Happy 250th and Welcome July! Updates on CDI Films!
Happy 250th birthday to the USA. We represent an imperfect nation working towards perfection. That is not truly possible since everyone has a different idea of perfection. Hazelnut coffee tastes near perfection, for me. I hope everyone had a safe 4th. I’m past my days of strong drink and fireworks thankfully. One of our dogs absolutely hates fireworks. Over the years he has gotten better but still to see him shake makes me sad. I once was one of the hooligans drinking and causing a ruckus. Sorry Miss C. Our cats including old Fred doesn’t like the explosions and I can’t speak for our hens and the squirrels and such on the property but last night it sounded like a war zone. We watched something loud “Band of Brothers” to try and drown out the noise. On that note we only have 1 or 2 shows left to watch and I know I’m late to the party but what a great series. While we don’t have Tom Hanks/SS budgets I’m proud to have created many historic dramas and we have many more to tell.
I did wake up feeling very lucky to be alive and living in the USA. I’ve always loved the romantic notion of the 17th century but with the state of technology, medicine and more, I know that life was much harder than we imagine. The above ‘Band of Brothers’ also helped strip away the heroic glamour of war seen in movies. In many cases it did not matter how athletic you were it was where the mortar round fell or the machine gun nest scattered bullets. And the mental anguish that still haunts war time soldiers to this day. That makes me again proud of how many of the CDI stories look at the plight of soldiers after war. An Ordinary Killer, Ghost Town, Wicked Spring, Harsens Island Revenge, Wild Faith, MBF, Silent Night in Algona and more. I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to experience these stories.
This past week we left June behind and entered July. For me it represented many things aside from turning another year older. CDI finished the third film that will be rolling out this year. On that topic, we debate the value of theatrical release more and more. The communication between these bookers can be difficult. New reports state that indie film houses are on the come back. I would love to see that. So we’ll keep pushing on that front. We’ll get into some of the film updates now.
FILM UPDATES:
- I spent 4 days doing the film disbursements to our investors and residuals on the union films. I’m proud of what we’ve built slow and steady. I want to thank legal and accounting for helping us streamline the process going forward. I love writing checks out to people. It has always been one of my favorite things to do and it is why I still write the checks myself versus automating the process. That day might come but not quite yet.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is slowly starting a pre-campaign to get people ready for the 11/3/2026 release to DVD and home video. It is also encouraging people to watch or re-watch the first film WILD FAITH. We might try to slip into a few more theaters in October. It would be great to play both films back to back.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is prepping for a 10/2/2026 home video release. The new poster art is great and we’ll be doing some PR on the three films coming out this year. I’ve got a Lansing, MI based brew N view I’m putting together with one of our collaborators/supporters. We are still pushing the theaters and we’re excited to have this film seen. The response so far from the comedy and horror crowd has been amazing. Follow the FB pages on your favorite films to keep up with all the updates.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is being delivered to the home video distributor. We’ll be planning a premiere likely in Owosso, MI the home town of the director and where we filmed. This unique film centers on topics that everyone is talking about. It is part truth and part SciFi fiction blended in a frightfully real way. AI is not going anywhere and so society will have to adjust. Much like the internet itself, I cannot say that people spending hours a day on their phones or online is healthy but it is what it is. Go watch the trailer and get ready for this film. A BTS is being worked on too my Adam Towner and I hope to have that out to audiences soon.
- DEVIL’S PASS – This action packed mid-western has been in pre-production. I’ve been working to pull in the paperwork and funds so the bank account can be opened. We’ll start locking in other logistics once that is underway. The final casting and crewing has been underway. We had a several hour meeting last week over cast and crew. We had two larger speaking roles and we have several featured that are action versus dialog. It was a great opportunity for several CDI folks to gain the experience of auditioning. It was/is a very competitive process. I myself have lost roles to others. One actor I recall was strong but did not fit the family dynamic. I know that one actor who auditioned for PETE was the one to beat. He is an amazing actor who has co-starred in two other CDI associated films. The other role was a brother to our main antagonist and is so very complex. The actor who stood out for this role was totally unexpected. He had shown a lot of dedication being an extra in no less than three CDI films. I know some folks were disappointed to not get the role but that is part of the growth also. Like in martial arts and soccer the role is earned. I saw a lot of promise in several of the reads they are just green. They need to work on their craft and get more comfortable with the camera. I use to teach workshops back in the day teaching acting for camera. This helped talented stage actors make the transition. We had a couple of reads that were just over-the-top theatrical. Some auditions had people pacing or rocking back and forth out of frame. Grounding your energy and stillness can be a strength in film acting. We will be working to distribute the schedule this week to the department heads and to actors. We are all excited to bring this next film to life this September.
DEVELOPMENT: I’ve been outlining scenes and prepping to finish the script for MBF2. I’ve had more than enough fuel for this story and unfortunately much of it is inspired by the ugly side of human nature. MBF was raw and the follow up needs to also have that teeth. I’m also working on WF3 which again has big shoes to fill with WILD FAITH ands WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS but I think this new story is up to the challenge. I do have a few books that have been submitted for consideration in being turned into a screenplay/movie, but no deal has been made.
RETURN TO ALGONA is the follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and I’m really excited to bring this next chapter to life. We are in talks with sponsors that will assist with that. Watching Band of Brothers last night made me proud to be capturing history. These stories need to be told or they will be forgotten.
Now that I’ve got much of this accounting and dispersement work done I can also return my focus to the Katharsys Media three film deal. The proposal draft is much longer than what I normally use or submit. A tip here with raising funds includes not putting in a bunch of fluff. Just the facts Joe Friday. I have a few other projects to touch base on and see where we are in the development process.
WRAP UP:
I’m again going to express my appreciation. My mind drifted to many good folks no longer with us. That is in my business and just in my life. I’m deeply appreciative that I had the tenacity to not give up. I had and still have such great people willing to work towards a collective dream. I’ve balanced my work life with a wonderful personal life. This past week I would take a break every few hours from accounting to go put my hands in the dirt. I love working on the property even though the pollen this year has given me an allergy issue to deal with. I will be taking an R&R trip to CA next week to go to the Disney Star Wars park. I will try to set up a few visits with a few local friends but if unable you will find me by the pool.
This week before I go there we’ll celebrate my mom’s bday although we did a little surprise party for her last Sunday. And my dad’s bday is also this week and we’ll be celebrating that later this month. Again, a blessing to still have my parents with us. I know many that do not have that any longer. I want to thank everyone who took the time to wish me a Happy Birthday. It was low key and calm, something I do enjoy. I just had some eggs from our hens and I’ve topped off the coffee several times. I’m going to wrap this up and I don’t know if I’ll be doing a video update from CA or if I plan to bring my laptop. I know I could get more business done but maybe I could use a break from the computer. Happy Bday to America and let us all try to remember UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL. Be good to one another. Coffee Cheers! DJ
CDI Film Updates- Lessons of Staying in the ‘Right’
Spring is officially upon us and today our clocks ‘Sprung’ ahead! The rain has taken the snow and the ground has drunk up the water. Small buds and bits of green can be found here and there. I want to do some trimming before growth goes full onward. I am enjoying the last of the wood stove fires as soon the temps will tip in the other direction. The added light has the chickens kicking out the eggs. I’ve started the property clean up from the harsh winter. I’m making my list of TO DO’s for the property and I think this coming week I am going to start a batch of Frankenberry wine. That is wine that is made from all the berries around the property with a little rhubarb thrown into it.
I’m about past tax season work with the films. I still have to organize for payment. We’ve worked to streamline some of the process which will help with check writing to investors and end of year tax work. Again I thank the CDI support staff from Dean Teaster, John Mashni and Gary Davison and his team. Filmmaking is a business and it takes a lot more than just what happens on set.
OTHER FILM UPDATES:
- The big news being ran through the PR machine is the nomination of Wild Faith Christmas for several awards topped with BEST PICTURE with the IFCC. One of the largest fests that recognizes family and inspirational films. I’m actually going to join Shane Hagedorn at a hit and run visit to Florida for the awards show. We want to try and have a few conversations about the funding of the TV series and/or a 3rd feature film.
- The Red Letter Awards which is a fast growing event that recognizes positive and inspirational art gave us advanced notice that WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS was up for Best Picture. I think we last won that with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. The individual nominations will be forthcoming and that show is outside of Nashville.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is still up for recognition at several other festivals but will also be going into theaters again end of Summer/Fall before the home video release. I think we almost have everything submitted to TEG and this coming week I will start on the delivery items for RCMD. What is that you ask?
- ROM COMS MUST DIE! If you are fans of films that make fun of things such as Spinal Tap, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind or Waiting For Guffman you might really love this film. The theatrical poster is now complete and we are trying to set up the premiere. After we are planning a series of theatrical events. It will release to streaming and DVD before Halloween Q3. This is comedy/horror and will really hit a note if you work in or follow the actual film industry. You can pop over to the IMDB page and see the poster, watch the trailer or the making of.
- Speaking of Making of – I’m trying to catch up IMDB on the making of’s. These are interesting for the public but also a major joy for cast and crew to look back upon. The journey is a beautiful one. We are also doing this on the literary front with CDI’s collaboration with Katharsys Publishing. We are almost ready to re-release rhe Ghost Town book back to Amazon. We have a Making of Knight Chills with the director’s script and notes. We already have a few of these products out there but we’ll be putting many more out to market. Shane Hagedorn and I have been assembling everything for a beautiful book on THE QUEST TRILOGY. It will have great reflective stories from all the directors and more. If you have not watched FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER in that order you should. It will prepare you for AI Jesus coming to theaters and home video this year.
- I’ll give you the drop here early but we are soon to announce a CDI collaboration with Lynn Drzick to do a slate of genre films. One a detective slasher, a SciFi piece and a sequel to IN THE WOODS. I plan to get that PR around but development work is underway for the first film.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is in audio post and the first pass is done on dialog and sound design. We’ll review that soon before the musical score begins. We’ll also start the end credit creation. The front credits need a touch adjusting as we have a few new credits to add. I’m down to the last two marketing units on this film and I think we’ll wrap that up soon. The theatrical release will be Summer followed by the Q4 home video release. This film is very deep but also dressed in humor. The topic of AI is everywhere and this film looks at all angles of this emerging technology. You can watch the trailer online and we will soon have a BTS and final theatrical poster soon!
DEVELOPMENT – The Katharsys/CDI slate in development was mentioned above but that is only the tip of the spear. This coming week will be very telling on two different films where funding is concerned. I did a magazine interview this past week and I was asked the hardest part of making movies. That is easily the funding. I also mentioned the WILD FAITH franchise developing the TV series and a 3rd stand alone film should the series budget be too heavy to lift currently. I’ve noted before a few scripts that I’m working on in-between paid writing. One of them is MBF2. I’m not in a hurry to film this but I’ve had the story in my head for several years and wanted to get it out in script form. If you have not seen MAN’S BEST FRIEND it might be a good watch. I’ve got partial scripts for LOST HEART 2 and WILD FAITH 3. I love to write but funding as we stated is the hard part. The feature film version of SMOKE & MIRRORS could jump in the development line pending what happens this month on other film funding fronts.
WRAP UP: People who know me know that I like to build modest expectations and if we far exceed that projection – great! I don’t oversell or hype with unrealistic goals. To get BIG rewards you often have to RISK big. In the indie film circles one big risk fail can hinder you for years. It is why I’ve always chosen the slow and steady. I hear all the horror stories of promises made and promises broken. Deals without paperwork and people left out to dry. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is. People seeking short cuts and unearned glory usually drive these tragic situations. A face of success can be put upon it all until the bridges start burning. At that point, these filmmakers usually move away and disappear looking to use another market’s gullible. I urge you if you really love this industry don’t play the short game. Play the long game and build your experience to delivery creatively more than was expected. Keep your business tight and be known for your follow through. Unsolicited I had two different individuals speak into the shortcomings of an individual and group. It saddens me because you try to set good examples and give good advice to people but it doesn’t always stick. I think some people are just users and others use their own experience to try and develop people and give opportunities. I always want to stay on the latter side of being a giver vs just taker even if it makes me a fool in some eyes, it’s how I like to live.
If you’ve gathered your wealth by back stabbing and stepping on people it doesn’t make you great. It makes you sad and often lonely once you’ve burned all your bridges. My mind just jumped back to an individual like this who once he had burned all his relationships he killed himself. A loss that did not have to happen. There are filmmakers I know that I don’t agree with and most of them know it because we’ve said our peace. And that said, I know they work hard just a much different process and philosophy from mine. And I know toxic ‘users’ that I will not deal with and will give my truth if asked. But I don’t go out of my way to say anything because after all these years I know that these people burn themselves out. Now many do damage the industry as a whole because a ruined location. An investor burnt by a project never finished will not likely invest again. I’m proud to have investors that have been with us on many films and that should speak for itself. There is more than enough resources for many artists to prosper and I just ask that you all respect your business. People find out eventually that differences exist between production companies and how they run their business. I’m not perfect but I challenge anyone to say I don’t give my best efforts. I’ve dedicated my life to the arts and much to the medium of filmmaking. I deeply appreciate everyone in and associated with the tribe CDI. Slow your roll and do good business and good art.
I’m going to call it. I dislike lecturing but I dislike hearing about bad business even more. Especially if it is people I care about. Note I did not use past tense. I can still care about people even if we don’t have current business between us. But when the business dries up often the friendship goes with it. Maybe it is shame for actions they took. Maybe it is the fact that got everything they are going to get from me. I don’t know the truth of what lies in people’s heart. But I do know I have a wonderful tribe of people that want to do things right. If slower is right. If good communication is right. If good business is right. I can say that the extra effort to stay in the right is well worth it. Have a great week ahead.
Coffee Cheers! DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 