Formation, Communication and the Art of Victory!
Hazelnut coffee cheers to each of you. It is again a very snowy morning here in Michigan. I’m excited to sit down and reflect about the journey and the accomplishments. Recently I was reading one of the many versions of THE ART OF WAR and one thing jumped out on this read. FORMATION AND COMMUNICATION. Now I’ve spoken many times on communication and that being a key to success. Formation was a new concept to ponder. As a lifelong martial artist my goals are to bring out the best in each individual and when placed in a proper “formation” victory is achieved. The soccer player and coach in me allows two perspectives of teamwork that I also find helpful. My camp counselor training helps best when we are off filming. Because you have people living outside their comfort zone pushing their focus and artistic abilities to the max.
The enemy of most artist lie in-between the gigs, campaigns, adventures. Any organization thrives by having a strong core and for our group that is the producers. They don’t work per hour, task or under salary. They work to develop properties and do the hardest part of it all, fund it. Once up that big hill is when the next stage of hard work begins which is putting the plan in motion. When you look at all the work that goes into it you might be lucky to make a penny an hour. (Maybe less) Why do we do it? When you see all the happy artists working like ants, all knowing their task, it is a sight to behold. When you see that story that started on a page flicker to life in a dark room it is truly magic. When your name arises to say that you worked with this team and created something that would have never existed. Furthermore will continue to exist after one passes from this lifetime. I have an ever-growing list of filmmaking friends no longer with us and I would like to think that they are happy that they created with their friends as they look us still living.
Financially for a large % of artists you make very modest wages if lucky enough to make wages at all. We take pride in the preserving of history both in story and the artists that told those stories. Kathryn Combs, award winning wardrobe supervisor. Actors like Randy Godwin, Bill McKinney, Rance Howard, Pappy, Russ Stine, Popcorn Sutton and Dan ‘Grizzly Adams’ Haggerty just to name a few who brought characters to life. Sound operators like Eric Holloway and Josh Holloway. I could unfortunately go on and on but at least their names are still spoken with a laugh and a good story. I task myself with the funding of these projects and collectively it is made a bit easier. I work to earn and justify larger budgets to help ease the life of our artists. But the truth is I only take a few weeks of the non-producers life each year. I always say, if the 3-6 weeks I work with someone paying modest wages fumbles up their year someone is doing something wrong elsewhere. I would love to be at the level where 3-6 weeks working with us could be a good part/all of that person’s yearly income but I’m not there.
But I can say that I’m getting closer every day. Because I work towards that goal every day. I often joke when someone addresses the modest wages that unless they rip off their ski mask and hand me a bag a money, I’m doing the best I can. I think what I’m saying is you get zero bonus points for pointing out the obvious. I like to say, I pay problem solvers not identifiers. Why? Because problems have been identified. So the team works hard to obtain the funds for a new story endeavor. At that point we evaluate the crew. (* See that ART OF WAR ‘formation’ talk above) And offers of “date, rate, do you wish to participate?” is presented. First right of refusal usually goes to the previous crew member who did a job to their very best. I will say that in the few times that someone is passed over it is almost NEVER because of their skill set. It is almost always because of their attitude. Negativity is a cancer on a film set and there is nothing wrong with not being cut out for feature filmmaking. Some thrive much better in short, controlled environments like commercials and/or music videos… So if production or the artist aren’t happy they just pass on a project. A new hungry, enthusiastic person will be given an opportunity. NOTE I did not say young. Those attributes can come from anyone with their race, age, sex, religion or politics not disqualifying them. At CDI we have the entire spectrum. You leave those personals at the doorstep and come to collectively tell a story. The only thing we own is the ability to collaborate with one another and if both parties agree to collaborate a mutual artistic bond is forged.
Heat and pressure are applied to the coal and some will burn up and others will become diamonds. Over time you will have a handful of diamonds. Pressure can be external and internal and that is what you control and what you process. We always have artists under pressure and they will either burn out or diamond up. Many great artists have burned up and retired from the hardened journey and they are still celebrated for what they did. I always try to share stories of CDI’s journey as we are built now on multiple generations of artists. Others will march on and fight until they are carried out on their shield. That is their story. I often try to tell people if you can do anything else and your spirit is at peace, do it. But if not you better find your tribe. The journey is hard alone. I know because I started that way but I’ve got an army of artists now. I want to give my sincere and heartfelt appreciation to all the artists at CDI. Enough of the hardships let’s talk about the results.
FILM UPDATES:
- https://mmw.news/2025/02/15/harsens-island-revenge-signs-home-video-deal/ The news is spreading that ‘Harsens Island Revenge‘ has signed their home video deal for DVD and streaming. It will release on Oct 1st, 2025 with theatrical play running from March-Sept 2025. The film is being brought to the Lansing, MI studio to start mastering for delivery to home video and to create our theatrical film. Once in hand we will set up the screening in Alpena, MI if the theater management is open to it. So start your call in campaign now:)
- Sticking to the Harsens Island Revenge film, I’ve seen a new trailer recently mastered by Dennis Therrian. It is one of several new marketing pieces that will start rolling out. We already have other theaters starting to inquire about the film playing so that is a good sign.
- WILD FAITH is one of CDI’s most popular films. We have worked for years trying to launch the TV show HASTINGS. Being such a large step which could have happen but I refused to let go of creative control. So our in-between step was the sequel feature film WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. I’m so giddy with delight because I’ve been the recipient of so much fan mail from fans who love the original film. They are why I could not sell out the creative control. What will have now is a sequel that matches all the magic of the original. I literally get goosebumps watching the film and I think fans will love this next installment. The distributor was pushing us for Christmas content and so this film made sense. Not the run-of-the-mill romantic comedy silliness this has all the adventure of the original. BEST NEWS is that on Tuesday which happens to be both our director Shane Hagedorn and senior producer Anthony Hornus day of birth we will be dropping the trailer. This morning one little end credit correction but it is ready to roll. We are all so excited for you all to see it!
- Just as Harsens Island Revenge finishes the film’s theatrical run on Sept 30th, Wild Faith Christmas will be releasing Nov 1st into theaters for the holidays and into the new year. The film trailer will release on the CDI Youtube Channel and be shared to social media on the CDI/Wild Faith Christmas Facebook page. In 2026 after the theatrical run the film will be prepared for holiday 2026 home video release!
- Let’s take a hard left turn to ROM COMS MUST DIE. This dark comedy was an awesome challenge to shoot in a few days with some of those days being bitter cold. The others in the studio with our partners at McGraw Multimedia. CDI is going to be producing a series of feature films that are shot both on location and in-studio. The first experimental film was a HUGE success! The shoot went very smooth and I’ve already seen a rough cut. The film is everything we had hoped for and more. I found myself impatiently tuning in daily to see editing progress because I wanted to see what was next. I knew what was next as I wrote the screenplay but to see it come off the pages it a thrill only writers know. Zany, funny, smart and highly entertaining is my first response to watching it. Director Travis Hayward will start refining the cut with the editor John McGraw. But what I’ve already seen has me excited. Poster and trailer talk as well as I’ve seen a BTS underway. The BTS has a few spoilers so we might have to hold on that but it captures the fun we all had.
- Behind the scenes I’ve spent two weeks behind the desk working with legal and accounting getting end of the year and new year business all completed. We had a payout to investors at the end of December and so that was completed. We’re looking at ways to streamline our business even more as we are growing and producing more content. This is the unsexy part of our business but needed to move ahead. Special thanks to COO Dean Teaster, legal John Mashni and the staff at Davison & associates and my bankers.
- As I’m almost caught up on the business I’m looking ahead. We have a few projects gaining momentum and developing. I’m excited to start looking ahead. We have so much going on now and it is only Feb! I don’t want to get too much into development today but know it is always happening.
WRAP UP: The chickens have been increasing their egg laying as the light returns. Now if only the warmth can return. I’m already looking ahead to gardening and the new improvements to the property. A new firewood rack is going to be put together. I also might replace the old firewood structure with a little greenhouse. The new deck is going to be fun to work on and under. A new retaining wall and either pavers or a bottom deck will be added. At some point a sanding and staining will also take place.
I also have some ideas for inside the office to help organize better. I have a corner shelf unit I want to install. I’m just trying to wait until it gets a touch warmer. But I might go ahead and order it soon. I do hope each and everyone of you is having a good start to your year. I know everyone has challenges and the key is coming up with a plan and moving in that direction. I’m thankful that a loved one who gave us a recent health scare had good news. I know a few others awaiting good news and I hope they get it. This world is always changing especially with technology. We are embracing that technology and those changes. We are going to keep doing our thing and we hope our stories bring a little joy and laughter to your lives. I’m going to go make some breakfast and refill ye ole coffee cup. Until next week!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
The Army Prepares To March – Updates
DJ Perry at waters edge while shooting “40 Nights”
My head is spinning from recent activity and I’m gliding into a much deserved relax mode so I can spend a few moments with all of you. Busy. Very. But nix that I want to talk about FIRE. I’ve had a fascination with fire since and early age. I’m told that fire and clock were two of my earliest words. Interesting…I mean fire is transformation – the sacred change. It is creation and destruction united in a dance. I do appreciate clocks – my favorite might be my one and only Star Wars Force Awakens merchandise. I take that back I was also gifted an R2D2 flash drive. I have the Death Star plans! So the office is finally getting the antique stove installed tomorrow. It has been a couple years in the planning but now it is happening. The office “my fort” is a creative space and the warm fire will add to those fall and winter days and nights.
The storm cometh
Okay now we can return back to the other talk of films and such. So we’re about to do what is in a way, my first sequel. I’ve played many characters whom I felt deserved a continued story. JUDGES 2 got stumbled by the passing of Russ Stine who was slated to costar. Alex Kenwood, Mayfair, John (several), Stan Reed, Kendall and even Mason from “The 8th Plague” who died so Germany wanted a prequel. We still may do “Soul Eater” in the future once I find the right director. But the world shown in “40 Nights” is alive and we’re about to go play in it again. This happens right as audiences will be experiencing “40 Nights” on the big and small screen. Early reviews and the reactions from buyers has been very strong. We are starting on the 26th of Feb in Lansing & Grand Rapids Michigan, with screenings at Celebration Cinema.
https://celebrationcinema.com/movie/40+Nights/2-26-2016
It will also be hitting the shelves at Walmart on March 5th and other retailers start to get the film around April 5th. But I encourage everyone to experience it on the big screen. The camera work is breathtaking. Kudos to Jesse “Smooth” Aragon.
We’re on the launchpad with the second film in the QUEST TRILOGY “Chasing the Star” – this week we’ll be announcing lots of the talented people onboard. I had a chance to talk to a well known actress who burst on the scene at 21 and has kept a steady flow of films. She is busy getting ready to go film in Peru? We want her for this role and so I sent a sales link to our first film. She said, I’ll watch a few moments so I can have a conversation. She watched the film all the way through to the end, totally drawn into our world. She gave great remarks about all aspects and noted how you could tell the care and craftsmanship that went into the film. WOW! She started too by saying how smoke blowing is not her thing and honest was. I thought I was in for a harsh review but instead accepted praise for the whole team. She badly wants to be in our next film and if she gets back to the USA on schedule that just might happen.
The point is we are doing something right. The business people like us because we stay on schedule, budget and turn out unique art. Why the first is important is so that marketing teams can plan on you in advance. I’ve got a few great director buddies and I’ve never seen them turn something around in 10-12 months. And trying to get them to that playing field would likely cost our friendships.
Speaking of good business – I want to thank our friends at the Garmax Group for again sponsoring and riding with us on “Chasing the Star”
March is “40 Nights” but April is “Ashes of Eden” and “Bestseller” and “Donors” are May. So the ramp up to many releases – pre-production, promotions…you get the busy.
All that said, I’m also looking forward to another outdoor soccer season. My body is healed from a season of demolition derby and running like a 20 year old. Playing soccer weekly in a highly competitive league is my best weekly meditation.
The soundtrack deal is on the table and I have to finish that up. We’re leading off with “40 Nights” and moving down the line. More licensing deals and such will be coming as we make our way through all these deals.
It was great having films like “7 Stones” and “Figure in the Forest” playing on different television channels and people reaching out. I think this year we’ll be licensing the films to more networks and territories.
So IF you can get to one of the Michigan “40 Nights” screenings do so. Here is our newly remastered theatrical trailer –
https://www.facebook.com/40Nightsthemovie/?fref=ts
We’re also working to bring it on the big screen to several other states. Church’s have submitted and asked to license the film at http://www.40nightsthemovie.com you can direct your church or organization there. The films were not designed business-wise to release as major theatrical but after finishing the film – it deserves it. So we’ll keep working it. I do know we are about to set some showings working with our friends in Yuma, AZ. Get ready Champion, it’s almost time.
DJ(esus)
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 