The journey. The adventure. The wins. The setbacks. The Growth!
I’m sipping the hot hazelnut coffee on a snowy Michigan morning. I’m feeling much better this weekend from last. I was under the weather last week which in part I feel was due to my gut being off from antibiotics. I had my first of two upper wisdom teeth removed and I think the meds threw my balance off. But a few probiotics and I’m feeling much better. It is odd how so much is tied to health. It has been a theme so many times that health is wealth. I stand by that. They say the coloring of the mood is controlled by the gut. And the gut can be greatly influenced by what you eat and dental health. I talk to my young people all the time about staying on top of that. It can easily be one of the things that gets overlooked when times are tough financially. But I’m a person who tries to really keep up on all that.
I have to say while I was still slightly below par last week it was still a very productive week. I’ve been working to streamline things and prepare for the next five years and beyond. Accountants, bankers, legal are all important parts of the filmmaking process. If your start up organization lacks these things it might be part of what is holding your growth back. Filmmaking is so much more than just playing with a camera. Those production skills are very important but what will lead you to the bigger projects is good business.
FILM UPDATES:
- Today I will be meeting with one of my oldest collaborators Lynn (David) Drzick from Katharsys Pictures. They manage the literary part of CDI. We are publishing scripts/making of’s and novels of CDI films where it applies. Next up is the re-release of the Ghost Town novel. And I’ll be handing materials off for the beginning layout of the Making of KNIGHT CHILLS including the script. This movie has had the book by David Hayes released and is now available on BluRay and streaming! It was CDI’s first film. We will be discussing more literary endeavors because I truly do LOVE books.
- I will also note that we’ve been developing a few films with Lynn and Katharsys Pictures with one being IN THE WOODS 2. We are a few drafts deep and some early development is being done on that. It is always fun to talk films and Alex, Wayne and Al just may be fighting monsters again in the near future.
- I was talking about books and one of the books we are really wanting to do this year is THE QUEST TRILOGY coffee table book full of great pictures and interviews with key production members. I have 1 of the 3 director interviews and need to push for the other two.
- The last three films in the CDI Classic Collection are being evaluated for restoration and I feel fairly confident that we will have some success with these films. You become a guardian of these stories and keeping them in the public is work. But I want to see these stories live on as they are part of the CDI history.
- Rom Coms Must Die is completed and this past week we entered several film festivals that might embrace this film. I will be having talks this week over theatrical and we are actively working to set up a premiere showing. A new theatrical poster is being worked on by Adam Towner and this dark comedy will be releasing wide to streaming and DVD in Q3! You can check out a Making of on IMDB and look for promo clips coming soon.
- AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is having all the dialog worked on plus music and sound design. We’ll start hearing parts of this very soon. Based off some initial concept art our theatrical poster is being polished up. The plan is to be in theaters this Summer and Q4 home video. A BTS is being planned and the trailer is getting more eyes weekly. We are raising the last little bit of marketing money on this unique film and cannot wait to share it with the world.
- Wild Faith Christmas is entering thew second half of its festival run. We just found out we were nominated for BEST PICTURE at a great awards show. We’ll be announcing that soon but you heard it here first. We are waiting to hear on several more festivals and at the end of Summer/fall this film will reenter the theatrical market before a Q4 home video release. Home video artwork is underway and this will be a great gift to the fans of the first film. It was very well received in theaters thus far and we have plans to try and launch the TV series again.
- I have been doing some writing on two different scripts both follow ups to popular CDI films. I had the goal of finishing at least two films this year and I’m on track to do just that. I’ve dropped hints on which scripts in past blogs. One is the most requested sequel of all the CDI films. It is always fun to be in the world with these characters beloved to so many people. Do you have any guesses? Or do you have CDI films you would like to see follow up’s on?
DEVELOPMENT: Technically the about update on scripts is considered development but I will leave it up there. We have one film that could launch this year but it is time sensitive. We have a few weeks to tie everything up or else it will be pushed into the next year. These are hard talks when you want something so bad but it also makes sure you have the amply time to do a great job. I want this to happen this year but that is all up to a few moves on the chessboard. We will see very soon.
We have a project that was developed quite a bit before we switched gears to AI Jesus due to the timeliness of the story and subject matter. I also have a script to read this week that we’ve been asked to consider co-producing. Before I get a slew of scripts sent to me, it is funded. But that isn’t an automatic in for us. But we really like this group of filmmakers and we are experienced in this genre. So I’m looking to have a good read and see what happens with the other project that has verbal interest but has not yet gone to contract and deposit. Both could be done pending filming timelines. I believe that I’m led to do the projects I’m meant to do.
WRAP UP:
I am looking to sit down with a filmmaker I recently worked with on a short film shot on 16mm. It was fun to go back to my early film days and the day we shot was truly special. And what a great group of passionate folks looking to carve their own name in filmmaking. I had it hard. All us early Michigan filmmakers had it hard. Lynn Drzicks, Mike Kallio, Rich Brauer, Charles Cirgenski, Jim Bonner, …the short list could go on but go back and read the old MICHIGAN VUE magazines. We didn’t all love each other’s projects and occasionally you might encounter competition over the scarce resources. But that was a respect that we were all going through hardships. Some were better funded versus others and it was still always a challenge with money only being part of it. Now with social media and brash attitudes filmmakers are brutal to one another. We also had our TROLLS who were born when the internet arose. You could now be rude without any real consequences. That has become worse in that many don’t hide their identity but they just blast one another. Some may deserve it partially but my philosophy has also been to just let them burn their own bridges. It doesn’t take long to figure out who the BS’ers are and who is stand up. Sadly, when some burn their own bridges they cause damage to a region which with social media can spill out everywhere. Investors, location owners and such who get burned can hurt many. Because not all filmmakers are alike. But the owner of a nice location doesn’t always know one from another.
I try to be grateful for every opportunity I’m given. In turn, try to give opportunity where it is earned. People who really know me have said at times I’m too nice. But I do have limits and boundaries to be sure. There are a handful who know this to be true. Even in some of those cases I just don’t believe this is that path for them. Or if it is they need to mature and develop on their dime. I’m not writing this with anyone in mind so if you felt it, you might want to self examine. But as sad as I am anytime someone is left to follow their own path it always means a new opportunity for someone. A chance to step up whereas perhaps their appreciation will run deeper. I really do mourn those whose attitudes hold them back and celebrate those who rejoice in being given an opportunity. I am good at turning the cheek as they say a first time but the second strike will be met with redirecting force, out the door. So try to be your best self. Don’t let your negativity isolate you and set bridges ablaze. Enjoy the collaborations. Understand the accountability of others. Flow like water. (Thank you Bruce Lee)
I’m going to go get ready for my meeting with an old friend. One who I did part ways with at one time long ago. I won’t say one of us was more wrong than the other it just was what it was. Call it creative differences to be fair but I’m also pleased to have rekindled that friendship and the work between us. So the beautiful thing is that if everyone keeps growing in a positive direction maybe nothing is permanent. I’m always considering the friendship first but I will be direct to action on business. As I’ve noted prior, sometimes the friendship leaves when the opportunities dry up. You can feel used and unappreciated but I don’t let that jade me. I recharge when new opportunities are given and appreciation flows from them. New friendships can be formed over collaborating on art. That again is the real key. The journey. The adventure. The wins. The setbacks. The Growth!
Keep moving forward. Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Coffee Cheers – Wine Making, Lost Heart, Best Years Gone…and more
Welcome new readers from France, China and South India – welcome to our circle of artists. I’ve got my hazelnut coffee here beside me and I’m ready to discuss some activities from the week. For starts I’ve been exploring an upgrade to my account so that I can have some control over the ads. If they are going to be here they might as well be things that pertain to what we all do. I’m also looking at reviewing a few items here and there and such. But let’s look at some of the highlights of the week.
NATURE – This is something that most artists already know but a healthy connect to nature is a secret. The property is a natural garden of sorts. We are prepping to start the garden up with strawberries and rhubarb already showing. Apple blossoms and mulberry buds starting. I planted a hill of beans and some onions. I see the first of the ink tip mushrooms but no morels as of yet. Last night I did my first cooking of dandelions. If you read up they are all edible and full of nutrition. I cold washed and in a pan cooked them down in red cooking wine and garlic. I stirred in a few almond slices also and…bitter. I ate a few good bites and you could get use to it and I think longer cooking could reduce bitterness. Also different spices may help.
I harvested the roots that I like for tea but I will need to work on my cooking of the greens. I’m reading on the wine process. I’ve drank dandelion wine but never made it. I might try dandelion, rhubarb and black raspberry wine. Add a little home grown hops which is already going gangbusters. The last wine the GRAPE APE was well received so I’m planning the next wine. Same with beer as I’ve got a new Irish Porter I think to try and make. The beer always goes fast (vikings:) but the wine does also pending the company. So my days find balance with some yard work. Try it and you will find that your days will be much more balanced.
NEW ADDITION TO THE OFFICE – WHO IS HE?
OFFICE ZEN – I’ve been using this time to deep clean and organize the office fort. It’s been great fun to walk down the lane remembering all the trials and tribulations of the artistic journey. I’ve noted that our endeavors have paid out millions to artists on both sides of the camera and the support industries. I’ve found great pictures and promotion from films past.
I think in light of everything in the world virus-like – I will be adding an outdoor pergola and seating/meeting area to the office. I’ve been looking for a while. A few more tree trims and maybe an improved property fence. For my fellow producers I will likely be installing a boost, extender…to enhance office internet. I like it low tech as that is where minds meet before going off into our tech-ridden world. I’ve been having lots of phone meetings and much has been getting done. We have some exciting projects in development and others about to be completed. Let’s talk movies.
The fan mail keeps coming and the films continue to sell deeper and deeper into the world market. Mexico, Brazil and much of Latin America has gone on a ‘quest’ watching THE QUEST TRILOGY.
Audiences young and old are traveling to 1870’s Michigan with Emmett, Haddie, Grace, Henry and Uncle McKinney in WILD FAITH.
Viewers have cried and cheered with Paul Landings in MAN’S BEST FRIEND. And the cautionary tale of ASHES OF EDEN pushes out an important message.
During these times our artists are proud to give you inspiration, hope, distraction and direction. Thank you so very much!
LOST HEART – VFX, Color Correction, Credits and sound design are underway. The music is nearly done and marketing with the distributor is being conducted. Long time collaborator Dennis Therrian is again composing a wonderful soundtrack. We might have a few guests joining the band Roanoke. DVD artwork is almost complete and we’re all very excited to share this story with you.
I will discuss one thing I’ve seen a ‘trend’ with and that is minimizing front credits. I’ve had multiple directors push to get to the story unhindered by credits. I don’t agree. While directors have gotten more powerful in Hollywood and can push for such things we play in the indie world where I stand by the fact that I’ve never paid an artist what they are truly worth. I can’t because some of them, most of them are beyond a price tag. What we can do is honor some of the main artists contributing and complete that journey with end credits. I don’t like on TV when they speed those end credits up but networks are dealing with time slots only. I see the opening of the film as a slow slip into our created world. The kudos of credits that slide across the screen give added appreciation. So my taste in music, my style of dress and my general interests may never be ‘trending’ or trendy but I am okay with that. I’m a touch old school and I admit it. I love the slower pacing of classic films. I enjoy black and white classic Hollywood films that played at my grandma’s pretty much 24/7 save when Law and Order was on:) Maybe one day those like me holding onto a non-trendy, through-back storytelling will be GONE WITH THE WIND (My other grandma’s favorite) but until that point – stay classy.
BEST YEARS GONE – I’ve had some interesting talks with our next project. This week we chatted with actress Cindy Williams who did a small bit for LOST HEART. We were looking to bring her in a bit more to the CDI family and will if scheduling permits. Once the storm lifts and productions can move ahead it might be like the wagons in the gold rush. Or some endeavors may have suffered from the economic hardships. Luckily, our ship sits in the harbor stocked up and ready to sail. STORM: 45 is what we’ve been calling this operation. Someone suggested it was a good name for a WW2 film. Simply it means that 45 days from the storm of regulation passing we’ll move forward with a safe game plan. Like many we’ve already been focusing on all this as well as doing prep work. Scheduling, shot lists and soon zoom actor reads will be enacted.
NEW CAST ANNOUNCEMENT
This week we’ll be announcing a few more of our actors. We’ve got a pair of twins co-starring in the story. For those roles we’ve looked at reads from across the country. I’m happy to say that we found our twins and they are going to be wonderful collaborators in our film. You can see them up above. To find out who they are join our BEST YEARS GONE Facebook page tomorrow.
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It is funny that someone mentioned WW2 film in reference to STORM 45. The big 2021 film is going to be a WW2 film directed by Anthony Hornus. It will be his follow up to MAN’S BEST FRIEND. We’re about to launch a national casting for the young lead in the film. We’ve been putting the business together behind the project and it looks like the first half of the financing is about to fall into place. I’m looking forward to storytelling in this time period. Maybe our secret code word will be Storm 45. Ok. That’s already taken so for now ‘Untitled Anthony Hornus WW2 film‘ will just have to work. We are also looking for German actors and actors capable of speaking German. Be honest with those resumes and special skills;)
This TV series is gaining momentum. We had talks with our distributor and a few 3rd parties either about finance or licensing. Every month our fans of the Murphy family and the zany characters of ‘Hastings’ grows. Some of the larger licensors of WILD FAITH will be approached on pre-licensing commits but I think it will only be a matter of time. In a perfect world this would land after BEST YEARS GONE and before the WW2 film. This is not a perfect world but we have a lot of creative folks and will adapt as needed. The first season will be 8 shows. I think audiences will really love to learn more about these deeply evolving characters in a changing world.
We have development on animated features, documentary films and several features in development. I personally am also excited that I’ve gotten to do some writing on my SciFi script. We’ve got a few great ‘space/technology’ consultants and some concept art is being working upon. Merchandise of various sorts and expanding services will be developing as more artist join the CDI Tribe. I’ve been using this time to plan the next 10 years for CDI. We have a clear path and I’m excited to see what is produced under the flag. I’m going to wrap this up and get to some outdoor tasks.
Be good to one another! Coffee Cheers.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 