Finishing the Month Strong! New April 1st Trailer?
(A throw back of ‘Ghost Town’ in Time Square NYC – Going to Historyfix in 4k!)
A warm and damp morning in mid Michigan. I heard they had ice storms up north in the area of Alpena where we recently filmed two of our films. Either way spring is in the air for sure. Plants are starting to sprout and animals are building new nests. My clean up of the property is going well. I’m still leaving the ground leaves for bee cover. My work on the slow dismantle of the old wood shed is underway. I have an estimate from our builder to sand and stain the new deck. I think the first time I will have the pros do it and after that I can have a go at it. I enjoyed it being warm enough to do a few tasks. I may have to do some tree trimming on the mulberry and/or apple trees. That sometimes causes them to skip a season of fruit. I’ve been leaving the apples for the squirrels the last few years.
I mentioned Alpena and I believe we mentioned have an April 25th date to kick off the theatrical run of Harsens Island Revenge (HIR). Tickets should go up for sale soon! That theatrical deal has been signed with our friends and partners at Dreamscape Productions. They will be contacting several of the northern theaters/chains to see if they want to book HIR. We are also starting talks with NCG in Owosso, MI and the NCG chain to run the film. Celebration. Emagine and more. Please contact your theaters near you and request the film. Also get the name of the person who handles booking. We want to travel this film around the country and I’m even looking into Las Vegas. To build the hype even more I think I’m going to drop a second HIR trailer cut by Dennis Therrian on April 1st, no fooling!
Wild Faith Christmas is also moving along nicely. The final locked film is due to be delivered by March 31st to Dennis Therrian who has already did a first pass on dialog clean up. Music beds have also been worked on and it will be exciting to see the sound design and score settle into the picture. Shane Hagedorn and Dean Teaster are doing various color tests on the film. They will work the final look of the picture. A theatrical poster is slowly being developed and we hope to release that soon.
ROM COMS MUST DIE is about to shoot the final opening scene next weekend. The edit is close to a lock. The color correction is about 60% there. The dialog is almost cleaned up save my VO and a few ADR lines. Sound design will be the last little piece to do almost with a suitable score. This dark horse is going to be a fun surprise for many. It marks CDI’s return to comedy/horror and I think it will be well received. A trailer and poster will be in the works in the coming weeks. I saw a great BTS but it gives away a bit too much to release right now.
Misc Release News: We’ve recently seen the re-release of Knight Chills to Blu Ray and streaming. An Ordinary Killer to streaming as well as Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town. A 4k version of the latter is going to Historyfix and is being actively delivered. I’ve hunted up some of the early work tapes of HEAVENS NEIGHBORS and we might start some restorative work on that film later this year. FIGURE IN THE FOREST and FROM VENUS are being looked at. I would love Saturn Core to give FROM VENUS the same treatment they gave KNIGHT CHILLS.
Writing Projects: I’ve got many pet projects in various stages of writing but we’re looking at the scripts and evaluating them. I will say that my script that I wanted to get out of my head working title THE KINGDOM CHIP has a first draft. It is best pitched as an O’ GOD for a new generation. It is also a loose follow up to The Quest Trilogy. If you have not seen these three CDI films I am really asking that you do. Inspired by the ole Chuck Heston Biblical Adventures they are an amazing series of storytelling.
I also have had two books sent to me to read and evaluate for scriptwriting. I would adapt them to screenplays and CDI would perhaps produce. These projects would come with funding. I’m also suppose to pull together a polished draft of a detective story. I’m awaiting that material but the delay worked in my favor as I will do the final polish on The Kingdom Chip before allowing it to be read.
I have the 8 shows for WILD FAITH: Hastings and we’ll see what doors open as we get near the release of the sequel. I have a few fun scripts that are completed and have been sitting. We will see about making those films happen with some of our emerging director/filmmakers.
Development: I started above to delve into the development arena. I do want to pick a few projects to produce this year. The Kingdom Chip which has some interest would be shoot in that “window” in Yuma, AZ before the heat sets in. The feature version of our concept short SMOKE & MIRRORS is a possibility. I’ve been lining up a few things there.
We have a few other outside sources talking projects with funding. FUNDING is what is needed to get you moving to the front of the line in evaluating scripts/projects.
WRAP UP: The last few weeks I’ve accomplished most of what I’ve been wanting to do. Office reorganizing is mostly done. End of Year reporting work on the movies done just need to square those accounts. I did some of them last week and will look to finish this week. My personal taxes are done just need to send that in with the firm sends my paperwork.
I’m looking forward to filming my last piece of the Rom Coms Must Die puzzle and my head will be officially clear of any outside characters. My itch to tackle and new role is slowly building although you think I would enjoy the down time.
Soccer and flea market season is right around the corner. I love looking for wardrobe and props for our films. Soccer is just a great way to test yourself weekly. I’ve been working on strength and flexibility but need to do some running. I dislike running just to run.
This week there is a film mixer for the local film festival that I might attend. It really depends on the flow of the week. I will have my fill of mixers with all the film releases this year. I do enjoy meeting other artists and seeing how they fit into the mix. I’m not going to be at the Alpena showing of Harsens Island Revenge but will be ready to attend the Owosso, MI showing and afterglow.
I’m going to wrap this up here and do a few things around the house. I am going to attack the week and look to make some great things happen. I hope each of you are enjoying the spring vibe returning to us all. Working in the morning with the sounds of birds is really nice. Watching the squirrels building and playing is nice. They had a long, hard winter and deserve some abundance. Until next week my friends!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Welcome to December- Keeping Momentum!
(The Christmas tree hunt was successful!)
I want to wish a good morning to all my friends around the world who stop on by each week to share in the artistic journey. I’m trying to update and enhance the machine that moves everything round and round. There are so many platforms and the nuances of each one. I don’t do Snapchat or TicTock and many others I’m sure. Facebook has been a good platform to land our different films. Everyone has a page where we post photos and release information. Do me a favor and seek out these films (Use http://www.imdb.com if you need to) and follow them. IF you have not seen the film please do as they were made for you to enjoy. If you enjoyed it please do invite your friends to follow. You can do 1000 invites on a page per day which means for many just a few days of invites. This is how we’ll reach more fans and friends which might be future fans. This is how sequels get made because of the popularity of a particular film. EXAMPLE: Wild Faith has been doing well and so it deserved a follow up sequel. If you want to see a sequel to Man’s Best Friend, Lost Heart or whichever is your favorite you need to help spread the word. I even have a RETURN TO ALGONA film idea about Edward’s return visit to Algona after the war. Watch SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA on select big screens playing in December in Iowa and the surrounding states. The grassroots way is the safest way versus large marketing campaigns that can bring success or large debt.
Releases and Re-Releases- As mentioned above our WW2 Holiday drama is returning to select theaters such as one night at the Boone Theater in Boone Iowa on Dec 16th. Fridley theater in Algona, Iowa is running the film Dec 6-12th. The film showing has been remastered and is worth watching on the big screen. For those unable or unwilling to drive to the theaters it can be watched on Amazon Prime. In a good surprise KNIGHT CHILLS will play five evenings at the Spectacle Theater in Brooklyn, NY on Monday Dec 2nd at 7:30pm, Dec 8th at 5pm, Dec 11th at 10pm, Dec 14th at midnight and Dec 17th at 10pm! http://www.spectacletheater.com for more info. I would love to see it on the big screen! It can be seen on Blu Ray from Saturn Core/Vinegar Syndrome and on 1/31/25 it will go streaming on FREE4ALL thanks to Deskpop Entertainment. Ammo Content out of NYC will be releasing AN ORDINARY KILLER on streaming December 15th!
(Going old school with Knight Chills and In the Woods)
MERCHANDISE – CDI Literary has launched with the KNIGHT CHILLS book on Amazon. The same arrangement with Katharsys Media has my first starring role with Jim Greulich available now IN THE WOODS with three books to accompany the new Blu Ray release. The novel, the making of and the prequel script if you dig sword and sorcery entitled panDEMONium. Plus the CDI EBAY store should be launching today if not within the next 48 hours. I have to check in and see if the Dec 1 launch is going live. For those who know him Big Bart will be supervising the CDI EBAY store.
DOUBLE BARREL – We have two CDI films in the immediate pipeline. One is preparing to release in Q1 2025. Harsens Island Revenge will have its producers review on the end of the week. The final touches are being done and so I’m looking to clink some glasses at the week’s end. From there we’ll put the theatrical deal together and look at a few festival showcases. This Karl Manke book translated so well to the screen. Action, romance and everything in-between. We’ve been in talks with Twin Engines over the home video. We’re looking to set up a series of premiere dates that kick off the theatrical with a certain chain of screens. We are also in talks with potential release sponsors to help this film reach is full potential. We released a spec promo video to thank Pepsi (Seek out the HIR Facebook page to watch it) and we’ll look to see how we can expand on that possibly with some TV play. I’m actively trying to get FORD on board as all the cars seen in the film are FORDS. It will be an exciting 2025.
(Pic by GW Burns from the set of WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – Follow us on Facebook)
The second barrel is the WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS that is now into editing. We’re 10+minutes into the film and I’m hearing great things. I’ll let us get 30+ into the edit before I go get a preview. Our goal is to have the film release into theaters on Nov 1st 2025 but that will require a quick edit and for us to move right along on post audio. I think we can do it with Shane Hagedorn at the helm. He does not let grass grow under his feet. I’m looking to have a teaser poster ready in early 2025. We have some amazing photo elements thanks to GW Burns.
KEEPING MOMENTUM– It is very tempting when everything is going good to take your foot off the gas and coast. This must be avoided. While I almost have all the clean up done on Wild Faith Christmas I still have December film disbursements, end-of-year taxes (personal and biz) and 2025 development. You cannot spend a lot of time basking in what you’ve did because there is always more to do. A few of the new developments required.
- As mentioned the CDI EBAY store and connect it to the CDI website.
- Update the CDI website with Harsens Island Revenge info/trailers/making of
- Start next book release for the literary deal which will be the Ghost Town book
- Casting is close to complete on the upcoming ROM COMS MUST DIE (Scheduling is next)
- Considering an Adam Towner edited CDI Highlights Reel for the new year!
- Looking at upcoming writing and development projects (currently finishing the Wild Faith Hastings show updates 4 of 8 done)
This list could go on and on but these are a few of the action items. The cold and the snow make it much easier to chain to the desk for script writing and proposals. I am happy to report that the Halloween/Fall stuff did come down and we have a very nice Christmas tree undecorated but in the house. I need to bring the snow shovels out of storage. We have not gotten the huge drop others have but we definitely have snow. I’m trying to get some of the Christmas shopping done and I’ve got a good start on it. Thanksgiving went smooth with us being able to just visit versus host. We have some foster kittens that have been making our upstairs a playground. And they’ve discovered the joy of plants and dirt. Muriel is the name I think we’ve settled on for the one really young kitten who will be joining Sybil as full-fledged members of the house. The chickens community center has been winterized with straw bales and we are still enjoying fresh eggs. Finn (Our youngest dog) has been nursing a toe injury and that has almost healed. I’m thankful he no longer has that cone on with the new tree in the house. He saw it as a battering ram. Anything in his way be damned!
(A pic from Thanksgiving at Pa Perry’s)
I just finished some 4H bacon, fresh eggs and some dry rye bread. Washed it all down with some great hazelnut coffee. Do you know all the attributes of hazelnut especially amongst the Celtic Druids. The nine hazelnut trees growing around a sacred pool. As the nuts fell into the pool and were eaten by salmon they absorbed the wisdom. There is lots of historical myths which I was introduced too this past week. They also protect against evil. If that is true I should be well protected. I love studying the properties of trees, plants, roots, seeds and berries. Take a read it might be something that interests you as well. I have to go get the wood stove ready to entertain company this eve and into the week. I ended the week with a great meeting with Adam Towner and Curran Jacobs. We drank the last of the Mexican style chili-beer. Now I might have to make the Irish style beer next. Always a good toast for the new year as people come to visit. I’m now going to wrap this up and get after some of those TO DO’s. Do the same with your list and get that early start on 2025. I’m happy the Detroit Lions pulled out a Thanksgiving win. I have numerous relatives now passed that waited for that day. Stay warm if you are reading from a cold region. Welcome to December my friends!
DJ
Stepping Stones, Casting Success and Summer Endings!
(Music is the main focus right now on ‘Harsens Island Revenge’ CDI’s Next Major Release!)
Another beautiful morning where you can literally feel autumn in the air. I’m sipping my favorite morning beverage which is hazelnut coffee. I see that we’ve had some record number of readers stopping by to join us. Subscribe and never miss an update. I love how many various countries are represented and we’ve got a lot of new ones. I love shaping the journey on here with all of you. One of my keys to happiness I often speak of on here is staying connected to nature. I’ve really enjoyed the passing of the humidity and the shift. I can see it in the plants and the cooler nights. This week on the property I did some harvesting and upkeep. We have a possum that has been around at night but is leaving the chickens alone. The squirrels are busy building up their nests for the coming winter and getting fat. The inchworms got heavy into my hops but I allowed it as the hops and old deck will soon be coming down. I did some landscaping to the entrance into the fort/office and that is looking much better.
(Wild Faith Christmas is a stepping stone to Wild Faith: Hastings)
Speaking on nature and the turning of the wheel we lost a CDI supporter with Irene Hosking at age 106. You can read on the CDI Facebook site about all her adventures but it was on her property we shot the WILD FAITH Civil War flashback scenes. Kids are returning to school and I remember those days well. Part of me feels like that was just a few weeks ago. Other times I add up the years and I’m stunned. We tied our last regular season soccer match and this coming week we start the playoffs. Anyhow it goes I can say I love the workout it provides. The league is ultra competitive and we always leave it all out on the field. I’m thankful that it has been an injury-free season and I hope to finish the season that way. Of course at our age it is never the major event that gets us it is the minor. Like lifting something too far out from your body or picking something up that fell into a nook.
(All great endeavors takes building – here is the mine set under construction for Wild Faith Christmas)
Maybe we’ll do a bullet point listing of updates.
- I had another successful wardrobe find for my role in ROM COMS MUST DIE. It is a comedy that we’ll film shortly into the new year. We have all our backing and I just got the paperwork to review and so this great quirky story is second film up. We have a few more roles to cast still.
- The next film up to film is WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. I must say that I’m starting to see ole Ben Lily again when I stare in the mirror. Sets are being built and the crew is almost all in place. The casting is going great and we just landed three main roles last week. We’ll be announcing via postcards on social media so join our Facebook page. I have the legal paperwork to review and pass forward this week. Also I’ll be opening a new bank account for the project.
- Along these same lines it was decided to retool the TV series WILD FAITH: HASTINGS to go after the two movies. It was originally written to go after the first film but it is fitting so nice into this third slot. We really would love to see this series go as it would put many more of our artists to work on both sides of the camera.
- AN ORDINARY KILLER 4k passed quality control on the first go which made me very happy. This film is being released in a special HD DVD by months end. I was a guest on the TWO AVERAGE JOES podcast talking about the release. The new release will entirely benefit The Red White and Blue Project that is a non profit for veterans and their families and the above Two Average Joes Media dedicated to bringing closure to cold case files. It is by their efforts that this film is getting a second life to help these two important causes. A new trailer is still looking to be cut by own own Adam Towner fresh off the Knight Chills trailer cut. We have a few more deliverables but this film will go streaming in December 2024.
- KNIGHT CHILLS has seen an epic release on Blu Ray and I love the job Saturn Core did. The film has gotten a new trailer and new poster art is being worked on. If you love the genre, role playing games, etc…you want to own this Blu Ray. The doc on the “panic” back in the day is awesome. I think 2025 could be the year that Sir Kallio rides again with a sequel!
- RESTORATION WORK– We are continuing to work on the remaining CDI films for restoration and re-release. I’m very interested in the idea of possibly doing a version of FROM VENUS where it is animated once inside the comic book. FIGURE IN THE FOREST and HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS are being tested on DE-NOISE to resharpen pixels softened to achieve a primitive film look back in the bay. Once sharped we will try the UP-Rez again to try and get a better end result.
- Collective Development Inc. (www.cdiproductions.com) is now on INSTAGRAM tribecdi so please follow us. I’ve been listing the films in order starting with our 1st and working our way forward. I’ll also be doing the associated projects as well.
- This week I received by new Blu-ray of IN THE WOODS and I’m looking forward to a watch of both versions with and without the commentary. Available via TerrorVision and their participating retailers! I’m also looking forward to reading the sequel script that director Lynn Drzick has been working hard on.
- I have a sit down soon on another project that would include a script adaptation and the film shot. I love the time period and the proposed film would be fun to make. In the meantime I will finish my WILD FAITH: HASTINGS show adaptation and I might even finish a few of the other partial scripts I have in the works. A SciFi script. A martial arts comedy. I really do enjoying writing and it luckily has always come naturally.
- Funding on several developing features continues. I love the SMOKE & MIRRORS feature. SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE, GOTCH…so many great stories to tell.
(Robert Bradley will serve as Art Director on Wild Faith Christmas under GW Burns, Prod. Designer)
WRAP UP: I could continue to bullet point all the various things on my revolving TO DO list. I’m going to finish up here and make some breakfast. After I’m going to hop on down to the flea market again in search of props. I’ve found some real treasures over that last few months. For WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS I found a great period lantern, mining pan and more. I was happy to see that Art Director Robert Bradley had a wonderful vintage medical bag to use. It is going to be a great time putting all this together. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the returning artists and meeting some new ones as well. We’ll be meeting this week over the schedule and trying to fine tune that. Lodging has been a main focus of our efforts and we’ve been gaining some headway. Also adding some new sponsors onto Wild Faith Christmas joining our current ones. That is something else I need to do this coming week. Thank you for spending some time here with us and I hope it helps to motivate you towards your own endeavors.
Until next week, coffee cheers!
DJ
Pre and Post Production, Casting, Crewing and Creating!
(Someone say chickens? What movie is this from?)
A beautiful cool yet warm morning in the Michigan. I’m sipping on my favorite morning beverage with is the hazelnut coffee. If you’ve been following along with me there is no surprise there. I’m enjoying the peaceful atmosphere of the morning. I walked amongst the apple trees and listened to the chickens as our Finn did his morning racing with his buddy along the fence. He has a worn path and does a spin kick turn at the end where the dirt has ramped up. It reminds me of the Olympics. I know many wanted to attack the games openings which went from wildly unique to strange BUT… But I saw all these countries coming together to celebrate the hard work of their youthful competitors. They were highlighting French history and the origins of the GREEK games. If this life you can look for things that unite or divide us. I also am of the opinion that if we were all alike, uniformed like robots from an assembly line how boring we would be. The differences between us are what makes like colorful. If a certain music or fashion isn’t your cup of tea just move on. Why even throw a rock at it? It is funny how food and love often break down barriers. Just an observation. If whatever spiritual path makes you a better, kinder individual kudos. How many loud people proclaim one thing but their actions show another? Be someone that others look to and say, I want to be more like that. Patience? Compassion? Generous? The latter can be with time not money. I had various talks about such things with people this week. Some who are very wealthy in “shells and beads” but also have the wisdom to know this currency doesn’t BUY happiness.
Yesterday I attended the celebration of life for the young man I spoke about that last few weeks. I’ve known him since birth having introduced his parents to one another many years ago. We as a tribe of friends and family try to help our youth avoid the pitfalls in life. The interesting thing here was that the young man always was a kind and humorous being. He never lost that spark just a few bad decisions that cost him greatly. In our generation it was the dangers of driving after some major “drink like a viking” partying. This new generation has their own dangers and even with love and guidance things can go wrong. People always assume because of what I do I can easily get up and speak at events. That is true in most cases but when deep emotion comes into play I have great difficulty. I was happy that I was able to get up and share a funny story that highlighted the immense humor of this young man. While many are hosting graduations from high school, college or even marriages this was not about new beginnings but earthly endings. It was a beautiful celebration that I will remember for the rest of my days. And if I’m blessed enough with an old life I will always remember this youthful soul. RIP
Onto other things like film updates!
(Update from our director Carl Weyant)
Harsens Island Revenge – This film is just coming along amazing. Music is bringing scenes to life and the color correction and VFX is finalizing. We have just one hard VFX shot still causing issues but have time to work it out. The exciting thing is we are looking at a premiere theatrical test run Nov. 1st in Alpena, MI where we filmed. It is always hard for us to plan ahead because of unforeseen issues. But things have to be planned in advance. This movie is just so epic much like our previous historical drama SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA but imagine creating a world decades earlier. Finding and gaining access to vehicles and buildings of the right time period. Now add in props and wardrobe and you can see the challenges. But our group of artists did an amazing job and I can say that each and every one of them will be proud of their involvement. We will be moving the film down state and to other states after the initial theatrical release. We have a theatrical poster being worked on and I’m excited to introduce this story to audiences.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS and ROM COMS MUST DIE are the next two feature films on CDI’s slate and both are funded. We worked hard to position these projects to launch and I’m beyond excited to bring these to life. The first is the second feature film in the ‘Wild Faith‘ world. We have new partners onboard the sequel and the developing TV series WILD FAITH: HASTINGS that will be slightly retooled to take place after the second film. I want to thank Dreamscape Productions and especially their CEO, Sean Ward. Several weeks of meetings showed us both that we have matching goals and aspirations and the two companies were a good fit for one another.
HERE IS PART OF THE ACTUAL PRESS RELEASE-
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Collective Development Inc & Dreamscape Productions LLC Join Forces on ‘Wild Faith’ Sequel!
Lansing, MI – July 26, 2024 – Collective Development Inc. in association with Dreamscape Productions LLC will start filming on ‘Wild Faith Christmas’ the sequel to the award-winning motion picture ‘Wild Faith’ this November.
Set five years after the events of the original ‘Wild Faith’ movie, we pick up on life with ex-Civil War soldier Emmett Murphy. He and his father-in-law Preacher Edmond Collins have matured past their differences from the first film. Together they set out to take donated goods from the town of Hastings, Michigan to a small Northern church hosting a group of orphans during the holiday season.
The film focuses on the historic Orphan Train that helped over 200,000 orphans find homes from the 1850’s-1920’s. Amongst the 1800’s action are timely and topical themes such as child labor, Native American hardships and again interracial relationships. The story unfolds in the lead up to Christmas and has a wonderful holiday theme woven throughout it bringing together powerful themes of unconditional love and the Christmas spirit.
Collective Development Inc is committed to an overall concept of collective story-telling. Knowing that sometimes the best way to educate is to first entertain and then subtly bring positive messages to light, Collective Development strives to incorporate entertaining and meaningful content throughout every project.
Dreamscape Productions LLC is a film production and distribution company founded in 2023 by actor, producer, and serial entrepreneur Sean T Ward. Our company assists in the production, distribution, sales and marketing of independent films from all genres produced by hand selected filmmakers throughout the United States. Previous projects include Everwinter Night and Round The Decay.
The script was written by DJ Perry who penned the original script and will be directed by Shane Hagedorn (Ashes of Eden, Best Years Gone). Actor and Dreamscape Productions CEO Sean T. Ward (Everwinter Night, Round the Decay) joins the production as Executive Producer and takes on the role of Dugan Dunkirk. Returning in this Christmas adventure will be some of the beloved characters Emmett Murphy, Preacher Collins, Ben Lily and Hester along with a host of characters met upon the journey North.
The movie will again film in Alpena, Michigan where CDI’s most recent 1920’s bootlegger movie ‘Harsens Island Revenge’ was filmed.
DJ Perry, CEO of Collective Development says “I’m really excited about the future relationship with Sean Ward and Dreamscape Productions. We share a mutual vision for creating quality tv/film content combined with an enthusiastic desire to expand our audiences as we introduce these powerful stories into the world market.”
Sean T. Ward, CEO of Dreamscape Productions LLC expressed his excitement at working with DJ Perry and Collective Development on this film: “This partnership gives us the opportunity to work with a team of seasoned filmmakers with a track record of producing great and meaningful films. We’re looking forward to combining our skills to bring viewers a second chapter of this beloved story.”
Pre-Production for Wild Faith Christmas has begun and expects to begin principal photography in November 2024, with a projected release date of fall 2025. The film will feature an ensemble cast of great actors, whose names will be announced in the coming weeks.Stay tuned for further updates on this highly anticipated film.
ROM COMS MUST DIE is a unique and insightful comedy about the state of art in this new digital/social media age. We have flashbacks and some insert footage that will be shot in advance of the main shoot with is being set for 1st Q of 2025. This will be Travis Hayward‘s feature directorial debut and CDI’s reunion working with John McGraw who will be the film’s director of photography.
We’ve been doing targeted casting on both films and making great progress. 2025 is off to a good start and we’ve got several projects in development. I’m extremely excited about a project that would be my first play to film script versus book to film. I’m going to dive into that this week but can already see that the project is going to be a page 1 adaptation. I plan to write that over the winter if the deal moves forward. A period piece. A comedy. It will make a great film. I won’t go deeply into development talks at this time but we’ve got developing properties and the parties interested in seeing more CDI magic come to the screen. If you’ve got the means (shells $ beads) and ever dreamed of helping stories make it to the screen and audiences worldwide drop me an email. We are at no lack of scripts or stories unless your project comes funded and you want strong management. Always willing to look at CREW resumes and CAST reels are often kept on file. Right now the main hunt is about to turn to a Michigan-based Native American young actor 12 years or younger for our Wild Faith Christmas. Both these films have Facebook pages where we are announcing new things every couple of days. A good example is that construction of a mine set has begun up in Alpena and is looking great! (See pics and video on the FB)
I’m enjoying the sequel phase. I’m realizing the strong following most of these films have with an audience hunger to know what has happened to their favorite characters. I’ve done outlining on sequels for LOST HEART, MBF and even SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. (Based on Edward’s real return to the town after the war) What are your favorites? Films? Characters?
WRAP UP:
I had fun doing a commercial this past week. It was done very quick but I’ve got a few years of listening, communicating with the crew and hitting my marks, finding my light. I can’t discuss as I’m under an NDA but thank you, you know who you are. I’m going to be guesting on a podcast the week after next which I’m excited about.
I should be getting a promo Blu Ray of IN THE WOODS, my first starring feature. There is plans to do a sequel and I will be excited to read that script soon. If you haven’t seen either the old version in HD or the new director’s cut Terror Vision has it out. I also heard it is now in the UK too! And if classic movies are your jam remember KNIGHT CHILLS in HD is available at Saturn Core/Vinegar Syndrome.
Restoration of the classic CDI films continues. I have some good ideas with the FROM VENUS, the 2nd CDI feature. I will look to output it with one of the two companies we’ve worked with for a Blu Ray release first. I have many more endeavors in literary and merchandise in development. I love how these new tie-in’s keep rolling out. I put a great mow on the lawn and did a harvest of the herbs this weekend. I’ve been prepping things still for some property improvements. Always something to keep me busy. I’ll wrap this up here knowing I probable missed something. That said, there is always next week. Scouting locations up North has been going great. I’m going to be announcing some of the sponsors to join Pepsi, Lerma Transportation, Clifford Lake Inn and Thunder Bay River Sanctuary and Resort we have on WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. I’m following up on some more interested parties. We have great marketing packages and so if interested for your business please do reach out. Until next week, coffee cheers!
DJ
Advanced Casting Notice and More CDI Updates!
(CDI’s John Mashni and I at a development meeting)
Coffee cheers my friends! Yesterday we had a nice family reunion before the rains came. I’ve been doing a spring harvest on herbs as I noted before. We also are part of a program whereas we get fresh and sometimes exotic veggies each week grown out at Michigan State University greenhouses. I had a week off from soccer and really missed the battle. I spent some time assembling some trellis planters that will live on the new deck once that is done. My hops harvest might take a hit with the new deck build but they are hardy and will return. I’ve also got an abundance of hops from previous years. My deck prep has also included some tree-trimming which had me on a ladder with a pole saw but happy to report no falls. As I’ve noted before, I LOVE my breaks to walk amongst nature and maintain and/or harvest breaking up my desk work. I’ve been grinding out the film development work in addition to restoration and re-release or older films and working on our present film. Where to start?
(An action sequence from Ghost Town)
Our Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town film is riding back into the market and is now on TUBI with more to follow. We are in talks to bring AN ORDINARY KILLER to streaming but the Two Average Joes Media‘s version of the HD DVD is about to release. I saw the 4k restoration and it looks beautiful. We are targeting December for a streaming release maybe with a special weekend screening of the film in the theater where it was filmed. (Owosso, Michigan) I want to cut a fresh new trailer from this film and we’ll do that soon.
Speaking on new releases and fresh trailers. KNIGHT CHILLS was released last October on Blu Ray by Saturn Core who did an awesome job. I’ve seen the new trailer now being polished up and it is really cool. I want to see if we can increase the resolution even more for a Fall streaming release. A new poster has also been in the works for the streaming release.
All the “CDI Classic Collection” is being worked on but we want to not just get it better but excellent. So FROM VENUS, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST are being worked on. The source cameras were not of the same quality as say AN ORDINARY KILLER and GHOST TOWN so that is proving to be more of a challenge.
The current film we are working on is Harsens Island Revenge. I got to see the edit of the trailer and it is exciting to say the least. The dialog clean up will be finished this week and music and sound design will become the new focus. A few pieces of music are already roughed out and it really brings it all to life. We will also see a theatrical poster and even a music video possibly. I hope to have the trailer release no later than June 23rd my birthday so we’ll see.
(Travis Hayward and Bart Ketner at a development meeting)
DEVELOPMENT – We don’t have all the pieces in play for our 70’s racing film HOT ROD LOVE so that is going back on the shelf. Instead we have two smaller scope films we are looking to do. The first will shoot in July/August time frame and is a parody comedy/horror feature called ROM COMS MUST DIE. It will be the first directed feature by Travis Hayward. Travis has been with CDI since traveling to Las Vegas to film the CDI associated WASTELAND film in the Valley of Fire. He has worked on several CDI films working his way up the ladder. We are scouting and will be doing a casting search centering in the mid-Michigan area. I’m going to give you all an advanced breakdown here and if you think you have the right fit send your pics, resume and reel link here. Yes. This is paid and has distribution as it is a http://www.cdiproductions.com film.
(WE NEED YOU:) CASTING NOW!)
ROM COMS MUST DIE-
(These are all actors playing actors in the film) * Comedic experience
WES and LACEY – A Barbie and Ken type- Highly groomed with trendy style, killer smile with a touch of fake.
NICK and SUGAR – Nick is a musical DJ with street style and swagger and Sugar is all attitude and personality with ‘Housewife of Atlanta’ appeal.
KIP – Mildly Feminine young man
AIMEE – Country girl type with a great smile and looks good in flannel or sporting a cowgirl hat
ADVANCED CASTING for NOVEMBER western-
BLACK little girl and boy 12 or under in age
NATIVE AMERICAN boy 12 or under in age
These are both supporting roles and experience is needed! PAID and this film does have distribution in advance. Likely, a week-long commitment to filming and virtual tutor will be involved. Again a http://www.cdiproductions.com film.
There you have it. An advance casting notice as we prepare to end the year strong with a couple of productions.
WRAP UP: Going back to the family reunion it was nice to chat with folks. Many I only see once a year during events like this. They often have questions on “what is next?” or “what am I working on?” What I love is how everyone has different favorite films. Pictures of my clean cut Col Lodell from SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA were looked at because my hair is getting long again. Some love WILD FAITH and several MAN’S BEST FRIEND. Once said his favorite was AN ORDINARY KILLER and yet another likes the scarier films like IN THE WOODS. The Colonel. Ben Lily. Paul Landings. Let. Lynn Kendall. Alex Kerwood. It is fun to just have people appreciate the different characters and roles. And now I’m creating a new character for this ROM COMS MUST DIE. People look forward to watching what you create so there is always a good pressure to create. The second film developing is a sequel so I know the character. Maybe that is a hint;) So while doing all this business of bringing on the biz backers, actors and the crew I will also be creating this new role to bring to the screen. It is always fun and this will be no different.
I’m also starting to look at props. I’m going to have art start to do a breakdown on the western so we can start looking for those hard to find items. I’m off to a flea market to see if I can find any treasures. Wish me luck! I’m looking forward to a great week of communicating and processing checks back to previous investors. We’ll see who wants to hop back on board for a couple great projects. Some are already onboard and so once we get that all finished the creative hard work begins. We are also making some strides on projects for next year but I don’t want to jinx anything by talking prematurely. Have a great week and we’ll talk next Sunday. I hope a few of you match the casting breakdown and reach out. That would be great to cast a few of you via my blog. Invites others to follow along. I’m also on insta-gram under officialdjperry so seek me out and follow me there also.
Be good to one another!
DJ
Memorial Day Weekend 2024 – TEN FILM UPDATES!
(Wounded vet Paul Landings tries to readjust to life working in an animal shelter)
Hazelnut coffee cheers! Above is a list of where some of our new readers are from. Please do invite folks and subscribe yourself. This has been a very productive week. Our soccer team dropped a match but I’m loving the work out and feel as if I’m playing good. I also got to end the week with shooting some primitive archery. Some people love guns and go to the range to blow off stress. The loud aspect and ringing ears even with protection makes shooting something for hunting or self protection but not fun. But slinging arrows is something I really enjoy. My main bow is a compact recurve made by Bear. It is a classic and shoots extremely well. It was a great time and I’m going to make that more of a regular activity. I have several others bows that I want to try out for fun.
(True story of WW2 home front soldiers watching over German PW’s)
Outside I’ve been doing lots of work keeping the mowing up. But also added a new arbor and chainsawed a lilac tree of some dead branches. I chipped up the medium sized branches and the large are cut to season for burning. I wonder if they smell good while they burn? On the full moon also did some harvesting of red clover, chive and sage blossoms for tea. Many herbs have great medicinal properties in addition to food flavoring. The hops is growing great and we’ll see how they do after the new porch build which is slated for July. It will create a much bigger deck area and create a nice under deck area as well. I need to start cleaning out the space under the deck and get it ready for the build. I have at least one tree that needs a trimming to get some branches off the house. A few tree trims might need an expert. The berries are getting ready to pop with raspberries looking like they will be a bumper crop. Today we’re having the mother’s over for a grill. Venison and buffalo burgers and chicken with mushrooms and wild onions. Okay, shall we get onto some film updates?
(Civil War veteran Emmett Murphy readjusts to life after the War of the States)
UPDATES
- I think last year I expressed my sadness at the passing of my book editor at Revel/Baker Lonnie. I had written a story that had accepted for our 4th collaboration this one on birds. The new editor Katelyn reached out and the book is moving forward. I’ll promote that when the book releases nationally.
- Staying with literary – It is time to buckle-down and get the first of the CDI books rolling out under our new publishing deal. Knight Chills and Ghost Town books will likely be the first ones up. I need to get on the artwork and create an action list.
- More literary – I’ve been doing a lot of screenwriting as of late and working on a few properties that were smaller in scope meaning fewer locations and characters. This means few company moves hence fewer shoot days and lower budget. Of the three scripts we have we might elect to shoot two of them versus the HOT ROD LOVE which has a larger cast from all over the USA. I will say that the 3rd film script that I’m closing in on is a sequel to a popular film of ours. It has been a joy to write for some of these characters in the world we previously created. My only hint is – giddy up.
- Our Dean Teaster’s GHOST TOWN has been signed with Ammo Content and can now be seen on TUBI at https://tubitv.com/movies/616519/dean-teaster-s-ghost-town (FREE with ads) and will be licensing to many other platforms. I’m also told we will be releasing in the UK so please let me know my friends if it starts to show up there. We’ll do some PR on that next week but you got the intel here first!
- The true-crime film AN ORDINARY KILLER starring myself, Terence Knox, Terry Jernigan and Dan Haggerty is now being used to help the non profit The Red, White and Blue Project thanks to a fundraising effort by Two Average Joes Media who runs a podcast on true crime. They’ve remastered the film and a special HD DVD is going to be sold. Once the purchase site is up we’ll share that. We are looking to put it into the streaming market just before Christmas. I want to cut a new trailer but we’ve remastered the old one for the time being. That will be releasing soon.
- KNIGHT CHILLS which is enjoying a remastered Blu Ray release with Saturn Core/Vinegar Syndrome will be entering the streaming market this Fall. CDI’s own Adam Towner has been working on a new poster and trailer. We’ve had several meetings and I hope to see some updates this weekend.
- I got a sneak peek at some Tom Miller artwork for FROM VENUS. He did the cool artwork for KNIGHT CHILLS used in the Blu Ray release. It is looking great! We have to discuss how we want to deal with the duel format of the film – outside the comic book is letter box and inside the comic book is full screen. Unique in concept but now we have to decide what to do in the remastering. Maybe a matte of the comic book old old school TV matte.
- Remastering tests continue on FIGURE IN THE FOREST and HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS. I do want to get the double DVD featuring the two films for sale. Both are great films directed by CDI’s own Jeff Kennedy.
- I got to see the first cut of the music video we just did with SHALLOW RISING and it looks great. The previous video is suppose to release this month and when it is we’ll promote it on here.
- I had a great meeting with my friends at McGraw Multimedia where we are discussing some exciting collaborations. We also had a great meeting discussing pulling together various artistic companies in the Lansing area. If it all gels it could be BIG for Lansing. Stage, screen and video games all under one roof. I’m in talks with them for future supervision of production which I’ve discussed with various companies out west but I had/have no interest in leaving our state. This facility would be exactly 7 minutes from my house which makes it ideal.
(WW1 veterans deal with the Purple Gang of Detroit in the roaring 20’s)
I feel as if I have a few additional updates but I’m going to wrap it up here. I have some breakfast to get after and I have to get the grill ready. I’m looking forward to a day of friends and family. I love catching up on some of the TO DO’s around the property. This forthcoming week I’ll finish the script I’m working on and we’ll have some developmental talks. I will say that we’re discussing a return to the Alpena area to work with some of the fine folks we’ve already met and worked with on Harsens Island Revenge. SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is preparing for it’s TV debut on UP FAMILY & FAITH channel and I’m anxious to hear if the film did some licensing in Cannes, France. Harsens Island Revenge is having sound design, dialog and musical score all worked on. We overcame the few tech issues we were having with software. The reports coming in on dialog are wonderful and I’m told will be some of the best yet. That is technology for you both in source capture and clean up. A long ways from our small DAT players. The trailer and theatrical poster are being worked on and I hope to have a first draft by end of the month. My goal would be to release a trailer on my June 23rd Bday. We will see if the team can make that happen.
(Making plans for 2024/2025 and behind with John Mashni)
I might have a Knight Chills trailer by that time also. Our 1st film and our most recent film side by side. That is growth. We’ve learned so much from set back and success. We’re excited to move into new territory. We’ve been planning some big things for 2025 production-wise. I had a great meeting with John Mashni, one of our producers and our legal consultant. We were preparing breakdowns to release $ back to investors on the current films. Additionally we’re discussing the future which has some very promising opportunities. Many more stories to tell my friends. Do me a favor and enjoy your favorite CDI film(s) with some family and friends this week. Recommend one of your favorites to someone new. I’m also told next Friday we might get some exciting news finally on IN THE WOODS, my first starring film returning as a remasters Blu Ray and even to select theaters. I’m just so grateful that I’m allowed to do what I love and that so many people are touched by the stories. Thank you for all the little notes and fan mail, it is appreciated. Have a safe and fun Memorial Day and remember those who served and died to protect our freedom and liberties. Enjoy a few of our film clips in this promo for ENCOURAGE TV– https://youtu.be/HKVI4ONZ4Dk?si=p3u50jdleuSG60HU
Until next week! Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Hello Alpena! On-Location Prep Has Begun-
As I stated last week in my blog we will be going to a Sat blog release while I’m away shooting because that is our day off. We found that to be better for crew because more is open versus Sunday and it allows them to get more done. Banking, laundry, mail outs and anything else that needs to be done when artists are away from home. Making a movie especially a period piece with a large supporting casts and such is not easy. Finding lodging for the army of artists is not easy. Finding someone to feed an army at odd hours is not easy. It takes a supportive community that also has the correct locations. We had some questions about filming on Harsens Island. We will capture all the beautiful landmarks of the island that do not betray the 1920’s time period. Why you cannot shoot an entire film like that on the island that is accessed by a ferry starts with lodging an army.
Wild Faith at The Ledges in Grand Ledge, MI
I think some imagine 3-4 folks shooting but it is more like a crew of 30. safety and having access to a hospital plays into decisions on where to film. Something breaks or you need something ASAP having a good selection of Home Depot, Meijers or Gormans is a good thing. A ferry ride to get to wherever and back adds LOTS of time. So I appreciate the questions, people just don’t understand the process of making a film. I would LOVE to film in Fayette, Michigan, at this old copper town, but it’s just too hard to stage an army. Time, time, time…a film crew has to move at a good pace to make their day. So we have to make decisions that are safe and keep us in our time/budget schedule. Those wanting more expensive or ambitious set choices I will give an escrow account for you to deposit money into. On Jaws they spent a whole day waiting to get a clean shot of the bay. We cannot spend all day to get one scene.
We producer are settling in but we’re already working. Catering schedules, software activations, transportation needs and the list goes on. But I get to spend a month solid with some of the best humans I know. Artists that work together to tell a story that will be remembered and hopefully cherished by many for years to come. I get to see some friends only when we film. The sacrifice is leaving family and loved ones for a short period of time. As I’ve gotten older that sacrifice is felt but part of what makes me is the adventure. So we’re about to tell another story. Now that we are all gathered together problems and issues get knocked down. CDI is a tribe of problem solvers. Solve the riddles each day and earn your piece of the puzzle.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – Many are excited about this amazing film rolling out on DVD and digital very soon. We’re down to one last technical fix for the streaming networks. The poster looks cool and I want to share it but the distributor hasn’t approved a release yet. We are also up for many awards at the Red Letter Awards and our lovely Algona coordinator Donna Kitzinger will be representing CDI, The Donald Tietz Charitable Foundation and the film. No pressure:) Have a good speech prepared in case we should take any awards.
KNIGHT CHILLS, was CDI’s 1st movie turning 25 years old. It is about bullying, which now has become a topic more to the forefront. It is also about the role playing scare of the 80’s and 90’s like Dungeons and Dragons. Which also has returned in popularity. Saturn Core put together the remastered film as a blu-ray with lots of extras with Vinegar Syndrome. It has a special edition 1000 piece run with new slip art including a great back art piece from artist Tom Miller. It moved almost 600 units in the first 6 hours. As of right now 903 have sold. On Oct. 30th the classic blu-ray will be available nationwide at Walmart, Best Buy and other major retailers online. It is fun to have this film be recognized as a classic. I’m excited that a film historian did a piece on the film’s place in history making it a classic. That word. 25 years. Hmmm…
THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ– Released on Sept 5th on Encourage TV it has been enjoyed already by 1500 or so people. I’m sure this fun family film will be seen by millions who love the the OZ world. Please do check it out with your loved ones. Steve Young the film’s creator loves the OZ world and his passion shows. We all had fun working on the film and I truly love the musical score by Dennis Therrian.
WRAP UP: My focus is pretty contained to what we are about to launch. I’ve got a good amount of time in front of the camera on this one. I’ve got to tweak the nuances in the role but I like where it is at. Another cool role to add to the wonderful pantheon of characters I’ve been. This town has all the old wilderness charm that is Michigan. It is funny how they have their own stories of the Purple Gang and the rebellious times of prohibition.
Thank you for our new readers from India and Ireland and of course the USA. Wish us good luck as we start our week of intense on location prep. We are laying in the production foundations and filling holes before we set sail. This is going to be a fun one. It will be an exciting one. From our CDI family to yours- what we are shooting now you’ll get to enjoy in a year or so. We gotta keep telling them. So many great stories to tell and only a lifetime to do it in. Keep chasing your dreams and we’ll talk next week just before cameras roll!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 