Let’s Talk Films, AI and Everything Else CDI
Good morning! It is a hot, humid morning here in the Michigan with little rain spurts adding to the warmth. I hope it doesn’t ruin the flea market down the road. I’ve been collecting props for the upcoming film. Outside the film world I’ve been adjusting to our soccer season being over. The growth on the property is getting wild again so I’ll have more tree trimming as a few wild branches are touching the siding. I’ve been harvesting some sage and mint and my hops just appeared overnight. From little hairs to little cones. I’ve used hops in my beer but also as a tea, tincture or tonic with apple cider vinegar. I love the chicory flowers and was pleased to read all the parts of the plant are edible. The roots roasted have been used as a coffee replacement or to extend the life of the coffee. I’ve also made a few Pioneer Pine sodas which is basically pine needles and sugar and the yeast creates a bubbling Sprite-like treat high in Vitamin C. Old timers use to drink it to fight off scurvy. One of my favorite home improvements is a new lamp that hangs over my cozy chair where much reading is done. Super stylish in a 60’s vibe and I got it at a sale for $5.00. It looks and works great. SCORE!
CDI FILM UPDATES:
DEVIL’S PASS – We have all our main crew and all but one cast member and we’re in talks over that role. I’ve been collecting props and getting ready for our art team meeting this week. Last week I had almost two full days drafting agreements for cast and crew. All departments have been working steadily along. I’m happy to say that I am minus one huge beard and I’ve had my facial hair trimmed into my character’s look. Now to learn to maintain it and soon a few dress rehearsal. This week we have the pre-mentioned art meeting. We have insurance meetings, final lodging and we’ll start looking at catering. Dane DeFord and Tony Hornus have been lining up some great production value for the film. Wardrobe has been reaching out and getting in step with our talent. It is going to be a fun film adventure. I love when we bring all these artists together for a short run and capture what we need to edit our story together. I am appreciative to each and every artist involved.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This beautiful film is going to be up for multiple awards at the RED LETTER AWARDS at the end of the month. In October a small group of us will be representing the film at the WILL ROGERS AWARDS. The marketing on this film will start in earnest as we get a touch closer to the home video release date which is 11/3/2026. I encourage everyone to watch or rewatch the original WILD FAITH. I have also been working on the WILD FAITH 3 script and can focus more attention on it come October once we have filmed DEVIL’S PASS. That said I still love writing here and there when I get tired of working numbers.
ROM COMS MUST DIE – This film has the DVD’s on pre-order for the 10/2/2026 home video release date including streaming. We are having a fun brew and view showing in Lansing, MI on Friday August 28th at the place formerly THE LOFT now THE STUDIO AT 313. $10 at the door which opens at 6:30 and the film starts at 7:30. This dark comedy is about the frustrations of being an artist. I think MANY people will relate to this film if you are an artist. The main characters might have went a little far but that is the comedy of it all. Adam Towner and I will be there and so will other cast and crew members to enjoy the film. There is a chance that Shane Hagedorn might book a few theatrical venues but much of that depends on the theaters schedule.
AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip – This movie has been delivered to both theatrical and home video. I will be getting some updates soon on both. This film is a lighthearted look at the possible good, bad and ugly of AI and the impact it could have. I have a story and a few thoughts on AI which I will share in the wrap up. I think this film will make you laugh and think. I’ve said before as a writer I like to tackle serious subjects even if it walks up to the line of uncomfortable and let the audience off with humor. Some amazing performances in this film for sure. More soon… There is a mild tie in to THE QUEST TRILOGY films so I invite you to watch FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER in that order.
DEVELOPMENT:
The lead film on the development track is RETURN TO ALGONA the follow up to SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. I’m happy to say we took a few more steps on the funding of this film this past week. We also have a few major sponsors and product partners we are once again looking into. The first film had HERSHEY, HORMEL, SMITHFIELD FOODS, IOWA BANK just to name a few. The film takes place in 1968 and will be a blast to film preserving this important part of history.
WRAP UP:
So a great friend of mine who is an actor and hall of fame magician recently published a book that he had previously written. I’m guessing it is about getting ahead in the magic game. He created a book cover using AI to save scarce funds and keep the cost of the book down I’m guessing. But there is an entire group of people who are in denial of the AI integration. By that I mean if you use any software, apps, searching you are likely using AI. When a writing program anticipates your sentence and gives you a short cut like my WordPress is now. People will LOSE jobs in certain fields as technology advances. But I find it ironic that if a small film company whips out a flier for casting and use AI some people will boycott it. The actors that don’t boycott it LOVE it, the competition just got less. But my friend got messages to go kill himself because of using AI to make a book cover, what? We use AI to do concept art to look at an actor imaging certain hair cut or wardrobe. I know people have used it to just see what they would look like with this style or another. Yes. Some concept artists (only hired at the highest level) have lost work. Voice over, actors and the list goes on. But drones removed the risk and cost of hanging a DP outside a helicopter. The change to digital away from film put labs out of work. Film stock, records LP’s, VHS, DVD, BluRay, HD, streaming – PROS and CONS. Concept artists might learn to prompt AI increasing the turn around time for their art. Digital backs up footage immediately versus the risk of mailing footage, processing, storage. I have boxes of raw 35 mm footage taking space. You cannot stop the future. You can roll with it. I miss many of the old school ways of doing things. My first scripts were on typewriters. I bet typewriter sales are way down now. You have to take the good with the bad. Our cars. Our houses. Music I hear is like 65% AI driven now. Autotune was a CON to singers who could really sing. VIDEO PLAYBACK is taking power from referees in sports games. I could go on and on but you can choose to use it or not. If someone made a Garage Sale sign with AI and printed you boycott. The scoutmaster who makes a flier for a Pinewood Derby you tell him to kill himself? You don’t have to like it but keep yourself in check. Chances are if you are against it you are a hypocrite because you likely used AI to type your mean spirted message. I like the technology when it makes something safer.
I’m off my soapbox now. I’m going to see if the rain lets up allowing a flea market visit. I hope you all have a wonderful week and get many productive things done. I was missing a few of my friends recently passed away. I was looking for some prop badges and found a bottle of whiskey that Dr. Greg Zivic and I injured last time he was at the fort. We ended with a musical jam with him on the bongo drum and me on guitar. I miss him. I miss many of my dear family and friends now at rest. And I think it is a great honor to keep living and trying to spread happiness with our stories. So try to live with less anger and more joy. You absorb what you manifest so be kind to yourself too. Give yourself grace. A happy Sunday to you all. Coffee Cheers! DJ
Align Yourself With Joy and Hope – CDI Updates!
The hazelnut coffee just sets more mornings right. I’m looking forward to getting into talking about films but I wanted to speak into a few things. First, Disneyland – I made a mention after my blog that I felt was worth sharing here. The world and especially here in America feel so divided by interests. Be that religion, politics, sports teams – you name it. For the day at Disney I saw a mass of people unified by joy of Disney. All types of people old and young and all walks of life immersed in Disney. Tough looking individuals wearing mouse ears and eating mouse shaped pretzels, smiling like little kids. It was the most unity I’ve felt in a very long time. Walt Disney was a great man and his dream is still working its magic. It was an unexpected surprise and one I deeply appreciated.
This next observation is not aimed at any one person but at many. On a daily basis I see folks using social media mainly FB but I am sure it is elsewhere, as a venting board. Negative comments mad or sad or victim rants usually with no frame of reference. First on a personal level what you manifest affects you. If you feed just on negativity your outlook will be one of negativity. You are drinking that poison daily. To rant about something or someone without any reference screams out of balance. If someone deserves a tongue lashing by all means call them, text them, email them, write them a letter (Look it up children) but, don’t just rant publicly. This must tie into non-confrontational folks. Like in management proper addressing of issues is behind closed doors. Because you want to improve this person. But trying to give someone a public shaming makes one look weak. And in a work situation you want a balanced person who if unhappy will talk to management not go off and just bite the hand that feeds them. All those friends that see a public rant aren’t going to pay your bills when you lose a job. Personally you are defining you, your brand, your process of conflict resolution. People paint their own perception and bemoan why they can’t get ahead. I can think of at least a dozen people, good people, who self sabotage themselves. People post things hoping to be seen and they are often seen/heard but the message they send are usually not what they want to send out. I’m not saying don’t be human. But it is like not sending that email to your boss when mad. Sleep on it. Think on it. Send something when you feel balanced.
It hurts my heart when I see people caught in a negativity trap of their own making. When you post something positive you are not ignoring the ugly. You are giving hope. The negative has its followers and they will keep it flowing but consuming it non stop rots you. I could watch enough animal abuse videos before my first cup of coffee to ruin my day. But some share the positive stories that give us hope. And those people likely feel better as they go about their day. So try it. Also if you represent a brand, sometimes you as an artists, keep it professional. Many that are sponsored by major labels want to be associated with positive people. I’m proud of activists who devote their lives to their causes because they are often swimming in daily negativity. But, if you are selling yourself individually or as someone who manages people or projects you need balance. I’m getting off my soap box now but please understand that we each say something with what we show, say, do. That burden can be heavier when you’re a role model. Parent, coach, boss, John Cena – I think you get the picture. Advertising that you can’t handle stress is not going to help anyone. Go walk in the woods. Find your peace. Smile. Spread love. Be like Walt. (Disney)
FILM UPDATES:
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – I’m excited for all the good folks who loved the original WILD FAITH to get their new adventure. 11/3/2026 is the DVD and streaming release date. We have Red Letter Awards in August and Will Rogers Awards recognition in September.
- AI JESUS – We have just about finished our delivery of distribution assets. I just need to make sure the stills and screen captures are to both theatrical and home video. Dreamscape Productions will be the point on the theatrical and they are prepping for all that. We might enter a few festivals and the BTS video should be releasing soon.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – While we wait for the Summer studio films to blow over we are doing a brew and view in Lansing, MI on August 28th which is a Friday. Adam Towner and I will be testing the projection system at this studio and we’ll start promoting very soon. 10/2/2026 is the home video release date. This dark comedy is really going to stand out from the comedy horror pack due to being highly original. I hope many of you can join us on Friday the 28th of August.
- DEVIL’S PASS – The ship is fueling up and we are working the last few cast and crew spots. Logistics are being worked out and in about 7 weeks we will roll cameras. This is going to be a rip-roaring fun story to tell. It is always hard to get the foundation put in but we are done with that. Now it is addressing some of the support aspects of the film. On a personal note, last week I went to the local flea market and found two wardrobe pieces for my character in the film. A shirt and a hat like what I had identified to purchase but I only paid $9 for both versus $120 in my Amazon cart. I love to buy and keep my own wardrobe incase of sequels or just to have.
DEVELOPMENT:
RETURN TO ALGONA is likely the most developed of the new projects with over 1/2 the funding committed. I’m still in talks with brands/sponsors and we have not even opened the opportunity to investors yet. Being that this is a follow up film I will give the SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA backers a first opportunity. This is all preserving true history that is important to many good people. My goal is to have all the funding commits by the years end and I believe we will.
I am going to finish both MBF2 and WF3 by year’s end. That is another goal of mine. I know we have some projects in development with Curran Jacobs and Katharsys Media as well. I almost have the three finished films off my plate save promotion and that will open up a lot of time. I know I have a few other projects being discussed to produce with the CDI tribe and a few books that might tap into my screenwriting.
WRAP UP: I’m looking forward to a great week. We will be testing the ROM COMS MUST DIE this week and also I have a make up soccer match since wildfire smoke cancelled all the games in our league. I met this weekend with John Mashni who handles legal and assists me with all CDI’s dispersals. We have some great momentum and I’m thankful to be where we are. The end of this year will have many wonderful moments with releases, awards events and new filming. I want to take this moment again to thank all our cast, crew, vendors, investors, sponsors and of course our audiences.
I want to thank those artists that have reached out with scripts but we are not in need of any at this time. We’ve got enough scripts for a decade plus and if you don’t have funding it will not be considered to be in the production flow. It is a hard game as a screenwriter I know this first hand. But I try to answer all the submissions and give some positive motivation to keep submitting to people.
I’m going to just off here and perhaps eat a few eggs. I might try to do some more work around the property although I think heat and rain are making a return. Don’t ever give up on your dreams but always evaluate and adjust your plans. I do believe in hard work pays off. Smart work pays off faster. I think many fail because they focus on the fun parts but neglect the hard business part of the work. SHOW BUSINESS. Both parts are important but the latter will take you from hobbyist to professional. I just told a friend who has a relative working on his first screenplay to take business classes. You and your passion for writing will hone the writing part but what do you do once you have your masterpiece? I’ve optioned/sold only a handful of scripts in 40 years. It is not easy but it is not impossible. Again, dream on my friends! Dream on! Coffee cheers. DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 