Dream, Devise, and Detail plus Chickens, Bees and Butterflies
Good morning good people. I’m once again here sipping the hazelnut coffee. This morning I was looking over some questions on schedule with our developing film. Pieces fit. Pieces don’t fit. Readjust. It fits! This is what I do. I dream. I devise a plan. I work with others to detail the plan. From the plan comes the budget. From the budget comes what is needed. Time windows. Trying to get everything to meet at the right point in time. Every film is hard work and that is why so few can actually achieve it. It is also a reflection of my life aside from the precious moments spent with family and friends. I am discussing with others the merits of these stories from preserving history to a unified endeavor that brings together artists for a short period of time. Only so many a year and only so many in a lifetime. This is what I do. This was the answer to my meditation this morning.
This past week was nurturing several projects in post production and putting pieces together for the upcoming. This coming week I’ll also be writing checks to the investors/supporters of the previous CDI films. We have a great group of supporters who help make these endeavors happen. For some they go without a new ‘toy’ in order to make these project happen. They want to be part of a positive, powerful story that will live on beyond them, me, us. On the new SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP, I finally released the PR on my own involvement acting wise. I’ve got the long hair and beard in this humid heat and it is truly suffering for your art. You can read about it here: https://www.prlog.org/13086932-ai-jesus-movie-moves-into-production-this-fall.html – I’m excited to tell this story. The script alone has created so much energy and feedback. It will be a worthy addition to the CDI group of films. We ended the week with another step towards full financing but still have a little ways to go. The goal is to have it completed this month and we are on course to do just that. We’ll be opening the LLC and bank account soon. The business paperwork will soon be drafted and we’ll be starting the more intense pre-production work. This week we are also going to start fishing for product placement partners and sponsors. We’ve had many large and small who are just as important as our investors. They help with the unseen issues. They help make the ride a little bit more special and memorable. Let’s look at some of the other developments.
Harsens Island Revenge – I’m told that we have dates for Riverside Cinemas by this coming Tuesday. It is close to the actual Harsens Island and should be a great showing. Also Forest City in Iowa is looking like September and I’m guessing Fridley’s in Algona and other Iowa locations. I think we’ll start booking and finish the Summer strong. We are putting things in motion for the home video release on 10/6/2025. They are also working on DVD artwork which will be exciting. This is a special movie and we’re so happy to be ever-expanding our audience.
Wild Faith Christmas – The film minus a few tweaks and a few VFX shots plus final end credits is about done. Director Shane Hagedorn and composer/sound designer Dennis Therrian are extremely happy with the story we have. Very moving and the beautiful score just magnifying powerful performances. We have a date for a producer’s watch through. From there we will start our theatrical planning which will be here in no time. Holiday 2025 will be theaters and holiday 2026 will be home video. This is a follow up film to CDI’s successful WILD FAITH. Please do watch that film or rewatch it to get ready for the sequel.
ROM COMS MUST DIE – This dark comedy is also powering towards a finish line. VFX and sound design is being laid atop the color corrected cut. I watched it just recently and loved the flow. It is so funny and makes fun of our beloved industry. The idea here will be a premiere. A few festival showings. Theatrical followed by home video. The trailer is waiting to swap out the shots for the best res and color corrected shots. I think folks will really enjoy this film that surprisingly somehow has you cheering for the bad guys. Go figure.
DEVELOPMENT – We talked about The Secret of the Kingdom Chip which is a stand alone film but has loose tie-in’s to CDI’s biblical trilogy part 1 Forty Nights, part 2 Chasing the Star and part 3 The Christ Slayer. If you haven’t seen these three films they are also worth a watch and it will give you some background information.
The SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE film developing in Iowa behind our SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is gaining more supporters. I have to set up a few calls this week about this project. It would be a powerful, ‘based on a true story’ historical drama. Also I’m exploring a few avenues with the GOTCH biopic also to be filmed in part in Iowa.
I teased that I had started on another sequel script to one of the films. This film I’ve been asked about sequel more than any of the others. I don’t have any plans for active or immediate development but I wanted to get the blue print where I like it. In the original film the protagonist was left in jail heading to prison. Any guesses?
WRAP UP – Once in a while I feel the difficulty of managing all the variables but with a team many things can be achieved. I also am a diligent worker putting one foot in front of the other. You have to have faith in yourself, your team, the story and the life path you’ve chosen. I had a great talk with a VERY successful 88 year old businessman this week. Neither of us truly believe in retirement. There is always something to create. He had some wonderful things to say to me and I was appreciative and humbled. I have faith that this week a few more pieces will fall into place. I have some great meetings being set up this week.
On the personal we are back at soccer after a rain out and two weeks off. We had an off game and lost but the battle is the reward. I like that pushing oneself to the max. As for the homestead – we keep waiting for a time to seal and stain the deck but we keep getting rain. The plants are growing like a jungle and I’ve kept it more wild because of the chickens, bees and butterflies but I think another mow is on deck. The berries are at their sweet peak and we’ve got tomatoes about to ripen soon. The herbs are really growing and I need to step up my harvesting. I will keep working to keep up with it all. I have several friends with more property and that must be a chore to keep up with.
There is a flea market which I might attend. But I think today I will focus on taming some of that yard stuff I mentioned. I will end with a little story that I’m sure many artists deal with or have dealt with. I was looking up some of the ad-based video on demand platforms now carrying SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA like Tubi, Roku, Xumo and Encourage TV. I saw someone from our state being negative towards the film. While I’m not sure I have the resources to ever make a film that is a 10 I can say that even if something isn’t your cup of tea we’ve never created a 1 or 2 rated film. But when people trash a film 9 out of 10 times jealously is at the heart of it. They want to know why their script, their team, their film never gets made when others do. We simply out work people. It is that simple. It is always hard work and even our crew members never know all the work that goes into a project months or years before ever hitting set. But this individual was checked by one of our past crew members. They have moved onto some full time endeavors but it was nice to see the gesture. It is like that saying of what people do or say when you are not in the room. I’ve done horror films, action films and what some might consider ‘cool’ films versus our positive, heart felt films. That feeling of healing ala helping people cope with issues they have is hard to beat. Those films give back to the storytellers and is a real motivator. I’m not against a good scare film or taunt thriller but I’m also about character development. I’m about unique perspective and stories. If I just wanted to make genre fluff I would be missing something. Anyway, I commended this past crew member for his words in defense of 200 plus artists. A story that captured a true story from history so it would not fade away. An endeavor that had our cast and crew in another state fighting the elements and the day to day issues of production. Many truly love the film and it plays yearly in theaters. Many people travel to the museums that hold the remaining history. The film will have a special place at the museum as big things are being planned. Or we could have made a film of teenagers poking around in a scary place and random psycho with this or that mask kills them one by one maybe leaving one alive for a sequel. Been there. Done that. Got that tee-shirt. Nothing wrong with those films they are early proving grounds for storytellers but try creating a new time period and that is challenging.
I’m off to make some breakfast. One of the new chickens has started kicking out eggs. I hope you all have a great week ahead and wish me luck as I try to put the remaining pieces in place on the new film. We are close as I mentioned, and once we get this schedule worked out we’ll be locking in the final cast and crew. We are awaiting some cast reads and some of the crew are already planning ahead. You only have this one life so don’t be afraid to go after your dreams. I’m living proof that you can achieve it.
Until next week, coffee cheers!
DJ
Post 4th of July Updates- Back to Business!
Good morning! I’m back to sipping the hazelnut coffee. I do enjoy the coconut flavor as a change but it is so nice to be back to my true love. It has been a crazy week with a lot of good business. The heat has been hindering at times but the plants love it. I feel bad for the victims of the floods and having been a camp counselor in my past I relate. A time meant to be a fun memory becoming a nightmare. The 4th of July Celebration is great as I do love and appreciate where we all live and call home. I use to enjoy fireworks as a child and young adult so I try to be understanding. But my reality now is having one dog who fears the loud noise. Once they start sometimes before the sun goes down my furry boy Finn is done going outside. He is restless in bed with several nights the huge BOOMS going until the wee hours. That also means him wanting to get up really early to go potty. So I’m up late and rising too early. I don’t love fireworks like I once did. Snakes, sparklers, jumping jacks, M-80’s, Roman Candles and more have been replaced by major explosives. I got out of the game with all my fingers, toes and both eyes so I’m good.
Harsens Island Revenge
Currently we are in a holding pattern with Harsens Island Revenge to see if theaters will give us dates. We just finished a run at the Wells Flame and are ready for more. We are still waiting on dates from Emagine and Fridley who ran SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. We might start planning some dinner and viewings that a few places offered but we wanted audiences to see it on the big screen first. We know 10/6/2025 will be our home video release on DVD and buy/rent streaming services.
We received word from the Red Letter Awards that I talked about last week saying that in the last category of Best Supporting Actor we had two nominations. I received a nod for playing WW1 veteran Axel and Dean Teaster for playing ruthless Abe Axler. Those two characters are polar opposites and even have a run in at the climax of the film. I think Axel was a cool cat and I loved the role and he was an extreme version of myself. As for Dean his role was way outside of his true personality and add in the accent. I would love to see Dean win for the role but I have no control over that. Matter of fact you can just run down our cast list for people I believe could have been nominated for Best Actors or Actress but I am biased. I love the Best Film nomination because it reflects on everyone. Any selfishly I do hope to win Best Writer as it is something I truly love. I even had talks this past week about agent or management representation for literary. I would love to sell off a property a year.
Wild Faith Christmas
Now that the holiday is about over director Shane Hagedorn will be getting together with Dennis Therrian for last listens on music and sound design. The VFX are being dropped in and we are working on end credits. This film will be wrapping up soon and we’ll start to work on the theatrical placement for the run up to the holidays. For those eagerly waiting theatrically will be the only way to see it this holiday season. 2026 will have the film releasing to home video with the theatrical window running into 2026. Again if you have not seen the first one join the tens of millions who have and meet some of the characters in advance. I’m excited for a listen through that will be forthcoming.
ROM COMS MUST DIE – Monday we have a studio watch through to do last looks on the edit, color, VFX and sound design. Once we lock it up we’ll prep it to move over to Dennis Therrian’s studio for music and mixing. This film is just straight up fun and pokes fun at ourselves as filmmakers, actors and artists. I think the goal here will be to do a premiere in Oct. maybe even an event at the McGraw studio or in a theater. After we’ll run it in theaters for 2026 and end with a fall 2026 release to home video. We might do some horror fest showcases in-between.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – Many have been stopping at one of the ad-based video on demand sites like Encourage TV, Roku, Xumo, Tubi, etc…to watch this WW2 home front drama. I did a watch on the 7/1/25 the release date and it was pure joy to watch this story again. This was directed by Anthony Hornus who we are about to talk about in development. Yes. He is getting back into the director’s chair to tell a very unique and timely story.
DEVELOPMENT:
THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP – While this film stands on its own it also falls into a story that fits after The Quest Trilogy. For those unaware of the trilogy they are biblical adventures told with a Star Wars-like vision. Good vs Evil and the Heroes Journey play into the three films FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and The Christ Slayer. I really thought that I had put on the robe for the last time as I’m not funded on the level to tell of the return of J.C.. But this story pulled from the news and given a SciFi (For now) spin is a great follow up. The film has been hailed by several readers as the very best of my scripts. I’m not sure on that but I’ll take it since most all the others have been recognized for the script and/or film itself. I always say that the script is not just a box on a check list of development it is EVERYTHING. We are still in talks over the last few pieces of the funding but the finish line is in sight. We are almost done with the casting save a few that we will be doing some reads for. We have the development crew in place and the schedule is being worked on. We’ve landed on our locations and I’m very excited about the shoot end of September.
Misc. Development-
We have a handful of other film projects that are coming together. That can include script, rough schedule, concept art, budgets and such. I will be following up on more of these projects as we get others out the door. I will say that I did over the weekend start work on a highly anticipated sequel script. I’m in no rush but if it comes out how I imagine it will be very powerful. A hint can be found in a short video segment I posted this weekend. I even put a little Metallica music behind the clip for fun.
WRAP UP:
I see almost daily of artists taken while still in their prime. I’m painfully aware of the friends I’ve lost both in the filmmaking world and outside of it. It makes me really appreciate each day as a gift. The sun, rain, birds, squirrels, my loved ones and my beloved work family. I hope I’m blessed with good health to keep doing what I do. I hope my friends and family also enjoy this good health. Even watching some of Black Sabbath and Ozzy perform one last time due to Ozzy’s health issues made me pause. What if I could no longer do the things I love? I would hope I would find new interests and purpose. I joke when I get frustrated about our biz that I want to go bartend at the Moose Lodge down the road and just tell stories. But I know I would miss storytelling on the grand level that we have taken it. I was doing accounting breakdowns this weekend preparing to report and do payouts to our investors. I really appreciate all those good folks who have supported storytelling and the arts. I’m going to wrap it up here. This week will be fun with birthday gatherings, film mixing and more. I hope you all have a great week ahead. Thank you once again for stopping by and sharing a few moments with me.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Forward Without Fear – Moving Forward to the Future! (March 2025)
(Walk forth without fear which can be like a cage)
Hazelnut coffee cheers! I was just about to write what a dark, cold and gloomy morning it had been and the sun burst out. We had a very remarkable end of week with some beautiful weather that did not require a coat and on one day nothing more than a tee-shirt. They say it was 30 degrees above normal. Now we have a small call for light rain and even snow as the air swirls around picking up some Canada cold. I had a very productive week and while not hitting every benchmark some great progress was made.
This week around the property I started some clean up from the dogs and started to move stuff out of storage. Bird baths, sun dials, shepherds hooks and statues. It is only the first steps of many prepping the yard to become the zen nature space it becomes each year. I blame the beautiful weather for not fully having the upstairs of the office where I wanted it to be. That said I did get the new storage shelf built with is L shape for in a corner. I had to move four shelf units around to make room for this one. That meant taking stuff off and shuffling stuff. I also had to build it in a few small space. It took three days because I would work until my patience was getting tried. On two different days I realized shelves had been installed in the wrong way and had to dismantle them and redo it. So it took three days but now they are almost filled and it is force a spring clean and reorganizing of all these shelves.
I’ve started to slowly prepare the wood shed to be dismantled and I’m not sure what I will put there. Maybe a little greenhouse. Maybe a wood gazebo or pergola? I have a new wood rack to assemble. I need a new chopping block as the old one is many years old and it giving way to decay. The deck will need to be sanded and stained this year. A new retaining wall built to help prepare the under deck area. Still not sure how that will all come together but it is nice…and safe. The old deck was not safe any longer and had to go. The chickens are kicking out eggs and I’m sure there will be several improvements to that area. I see a few of the raised garden beds have sunk a touch in places and might need to be leveled. Always things to do and I love that tinkering. I also plan to have a pro chimney sweep for the fort stove at the end of the season. What blog is this you ask? Home fix it? Get to the movies you say! Okay I’m getting there.
MOVIE UPDATES:
- Our Ghost Town movie has been uprez’d to 4k HD and will be going up on HistoryFix as I’ll be signing that deal today or tomorrow. That will be the best version of the film every seen to date.
- Dialog and sound design/music is starting on Wild Faith Christmas. Also director Shane Hagedorn and Dean Teaster will start color correcting on the film. Dean has been a photographer and done extensive restoration work on old photos and film. He and Shane have decided to spend the time to get the exact look that is wanted for the movie. This weekend the software is getting in place and the work flow established. The film is on track for our November theatrical release.
- We had a great meeting over Harsens Island Revenge theatrical and the paperwork will be signed up here soon. The theatrical film is being tested and we should have word any day now and we’ll set the first premiere and run in stone. This movie is really an exciting achievement in scope and magnitude. We plan to run it all over the state before we expand outwards to the whole country.
- Going with what I’ve announced up top we have a second of several Harsens Island Revenge trailer that we’ll release to audiences to prepare for the films arrival in theaters. We need to decide what the release date for the trailer will be. maybe April 1st. Am I joking or not? Haha! It will give audiences additional peeks at this exciting film.
- I’m trying to set day and time for for our one planned pick up scene for ROM COMS MUST DIE. We needed a different season depicting an early date. I also plan to do my VO for the film maybe this week. We are getting close to a locked picture but already with some limited sound design and temp music it is very entertaining. My return to the horror (comedy) genre will be a fun one. I do want to get us started on some poster art and a first trailer.
- This is the second week in a row that I wrote an entire paragraph only to have it disappear. TAKE 2! So I said with Easter approaching I’ve been promoting our trilogy of desert filmed biblical adventures. THE QUEST TRILOGY includes three films Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer. I’m asking you again to watch these films and send me your comments on them here.
- I told you all I was highly inspired to write a loose 4th film in this series with the working title THE KINGDOM CHIP. I’m almost 1/3 of the way through the script and I really love the story. It has a lot to say on spiritual matters and technology. It might also be a possible return to our Yuma area/network to film this one. I will see once it is completed.
- I was suppose to have another writing project come over to me last week but it has been delayed so I’ll stay the course and try to finish up this current project. But I might be rolling right into a new writing project which is just fine with me.
- One of the development projects GOTCH was moved along for evaluation for funding. I really love this story and have since the first reading of his biopic. If you want to know about this man Frank Gotch please watch our doc film FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH. (On Several Platforms)
- Several other CDI projects are being evaluated to be put into the funding pipeline. I wanted to get through end of the year taxes and such before moving onto this phase. That work has been completed the paying the accountants. I will be doing some check writing this week for sure.
WRAP UP: This week I will try to finish my office organizing which is always in progress. I might be able to focus more on writing and desk work when it is chilly. St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and in my days gone by I’ve had a few wild ones. This one will likely be more chill maybe some corn beef and cabbage. I have a meeting with legal over some business reorganizing which will be fun.
I’ll keep moving forward with yard clean up and put in some training for upcoming soccer season. I’m really looking forward to kicking the ball around soon. I’m happy to report that my back strain from when I was deconstructing the old deck has healed. I just had to have patience and give it time not something I’m great at always. I actually just had a few eggs scrambled so I might go organize in the office for a while and get ready for tonight. I will be having the stove roaring as we’re suppose to get some cold chill maybe even snow. DOH!
I hope you all are enjoying our slow transition to spring. I’m very appreciative and enjoying the turning of the seasonal wheel. Move steadily towards your goals and work smart. Don’t be discouraged if things are a little off schedule as that is the way of the world. I just know that this year will reveal some wonderful things. It already has done that. I’ve already enjoyed the companionship of family and fellow artists. Never stop dreaming. Never stop moving ahead and don’t let fear freeze you. Even setbacks are important lessons. All part of the education. Until next week my friends I thank you so much for your support and the few moments you spent here.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
FINAL FOUR DAYS OF FILMING – Updates From Set
(This next week we’ll be filming at the mine set)
Hello friends! Once again I’m doing our blog on a Sat versus Sunday since this is my off day from shooting on WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS. We have had an incredible week of capturing scenes for the new sequel to WILD FAITH. Our week was a productive and efficient one finishing each day early save day one which we called right at the end of our day. We had one scene that first day that we did not get but picked it up day two and still had an early day. The energy has been good with everyone excited to be telling the next installment of this franchise. Most of the heavy lifting by way of extras is now all done. All but one of the young leads are wrapped. We have only four more days to film before we have all our pieces. We went and secured a great restaurant for our wrap which looks like an old ship inside. We ate there last night when speaking with management and let’s just say this seafood lover was very happy.
(The prep and planning really paid off in a smooth film shoot)
Even with making all our days and getting quality footage we still always look at how we as producers and each department could be even more organized. It is usually communication and organization which really have been strong. We are always in process of developing our crews and adjusting the line up. But the number one common underlying characteristic has to be a good positive attitude. If you don’t want to be on a film set don’t be. Without a doubt there are more cushy short, commercial jobs for individuals. But for those who want to create something long-lasting and memorable feature film is hard to beat. Minor issues are the only things we’ve had on set last week. Basically by challenging individuals to better themselves in their time management, communication and anticipation. But overall I was happy with how everything ran. Minor issues give you a chance to test your crew like a fire drill and our team passed with flying colors.
(A pic from ‘The Christ Slayer’)
Acting-wise it was a very fulfilling week with me bring back the first character since I played Jesus is parts 1 and 3 of THE QUEST TRILOGY. If you are fans of this blog and haven’t checked the films out you should. FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. With a sequel you are wondering if the magic will be there stepping into the moccasins and buckskins again. I can say that it was a pure joy to once again playing the trapper Ben Lily with a heart of gold. It was awesome to get to work with Melissa Anschutz (Hester), Shane Hagedorn (Emmett), Dean Teaster (Edmond) as well as next week Christine Marie (Albena). Those are the actors I got to work with from the first film plus a slew of awesome new actors. I greatly appreciate the kind words from many of the cast about the script and their participation in the film.
In a while I’m going reach out to our Harsens Island Revenge director and get updates on how the mixing is coming. The excitement here for the film is strong. I also made some contacts that might help with the Detroit premiere which I want at the Henry Ford Museum theater. We will have one in Alpena, Owosso and Lansing. Maybe a special event screening outside Grand Rapids. But that film is going to be a thrill ride full of drama and action. Get ready!
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is continuing its home video run but will be going back into some theaters for special event screenings thanks to a new distribution partnership with Dreamscape Productions. In our discussions we are also going to really try and get the film playing in theaters on military bases around the world. This film is really finding a great audience and it could become a yearly watching tradition for many families. If you have not seen this film please do. If you have not seen it on the big screen you might have a chance very soon.
A few rapid updates-
- An Ordinary Killer streaming and HD DVD Release in December.
- Knight Chills Blu Ray released now and streaming in Jan 2025
- Knight Chills book releasing soon on amazon
- CDI Merchandise site looking to release December 2025
- IN THE WOODS Blu Ray available now
I know I’m missing a few updates but need to switch gears to getting ready for tomorrow. I’m first scene up with means early to bed and have to be ready to rock! We had a good day tooling about Alpena for an hour or so. I tried a coffee made from mushroom and bought a few homemade items from another store. Alpena has a lot of Michigan charm and again we’re proud to be shooting here. I should be back on a normal schedule next week having wrapped and returned home. I hope everyone is doing well and preparing for the holidays with loved ones. I was chatting with my mom today about Christmas plans so the season is upon us. Until we all speak again next week be good to one another.
DJ
Hello ALPENA Again! Finishing One Film and Starting Another.
(Travel Day Pre-Meeting with 1st AD Ian Griffin)
Greeting my friends from chilly Alpena, Michigan. A beautiful drive North with a small stop at a quint German restaurant took us back again. Back to the waterside, historic town where we previously filmed Harsens Island Revenge. The experience and the hospitality is very much like many of the wonderful communities that hosted and doubled for our fictional locations. But as noted upon arrival it was considerable more cold that Lansing, Michigan. Months of prep work has led us to our pre-production team arriving. Tonight is our schedule talk through with department heads. This is where we look ahead at any possible issues. Advance solutions are discussed and questions answered. It is much easier with everyone in the same room. Even with Teams, Zoom, Skype or many face to face technologies it is truly not the same. Getting everyone communicating is the key. New information going to the right departments.
Good example of a miss – so our advance schedule has our locations and days locked in but as we get closer and weather and other things factor into the scene order. Our advanced schedule just had a default call time in the software. When these were shared with transportation department it wasn’t noted to move in confidence with the days but keep the daily call time open as fine tuning was being done. Here a remembered three sentence note to the department head would have saved some effort of going back to the horses, wagons and giving the actual call times.
I like thew illustrate things like this because I try to always respect people’s time and work. But movies have so many moving parts we have like a 3% error each day. You hope the hard fought 97% buys you some grace from the missed 3%. Good respectful communication of speaking to others as you would like to be spoken too. And be grateful for the opportunity to come together in artistic fellowship and create a story that will live beyond our lifetime. DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN a smoky mountain western from around 2006/7 has been remastered and re-released to streaming. But close to a dozen of the cast/crew have passed away. These adventures are special and the people we create with are special. Embrace that.
(Tony Hornus and I at the start of yet another adventure – Wild Faith Christmas)
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is booking special Winter screenings into select theaters. We’re close to the final theatrical deal. It will also be the template for Harsens Island Revenge once it starts its theatrical run 1st Q 2025. DVD’s are still be purchased on Amazon and such. Also the film is streaming for rent or purchase. The German meal above I mentioned traveling into Alpena with Anthony Hornus had us discussing our WW2 German POW film. Take a watch it is a holiday themed film for certain.
Harsens Island Revenge music is done and last Thursday Director Carl Weyant and composer Dennis Therrian listened and tweaked the score. Next week they will start to mix the entire film. Scene by scene mixing dialog, sound effects and music into the perfect blend and creating a 5.1 stereo mix. This movie is going to be so exciting and we all can’t wait to show the world.
KNIGHT CHILLS streaming is close to being all delivered and so that means soon I’ll be given a release date. The proof on the novel looks good and we should have that up for sale before Christmas. AN ORDINARY KILLER is also prepping to release to select platforms on December 15th.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – If you want to be up to speed on the entire storyline and characters please do go back and watch WILD FAITH that was 5 years earlier in our storyline. This is a great side adventure that is a heartfelt Holiday story with orphans being a theme. If you haven’t watched the original watch it and if you have rewatch it. We’re excited to tell this next story.
WRAP UP: We’re getting to a good place or finishing a film and the quiet before we start the new one. I love seeing everyone and as I’ve said before it’s great to end the year with an adventure like this. In three weeks we’ll be back with our families for the start of the holidays. But here in the know we’re about to tell a tale. I’ll be presenting more photos and such as you can get more info on the Wild Faith Christmas on IMDB.com and our FB page. I’m going to tag and post this and we have a 4:00 pre-production meeting. Wish us a good voyage.
DJ
Birthdays, Premieres and Battle Plans
Jerome the Birthday Gnome sending birthday wishes!
Hazelnut Cheers! I want to again welcome all our readers from around the world. I’m pleased to see readers from a new country Curacao. Come to find out it is a Dutch Caribbean Island. So I bet you have some great views while sipping your coffee or rum drink and reading these updates. I have been to the islands a few times and have always enjoyed it. Imagine all the great stories to be told on that island. Everywhere has great stories worthy of being told and you all are the storytellers. It has been another whirlwind week of personal and professional. I want to take a moment to wish a few of our beloved tribe members a happy birthday. My relative Doug Emerson to start with. CDI long time collaborator and master of all things music mister Dennis Therrian aka Tricky T. Ian Griffin another CDI talent on both sides of the camera is also celebrating another candle on the cake. Fellow filmmaker Rich Brauer. And the immensely talented actress and businesswoman Melissa Anschutz. The last on that list I get the pleasure of working with again this Fall on WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS as Ben and Hester ride the trails again. The original script had Hester being the sidekick but anyone who has seen the first movie knows that Ben is the sidekick.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is knocking off the things on the TO DO list daily. We have a read coming in today for one of the two main castings still open and I’ve got my fingers crossed. More props found including my original Ben Lily harmonica. Wardrobe is fun and that continues to come together. The official first script and schedule was posted for our key crew. Which this week I’ll be starting to put cast and crew paperwork together. I’m a week behind on that due to some construction work here on the property. I’m still working on a few sponsors for the film. We have to work out catering and a few final logistics but things are coming together great.
Harsens Island Revenge – This upcoming week we’re going to be focusing some energy on the Alpena premiere which is targeting November 1st. We are having some of the same initial issues we had with Silent Night in Algona’s premiere. The one theater of modest size questions the selling power of the film. Fridley did as well in Alpena before it starting blazing sales and expended in number of screens, locations and kept adding weeks. It outsold many if not most of the studio competition. We might have to explore a one night screening at the college campus but in Algona it was them not having the right equipment. If the Alpena tries to give us just the small screen it won’t even seat our sponsors, investors, cast and crew. In Algona we had to do multiple premiere night screenings (Like 3 shows in two theaters) for nine showings total opening night. We will do the very best with the cards we have. That is the hard part in trying to do a screening in the beautiful small towns we shot in. Too cold likely in November to plan an outside showing. We tried that with LOST HEART and it had to move inside due to winds in the small town there. The films finished first draft is targeting an Oct 1st date. My plan is to deliver that so we can start planning around a solid date. This will give the post team a few more weeks to mix and polish and we can replace the files the week before when we are up there prepping Wild Faith Christmas. We have sponsor friends waiting to get involved but much of that will have to do with how negotiations go next week. The plan is to have official announcements at the end of the month. Just know that we are doing the best we can to bring this film first to the community we filmed in. Screenings for the public will be out of our control but again we will do our best. Next week I’m working to put our theatrical rep in play. The film is looking and sounding great and I’m so proud of everyone’s work. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP OUR EFFORTS IS TO CALL YOUR THEATER ESPECIALLY IN ALPENA AND REQUEST THE FILM. The previous film shot and released in Algona flooded the theater with calls and show it did for weeks on end.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is on home video to rent or buy including the DVD. I think we might work an event screening in theaters into the meeting with the theatrical reps. I know many in Iowa would love to have the film run a weekend/week on the run up to Christmas. The film is selling quite well on the home video market and next year will enjoy even more success when it moves to ad based video on demand. That is free with ads where filmmakers are paid by advertisers. But right now it is available on broadcast and transactional (rent/buy) platforms. This beautiful ‘based on a true events’ has put this film right into the spotlight for the world to watch. In this time of division perhaps this film is just what we need to remember united to stand.
CDI CLASSICS-
This week we’ll start to deliver KNIGHT CHILLS to Twin Engines Global/Deskpop for streaming release. I won’t have dates until they get everything but you all will be the first to know. In additional to Knight Chills, An Ordinary Killer HD DVD is looking like an October release with streaming in December. Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town is already streaming and by popular demand we’ll be starting to sell the Ghost Town in the Sky Collectors DVD that was sold at the actually park. The new CDI merchandise site will be hosted on EBAY and this week started with several overstock items being prepped for sale. CDI will also be doing charity % on every purchase. We will be focusing on military/veterans and animal shelters in need. We’ll have a few bundles also being offered and some free give aways with purchases. We’ll also be listening to all of you on what you might want to see for sale. Some great artwork is being adapted for the re-release of the KNIGHT CHILLS novel which will be followed by the Making of/Script. This is the new poster art for the new Knight Chills release. It was built by our talented Adam Towner who also cut the new HD trailer!
WRAP UP –
I’m going to wrap this up soon as we have a flea market again down the road and I want to go prop hunting. I’ve been finding some great stuff for sure. This coming week will be the finishing of the deck improvements. I want to thank Bart, Towner, Curran, G$ and Shane for helping clean up and stacking the old planks which will be repurposed. To recap-
- Happy Bday to all you wonderful people born on this day especially the CDI folks.
- Thank you to all the efforts already put into the prep of Wild Faith Christmas.
- Start calling the Alpena theaters and requesting the Harsens Island Revenge film.
- Enjoy some of the CDI films you haven’t seen or enjoy your favorites again!
- Get ready to enjoy An Ordinary Killer in HD as well as steaming Knight Chills!
- Have a great weekend!
Yes. I want to give a big congrats to my step bro Shane and his new wife Jordan. We have a nice day celebrating that on Friday. I want to encourage you all to find your own tribe in your corner of the world and create. You’ll be surprised what even two people with a dream can achieve. And that energy can attract other dreamers and more dreamers and soon…you get the picture. I was just an artistic dreamer from what many considered backwoods Michigan. This was way before we had any of the industry we have now. And for folks that say we don’t have any you should have been here in the 1990’s if you want to take about few opportunities. I know several people telling stories as we speak! It is a great time to be alive and telling stories. No excuses. If you want to do it just do it. Until next week my friends!
DJ
‘Wild Faith Christmas’ and ‘Harsens Island Revenge’ Updates plus RIP to a Dear Friend of Tribe CDI
Hazelnut coffee cheers on a cool Michigan morning. I want to thank all the readers last week from 13 different countries. I want to note that the coffee is coming from a new NINJA coffee maker. I’m still trying to learn all the functions but it makes a good pot of coffee for sure. Our old one was getting glitchy stopping and starting while brewing. I have had a full week of updates some exciting and some sad, as that is how life is. Let’s start with some happy life updates. I preach to all my young “knights” (artists) around the table of the fort to mind their dental. I’m very persistent on staying on all that with brushing, flossing, sonic, water pic and rinses. I eat a very low sugar diet and even my vices save the occasional glass of wine or beer has diminished. From soccer no doubt I dealt with a few teeth issues mostly cracks. Not as bad as hockey but soccer can be equally brutal with less pads. I’m not talking about millionaire star players rolling around in agony at the first touch. I’m talking about a league of older gents proving they still have it. Venting their life issues on the field with very intense play and I would have it no other way. Anyways, I had a cracked tooth they could not save because the crack was below the gum line. I had it removed and prepped for an implant/crown next year. Between that and the deep clean I had my teeth are in good shape. But many functions from joints to eyesight can be connected to infection of the teeth. I’m glad to have all that fixed and dealt with. But I do encourage the young artists to keep that a priority so not to have later in life issues.
(Fall friends!)
I’ve been doing a lot of prep on the property by managing the wild growth of plants and trees. I’ve been harvesting the herbs as they get closer to end of the season. We’ve been integrating two new younger chickens into the flock. We are still enjoying daily eggs and that is a wonderful thing. I put in motion the new deck improvements which I’m not doing. I have a few larger build projects that I want to do including a front porch, car port and better privacy fencing but everything costs. So projects have to be spread out and prioritized. I’m going to repurpose much of the old porch boards to maybe build a few things around the property. The new deck will be set with grading under panels to waterproof the under space. Next Spring will likely be pavers and such so a nice area can be created down below. But I love the high deck to sit and sip coffee while enjoying the property and the park beyond it. Bouncing between the desk work and the outdoor work makes for a good balance.
(Pepsi keeping the office/fort stocked! Thank you so very much.)
I’ve been hitting a few estate sales and today a flea market gathering props for our next two films. I’ve found some great stuff that will work well in the two films. I seldom find things for myself but often find great presents and gifts for people. The hunt is a lot of fun and the former owners would likely be thrilled their cherished items are being used to be part of a story. I even found a train conductors hat which you can guess what film that might go with. WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is moving down the tracks to keep with our train analogy. We announced three new actors onto the film all have been party to CDI Tribe storytelling before. Tim Lovelace (Harsens Island Revenge), Randy Spence (Chasing the Star, Best Years Gone & Harsens Island Revenge) and Steven Sutherland (Ashes of Eden) have been announced. Go watch their previous films with CDI and you’ll see what awesome actors they are. With those roles filled that leaves us with only two major castings. Both are children and we’re closing in on those roles. Crew is locked in and now so is the schedule. The official script and breakdowns for departments will be distributed next week. Director Shane Hagedorn had a wonderful scout trip and also got to look at the mine set. I’ll be posting pics soon of another set piece build for the movie. We have several new sponsors coming on board to join Pepsi, Lerma Transportation, Ace Pyro, Reinert Pottery and more. You can see them in a folder on our FB page along with some great pics of cast, sets and promo art. We are full speed ahead- giddy up!
(Now we are getting closer to a locked film!)
Harsens Island Revenge – As of early last week half the film score was completed and mixed in. Director Carl Weyant and composer Dennis Therrian plotted out the second half and that is being worked on. The film has intensity and romance and everything in between. Karl Manke‘s book of the same name is going to be epic on the big screen. I won’t go as far as to draw a direct comparison to Elmore Leonard but he’s on the same path. Unique stories and characters in his books and now films too. I still cherish the hour plus I spent drinking and talking with Elmore Leonard in Hamtramck, MI before realizing who I had been talking with. I got a sneak peek at the theatrical poster our director is working on and I was excited. It should be done next week and our friends at Pepsi plan to print them for the Alpena, MI premiere and the other premiere 2024 showings. I’m in talks to have our new partners at Dreamscape Productions participate in the theatrical roll out which is looking like 1st Q of 2025. For those awaiting home video it will likely be Summer 2025 that it comes out. This is how all the distribution windows work.
The Fall/Spooky season is upon us and that is good for films like BIGFOOT, UFO’S & JESUS aka LOST HEART, WILD FAITH, BEST YEARS GONE, BESTSELLER and several of the CDI associated films. (See CDI’s new Instagram page tribecdi that is slowly listing all the CDI films.) And immediately after starts our holiday window where films like SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER will be on full push.
I will be meeting with Bart Ketner in the next two months that will be overseeing our CDI EBAY merchandise page. I also love this trend of charity like what we’re doing with the new AN ORDINARY KILLER release (HD DVD coming soon and streaming before Christmas) benefitting Two Average Joes Media and The Red, White and Blue Project non profit. The EBAY page will launch end of November in time to get a few Christmas CDI swag with a % going to aligning charities. I might even get into doing signed scripts, movie props and wardrobe to raise money for various good causes. Curran Jacob’s FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH documentary film is another project where a % of the revenue goes to veteran families and youth wrestling organizations. It is about giving back and creating awareness.
(Greg Mason with Debbie Bennett RIP)
These two attributes were strongly held values with a special member of the CDI Tribe Debbie Bennett. She retired from being a specialist in the medical field helping people so her love of helping is no surprise. We at CDI met her as the kind, smiling and helpful significant other of actor Greg Mason. She had accompanied him to several premieres and after the WILD FAITH premiere she quietly asked if she could get more involved. I wasn’t sure what she was asking but inquired to what she had in mind. She had heard about our next film MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND that highlighted the plight of adoption dogs and wounded veterans. We had a few potential investors at the premiere to discuss the future film(s). She asked if she could invest. Now filmmakers know how hard financing can be but quality storytelling does somewhat sell itself. She had been quietly listening to all the other financial investor talks and was more savvy than anyone assumed. Never judge a book but the cover. She was an Executive Producer on MBF and the film LOST HEART after that. She came to set and worked as a driver picking up talent and taking them to the set and back again. LOST HEART dealt with grief and loss but in a very humorous way. She loved being part of a film that helped people (and dogs) she was an animal lover too. WAS- yes I was speaking in past tense. I got word from Greg Mason the other day that Debbie was no longer with us. She had issues with her liver and other complications and was now at peaceful rest. The CDI Tribe sends Greg and her family sincere condolences for the loss of a beauty soul. RIP Debbie but the stories you helped make and bearing your name will continue on.
This week we also added actor, writer, director Anthony (Tony) Hornus’ parents to our FB Collective Development Inc. “In Memory” folder. Most of our parents have played a great part in supporting our dreams as artists. That is not always the case but in Tony’s case it was definitely true. Just like our significant others who hold down the fort when we have to go away and film. Take a few moments to look at and read about many of the CDI artists no longer with us. I know I’ve missed some and sometimes I don’t learn about a passing for a while after. But we do try to add the folks who have traveled with the CDI Tribe along the way. Remember to appreciate the people that are supportive on your journey.
(My Mom and Dad with baby filmmaker DJ Perry)
WRAP UP: I’m going to wrap this up. This week I’ll be double checking our software that we use for accounting. (Thank you Dean and Josh) Also working with John Mashni on a few legal loose ends. I have to get our production check book in order and start putting agreements together for cast and crew. Everyone is doing little character things from looking at hair, wardrobe, props and such. I’m also going to get back to work on the TV series updates. I have 5 more shows to readjust to fit after the second film. I hope you all have a wonderful week getting your TO DO’s done. My alumni school Michigan State University won their second football match. Our Detroit Lions have their first game tonight which I’ll have to copy because I’m having some family and friends over. Again, appreciate the time with family and friends. Don’t be afraid to adventure and try something new. Many that we know are at rest their journey done. While your journey is alive and well, do the work, face the obstacles, trials and tribulations. Dare to do something great! I so appreciate all of you out there who spend your quiet moments with us. I hope I inspire some of you to dream on, as Aerosmith would say. Until next week-
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
‘Take Care of Our Global Crew’ and CDI Updates!
(Mom on her Bday with my niece)
The coffee is flowing nicely. I had to get it early again because our furry babies do not like the fireworks. Once those big booms start they will not go outside to do a final potty. And when usually they go out just before bed it results it early morning potty breaks. At least this one was only an hour before I normally rise. I want to wish my mother a happy birthday. We all went out to dinner last night and to her house after. It was fun to be with several family celebrating her day. I had coconut shrimp which was nice. I haven’t had that in quite a while. My father’s birthday is tomorrow and we are having a party for him today. My sense of days is all messed up and I’ll be happy to be back on a schedule tomorrow. But I’ll enjoy another day of family and friends before I’m back at the movie tasks. I again want to thank all our readers from around the globe. We had a lot of new readers and from new places which is always nice to see. I like something I read recently that said every 100 years we have a new batch of us humans living upon ole planet earth. They stated this is our crew, almost like your high school class just on a global level. Be good to your crew. In a 100 years a new group will be running the show. This is our time to make the best of things. As I enter my 3rd decade of storytelling I already feel this turning of the wheel. So happy birthday to my mom and dad and I even recently added a new year onto my age. But age is just a number.
(Big daddy who’s Bday is tomorrow but celebrating today!) * On Set Wild Faith
When I return to filmmaking work this week it will be back to the funding stage. I’m not as good at raising capital as I am managing a film crew. I do okay because we have a strong track record. We get things done on schedule, on budget and with good quality. We have all the films in the marketing earning and that allows us to keep moving forward. This year we’re doing two smaller endeavors as we prepare for a few larger endeavors next year. This is allowing some who normally cannot invest to invest. It is a unique thing to be part of storytelling, something that will outlast ourselves. I’ve been putting together ROM COMS MUST DIE, a funny slasher that is clever in the examination of stereotypes and the trails and tribulations of artists. The other is a Christmas sequel to our successful WILD FAITH. We have given the prior backers the first opportunity to be part of the second film, which some did. Now we’ll be opening it up to new investors. The original film has many fans in the tens of millions and so we’re going to bring them a new story with some of their favorite characters. While the sequel is smart because of the ready made audience it is not a money grab. The script and story live up to the first and will be a great second chapter in this saga. We have been doing casting on both of these and I’m happy to say having some success. CDI consists of actor/producers and so we take that part of the process very serious. With the first project we’ll be announcing the director Travis Hayward and director of photography John McGraw this week. I’ll be sitting down with them this week and we’ll be discussing schedule. We got some great news on the WILD FAITH sequel on a location and we’ll be returning to Alpena, MI in November if everything stays on course.
This leads in nice to my updates on Harsens Island Revenge. First the official trailer has released and the response has been wonderful. I’m happy to say that the sound design first pass was almost complete as of Friday. This week will be a review session with our director and more music plotting. The post process is moving along nicely due to the software improvements. That is where AI can assist in guessing where an artists is going. Now we will not ever use AI music as I believe the human touch is best here. I use to say stock footage is like a suit you take off the rack. It can fit good but seldom if ever great. An AI is just stock footage created for your footage. So again AI can increase the speed at which an artist can perform his or her task. But AI will change our industry just like the digital revolution did as we transitioned from film. Actor/Producer Shane Hagedorn has been in Alpena over the holiday exploring options for the premiere. We will access the film at the end of the month and try to rough in some dates for a premiere. VFX and color correction work is underway and even a new poster of the director’s choosing. This will be a great story added to the CDI collection. You can watch the trailer below.
Harsens Island Revenge trailer: https://youtu.be/EC8_9S58nIk?si=6kcN–qsuwEhP0QW
THE MAKING OF Harsens Island Revenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvvof3U4Sss&t=21s
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA started a run on UP FAITH & FAMILY and can still be bought on DVD or streamed on many platforms. PREVIEW HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s03pzBaG3rs&t=30s
(Jackson Kennedy with the special edition Blu Ray)
CDI’s first feature film KNIGHT CHILLS is celebrating 25 years plus and recently released on Blu Ray. It was fun to read all the positive comments about the film on the distributors site where the special edition sold out in 6 days. You can still get the classic Blu Ray but it showed me how a cult following has truly grown. So it will be coming to streaming late this year and we’ve cut a new promo trailer. Great job by our Adam Towner! WATCH IT HERE: https://youtu.be/00bNxQ84b-I?si=ngvS1z-w2xc2SDpA With all the growing success we might see Sir. Kallio ride again one day soon!
(HD DVD coming this month!)
Knight Chills is not the only classic CDI films heading back into the market after restoration. AN ORDINARY KILLER will be heading there with a HD DVD release this month and a wide streaming release in December. That deal will sign this week! This film will be the next trailer that we likely put Adam Towner’s talents on next.
(Badass Blu Ray “IN THE WOODS”)
The IN THE WOODS, Blu Ray is now shipping so google it up and order it from your favorite online retailer!
(Giddy up to Ghost Town!)
Already back into the market is the CDI smoky mountain western GHOST TOWN or known as Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town due to it being about family history. Watch it on TUBI or various other platforms. Watch the new HD trailer by Brett Frame here: GHOST TOWN TRAILER: https://youtu.be/Z1eubAgHvOY?si=U1wjIwP6Zg5BGmle
We are still experimenting on the restoration of FROM VENUS, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST. A film look filter but on the early films soften the pixels and and when we up-rez them now it blurs them our so we need to sharpen or de-noise the films before we up-rez which is taking us a bit to get that correct. But as you can see the entire CDI catalog is being addressed. I love the job that Steve Young did making our PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ film HD. Watch it here: https://youtu.be/qLaw6zOAsw0?si=wgtuG7svTpRPwFTz
In other development new a GOTCH film is in development spinning off from the documentary FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH which you can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLjMjIxZuk0
I was also so pleased to hear from fans over the long holiday who enjoyed our trilogy THE QUEST TRILOGY (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer) and MAN’S BEST FRIEND, LOST HEART, WICKED SPRING, Best Years Gone and WILD FAITH. I truly appreciate all the fans who reached out with kind words. The films all have an ever-growing audiences and if you like one film from the CDI Tribe try some of the others. We put the same heart and soul into all our endeavors.
(Just me- 2024 headshot)
We’ve been approached about producing another feature film next year which is being evaluated. Again if you have your funding this is something we’ll consider. I look forward to reading a rough draft of the script and see where the project is at. It sounds unique from other CDI properties and I love that. I also got approached about acting in a TV pilot being filmed and I’m excited to read that. Plus add in the two CDI projects coming together for 2024 and I will be artistically fulfilled. I did see another project casting in Michigan that had a role that jumped at me. I sent off an email requesting sides and we’ll see what becomes of that. I’ve been playing around on instagram doing promo videos and like I said in a recent one IT’S NEVER EASY:) It connects back to Facebook and you can watch it here: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/mYsJiRqwwcviM6ia/
I’m going to refill the coffee cut and get a few eggs going. I might even put a mow on the yard if it has dried some. I’m looking forward to the BBQ and seeing my brother and friends this eve. Tomorrow it is back to budgeting, scheduling, casting, funding and promoting – all the fun work that goes with the business! I hope you all got a recharge with family and friends and you’re ready to get back at chasing your dreams and goals. I’m also looking forward to soccer on Thursday. I’ve been enjoying watching the matches on TV. In a few short months it will be football time! Go LIONS! Remember that every person walking the earth right now is part of our crew. look out for our crew and be kind to them all. Yes, even if they have differences of opinions. I appreciate you all!
DJ
NATIONAL RELEASE WEEK FOR ‘SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA’ AND MORE DECEMBER UPDATES!
(Christmas time is here!)
Hello December! I want to welcome all our new readers from Singapore, Denmark, Canada, Australia and more. It is always a joy for me to see the interest and participation from all you artists. I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee on a day that looks as if you might see Frodo and Samwise looking to throw a ring into Mt. Doom. I actually enjoy snow versus just cold rain. We know have a Christmas tree blessing our living room. The dogs have really enjoyed having it inside. It has been just an amazing week and the main reason is my mind just got back a large amount of red estate. In regards to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, our new CDI release – I’ve FINALLY got some peace of mind. This film was a beast because of the amount of VFX, color correction and the two languages in the film. Several scenes have the German PW’s speaking German amongst themselves.
(DVD’s now available as a keepsake or stocking stuffer/gift – a good company gift for employees)
The post process was plagued by small tech issues throughout the final mastering for home video. Stuff the human eye could not see but computers scanning can. This resulted in many fixes that were a cost in time and money but we got it done. Nov. 30th was our special ENCOURAGE TV one day free with ads event showing. Some 4600 people tuned in to watch the film for the one day event. I received and continue to receive beautiful emails from folks I know and don’t know. December 1st was our national release to DVD and various platforms. Amazon Prime, Google Play, Vudu, iTunes and more…just google our film title. So in the early hours of Nov 30th I watched the full story unfold. I was able to step outside the process and just enjoy the story.
(One of the hundreds of well wishes for the film. Thank you and please do leave reviews!)
This story was almost never told because of various bad folks introduced to the process which only put it on a shelf for 14 years. There is a heaviness of responsibility that I assume from the first moment we are funded. Nov 30th and Dec 1st brought me the first peace of mind in a few years with the release. No emails saying they found another glitch that needs fixing. No film is perfect but it does have the raw emotional impact. Millions can now watch the film and I’m so thankful for everything sharing the film and purchasing DVD collectors gifts for family and friends. So my last few days have been joyous and now I’m just reaping the kind words of those who experienced our story.
(I played the stoic officer LtCol. Lodell, in charge of the camp- it was a great role and challenge)
This project like them all was exhausting. Extended focus and dedication to bring the story to the world. Now is a great time to reflect, recharge and realign our energies. I’ve been trying to let people be over the holidays. It is a great time to spend with family and friends who often have to deal with our work. It is more than work it is a calling to be a storyteller. I had a conversation the other day with one of our tribe and they want to enjoy the bliss of no big responsibilities. I too, love that feeling but I don’t have the luxury of a total break. The biggest question all upcoming filmmakers ask me is how we keep momentum and get funding. I’ve said that while we make it look easy it is not. We are persistent and have a reputation for on-time, on-schedule and unique handcrafted stories with lots of heart. I’ve worked hard with the CDI tribe to build that reputation. And I don’t need to fluff anything, the proof is in the pudding as they say. I get a dozen inquires a week about if we are looking for scripts. We are not unless you have it funded and are looking for experience in managing your project. We will consider but even funding will not assure a collaboration. Looking to get involved in this endeavors from a business perspective feel free to inquire.
(Students in Iowa decorated this classroom door to celebrate the film’s release)
If you haven’t watched SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA please do. If you enjoyed it and it invoked some good thoughts and feedback you can go to our http://www.imdb.com page and VOTE (10 is best) and leave your words. Also exciting is that Encourage TV now has a playlist of all the CDI films. Some great trailers, BTS and extra interviews can be found. To have your own CDI marathon watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0LCdlq-BK0&list=PL2Tn2MhKrkFOCsmKZaxoZCT1R5GEOEL3E
A big kudos to our entire cast and crew, especially our director Anthony (Tony) Hornus. If you enjoyed his last film MAN’S BEST FRIEND you’ll really enjoy this one. Thank you to all the fans of this story!
(Audiences will meet ‘Axel’ next year!)
Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) – This film is in full swing with the edit. We are still rolling production photos out on our Facebook site. Harsens Island Revenge Christmas Cards are being offered by GW Burns. We are working to bring more graphic merchandise to everyone. Not just from HIR but from all the films. Favorite posters? So many exciting things at play with this film but right now I’m just letting the focus be on our new release. We will be seeing Behind the Scenes doc and new posters, trailers and more in the new year. Our composer Dennis Therrian, has been studying the time and the music. We will be moving into music and sound design shortly into the new year. Speaking about the new year, we’ll be casting five Michigan-based German re-enactors who have all their gear for the film’s opening pick up scene. A piece of powerful WW1 action that will be shot in the Alpena area. This film is such an explosive and exciting piece of storytelling. Something to look forward to in 2024!
KNIGHT CHILLS– Ironically our newest film and our first film are out there in the marketplace. The PG-horror/thriller that deals with bullying has been re-released to BluRay. Hey, we were ahead of our time with the bullying theme. But the film is truly also a Christmas theme. The film climax is to come at the Solstice of Yule. Give the gift! BUY IT HERE: https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Chills-Tim-Jeffrey/dp/B0CJ5WBSZR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=D4OO7ITMHNCY&keywords=knight+chills&qid=1701615739&sprefix=knight+chills%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-2
If you like horror films with a Christmas theme check out DARKEST NIGHT I filmed in the Philippines. Just google it up but don’t watch it alone.
WRAP UP – This week I’ll be working on some end of the year film disbursements. This will be followed by end of year tax prep and new state filing fees. The business of show business. I’m looking forward to several weeks of meetings and toasting the 2023 year. Also to plan and prepare for the year ahead. Again I’m not going to go on and on about the development process but three projects are at the front of that. A) HOT ROD LOVE, a comedy is having the foundation pieces but into place. A female empowerment story set in the 1970’s that takes place around a drag race track. B) HASTINGS, the Wild Faith TV series. Which is celebrating the passing of 8 million views on Encourage TV bringing the worldwide viewing to 20+ million. C) SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE which will be CDI’s second Iowa-based film has a solid script and is starting to talk with funders.
I just has a few apples and a breakfast sandwich with our 4H bacon. Hmmmm…bacon. Just refilled the coffee cup and I plan to finish up here and get a few more things done today. I might have to go split a few logs for tonights fire. I’ve been enjoying all the Christmas magic about and hope we did our part to add to that holiday goodness with our WW2 film. I know the snow will be returning soon which I prefer to just damp, cold rain. Spend some time with good family and friends. Cheers to a wonderful, challenging and productive 2023 and here’s to an even better 2024.
Be good to one another!
DJ
Movie Meetings, Music Videos and Memories-
Good morning to everyone out there! I’m sipping my hazelnut coffee out of a beautiful mug gifted by our upcoming ‘Hospitality & Health’ crew member Mollie Davis. I’m super excited about the #cditribe we’re bringing together for this next storytelling adventure. I want to thank all the artistic folks from around the world who stopped in for a coffee break and read. I’ve had an extremely busy week full of positive developments. Some are pertaining to past projects and others to future endeavors. And of course we have the adventures that are right in front of us now. Staying with crew- I met two of the new crew folks we’ll be working with yesterday and a music video shoot. Having done two small film projects at the Turner Dodge house it inspired me to pitch a ‘Scooby Doo’ type story video to the director and in turn the band. They loved it and so yesterday we once again did some shooting at this beautiful historic house. Everyone did a great job and we made our day. I look forward to working with these humble and hardworking gents on our next feature. It’s a multi-layered rock song with an amazing singer, slashing guitar rifts and driving drums delivered by famed drummer Chris Adler (Lamb of God). He and his wife are in from Richmond, VA where we once produced films like WICKED SPRING. (You can watch on Amazon) We knew lots of the same folks from that community and even shared experiences in travel. In between shots we all shared many great conversations about the difficulty of maintaining creative groups and trying to keep that synergy together. We compared hardships of being away on tour and on a film set. I just really enjoyed the artistic talks shared by all. I will be excited to share the music video in a few weeks.
Harsens Island Revenge – We are growing closer to our on-set pre-production and film shoot on the next CDI film. This past week was proofing all the agreements before dispersement. The schedule is finally all set and we had one of our producers up North securing even more pieces of the shoot. I got my 1920’s haircut and that has helped me seriously get into the mindset. I’ve been pulling together elements of my wardrobe and having fun creating. We are working hard to fill the few cast and crew positions available. The schedule caused a few changes but that is to be expected. We’ve been having different department talks also, weapons, vehicles, catering and more. We’ve added the Michigan Community College Association on board as a sponsor. Several more will be aligning their brands with our film. A Michigan story and it’s getting some great support from Michigan companies.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – We are all very excited to see this movie release to the mass audience around the world. I had a great talk with our distributor. They are working on key art for the DVD and streaming release. We’re being told mid October for a release but that is not official yet. We are still working on our few technical tweaks. The theatrical release is closing with only one unpaid theatre so we’ll likely do our theatrical dispersement this coming week. I talked with some from our collaborating Foundation about the recent special theatrical encore in Algona. Again they expressed how happy they were with the final film and the reaction by the community. That is a big congrats to our entire cast and crew.
DEVELOPMENT – I had a great talk with our distributor over several points including the status of our current projects. We also talked about which projects are still moving with strong momentum and the few that could be made stronger with a bit of re-branding. In our biblical trilogy the 3rd film’s sales are lagging behind the first two. It is not the film itself and you could argue that after the experience of the first two, the 3rd may be the strongest production value. But the name itself which is completely on point (pun intended) is turning some away from a watch. THE CHRIST SLAYER has many themes to it and the title plays into one of the themes brilliantly. The distributor brass loves the title as we do but it could be losing some eyes due to the title. We are considering a title change on some platforms to see if it helps. We have another project that we want to change the key art on. We did that with MAN’S BEST FRIEND which was doing well but did even better after a new poster was created. The first was more artistic and the second more straight forward. Actually on the distributors streaming platform ENCOURAGE TV we are growing close to crossing our 2 million mark. Stop over and watch free with ads and you can be one of those helping to cross this mark.
I also had a great pitch meeting as we talked future collaborations. The WILD FAITH: HASTINGS tv series is still gaining momentum as sales are staying strong and growing. I had some talks also over SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE looking to be our second film in Iowa. I have some talks over that project this week and we’ll see if we can move that forward on the development board. There was also some good development talks on a few genre projects and even a possible romantic comedy. Development can take anywhere from a year to years plural so you always have to be working it. I think that is one of the mistakes young filmmakers make is far underestimating the time it takes for certain tasks or processes. Patience isn’t a strong suit for many folks and so it makes it even more torturous.
WRAP UP AND RANDOM FINAL THOUGHTS-
This week we played a soccer match in some brutal heat and we lacked subs. The other team had a full squad show with a good supply of subs. At half we had held it all to a tie but second half they started to take advantage of cracks and lack of gas. That game left me so exhausted by soccer gear bag felt like 200 lbs. I was EXHAUSTED at the end of it but there are good things to be said about pushing yourself to those limits. I woke up the next day and felt pretty darn good. Day two a bit sore but by body is really adjusting to the grueling games. I love the competition and it really resets the mind and body.
The yard is in full grow with a daily picking of herbs, tomatoes and more. The chickens are kicking out the fresh eggs. The hops are all turning to cones and will be ready for picking in a few weeks. On that note- people have been really enjoying the Mexican-Style Chili beer. I’ll likely go to bottle with the ‘Rocking Rhubarb Wine’ in a few weeks also. People do really enjoy the handcrafted goods.
I also finished reading the book THE BOYS written by Ron and Clint Howard. It was all about their life growing up and how their parents helped navigate Hollywood after coming from small town farm community. For me it was spending a few moments with my old friend, co-star and mentor Rance Howard before bed each night. I think I’m going to write Ron and Clint a nice letter after finishing it. It was enlightening, inspiring and also made me very appreciative of my own journey. To bring it full circle, that is what my onset conversations did for me. I would not have had many of the adventures I did if not for my career path. Here’s to several more!
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday morning. I’ll be ready to hit it hard tomorrow which includes an art department meeting. Weds is a directors meeting and Friday the producers meeting. Thursday will see our team back on the soccer pitch. On that note I see that Sweden beat the USA women’s team in a shoot out. That is how it sometimes goes. Congrats to Sweden! Thank you all for stopping by and I’ll look forward to chatting with you next week.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Pondering the State of Our Entertainment Industry and the Power of a Story!
I want to welcome our new readers/artists from Ireland, UK, South Africa and the USA. Lots going on in the world of artists as new technology finds its way into society. When the internet first arrived it took “internet law” years to catch up. I think some of the forethought with AI (Artificial Intelligence) is a good thing but not when it becomes paranoia. No name, computer generated background artists have been created and used since about the LORD OF THE RINGS, to create those battles. I’m still trying to educate myself on some of the negotiation points that the actors union and the studio organization are pushing. So few union actors actually make enough to get union insurance and such. Many enter the union world through background work and the AI will definitely hurt that. But as doors close others open. We use to hire a helicopter to fly our cameraman to get those epic mountain shots and such. Now they have drones in force. I think it is a natural evolution that some things will be changed by technology. Film stock sales, film processing and all such film related services all died behind the digital camera revolution. So while change is inevitable and in many cases can be for the better, it can be scary. So I think it can be helpful to work out some of this in advance. We all knew that the TV and computer were going to slowly merge and now you can add phone into that. The lines are blurred making governing laws hard to apply and enforce but it is catching up.
Ponders on the Strike(s)-
I like to try and look at all issues from both perspectives. I do think that a revamping of the studio distribution payout process can be re-examined and brought to a more fair balance. But I’ve also seen where independent films are often hurt by the heavy hand of the union. My opinion is that you have to make people WANT to shoot a union film. Many think that getting that card will all of a sudden change their income. It adds costs to the artists if you are working or not. I’m not sure how the main city hub reps are but our union rep that handled Michigan was most always very understanding. They slowly started to create more and more hoops that hurt the independent filmmaker. Things that might apply better in the big city versus smaller markets. Like the insistence of using a payroll company. Our end credit roll is much shorter versus that of a studio film. I still handwrite all my cast and crew checks. In many cases the artists get their pay quicker when I can just hand them a check. I’ve never had an experience where the union reps actually cared about the story. The only concern was about their health & pension check. The union has also failed us in the past when confronting crooked distributors in past arbitration. Now, I’m not anti-union I’m just pro-story. If the world went to hell in a handbag, CDI would still be pulling a wagon town to town performing stories for can goods. Storytelling is a calling, a purpose…but it is SHOW + BUSINESS.
I do believe that entertainment unions played an important place in history by bringing fairness and safety to sets. But when the union starts trying to make unreasonable demands for unneeded things like a must hire of X amount of writers to a series or escrowing funds based on distribution projections….it can quickly become an anchor versus a sail. As a company ran by actor/producers we want the best for our cast and crew. To us they are family. Paperwork and threats don’t make us work to provide the best for our cast and crew. Knowing that a good set environment gives the best chance of capturing a great story translated from the page to the screen, does. We have and will continue to produce both union and non-union projects. I just did a few hundred union residual checks. It is always nice to get mailbox money. But to add an outside cost for a certified payroll company from Hollywood to charge a small production California “cost of living” rates/prices to do what I willingly do, doesn’t add up. We don’t receive studio financing and are not affiliated with any advanced studio distribution deals. So I support letting the union use their power to try and get a bigger piece of the pie from the studio distribution platforms. But shooting union on smaller films makes less and less sense because of the roadblocks and hardships that the union presents having little to nothing to do with actor’s treatment or the story. It often made us (actors in the union) trying to create work for our fellow artists, feel like the bad guys. And when we needed their help with the true bad guys (crooked distributors), they disappeared with a “we can’t get in the middle of that” – response. Much like paying for car insurance and when it is finally needed they reject your claim.
I’ve never played in the big writers pool, the WGA, despite being paid often and sometimes well to write, at least by my living standards. I hope they are more concise in their process and likely are as they have a smaller pool of artists per film to deal with. I agree that the script/blueprint is one of the most important aspects of the process and should be treated as such. Is it in danger from AI? My opinion is that we as writers, actors, musicians are all influenced by people. AI seems to be able to access a larger sampling and via that influence, create something new. I understand copyright law and derivative copyright law, which is built upon an existing copyright. Is every actor who plays a cranky, gruff voiced character due to pay Clint Eastwood some royalty? Of course not. AI does much the same thing but can pull influences from many more sources. I don’t fear an AI original taking my scriptwriting work any more than another creative writer could.
These are all just pondering from the current news and I’m not fanatically up on every deal point being debated and negotiated. I’ve survived in this industry 30 plus years and I’ve seen the industry seek balance after new technology puts it off balance. The worldwide web was like the new industrial revolution. But I do know what it feels like to be a union member who often feels undervalued by our own union. I’ve never been a fan of fear mongering and I see some of that going about. Those in the knowing, know that is just smoke. Threatening young actors about their ability to join the union in the future is their right but seems to be the wrong approach. Why? Many are and still work under FiCore status. This is best described as a personally invoked “right to work” whereas you pay yearly operational dues but not political dues. If you get hired on a union project you pay as if a member and they’ll take it happily and you’re treated under union guidelines. But if you want to go to some other country or do a non-union gig that is within your rights. And some of those FiCore folks have paid more into the union than many of the union members actually do. What most unions care about is the money. The studios? Money. Money. Money. Money. Did I say money?
I do like that the unions often bring better safety. Many indie productions run without insurance or any thought of safe practices. The unions have done a good job of bringing better safety standards but many indie companies have strong operating procedures. . So again, I’m not speaking against the union other than in their peddling of membership fear and effectiveness in certain situations. A FiCore actor hired on a union film will never have their H&P (Health & Pension) contributions to the union turned away. They will always deposit your dues check and while as a Non-Member, they will never hold office, get to vote, or receive the Oscar nominated free movies. (We use to get DVD’s) – They can and will have their union contributions accepted happily just as if you were a full member. I’m not pro-FiCore but wanted to point out that any actor pressed too hard can just with one submitted letter, work union and non-union. This has long existed outside the main city hubs of Hollywood, NYC, Miami maybe Atlanta now. In Hollywood the cost of living is so high that even artists working inside unions are having issues making ends meet. I get that. I’m going to keep telling stories even if it’s in a traveling wagon doing live performances of BEST YEARS GONE for can goods:)
CDI FILM UPDATES–
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA just finished a special encore 4 day run in Algona, Iowa. The film is being pitched at various distribution platforms and I hope to have our exact release dates soon. I’m excited to see what the new DVD artwork looks like. I think we have two versions being created – one that is for FAMILY/FAITH and focuses on the Christmas aspects and one MAIN STREAM version that focus on the HISTORICAL/WAR aspects.
- Pre-Production on the next CDI film Harsens Island Revenge is full speed ahead as we’re not affiliated with any of the union/studio dispute. We had a great VFX meeting last week and we’re putting everything in order. Our schedule and day-of-days for talent will be released any day now. We are just correcting a few things and we’ll be sending that around and we’ll start agreements and booking flights.
- DEVELOPMENT continues and we’ve got a handful of projects moving down the line. We will see what falls into place to shoot next year. I do have another music video I’m helping to produce. I’ve said before how much I like that medium.
WRAP UP: I hope that everyone is having an enjoyable Summer. I’m about to go walk around the flea market and look for a few props. I have some great pieces for my upcoming role as AXEL, a WW1 veteran. I’ve got some good meetings lining up for this week. My soccer match this past week was a good, physical one. We were behind 3-1 at halftime and fought into a 5-4 situation with just two minutes to go and kudos to the other team who tied it up. Our record this year is not as strong but it has really got me in good shape especially for running.
We opened this blog with discussions on the unions and strikes. They are just opinions and everyone’s opinions are based upon their experiences and perspective. We don’t need more things to divide us in the world. We’ve got racial, economics, political and more trying to drive that wedge. I hope that good things come from the process. In the meantime there is lots of stories to catch up on. Films like SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA will be considered more rare, as original content flowing out to market will dwindle. So while your studio favorites are paused this is a great time to catch up on your indie watching. This fan review was one of my favorite from the week. It is for MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND directed by Anthony Hornus. In this case, it moved the watcher to go and bring a shelter dog into their life. This makes my heart soar for the family and the dog. Many of our films are helping people and that makes the stories priceless. I’m attaching the review but THIS is the true reward of storytelling.
I hope you all have a great day and a productive week ahead!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Enjoying and Embracing the Struggle
Coffee Cheers! I want to welcome our new readers from Brazil, France, Romania and more. I’m proud of our international circle of artists. This morning has had a chill as a slight rain is moving into our area. The entire area has been so dry with fire warnings and smoke from the Canadian wild fires even getting our soccer match rescheduled due to air quality. It was a full week with many challenges but I’m thankful to be able to meet these challenges with zest.
We’ve been delivering the SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA film for home video. The film has been enjoying a nice long theatrical run with talks of it returning to Algona Fridley theatre for their FOUNDERS week- long celebration. Our home video version has even more enhanced picture and sound. We’ve been in the process of working to fix some small technical errors that quality control flagged. I love when an issue arises how many good folks rally around to address the issue. These technical issues are far above my own expertise but thankfully we have some great minds working with us. These few corrections are sometimes things not even noticed by the naked eye but not to a computer scan. So this week our team will work on the “patches” for these few places. This film had more extensive VFX and color correction to give us our desired look. More layers provides more opportunity for things to go astray. We’ll get it all fixed because that is what we do. That is what life is.
LOOKING TO THE PAST-
Accountability is a strength. I’ve noted before that team building is a skill and something that we work hard at. We don’t always get it 100% right but we do quite well. Recently, I was reminded how far we’ve come while scanning through some old VHS tapes and watching trailers from our 1st and 2nd features at CDI. The CDI Classic Collection is what I like to call them. The first four film were like film school and gave us the foundation that we build upon even today. We continue to learn and grow with every project. We get ambitious and try to push our limits and grow. I accept that and it’s that effort that lead to growth. We encourage people to grow as individuals which in turn is growth for the tribe. I stand accountable in part for all the individuals working on our projects. Just as a director does on his/her casting choices. Just remember that taking accountability is a strength while those that use excuses are revealing their weakness. Start living in strength. Live in accountability and watch your growth soar.
At the end of the week we were working on fixing some of these small technical issues. The SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA film has been enjoyed by thousands of viewers across the midwest but is being prepped to be seen by millions. I can remember even with the early films always addressing something and we always did. Battles fought and won and the growth was our reward. I try to embrace all the trials and tribulations. I so happy to be working passionately at what I truly love – making stories with my friends. This week also came with news that remind me how special that is. I had one friend who’s dealing with his mother’s passing and another actor friend fighting throat cancer. I got word yesterday of a classmate from elementary school onward who passed away unexpected. Old, young- you never know when your time is up. The struggle. The growth. All these material things will disappear when it is your time. So I’m learning to mostly smile and embrace the day to day challenges. These situations helped ground me and motivate me for this coming week. As I’m fighting to honor old projects with new avenues to be seen and prepping current projects for for new release and working to fund new endeavors, I’m going to enjoy it. Just like I enjoy a good soccer match. I love my opponents on the other team for pushing me and challenging me to my physical limits. So does these projects challenge me in ways, pushing my creative and business limits. I’m always sailing into new adventures in uncharted waters, but I do it with my creative friends and I love that. I’m ready to attack the new week!
Harsens Island Revenge is moving right along. This week we received our reformatted official WHITE script and we answered a few questions which should allow us to get our schedule for review. Once reviewed we will lock it and use that to start locking in talent dates in addition to location and vehicle dates. We’ve started to lock in some of the crew AirB&B’s which are really nice. They will give more of the comforts of home and give a good experience.
THE JOURNEY OF A STORY
The experience is something special that remains with our crew for a lifetime. Speaking on remembering the experience we’re working on a few “Making of” books that will capture the journey. I’m in the process of starting to put together one for KNIGHT CHILLS and also I’m outlining a book for THE QUEST TRILOGY, our three biblical films. We have amazing pictures and we’ll have different written interviews from people who helped bring these three films to the screen.
WRAP UP-
I’m not going to go into a lot of detail on the individual projects this week. I’m actually going to travel to a flea market and see if any good props are to be found. I’m meeting with our Harsens Island Revenge Art Director tomorrow and that will be enjoyable. We have 4 challenging scenes in this new film project and we’ll work those out. That is part of the fun of stretching and trying to do something new. The lesson from the opening of this blog was don’t be afraid to reach, to try and achieve something new.
I’m also going to be adding the yeast to my Rhubarb Wine must and get that fermenting and in a few months we will have a few cases of a fine wine. The chili beer I talked about last week will be ready to drink later this month. I have a bday in a few weeks and I’m ready to celebrate another run around the sun. The property is just beautiful and full of color with veggies, herbs and flowers. The apple trees are full and the berries are soon to pop! Again nature is a great way to help keep your perspective and keep your balance. Until we meet again next week-
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
‘Silent Night In Algona’ Release Talks and More…
Good morning. I’m sipping my hazelnut coffee and enjoying this brisk morning. A welcome change from the 90 degree days we’ve had lately. My soccer game on Thursday resulted in a loss but the battle was good in the scorching heat. I’m worried that I might not have drank enough water. It was 92 degrees and I have to say I play much better in the cool Fall from my school days. My whole system felt off for two days after the game. Add day two soreness to the equation and poor sleep one night and I had a rough go Friday night. Usually I sleep very soundly and I’m a person who must get at least 5 hours to perform properly but usually get about 8 solid hours. Saturday was as close to a sick day I’ve had in a long time. But most of it was the sleep deprived from the night before. So I’m going to ramp up my water intake for sure. I slept good last night and things seem almost back to normal. But rest and hydration is a much needed element to being productive on the highest level. I use to be a night owl but now I’m a 11-7 sleeper and I enjoy the early rise. We have roosters in our neighborhood that helps with this early wake.
The property has gone full blown with everything growing and blossoming. I’ve started a batch of Mexican-style beer which I’ll be bottling this week. I’ve been harvesting rhubarb and almost have enough to do a batch of wine. I’ve been doing a run of beer and wine each year and it makes for a fun sip at meetings. The hops are growing like crazy and we’ve got several plants gifting us herbs and soon veggies will follow. I love tending to all this while still carrying on my creative duties. I’ve been cutting freshly cut logs to dry and splitting older logs to fill the bins for the coming Fall/Winter. The wood stove is getting a rest from its duties of heating the office. All of this is a good connection to nature and trust me that throwing the axe and hammer around is a hell of a work out.
June is now upon us and that is my birthday month (June 23rd) and I’m not sure if I will do anything special. I am often fine with just a nice meal and the company of family. I can’t believe how the years have gone by. But I feel very blessed to be able to do what I so love- storytelling. Shall we look at a few film updates? Okay we shall.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA- The film and elements have been delivered and are being checked by our distributor. We are still in that process so we don’t have solid home video release dates yet but the talks are going on now. It was proposed to release the DVD and transaction digital around Labor Day (Sept) with subscription video on demand and ad based video on demand around Thanksgiving. We are approved to return to the Fridley theatre in Algona for a FOUNDERS DAY run. So if you did not see it in the theatre, here will be your opportunity or if you want to see it again. The home video version has added sound design and visual effects and so that will also be a great new way to enjoy the film. We’ve had many people want to purchase a keepsake DVD and share this film with family across the country for the Christmas season. People will surely have that opportunity. I’m thinking that the museums in Algona might start carrying the DVD’s also. The current theatrical is just ending but with another showing run in July I guess it is not done. In theaters from Dec 9th to July is a pretty good run.
HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE is heating up with the official production script now formatted and we’re awaiting the schedule for producer approval. This will also give us the day-of-days which tells us what actors, boats, cars and such are needed on what day. This will allow us to move to the agreement phase with talent. I’m going to be putting our VFX deal together this week with McGraw Multimedia. I’m looking forward to working with old friends Eldon and John McGraw on bringing a handful of VFX scenes to life on screen. This will include a cool WW1 scene, two boat scenes and a plane sequence. I’m excited to bring this story to life. We’ve been working on the hard parts of the production which is lodging and catering. I’ve also been in talks with several companies about sponsorship aligning their brand with this film. In Sept/Oct we’ll capture this story and have the Fall/Winter to put it all together.
MISC. DEVELOPMENT
As noted in previous blog entries I’m working to bring some of the older films into the new age. This will include HD enhancement on some. Others will have extras such as ‘Making of’ books and merchandise. And in a few situations it could include a sequel or reboot. We’ve also got some serious development underway on a new Iowa-based film and the WILD FAITH tv series HASTINGS. It is a balance of past, present and future endeavors. I don’t feel like going too far in depth right now on development but we do have many fun projects underway.
ACTING – In part because of the new acting role in ‘Harsens Island Revenge’ and part because of soccer season and the heat, I gave myself a haircut. About 8 cuts of the shears and I’m now sitting much cooler with shorter hair. It was about to the middle of my back. It grows like a weed. This next role in a hardened and experienced ex-officer from WW1. I was watching a doc show of actual life at the front lines in the trenches during WW1 and it was an eye opener.
I found myself thinking about an opportunity to work with an agent again and I’m conflicted. When I was actively seeking roles I had a high booking rate. But taking outside roles does take away from my development of CDI projects. But it is nice to sometimes just go an act versus running a circus. I’m not against considering roles but it has to be something special. At this point in my career I’ve played a lot of roles. I demand a lot from a story/script. Many regional castings are poorly presented and if unpaid have to be a pass. I’m not against those doing unpaid films as it will allow some new talent a chance to showcase on passion alone. I’m just at a place where I cannot sacrifice my routine of doing for free. Also I need to read an entire script. I turned down one project this year because free and fun are just not enough as I mentioned above. Another turned down my inquiry because they were eyeing another name talent. But I do have a great role ahead of me and I’m excited to become this man. I believe in the overall rule that I will do the projects I was meant to do. I know that I still love it though. I could not just produce without the acting. I could write without either of them for someone else but I would still miss acting and producing. Again, I will do what I’m meant to do. The thing about working for others just acting is when the character becomes lost because a story is never finished. I have 5 films I’ve acted in that never finished and four of them were features. I was paid for my time and it took me to places like Miami and Las Vegas but the hard work has never been seen. This always makes me think hard when taking on an outside project. All actors have these stories.
WRAP UP-
My growling stomach is telling me it is time to feed. I see eggs and bacon in my future. Today might include getting some veggie plants and flowers. I’m going to stay better hydrated and get ready for a great week ahead. I hope you all have a great week also. Brick by brick – build towards your goals.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
CDI Turns 25 and ‘The Tribe’ is Evolving.
I’m sipping a nice hazelnut coffee out of a Sea World cup I found in my travels. I have fond memories of the Easter break trips we often made to Florida to see my grandparents. Always such a good time in the community park riding three wheel bikes and catching lizards. We would often go to Disney, Bush Gardens (A favorite) and Sea World. Although I am glad to see the whales set free as they are a big animal to keep so contained. I’ve been in busy mode with the next shoot in under three weeks now. When we go into the last few weeks all projects have a certain amount of shuffle and settle. Cast and Crew are people with lives and sometimes that can get in the way. We’ve had a few cast and crew adjustments due to these circumstances. But once the film plays out with all the pieces in place you almost could never imagine anything different.
One thing we really do here at CDI is develop people. Some want to get by producing with whom they can until they can hire other people with a better resume. We are truly trying to develop people for the long haul. It is a two way loyalty. There are people who have lost their place in line by not making our few weeks a year, a priority. Others have followed their heart and dreams elsewhere and that is understandable. I’m excited because what I see is a 3rd generation of CDI stepping up into the ranks. It really makes me proud as we started as an organized but rag tag bunch of filmmakers. It is 25 years that CDI has been around and creating content. Coffee Cheers to 25 more!
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA
We are all so excited as we do our remaining off location prep. Tomorrow the cast and crew will get our schedule, official white script and we’ll dive into our actor agreements and arrange transportation. Most of the crew/producer team is driving into the town. A handful of flights that funnel into two small airports. We’ll start locking in the vendor gear this week and likely fire up the production insurance. I’ve got a uniform fitting tomorrow and that will be fun. I’m only in military dress in this film. A bit more formal than Gil Gilles in our last film. I want to welcome in advance another company aligning their brand with our film The Iowa State Bank, thank you!
BEST YEARS GONE – Speaking of ‘Gil Gilles’ our Owosso, MI premiere was an outstanding success and it gave us a great audience reaction. The premiere led to a week-long run and now the film is coming to Lansing, Michigan – my home town. This coming Saturday the 16th at 6pm and 8:15pm the film will playing at the NCG theater. It plays great on the big screen and the film was remastered after our first run. Sometimes you can hear improvements in the theater and we found a handful of places to sweeten and remix. We will watch a test Tuesday! The film will travel some I’m sure. We have many wanting it to play in Grand Rapids and the Detroit area. We’ll talk about screenings in other states as we go.
The CDI Library – Our distributor has us across many streaming, on demand and TV channels but I like to watch the distributors ENCOURAGE TV YouTube channel stream as a meter of how a film is moving. Both FORTY NIGHTS (part 1 of 3) and MAN’S BEST FRIEND have views that shot over a million and approaching 1.5 million. Thank you for all your support. You can leave a VOTE and review for any of the films at our http://www.imdb.com pages. This past year the distributor started advertising The Quest Trilogy together which should help. We are thinking of doing a few Sunday showings of all three in the theaters. Again part 1 is Forty Nights, Part 2 is Chasing the Star and Part 3 in The Christ Slayer. WILD FAITH with over 5 million views on the one site is driving the TV series train. The first season is written and we have some very strong avenues to work this series down. An HD version of WICKED SPRING is suppose to be moving out into streaming. If you like WILD FAITH take a watch on WICKED SPRING and you’ll see where we honed our craft of 1800’s storytelling. BESTSELLER has been delivered and will get a new campaign. I really like this film as a thriller and I’m happy it is finally getting a bigger push. We are looking at several films getting the new campaign treatment.
WRAP UP…
I’m about to eat some eggs from our chickens and we might stop out at a flea market so I can look for more props. I will likely do some pre-production work while watching the Lions. My alumni MSU had another great game yesterday. My momma is suppose to stop by to say hello. And I’ll get organized and ready for a very busy week ahead that will end with my home town getting a chance to see BEST YEARS GONE. I know the sayings of “You can’t be a prophet in your hometown” and I’m not putting any expectations out there but it is a chance for family, friends and fans to see it on the big screen and to me that is awesome. You can get tickets online at the NCG Lansing site.
Have a great week!
DJ
‘Best Years Gone’ Thanks you Owosso! Where Next? Other Updates on TribeCDI Projects!
The first sips of the hazelnut coffee taste so good on this chilly Michigan morning. Yesterday the sinus were a bit stuffed due to the weather changes but this morning I’m feeling good. We watched my alumni school Michigan State University put another win up for the season. If only our Lions could start doing the same. Either way, football, hot cider and the harvest has been a great welcome to Fall that is now officially here.
This past week was great for tying up loose ends on BEST YEARS GONE that played Owosso, MI NCG all week. I was able to sneak into a day show on the last day with my dad. It was nice to have no pressure or expectations to meet and greet. It was nice to just relax into the story and just enjoy. The story is well put together with such great comments on the camerawork (DP Travis Hayward) the creative editing (Nathaniel Nose) – the music (Dennis Therrian and all our great guest artists). We know all of this includes the entire crew and cast. I heard lots of compliments on how the film walks the line with strong drama and outrageous comedy. And big kudos to Shane Hagedorn our director who kept the vision and created the fine blend story. NOTE: A BTS of the premiere event is on our IMDB.com page and we’ll go up on our FB page soon. Great job Dan Chipman.
We started with a two show screening premiere and that went great! We’ve been dripping out pics from that night on the BYG Facebook site. What a wonderful night and it was great to see the story on the big screen. The film was granted an extension playing all last week in Owosso, Michigan. Now we are looking at other cities both with NCG and other theatrical chains. We hope to bring it to our home town of Lansing, Michigan. Possibly Grand Rapids and the Detroit area and even Nashville, TN is being considered. This week after the theatrical we made a few adjustments to our mix and we’ll do a final review Weds before uploading the master to our distributor. I’m excited for people around the world to enjoy this story.
Today we are having a meeting for SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA to review our schedule and lock that so that cast agreements and flights can be booked. We’re working hard to get all our ducks in a row so that many things are done before our pre-production week on set. Algona is not a big city so we’re working with all the resources we have. The best resource is the people of Algona who are excited to have this story of theirs told, keeping it from being forgotten. This week I’ll do some PR about our product partners and we’ll announce a few more cast. I had a few great conversations with folks this week and that is what is nice about these adventures. I get to see some dear friends that I usually only see when filming. But today is a big day as we lock up the schedule and collectively look for problem/issues in advance. We have some of the best problem solvers working to tell this story so I feel very confident.
WILD FAITH is about to hit 5 million views on Encourage TV taking us even deeper into the tens of millions who have watched the film. I had a few more conversations with parties that could assist in getting the TV series launched. Creative Control has been the main goal for me as I’ve had a few projects derailed by “experts” on what a story needs or doesn’t need. We have several paths we could take to production and as I’ve always said it is not IF it is WHEN. Have you seen WILD FAITH? If not, please do.
MANS BEST FRIEND is playing new TV channels such as Charge TV which seems to be targeted at action and macho films by Chuck Norris, Steven Seagal and DJ Perry, what? I have continued to encounter many more folks who love that film. I’m very proud of the film and the action sequences which are modest. I’ve had several people ask about ‘Paul Landings’ outcome and could there ever be a sequel. You never know and yes, I’ve thought about it. I have a good story in my head but we’ll see about that some other time. I’ve got a full plate.
LOST HEART/BIGFOOT, UFOs and JESUS – I had the pleasure of hearing from many who saw CDI’s last release under two different titles. I love this film and it always leaves me feeling good. Feeling down or just needing a boost of ‘feel good’ take a watch. Melissa Anschutz commands the screen and folks like Josh Perry turn in performances that will have people talking for years. This is the perfect time of year to watch this film.
THE QUEST TRILOGY – Once we get past the beloved Halloween-fare it will be the holidays. I’m excited to continue the tradition of our trilogy. I again at the recent premiere got to hear from the fans of these films. Many are still learning about them and learning that there are three films in the series. FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. See them in order. See them all.
FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH – the final polished cut is getting close. This weekend the audio narration was being done. A pre-mix and a final mix and we’ll be ready for a premiere. Maybe just before Christmas but after Thanksgiving for sure.
SMOKE AND MIRRORS – Our short concept film that sprung from a commercial endeavor is completed. We’re in discussions about the various possible premieres for this film using it to also help the historic Dodge Turner House. We are exploring a virtual premiere also but getting together and seeing this on a big screen would be fun. It is roughly 14 minutes so not a long film. A few festivals could be in the future for this short film story. I have been working on the feature script which I’m calling ‘OF SMOKE & MIRRORS’ to add a slight difference between the two.
ODDS & ENDS
This week I got to throw some of my dialog off Curran Jacobs who is playing the lead in our next WW2 film. I’ve been having such a great time emerging myself in the 1940’s and preparing to tell this great story. We also had a great meeting with our director and the VFX supervisor and we identified all the VFX shots or shots that would utilize CGI additions or subtractions.
I had an offer for a lead in a short which I don’t typically consider but offered to look at the script and the details which I asked for. I got a script with no details and had to pry any info out. But to be honest when I saw the email with just the script (poorly formatted) and no information – it was a polite pass. I had another call about engaging as a work-for-hire writer. On the other end of the spectrum from the no detail communication mentioned previously- this email came with a great pitch/breakdown. Success will follow the hard work. One person did the bare minimum and the other had spent some real time in organizing and preparing for their endeavor. I will likely enter negotiations this week for a wonderful writing endeavor that I’ll do over the holidays. I’ve had a handful of these opportunities approach me which is what led me to consider representation. In time I may explore the representation aspect but for now I’m happy to handle the details.
I’m going to bring this to a close. I have a few yard tasks to accomplish and I need to get ready for two groups of folks today. The ‘schedule’ meeting this afternoon and later my brother and few amigos will visit. I think the first fire might have to be lit today. I hope each of you have a wonderful day and good week ahead. I’m excited for all the developments happening and also happy to be enjoying the Fall with the family. This shoot will be the only extended leave I took this year. But it will put us into post-production on another beautiful story. This story is built on the real history of Algona and we’re proud to be telling it.
Be good to one another and coffee cheers!
DJ
Beer. Racecars. Murder? Premiere Info and More…
A very good morning to all of you – hazelnut cheers to our new readers from Australia, Philippines, Ireland and more. I’m sitting and feeling – relief, joy, accomplishment…I’m still trying to capture that feeling. Last night was pretty crazy cool. Weds we went to the NCG and set levels for the film and the pre-showing videos which comprised of “For the Love of Catch” movie trailer and the music video for ‘Off to the Races’ featuring Vertical Bridge. In the past I’ve had some events that I primed up well for- one example that jumps into my mind is David Borowicz and I in Burbank, CA before WILD FAITH played the theater. He said let’s stop here and have ONE beer. It was the home of the 1 yard beers so that really started things off relaxed. I went into the premiere stone sober and first the first trailer started playing without the visual. They restarted it and it played great. The music video started way loud and then they turned it too low and finally brought volume back up. The aspect ratio on the feature was off slightly so bottom credits were being cut off. But they quickly readjusted. Visual, audio, aspect ratio- they had moved us to a larger theaters and the adjustments from Weds were not applied. My limited-tech self was wishing I had that yard sized beer in advance. The audience didn’t notice but we did and the second 8:15 show got the much better adjusted showing and this week the showings should be much more dialed in. But the interest and numbers for the showing resulted in us getting our run extended for the week! The kick off gremlins tried to mess with the showing but instead ended up having an amber ale with us after and they liked the film:)
I also enjoyed talking with Karl Manke the book author. The book is called HOPE FROM HEAVEN. It is an interesting feeling when you write a script and it is turned into a film passing by the director and the actors. It has to be another experience to have your book turned to a screenplay turned into a movie. Either way I think he enjoyed the experience but as a writer I know sometimes in your imagination you have it painted differently. But for me it is always a pleasure seeing the words brought to life. We will know this week if NCG is bringing it to other cities in Michigan. We have a few other chains we are in talks with and our goal is to get it to you. It is planned for roughly a Feb 2022 DVD/streaming release with our distributor. We are going out on the distributors general market main stream label. The film checks many of the boxes for a good inspirational story but the hardcore faith buyers seemingly don’t always like to see too ‘real’ of situations. The ‘Brady Bunch’ level crisis is usually what they like to focus on but that is slowly changing. Audiences loved the characters, the humor, the music (Dennis Therrian) and the edit (Nathaniel Nose) – I am going to sneak into a day show this week. Likely 2:45 show and home by dinner:)
This week we’ll be looking to see what could be done with SMOKE & MIRRORS the short we did off a commercial shoot for an audio software company Izotope. It is a precursor to a feature film we want to film from one of my scripts of the same name. We might do a steampunk happy hour fund raiser for the historic house or something online. We will have a few creative pow wows over this but however you see it will be entertaining.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA is moving hard. The crew started getting agreements although our prep dates might fall back by a day. The office and AD staff are working on the set schedule which includes what we call a day-of-days that tells us actor start dates, work dates and final date so we can properly book flights and hotels. Transportation in will be a bit harder as all the close airports are small and limited flights. We are driving in with the prep team so we can bring more gear and such with us. The chill in the air this morning whispered “Wait until November.” – DOH! So this week we’re are back at it and with a more singular focus now that several projects have been concluded.
FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH – is a feature length documentary produced by CDI in association with the Red, White and Blue Project Inc. a military focused non-profit. We’ll be locking up picture soon and sweetening the sound before we premiere this fine piece of work.
DEVELOPMENT
I’m not going to go on much about development this week but we are always in the state of development. Several possible projects are building and growing closer to a production green light. More doors are opening weekly that we are evaluating and looking to see if they make sense and match with our schedule. So please do make the time to go see BEST YEARTS GONE on the big screen and take a friend or two. If you have seen it take a moment to share your thoughts with a review on IMDB.com
We are going to go hit the flea market down the road and look for a few WW2 era props for the November shoot. We might have to get a few pumpkins and maybe even apple cider. I finished the hop harvest and we’ve still been waiting on some of the veggies late maturing like eggplant and Brussel sprouts. Wood cutting with Viking Thursdays might start soon. The days are still getting warm but morning and nights are getting chilly. Good sleeping weather when the window is open.
I also will tell you that some great merchandise made its first appearance at the premiere and will be for sale soon online. Best Years Gone official handkerchief that people really loved featuring a few of the favorite tag-lines from the film. Also Gil Gilles approved lighters, papers, grinders and beverage cozies one with a built in opener. Fun stuff and the start of many as we start to develop the CDI merchandise line. Some ‘For the Love of Catch’ merchandise might also be on deck. Wicked Spring lunch box? maybe:) We also want to start featuring artists and carry their artwork on consignment. I LOVE seeing other artists succeed through hard work. Many expect things to just happen. I am part of a few social media filmmaker groups and I see so many unrealistic expectations. Also folks who wrote something and just think it will get funded if they just post a few messages. I called. Set meetings. Cold pitches in studio boardrooms. Many meetings where many turned up zero but eventually the right fit. But it never dropped in my lap. Do opportunities drop in my lap now? Yes. But that is after many years of struggle. So I just feel like I’m reaping the rewards of seeds planted long ago. So I’m saying even in this digital age you might have to get off your computer/phone, out of your comfort zone and go after it with a well thought out written out plan of attack. Or you can go back to social media funding where 95% of those endeavors fail to fund and if you want larger budgets that takes trust. So go build that trust and make your dreams happen. It also allows you to be pro-active versus passive which is where many like to dwell. But passive usually doesn’t prosper like pro-active.
Off to refill the coffee cup! Great job MSU! Have a great week and thank you to the full house who attended the premiere kick off last night. It was really nice to meet some of you and we’re all glad as the artists that we could give you an enjoyable night. The sign for me was that my face hurt from smiling and laughing and so I’m gonna take that as a good thing.
DJ
Awards, Updates and Insights – Last Days of June 2021
I’m going to have to build a boat if it keeps raining like it has in Michigan. We actually had 3 tornado warnings yesterday. The yard is now a jungle and once the rain lets up a mow will be badly needed. The only damage is I had to put log supports under the raised garden beds. Between the weight of the beds and the wet ground we had a sinking issue that threatened to topple one of the beds. Our house is on high ground with a good amount of sandy soil so no ponds forming. I’m happy that we’ve had no water in the house issues. I feel for the many that are having such issues – water damage is not fun.
I’ve had a busy week and used the rain as a reason to chain myself to my desk. I had nearly 100 checks to write on several projects for investor dispersement. Next week I will check addresses with folks and start to send those around. I really love being hands on and it really keeps me in touch with the projects. We have MANY film updates but I’ll start with a discussion on a common issue in all areas of business.
Negativity – Accountability – Best Efforts
Bad Mouthing, Shade, Hate – known by many names it is all powered by the same toxic traits. I don’t engage in the back and forth. I’ve seen many online arguments that have just gone on and on and on and on and on…I’m always thinking that a novel, screenplay, business plan or pitch could have been written using the same time and energy. I think because I will not waste time that is one of the reasons I just outwork people. While during the Covid and political divide spilling out everywhere with everyone having opinions and willing to share them – I wrote the first season of the ‘Wild Faith’ tv series. Eight shows each 44 min long. OR I could have just shouted my opinions into the wind.
So success will breed envy, jealousy and more. But many of these barbs don’t have any real power when something is gathering steam, momentum and more. I said once, like throwing rocks at a train. Never has a train stopped to confront rock throwers. Why? Places to go, people to see and things to do. I’ve give two examples.
I participated on a project whereas I was not supervising or in control. That usually means they brought the $ and they want to be accountable for it. So my words become suggestions, consulting versus orders. A project I was on encountered several issues as I had predicted and warned against. I received a call from a friend/associate who was in a meeting with the accountable person and a distribution company. Confronted with the issues and wanting desperately to look good to these folks, I was told that he tried to throw me under the bus. I laughed which was not the response they expected. I explained that first if he is in the room representing the project – he is accountable. And in this case the slightest due diligence reveals a VAST difference in production experience. I said, that anyone looking at our team will immediately know where the lack of experience was. The sad part is when someone refuses to take accountability that says something to people. Especially when the 3rd party knows who is accountable. Failing. Learning. Growing. All part of the process and successful people know it starts with accountability. Many will never learn that lesson. One thing after another goes wrong in their life and yet it is never their fault. Yet they are the common denominator is each equation.
I don’t throw anyone under a bus. I’m accountable all the way down the line. My expectations have been let down by the bad occasional hire, etc…but it’s still my accountability. I truly care about my crew and value the journey as much as the destination. I recently heard from a crew person whom we’ve worked with on a few projects now. Apparently they had a conversation with someone in the local film community whom I don’t value and would not work with. They know this because I let this person know my feelings directly many years ago. Now I could make a list of reasons why anyone approached by this person would just pass but I don’t go out of my way to voice this. I’ve been around long enough to know the bad apples soon get realized and discarded in our industry. I was told this person really disliked me and started saying ? I didn’t ask and don’t care. I’ve always tried to be fair and my life is invested in storytelling. I live by a creed of ‘Best Efforts’ and I like to let the work speak versus run at the mouth. Our former crew person simply stated their experience had always been positive and furthermore they didn’t think their company was a good fit to collaborate. This is smart vetting and is often harder when people are trying to say all the right things. This person just tried to “throw rocks at a train” – like how I brought that back:)
I know another local storyteller has had “shade” issues and sometimes our words or actions can accidentally trigger someone’s toxic traits. Sometimes just a person doing what they love while others took an easy road and are not unhappy – that can also set people off. My advice was to just carry on and don’t let it occupy your time, mind and efforts. Write that next great story. Some people get angry at on-going posts that advertise. For me, PR is a scheduled thing. Every project has phases and it all serves a business purpose not tied to any ego. I recall on a high school alumni site people unhappy about a local bar restaurant doing on-going postings of food and drink specials. Ads are everywhere and if it doesn’t apply – move on. My advice is control your own environment and stop trying to control everyones environment. Anyway, I shared because I thought maybe a lesson could be found within. Be good to others and you never have to worry about what is being said. Those that know you – KNOW. It also brought a smile to know that this person receiving such toxins stood up with their own truth and likely avoided a bad journey with very questionable individual. How many people do you wish you had not gotten involved with business wise?
Tally-Ho Onto the MOVIE updates!
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – We’ve started to bring more crew members onto the new project. We had a few more castings which will be announced in time. Most of the departments are getting up and running. I’m excited that the German actors will be announced starting in July! A good amount of work has also been put towards bringing some national sponsors on board. Many had brands thriving in the 1940’s during WW2 and our story.
LOST HEART aka BIGFOOT UFO’S AND JESUS – The general market release is underway and the film in both incarnations is doing really well. I’ll get a better report this week when I have my meeting with our distributor. Have you seen the film? You should:)
MAN’S BEST FRIEND – This film had an amazing premiere and after it ran afoul of the Covid crisis. Several of the theatrical and event showings were cancelled and never regained their footing. The film quietly was nominated at the NBR Convention in Dallas, Texas for a Crown award in ‘Best Narrative’ and overall ‘Best Picture’ at the convention. The film WON the Gold Crown for ‘Best Narrative’ and took SILVER (2nd) overall at the festival. I hope this gives the film an added boost because it deserves it. Directed by Anthony Hornus who is prepping for his next directorial ‘Silent Night in Algona’.
WILD FAITH and HASTINGS TV series – The film is growing by leaps and bounds approaching 5 million on Encourage TV and playing worldwide. The TV series was the subject of two meetings at the NRB and I will find out this week how that played out. The hope is to roll into production next year with the TV series.
BEST YEARS GONE – The music and sound design with Dennis Therrian is almost complete on the feature film. We will be having a race and outdoor showing on Sept 11th at Springport Raceway. We will promote this more as we move forward. Another theatrical premiere is being planned in Owosso, MI where the book author Karl Manke lives. On my birthday this week we released the first official trailer.
WRAP UP
THE QUEST TRILOGY keeps growing as my fan mail keeps coming from people who enjoy the perspective of these three films. BESTSELLER has a new campaign coming. Same with WICKED SPRING now that we have an HD file. We’ll discuss what others from the CDI library to move ahead with. SMOKE & MIRRORS is almost complete. Our documentary FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH is in editing and we’ll be releasing the first official trailer on July 4th! Our soccer match this week was rained out which my recovering knees are happy about. I’m going to go make a few eggs from chicken land here. I hope you all have a great week. Save your time and sanity and try to associate daily with positive, polite and productive individuals. Don’t sweat the negative folks as their actions have likely eroded any worth from their words.
Have a great Sunday and week ahead!
DJ
SPRING Updates – Looking Ahead!
I’m sitting here sipping my hazelnut coffee in my Oswald’s Bear Ranch cup. We were planning another UP Michigan trip when all this virus stuff erupted. Now we spent a good amount of time discussing that last week and so I’m not going to hammer that this week. In Michigan we have had our stay extended for two weeks. I’ll just call it confinement for all the things in my youth I got away with. Again it was a wonderful week of organizing, personal and biz calls and getting things done. Let’s start with our next film up – BEST YEARS GONE.
This week we’ll load in the last financial piece and we’ll be all ready to sail once the storm passes. We’ve got a new schedule to review and I’m putting some fine tuning to the budget now that our day-of-days is more defined. We’re announcing more of our crew and cast and preparing to do a few ZOOM script reads. Shot lists are being prepared and I for one will be ready to get out and tell another story.
I had some productive talks with our distributor and we’re already looking at marketing for the immediate and the year ahead. The Quest Trilogy has been playing strong during the holiday window which runs after Halloween on the run up to Thanksgiving through Easter. Many new countries like Mexico, Brazil and more have enjoyed our three biblical adventures. We spoke of them cutting a great TRILOGY trailer for the next ‘holiday’ season.
NOTE: I also had the pleasure of watching Douglas James Vail’s new film 40: The Temptation of Christ – that also imagines the 40 days of Jesus in the desert. I enjoyed their beautiful locations, camera work and the unique way they handled the temptations. Take a watch if you enjoy these stories.
LOST HEART is just finishing up music and will be turning to sound design this last month before we mix, master and deliver. There is going to be a big need for new content so I think we’ll get a good push with this story. We might have a few other surprises when it comes to this film. This week ahead the distributor is working to lock up DVD wrap art. I would guess we’ll see pre-sales start after a while but we’ll see if we do any exclusive TV runs first. I’m excited to put this fun, heartfelt movie out into the marketplace. – Soon.
WILD FAITH / HASTINGS TV SERIES
The film is gathering fans as the distribution keeps getting deeper. Meanwhile we continue to have promising discussions on the TV series. If you have not seen the film please do and let me know your thoughts on a TV series. Like all the films, I had some fan mail on this film talking about the power of the themes and how nice it was to spend time in a world more simple.
MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND is also making the rounds thanks to all you fans out there. The reviews and word of mouth keeps growing our audience. I’m so excited that this film is making people ponder and discuss the topics. So watch with your family including the furry ones. As with any of the films just google the film in quotes and it will show where you can buy the DVD or watch the film. Again a big salute to all our service men and women who serve.
At this time my thoughts are with all our family and friends and we all look forward to sharing a few in-person laughs. Soccer season is approaching and I’m in hopes that we can still enjoy that. The blossoms are starting to bloom on the newly trimmed apple and mulberry trees. The hops and rhubarb are also starting to get some size and that is fun to watch. I’m going to use this nice day to get some more outdoor tasks completed. I hope you all have a wonderful week and be safe!
DJ
MBF Updates plus ICFF Results
The sun is out on this 5th of May and I’m sipping some hot coffee and looking forward to reviewing the week. Let’s start outside of film. I put a first mow on the yard and did several improvements including to the new garden shed. Organization up in the office with the addition of a new shelf unit which I picked up at a sale by nuns. If you think the India market hagglers are tough try negotiating with a nun, or several of them. No. It was a fun 30 min and I left with a few neat items including two shelf units. I had my first soccer match in the new 40+ league and despite the rain had fun game. We lost when our goalkeeper broke his hand early in the game. My childhood love of Chewbacca was well known and it sadden me to hear that Peter Mayhew, the actor passed away. I had him attend a screening of a comedic fan film “Unconventional” some years ago. That was more exciting for me than meeting Will Smith or any number of celebrity encounters. RIP.
Onto the film updates. I’m getting reports that THE CHRIST SLAYER which just played the ICFF in Orlando, nominated for…
WON runner up for Best Film. I’m curious what won because it must be an awesome film. But congrats to all the nominated films and winners. I wanted to win ‘Most Inspirational’ and round out the trifecta since we won that award for FORTY NIGHTS and CHASING THE STAR. I’m happy that audiences in Orlando got to watch the film – thank you to ICFF. Now I hope that you all can find a series of nights or a marathon day to watch all three films in the trilogy.
WILD FAITH – the domestic home video run is exploding. A simple google will find various sources to stream or purchase the DVD. Amazon is now taking pre-orders
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Faith-Shane-Hagedorn/dp/B07QZV2H2R
I know many of you have waiting to see this film. Make the effort to see this film and you won’t be disappointed.
MBF: Man’s Best Friend – This powerful film will be evaluated on Friday as a work in progress with our theatrical distributor. We’ve done a first pass on sound design and the dialog has all been balanced. VFX and color correction is underway and we are to deliver on June 30th. I think the screening is just a formality before their marketing team can dig in. The artists doesn’t want to show a work-in-progress but the business is that it will help the film. It speeds up the timelines and should allow for a stronger release. With both The Christ Slayer and Wild Faith, both films already had the domestic home video set up so the theatrical had to work around that. With MBF and upcoming LOST HEART we want to work them into the mix proper like.
Speaking of our next project LOST HEART, we are just three small steps from moving into official pre-production. Also my talks with one of our targeted co-stars went great and once we move into pre-production, we’ll secure her schedule with an offer. I’m so excited about the film and it looks like camera roll in July is becoming the real possibility. If we have a good week we could be moving officially into pre-production.
Other things of interest this week include on-going talks on representation for acting and writing with some production opportunities mixed in. I did get an offer recently on a film but thought it best to do a polite pass. You have to appreciate anyone who approaches wanting to secure your artistic talent. While the role could be another film and residual check, the role didn’t grab me. I don’t do projects unless I connect with the material and the role. I see people who accept things that maybe they should have said no too. You will be defined by what you say NO to. I do hope to work with this particular outfit just on a different project with a character I can truly get behind.
Today will be some prep for the week ahead. We are also going to prepare something Mexican (food) to celebrate the Cinco de Mayo day. I hope each and every one of you have a great day and productive week ahead.
Be good to one another.
DJ
Getting to Know the CDI System and Project Updates
Good morning! I’m writing you from the deck of my patio that has hop vines wrapping around all it. (The pic above from the spring) The squirrels are busy picking the last of the ripe mulberries and birds are singing while playing in the bird baths. Without question the coffee sits beside me flooding me with the wonderful taste of hazelnut. If I cannot find a coffee sponsor in the next few years I just going to open a coffee business. I have to try harder with some of the local Michigan roasters.
The office fridge might have seen its last days. It’s almost fully defrosted and we’ll see once we plug it back in if it lives. If it’s dead I’ll be getting a more fuel-efficient replacement. The one now was from my buddies basement where we would skip class at MSU, drink beer, play pool and listen to jams. It’s been a worthy chiller of beverages so we will see.
This week was a hot, humid wave that’s not really to my liking. It was followed by just a few extremely beautiful days consisting of warm air and cool winds. During the heat wave I got a lot of writing and paperwork done while watching the various nations go at it on the World Cup soccer field. Let’s look at a few of the movie updates.
I’m happy to say that the domestic home-video deal on the 3rd film in The Quest Trilogy – THE CHRIST SLAYER is signed. It will join parts 1 & 2 at Bridgestone Multimedia Group. The Christmas theatrical will be followed by an Easter home video release. I’m excited to have all three out there together which will reveal more about the overall storyline. Interweaving of the story arc goes through all three stories/movies. IF you have seen part 1 (Forty Nights) or part 2 (Chasing the Star) please do leave a review on amazon or IMDB and leave what you took away from it. I think people unaware that it was a trilogy felt part 2 kind of left them hanging – well it was meant to. The next few months will see things heating up PR-wise on part 3 with more BTS and still photos releasing. It really is an epic way to end the trilogy. I know Dennis Therrian will do another incredible score. The VFX work coming in is just incredible, not surprising as their previous work included BLACK SAILS (One of my favorite series) and ROGUE ONE just to name a few. They built models and created digital matte paintings just for this film. This film was a really cool step for us as a company allowing us to use as many VFX shots as we did. I have director Nathaniel Nose to thank for all that.
I will use that example in discussing development work at CDI. I’m trying to make more time to sit down with people in our field. Directors, actors and those trying to produce content. From the earliest days of CDI it was about bringing cards to the table. CDI is an actor/producers company looking to tell powerful stories. Currently we have momentum behind my scripts – distributors like the content and final product. Talent loves the style and depth of the characters and situations. We also have some talented writers within our ranks. ADVICE – IF you’re bringing a script to the table the best thing is to also bring the money.
BUT THIS IS THE HARDEST PART! Yes. I know this. After many years in this industry – a truth is – every NEW variable could lead to new advancements OR disaster. The wrong crew or cast can be devastating to the overall quality of the final product. I’ve been scrutinized because I would rather pay a broader crew base a modest wage versus overpay a name talent, at the expense of the crew. It’s a difference of opinion in business models and a happy medium does exist. I feel a larger name can move more initial units but a bad movie with a larger name will also die off quickly. I had to turn off a multimillion dollar film lately. It was long, plodding (nice camerawork) but after an hour plus we still had 45 min plus minutes to go. We didn’t care about any of the characters. That’s the result of either a poor script or just bad chemistry as you know they had a huge crew base. I’m saying that I would rather have a modest, long-term success with a good movie vs a flash hit with a bad film. How long before it gets lost in the shuffle of bad films? What do you have to show for all that hard work years later?
OK. I went slightly off topic. But anyone new is a wild variable, and therefore a risk. Skill is only part of the equation whereas personality/character is the other big factor. Do they play well with others? Positive? Respectful? I’ve had others say “so and so” is a great artists but grumpy or aloof and that’s just how they are. Well, they can go be that somewhere else. I have reduced all this down to a simple saying – Always be a sail and never an anchor.
So with these sit downs – I’ll be getting to know people and informally evaluating to see if they would ever work well into our system. The CDI system. What does that mean? Well…these films were not the result of some money thrown together to rush together a film – perhaps with no accountability. I shudder when I hear of all the films being done with no script or the script is just an afterthought. I recall one time an actor friend telling me they were on set and the director was having them write the script on the spot. He called it interesting and I called it incompetence. I guess it was both. But here we’re taking on investment capital and we must give best efforts. This company was founded on best efforts and striving to always be better. CDI today is built upon its earliest endeavors. Future CDI endeavors will be built on current endeavors. This is a tradition not a hobby. Not a film challenge but an evolution. This is a business that works in deep creative waters. My expectations of myself and the producers/directors are high. My expectations of the cast and crews are high. If you are not serious about the process and the end result – off the deck. No point in trying to sign up here.
On set of the thriller “Bestseller”
Now some people just don’t know any different but once shown a better way they are willing to adapt and thrive in a more structured endeavor. Others can try to drag negativity or bad habits from previous experiences but I’ve been doing this a long time. If you start to feel like that anchor, stating obvious problems versus presenting viable solutions, being a sail – I’m going to drop you at the next island. Lose your professionalism and respect and the immediate gangplank walk could be your fate. I don’t fire often but I’m more than willing to do what needs to be done. That said, every firing has been a failing on my part. A failure to properly evaluate someone before a hiring or just failure to lead that person to a better way of co-existing on a film set. Management is something I enjoy because I’ve had the opportunity to create the environment that I want to work in. The environment that allows the best creative juices to flow.
I guess in summary – you could be involved in a CDI association or collaboration IF you have your own funds and seek a machine (production unit) that runs like a CDI film. Now $ still rules so if you bring a majority of the production funds, unless decided differently in contract, we consult or bring options to arising issues. That controlling entity makes the final decisions. Those decisions need to be made with wisdom and balance or trouble can quickly develop. I think I make fair decisions and I’ll say, I’ve made unpopular decisions. But I think it’s about working to be able to see the big picture. Not being drawn in by the ego into trying to force something to fit that does not. Don’t say yes to things that should be told no.
I had productive talks this past week with an experienced director talking about possible CDI collaboration. Our management at Collective Development Inc. was recommended to him. We shared mutual Hollywood horror stories usually stemming from fast-talking, car salesmen-like distributors and wanna be producers, mucking things up. Much of this proposed collaboration will just depend on pros, cons and schedules. I have another past producer collaborator getting close to having his next financing. He wants my involvement again. Evaluate: Content, Script, Schedule… All these variables when kept in-house tend to run very smooth. Adding these outside variables are where most issues lie. Most of the rough waters are in the associated projects but that is also where collaboration exists. But make sure they are a good fit. So I have more phone calls and meetings this week to network and get to know a few folks working hard telling their stories.
WILD FAITH – Lots of exciting happenings here. The home video deal is being worked on while we discuss the option of also launching a TV series. I am really pushing hards on this as I love the character I play. I love the world we built. I love the talent (both sides of camera) and know we would incorporate lots of Michigan talent into the various shows. We’ve been working to set up some additional theatrical showings and we wanted to look at showings in LA and/or NYC. The costs involved were steep and for me I’m watching the bottom line versus the red carpet strut. But I’m happy to say we’ll be screening at the AMC in Burbank as part of the invited line up at the Burbank International Film Festival. I think I’m going to make the trip and my LA-area amigos can finally see one of our films on the big screen. It plays great theatrically and I will enjoy the conversation with film friends after. You too can join us on Sept 8th in Burbank. Read about it here-
https://www.prlog.org/12716952-west-coast-premiere-of-wild-faith.html
Our last film Man’s Best Friend is having the post materials organized as editing is about to begin in full. The opening credit sequence was heavily discussed and that is being worked on. We will also start having more solid talks about the 1st teaser trailer. Also trying to get the right color correction on the first stills before we start releasing those. The story is in puzzle form and soon we’ll start to assemble the film.
I’ve really been enjoying the writing as of late. I’ve taken a few good script concepts and I’m infusing/weaving that into what will likely be our fall film. It’s been refreshing to be back into the imagination and putting it to page. Some location scouting and ground work is also being done. I will say that the initial script concept was to be shot in another state. I was so happy with our last crew that I am revamping the script to Michigan. I’m sincerely thinking we can convince a few of the MBF crew to return:)
Well, it’s a beautiful day and I might spend a little time engaging in some writing. We will also likely go walk a flea market. I love what you can find at those things. I often find props or things that a story might hinge around. No soccer today as we have a BYE week before starting the second half of the season. Next weekend I have a class reunion which will be interesting. I did actually see a Michigan-based, non-CDI project casting that caught my eye. I asked a few questions and we’ll see if any chemistry exists. If not, I’m happy to wait until fall. I do have a script to finish.
Be good to one another!
DJ
Eventful Week – Production Ahead (Updates)
Hello friends. It has been a whirlwind week of negotiations and talks on the home video deal for WILD FAITH. The film will be playing in three cities this week – Grand Haven, Holland and Florida. (See below) 
This is also the last of the off location pre-production on MBF. Our prep team starts in on Thursday and a week from that date cameras roll. We’re incorporating many new elements into this shoot. Some by way of new crew, new location (somewhat) and new cast in certain roles. We have a few exciting announcements coming this week. One is the addition of a co-star that will be well-known to some. He was a co-star on one of prime time TV’s biggest hits. We had a nice character talk yesterday and I’m beyond excited because he’s the right talent for the right role.
Becoming a character is serious business especially when representing…
Our schedule has caused a few switches in our casting but that always happens. By the time you get to the premiere you could never imagine anyone else in those roles. I’m trying to keep my TO DO list updated. I’ve been very happy with the time I’ve spent with ‘Paul’ my new character in MBF. To say he has been a challenge would be an understatement. My study of wounded warriors both physical and mental has been extensive. My appreciation and respect elevated as one fully recognizes the sacrifices made. I’m excited to see this story told and I hope that it changes minds and hearts.
Home video sales continue on “Forty Nights,” “Chasing the Star,” “Wicked Spring,” and “Ashes of Eden” which can all be watched on Amazon Prime. I’m touched by the beautiful emails that I’ve received from viewers of these films. If you have not watched any of them please do take a watch. You can recommend it to others on the Amazon site. DVD’s can also be purchased from the Amazon site. All our artists deeply appreciate your support.
Aside from these distribution, pre-production and actor work – we’ve been in development for our fall film. I think working with our distributor we might have landed on the right property. But I don’t want to go too far off on this direction.
If the WILD FAITH home video deal can get settled here in the upcoming weeks the distributor might get involved with expanded and marketing our theatrical a bit more. If the home video release is strong we will get a sequel or TV series moving behind it. There are a lot of moving parts with this deal and I’m doing my best to stay on top of it. I think everyone will be very happy with the final results.
I want to take these last few lines to celebrate my Mother and all those who give as mother’s do. I got to spend the morning with my beloved momma. She has always been supportive even when my dreams seemed unrealistic and far-fetched. I know many out there have been through this phase. Some have that support and others do not. But that is one of the reasons this blog exists. It is proof that you can follow your own path and create. It is not easy and if you can be happy and do something other than be an artist – I recommend it. But for the others – keep at it. Work smarter. Learn daily. Value your character in your dealings. Defend the artistic process and muster the courage to keep walking. One step after another – steady as you go and after a while – turn around and see how far you’ve come. My mother nurtured me to believe in my imagination and motivation – to achieve when you believe. Thank you momma. I love you.
I’m going to finish up here because I have some additional MBF work to finish. So far I’ve packed sock and underwear so I’ve got that going on. A busy but exciting week as we head towards onset pre-production. I’ll give you another update soon. You can also follow https://www.facebook.com/MBFthemovie/
I hope you all have a wonderful week. Be good to one another.
DJ
Growth – Visualize the Harvest Now
Good morning everyone. Get your hot coffee beside you and settle in to discuss a few updates. Again as always I’m proud of all our readers from the world over. India, China, Sweden and more all joining us here to discuss life and art. Where to even begin? So I’ve just returned from a whirlwind trip to AZ for a business lunch and to discuss the future endeavors of Collective Development Inc. (CDI) moving forward.
Some of the talks involved WILD FAITH which as you know is performing quite well in the theatrical market for just a small grassroots operation. The Goodrich Quality Theaters has expanded our release. Wild Faith now coming to HOLLAND AND GRAND HAVEN and FLORIDA! Please click the links and invite your friends and family!
HOLLAND:
https://www.facebook.com/events/244440026119489/?ti=icl
GRAND HAVEN:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1962675287380657/?ti=icl
GIBSONTON FL:
https://www.facebook.com/events/292497647953384/?ti=icl
Next weekend WILD FAITH and CHASING THE STAR will go head to head at the International Christian Film Festival. CDI will be well represented by EP Rebecca Lawlor and our duel nominated leads in WILD FAITH and our director Mr. Jesse Low. CHASING THE STAR was also nominated for soundtrack, Best lead actor, best screenplay and most inspirational. Both are up for Best Film so it should be interesting.
We are working hard to get the film into other areas where the demand is high. Keep contacting your theaters and requesting the film and also getting us a contact to management speeds up the process. I’m very appreciative that the audiences are receiving the film so well.
Part of my AZ meeting was over WILD FAITH and the home video roll out. I will have to wait to make any final announcements on the future of the film but it looks very good. Not only for the feature film but for telling the ongoing stories of this group of beloved characters.
CDI will also be moving forward with a production deal. They like our ability to put the right team behind a script and to execute on schedule, budget and with quality. We’re in talks now to identify the slate of films that we’ll be doing over the next couple years. The first film under this deal will likely shoot this fall/winter with development starting soon after MBF (Man’s Best Friend) goes into post.
MBF is coming together great. Cast and Crew are being brought on boards and we’ll start filming later next month. I’m very excited about the power of this story. I’ve almost got a firm hand on my character that I’ll be playing in the film. We have a powerful cast that will participating on this movie. I’m excited to “play” with these talented folks.
The meeting also talked about THE CHRIST SLAYER That will move fully into sound and music next month. The final tweaks are being done and we’ll be releasing the Official trailer this Summer. Maybe targeting my Bday month (June) as the release of the trailer. Along with Forty Nights and Chasing the Star – the trilogy will be complete. I’m excited to see where this all leads. We’ve been steadily recouping against our advances and this year will start even more TV/Foreign play. I’ve been getting lots of fan (e)mail on Forty Nights and I’m humbled by the kind words.
All these smaller films have been directed at team building. Getting the right cast and crew in place around a certain script. I’ve noticed that many people struggle in this industry because they play the short game vs the long game. You have to invest with your time, do so with people going somewhere. By this I mean making the effort to grow and improve their game.
Our budgets will be climbing slow and steady over the next couple years. We’re working to develop loyal tribal members who want to be part of good art and business. We’ve got deep contacts nationwide but we’re trying to develop our Michigan crew base best we can. We hire on accountability and we do vet people. Having a great attitude with a strong skill set is what we look for. I’m still amazed at how some step out of line wanting/waiting for something better to come along and allow others to step into their spot. Maybe they step out for better art? Maybe they hope for a better paying gig to come along. I would say the latter is more likely why some people step out of line. But a few paid weeks out of ones year to stay with a team constantly moving forward seems like a smart move. I’m just from a different time and have a unique way of thinking about these matters but it’s helped me survive all these years while watching many fall. Choose wisely.
IN OTHER NEWS…
ASHES OF EDEN – This Shane Hagedorn directed piece is trending upwards nicely on Amazon Prime as people discover this little gem.
WICKED SPRING – This old gem is being discovered by a new audience online – also playing Amazon Prime.
Before my biz trip I recorded a commercial narration for a director amigo – so if you occasionally start hearing my voice in the commercial arena you’ll know why. I’ve enjoyed doing these little gigs. Far easier commitment-wise versus the feature film work. So as I’ve said before – if you think I fit something make me an offer. Pending my schedule and your offer I just might say yes.
I’ve got many things to do today including our second soccer match. We lost our first game 2-1 having only half as many players. That is our fault not theirs but we did good even with those numbers. Today should be much better and either way I love being out there kicking it again. The work in the yard continues. Might till the garden this week and the hops have already started to grow. I’m looking for my favorite mushrooms but they’ve not yet appeared.
Have a great Sunday and rest of your week.
DJ
Wild Faith-Mania and Another Film Preps To Shoot at CDI
So it’s quiet here on Saturday night and I’ll be releasing this in the wee hours of Sunday. We had a nice family gathering to celebrate several birthdays and we’ve got two more days of more such celebrations. Before we get in too deep – welcome readers from Uganda. It has been a whirlwind of business both development, promotion and post-production.
Grand Rapids, MI appearance with Shane Hagedorn and Melissa Anschutz
It’s been wonderful to first see all the cast and crew from “Wild Faith” and following that – to have audiences enter this world we’ve recreated on-screen. We had a solid run in both Grand Rapids and Lansing. Lansing, Lansing, Lansing… I’ve always been proud of being from Lansing and still call it home to this day. I’ve always felt somewhat that the saying you can’t be a prophet in your own town, applied to me. I understand it. I think it applies to many artists.
But, the power of a story is proving me wrong. We’ve been selling out “Wild Faith” all weekend and so tomorrow Celebration Cinema jumped us from one showing to four. This after several fine folks were unable to attend after the shows sold out in advance online. I went to run errands this morning and heard people talking about the film. Often we as the filmmakers can grow tired of the story after the long post production phase. But I’ve enjoyed the handful of theatrical showings I’ve attended. I’ve enjoyed the laughter most of all. To hear a full theater laugh together at certain moments is priceless.
I think with the last several films I’ve played emotionally heavy characters. It was a pure joy to be Ben Lily. A tribute to a character with more bravery than brains. With my trusty half-native sidekick, or am I the sidekick? Either way, creating with these two characters was special for me because of the humor intertwined in the performance. I also know that my old friend Dan “Grizzly Adams” Haggerty would have approved with a hearty laugh. I do wish old friend Rance Howard could have seen the final film. He loved the trailers and truly loved the genre. The film will continue to move and play. If you want the film call/email your local theater and request the film to play. We’re in talks with several new venues and may announce new screens as early as this week. But if you can – treat yourself tomorrow. 1875 Michigan.
SUNDAY ‘WILD FAITH” SHOWTIMES AT CELEBRATION CINEMA (LANSING)
10:45, 1:05, 6:00, 8:05
In other news, Collective Development Inc.‘s next film MBF/Man’s Best Friend has been given the green light. All funds are committed and being pulled in as we prep the ship to sail. We’re working on setting our schedule and I’m also proud to have ‘Paul’ front and center again. This script is another story I’m extremely proud of. I’m challenged greatly by this next role and I find that exciting. If we’ve spoken to you as cast and crew just be patient as we move down the TO DO lists. We’re working hard to create that environment to create within. I’m excited to share this film next year with audiences. In the meantime…
The Christ Slayer is now in color correction and audio with Nathaniel Nose, director and Dennis Therrian, composer. I like to use that example of kids who get together after school to play. They have ideas, they get excited and they play. Inside the imagination play is what drives the process forward. This film will be a gift to audiences at the Christmas season. Part 3 of The Quest Trilogy will pull it all together.
Working backwards – Chasing the Star is playing the big screen at the International Christian Film Festival up for five awards. It was nice to catch up with director Bret Miller at a “Wild Faith” screening in Grand Rapids. We got to toast a beer to the adventure in the desert we called “Chasing the Star” CTS. This film is moving into more foreign territories and platforms.
“Forty Nights” is being promoted heavily going into the Easter season by our distributor. It is such an inspiring story I can see why it was recently chosen to kick off their Easter promotions. I will admit here, of all the ICFF awards “Chasing the Star” is up for I hope we see another ‘2018 Most Inspirational‘ take home to honor our amazing cast and crew.
I can say I’ve been enjoying experiencing the reaction to this films. I’m appreciative that these stories are giving some entertainment and comfort to audiences. I’ve been writing weekly and plan to get even more focused. Wheels are in motion. Several scripts that have been waiting for their time just might find it. Some exciting developments underway that will lead to many more years of stories been told at CDI. The tribe is on the move to create and we appreciate all your support. We cannot thank you enough.
Be good to one another.
DJ
Feb 25th – Ten Updates “Keep Climbing”
The coffee is nice and hot as the chill wind in Michigan really blows hard this morning. Last night I got to take a few hours to go down the road to the opening of an art gallery. The Meta Collective (they like the Collective title also:) -did a wonderful job showcasing the art of many of the local artists. Music, food and drink just added to the experience. After we went and got some Thai food and called it a night with X Files. We’ve been watching the entire show from season 1 onward. We’re close to watching the new shows that will feature some friends like Rance Howard. Thank you to all of you who reached out with your kind messages about Rance.
Many times I’ve written on here about my focus on the path ahead. While others prepare to celebrate our achievements I’m always seeking that next project for the tribe. One step in front of the other – the climb. Friday was a busy day to top off an already busy week. My TO DO list almost always carries over to the next week. I did knock a few things off the list yesterday and have a few more things to do today. This industry tends to be a series of planned advancement like ‘Rocky’ running up the steps. Can you go the distance?
Let’s try random 10 film updates-
- The big news that has people buzzing is our announcement of the first theatrical run at Celebration Cinema in Lansing and Grand Rapids of “WILD FAITH”
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Watch our social media for new showing sites – click belowWILD FAITH MOVIE SHOWTIMES – March 16- 22, 2018.
Celebration Cinema Lansing, MI:
https://celebrationcinema.com/film-info/lansing/wild-faith
Celebration Cinema Grand Rapids, MI:
https://celebrationcinema.com/film…/woodland-mall/wild-faith
2. We are having serious talks about the TV series in additional to final talks on our home video. The home video release is looking like fall into winter/Christmas push. It doesn’t work to talk to all of you about the TV series until you see the film. I can say our distributor LOVED the film and could see the vision for a spin off TV series. So pitches are being made and the TV series is one of my goals for this year. Production for the series would likely be 2nd half of 2019 in Michigan.
3. Just to prime you all – our past 1800’s classic WICKED SPRING * (getting a major release 18 years later is a “classic” status to me) is rolling out. This film will start appearing in March on various digital platforms and DVD. I think Christian Cinema is already playing it. Amazon and others should be available on or around the 5th of March.
https://www.christiancinema.com/digital/movie/8055
4. MBF (Man’s Best Friend) – We had a great week working development on our next film. We’re now down to talking with our final potential backers. About the cost of a good new car to go and we’re rolling into pre-production. Also our distributor is very excited about this project and will be participating early in the process with a few nice perks. I’m excited about what that means but I cannot share that information just quite yet. In the meantime I’m working hard with our team to gather the already committed funds which at times can be like wrangling cats. Meow!
5. “Forty Nights” and “Chasing the Star” are being licensed into other foreign territories. I’ll enjoy announcing these new releases as they happen. Part 3 of the trilogy “The Christ Slayer” released their theatrical poster art last week. The trailer is about to undergo color correction and the music and sound design is being polished. The feature is also in post audio and will be there for a few months. This Christmas season audiences can see this powerful final chapter in the theaters before the Easter 2019 home video release. Also congrats to our director Nathaniel Nose and his wonderful wife on the arrival of their new baby:)
6. I had a good talk with Chris Wright/Knight, the author/EP of “Bestseller” and we discussed the new marketing of this film. We also discussed future endeavors – but it’s always a joy talking with another great Michigan artist.
7. “Ashes of Eden” as noted before has been assigned to a new distribution company. The film was delivered last week and so we should have some exciting new ways to see this film in the coming months.
8. The distributor talks this week did include CDI’s production slate of the next biblical adventure trilogy. I’ve been outlining and researching as I prepare to pen the next trilogy. It seems that they are very happy with the writing and production of these past films. It’s a nice place to be with set distribution after countless months shopping films in years past.
9. Screenwriting is creating many new opportunities. I’m back on a good weekly writing schedule and enjoy seeing with my imagination. I’ve been asked about screenplay writing for hire. Make an offer and if the story connects with me and the business is right a deal could be made. I will not take on a story that doesn’t connect with me. Again that lesson of knowing when to say NO. Actually you cannot afford NOT to say no in some situations.
10. Last week I was happy to present a character reel that my amigo Shane Hagedorn edited for me from my “Forty Nights” work. You can see it on my IMDB page or my social media sites. I am looking for that next project to act in after we complete “MBF” this Spring. I do have a western in Colorado that wants me to co-star as the Sheriff. Playing an 1800’s lawman would be a first for me and they have a strong cast forming up. So again that question of acting was brought up to me. Same answer as above. I am more selective with my acting because of my time spent in producing/screenwriting – but right script, right role, right business – maybe. Make an offer and we’ll see.
A great week of business and now some down time preparing for the week ahead. It was nice to do a bit of raking and yard clean up before the rain hit. We did not have any flood water here but other places were not so lucky. Water can be a bitch so I’m sorry for all those that had to contend with water issues. If you want to see “Wild Faith” on the big screen get your tickets online. I will be there on Friday in Lansing to greet a few people at the two kick off shows. I think some of our Grand Rapids cast/crew will attend the Woodland showing on Friday. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the hard work of many Michigan artists. For all you artists not involved watch the film and see if it is a world you would like to ‘play’ in if the series moves forward. I am always open to spending 2-3 min watching a reel of talent out there. I’m watching:)
Congrats to other filmmakers in the State of Michigan showing their art. I’m so happy to see the developing industry post-incentives. “Keeping it home-grown after the carpet-baggers have flown” – Keep dreaming. Keep creating.
Have a great week ahead!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 