International Audiences, Updates, Advice
Welcome December! I’ve got the hazelnut coffee brewed and I’m ready to have a little chat with the “Clawing My Way to the Middle” readers. First I want to say it is an honor to have each and every one of you take the time to read my journey. I try to present lessons that can help others on their own journey. I wanted to let you all know where many of our readers are from. Of course the USA, Brazil, Mozambique, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Norway, Thailand, Australia and Netherlands. How great is it that we all reside within our boarders of our country but we are all on this planetary journey together. Storytelling as been helping to shape society and artistic expressions while various all share common traits. I’ve always been drawn to culture that is different. I think that is what is uniquely special in all of us. That is why I could never get the concept of unifying. No one art is better – it is uniquely different. My mind even goes to food and drink when I look at that list of countries. I know all the unique traditions that surround great meals prepared in all those lands. USA is the hodgepodge for sure and that is our thing. But I’m deeply appreciate of food, song, culture, religion (as an expression) and storytelling. I’ve been honored to have worked with a handful of international filmmakers and I plan to work with more. I think my interest in ancient history, martial arts and even the culture of futbol/soccer has driven me to explore and enjoy the diversity we have on this planet. I want to thank all of you readers for your precious moments. I also will make it a goal to get more and more of our films into your territories. Some of them already are but with distribution growing as they say at Disney world “It’s a small world after all.” True words:)
I’ve had a great week both personal and professional. The Thanksgiving family time is past us and now the Christmas tree is up. While not yet decorated it has been a welcome sight each day. The tree will become the fuel of the transformation fire (Fire pit) that will help burn up the winter clutter once spring arrives. I’ve been gathering gifts for family since I will be gone the week before Christmas week. I’ll be in Nevada playing space cowboy in the Valley of Fire. I was informed that as a young child I went there and even saw a few old photos yesterday. I look forward to gathering with these artists and performing with a few actors I admire and have not yet worked directly with. I’m ready save my packing so soon it will be time to shoot in the WASTELAND.
2015 Distribution Updates
CDI projects
ASHES OF EDEN – Feel free to read a great review of the film. More of these will be releasing leading up to the 2015 national release. I have a goof vocabulary but I had to look up the word they associated with my name. I thought it might mean “Loud and Opinionated” Ha! But I was happy to see that it meant “marked by outstanding strength and vigor of body, mind or spirit.” So please do take a read on the review and we will be getting the film on the market and out to you very soon.
REVIEW LINK
http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/2014/12/movie-review-ashes-of-eden-2014.html?m=1
DONORS – Also will be releasing nationally in 2015 – more on this in the weeks to come
WICKED SPRING – produced under Lionheart Filmworks when that was our southern sister company. The companies split ways a handful of years ago and now “Wicked Spring” is under the CDI banner and is getting a 2015 spring special edition release. Also on BluRay!
We will see a 2015 re-release of KNIGHT CHILLS with a novelization release. Likely fall 2015. Also work on a sequel script has begun.
HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST rights are back at home here at CDI and a domestic release set up will also happen. “Figure in the Forest” can be seen on TBN and Parables TV.
BESTSELLER – Early look at FX work is very exciting! I know music work is in full swing. We are looking at a 1st test showing of this film early in 2015. We are getting some early interest from distributors. It is going to be another film that proudly showcases Michigan filmmaking at its finest.
NON-CDI RELEASE INFO
I have a few co-starring/supporting roles in THE TERRORIST & DEAD QUIET and make appearances in DIVISION 19 and SMALL TOWN SANTA (Released now).
Several VERY exciting projects are in development some with partial funding. We’re hard at work with some script work and prep that will lead to more production in 2015!
My last advice pulled from recent events. ALWAYS, ALWAYS give more by way of effort than what you are paid for. NEVER be one of the people who does just the absolute minimum. Maybe at some boring desk job but in an industry that moves on passion you never want to be seen as just a functional piece. Your passion is what makes you an artistic contributor. It is what will get you re-hired. A great example taken from BESTSELLER film shoot. I like to ninja about and just observe people at work. I came up to the grip truck one day to find our key grip Paul Burt busy organizing. Most people were just trying to stay warm and get the shots as this was a wet, cold day on a remote dirt road. I watched him move and arrange. Wipe down and clean C stands and such. When I revealed myself to his surprise – I was met with a smile and asked if I needed anything. My response – “I need an entire crew with an attitude like yours.” I said, hot coffee was ready and he explained that he would go up in a few minutes. This was HIS responsibility. HIS grip truck for this shoot and HE wanted to make sure it was clean and orderly because it was a reflection on him. WOW! I want people like that on our team. That is a reflection of us as a company. That is a reflection of us as an industry. Character is what you are when you think nobody is looking. Pride starts with yourself and extends outward like a pebble thrown in water. Paul Burt’s phone will ring again. Will yours? With only so many people making narrative features and with the way producers get referrals on performance. How many times can someone give just the bare minimum before one of your peers with passion takes that hire away from you? Let me answer that for you – not many. This goes for actors. This goes for vendors. I’ve had companies mad because I continued to get my gear over the years from LOWING LIGHT & GRIP. I even had a trash talking vendor from Detroit once ask how she could steal my business. Her choice of words alone made me say, NEVER. David (Lowing) was there when I first stepped up to fight monsters in IN THE WOODS. He has always been there for me. Like I said about cast/crew, he always gave more goods or service than the dollar amount on the check. That intangible is where loyalty lives. The actor who gives every ounce of themselves – I immediately think of Melissa Anschultz freezing in a warehouse under rain machines while filming “7 Stones”. I already spoke about Paul Bert and David Lowing as examples of crew and vendors. If you desire loyalty from people you better give them a reason. I know people out there get mad (of course at someone else) if they get passed over. We know sometimes it’s just a casting thing or a key crew position that was already in play – but look at yourselves. Are you respectful to those above and below you? Do you give your best effort, always? Do you spread positive energy in your wake? Would you be an example for others to follow? If you can’t answer YES to all of these your time could be limited or your advancement may stall. Stand accountable and watch your career and life experience amazing growth.
Happy Full Moon!
DJ
A Tragic Story & TV Releases
Welcome to Feb. everyone. We are past the holidays and off to a great start. Before I get into some of the exciting updates I wanted to share a story. Many years ago when I was just starting this journey I knew this young girl. I knew her from the acting workshop that ultimately led to my 1st starring film role. The years that followed opened more doors but she was having trouble getting her first footholds. She was a blonde bombshell type that you might find on BAYWATCH or such. The girl could really act and really sing but her appearance made most see that first. I remember telling her over a game of pool that she would have to work twice as hard to get people to see past her boobs. It was true. I saw Bruce Campbell at an event climb over a table to come meet this young lady who arrived with a few friends. She had that appeal but still could not land that dramatic role she needed to showcase herself. She decided she wanted to go to Hollywood. I told her as hard as it was she should really try to get her experience in secondary markets before going Hollywood. She had her heart set on going and so I told her she had to be focused. Hollywood is like a full time spring break for young people. It is where wanna-be actors from around the world come with dreams in hand. They have what I call actor ghettos out there. Basically it is expensive out there and so aspiring actors live in certain areas. They usually party and talk about finding agents, finding a gig, blah, blah. The point is more talk than action. My 1st trip to LA I was invited. I went to read for Wes Craven and I stayed in one of these areas. In two weeks people were amazed because I had done more in two weeks than they did in two years. I don’t think I am more special than anyone I just have a focused way about me. I think that is from martial arts. So I told this girl don’t get caught into these traps. The trap of young people putting play before work. All night parties that lead to late wake ups that lead to day long hang overs that lead to food, coffee and where is the next party. They bitch about the unfair system that keeps a person down. I can’t get an agent. I never get the role. I can’t get a break because of…. never was there accountability. So I fill this girl up with as much common sense wisdom my immature self can muster. She heads out to grab her dream. Three weeks into her move I get a call and she was now dating some musician from a well known rock band. Long-short is that a handful of years later she is cast aside for a younger rock groupie. She has not done a single film but she has done every destructive drug possible. Her “glow” had faded and while she is still pretty she is now older and cannot compete with the better resumes. She moved back and spent more time here chasing cocaine and the next party. She ruined her image at a company party by asking around for “meth”. She moved here and there and I would occasionally get the call asking if there was any acting parts. Yes. I want to risk investor money on a worn out looking girl showing wear and tear of a woman twice her age. A flakey drug addict that may or may not show up somewhere. The last time I saw her was years ago at a local bar where I had gone to meet a few friends during the holidays. She was a hot mess and full of regret. I recall the words of encouragement I shared and wished her well. She was living in Florida but was home on holiday. Years go by and nothing from her. I finally got a phone call a few years ago saying she had moved back to Michigan and was working at her church. She said we should catch up and party a bit. I was not in that mode and surely did not want to feed that. My career path has not been easy and if you are not a hard worker you will fail. I never called her back but emailed her something to the effect that I was glad she was back in-state and getting her life together. I mentioned maybe coffee sometime but I did not follow up. I think because she was still asking about acting and I did not want to hurt her feelings – I never met up with her. I would not be hiring her anytime soon for an acting role knowing all that I knew already. Years clicked by and unfortunately the only time she sprang to mind was when I saw an AOL story on before and after of METH. Well recently I found out that she died in 2011 at age 33. They did not mention how but it had to be drugs either by accident or purposely. I found this out only this week. I was having a day of slight frustration waiting for this deal to close or that. It took me all the way back to the beginning. I wanted to tell this story on here because if it saves even one person it will have served a purpose. I see many of the same type of people looking for short cuts to stardom. So heed my words. Remember the solid words of the hard working people around you. Love yourself. Thank you for listening.
TO MOVIE NEWS.
A deal has been made for the inspirational film “Figure in the Forest” and the powerful Civil War drama “Wicked Spring” to play on the Parables Network. It should start playing later this month and I’m proud to have these films going out to new audiences. We will be working additional distribution deals on these and all our films.
We will also be announcing that “Deadly Renovations” is going to vudu VOD platform expanding the release of this film even more. The film is also opening an AZ festival by special invitation. Pre-sales on “Locked in a Room” and “Darkest Night” will be starting this month. “Benjamin” is playing the Long Island Film Festival in March also. April 19th with be the theatrical and DVD release of “Realizism” in Grand Rapids, MI.
Today I’m going out to look at “Ashes of Eden” editing work. The trailer has created a lot of buzz and it should. I think it really gives a powerful peek at what the film is about. Also we will be discussing future collaboration between our companies.
I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend. Enjoy the Superbowl with family and friends and have a great month.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 