ve already been on accounting this morning and other assorting paperwork while waiting for the internet to return. I have several business calls on other projects today. Like what you say?
Harsens Island Revenge – we found one last set of names in the final credits listed in the wrong place so we’ll be re-rendering. But we are going to watch a 2k version that is what theatrical files are made from, on a big studio screen. And when I say big I mean BIG:) Once we are good we’ll re-render with those names in the proper order and any issues noticed corrected. I have our home video deal in front of me for a final review. I’m going to talk with our proposed theatrical rep. And we’ll be rolling either with the rep or with CDI taking point like we did with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. SNIA (Which just played theatrically in Forest City last week!) But the next step after the final large screen watch is making our theatrical film and prep for a 4k home video delivery. Additionally to get some “outside our group” feedback on the film I sent it to the Red Letter Awards.
WHO ARE THEY? They are a group committed to movies with a message amongst many things. But we won last year’s BEST PICTURE with SNIA up against films with budgets as high as 90 million. So curiosity and a deadline had me submit Harsens Island Revenge and we were notified we are up for BEST PICTURE again. The awards director’s comments were as such (paraphrased) – CDI always brings the acting and production value around a story that is powerful and with a message but not blatant and forced. They don’t jump on any bandwagons or try to ride any trends. (Wonder how I got frustrated and wrote Rom Coms Must Die?) While (A popular pair of filmmakers) make quality good films they are not great like CDI films. (END) Okay, so I felt pretty good having my first ever communication with this woman. I have not attended the awards even though many CDI folks have on our film’s behalf. I don’t always need to be the guy handed the trophy and speaking my mind.
I like to have the spotlight often fall upon our hard working artists who deserve some shine. I’ve been blessed to be nominated and sometimes be handed a nice award. When doing so, I love talking about the TRIBE (WE) because no one person can do what we collectively do. But, I am that same young kid in the small neighborhood organizing the BB gun wars, playing capture the flag, building haunted houses and gathering warriors for snow fort building and snowball fights. I dream and believe deeply and when I do, I think that attracts the other like-minded artists. Often they just need that one other delusional persons who doesn’t laugh and shoot down an idea. You want to write a book? Make music? Weld metal? You just need one person to say need a pen? Rock on! And Like the heavy metal and suggest doing an art show. Lynn Drzick (In the Woods my 1st starring role) and after Jeff Kennedy (Who I formed CDI with) were those people. Together Jeff and I build a foundation where we value both sides of the camera equally as a family coming together to create. And working with a plan we have a flow we get into where attitude is valued over experience.
What do you mean DJ?:) If you have a negative mind set and work daily from that place you won’t last long inside the tribe. But if you are a positive, respectful person happy to be drawing breath and making some fun collective art, giving your very best, we’ll ride together until the end. We have employees in their 80’s and some tribal members have passed on to the great here after. But we also have young college folks working with us and everyone in between. We all at CALL TIME bow (Not really) like we do before entering a dojo. (Martial arts practice) Leave all your individuals save your creative spirit and plug into being 10 years old again collectively with your friends. The only time I can recall feeling injured (Not really) is when folks don’t see the whole game. By that I mean that while we (CDI and the films) are Incorporate we are a small business. It is a band of artists many whom are actor/producers who just want to work on quality projects without jumping through unreasonable hoops just to earn opportunity. CDI has the feel of what I imagine an old vaudeville troupe of talent might have been like or during the Golden Age of Studios. We have a focused group of artists who park their differences so we can align to tell a unified story. It’s a beautiful thing to watch. This last shoot weekend was all positive and it leaves one with a glow.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – Last week I got to watch the first really strong cut of the film! From the opening moments of having three of our principal actors back on the screen in our fictional town- I had goosebumps. The story flows both with nostalgic tingles and new fresh faces. We will look to polish the edit before we move to music and sound design. I’m happy to report that a first look trailer is well underway. I’m very proud of all the performances. I think fans of the first movie WILD FAITH will love returning to these characters and their new adventures. All this could lead to the Wild Faith Hastings TV series. One can only hope!
KNIGHT CHILLS will release on 1/31/25 on several platforms and I’m excited to see what the new generation has to say about CDI’s first feature film shot in the 90’s and remastered. Blu Ray is still my favorite way to enjoy the film. It has all the extras and BTS which is just as fun as the movie itself.
WRAP UP: I have boxes full of pro – I lost my wrap up writing when trying to add photos. Let’s just say my lost words were wise and profound. I have much work to get to today and this was suppose to be my simple morning coffee writings and rambles. But with the internet being on and off it has caused me many tech issues including not able to add any pics. If you want to see pics from ROM COMS MUST DIE you’ll have to seek out the Facebook site. Okay, stay warm and we’ll have a little more chit-chat next week!
Coffee cheers from a wet and rainy Michigan. I’m sipping some coffee and proud to be bringing you the last blog update of 2024. The years do click by and things come and go but I’m happy to have some consistant things and reflecting with you all is one of those things. I have a final holiday gathering today and so I’m writing with only a few sips in on the coffee. I usually like to get a full cup down me before starting my writing so forgive me if my words are a tad sleepier, sloppier? I had a very nice Christmas thus far that I found to be recharging, reflective and full of remembrance. We all have loved ones that are no longer with us and that changes things. But we try to adapt and appreciate where we are and who we are with. I think I hit a good life marker that should help reduce some of my concern I carry as a leader amongst artists. I’ve always been alpha organizing the sledding trips, the backyard football, capture the flag, or Dungeons and Dragons games with friends. Haunted Houses constructed yearly in friends basements or garages. I love to find gifts for people and even enjoying the wrapping. But why concern?
(Childhood – when life was more simple)
Those activities of youth were all under the roof of parents who took care of life’s concerns. Now I’m seeking larger budgets to do larger projects and compensate artists better. I try to stay organized and up on basic technology so that I can make sure to do everything that is required of me so that we can keep moving forward. You can add fear of doing things wrong to a list of why people don’t do things. I know that one day old age (may) sap my ability to oversee these big endeavors. Or that eternal rest might quiet all the calls to get things done. That TO DO box doesn’t exist that will pass onto a new generation. So while I’m here I will keep creating and doing all the things I need to do. It is not just doing but doing it well. I might control the process but not the end result.
(I’m not 20 anymore)
This week we watched many things but one was a documentary called BRAT PACK. It was about one media journalist article whereas it grouped and somewhat belittled the work of a handful of young 80’s actors. It was interesting to watch Andrew McCarty who was deeply affected by the label that these successful actors got lucky and were more about fame and partying versus taking the craft serious. Sounds faintly alike something we might hear about even today. It caused many of the actors to not work together again. It became what you accepted it to be. Many of these actors were young and so some of it really hit deep. But this actor wasn’t trying to be overly hurtful he was just trying to say something against the grain. He added a catchy phrase all in hope of keeping his young writing career going. Sounds a bit like social media these days. Someone is always going to speak against the trend to try and stand out.
Many still had fond memories like Demi Moore and others like Rob Lowe seemed to have taken it all with a laugh. But what it reminded me of was some of the early criticism from people watching my first films like IN THE WOODS or even KNIGHT CHILLS. I too was in my 20’s and the harsh words sometimes cut because I allowed them too. In the doc Rob and Andrew were talking about the fact that if anything lasts 30 years that is quite something. Now IN THE WOODS isn’t Breakfast Club and Knight Chills isn’t ST. ELMOS FIRE, but it is…kinda. They are someones version of those films. This past 18 months so both those above mentioned films to be remastered and released on Blu Ray. As of 1/31/2025 Knight Chills will go streaming and later this year I plan to see IN THE WOODS follow that up streaming. The beautiful thing is on the Vinegar Syndrome site for lovers of those classic horror films Knight Chills was adored and even mentioned as release of the year. It doesn’t matter but my point is that something that I was proud of back in the day of I was made to feel somewhat ashamed of because of mean words. But now almost 30 years later they are back because of the fans. And the fans are giving roses versus rocks. Not sure that is a good thing with Sir Kallio around. But I know Lynn Drzick (Dir of In the Woods) is talking about a few conventions to do meet and greet with fans. Maybe some of the cast and crew? I know a sequel script for both films now exist. Thank you to the fans.
Let’s fast forward back to the modern. I got to sit in the early theater show and watch and reflect on SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA (SNIA). It has been enjoying a jaunt back into select theaters for the holidays. Several locations in Iowa, Lansing (MI) and it still plays in Grandville (Outside GR) until 1/2/2025. It was such a moving experience and was one of those STOP, TURN AROUND and look at how far you’ve come. It seems only yesterday Darrel Folkert and I were making little videos with the family camcorder. This amazing film can be watched on Amazon Prime but for those able to see it on the big screen it is magic. As I sat there I remember being 7 years old with John Luginsland (Same name from SNIA) watching STAR WARS and RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK. My favorite actor was Harrison Ford and he let me know that you could grow up and be something other than a Fireman, Policeman, Doctor…you could grow up and be an actor. And now I sat watching previews for our film in the theater and here is the new Marvel film co-starring Harrison Ford. They were promoting his new film in front of ours. It made me smile. Maybe as close as I’ll get to him but you never know. I’ve met some pretty amazing people in this industry.
(In the game – I love that our stories are being enjoyed)
Looking ahead to 2025! If you want to see bullet points on projects for sale, merchandise, books and more to go with our movies- go back and read a few entries. Every year I write down goals. Each December post Christmas I refine those for the new year. Which goals carry over? Which were achieved and what was achieved that I didn’t even predict the year prior? What I do know is that Harsens Island Revenge as of yesterday was undergoing two last steps before being called done. They were doing a last overall filter on the film and relaying the black bars. Also they were checking to make sure the opening logo was the best quality. But as of today or tomorrow that film should be done. I can’t believe I’m saying that. We’ll be uploading a lower res to a site for our distributors to see. I plan to sign both the new deals 1st of the year after they do a final watch. We will upload to a site for festival submissions as we’ll do a few this year. And it will be prepared to be tested in the theater for our premiere and theatrical run. The CDI tribe led by director Carl Weyant has brought us one heck of a film. It is not too early to start calling your film theaters and requesting it. It prepares the market for when the booker starts reaching out. So call, call, call instead of just wait, wait, wait…
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS which was such a thrill to end the year on is past the hour mark in editing. The film advances about 5 min a day and so in a week or two we’ll have a first edit. Following that will be a first poster and trailer to share with awaiting audiences. I’m so proud of the job director and co-star Shane Hagedorn did and now he’s editing. A force of passion and that is what a director has to be. That leading, driving force pushing to see a vision through.
(GW Burns captures the miners from ‘Wild Faith Christmas’)
ROM COMS MUST DIE – is an intelligent mock on the state of the film industry filtered through the comedy/horror genre. We have our 1st prep meeting of the new year on day two of 2025. We’ll be locking dates and putting things in motion to shoot in Jan/Feb under the directorship of Travis Hayward. It will be fun to be back in action on the screen so soon. This is the first of many collaborations with McGraw Multimedia.John McGraw worked with CDI for many years as camera, grip and editor of several of the early CDI projects. They provided the B unit work on Harsens Island for the above mentioned film. John is the director of photography and we’ll be shooting both on location and in the studio. I’m excited to have John and his brother Eldon and their team joining forces with the CDI tribe again.
Misc./Wrap Up
We have a few additional projects developing for 2025. One which I’ve been waiting for Carl Weyant to read but wanted him to finish the ‘Harsens’ film first. I finished the new draft of show 5 of 8 on the WILD FAITH: Hastings TV series. I will work to finish 6/7 this week and 8 after that. I have the TV show now following the second film versus the first. Acting. writing. Producing. Goals for the property to complete in 2025 are set. Whereas last year it was the new deck build now it will be deck stain and who knows maybe a carport. So look at your 2024 and see what you got done and what you did not. Plan for your 2025 and develop a plan of action. There is development in 2025 that won’t shoot or happen until 2026 but the planning starts now. Have realistic goals. Set short term goals leading towards your long tern goals. I’m going to end this by wishing you a Happy New Year. I hope your Christmas was peaceful be it solo, a few together or many. I want to again thank each and everyone of you for stopping by each week to read these words. I hope some of it can be used to give you motivation, contemplation or any other help you might have needed. I will continue to give my best efforts on a daily basis and there is not anymore you can ask of yourself.
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 