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.
Advanced Casting Notice and More CDI Updates!
(CDI’s John Mashni and I at a development meeting)
Coffee cheers my friends! Yesterday we had a nice family reunion before the rains came. I’ve been doing a spring harvest on herbs as I noted before. We also are part of a program whereas we get fresh and sometimes exotic veggies each week grown out at Michigan State University greenhouses. I had a week off from soccer and really missed the battle. I spent some time assembling some trellis planters that will live on the new deck once that is done. My hops harvest might take a hit with the new deck build but they are hardy and will return. I’ve also got an abundance of hops from previous years. My deck prep has also included some tree-trimming which had me on a ladder with a pole saw but happy to report no falls. As I’ve noted before, I LOVE my breaks to walk amongst nature and maintain and/or harvest breaking up my desk work. I’ve been grinding out the film development work in addition to restoration and re-release or older films and working on our present film. Where to start?
(An action sequence from Ghost Town)
Our Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town film is riding back into the market and is now on TUBI with more to follow. We are in talks to bring AN ORDINARY KILLER to streaming but the Two Average Joes Media‘s version of the HD DVD is about to release. I saw the 4k restoration and it looks beautiful. We are targeting December for a streaming release maybe with a special weekend screening of the film in the theater where it was filmed. (Owosso, Michigan) I want to cut a fresh new trailer from this film and we’ll do that soon.
Speaking on new releases and fresh trailers. KNIGHT CHILLS was released last October on Blu Ray by Saturn Core who did an awesome job. I’ve seen the new trailer now being polished up and it is really cool. I want to see if we can increase the resolution even more for a Fall streaming release. A new poster has also been in the works for the streaming release.
All the “CDI Classic Collection” is being worked on but we want to not just get it better but excellent. So FROM VENUS, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST are being worked on. The source cameras were not of the same quality as say AN ORDINARY KILLER and GHOST TOWN so that is proving to be more of a challenge.
The current film we are working on is Harsens Island Revenge. I got to see the edit of the trailer and it is exciting to say the least. The dialog clean up will be finished this week and music and sound design will become the new focus. A few pieces of music are already roughed out and it really brings it all to life. We will also see a theatrical poster and even a music video possibly. I hope to have the trailer release no later than June 23rd my birthday so we’ll see.
(Travis Hayward and Bart Ketner at a development meeting)
DEVELOPMENT – We don’t have all the pieces in play for our 70’s racing film HOT ROD LOVE so that is going back on the shelf. Instead we have two smaller scope films we are looking to do. The first will shoot in July/August time frame and is a parody comedy/horror feature called ROM COMS MUST DIE. It will be the first directed feature by Travis Hayward. Travis has been with CDI since traveling to Las Vegas to film the CDI associated WASTELAND film in the Valley of Fire. He has worked on several CDI films working his way up the ladder. We are scouting and will be doing a casting search centering in the mid-Michigan area. I’m going to give you all an advanced breakdown here and if you think you have the right fit send your pics, resume and reel link here. Yes. This is paid and has distribution as it is a http://www.cdiproductions.com film.
(WE NEED YOU:) CASTING NOW!)
ROM COMS MUST DIE-
(These are all actors playing actors in the film) * Comedic experience
WES and LACEY – A Barbie and Ken type- Highly groomed with trendy style, killer smile with a touch of fake.
NICK and SUGAR – Nick is a musical DJ with street style and swagger and Sugar is all attitude and personality with ‘Housewife of Atlanta’ appeal.
KIP – Mildly Feminine young man
AIMEE – Country girl type with a great smile and looks good in flannel or sporting a cowgirl hat
ADVANCED CASTING for NOVEMBER western-
BLACK little girl and boy 12 or under in age
NATIVE AMERICAN boy 12 or under in age
These are both supporting roles and experience is needed! PAID and this film does have distribution in advance. Likely, a week-long commitment to filming and virtual tutor will be involved. Again a http://www.cdiproductions.com film.
There you have it. An advance casting notice as we prepare to end the year strong with a couple of productions.
WRAP UP: Going back to the family reunion it was nice to chat with folks. Many I only see once a year during events like this. They often have questions on “what is next?” or “what am I working on?” What I love is how everyone has different favorite films. Pictures of my clean cut Col Lodell from SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA were looked at because my hair is getting long again. Some love WILD FAITH and several MAN’S BEST FRIEND. Once said his favorite was AN ORDINARY KILLER and yet another likes the scarier films like IN THE WOODS. The Colonel. Ben Lily. Paul Landings. Let. Lynn Kendall. Alex Kerwood. It is fun to just have people appreciate the different characters and roles. And now I’m creating a new character for this ROM COMS MUST DIE. People look forward to watching what you create so there is always a good pressure to create. The second film developing is a sequel so I know the character. Maybe that is a hint;) So while doing all this business of bringing on the biz backers, actors and the crew I will also be creating this new role to bring to the screen. It is always fun and this will be no different.
I’m also starting to look at props. I’m going to have art start to do a breakdown on the western so we can start looking for those hard to find items. I’m off to a flea market to see if I can find any treasures. Wish me luck! I’m looking forward to a great week of communicating and processing checks back to previous investors. We’ll see who wants to hop back on board for a couple great projects. Some are already onboard and so once we get that all finished the creative hard work begins. We are also making some strides on projects for next year but I don’t want to jinx anything by talking prematurely. Have a great week and we’ll talk next Sunday. I hope a few of you match the casting breakdown and reach out. That would be great to cast a few of you via my blog. Invites others to follow along. I’m also on insta-gram under officialdjperry so seek me out and follow me there also.
Be good to one another!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 