Every Task is a Test!
Good morning all my artistic minded friends. I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and sitting down to review the week and to look ahead. It is June 1st the first day of my birthday month. I sometimes get a little edgy during my birthday month wanting to get things done. Now I’m looking at not our 1st film of the year but film 2 and 3. And as for releasing we are releasing film 1 of 3. Lotta that number 3 floating about. We have had two soccer matches where we lost 3-2. But I have to say my recovery during week 2 here has been much better. My body has that good sore that those in sports know very well. I’m happy with my play and endurance and last Thursday I was pushed to my limit and it felt great. Sadly, one of my dear friends broke a bone in his leg and will have some recovery time. It might be a season ending injury when you count rehabilitation into the equation. I’m wishing him a speedy recovery. Others on both teams made minor injures including one guy on the opposing team took a friendly fire shot to the head. He was dazed hard and it just goes to show soccer is truly a full body battle. We don’t have people taking dives and magic mists and water bottles like on the pro stage. These are aged warriors battling it out. I love being back at it.
This last week was horrible for communication. I’m trying to excuse some of it with everyone coming off the holiday. But that is hard to do when we have individuals who are solid, regular communication. We are in an age where you can whip off an update via text or even hands free with voice command. If you have a deadline and you are going to miss it you better follow up with an explanation. Every task is a test. You might be handling a small but important part of the greater task. But you are being evaluated to see if you are ready for more. The goal for an individual is to become known as reliable, dependable and someone who always gives a best effort. These are the things that lead to major roles on feature films. These hints work for both sides of the camera. I have one individual I’ve been trying to communicate with on some business but I also had something greater in the back of my mind. But bad communication takes them off that casting or crewing list. Communication amazingly seems more regular when you are offering something versus asking. I worked some hard to build my career with professional, prompt communication. I just can’t wrap my head around it all. I know the opportunities a person had within their grasp but they lost those opportunities by painting themselves unreliable.
But in the spirit of competition everyone trying to get ahead counts on people self destructing themselves. I’m thanked often by executives at our accounting firm, distributors, etc…for my prompt response. So when people wonder why do I get opportunities that others don’t I have things like those examples to point to as an example of why. I work with a handful of the younger generation trying to teach what has worked for me. You won’t find anyone with their nose buried in a cell phone at one of our meetings. That amazing tool is a pacifier for many people. You add up your hours wasted and compare that to presentations, pitches, scripts and more that I fill that time with. Now again I’m not saying this to hold myself higher but I am suggesting to others a better use of time and communication. But again when others don’t display the same level of professionalism that is why they aren’t entrusted with capital. Ultimately that works out in our favor but I still work hard to try and streamline our work flows and communication is that key.
Let’s move into some discussion on our CDI films.
Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) is in somewhat of a holding pattern with several of the chain theaters. We are waiting for the summer glut of films to lighten so we can get some dates. We were tentatively given last Friday as a release date for HIR at Emagine in Detroit. But in the lead up the communication to solidify the run dates when quiet. So we’re looking at more mom and pop theaters while waiting on the chains. We also might open up a couple opportunities for dinner shows at a pair of event halls wanting the film. We are also doing the marketing prep for home video (DVD and streaming) that launches in October. In the meantime we hear you and want you to be able to see the film on the big screen. CDI and our theatrical partners at Dreamscape Prods are working hard to lock in those showings.
This past week Melissa Anschutz was nominated for ‘Best Supporting Actress’ joining noms for Best Actor (David Reardon), Best Director (Carl Weyant), Best Screenplay (DJ Perry) and Best Film! More to come who knows we might receive a few more. We are grateful for the recognition.
Post Production:
Wild Faith Christmas music, VFX and color corrections are underway. This is another very exciting film that continues where Wild Faith left off. I might look at a producers rep to work with CDI on the TV series set up. We’ll be preparing this film to hit theaters in November.
Rom Coms Must Die is locking up color correction and the VFX list is being prepped. Sound design is underway and the last step will be moving this over to Dennis Therrian for the score and final mix. I was promised a look at version 2 of the trailer this weekend so we’ll see if that lands today.
Development:
The next film up looking to film this Summer is THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP. This will be the second CDI collaboration with McGraw Multimedia. The Director of Photography will again be John McGraw. We are just starting to look at key cast and director. Also we are rounding out the funding with half of the funds committed. I’ve had a few conversations and will be putting some materials together to present this coming week. The second project being looked at for Fall/Winter is looking like- (one announcement at a time:)
Writing:
I was pleased with my Harsens Island Revenge script nomination. I’ve had many and won several over the years. I do love that this part of my skillset has been so active the last decade and a half. Script-wise I am working on a few projects but one treatment/script that I’ve been working on is a sequel to a CDI favorite. I have a great story in place and I just need to work it all into script format. If you are looking for that original script or book adaptation feel free to reach out.
Misc:
- I had some great conversations this week catching up with some filmmaking amigos like Terry Jernigan and Taymour Ghazi just to name a few. I love catching up with their newest projects and talking about possibly collaborations.
- Great meeting with ‘Tiger’ this week (John Mashni) about the evolution of CDI work flow.
- Set several meetings this week to advance certain projects on several fronts.
- Setting a few PR podcasts and such which will be fun.
- I need to work with Dean Teaster and get our next literary project (Ghost Town book reissue) out to market.
- We are starting to prepare the dispersement/returns for investors on the various CDI films.
- I have to check and see when the release on the music video “Blizzard’ by Shallow Rising is due to drop.
WRAP UP: I’ve been processing wood for next winter. I’ve constructed a new wood rack and I’m slowly dismantling the old wood shed. Much like the turning of seasons you have to always be prepping for the seasons ahead. I’ve been loving working outside whereas my work breaks are business calls. The office and surrounding area are my good zen. In those quiet times with the birds and squirrels I’m able to see where I need to put my next efforts.
We ended up getting the sealant/stain for the new deck and soon that task will be up. You always have the small fix-its to do. So I’m going to wrap things up here. I want to try and get some of those fixes done. I also have a few catch up biz calls I want to make. So I’m going to thank you all for stopping through here and having a coffee, tea…whatever and share a read. I hope you have a great week ahead. Welcome to June! May it be productive for us all.
DJ
‘Best Years Gone’ Premiere Date! Plus more CDI Film Updates
Ah…those first sips of the hazelnut coffee taste so good. I stayed up a tad past my bedtime watching the final Olympic Games on TV. Yesterday was a trip up North to deliver some of the 4H pork to some family. We stopped at a few produce stands and got carrots, cabbage, green beans and more. Also stopped and got a cherry cider slushy and it was good. So Saturday was a fun productive day.
BEST YEARS GONE – We’ve been working hard on the finish line with final music and sound design being laid in. The color correction is done and will be replaced as the master this week. Speaking of music lets talk video – music video with our Battle of the Bands winner VERTICAL BRIDGE. So Friday we were over to Onondaga Dragway to capture some B roll along with a few picture cars captured screaming down the track. Later this month we will get the band rocking out. We had to do a two part shoot thanks to the unpredictable nature of Michigan’s weather but that is how it rolls. It can go from nineties and balmy to snow, you just never know.
We were trying hard to set up a racing premiere event at Springport whereas we provided the ‘purse/prize’ and get to name the race, ‘Gilles Cup’ a 200 car spectator drag followed by an outdoor drive in like screening. But final concerns over insurance led to a postponement. I think we would all like to return and try something but in our tight timelines we had to fall back to more traditional. So Sept 18th at the Owosso, MI in NCG we’ll be doing a one night, two show premiere at 6:00 and 8:15 I believe. Also this week we’ll be setting up a premiere afterglow at ROMAS like we’ve done in the past. Owosso is also the home of the book writer Karl Manke, who penned ‘Hope from Heaven’ and I adapted it into a screenplay. We are excited to show everyone this next tribeCDI story! From there we might do a few more theatrical and a few select festivals. But we’re going to keep working hard to lay in the final pieces and mix it up nicely. Once all that is done we’ll be OFF TO THE RACES! (The name of the winning song)
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is ON DECK and preparing for a scouting mission to Algona, Iowa mid month to put in play lodging, catering and location options. We had Lerma Transportation come on board this past week as a sponsor. We’re in talks with some other great brands from that region and several that we’re in operation during WW2. I’m excited because we’re only a few crew and cast short from being fully locked and loaded. This week we’ll be announcing more crew and cast. Our agreements have come over from legal and so soon we can start putting paper underneath the crew and start looking at transportation. It is all very exciting! On deck here soon is the gathering of props, personal wardrobe and gun wrangling that will again be handled by Robert Bradley working as armorer under art department. We’ll also be starting to look at vendors for gear and such that we might need. Aside from the producing aspects I’ve been working on my character development. The hair cut has really helped me turn the page and work my lines while seeing the character more in the mirror. I plan to go visit several of the flea markets this month including one today. Happy prop picking:)
LOST HEART/BIGFOOT, UFO’s & JESUS has been increasing in sales along with the others that are also expanding audiences. We’ll wait another quarter and do another disperse. WILD FAITH, THE QUEST TRILOGY, MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND I’ve appreciated the fan/emails and the kind works and handshakes mainly from military friends over MBF. Our goal is to create some classics that will be playing for years.
Speaking of classics – WICKED SPRING has a newly uprez’ed HD stream that will be making its way to steaming platforms. The new art they are using makes it look a bit more like YELLOWSTONE TV show in my opinion but I hope everyone will enjoy seeing this more brilliant version of this film that has been showing to Civil War and history fans for 20 years. I need to circle back and check into some things (Art & DVD Menu) for the second CDI Classic Collection Double Feature with KNIGHT CHILLS and FROM VENUS. A new HD version of THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ the 1st CDI associated animated feature is getting a new campaign. BESTSELLER, also a CDI associated project is getting a campaign. We need to finish getting all the deliverables to BMG. Several of the others are being pitched to prep for a new campaign release. A few of the associated films had opportunities previously but could not pull all the deliverables together. I have to focus on what I can control and not what I cannot. But it is exciting to see some of the classic films get new life!
Things I’ve seen this week that would make good conversation. I did see whereas a crew person was announcing some new series project they were working on but they were complaining as they announced. Now even big studios and networks are ran by people who care about the product and they do monitor social media. To see people complaining before working day 1 would have me seriously reconsidering that hire. You want positive people who take pride in their work and in the story they have signed onto help telling. First, few of these crew people and cast for that matter have ever gone through the painful trials and tribulations of raising funds to tell a story. I’m not talking about the donation based projects but investors or funding studios whereas you have accountability. I’ve stated several times that I’ve never been able to pay an artist what I think they are worth. But we do create stories that most are happy to put their name on. I just find it such a different place from where I started to be gifted an opportunity yet you are going to flaw find. Just politely pass and move on if it doesn’t meet your standards. Again not our project but it still made me take a second look. Burn enough bridges and your opportunities will dry up and that is the way of things. I’m happy to say I think we’ll have several opportunities for years to come. I’m already excited about what 2022 could bring. Stay positive, stay focused and keep moving forward. I will talk with you all next week!
DJ
Winter Gives Way to Spring – NEW Updates!
Coffee cheers and welcome to all our new readers and followers from Peru, Ireland, Austria and more! The week actually flow by and we went from unusually warm to cold and rainy and now sunshine is called for later in the week. As of Monday it will mark my week 2 after my second Covid shot. We just visited with a neighbor last night who had a memorial for their 52 year old nephew lost to Covid complications. So for many it is still a very real thing. I’m actually looking forward to getting back at in-person meetings, biz mixers and such. I’m very happy with all the weekly progress on our CDI projects.
(DJ Perry & Erika Hoveland in ‘Best Years Gone’)
BEST YEARS GONE (In Post) has many things happening at once. The film is undergoing color correction, dialog edit with music and sound design up next. I bet we listen to all the cleaned up dialog soon. The Battle of the Bands is giving us a good listen at some of the artists. Merchandise for this film is going to increase which is exciting. But the premiere planning is really cool. We are looking at having “The 1st Annual Gilles Cup” a regional “Best Up&Comer” amongst the “spectator drag” racing participants. This will be followed by the winning music video and the film itself playing on a huge blow up screen inside the in-field of the track.
For the Love of Catch (In Post) This amazing documentary has been filming for a month plus now and will be moving into the post-production phase. We will start to assemble these legends who speak about their exploration into the art of grappling and ultimately the love they have for the sport.
SMOKE & MIRRORS (In Post) – This passion project is a short film adapted from a feature script of mine of the same name. We had a commercial opportunity that needed “demo footage” and so we filmed a condensed short story. I’ve been reworking the feature script for a future production with Nathaniel Nose directing. I’m thinking of playing the short in front of BEST YEARS GONE to start its run. We also want to do a benefit screening for the Turner-Dodge House where we filmed. It is a spooky, fun short with amazing performances from David Gries and Melissa Anschutz.
DISTRIBUTION TITLES
MAN’S BEST FRIEND enjoyed a new General Market push which started out with a bang as a Latin American license was immediately made. The film is really starting to get out there and I’m so appreciative of all the reaching out by those that love this film. I keep hearing people ask about a sequel and I’m just not quite sure. I like how the film ends. It is not all tied up in a bow. An action/martial arts film? Maybe. I do have a pretty good idea for one. Thank you for all the compliments and it was nice to showcase some of my skills.
LOST HEART continues its march and the general market release will take it even further. Thank you to ICVM for the nominations. I’m proud to have two films in the top 5. This film is up for many nominations this May and I know that Melissa Anschutz and Victoria Jackson will attend. Don Most might attend as well as one of our nominated actors. They will have a great time!
THE QUEST TRILOGY prime season window of Thanksgiving to Easter is now over. We’ll see how we did and we’ll be sending revenue to our supporters.
WILD FAITH/HASTINGS – The movie continues to grow in popularity and the TV series is developing. I had good talks with our distributor and we have a few new opportunities to help launch this into a 2022 series shoot.
With our co-productions – BESTSELLER might get a new release in full in 2022 as well as several of the CDI General Market titles. AMERICAN LIAR and THE ACTOR are both available to watch on Amazon Prime.
DEVELOPMENT
Silent Night in Algona we announced the new cast of Shane Hagedorn and Christine Marie. Both are amazing actors who have brought some great characters to the screen. They will do this once again. Our next two announcements will be a great semi-regular talent working with the tribeCDI and one from our “Ghost Town” past. This matching will be incredible and I can already see the magic scenes they will create. MAY will be when we start to officially approach sponsors. If you have interest in aligning your service or product with our WW2 film please do reach out.
WRAP UP
The ‘Chicken Land’ is fully operational and the girls love the greens. They have also started giving eggs so that is a great addition to the mornings. I am going to wrap this up and go do some sunny side up with rye toast and 4H bacon. I also purchased a pair of long elevated grow beds so that we can still do some of the garden favorites. Rhubarb and catnip are ready to harvest and I’m about to put the first lawn mow down. Also May 6th starts up soccer season! I’m excited to get back out there. I do strength and stretching daily along with my martial arts practice but running…not a fan unless I’m doing something. So the first few games might be rough not to mention just your ankles and knees getting their first stop/start work outs. Blueberry bushes will arrive soon. The apple trees look like they are going to be full this year. I will also start working to fill the wood boxes again for next winter.
I’m also going to get back to my script writing since I don’t currently have an assignment. I’ve been bouncing between my SciFi script and the feature Smoke & Mirrors rework. I’ve enjoyed the pondering, research and scribbles as I pull these stories together. Carry on with your own endeavors and watch as those daily small steps all add up and take you closer to your goals and dreams.
Happy Sunday!
DJ
REFLECTIONS on a Unique Season – New CDI Updates!
New readers from Denmark, Thailand and other countries around the world – welcome. I’ve got my hazelnut coffee here by my side and I’m sitting down to give you a few updates on this Memorial Weekend. In my home state of Michigan it has been a bit of a challenge most recently with the rain causing multiple dams to break and at least one town needing to evacuate. Also our virus restrictions have eased some and my hope is that we don’t have spikes leading to a tightening down.
The American way of freedom and rights has been put to the test on many fronts. As a capitalistic society we have long put profit ahead of health and safety. Now because of an increase in communication and perhaps compassion? -the health of individuals is carrying weight because those that put wealth above health are being exposed and being held accountable. But for many their immediate livelihood also effects their health so we have a challenge is seeking that balance.
I don’t look down on people with less formal education because while some can recall all kinds of knowledge others have a knack with mechanics, electronics, skilled labor that also is important. What I see is that many just don’t understand virus transmission. Also those seeking proper information are being confused by opposing information made worse when a political agenda is attached. So people get frustrated and just get to a point of F#@%@%#@ IT!
Others need to fill their lives with conspiracy and such and those things have happened down through the ages. But friendly speculation can turn deadly when people take this as truth. I enter every conversation knowing I could be wrong. I try to ’empty my cup’ and learn from every interaction I have. I fear that in America during this election year that we’ll not get any relief until after the new elections. I read of people complaining because stores are trying to accommodate everyone’s concerns. Someone who refuses store rules should be out, my opinion. Just like NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO SERVICE. People not following directional arrows because they are proving a point should be asked to leave. That business came up with rules that was best for them based on recommendations.
Now we’re working on our policy and rules for working with CDI on our next film BEST YEARS GONE. We’re financed and ready to roll once we feel we can safely handle production and work within guidelines. Now if someone on the crew did not want to work under these set conditions they would not be hired. I don’t care if you think 5G towers did this and so-and-so says masks do nothing. If the policy is a mask on a hot set – you wear or we don’t hire you. A sickness of any kind can really stumble up a business or project. Those accountable for finishing the project need to make the best decisions and safe is better than sorry, as mom use to say.
We are currently targeting August to film but stand ready to push a month or two if needed. Things are looking better but if people start going total disregard – we could see our situation go backwards. Either way we will move forward with caution. We are soon to announce another cast member who recently worked with the tribe on LOST HEART. We’re happy to have them in the TribeCDI family. Stay tuned for more cast and crew updates and we’ll start announcing some of our sponsorship partners as well.
LOST HEART – The music and sound design is almost done and mixing will be next. The color correction and VFX are also close to being done. We have a few surprise announcements also but we’ll wait for the ‘ink to dry’ as I like to say. We’ll be exploring how we want to premiere the film in the coming days. I’m really excited for people to enjoy this wonderful story and you will – soon!
I’ve had wonderful fan mail from folks watching MAN’S BEST FRIEND, WILD FAITH and The Quest Trilogy (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star, The Christ Slayer) and so while spending time with your family please enjoy the hard work of our artists.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
We’ve been hard at work here at CDI and soon we’ll be launching ‘COLLECTIVE COLLECTABLES‘ our merchandise division. The CDI Music Division and we continue to explore the animation opportunities. If you have skills and a reel from me a line – I want to see what artists are doing.
I’m happy to say we’ve made great strides on the ‘HASTINGS‘ TV series and our WW2 film for 2021 is over half financed. I believe we’ll have all our commitments by the end of summer if not sooner.
WRAP UP
Be kind to one another as we navigate through these times. Channel your energy into what you can control. Adversity can create great new opportunities. You are forced out of your comfort zone and from that new place great ideas can spring. But the key to success is to be a doer. It is not enough to have a good idea you must vet the idea and if deemed worthy – do it.
Until next week. Zen your space. Be mindful of others. Create don’t hate!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 