October in Full Effect! CDI Updates 2024
Coffee cheers from a cool damp Michigan. Welcome new readers from Portugal and Romania and more. October has been beautiful but a bit dry. I haven’t had to mow in quite some time which is fine. I’ve harvested most of the herbs and I’ve been cutting wood getting ready for the coming cold. I might even polish up the stove and have a first fire tonight. The new younger chickens have been accepted into the big coop and so that is a positive. The older girls are molting and slowing on their egg laying. But the young ones might be getting ready to start. I’m looking forward to steak (venison) and eggs after I finish this. Also we have two more local flea markets one this morning ands one next week. Just in time before we travel up North for our WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS prep. My beard I’ve got to bring ole Ben Lily back to the screen has me wearing a bit of every meal. But I’m feeling ready to ride. I found the last few prop pieces for ‘Ben’ and so that should be good to go.
Staying on topic with WFXmas we’ve been having some great meetings. I’ve got all but one of the investor checks deposited and just a few more sponsors to collect on. The charge on sponsors is being led by PEPSI and had a great meeting with our rep there. I’m awaiting thermal mugs from our friends at the Michigan Community College Association. We have a few more great sponsors to speak with. We are enjoying the partnerships on production sponsors and are starting to explore release sponsors which is for our theatrical runs. If you want to align your company with WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS about to go into production or Harsens Island Revenge about to release in 1st Q 2025 please get in touch!
Harsens Island Revenge team was working to have a special pre-release screening on November 1st in Alpena, MI but to do so would disrupt on final post flow. Additionally the film would not be our final best film but a rushed version. Rush means mistakes and rush would have meant incomplete. We are still going to do a great premiere in Alpena, Owosso, Lansing and likely Detroit and Grand Rapids. We are in discussions over the theatrical and I have some paperwork to review this week. More on this amazing story very soon! If you cannot wait search up the title online and buy the book!
KNIGHT CHILLS – CDI’s first feature film from the late 90’s has now been delivered for streaming. I’ll be awaiting a release date but I also got some great news about a December theatrical play in Brooklyn, NY. More on that deal as I receive it. AN ORDINARY KILLER is still on track for a December 15th streaming and the HD DVD is also coming soon! I’m also excited for the special podcast that features the film coming from TWO AVERAGE JOES MEDIA. Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town smoky mountain western is streaming and the special edition DVD from the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park will be available soon. All CDI merchandise will be charity driven with a % of the revenue going to military veterans and/or animals. We will even have some movie props and wardrobe that people can bid or purchase. More on all that soon!
We are enjoying rounding the corner into the last Q of 2024. It has been a productive year and we are looking forward to 2025. Nov/Dec will be some prep for ROM COMS MUST DIE the feature film debut of Travis Hayward with CDI. We are exploring a few theatrical plays of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA for the holidays. This movie continues to play on TV and available to rent/buy digital or DVD. Next year it will move to ad-based free with ads. We are also starting to push some of the other Fall/holiday titles like THE QUEST TRILOGY. Part 1 FORTY NIGHTS surpassed 2.5 million views on Encourage TV. If you have not watched these three films give them a go. I promise they are not your typical biblical adventures but have a unique perspective to each of them. There is a good change of a few more of those type films making it on our production slate.
BREAKFAST BREAK and WRAP UP!
I have to note I took a break during that last paragraph and ate my eggs and venison steak – so good. The key to venison is prep. Our fresh eggs are also splendid but there is a lot of work involved with chickens. This week will include insurance, communication devices, prop gun pick up, more craft service goods, hard drives and starting to pack personal stuff to be gone 3 weeks. I’ve already been swapping out my warm weather for cold weather clothes and gear.
I’m going to go get dressed and go walk around this flea market. See if any last minute props or wardrobe stuff jumps out at me. I found a great period derby hat that might end up on our antagonist. I hope you all are enjoying the turn of season as we enter that darker phase. As noted earlier I think I’m going to polish up the wood stove and get that ready for a first fire of the season. I’ve had several outdoor fires but there is something about crackling wood in an old stove.
Until we chat again next week have a productive week and be kind to one another.
DJ
An ‘Official Wrap’ on Harsens Island Revenge and More Updates!
Good morning new readers from Portugal, India, Philippines, Denmark and the UK. Maybe my Indian friends can help me – what is the S. Indian coffee secret? I had that brought to my room every morning in India when filming KARMA. I want to seek it out here and see if I can find some. Yes. It rivals my hazelnut coffee I’m so fond of. So this morning I am well rested but yesterday eve I was pretty exhausted. Why?
For several weeks I’ve been prepping for what would be about 3 min on the screen but it was worth it. After watch the first cut of the film we knew we needed the close up shoots of our pilot and lead attacking some ‘Purple Gang’ property. The 1927 plane was far from Alpena where we filmed and so we needed close ups to match with our other footage of the flight. Movie magic in full effect starting at noon on Friday had us capturing our sequence and establishing shot of the plane that will be seen outside the hanger scene we shot at the Alpena Air Force base. Our crew had to travel in a snow storm but all arrived safe and we had such generous hosts that helped us get what we needed in a 2.5 hour period.
After the plane shoot it was traveling downstate to some beautiful property belonging to our transport captain Dane DeFord. This was the sit for our opening scene to the entire movie. It takes place in WW1 whereas a group of German soldiers are awaiting mechanics to come fix their tank. When I wrote the scene I always envisioned a cold miserable day where the poor soldiers are trying to stay warm. Our film’s hero is sent to deal with these Germans in hopes of capturing a tank. Let’s just say that after several temps of 60’s+ degrees that threatened to give us a very different day we ended up getting exactly what we wanted! Beautiful falling snow that just made the scene so cinematic.
These snowy conditions look great on camera but are hard on cast and crews. But with our scaled down team we got the perfect scene. And we had such a great time all together filming it. Great re-enactors to bring our German’s to life with Mark E. Holmes (Silent Night in Algona) playing our lead German. Mark Balko and his Pepsi team really came through with catering and craft services. Thank you Mangos from Alpena! We had campfires going in the woods and we were storytelling again. The magic of it all and after weeks of hard work it was all worth it.
I want to thank everyone involved. GW Burns our production designer was in from Florida and got a wake up call on Michigan snow. After nine hours trucking through heavy snow I was beat at midnight when I finally started my trek home. I had 4 deer run in front of me, 1 beside my car racing me and 1 huge buck who almost came in front of me but decided against it. I see why Dane who likes to hunt lives there, deer city. I had a restless night because my body felt beat up like after a soccer game and I drank too much coffee later at night. My furry son Finn had been under the weather with upset stomach and was restless and so that night gave me little sleep.
Up and more coffee before off to the sound studio with David Reardon our young lead. With Dennis Therrian and our director Carl we got all our narration. I even laid down a line of two for Axel on the phone in the film. A stop to drop off our rented US “doughboy” uniform and I was home. My Finn was doing better and last night was a peaceful sleep. Again none of this is easy and at CDI we work hard. There is no half ass here as my dad would say. So we need to enact a refund on one hotel in Jackson that did not live up to its pictures and a few expenses to report but the film is now an official WRAP. All the pieces of the puzzle are complete. We’ll have a few weeks to tweak and add these shots into the film but soon it will be locked and music and sound design will start. Adam Towner should be finishing up the Behind the Scenes and we are now working on a theatrical poster and first trailer to likely release end of April.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA– Curran Jacobs is going to be doing a meet-n-greet in Algona and the film is an official selection at the upcoming ICFF. We have our own Cassie Dean, Shane Hagedorn and Dennis Therrian up for honors. The film will start playing on UP FAMILY & FAITH this Summer which is exciting. The DVD’s are still selling and streaming is giving many a peek at the film.
THE QUEST TRILOGY – With Easter right around the corner I’m asking our fans to enjoy a watch of our biblical three films. It is a good time to stop and reflect on family and life. TRAILER HERE: https://youtu.be/HOiLSFiL9es?si=LfwGuUoncew5UktH
HOT ROD LOVE – I just did a fresh read on our Summer film HOT ROD LOVE. We picked up another investment piece this week bringing us to about 35% financed and climbing. With this pick up shoot in the rearview mirror I can devote even more energy to the next film. So starting Monday more sponsor and investor talks. We want to get the business behind us so we can focus on the creative.
Additional Development-
We also have funding talks starting up on SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE and GOTCH. I’m looking forward to a read on the updated Gotch script end of next week. I’m also happy to say that the Victorian/Steampunk script I was working on is finished and I’m extremely happy with the final story. I’ll send that around to a few of the producers this week to take a read. We’ve also been doing some organizing and updating of the quality of some of the older CDI films by converting them to HD. I’m going to be doing some checking on those this week and it will be fun to watch in the new vivid form.
I’m not going to go much further with updates as I like to get things complete before reporting on them. But I know people are anxious and want to know what is next so I try to keep you all updated. When GW Burns was in town I had him snap a few new headshots for the new agent so I’ll be looking into those. I’m going to try and recharge a bit before hitting it hard again starting on Monday! I hope each and every one of you have a great week. I know the Capital City Film Festival mixer will be coming up. We as a company usually try to participate and support the kick off. Until we speak again next week, be good to one another!
DJ
Ancestry, New Awards and Announcements
Good morning. I want to welcome new readers from Belize and Qatar to our little weekly circle. Lots of interesting things to discuss but while I’m welcoming people here it makes me think on ANCESTRY. For Christmas we decided to do our DNA test and see what our family history actually is. Here is my breakdown – EUROPE WEST – likely German 46%, Great Britain 33%, Ireland/Scotland/Wales 16%, Europe East 2%, Finland/NW Russia 1% and for trace amounts under 1% – Iberian Peninsula (Spain/Portugal), Asia South (India and surrounding region), Europe South (Greek) and Scandinavian (Viking). So I’ve enjoyed discovering the trace amounts and think it is completely amazing that we’re so connected. This kind of enlightened knowledge can make the mindset of people more unified. I knew the first three but I’m happy to know what else lies in the past family tree.
This week also was great for writing. I’ve been working on the script for what will likely be our next CDI feature film. I’ve been sitting out on the patio surrounded by hop vines and sipping coffee. The story is starting to really flow and I’m excited about where it’s all going. This week will include more time spent with the imagination.
It was a week that saw a few good meetings at the fort. A few new meetings including a local director. Always fun to get to know someone and see where their journey is taking them. Also had Curran Jacobs out this week. He’s one of my co-stars in MBF: Man’s Best Friend. He also resenting became the World Champion for Catch Wrestling, the premium style pre-WW2. It’s making a come back and I’ve enjoyed watching the matches on SNAKE PIT’s Event site. Curran was battled MUCH bigger opponents. I watched these monsters go from no respect to major respect. That is because respect is earned. He earned respect. That is what we must do in all our engagements. I’ve seen in our industry circles people with a bit of success who withhold or fail to give others respect. They view them as unimportant and with little to nothing to contribute. I respect everyone until they give me a reason not to. From top to bottom on our cast/crews EVERYONE is important. I’ve observed people acting this way to others and that alone is reason to keep them at an arm’s length. Life is too short to have toxic people in your circle even if they have access to something helpful. No when to say no, because that is what will define you and your work.
FILM UPDATES
As the holiday season is around the corner we’re looking to market our trilogy, getting people to enjoy Forty Nights and Chasing the Star before we release part 3 The Christ Slayer. Part 2 just won a silver Crown Award at the ICVM this month. The theatrical trailer for part 3 released a few weeks ago. If this looks interesting please do go back and watch part 1 and part 2. This films could be enjoyed if you never stepped one foot in a church or never cracked a bible. It is the age of style of the parable of telling stories that gives something back to the audience.
WATCH/BUY ‘FORTY NIGHTS’
WATCH/BUY ‘CHASING THE STAR’
THE CHRIST SLAYER – trailer
The film is having music and sound design work done and I’m looking forward to that. Our composer Dennis Therrian will bring forth a powerful and inspirational score.
‘WILD FAITH’
We’re going to be playing on the big screen at the AMC in Burbank, CA on Sept 8th – please do join us and take a trip back to the 1800’s.
http://www.itsmyseat.com/events/900979.html
We’ve got some exciting things happening for the home video release and things are developing for the TV series. It is still too early to discuss it but it is all very exciting. I would like to see the TV series go into production back half of 2019.
‘MBF‘ is all on the computers and editing is ready to start in full. We’ve got great ideas for the teaser trailer and will have one to release in the fall. It was an amazing experience and I look forward to inviting this team back together. We’ve just released our first official still and we’ll be releasing 1-2 a week on our FB social media site. Follow us here! Thank you to all the military and dog supporters who have joined us.
https://www.facebook.com/MBFthemovie/
Additionally I have heard that ‘ASHES OF EDEN’ will be releasing in another country but I will let Mr. Shane Hagedorn announce that once the ink is dry. This film can also be found on Amazon Prime if you’ve not watched it. I really do love the role I played in that film.
Today we have another soccer match. Last week we played a tough squad in the blazing heat and won soundly. This is a good kick off to the second half of the season. I do enjoy the battle each weekend and the second half of the season leading into fall is my favorite. This week I’m looking to bottle the FRANKENBERRY WINE because I need my carboy for the upcoming wine. We have lots of wild grapes growing around the garden. I’ve been researching recipes and I’m excited about trying something new. Thanks to the squirrels we have a few vines of either pumpkin or squash growing around the yard. We had to also shut down the access by a woodchuck under the office porch. I think he has moved on. I look forward to the week ahead – more writing, more development, more post work and more enjoying time with people. Have a great week and be good to one another.
DJ
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
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 