CDI FILM UPDATES and Challenges of a Low Tech Person Surviving in a High Tech World
(A Simple Man – Ben Lily in WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS)
Hello my friends joining us here. I see new readers last week from Australia, Sweden and India. Hazelnut coffee cheers my friends. We are well into December and the temps here in Michigan have gotten cold. Our Detroit Lions had a heck of a game on Thursday that gave us yet another victory which is nice. We are moving along on editing our most recent WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS adventure. Shane Hagedorn is doing the editing and we have to be about 20 minutes or so into the edit. In the film I felt very comfortable playing trapper Ben Lily. Even though it is 1880 Ben represents a man trying to maintain a place in a quickly changing world. In his world electricity will soon take over the oil lamps and motor cars will start to replace horses. Give Ben a good pistol, knife and horse and he was a happy man. It’s funny that the cycles seem to repeat for every generation.
(The book and audio book series)
GENERATION – I just completed the last narration for the audio book series FOR GENERATIONS TO COME by Ronnie Lee. Some of the books and soon the audio books will be available on Amazon. I’ve enjoyed the read that also gives us a peek into the changing of lives throughout the generations. I could really relate but we all can actually. Things from my childhood in the 70’s are now in the Henry Ford Museum.
(At the studio reviewing Harsens Island Revenge)
We had a great session out in the pine studio where Harsens Island Revenge has been having the sound design and musical score done. It’s our 1920’s bootlegging movie based on the book by Karl Manke. We watched the film with all the VFX, sound and music laid in. We saw a few spots that still need mixing and our director is still tweaking the color correction. As I watched all these things underway I was in awe of the technology. It’s funny that some might assume that because I’m a filmmaker that I’m a tech-head which could be nothing further from the truth. My first computer experience in the 70’s was on a TSR-80 that you loaded with a tape player. I played a few games off floppy disks with our family COMMODORE 64 but never learned any programming. I watched others use all these programs to edit, color correct, sound design and compose music and I shake my head at me taking 30 min just to try and change my Facebook Marketplace location to Lansing after somehow getting stuck on a Florida city location. My script writing software MOVIE MAGIC is the first software I was gifted in the 90’s and I’ve stayed with it my entire life. I don’t know all the in’s and out’s but I can make it work. I’ve never made a website and I still can’t wrap my head around file sizes. Anybody else like that out there?
(Post Supervisor Dennis Therrian amazes me by all he can do and do it with excellence!)
This blog is one of the most tech things I do weekly and I still mess it up often knowing maybe half the functions. I’ve never used EXEL to calculate, for me it’s like old school graph paper. My team has gotten me to a basic level of google use but still I have to have links sent to me all the time. I’m just trying to make it another 30 years if I’m lucky without being swallowed up by a wave of technology. Now AI is entering the game and that is cool if it means in 5 years I can have an R2D2 * unit. (*Star Wars reference) Talking with my attorney this week I’ll eventually I’ll have to move check writing over to auto check writing but as of now I still write hundreds of checks roughly twice a year. Great talk with another friend and his success with crypto. I’m not big into digital and I don’t own any crypto or digital currency and don’t plan to. Nothing against it, I guess I just like to keep it simple. With the editing and the mastering of these film projects using such complex and interesting software it brought these thoughts to the surface. I know I’m not the only one who can’t navigate these complex programs. I can’t even log in properly to my AARP account. I wish I could edit so I could update my actor reels. It has been many films ago since I’ve put anything together. I have played on Instagram making a few reels with music and a few fancy filters and that feels like a success. Check out CDI and my instagram accounts officialdjperry is mine and tribecdi is the company. I really don’t use social stuff except to promote movie stuff daily and keep up with a few friends and relatives. It does help with birthdays! So I wanted those of you out there struggling to keep up with tech to know you aren’t alone. I see others older than I struggle even more although some have a real knack for it all. I still do best with a yellow legal pad, a good pen and a phone that I know how to mostly operate. I’m already several models behind on my phone. As soon as I learn something they change it. Let’s do a summary TOP TEN on updates!
- KNIGHT CHILLS plays again in Brooklyn NY at The Spectacle Theater today at 5pm and again Dec 11th (10pm), Dec 14th (Midnight!) and Dec 17th (10pm). On Amazon you can buy the novel. The Blu Ray is for sale also and on 1/31/25 it will start streaming!
- As noted I finished my narration for the last book in the series FOR GENERATIONS TO COME by Ronnie Lee. Look it up it is very interesting!
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA our WW2 Christmas drama is playing select theaters in Iowa but started the Algona run this week. It plays until the 12th unless they extend it. It’s also available to stream or on DVD via Amazon. I got some beautiful feedback from folks that had watched it on the big and small screen. We have started a tradition in Iowa and I hope on TV and streaming it becomes one of your traditions.
- I noted that the Harsens Island Revenge screening went beyond great. We need to fix a few credits and do some mixing but it is almost ready for prime time. It really is epic and had some jumping out of their seats with the opening action. We are soon to start working on setting up the Q1 premieres and theatrical runs.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS which as noted above is 20+ minutes into the edit. It’s looking to move into music and sound design in Feb with Nov 1st being our targeted theatrical release goal. The excitement surrounding this film is carrying over as many are going to watch the original. Both are going to be beautiful, heartwarming stories that will highlight the best in humanity.
- December 15th will be the re-release of the HD version of AN ORDINARY KILLER to streaming. Based upon a true tragedy it highlights the dedicated police work over several generations.
- Bart Ketner is managing the CDI EBAY store and the 1st CDI Merchandise has started to roll out. You can see it here: https://www.ebay.com/usr/collectivedevelopmentinc?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR16XEHbbFvF0m1eSRk1-zMh0HX8sqYsZcCFd1FfY86AV7IYAWZZNYaBQx8_aem_66YD6cOv8KppqvnhPoAhQA
- We’ve been doing some final casting on what will be the first directed feature by Travis Hayward and DP by John McGraw! Once that is locked down we’ll start looking at a schedule in Jan/Feb 2025.
- I have two other features being developed and evaluated to go into funding mode. Both are very exciting projects and will be great additions to the CDI family of films. One is a period comedy and the other a historical drama.
- I’m also lining up a few writing projects for the winter season. When it’s cold and icy nothing like a hot coffee or tea and sitting down to pull from my imagination.
(The view from the post production studio)
WRAP UP: This season has started with much joy. I’ve had a few great reunions with family, friends and our producers reviewing upcoming projects. These projects fill my days and I’m very grateful to be able to do this line of work. When not working on these projects I’m doing general upkeep and organizing. I’ve been turning some of the harvested herbs into oils and tinctures. The most recent was BEE BALM oil. It is good for the skin and any rashes, bug bites and such. I’ve been enjoying SAGE and MINT tea that I harvested. Sometimes I feel I was meant to be born in a more simple time. Maybe the extent of my storytelling years ago would have been around a campfire or maybe on some vaudeville stage. But I was born into this age and I love how many people get to enjoy our collective stories. Our industry is hard. If I was born into the tech world like our youth maybe my actor materials would be stronger because I would be better at doing all this uploads, downloads and such. I’m content to just do what I can do and have faith that I’ll participate in the stories I’m meant to. I no longer yearn for huge projects in far away places. I’m content telling powerful, modest stories with my friends. That’s how it all started back in the day with the VHS camcorder and boom box for the soundtrack. Behind me are the days of shooting on film. A wonderful but stressful tradition I was proud to be part of. And now I do what I’m good at- writing, organizing/managing and becoming. You can’t be great at everything. I just ask people to have patience with me and thankfully my team does. I’m just an old TSR-80 Moving down the Oregon Trail🙂
Until next week!
DJ
NEW ‘Silent Night in Algona,’ trailer, ‘For the Love of Catch’ DVD and more…
Good morning. I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and enjoying the last few days of October, one of my favorite months. I’m a bit slow getting going as I stayed up a bit later last night watching my alumni school MSU play U of M. Not there year, but it started pretty exciting. Cleaning. Organizing, Winterizing. The leaves are almost all done and I’ve been staying on top of those. I’m still cutting wood in prep for the winter ahead. I actually finally bottled my Frankenwine, finishing with either a raspberry or blueberry in the bottom. I like using a berry of fruit versus just adding a sweetener. The Frankenwine was made with raspberry, black raspberry, mulberry and a touch of hops. I tried it and while it’s strong, it is very drinkable.
I had to get some antifreeze and a new battery for the “Black Mamba,” my ride. I can saw that I’ve never really been a car guy. I like cool designs and such but really I just need reliable A to B transportation. My old Saturn Due is customized to my liking and has very low miles but now it’s ready for winter. Some folks are really into their cars. I could just not imagine driving some of these house on wheels, cars. I’m also going to wait a good decade before considering an electric car. I have friends that work in fire safety and new guidebooks are being done to deal with auto crashes containing lithium batteries. So I think I’ll just wait a few before going in that direction.
Let’s get to some film updates.
(Above – DJ, Tony, Dennis, Carl at a post session for ‘Silent Night in Algona’ )
- Our recent release FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH will release on DVD, November 1st. many are enjoying this film streaming but soon it can become part of your library. Order here-https://www.amazon.com/Love-Catch-DVD-Curran-Jacobs/dp/B0BH96VCDX/ref=sr_1_1?crid=31IFQIHVO2APF&keywords=for+the+love+of+catch+dvd&qid=1667135347&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIwLjAwIiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&s=movies-tv&sprefix=%2Cmovies-tv%2C138&sr=1-1
- Conversations have happened about another doc in the For The Love Of Catch series. We’ll be looking at gathering the needed resources this winter for Spring 2023 shooting. A promotion event was also discussed but more on that later.
- November 1st also begins the holiday window which is perfect for watching THE QUEST TRILOGY. Three films, Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer. We’ll start promoting them and one of them has hit a new benchmark at Encourage TV. (Passing TWO MILLION VIEWS) Again, that is only one platform. When you add up all the platforms, DVD’s and broadcast we’re at tens of millions. We thank you all and hope your family will watch these classics together.
- We’ll have some big announcements coming concerning, Harsens Island Revenge. Some establishing shots will be filmed on the island and maybe a scene or two but having to rely on a ferry for schedules and/or getting last minute needed supplies, isn’t good for production. Right now, we have a town that we’re seriously looking at to double for parts of our island. Having interiors that haven’t changed too much from 1926 is also key. I’m about to start next week on my final script polish with our soon-to-be announced director. Once it is locked, my hands are off as a writer. We’re looking at a few key roles in the script now but will be opening up to looking at reels and doing reads this winter. We will be shooting in Oct/Nov 2023 and we’re all very excited about this roaring 1920’s story.
- Staying with writing, I am over half way through on my first draft of SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. This will be the follow up project to film in Iowa. We don’t have any dates set as of right now just getting a powerful script is the goal.
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, is the front and center. The music and sound design is getting closer to done. Our composer Dennis Therrian, is scoring a beautiful soundtrack. Color correction is about done and the VFX are being finalized. Our editor/VFX supervisor will be coming in to help marry everything together mid November. I see some grilling in our fall future out at the ole Pine Studio.
- Additionally, a new two and half minute SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA theatrical trailer is almost done. We had some major director/producer meetings this week over adjusting a few shots in the trailer. We’re all so close to it all but I sincerely think folks will love it. It will be shown at AFM market to a few networks and foreign territories. Home video will be on the lead up to the holidays next year in 2023.
- But starting in December many will be able to see SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, in theaters. We’re working with the town of Algona in setting up a premiere showing and afterglow on December 9th. Following our premiere, public showings will start at the Fridley Theaters, starting with Algona. The plan is to start with 2 weeks of showing and some companies are planning to buy blocks of tickets for their employees to go watch together. That’s a great idea. I know other theatre chains in the Iowa, Michigan and the midwest are being talked to. I’m just so happy with the final product. It is a beautiful story of unity, healing and hope that many people could use about now. Soon, my friends. Please do feel free to call Fridley theaters and encourage them to get movie times for the public shows listed.
- This week, I have to send out one of the Knight Chills masters to see if we can get a better initial transfer. This is for the special Blu-Ray being put together for 2023.
- Ghost Town, is also getting the digital enhancement treatment and a new 2023 release trailer is being cut. I’m excited to revisit that film with it being digitally enhanced. The Smoky Mountain western will ride again!
I might be missing an update or two but there is a good ten point snap shot of our most current updates. To all the ghosts and goblins, be safe tomorrow night while collecting candy. I remember those days fondly. In elementary school, we had parades and classroom parties. I feel bad that the children don’t get to do that anymore. The world has its challenges and I try to help doing what I do best, tell stories. Thank you again to everyone that has reached out. I love hearing about your favorite films, moments and such. Keep watching and we’ll keep creating.
Happy Sunday!
DJ
SPRING Updates – Looking Ahead!
I’m sitting here sipping my hazelnut coffee in my Oswald’s Bear Ranch cup. We were planning another UP Michigan trip when all this virus stuff erupted. Now we spent a good amount of time discussing that last week and so I’m not going to hammer that this week. In Michigan we have had our stay extended for two weeks. I’ll just call it confinement for all the things in my youth I got away with. Again it was a wonderful week of organizing, personal and biz calls and getting things done. Let’s start with our next film up – BEST YEARS GONE.
This week we’ll load in the last financial piece and we’ll be all ready to sail once the storm passes. We’ve got a new schedule to review and I’m putting some fine tuning to the budget now that our day-of-days is more defined. We’re announcing more of our crew and cast and preparing to do a few ZOOM script reads. Shot lists are being prepared and I for one will be ready to get out and tell another story.
I had some productive talks with our distributor and we’re already looking at marketing for the immediate and the year ahead. The Quest Trilogy has been playing strong during the holiday window which runs after Halloween on the run up to Thanksgiving through Easter. Many new countries like Mexico, Brazil and more have enjoyed our three biblical adventures. We spoke of them cutting a great TRILOGY trailer for the next ‘holiday’ season.
NOTE: I also had the pleasure of watching Douglas James Vail’s new film 40: The Temptation of Christ – that also imagines the 40 days of Jesus in the desert. I enjoyed their beautiful locations, camera work and the unique way they handled the temptations. Take a watch if you enjoy these stories.
LOST HEART is just finishing up music and will be turning to sound design this last month before we mix, master and deliver. There is going to be a big need for new content so I think we’ll get a good push with this story. We might have a few other surprises when it comes to this film. This week ahead the distributor is working to lock up DVD wrap art. I would guess we’ll see pre-sales start after a while but we’ll see if we do any exclusive TV runs first. I’m excited to put this fun, heartfelt movie out into the marketplace. – Soon.
WILD FAITH / HASTINGS TV SERIES
The film is gathering fans as the distribution keeps getting deeper. Meanwhile we continue to have promising discussions on the TV series. If you have not seen the film please do and let me know your thoughts on a TV series. Like all the films, I had some fan mail on this film talking about the power of the themes and how nice it was to spend time in a world more simple.
MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND is also making the rounds thanks to all you fans out there. The reviews and word of mouth keeps growing our audience. I’m so excited that this film is making people ponder and discuss the topics. So watch with your family including the furry ones. As with any of the films just google the film in quotes and it will show where you can buy the DVD or watch the film. Again a big salute to all our service men and women who serve.
At this time my thoughts are with all our family and friends and we all look forward to sharing a few in-person laughs. Soccer season is approaching and I’m in hopes that we can still enjoy that. The blossoms are starting to bloom on the newly trimmed apple and mulberry trees. The hops and rhubarb are also starting to get some size and that is fun to watch. I’m going to use this nice day to get some more outdoor tasks completed. I hope you all have a wonderful week and be safe!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 