Happy Memorial Day Weekend – CDI Updates!
Good morning! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee on a wet Sunday here in the Michigan. I hope alley fellow Americans are enjoying your Memorial Day. I have so much gratitude for the safety and freedoms we have thanks to our brave soldiers. Everything here is blowing up green with flowers opening. I’ve been doing some good work on the property planting, trimming and mowing. I’ve been looking at projects I can do by re-purposing the old deck wood. I’m also staining a few of the grow boxes to help protect them from the elements.
We had another soccer match on Thursday that we ultimately ties 4-4 against a solid team. We outplayed them and led the entire match. I think we took the attacking pressure off them in the last quarter and let them back into the game. It is a game of inches like many sports. I was so close to shutting down two of their goals but just could not get there before the shot was off. But I love the intense physical activity.
Friday I got to entertain the child in me with a trip to the new IMAX to watch the new Star Wars film. It was like two amped up TV shows but was fun and played great on the big screen. Another friend and I were talking about the original from 1977. I was 7 and he was 14 when we saw it. Different experiences for everyone but without a doubt George Lucas changed the world. I guess you can never predict or plan when or if that will happen when you release a story upon the world. We do hope that a few of the CDI films help to change the world for a positive.
FILM UPDATES-
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is a parody. One feature-length joke about what many people consume/demand and the industry eager to supply. I’ve said in a few interviews that RCMD was my love letter to the classic films that make fun of certain niches or lifestyles like WAITING FOR GUFFMAN or THIS IS SPINAL TAP. It was interesting to watch the first showing with cast, crew, family, friends and fans. The film, like all films is not everyone’s cup of tea. While to others, it is the perfect cup of tea. If nobody has seen me swear in a film they were likely shocked. And to be told that one couple loves horror films, watches SHUDDER all the time and LOVED this movie. This was followed by the best CDI film they had seen. This hit odd for me. Yes. You want them to love the film that is why we make it. But the best? It goes to show how tastes are varied. My character is purposely over-the-top in a film that makes fun of our film industry. A major storm that passed through cut into our audience some but we still had a healthy turn out. Now we are setting up other theatrical runs and a few brew-n-views. Our goal is to create a film that people in our industry will gather to watch and laugh at our own silliness. We’ve been also prepping for the home video release and should have release dates soon to share. If you get an opportunity to watch this on a big screen great. But if you have to wait until the home video, that is also just fine. I want to thank everyone who came out. Feel free to vote and/or post your thoughts on the film at IMDB.com.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – If you are missing the thought-provoking feel good movies this movie will give you what you need. We are doing an inside screening next week as we also put the end credits together. Our director Anthony Hornus got to watch and listen to the final music mix. I can say that he was elated by what he heard. It is an incredible gift to be able to tell these stories. This is an amazing story taken from the news and fictionalized with a SciFi edge. Promo will start on this film as we come up with a premiere and look at what kind of theatrical run we want to do with it.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – On the heels of ICFF we’ve been getting all the Red Letter Awards nominations. Best Film, Screenplay, Director with two Best Supporting Actor and Actress and one Best Actress and two Best Actor. Is that ten nominations? We are so happy that this film is being recognized so well. It really does have some great themes of Christmas, friendship, sacrifice and love. It is a powerhouse follow up to the original film. Have you seen the original? Our home video launch is on 11/3/26 and we’re looking at what kind of additional theatrical we want to do prior. The film was finished just shortly before Christmas 2025 and so the window was rather short.
- DEVIL’S PASS is up to film in September again working with McGraw Multimedia and two GA based companies with our friend Dan Searles. We will be having crew and cast meetings next week and will be doing a casting for local Michigan for a few great roles. Our energy has been spent on locations, schedule and placing some of the initial cast and crew in place. Please do not reach out directly but follow the Devil’s Pass FB page for upcoming announcements,, All the Extra calls will be going through there also. Right now we are trying to do things in the proper order. We’ll be getting the foundation solidified and this Fall will be more 1800’s fun!
DEVELOPMENT–
Last week I discussed some of the film slates we’re presenting for funding. I’m going to be returning to my writing this week. I had two calls last week about two possible scripts to be written. One is an adaptation of a book and the second, an original work-for-hire for another company to produce. I do love the writing so we’ll see where the chips fall.
Aside from the writing I like having the time to develop the new character I am to play in the next film. I’m truly loving it and it is one of the things that caught my attention. A very unique role and I embrace the challenge. Sometimes it starts with internal decisions and that expresses itself in appearance. Other times it can start with a unique hat or coat and helps develop the internal. I had a short period of time with no character inside my head but I love having a role to contemplate.
WRAP UP-
Enjoy your long weekend and remember why we have it. I’m looking forward to seeing my brother and a few friends later. If the rain holds off I might try to do some more outdoor activities but we will see. I might try to bottle up the BERRY KA-POW CHUCK NORRIS tribute wine this week. I want to sweeten each at bottling with a single raspberry. I might also do another small run of the WINE PINE Soda. Look it up it is pretty cool what you can make with what nature provides. No finding of any mushrooms yet for me but with these rains maybe we will. Next month is my birthday month and I’m thankful for another year on this wonderful planet. Try to look at the positives that life gives each and everyone of us. Even the setbacks and challenges are a chance for growth. Be good to one another and keep work steadily towards your dreams.
Coffee Cheers! Time for a refill- DJ
Build on the Past. Dare to Stumble. Find your Strength.
A gentle rain is falling nurturing all the plants we’ve got started and the lawn which has been seeded with clover for the leprechauns and chickens. I want to welcome the abundance of new readers from India, Italy, Poland, Philippines and more. I LOVE that our readers are from all over the world. This year I’ve been struggling a bit but it is with success. I will tell you a story of a silly little boy (Who could that be?) who just wanted to be an artist. My father who was a practical man due to his responsibilities of having a family when young, had a hard time seeing my dream. We had many disagreements in those early teen years and I recall one that ended loudly with me announcing that “I want to be an artist, not a businessman and become an assH!%#& like you.” Boy was I stupid. Unaware of how the world turns I struggled to find my way. My dad was my first mentor and still is a steady voice that I listen to these days versus argue with.
(Jeff Kennedy)
Thanks to people like Lynn Drzick (IN THE WOODS) and later Jeff Kennedy (CDI) and Bill Breakey (Imaginative Endeavors) I started to learn the business that went with the creative. In the case of Lynn Drzick and later Kennedy, they both were dreamers like myself. They didn’t discredit ideas they just helped to illuminate the needed steps to get to that next place. Bill Breakey was a many times over businessman retired to just doing fun endeavors. We had an editing facility together right up to his death at a young 80-some. Our weekly business lunches allowed me to table any issues and get some sound advice. Rance Howard, yes, Ron and Clint Howard’s dad, was my last real mentor and the only one from the entertainment world. I always got straight forward mid west kind of advice without a shred of Hollywood BS. Again these people were very valuable to me in my journey.
(Rance Howard)
My biggest fear is of making mistakes but I’ve learned that by stats alone you will make some. These are some of the best growth building events but don’t feel like it at the time. My college education gave me a process and a path to discover answers outside of me. But most of my real experience has been forged in the fires of doing. As I’ve grown into the fringes of being an elder in our business that often burns people up, I have evolved. I see more clearly my mistakes and miscalculations. Friendships hurt even in trying to do the right thing. You learn that you’re not perfect. Not the perfect businessman, friend or associate. Even those who don’t particularly like me cannot question my passion and drive. At times I keep taking on more and hope the weight of it doesn’t break me. Maybe that is where the slow growth has allowed my legs, back and mind to grow stronger. I was never the genius at the top of my class. My mind drifted off to far away places and stories danced in my head. High school was always trying to keep my head above water. A struggle to keep myself out of trouble for average grades that were in constant danger from my artistic distractions.
(Lynn Drzick front and center)
If I had better budgets I could hire wiser people to handle certain aspects but our modest budgets only allowed needs versus wants. I’ve had to learn to do many things unable to pay for the service. I have adapted and manage but I’m now working to try and streamline. To resurrect older films and ready them for re-entry into the marketplace. But is it worth it? As the storyteller it is. As the businessman it can be a question-mark. Some projects at CDI were ahead of their time. And dishonest distributors early on were the bane of our progress. Now much of that has been worked out and I’m giving my best efforts to make sure these films are not left behind. To die on a format no longer in use and unable to be retrieved. I gain no extra income from any of this and it taxes my peace of mind for fear of doing something wrong in the process. I’ve carried some of this same worry throughout my journey but you stay steadfast and when you look up decades have gone by. In your wake are beautiful stories that elicit the occasional fantail saying how your story helped them in their darkest hours. Maybe I do that for them. Some a grieving couple being torn apart by tragedy can find some healing in FIGURE IN THE FOREST. Or someone struggling with mental illness can feel less isolated and find a spark of joy in HEAVENS NEIGHBORS. AN ORDINARY KILLER will be used by a non-profit that helps military families. I am leaning more into charity as I go deeper into this journey.
I want to thank all of you for being out there. I think putting these feelings into words and confronting some of these fears helps me. I really only have one “pain in the butt” project from the past that is full of complexities. Some 15+ years later trying to breath life back into it and untangle all the strands. But I will spend a certain amount of time each week to this past projects. Already with some great help from Dean Teaster, John Mashni, Brett Frame, Scott Bakkila and others these stories will live on for many more decades. I liked a statement that said, the first time you do something is always difficult. Much truth there. Also, you get by with a little help from your friends. We are a tribe and I’m very thankful to have all these wonderful people on this adventure of life.
READY TO TALK MOVIES? Enough DJ Ramblings…
Harsens Island Revenge – From the director’s POV the film is a lock and he’s very happy. This Weds we’ll get to view it with most of the VFX inserted by our supervisor Erik Steele. This was suppose to happen last Weds but our director’s flight back into the country was delayed. That said, music is already being worked out for some of the chase scenes that were already locked up. We will be having fun in studio working on this film with Dennis Therrian. Next up for discussion will be the theatrical poster and trailer cut. Exciting times ahead!
(Prep in SNIA)
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – The home video release has been going strong and we’ll soon be starting to see the results of our flow. Once received, it is a process of reporting and processing on all the films. Our release to UP Family & Faith is growing closer. I’ve enjoyed all the positive communications from people who enjoyed this film. I think this movie will just grow over the next few years. The story is beautiful and showcases a piece of almost forgotten history. CDI is very good at capturing these stories and making sure they are not erased from the public’s mind. I’m still very curious to hear how the German people enjoy the film as it reaches them.
I’m excited to say that our distributor TWIN ENGINES GLOBAL/DESKPOP has launched their non-family/faith free with ads streaming site called FREE4ALL that features some of CDI’s our CDI associated films like BEST YEARS GONE and BESTSELLER.
WATCH ‘BEST YEARS GONE’ HERE: https://youtu.be/U4lxhZ2CQkc?si=g02ymDiHiZmzbXGR
WATCH ‘BESTSELLER’ HERE: https://youtu.be/NoGBwWEtk7s?si=tUN4zExfQpBC9oX5
Meanwhile the CDI family faith films FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR, THE CHRIST SLAYER, WILD FAITH, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, LOST HEART are on Encourage TV for your viewing pleasure. Also good to leave on for your furry friends when you have to step out. Love animated stories check out THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ. Documentary lovers check out FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH.
(Rare pic of just DJ Perry not in character – pic by GW Burns)
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Development has been in high gear here at CDI. Packaging and pitching and the gathering of investors and sponsors are all underway. We are working hard to get into production on a few CDI stories. Some exciting new stories to be told only how CDI can tell them. I’m hearing our new music video to shoot might be coming up here in May. I’ve been doing voice over on another book in the series that has been ongoing the last few years. I even took ten minutes during our pick up shoot for Harsens Island Revenge to have the great GW Burns pop off some new headshot pics for the new agency. My page will be going up on Treasure Coast Talent Agency, so if you want me to consider bringing a role to life on your project please do reach out there. I’ll attach one on this blog in Black & White which is how they use to be. The agency one will be full color. I’ve recently just finished one script for a development package and I’m 1/4 of the way through the next one. It is interesting because it is writing
WRAP UP:
I’m enjoying coming out of winter and with today in the 70’s we might be leaving the days of the wood stove shortly. But maybe a few outside fires. Also looking at a few yard builds this year. I LOVE all the nature that is on our little piece of property. I’m looking forward to more training. The martial arts keeps me limber and ready for action. Soccer season starts NEXT week and I’m excited to be out with the team battling it out. I do truly love that competition and pushing myself to my limits each week.
Inside the office I’ve been doing major organizing and I’m happy about that. Like I mentioned earlier I might start moving some of the swag and memorabilia out as charity to our fans. There are many organizations in need and we’re already doing that with our doc film FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH that helps wrestling clubs and organizations struggling. Dogs, military families…the causes could go on and on. We’re taking steps in that direction and I’m proud to see that keep growing.
I just enjoyed some of our eggs and 4H bacon and I’m going to get on with my Sunday. Maybe a bit of screenwriting but next week will be a busy one. I have some meetings starting Monday and they could be rather exciting. I hope you all have a great weekend and start strong on your TO DO’s for the week ahead. Don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way. Until next week, coffee cheers! Congrats to the Alpena Bears our friends at Pepsi for a great Willy Wonka Event. We are so proud to be partnered with you here at CDI!
DJ
Writing, Winter and What’s Next…
I’m sipping on the coffee, still no personal sponsor but World Market has a great selection. Yesterday was the first actual snow for Michigan. The day prior it was tee-shirt weather and it’s now like 22 degrees and windy. The local SILVER BELLS parade got dumped on by pouring rain and blowing winds. I think the harsh weather is upon us but we Michiganders are prepared.
This week was full of meetings and exchanges that are setting the stage for the years ahead. We are looking at the slate of projects at CDI moving past “The Christ Slayer” the third film in THE QUEST TRILOGY.
I also have returned to my screenplay writing a bit each day. I find it relaxing and a nice escape from accounting and legalese. Unless on a paid schedule I usually write on whatever I feel at the moment. I think that the screenwriting will continue to develop as more people/companies are starting to take notice. I have scripts to finish but I also have had a few great ideas as of late for films I want to write. Winter in Michigan is great for writing as anyone who does it can tell you. I usually write late at night or early am upon waking. And people who ask me for advice on writing, the best answer is to write. Don’t worry about it being good, bad or ugly at first just get in the habit of putting it down on paper. Have you met the people who say, “It’s all up here” – pointing to their head. That doesn’t work good for keeping a team of people on the same page. I know many people who “wing it” without or with a partial script and 9 of 10 times you can fully tell. I’ve seen people beaming as they addressed a room full of people, bragging of making it up as they went. After watching the film, I would not brag. Worst yet is highlighting their own lack of understanding on what tilts the odds in your favor of finishing with a story that fits together like good craftsmanship. There is a reason strong screenwriters are sought after. And actors know the challenge of working with badly written dialog. Tis the season to write, so write:)
FILMS
“Wild Faith” is in editing and we’ve been sharing several behind the scenes photos each week. Soon we will start releasing FIRST STILLS from the film showing you the final product. I think we captured something very exciting and the chances of a spin-off tv series is good. We’re about to shoot our one pick up day that flashes back to the Civil War. It will be a gritty, cold day and I think it will be perfect for our story. So many people have been involved in this film and it makes me happy to see a community come together over such a beautiful story.
T Rex and DJ Perry (Moses & Jesus) on set “40 Nights”
40 Nights
We’ll soon be announcing the next phase of the deal. This month our investors are seeing their first returns. Once negotiations are concluded and the ink is dry I will happily announce what’s next for this film. I’m excited because as our first film in THE QUEST TRILOGY prepares to shift into second gear the second film…
Chasing the Star – is moving towards the finish line. The excited talks this week with our director (Bret Miller) and composer (Dennis Therrian) made me smile. Friday Bret and I shared conversation about what this film could bring the world audiences. I think that after watching this amazing journey on-screen people will have a new idea of the three wise men. If you’re jumping up, raising your hand saying, “I’ve had that shot” – prepare to have new light shed upon these three characters. Get ready to meet the wise men soon – more than just three statues in a nativity scene.
The Christ Slayer – we’ve been starting to look at locations and targeting casting of certain roles. The plan is to shoot again in AZ come Spring. It’s a beautiful story that will book end our trilogy nicely. The business for this film is gearing up now.
2017 lies ahead and that will mean good things for several of our properties. The end-of-the- year work has begun and all good so far. It is that BIZ part of SHOWBIZ that we’ve talked on often. Well, I’m going to get on with my day. I again appreciate all of you who stopped by to share a few moments reading of our endeavors.
Happy Sunday!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 