Film Finance Tips, Funding Endeavors and Film Updates
(Soon it will be out to Tricky T’s post facility for Harsens Island Revenge music & sound)
A sunny yet chilly morning here in the Michigan. I’m sipping by hazelnut coffee and smiling upon my great week. I just updated our summary sheet for our next film HOT ROD LOVE, which we took a few more steps this week towards full funding. We will be funding and bringing on sponsors for March/April and once all commits are in place we will move to official pre-production for a Summer shoot. Only because it came up twice this past week, we’ll share a little finance secret that might be helpful. We only gather verbal commits until we have our full budget. We take ZERO actual dollars until we are ready to move. It avoids putting money into escrow or a holding account until full funds are raised. We also do not start any spending until we have the funds to complete the entire film. I was asked that twice this week and the other parties loved my response. Many filmmakers could be tempted to touch money before it is all gathered. I was even hired many years ago on a project that was funded off moving funds. By that I mean monthly a flow of income was flowing in and spent but it hit a snag with the flow when the tax incentives got repealed and FULL STOP. A legal/financial mess for the company and a true artistic disappointment. GATHER all your funds needed to finish the film in one place. Have a strict budget and stick to it as if your life depended on it. These are little gems believe it or not. Again on ‘Hot Rod Love’ if you are curious about involvement in motion picture feel free to email me. Our sponsors are starting to line up also and I’m exciting to plan a location scout soon once we get funding a little further down the road. Steps. Every week is little steps.
(Curran Jacobs and Samuel Peterson in Silent Night in Algona)
Development is front and center and we also are forced to plan years ahead. Nothing moves fast in the development of film in my experience. The SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE project is soon to start presenting to parties in Iowa. I had a great conversation with an actor/filmmaker from Iowa that we worked with on SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. He’ll be joining the development team in Iowa giving us some boots on the ground with film experience. Once funding in place he will be helpful in assisting with location lock down. In the same area but completely different circles is another film that has just moved into development. Curran Jacobs who directed FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH, WATCH HERE: (https://tubitv.com/movies/702767/for-the-love-of-catch?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google-feed ) It’s an amazing documentary film on the history of grappling and Catch-Can. This will be Curran directing his first narrative feature. It is still having its presentation materials put together but will be an amazing directorial debut. Waiting on one more official signature on the engagement docs but we’ll take this year to work on funding with the year after targeted to film.
(Shane Hagedorn in Silent Night in Algona)
Touching back on the above mentioned SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, I got to hear some wonderful feedback from multiple people about our story. This also included a former Governor of Iowa who really loved it. This film is still going strong and we’re turning our focus towards foreign territories. I think I mentioned that this summer the film will be going to subscription based video on demand on UP Family & Faith channel. The film will also be at the International Christian Film Festival and could bring home some recognition. It is already a winner in my book by the history it preserves and the audiences moved by this true events story.
(The Scouting team on Hardens Island Revenge – lotta work before cameras ever roll)
Harsens Island Revenge
Our director Carl Weyant is back from his holiday trip to Brazil. Not this coming week but the week after we’ll be watching the first cut of the film. And I’m going to be putting plans in motion to see about filming our opening WW1 scene the second to last weekend in March. David Reardon if your reading this- 🙂 If not AI on my face. Just kidding. We’re making plans to get back on the military base where the pick up scene will be shot. It will be only a Skeleton crew to film the one scene. We will also look to get some voice over recorded when our lead David Reardon is in town. It is always exciting once the film is picture locked and music and sound bring it to life. The Behind the Scenes video should be polishing up soon. I know Adam Towner editing wanted a few pieces from our director but that will be exciting. Trailer. Posters. Many very cool things will be coming!
MISC. FILM UPDATES
- Awaiting the release date for the IN THE WOODS Blu Ray which will be exciting. Many cool pieces available to prepare for this release. Read last weeks blog with links to making of/script book, novelization and my prequel script released as a book.
- KNIGHT CHILLS – I’m starting to look at select horror platforms to release the HD remastered version of the film on. If you have some favorites let me know.
- FROM VENUS – CDI’s 2nd film from the classic collection is a SciFi spoof with some HP Lovecraft influences. I got a peek at some amazingly cool artwork by the talented Tom Miller. I’m loving it! I’m looking to make that Blu Ray deal soon! Once remastered it too will follow Knight Chills into streaming.
- A NEW Ghost Town the movie theatrical trailer is almost done. Taking some first steps to prep this film for some new release opportunities but I want to start with a theatrical putting it back into theaters. I also want to stream on some western theme platforms.
- AN ORDINARY KILLER might follow a similar release pattern to Ghost Town but working to get the foundation of this film solid again. It played ABC network back in the day and is a great based on true events solving of a 28 year old cold case.
- I’ve been seeing some great test footage from some of the video game development going on for some of the CDI properties. More on this as it develops.
- End of Year business taxes are almost all done. I’m so appreciative of our CDI team and accountant friends who make this an easier process. Running multiple companies can be trying and it truly takes a team of people.
I think that is enough film updates for the week. On more mundane updates the dry but cold weather allowed dog poop pick up and I got to try out my new wood chipper. I chopped up a bunch of stick and ended up with some pretty nice mulch. I’m excited about the coming year with the planting of more clover. The chickens are ramping up their egg production which is good. Our herb garden beds will be providing again but some are already. Sage and Orange Thyme are pretty hardy. I also like the Holy Basil which again makes a great tea. The power of herbal teas is real. I’m going to take the rest of the day to relax, recharge and get organized. Tomorrow I’ll be back at it and I hope all of you also have a productive week. Until we chat here again!
Be good to one another!
DJ
An 1800’s Lesson, Film Updates, Development
France, Ireland, India and more- coffee cheers. I will note as much as I LOVE my hazelnut coffee I so enjoyed my daily pot of South Indian Coffee in Otty, India. Also, I thought I had some basic tea skills but in India they take that task very serious. I recall on the set of KARMA, they had a TEA DEPARTMENT. Best coffee and tea service on a film set – hands down.
Speaking of places that still live very rural in places, last night during high winds we lost power. All around our state they had trouble but in Lansing, Michigan- it was in pockets. We could see lights on in other places but our street was dark. Worse was that it was not a total lack of power just a trickle that can cause issue when the power surges back. So all things that use consistent power like the fridge and freezer were pulled. Thankfully, we did not lose any of the frozen food. I might be a bit more motivated to look at generators. In winter you can move food in coolers outside to chill. Heat can be replaced with fire. Last night we had almost every candle in the house lit and it was still light a horror film. We even played the game ‘scrabble’ by candlelight which was a first. It really makes you think how good we have it. I’ve been writing a true event story SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE, from the 1850’s and it gave me even more insight. Insight to the hardships that came with keeping light and heat in the house. I’m 2/3 through the first draft and I will finish the first draft this month. It has been a powerful experience researching and writing into these story. Did I say, I love scriptwriting. This story will be very powerful.
FILM UPDATES
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, has a target date of Nov 14th to start pulling all the elements of the film together. We’re still working the German subtitles, music and final VFX. It will be exciting to see them all come together. The new trailer released and folks are really enjoying the peek. NOTE: The IMDB page is not fully complete. I do the data entry along with my hundreds of other tasks. But you can see many of the great artists behind this project and the two trailer previews.
IMDB Link: (Trailers included)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13608086/reference/
It is beyond hard work to pull all this together. We’re not perfect, we’re still looking for a few items misplaced post shoot, including a uniform dropped off at Wild Haven and a camp banner. If anyone reading this from our team knows anything please do let me know. Otherwise, we’ll have to spend some time searching about once we arrive for the premiere. Our director/producers team will be represented along with a few of the cast and crew making the journey in December. Many from Michigan will wait until we do a premiere here after Algona.
THE QUEST TRILOGY – Welcome to the holidays! We just announced last week how WILD FAITH, surpassed six million views on our distributors ENCOURAGE TV. We’re proud to say the first film in the trilogy just passed 2 million views on ENCOURAGE TV, so we thank you. We hope that you take the time to continue a growing tradition and watch or rewatch the trilogy with your family.
With Veterans Day approaching, we’re putting some promotion together. Several #TribeCDI films have our fine military at the heart of the story.
FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH, MANS BEST FRIEND, WILD FAITH as well as WICKED SPRING, recently released on HD streaming at Encourage TV. AN ORDINARY KILLER, like Wicked Spring needs to be re-conformed and also put to HD for a 2023 release. This process is much needed to allow films to stay out there in the marketplace. Take a watch on these films when time allows. Technology moves on-
This process on prepping for re-release is time consuming and difficult when you have some many present properties to deal with. But you just keep chipping away and get the work done. I’ve been chipping away, getting GHOST TOWN, ready for a new release.
HOUSE KEEPING
We’re also trying to organize all the past masters. Again technology moves on and you can easily fall behind. This new gathering of easy access masters will allow new trailers and promos to be cut. I’ll be prepping for an end of year dispersement on films and getting ready for end-of-year taxes. We have some new promo for CDI also underway. We’ll also be updating the CDI website http://www.cdiproductions.com
DEVELOPMENT
I’m looking forward to doing a script meeting this week to comb through and make some final corrections and adjustments. Once this is complete, we will more into more active casting. We will also start sitting down with proposed keys in the first of the new year. I’m excited to start more pre-production work in the coming year. We’ll have a new PR release coming soon on this project.
FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH brand might have a new documentary coming together for 2023. We’ve also got several spin off ideas beyond the new documentary. I hope to have a sit down this week over some of that. DVD’s are now available and so coaches get your copy. The response to the doc was awesome but not unexpected. It was missing – history, the ties that bind. And it was presented in a very moving and entertaining way. I had several people tell me that teared up and/or cries while watching. Why? Watch and you will see. Passion. Everyone speaking on the doc offers passion and knowledge. This rises above the differences and relishes in the uniting love of Catch or history, as it is. I’m proud of it. Proud of our small team. Proud of the sponsors who stepped up and made it happen.
WRAP UP – I did bottle up the Frankenberry R and Frankenberry B for raspberry or blueberry wine, used in the final conditioning in the bottles. The harvest has been good to many this year and our chickens are keeping pace with eggs even with diminished daylight. I’m going to go gather up a few branches, right the windmill which blew over, and clean up the yard. I’m looking forward to seeing some family and friends later. I’ll get the wood stove roaring. I might chop some more wood. Everything, even writing here with you, helps me to summarize and visualize what I have to do this forthcoming week. I’ll be curious to see how AFM treated a few of our properties. We will have more massive strides in our SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, post work. Developmental script work! It is a time of celebration and hard work. This week illustrated that when busy and challenged, the present is the best focus of your energy. Past and Future have their time in reflection but can slow down ‘in the moment’ reaction time. Often resulting in a missed opportunity.
My last note- this is from DJ the actor. He has been at rest while DJ the businessman, producer and writer, drive the ship. I, like many of my ‘acting inflicted’ friends have that call to- ‘become’ and embody a character, weaving a lesson and story from the performance. I do miss this on camera sharing, but I can say that the energy continues to manifest, filmed or not. I’ve been back and forth over a proposed talk show, BY THE FIRE. IF, and that is a big IF because I like to keep my private aspects and not have them add nor take away from characters. But, I was inspired by podcasts? like Mike Tyson Hotboxing. Between Two Ferns, is pretty damn funny too. But good conversations. At the fort, many great talks happen, but that is sacred space, freedom, creative ideas. I would never put that under a microscope. Technology can be friend or foe. It is while they have artists retreats because people get away from nature. Connecting. I’ve helped many break an addiction of sorts with technology. You do not obey the phone the phone obeys you. It is a tool. Gather what you need to do and do it in a condensed time. After that put it down. Disconnect. It is powerful and freeing and it has helped many to be more productive and interactive people. That effects all your relationships business and personal. We will see, said the wise man. I’m going to check out of this technology. Refill the hazelnut coffee and go outside. Have a great day and week ahead.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
October Coming to a Close – Updates
Hello,
I hope everyone is having a good week. It was a long week filled with sadness, laughter, success and set back. But with my trusty hazelnut coffee I get to sit here and reflect back on some of it with all of you. First, our household has been much quieter with our reduced pack. Two sisters Lulu and Daphne are spending lots of time together. We will be getting another dog for Daphne to help train. She did such a wonderful job with our Luke. We really want to have a new guardian by the time LOST HEART shoots this coming spring. It might happen on the lead up to Thanksgiving since we will both have lots off time to make a new pack member feel welcome and loved.
Speaking on loved ones, cherish them because our shared time is finite. One of our neighbors from our childhood passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness. We got to catch up with childhood friends but unfortunately it came at a visitation. New childhood memories were made with the nice and nephew one night with pizza, pumpkin carving and seed roasting. This coming weekend we’ll have another reunion with my Uncle and cousins but also at a cost. My Aunt lost her short battle with cancer. She was the sun which everything went around and so they’re rightfully having issues adjusting. I am looking forward too sharing stories and laughter with my cousins.
This week I spent a good amount of time communicating with our film distributor as they prepare for AFM. For those not in the knowing it’s the American Film Market. A version of our MBF teaser is going to travel to AFM. The DVD/poster art for THE CHRIST SLAYER is being prepared. WILD FAITH deal is also in the works and I need to find out the details of the theatrical deals.
Part 3 of THE QUEST TRILOGY – The Christ Slayer is in post sound and music. Also we engaged our colorist for the film’s color correction. That is now underway. We had both Carl Weyant (Longinus) and Melissa Anschutz (Mother Mary) into the studio. A few lines had to be fixed and that process went smooth. We also were treated to some opening music that shows carpenters building wood crosses on the hilltop as Mary watches. With the opening music it is so POWERFUL. I’m excited to have audiences go on this final adventure. Again if you have not watched part 1 or 2 (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star) buy the DVD or stream it from Amazon. Also many other great platforms are carrying them.
WILD FAITH is also heading back into the theaters as the strength and power of this film is being noticed. Our celebrity narrator is looking at availability and paperwork has been sent across. We’ve had various outlets contact us directly over wanting this film. All those communications are being forwarded and soon the entire distribution flow will be announced. Once everything is in their hands we’ll turn our attention back to the TV series.
Also with MBF our military vet/adoption dogs film, I’ve seen about 30 min of the rough film and I’m rather happy with it even in the rough state. It’s a powerful and moving film and something else to look forward to next year. We keep adding more official stills to our Facebook page. Please do stop by to see pics and get updates.
LOST HEART has gotten its first feedback from one of our proposed stars and it was everything I had wished for. We will start moving it out to others to read. I really do love the story and again it is filled with powerful themes.
Speaking of scripts – this past week I wrote a PSA (Public Service Announcement) script and the client loved it. Now I have to prepare a budget because we also might produce it with CDI. Again, we do some commercial work at CDI but it’s selective. I’ve also returned to doing some writing on my first SciFi script, which is beyond fun. I’ve also started to look at a few possible literary agents to help sell a few scripts that I don’t plan to produce.
I also was encouraged to submit to a film shooting in fall 2019 as the bad guy. I sent my materials and if I am what they’re looking at I will read their script and do a short read. I am ready to get back in front of the camera again but it has to be the right project. This year audiences can see me as Jesus again, mountain man Ben Lily and injured marine Paul Landings. I thought maybe the DEAD QUIET film might release this year but it doesn’t seem like it will. This year I did do a commercial gig for “Our Daily Bread” and a music video for musician Trey Conner. I’m about trying something outside my box if the business is good and the project professional. What else will 2019 bring?
One thing I like to do at the end of each year is do a self-evaluation. Look at projects and project your goals for the new year. Look at what goals from the previous year were met and which ones were not. Writing this down so you can actually review next year is a very useful tool. From seed to harvest. Goals, destinations and such are all good but remember to enjoy the journey.
Have a great week and a safe Halloween.
Boo!
Premieres, Parties and the Power of Positivity
It is a beautiful Saturday in Michigan and today is a good rest after a busy, busy week. I’m excited that I’ve been able to enjoy grilling and chilling outside. We had venison burgers and mushrooms last night. It’s been a couple of weeks driving hard towards our final goals while not being distracted by other distracting variables. I was witness to a few examples of drama this past week but avoided any participation. Drama, except when on the screen is something I try to avoid. It’s one of those distractions that often derails or delays people from their goals. I’ve gotten good at not falling into these traps. I will illustrate a few examples to perhaps help some of you out there. IF you think I’m talking about you – I’m likely not but you might be one of these people just for thinking that:)
The Power of Positivity
Some people just have broken, clouded, paranoid, delusional filters around them. You could say just about anything to them and they will pull an insult, attack or some negative slant from the communication. These poor souls will have a hard go of it in life/business until they reach some self realization. I’ve had previous business/personal relationships terminated because of these same issues. Insecurity, self-doubt and other self-defeating attributes can only be healed by the individual. They need to somehow learn to stop feeding their own negativity. I only allow those types X amount of time to figure themselves out or they are dismissed. I have more patience in personal vs professional. They often have to learn on their own where they cannot influence others with their drama. Unfortunately, this dismissal often creates even more negativity as these people seldom can accept blame. It’s ALWAYS someone else:) The world is against them. A self made pattern that these people are amazingly blind to.
Emails, text and written communication is worse. These individuals cannot tell directness from sarcasm and so forth. They project their own insecurities on the words. I’ve seen people refuse to compromise because they see that as weakness. What could have been fruitful on-going business relationships becomes one and done. Often these people are stricken with mis-directed anger that comes forth as spite and hate. Nasty venom from forked tongues that once spewed you cannot take back.
Others swallow their own poison – never venting on others but compounding their failure. If you’re downtrodden and negative because nobody will invest in your dream project it only makes it worse. People invest in positive people. If you carry negativity within yourself you will not inspire others to believe in your dreams. I call these people CHARLIE BROWNS. If you’re constantly complaining POOR ME and HO HUM on social media walls – you paint a picture of someone nobody would or should invest in. I see so much pitiful self bashing as much as I see hatred towards others. I see artists who don’t realize that some choices are just different versus better. I’ve seen people with no qualifications judge others. Those people who stand alone in their own glass house and foolishly throw rocks at others. It’s only a matter of time before they find themselves cut and broken in their own ruins of a shattered glass house. I’m happy to say in these situations I witnessed- I stayed in silence and focused upon the important work at hand. But I see these toxic behaviors around me and it doesn’t surprise me when these people implode. Be happy, positive and productive. I truly would love to see these people change but only they control themselves.
The HUMBLE FIGHTER
All this leads also to the topic of tonight’s “fight of fights” GET READY TO RUMBLE! I was a fan of boxer Manny PacMan prior to filming in the Philippines. But after seeing how he has helped his nation with his success and how they honor him – my respect for him grew. He is a humble, spiritual warrior who gives his all each and every time. He has a depth of spirit that reminds me of Bruce Lee, another childhood hero of mine. Now, Mister Floyd can fight for sure but he really seems to have an ugly demeanor and messed up priorities. I hope he gets taught a lesson that money can’t save him from. This example can apply to successful people in our film business. Wear success like a humble hat. People will respect that much more.
Onto film updates!
ASHES OF EDEN Oct. 6th is the new wide release. We are closer to announcing some west coast theatrical play dates. Stay tuned!
BESTSELLER – It is being final mastered!
LIVE IN MICHIGAN? Do you want to see the 1st public showing of BESTSELLER in a cool historic theater? I will be there as well as many of the cast and crew. Info on how to get your tickets below.
MOVIE PREMIERE
“BESTSELLER”
BASED ON A NOVEL WRITTEN BY
CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT
MAY 23, 2015
7:00pm
$10.00 per person for viewing only
$20.00 per person for viewing and a DVD copy of the show
$30.00 per person for viewing, DVD and Backstage Meet & Greet
TICKETS
https://www.theoperahouse.org/tickets.php
“BESTSELLER” IS INTENDED FOR A MATURE AUDIENCE.
“40 Nights” – Post work is underway and this week we released our 1st Official Teaser poster.
NEW interview link below that gives some great insight into the filming of “40 Nights” – Interview by David W. King. Thank you my friend.
http://www.gardenoftheking.com/InterviewDJPerry40Nights.htm
THE TERRORIST – is also DONE. I need to watch my producers link of the final film. It will start playing for distributors in the weeks ahead.
WASTELAND Tales of the Desert Part 1 – We will have an official poster soon and I will let you all know where you can see this film play.
To bring this full circle – “Don’t HATE, CREATE! The secret is to keep moving forward and not being distracted by all the silliness that some individuals can create. Pull them like weeds from your garden and watch what grows.
I had one reader ask me about the film “IT FOLLOWS” – It was shot in Michigan and my brother watched it and liked it. I don’t think they reinvented the wheel with it but it IS a positive step for distributors to seek independent product. Radius, the distributor – is owned by the Weinsteins who build their company on a handful of indie directors. I would love to see more companies with P&A $ take a limited chance on some strong indie films. So, I think this was a good thing and big congrats to that cast and crew.
I’m going to go work in the yard some so have a great weekend.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 