Movies, Life and Everything In-Between- CDI Updates!
Ah…the sip of the hazelnut coffee. It was actually a chilly morning. That means fire season is not too far behind. Today is also my furry son Finn’s 7th bday. It is hard to believe that since he still acts like a puppy often. I’m sipping the coffee and thinking back on my week. We’ll get into the movie biz developments soon enough. In the yard the berries are finally coming to an end so I’ll be trimming back those trees. The apples are getting ripe but most are squirrel food. We are still harvesting veggies and herbs. Today should be the last day of stain and seal on the deck. I did the touch ups and now a finally coat on the steps and we can call it done. The new gazebo will be going up once we find an outdoor rug we like. The chickens have been kicking out the eggs which is always good. The outdoor zen has been in full effect.
We had our first play off soccer match and won 1-0 in another epic match. The other team fought right to the last seconds. I was a tad stiff in the legs yesterday but I’ll be ready for our next match on Thursday. I love the intense workout and I’m in really good shape here at the end of the season. I really do love the game and so happy I am still able to play at the level I am. My next big work out will be log splitting, moving, stacking and such. I’m also looking into having the outdoor rafters at the fort enclosed to keep birds out and finish it off properly. Okay, now onto movie updates!
- Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) is now playing both the Emagine Macomb after they had some first night tech issue but that has been resolved. And the Riverside Cinemas where those from in and around the actual Harsens Island can watch this throwback in time movie of the Purple Gang trying to put their thumb on a group of WW1 vets. We hope that Emagine will move it around to other theaters in September we will see.
- Home video release for Harsens Island Revenge will be 10/6/25 and we have a marketing meeting this week. Also in the planning are a few event showings w/ dinner and mixer after the home video release. We will have some cast on hand to sign DVD’s posters and such. These will be fun to put together. We will keep you posted on when and where.
- HIR will be playing one night only at the Forest City, Iowa location on September 19th where part of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA was filmed. We are still trying to lock down a booking for Algona at Fridley’s so CALL the theater and request Harsens Island Revenge. If you did see the film please feel welcome to go to our http://www.imdb.com page and VOTE (10 is best) and leave a review of what you enjoyed in the film. This helps us overall.
- Wild Faith Christmas is in the final polishing stage and once we do a big screen check we’ll master it for the theaters. We are looking to start rolling it out in November starting in Lansing, MI and up to Alpena, Owosso and across the state before expanding to other states. The film is exciting and heartfelt and it just might be the jump start we need to produce the eight shows for season 1 already written. Again we will see.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE the dark comedy about filmmaking has headed into the studio in the pines to start work on the musical score. I think we might do an end of the year premiere or two before we start rolling to theaters first of the new year. This film is a true joy to watch and I think it will be well received. The trailer was meant to be out by now but the last few tweaks are being done on the preview trailer.
- We are in pre-production for THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP. We are still assigning the final investment units and bringing on board sponsors. We have some great brands joining us in telling this story. Many are following the FB page and watching the art team developments and the addition of cast and crew. We just added a great talent after she read and loved the script and that would be Mary Badham, nominated for an Academy Award for playing ‘Scout’ in the classic To Kill a Mockingbird. I enjoyed our conversation over the story which is unique and powerful. I loved when she compared my writing to Rod Sterling of The Twilight Zone. So this week will be more follow up as we pull all the resources together to film later next month. If you want to explore getting involved as a sponsor or backer please do reach out. Beyond production there is always marketing and various ways to assist.
- I love to write especially in the winter time but I did get inspired and I’ve been working on a first draft to the sequel to MAN’S BEST FRIEND. I get asked about this film often and what happened to Paul the lead. It is probably the most requested sequel behind Wild Faith, which fans will get in a few short months. I don’t have any immediate plans to film MBF2 but I’ve had the story for a while and so I’m getting it out of my head. I have some other writing projects looming for the winter.
(Inside Emagine Macomb sent by one of my cousins)
WRAP UP: I want to thank all of you who help support these film endeavors. Funding is not easy. Production is not easy. Delivery is not easy. Promotion is not easy. But if it was easy everyone would do it. A phrase we’ve used and I recently had told to me. I have to keep seeking storytellers at heart to help us move these stories along. We have a few remaining weeks to hit it hard and pull everything together for The Secret of the Kingdom Chip. We’ll be positioning Wild Faith Christmas to follow HIR into theaters right after HIR has moved into streaming and DVD. It is a wheel or creating art and keeping it moving. I was having a day where I wasn’t happy with the productivity for the day and I realized how well we are truly doing. Three films moving down the pipeline with another soon to film. Everyone of them a handcrafted story made with love and care.
Today I’ll do a bit of work on the film stuff along with some property work. Tomorrow I’ll be hitting it first thing and ready to have a great week ahead. I do have a funeral to attend for someone in our family circle who went too early to a horrible disease. That is why I don’t take any of it for granted. It can all change fast and for now I’m doing what I love and what is in my heart. I hope I can do it for many more years. But do use the losses in life to help yourself be fearless. Don’t fear failing fear never trying. I love our tribe of people and we’ll keep on telling the stories. I hope you keep after your dreams as well. As these last days of summer draw to a close embrace them. Soon the leaves will fall (some already are) and the cooler weather will be upon us. Until next week, be productive and be kind to one another.
DJ
The Battles to Create Art – Updates and Release Info!
Announcement art for ‘The Secret of the Kingdom Chip’
Hazelnut coffee makes me smile. It was a wild week but much good to report. I am trying to think where to start. Yesterday at a family trip I had BLT pizza and it was very good. A local place makes a Reuben pizza we like but this was also VERY good. We had our final regular reason soccer match against a strong team who had beat us previously 5-2. We battled back from being down 4-2 to tie it and took the lead 5 to 4 before they tied it 5-5. And we got the winning 6th goal with just minutes to go. It was a great battle and my favorite game of the season. We finished the season in 4th and now we go into the play offs. With property/yard updates the deck stain and seal is almost done. A second coat on the stairs and a little trim should finish it off. It looks great. The berries are starting to slow and the other veggies and herbs are still kicking. Fall will be right around the corner. I was reminded of that with-
Wild Faith Christmas! We did a listen at the studio of the next CDI film releasing into theaters and it was awesome. Our artists did a great job and the world comes to life with great performances throughout. It reminded me that Christmas is around the corner. How the wheel turns. But the music was just incredible and brought even more to powerful moments. As I fight the battles that all the films bring it was good to see the sum of the hardworking there right in front of us. Now a big screen watch before prepping for the theaters. As it moves out of the studio- ROM COMS MUST DIE (RCMD) moves in!
RCMD was looked over for dialog and audio and now will move into the studio for the musical score! In a few weeks we’ll be sitting down to look over this feature film! It is comedy and pokes fun at our own industry. The actors, the filmmakers and all the struggles it takes willing a film into existence. The HD trailer is almost done and we’ll look at the best time to release that but it will be soon. I have not seen a watch through yet that doesn’t include a lot of laughter.
THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP – Casting is close to done and crewing is on-going we added an artist or two. We worked to get our insurance quote and art department work continues. I’ve been pulling in all the business paperwork now that our account is open. Communication can be an occasional issue with people’s busy lives but we have timelines we need to stay on so that can sometimes provide an unwanted challenge. But we also have sponsors starting to really flow in and help support this story. We’ll be announcing some more in the coming weeks and we are appreciative to the ones already onboard. I love the statement I heard this week and we say it often, “if it was easy anybody could do it.” But we know it is not easy and not everybody can do it. We have a month plus before we roll cameras and we will be ready. Several awesome updates but a few I cannot mention until we get the PR approval.
Harsens Island Revenge will play next week both at the Riverside Cinemas and Emagine Macomb Aug 22-28 both in the Detroit area. I don’t know if it will expand into more in the Detroit area but I can assure you it will be worth the drive. The Purple Gang vs WW1 vets! Iowa it is coming your way next. Friends in Algona now is the time to start calling the local theater. We played great there with Silent Night in Algona and I’m sure they will enjoy this film as well.
WRAP UP: I’m ready to hit it hard again this week on all our fronts. I’m going to try and make the Emagine Macomb kick off showing on the 22nd. I’m going to keep on all the business for The Kingdom Chip and be ready to tell that amazing story. I appreciate all the help I’ve been getting from our team. We’ll be pushing the showings of Harsens Island Revenge and getting it also ready for the 10/6/25 home video release. Wild Faith Christmas will look to premiere in Lansing followed by Alpena ands Owosso along with as many theaters nationwide that we can book for the next 5 months or so. This winter will be a Wild Faith Christmas tour!
I’m going to wrap it up so we can hit a breakfast before the local flea market. I will have my brother and a few friends about this eve before I hit the ground running for another week of film work. The chickens have been doing their job and the eggs have been plentiful and yummy. I’ve also been doing a touch of developmental writing here and there. I will lean into that more once I get more off my TO DO list. I hope each and everyone of you had a recharging weekend and have a productive week ahead. Until we chat next week be good to one another and keep following those dreams.
DJ
Losing Childhood Heroes Fuels Our Own Dream Chasing.
Hazelnut cheers. Welcome readers from around the globe. I’m writing on a humid Sunday. I have had a week of working very diligently on all our film projects. One thing that is interesting is that many people don’t understand the timelines and how slow that things move turn. Films in the making don’t turn on a dime because one change causes many changes. I’ve been gathering supporters for our next project and the timeline to stay on target is end of the month. We’ve been gathering funding commitments and I’ve been working on sponsors. We have a few great sponsors that have joined us. These are purchased marketing packages whereas a company aligns with the film. Our films have been seen by tens of millions of people. Brands like Candleberry Candles have definitely gained new buyers because of their past sponsored candles. I know that because of our last couple sponsorships with Pepsi that some have become fans of Bubly, Celsius, Muscle Milk and more. I’m proud to announce that we have a few returning sponsors and a few new ones. Same with investors, we have some tried and true and we have some new. All these people are needed to tell these stories. I’m just waiting to assign the last few to interested parties but that will be done end of the week. If you have not been following along the next film up is THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP. The paperwork is being drawn up and the bank account will be opened once the corporation is formed. Steps.
TSOTKC the above film is a great mix of spirituality and SciFi. We have some great art pieces being built and this film will be using more advanced tech vs any of the previous CDI films. Much of this is because of McGraw Multimedia and our new partnership with Haptix Studio that we’ll talk more about in an upcoming PR release. Next month will be hiring our remaining cast and crew and prepping the main locations for filming in September. This is the second venture with my dear friends at McGraw Multimedia. We already have a slate of films we plan to work on together. Telling stories with friends is what it is all about.
We have several projects that are moving down the line and other associated developments. Let’s look at some of these endeavors.
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, Wild Faith Christmas, Harsens Island Revenge and more and talked about on Faith on Film with Anthony Hornus and Shane Hagedorn talking about the CDI projects. You can watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtnFcHuz6Gk
- Wild Faith Christmas is just locking up the final credits and one VFX shot I do believe. A producers watch is coming up and after it will be prepping for theatrical. We are looking at a few corporate sponsors who might get involved with the theatrical release. If you have a company that likes the idea of being aligned with orphans and adoption please reach out. The film has way exceeded our director’s expectations. I LOVE the world created and we’ll see what happens from here. I do have the season 1 written and ready to go. If it is too heavy another movie could happen. We will see said the wise man. But do watch part 1 WILD FAITH and get ready for the second adventure.
- Harsens Island Revenge – our theatrical company should be giving us the promotional materials this week to promote our next two screening locations. Don’t hold my feet to the fire but I’m hearing both Riverside Theaters near the actual island and Emagine Macomb will be showing the film 22-28. So get ready to have a roaring 20’s good time. I’m hearing Forest City, Iowa and our beloved Algona, Iowa should get us dates very soon.
- Speaking of Iowa we at CDI are working hard with some of the folks there to try and launch films on world champion wrestler Frank Gotch and the state story of the SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. We have two great scripts and some people like Randy Couture (Gotch film) attached with a letter of interest. We will find our right parties/partners to make these two project go.
- Last week between scouting and funding work I did my final ADR work for ROM COMS MUST DIE. This comedy horror film has turned out great! The picture is nearly locked as the last of the VFX is going in and the last of the ADR is completed. It will be moving over to our composer and mix master Dennis Therrian in August. I’m excited to watch it with him the first time! The film is highly entertaining “dry” without music and with music it will soar. I’m proud of Travis Hayward with this being his first directed feature film. It was also the first collaboration with the McGraws. The hope is that we’ll do our premiere for cast, crew and friends in October. If you have any festivals that might want to showcase the film do reach out. The idea is a short festival run and into theaters. The home video will be in 2026.
WRAP UP: My film wrap up is that after we film TSOTKC that will be all the major production for CDI for 2025. We’ll finish strong with the Harsens theatrical and be ready to kick off the Oct. 6th home video release. We will also look to do a premiere of ROM COMS MUST DIE around Halloween. Maybe the SUN THEATER in Grand Ledge? November will be the release of Wild Faith Christmas into theaters and I hope to run that through the winter into 2026. We have plans for 2026 productions but those are still in the planning. I had a great call this past week with a peer filmmaker who is considering collaborating with CDI on a few projects. I like the filmmaker and the projects he is talking about.
I’ve been writing weekly and I’m still in talks on three scripts to write in the coming months. I love writing in the winter. So we will see how that all develops. Things move fast and suddenly move slow. That is our business. Next year will be exciting as many of the films will be still rolling down the release path. If you are curious about TSOTKC may I suggest watching THE QUEST TRILOGY (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer). TSOTKC is modern and different but does fit into the trilogy. If the film gets all the same discussions rolling as the script we will have one heck of a film.
Lastly, with life balance- the house now has central air which will be nice versus the portable air conditioners. We are looking at finding a stretch of days to stain and seal the deck. The plants have been growing like crazy and I’ve been harvesting herbs and some veggies. The berries have still been popping and are at maximum sweetness. I still have a small tree to plant that my bro gave me for my bday. The chickens young and old are now mixing and the eggs are kicking. I’m about to go eat some myself. Today is a bday party for my dad who turned 80 on July 8th. That will be fun. I am not going to lie losing Ozzy Osbourne and Hulk Hogan left me sad this week. Heroes we grew up with since childhood. Ozzy has always been on my play list. It also makes me think of how many friends film and non-film have passed. They don’t get to wake to the beautiful birds, squirrels and change of seasons. No more struggling to create, survive, and thrive. I’ve been trying to rest on that when I have a set back or something moves slower than I want it to. So I seek that balance. Soccer was a rain out and so I hope they reschedule the game. Those games really help me with that mental balance. I do love the game and I’m appreciative that I can still play the game.
I’m going to call it good on the update. I’m going to keep on keeping on and I encourage you to do the same. I have to limit the amount of negativity that I take it from the world daily. From child and animal abuse to religious and political divide there is enough negative to ruin anyones day before breakfast. I offset a lot of negativity with music and focusing my attention elsewhere. I just got two classic Rolling Stones albums which I’m looking forward to. We are also going to keep making meaningful films that unite us all and remind us that we are all undergoing this journey called life. Until next week-
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
CDI UPDATES – “Don’t be afraid to try or fail or to be ridiculed.”
Good morning on what will end up being a very chilly next couple days. I’m sipping the ole hazelnut coffee and I have several thoughts running through my head. First after a fun season our Detroit (MI) Lions football team will not be going to the Super Bowl. They had a great season but they played a talented team and their errors tipped the game in their opponent’s favor. How many times do we do that? Our own errors tip something against us? This awareness is called accountability. Many want to blame external factors but you have to look at the internal factors also.
I also awoke to do a brief morning scroll that has unfortunately replaced the “reading the newspaper” time with that first coffee. I saw news concerning a young actor/filmmaker that I don’t know personally but is friends of several of my Detroit area associates. He had a heart attack and died. My first thought was way too young. I also recall the postings over the years where he lamented the struggle of our business. On a positive he went out chasing his dream and even had some success. On another note, his struggle is over now just rest. A slew of RIP’s and messages of love and soon his day to day presence fades as the rest of us keep on. I was actually thinking of several friends who have passed no longer in the game of life. Another reason to enjoy it and don’t be too hard on yourself. We will all live our lives of ups and downs until there is only rest. My thoughts are with the family of this young man.
I’ve been working very hard on all the projects including the new film we are about to start filming in a week. I’ve been getting the business done on these cold days chained to the desk. I’ve been enjoying creating a new character to bring to the screen and I would say he is close to being ready. It is a comedy and I’m excited to do another one. Humor and laughter are one of the great things in life. We are down to some of the main issues being parking at a location so that is a good place to be. The project for those who have not been following along is ROM COMS MUST DIE. It is the first feature directed by Travis Hayward and a reunion working with John McGraw who was a friend from the earliest days of CDI. I have a few solid days of work still required but we are almost all ready. Let’s look at a few other projects that will release in 2025.
Harsens Island Revenge has been worked over with a “fine tooth comb” to make it the best we can. It is being evaluated for theatrical and I plan to get word tomorrow. It is being reviewed by our home video distributor and talks on finalizing that on Tuesday. I did let a sneak peek go out to an awards/event organization that we’ve been nominated by and won awards from in the past. The film has many positive values and lessons to it but wraps it in action and some historical violence. I wanted to submit it to a 3rd party unrelated to the project. I’ve never met the people or even spoken by phone with anyone at the event. They reviewed and I received a wonderful message about the film. A follow up phone call had me listening for the good part of an hour about the film and what makes CDI films stand out so much. I think it is because I don’t follow the trends or what not. We don’t jump on any bandwagons and always choose unique stories to tell. I will say that the story was well received and it has been nominated for BEST PICTURE. I’m sure there will be some other nominations but I’m just happy that the story connected with outside parties. I’m thrilled for the nomination because it represents ALL the artists. I will release more on this when the event announces more. But it was very encouraging to hear the feedback. I think all the films are special but they are our “children” so to speak. But we are creeping closer to setting up the premiere runs. I’m very proud of director.editor Carl Weyant’s first feature film collaboration with CDI.
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is done with the first pass on editing and has been in the polishing pass for several days. I plan to see the film this week and soon we’ll lock it up and get it to Dennis Therrian to start dialog, music and sound work. Shane Hagedorn the director is very happy and said it is full of gems. By gems we mean scenes with moments of strong emotion. I know that a trailer and official director’s poster are in the works. We hope to have this film playing in theaters for this 2025 holiday season (Nov 1st) so we are moving along nicely to hit that goal.
MISC UPDATES:
- KNIGHT CHILLS, our 1st CDI film from 1998 is preparing to release on streaming on 1/31/2025 on several platforms. Amazon, Tubi, Roku, Xumo and more!
- HERE is a fun round table Indie Film Cafe review on KNIGHT CHILLS – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlAe0Gbnzrs
- Also IN THE WOODS my 1st starring role Creature Feature got the 25th anniversary Blu Ray treatment and here is a cool interview with the director Lynn Drzick – https://fb.watch/xcQnN7O1jE/
- There is talk of appearing at a few conventions in the state to promote the horror film properties. We will see but one being discussed is in April in Muskegon, MI.
- AN ORDINARY KILLER is released on The Roku Channel now! It has been remaster and looks beautiful. Furthermore the watch now benefits veterans and their families being managed by a non-profit.
- We are going to be doing some remastered tests with the final 3 films in the CDI Classic Collection starting with FIGURE IN THE FOREST. This film was the first starring role for Dean Teaster. He has been creating some great characters in our recent films and you can see the talent right from the start.
- I’m going to be working to prep a few more of the books based on CDI films to become available. Music and soundtracks would be nice we will see what we can do this year. Merchandise is up on the STORE http://www.cdiproductions.com site. Let us know what you would like and we’ll try to make it available.
- CDI Highlight Reel and a few personal actor reels need to be cut. I will work towards that end when I clear some of this end of year stuff off my desk.
- Development on a few new projects is underway so if you have some interest in seeing some films being made and want to get involved you can always reach out and see what we have cooking. I know we have two projects in active funding as we speak. It is a cycle of develop, produce and release. We have a great group of backers and we’re appreciative to them all.
- SPONSORS. If you have a company that wants to align your company with other great brands like PEPSI, SMITHFIELD FOODS, HERSHEYS, HORMEL, TRU-HILTON and more…reach out. We are accepting sponsors on our current film right now!
WRAP UP: I’m going to eat a bran muffin and refill the coffee cup. I’m going to send some communications out to our art team on the next film. After I might gather up a few more props and work a few lines. I have company this eve at the office/fort so I’m going to get the fire kicking! I’m appreciative of the journey I’m on. The great support of family and friends in and out of the business of film. I’m happy for the challenges as they force me to grow. One day I too will breath no more, be concerned no more and just be at peace. But until that day I’m going to keep doing what the young boy in me always dreamt of doing. I hope each of you keep chasing your own dreams. Don’t be afraid to try or fail or to be ridiculed. I recall those distant days and while hurtful those folks were motivators. But you must motivate yourself. I hope my actions alone motivates others. Until next week-
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Final Countdown to Filming – Other CDI Updates!
A wonderful morning to everyone out there. I’m sipping on the ole hazelnut java and looking forward to spending a few moments with all of you. Next week this time will be day one of pre-production on WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS (WFXmas). I want to welcome all the Latin America new readers as well as Ireland, UK, France and more. Again I’m proud of our circle of artists. I want to explore how to promote the blog a bit more but I’ve been so busy with tasks at hand. Last night we had a bday gathering which was nice and I look forward to Friday pumpkin carving with my mom and brother’s family and kids. I hear my nephew wants to be an orc like in Dungeons and Dragons or Lord of The Rings and my niece wants to be a scary clown. I’ve been doing yard prep for winter in-between all my film prep work. I’ve been cutting up wood for the wood stove because I had my first fire last Sunday. I was happy that I was able to take down a modest sized tree that was rubbing the house during windstorms. I dropped it without hitting the house, gutters, deck or power line and so I was well pleased.
Working with the other WFXmas producers we almost have everything in line. I’m still crossing a few things off the TO DO list. I’ve been waking up each morning to look into the mirror and see ‘Ben Lily’ staring back. It will be great to play ole Ben again and next to Jesus he’s the only role I’ve played in two different films. Again the season is upon us for the biblical adventures and so do watch FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. Ben and Jesus both require the epic beard but they are quite different from one another. Wardrobe, craft service, guns, basecamp items have all been handed off to the correct departments. I’ve been working on landing a few new sponsors for WFXmas and even some release sponsors for the upcoming Harsens Island Revenge. I’m really trying to get FORD involved for the Harsens film. It is all Fords in the film and I would love a special event at The Henry Ford Museum. I have a few upcoming meetings with some great potential national/international sponsors this week to join those we’ve done business with. I think these films are a great showcase for many brands and products and have many great promotional possibilities. If you have a brand or company small or large and want to join us please do reach out.
Let’s do a good old TOP TEN of new developments in no particular order!
- Meeting Monday about laying the foundation of some new studio development projects. We might be able to get funding directly from a source studio for the right projects. We will see how that goes but I’m optimistic. I’m in that active 2025 development phase.
- It is nice to have one feature on deck for Q1 2025 which is the comedy horror ROM COMS MUST DIE. Once we get to the other side of WFXmas we’ll lock down some hard dates. I would love to get some strong teaser art going over the holidays.
- I think I have all the deliverables in place for the KNIGHT CHILLS streaming release. I just need to await laugh dates. We also have a theatrical release run for it in the NYC area which I’ll supply information once I receive it.
- The CDI Literary division is kicking off with Katharsys Media who previous released the MAKING OF IN THE WOODS (Hard & Soft Cover) and the IN THE WOODS novel. All these plus my script for PANDEMONIUM (ITW prequel) are all on Amazon. The KNIGHT CHILLS novel proofs are being sent and will be going up for sale soon. The book after that might be the Script/Making of Knight Chills and/or Ghost Town and An Ordinary Killer. They make great gifts.
- I told you all that I’ve been a contributing writer to several true short stories that include animals. I’ve been involved in the Baker Books collections on cats, dogs, horses and now birds. These books are internationally distributed but usually found at airport bookstores I’m told. The new book releases on Dec 2nd and so I’ll pass along the info once I get it.
- CDI Merchandise is being set up as a fundraising tool for veterans and animals via The Red, White and Blue Project non-profit. It will go active end of November! Every purchase will benefit good causes and we are all thrilled by that.
- Speaking on the benefitting of the veteran non-profit above- AN ORDINARY KILLER will soon be releasing as a fundraising tool also helping Two Average Joes Media that works on cold case files. The HD DVD and Streaming film will be available in time for Christmas.
- We are prepping things for a few event screenings of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA (SNIA) back into select theaters. We’ll be working with our new partners at Dreamscape Productions. That deal should be in place this coming week. This film is an excellent watch for the holiday season either in theaters (a great way to see it) or at home with family. It is also still playing TV and mid next year will start playing free with ads streaming. This based on a true WW2 story is very touching.
- Harsens Island Revenge music is done and the film will start to be mixed and mastered with our Director Carl Weyant and our post audio supervisor and composer Dennis Therrian. We will be using the SNIA theatrical as a template for the Q1 theatrical. When we return mid Nov from Alpena shooting we’ll sit down for a producers watch of the full film. Once locked we’ll start planning the series of premieres and plan what festivals and events will be treated to this gem. I’m very proud of this film as it showcases where we are as a company. I’m glad we slowed the roll on the final mastering as it will allow a more careful mix. This is the 2nd book by Karl Manke turned into a film. The previous book HOPE FROM HEAVEN became BEST YEARS GONE. Seek that film out and take a watch. This is director Carl Weyant’s first CDI directing job in feature film but he can be seen acting in THE CHRIST SLAYER (Part 3 of The Quest Trilogy) and the above mentioned SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. Carl makes a cameo appearance in Harsens Island Revenge but go back and watch Carl in action as an actor. He’s a talented young man I’m proud to call a friend.
- I’ve been slow in finishing my rewrite on the remaining 6 shows of WILD FAITH HASTINGS the proposed TV series. I’ll use my momentum from the sequel to come home and finish those up. I’ve been looking to see what I will write on over the winter months. If I don’t have a set writing project I’ll turn my attention to a few of the unfinished ones I have as work in progress. A great SciFi piece, a few comedy pieces and more. It is always about the funds behind a project but you always need a blue print first. But to get good at writing you just need to keep doing it.
(Anthony “Tony” Hornus in BEST YEARS GONE)
WRAP UP: I’m going to wrap this up. We’re going to go visit the last flea market of the season and I’ll look for any final props or gifts. I found a good gift for my amigo Tony Hornus the other day. I love giving gifts to people. They say you are wealthy but what you can give away not what you have. I’m blessed with good family and friends. I’m comfortable with my needs and only have a few wants. I live simple and spend much time in and with nature. The Detroit Lions play today and they have been doing very well but my heart goes out to one of our players who suffered a bad leg injury last week. As an athlete myself I understand the risk and reward of sports. They are not 100% safe. Life is not 100% safe. You want to be smart, cautious and thoughtful but life is too short to be 100% safe. Especially when it comes to following a dream. I’m caught in that often in business because I feel honor bound to play it safe especially with other’s money. But often big profits lie in risk. I often choose modest profits because I cannot afford the big risk. I would rather keep doing what I love versus reaching too far and having it all come to a grinding stop. But I am working hard to get better budgets so I can compensate our incredible artists better and market our films further into the world at large. Step by step. I might even do a few video updates from on set versus writing or I might move the blog day to Saturday which is the off day for production. Maybe both:) Thank you all for stopping through. Find me on Instagram to see some cool reels of our films my personal one is officialdjperry and the CDI one is tribecdi – enjoy! Have a wonderful day and a productive week!
DJ
October in Full Effect! CDI Updates 2024
Coffee cheers from a cool damp Michigan. Welcome new readers from Portugal and Romania and more. October has been beautiful but a bit dry. I haven’t had to mow in quite some time which is fine. I’ve harvested most of the herbs and I’ve been cutting wood getting ready for the coming cold. I might even polish up the stove and have a first fire tonight. The new younger chickens have been accepted into the big coop and so that is a positive. The older girls are molting and slowing on their egg laying. But the young ones might be getting ready to start. I’m looking forward to steak (venison) and eggs after I finish this. Also we have two more local flea markets one this morning ands one next week. Just in time before we travel up North for our WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS prep. My beard I’ve got to bring ole Ben Lily back to the screen has me wearing a bit of every meal. But I’m feeling ready to ride. I found the last few prop pieces for ‘Ben’ and so that should be good to go.
Staying on topic with WFXmas we’ve been having some great meetings. I’ve got all but one of the investor checks deposited and just a few more sponsors to collect on. The charge on sponsors is being led by PEPSI and had a great meeting with our rep there. I’m awaiting thermal mugs from our friends at the Michigan Community College Association. We have a few more great sponsors to speak with. We are enjoying the partnerships on production sponsors and are starting to explore release sponsors which is for our theatrical runs. If you want to align your company with WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS about to go into production or Harsens Island Revenge about to release in 1st Q 2025 please get in touch!
Harsens Island Revenge team was working to have a special pre-release screening on November 1st in Alpena, MI but to do so would disrupt on final post flow. Additionally the film would not be our final best film but a rushed version. Rush means mistakes and rush would have meant incomplete. We are still going to do a great premiere in Alpena, Owosso, Lansing and likely Detroit and Grand Rapids. We are in discussions over the theatrical and I have some paperwork to review this week. More on this amazing story very soon! If you cannot wait search up the title online and buy the book!
KNIGHT CHILLS – CDI’s first feature film from the late 90’s has now been delivered for streaming. I’ll be awaiting a release date but I also got some great news about a December theatrical play in Brooklyn, NY. More on that deal as I receive it. AN ORDINARY KILLER is still on track for a December 15th streaming and the HD DVD is also coming soon! I’m also excited for the special podcast that features the film coming from TWO AVERAGE JOES MEDIA. Dean Teaster’s Ghost Town smoky mountain western is streaming and the special edition DVD from the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park will be available soon. All CDI merchandise will be charity driven with a % of the revenue going to military veterans and/or animals. We will even have some movie props and wardrobe that people can bid or purchase. More on all that soon!
We are enjoying rounding the corner into the last Q of 2024. It has been a productive year and we are looking forward to 2025. Nov/Dec will be some prep for ROM COMS MUST DIE the feature film debut of Travis Hayward with CDI. We are exploring a few theatrical plays of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA for the holidays. This movie continues to play on TV and available to rent/buy digital or DVD. Next year it will move to ad-based free with ads. We are also starting to push some of the other Fall/holiday titles like THE QUEST TRILOGY. Part 1 FORTY NIGHTS surpassed 2.5 million views on Encourage TV. If you have not watched these three films give them a go. I promise they are not your typical biblical adventures but have a unique perspective to each of them. There is a good change of a few more of those type films making it on our production slate.
BREAKFAST BREAK and WRAP UP!
I have to note I took a break during that last paragraph and ate my eggs and venison steak – so good. The key to venison is prep. Our fresh eggs are also splendid but there is a lot of work involved with chickens. This week will include insurance, communication devices, prop gun pick up, more craft service goods, hard drives and starting to pack personal stuff to be gone 3 weeks. I’ve already been swapping out my warm weather for cold weather clothes and gear.
I’m going to go get dressed and go walk around this flea market. See if any last minute props or wardrobe stuff jumps out at me. I found a great period derby hat that might end up on our antagonist. I hope you all are enjoying the turn of season as we enter that darker phase. As noted earlier I think I’m going to polish up the wood stove and get that ready for a first fire of the season. I’ve had several outdoor fires but there is something about crackling wood in an old stove.
Until we chat again next week have a productive week and be kind to one another.
DJ
CDI Film Updates and Looking Ahead to 2025!
(Composer Dennis Therrian and Director Carl Weyant working on ‘Harsens’)
Good morning friends! I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and listening to the birds while watching squirrels busily working for the winter ahead. I want to welcome all the new readers from Mexico, New Zealand, Sweden and more. I’ve had a very busy week getting things ready for the upcoming Harsens Island Revenge release and the Wild Faith Christmas shoot. Dennis Therrian our composer and post supervisor has been busy finishing the Harsens Island Revenge score. Directed Carl Weyant (happy Birthday yesterday) has been prepping everything else to go into the film such as the stock footage, VFX and color correction. This week is when we start to pull it all together. We producers have been working the end credits getting those around. It will be a wonderful thing to see this story all together on the big screen. The end is always trying as you pull everything together. We are close, very close.
(In studio as we locked picture now we are close to a final locked movie)
WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – We are fully cast, crewed and locations locked. We’re still putting a few pieces in play but departments are up and prepping to the shoot in a few short weeks. Insurance will be going up soon and we’ll be getting communications and lodging set. Last week I had the wardrobe items stored at the office picked up. Also the hospitality and health (craft services) items were picked up. Great meetings with some of the companies aligning with us via sponsorship or product partnership. Reinert Pottery will be supplying some of the on-camera items. Anchor Construction Corporation came on board. Welcome! We have a few flights to manage and also we have a trip to NC to pick up props and art director Robert Bradley that just got a LOT more complicated. All part of the process but I’ve also been enjoying getting into the ‘Ben Lily’ mindset. My tops of my toes are raw and sore due to my first multiple hours wearing my trapper boots. I’ll have 10 days of several hours in them so I’m trying to condition my feet now.
Re-Releases-
KNIGHT CHILLS deliverables to Twin Engines Global/Deskpop is almost complete. I just need to digitize some paperwork this week and upload that. But the film, trailers and artwork should all be there. We have been posting some great new screen captures to the FB site. AN ORDINARY KILLER will release soon on HD DVD and streaming in December. People are enjoying DEAN TEASTER’S GHOST TOWN and the special edition park DVD will be available soon.
(2.5 million plus views on Encourage TV)
The season for SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and THE QUEST TRILOGY is right around the corner. I’m happy to announce that on ENCOURAGE TV the first of the biblical trilogy FORTY NIGHTS just went past 2.5 million views! Make watching these feel good classics part of your yearly family tradition.
BEST YEARS GONE, LOST HEART and the original WILD FAITH are good Fall classics to watch! I’ve enjoyed some of the communications from fans of these films. I will also add BESTSELLER on the list if you like R rated scare-fests. Again I’ve been so enjoying the season as the leaves are turning and I’ve even enjoyed a few bonfires. I’ve even allowed my thoughts to start to dance around Christmas just a bit.
Looking Forward to 2025
Once we get WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS in the can (Old term from days of shooting on film) – we’ll turn our attention on ROM COMS MUST DIE a fun feature film we’ll do with Travis Hayward at the helm directing. I will be working on updating the WILD FAITH: HASTINGS TV series to happen after the 2nd film. I’m working on show 4 of 8 right now. I also will be finishing a few scripts over the winter and still trying to land another project that would be both the script and production. Once Harsens Island Revenge is locked I’ll have more talks with director Carl Weyant about development. I have a good project in mind for him that might be a good fit. Looking at maybe developing something with Ian Griffin. I’m excited to see where 2025 will lead the tribe.
(Dane DeFord and Robert Bradley in Maggie valley, NC)
WRAP UP-
I’m about to go look into some eggs and bacon before doing some more yard work. I think inside the Fall stuff might come out. Tomorrow I’ll be pulling prop weapons to be handed off to our armorer Bart Ketner for the upcoming shoot. This week I’ll be tying up many of the loose ends and taking us closer to our end of the month move to Alpena.
My thoughts are still with all the good people trying to rebalance their lives after the storms. And I am concerned a tad hearing about two more storms moving towards the coast. I feel bad for the displaced, the dead and the pets too which are in over-crowded shelters.
I hope you all have a peaceful Sunday and allow yourself a recharge. I’m looking forward to seeing my brother and a few friends later in the day. I’ll be back at the business bright and early in the morning. I’m at the end of the coffee pot so that is where I’ll end this. Be kind to one another even if the world politics has you with differing opinions. I’ll be ready for that to all be done and over with.
Coffee Cheers!
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
Build on the Past. Dare to Stumble. Find your Strength.
A gentle rain is falling nurturing all the plants we’ve got started and the lawn which has been seeded with clover for the leprechauns and chickens. I want to welcome the abundance of new readers from India, Italy, Poland, Philippines and more. I LOVE that our readers are from all over the world. This year I’ve been struggling a bit but it is with success. I will tell you a story of a silly little boy (Who could that be?) who just wanted to be an artist. My father who was a practical man due to his responsibilities of having a family when young, had a hard time seeing my dream. We had many disagreements in those early teen years and I recall one that ended loudly with me announcing that “I want to be an artist, not a businessman and become an assH!%#& like you.” Boy was I stupid. Unaware of how the world turns I struggled to find my way. My dad was my first mentor and still is a steady voice that I listen to these days versus argue with.
(Jeff Kennedy)
Thanks to people like Lynn Drzick (IN THE WOODS) and later Jeff Kennedy (CDI) and Bill Breakey (Imaginative Endeavors) I started to learn the business that went with the creative. In the case of Lynn Drzick and later Kennedy, they both were dreamers like myself. They didn’t discredit ideas they just helped to illuminate the needed steps to get to that next place. Bill Breakey was a many times over businessman retired to just doing fun endeavors. We had an editing facility together right up to his death at a young 80-some. Our weekly business lunches allowed me to table any issues and get some sound advice. Rance Howard, yes, Ron and Clint Howard’s dad, was my last real mentor and the only one from the entertainment world. I always got straight forward mid west kind of advice without a shred of Hollywood BS. Again these people were very valuable to me in my journey.
(Rance Howard)
My biggest fear is of making mistakes but I’ve learned that by stats alone you will make some. These are some of the best growth building events but don’t feel like it at the time. My college education gave me a process and a path to discover answers outside of me. But most of my real experience has been forged in the fires of doing. As I’ve grown into the fringes of being an elder in our business that often burns people up, I have evolved. I see more clearly my mistakes and miscalculations. Friendships hurt even in trying to do the right thing. You learn that you’re not perfect. Not the perfect businessman, friend or associate. Even those who don’t particularly like me cannot question my passion and drive. At times I keep taking on more and hope the weight of it doesn’t break me. Maybe that is where the slow growth has allowed my legs, back and mind to grow stronger. I was never the genius at the top of my class. My mind drifted off to far away places and stories danced in my head. High school was always trying to keep my head above water. A struggle to keep myself out of trouble for average grades that were in constant danger from my artistic distractions.
(Lynn Drzick front and center)
If I had better budgets I could hire wiser people to handle certain aspects but our modest budgets only allowed needs versus wants. I’ve had to learn to do many things unable to pay for the service. I have adapted and manage but I’m now working to try and streamline. To resurrect older films and ready them for re-entry into the marketplace. But is it worth it? As the storyteller it is. As the businessman it can be a question-mark. Some projects at CDI were ahead of their time. And dishonest distributors early on were the bane of our progress. Now much of that has been worked out and I’m giving my best efforts to make sure these films are not left behind. To die on a format no longer in use and unable to be retrieved. I gain no extra income from any of this and it taxes my peace of mind for fear of doing something wrong in the process. I’ve carried some of this same worry throughout my journey but you stay steadfast and when you look up decades have gone by. In your wake are beautiful stories that elicit the occasional fantail saying how your story helped them in their darkest hours. Maybe I do that for them. Some a grieving couple being torn apart by tragedy can find some healing in FIGURE IN THE FOREST. Or someone struggling with mental illness can feel less isolated and find a spark of joy in HEAVENS NEIGHBORS. AN ORDINARY KILLER will be used by a non-profit that helps military families. I am leaning more into charity as I go deeper into this journey.
I want to thank all of you for being out there. I think putting these feelings into words and confronting some of these fears helps me. I really only have one “pain in the butt” project from the past that is full of complexities. Some 15+ years later trying to breath life back into it and untangle all the strands. But I will spend a certain amount of time each week to this past projects. Already with some great help from Dean Teaster, John Mashni, Brett Frame, Scott Bakkila and others these stories will live on for many more decades. I liked a statement that said, the first time you do something is always difficult. Much truth there. Also, you get by with a little help from your friends. We are a tribe and I’m very thankful to have all these wonderful people on this adventure of life.
READY TO TALK MOVIES? Enough DJ Ramblings…
Harsens Island Revenge – From the director’s POV the film is a lock and he’s very happy. This Weds we’ll get to view it with most of the VFX inserted by our supervisor Erik Steele. This was suppose to happen last Weds but our director’s flight back into the country was delayed. That said, music is already being worked out for some of the chase scenes that were already locked up. We will be having fun in studio working on this film with Dennis Therrian. Next up for discussion will be the theatrical poster and trailer cut. Exciting times ahead!
(Prep in SNIA)
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – The home video release has been going strong and we’ll soon be starting to see the results of our flow. Once received, it is a process of reporting and processing on all the films. Our release to UP Family & Faith is growing closer. I’ve enjoyed all the positive communications from people who enjoyed this film. I think this movie will just grow over the next few years. The story is beautiful and showcases a piece of almost forgotten history. CDI is very good at capturing these stories and making sure they are not erased from the public’s mind. I’m still very curious to hear how the German people enjoy the film as it reaches them.
I’m excited to say that our distributor TWIN ENGINES GLOBAL/DESKPOP has launched their non-family/faith free with ads streaming site called FREE4ALL that features some of CDI’s our CDI associated films like BEST YEARS GONE and BESTSELLER.
WATCH ‘BEST YEARS GONE’ HERE: https://youtu.be/U4lxhZ2CQkc?si=g02ymDiHiZmzbXGR
WATCH ‘BESTSELLER’ HERE: https://youtu.be/NoGBwWEtk7s?si=tUN4zExfQpBC9oX5
Meanwhile the CDI family faith films FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR, THE CHRIST SLAYER, WILD FAITH, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, LOST HEART are on Encourage TV for your viewing pleasure. Also good to leave on for your furry friends when you have to step out. Love animated stories check out THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ. Documentary lovers check out FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH.
(Rare pic of just DJ Perry not in character – pic by GW Burns)
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Development has been in high gear here at CDI. Packaging and pitching and the gathering of investors and sponsors are all underway. We are working hard to get into production on a few CDI stories. Some exciting new stories to be told only how CDI can tell them. I’m hearing our new music video to shoot might be coming up here in May. I’ve been doing voice over on another book in the series that has been ongoing the last few years. I even took ten minutes during our pick up shoot for Harsens Island Revenge to have the great GW Burns pop off some new headshot pics for the new agency. My page will be going up on Treasure Coast Talent Agency, so if you want me to consider bringing a role to life on your project please do reach out there. I’ll attach one on this blog in Black & White which is how they use to be. The agency one will be full color. I’ve recently just finished one script for a development package and I’m 1/4 of the way through the next one. It is interesting because it is writing
WRAP UP:
I’m enjoying coming out of winter and with today in the 70’s we might be leaving the days of the wood stove shortly. But maybe a few outside fires. Also looking at a few yard builds this year. I LOVE all the nature that is on our little piece of property. I’m looking forward to more training. The martial arts keeps me limber and ready for action. Soccer season starts NEXT week and I’m excited to be out with the team battling it out. I do truly love that competition and pushing myself to my limits each week.
Inside the office I’ve been doing major organizing and I’m happy about that. Like I mentioned earlier I might start moving some of the swag and memorabilia out as charity to our fans. There are many organizations in need and we’re already doing that with our doc film FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH that helps wrestling clubs and organizations struggling. Dogs, military families…the causes could go on and on. We’re taking steps in that direction and I’m proud to see that keep growing.
I just enjoyed some of our eggs and 4H bacon and I’m going to get on with my Sunday. Maybe a bit of screenwriting but next week will be a busy one. I have some meetings starting Monday and they could be rather exciting. I hope you all have a great weekend and start strong on your TO DO’s for the week ahead. Don’t forget to enjoy the journey along the way. Until next week, coffee cheers! Congrats to the Alpena Bears our friends at Pepsi for a great Willy Wonka Event. We are so proud to be partnered with you here at CDI!
DJ
NEW Screen Captures, Updates and Inspirations
Good afternoon! This morning I’m fueled up on hazelnut coffee and we went to the first flea market of the season. I love the energy and the nostalgic aspects of it all. I only found a wood sign that I liked for the office but breakfast afterwards made the trip worthwhile. I often find many film props or wardrobe pieces while on these hunts. I saw the vendor who sold me the 1940’s phone we used in SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA in my office scenes as the Colonel. I told him he would have to watch the film on Amazon and see his antique phone.
I spent a good part of the week buried in numbers balancing accounts and writing out checks to the accounting firm who keeps us moving forward. I’ll have a few days rest before the next quarter of profit checks start coming in and I’ll have to process those. Again the unsexy side of filmmaking but the part that makes it all go round and round. We’ve been engaged in several conversations to bring investors and sponsors onto our next film project HOT ROD LOVE. We’ve also been putting financial pieces in place on several other films for 2025. I’m ready like many filmmakers to dive into locations, cast and the artistic side needed to bring a time period to life. This next film will be in the very cool 70’s. The music, the fashion and the vibe is just groovy. We’re making good progress on the investor/sponsor fronts and I think many folks just wanted to get past end of the year taxes. I’m getting excited to refocus on the pre-production on a new film because our current film is about to move to the next phase.
Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) recently gave folks a look at behind-the-scenes with CDI. Adam Towner did a wonderful job. This week we’ll be watching the 3rd and likely final pass of the film. We call that a picture lock which allows us to start really working dialogue, music and sound design. I’m told that several if not all the 61 VFX effects will be inside the film this week when we watch it. I love the phase of hanging at the studio and reviewing, suggesting and enjoying the progress. Our director Carl Weyant released another batch of screen captures which you can watch on the HIR Facebook page. Once the film goes into picture lock we’ll release a BTS of the VFX work. Followed by a theatrical trailer and poster. In July we’ll take an assessment on our post process which will help us solidify the premiere process. Much more to come on this amazing film.
We continue to push the many films in the CDI library and appreciate all the new fans. We are also in the process of remastering the earlier CDI Classic Collection. AN ORDINARY KILLER is being prepared for a new launch in the wake of a lot of new interest in the case the film is based upon. Watch the podcast TWO AVERAGE JOES: https://youtu.be/JAEjJFQ77N0?si=ZvlmCwwaCIvr5J8B
This podcast on true crime did a new updated special on our Making of this film. Even more exciting is the upcoming release of a special presentation – a remastered version of the movie exclusively with Two Average Joes as part of a fundraiser for The Red, White and Blue Project. A non-profit that benefits veterans and their families. Subscribe to the pod cast and get all the updates as they happen.
We are also getting close to relaunching a newly remastered version of GHOST TOWN also. A new trailer from our talented friend Brett Frame will likely launch this coming week. New poster art might also be in the works although we do like one of the posters from the original park release. We are still aligning all the business behind this film but it is returning! RETURN to Ghost Town!
Several other films such as KNIGHT CHILLS, FROM VENUS, HEAVENS NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST are all being worked on for re-release after being digitally remastered. Some of the films have novelizations with them that will be getting a release. Also some of the scripts with fun extras about the making of them. I’ve seen some fun peeks at new artwork from Tom Miller who did the great Blu Ray art for KNIGHT CHILLS. My goal is to get them all remastered and streaming! It will be done. The theatrical division of CDI made a big jump with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and we’ll be prepping the entire library of theatrical event showings. A midnight movie screening of FROM VENUS? KNIGHT CHILLS? Even some of the associated CDI films are in talks for fresh distribution. But we’re going to get the CDI collection finished first. But after that…
WRAP UP: I’m going to wrap this up here. As I noted before I spent a lot of time last week behind this computer and working the phones. I hope you all enjoyed the screen shots from our upcoming Harsens Island Revenge. If you’re new at discovering the films from our collective, creative tribe – treat yourselves. BEST YEARS GONE, LOST HEART, THE QUEST TRILOGY (FORTY NIGHTS, CHASING THE STAR, THE CHRIST SLAYER) WILD FAITH, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ, FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH, SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, BESTSELLER, ASHES OF EDEN…a good list to get you started! How many have you seen? Which ones have you watched the most? Favorites? If so tell folks about it. Word of mouth really works and we have millions of views to prove that. Enjoy the emerging springtime by working in nature and after unwind with a story, a CDI story.
Until next week! Be good to one another!
DJ
NEW Screenshots, Nominations and Film Updates!
(Screenshot From ‘Harsens Island Revenge’ each week our dir. will release 5 new captures)
A not quite yet ‘TOP OF THE MORNING’ on a cold St. Patrick’s Day. So many good memories of this day from my crazy youth. Early starts with the green pints, bagpipes and festive atmospheres at such haunts as the old Irish Pub! Patio toasts and corn beef and many adventures best left untold. My days of sloppy mugs of beer spilling everywhere might be behind me now but I still love the memories. Speaking of- I want to welcome new readers last week from around the globe. Croatia, India, UK, Netherlands, Chile, Bolivia, Bangladesh, Canada and good ole Ireland. That is one of my favorite parts of doing this blog is that it brings together artists from all over the world.
This past week was much better, still filled with challenges, but better. I was having a rough one the previous week when trying to put the pick up shoot in order. The main issues were the 4 hour + drive from mid Michigan to Alpena and getting all people that were going to be on the active base identified. Pulling the shoot back was like undoing some of the work already done only to rebuild it. But that turned out to be the right call. It can be hard when you have to look at all the pieces on the board and make the call. Leadership seems cool when it is a few letters on a business card or a smancy title but when you have to make the hard decisions- different story. I’m happy to say we know have all our skeleton crew in place and our talent for front of the camera. Pulling off even a scene of WW1 is challenging and we could have easily dropped it and the movie would still play great.
But our team is never one to shy from making it just a bit better. Think of the film WILD FAITH without the Civil War flashback footage. It could have just been audio over a distant stare but we went for the more epic scope. If you haven’t seen WILD FAITH please do and you’ll see what I mean. We have a busy week ahead but when I write you all next we’ll have our airplane close ups and our WW1 opening in the can. (Old film saying) I want to thank our friends from PEPSI for again joining us on set and to our friends at TRU-HILTON coming on board to assist our out-of-town guests. Monday I’ll be picking up our lead David Reardon’s uniform and thanks to Tony Hornus and his hard work we’ll have our Germans. Tanks, Planes, and Soldiers coming at you. We’ll also be working with Dennis Therrian our composer/sound designer to get our narration voice over.
While mentioning Dennis Therrian, I want to gives a kudos to him for his ICFF Nomination for Best Music Score in a feature film (SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA). Also nominated was Cassie Dean for Best Leading Actress and Shane Hagedorn for Best Supporting Actor.
Additionally, Curran Jacobs our SNIA lead will be in Algona, Iowa to attend a meet-and-greet open house Sunday March 24th from 2-4 at the Ranger Station on the Tietz property. Curran has been developing the GOTCH script with myself, Mike Chapman (Historian) and CDI. The film will be a biopic on Frank Gotch, the Iowa Catch-Can world champion at the turn of the century. What is Catch-Can? Watch our FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH documentary and it will get you up to speed. Also we’ve been developing a film about the last conflict of the Iowa pioneers and the Lakota Sioux entitled SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. So in the coming years we could very well be returning to Iowa to tell a few great stories.
RETRO-
I’ve been also organizing the business behind a few of the older CDI films. Example- like when a distributor’s term on a film has expired but they are still selling it. That means reaching out with copyright, chain of titles and the distribution agreement to either A) Cease sales or B) Redirect the profits. Other projects need to be updated to a HD version or conversion to theatrical files for those we want to return to theaters for a special run. I want the new HD streaming version of KNIGHT CHILLS to start releasing around Halloween. Working on the FROM VENUS Blu Ray deal. Essentially the entire CDI Classic Collection which includes the first six CDI Films. One day maybe an entire box set. To go along with some of the new releases we will have new promotional trailers. We have them in the works for Ghost Town, An Ordinary Killer and soon Knight Chills. Maybe some new artwork and prepare to introduce these films to a new audience. AN ORDINARY KILLER is based on a real killer and he happens to be the subject of a very interesting podcast called TWO AVERAGE JOES. This 2nd episode features an interview with a survivor of the killer featured in our film. Chilling and truly fascinating to listen to and watch. WATCH HERE: https://twoaveragejoes.com/podcast/two-average-joes-a-true-survivor-story/
IN THE WOODS, my 1st starring role was in this creature feature and the distributor should be announcing some release dates soon for the supreme Blu Ray. I hear the artwork is just awesome and I know a special poster for the theatrical is also being worked on. I will look forward to celebrating the release of this film 25 years ago.
MORE RETRO: My endeavors to bring some of the literary swag to you is progressing nicely. Scripts, ‘making of’s’ and novelizations are being slowly pulled together. I WILL have a few of the soundtracks put to LP record and now with the films on back up it will become easier to do.
FLASH FORWARD- We’re excited that our distributor TWIN ENGINES GLOBAL has launched a new streaming service for non-family/faith films FREE4ALL and movies like BEST YEARS GONE are now being seen by the tens of thousands and building. BESTSELLER a great thriller from Chris Wright has been gaining traction and we’re happy this platform is starting to provide just as ENCOURAGE TV has for our family/faith titles. Speaking of- get your family together this week or organize that watch party and once again journey into the desert with THE QUEST TRILOGY. Part 1 FORTY NIGHTS, Part 2 CHASING THE STAR and Part 3 THE CHRIST SLAYER.
(Melissa Anschutz as Mother Mary in The Quest Trilogy)
MICHIGAN ACTIVE DEVELOPMENT–
I’m also putting the final touches on a uniquely wild script that is all set in the Victorian era with a good dash of spooky steampunk. I have a few other scripts I would love to finish but this one appears to have it’s financing in place. HOT ROD LOVE is bringing on investors and sponsors weekly and once we are done with our HIR pick up shots we’ll go location scout the race track with have in our sights. We’ll be reaching out towards many more folks while making a big push in April to finish our funding and stay on track for a Summer shoot.
WRAP UP:
Corn beef and cabbage is cooking and this past week I also got the chainsaw and axes out and refilled all the wood bins. I still need to move all the oak logs out back to dry for another season before it gets processed into more burnable pieces. I’ll be doing more yard clean up and getting ready for a wonderful season of growing. We are all in hopes that things don’t bud too soon like the apple trees. Opening on our unusually warm days and after trying to survive a cold snap. Soon I’ll be planting new clover. The chickens are kicking the eggs out again. Some of the herbs are growing again already. Little flowers popping here and there. I also saw a robin bathing in the birdbath and I’m very ready for soccer and flea markets to start up. I got a new Spring hair shape getting my long 1920’s bangs out of my face and ready for a few new headshot pics. I hope you all have a productive week and know that life is all about challenges. I’m going to try and approach each one with positive optimism, a chance to learn and grow. I think it is time for a coffee refill and maybe some oatmeal or eggs, maybe both. Have a great Sunday and productive week ahead!
Be good to one another.
DJ
Film Finance Tips, Funding Endeavors and Film Updates
(Soon it will be out to Tricky T’s post facility for Harsens Island Revenge music & sound)
A sunny yet chilly morning here in the Michigan. I’m sipping by hazelnut coffee and smiling upon my great week. I just updated our summary sheet for our next film HOT ROD LOVE, which we took a few more steps this week towards full funding. We will be funding and bringing on sponsors for March/April and once all commits are in place we will move to official pre-production for a Summer shoot. Only because it came up twice this past week, we’ll share a little finance secret that might be helpful. We only gather verbal commits until we have our full budget. We take ZERO actual dollars until we are ready to move. It avoids putting money into escrow or a holding account until full funds are raised. We also do not start any spending until we have the funds to complete the entire film. I was asked that twice this week and the other parties loved my response. Many filmmakers could be tempted to touch money before it is all gathered. I was even hired many years ago on a project that was funded off moving funds. By that I mean monthly a flow of income was flowing in and spent but it hit a snag with the flow when the tax incentives got repealed and FULL STOP. A legal/financial mess for the company and a true artistic disappointment. GATHER all your funds needed to finish the film in one place. Have a strict budget and stick to it as if your life depended on it. These are little gems believe it or not. Again on ‘Hot Rod Love’ if you are curious about involvement in motion picture feel free to email me. Our sponsors are starting to line up also and I’m exciting to plan a location scout soon once we get funding a little further down the road. Steps. Every week is little steps.
(Curran Jacobs and Samuel Peterson in Silent Night in Algona)
Development is front and center and we also are forced to plan years ahead. Nothing moves fast in the development of film in my experience. The SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE project is soon to start presenting to parties in Iowa. I had a great conversation with an actor/filmmaker from Iowa that we worked with on SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. He’ll be joining the development team in Iowa giving us some boots on the ground with film experience. Once funding in place he will be helpful in assisting with location lock down. In the same area but completely different circles is another film that has just moved into development. Curran Jacobs who directed FOR THE LOVE OF CATCH, WATCH HERE: (https://tubitv.com/movies/702767/for-the-love-of-catch?start=true&tracking=google-feed&utm_source=google-feed ) It’s an amazing documentary film on the history of grappling and Catch-Can. This will be Curran directing his first narrative feature. It is still having its presentation materials put together but will be an amazing directorial debut. Waiting on one more official signature on the engagement docs but we’ll take this year to work on funding with the year after targeted to film.
(Shane Hagedorn in Silent Night in Algona)
Touching back on the above mentioned SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA, I got to hear some wonderful feedback from multiple people about our story. This also included a former Governor of Iowa who really loved it. This film is still going strong and we’re turning our focus towards foreign territories. I think I mentioned that this summer the film will be going to subscription based video on demand on UP Family & Faith channel. The film will also be at the International Christian Film Festival and could bring home some recognition. It is already a winner in my book by the history it preserves and the audiences moved by this true events story.
(The Scouting team on Hardens Island Revenge – lotta work before cameras ever roll)
Harsens Island Revenge
Our director Carl Weyant is back from his holiday trip to Brazil. Not this coming week but the week after we’ll be watching the first cut of the film. And I’m going to be putting plans in motion to see about filming our opening WW1 scene the second to last weekend in March. David Reardon if your reading this- 🙂 If not AI on my face. Just kidding. We’re making plans to get back on the military base where the pick up scene will be shot. It will be only a Skeleton crew to film the one scene. We will also look to get some voice over recorded when our lead David Reardon is in town. It is always exciting once the film is picture locked and music and sound bring it to life. The Behind the Scenes video should be polishing up soon. I know Adam Towner editing wanted a few pieces from our director but that will be exciting. Trailer. Posters. Many very cool things will be coming!
MISC. FILM UPDATES
- Awaiting the release date for the IN THE WOODS Blu Ray which will be exciting. Many cool pieces available to prepare for this release. Read last weeks blog with links to making of/script book, novelization and my prequel script released as a book.
- KNIGHT CHILLS – I’m starting to look at select horror platforms to release the HD remastered version of the film on. If you have some favorites let me know.
- FROM VENUS – CDI’s 2nd film from the classic collection is a SciFi spoof with some HP Lovecraft influences. I got a peek at some amazingly cool artwork by the talented Tom Miller. I’m loving it! I’m looking to make that Blu Ray deal soon! Once remastered it too will follow Knight Chills into streaming.
- A NEW Ghost Town the movie theatrical trailer is almost done. Taking some first steps to prep this film for some new release opportunities but I want to start with a theatrical putting it back into theaters. I also want to stream on some western theme platforms.
- AN ORDINARY KILLER might follow a similar release pattern to Ghost Town but working to get the foundation of this film solid again. It played ABC network back in the day and is a great based on true events solving of a 28 year old cold case.
- I’ve been seeing some great test footage from some of the video game development going on for some of the CDI properties. More on this as it develops.
- End of Year business taxes are almost all done. I’m so appreciative of our CDI team and accountant friends who make this an easier process. Running multiple companies can be trying and it truly takes a team of people.
I think that is enough film updates for the week. On more mundane updates the dry but cold weather allowed dog poop pick up and I got to try out my new wood chipper. I chopped up a bunch of stick and ended up with some pretty nice mulch. I’m excited about the coming year with the planting of more clover. The chickens are ramping up their egg production which is good. Our herb garden beds will be providing again but some are already. Sage and Orange Thyme are pretty hardy. I also like the Holy Basil which again makes a great tea. The power of herbal teas is real. I’m going to take the rest of the day to relax, recharge and get organized. Tomorrow I’ll be back at it and I hope all of you also have a productive week. Until we chat here again!
Be good to one another!
DJ
Birthdays, Reunions, Releases and More…
(Happy Birthday Tony!)
Hazelnut cheers my friends! Welcome to our readers worldwide including new readers from Argentina, Kenya, Ireland and India. I love that our circle is wide. We may be from different places where the lines on a map are drawn differently and various languages may be spoke BUT we all have those same artistic calls. I’ve had a very artistic filled week with a good dash of business. Michigan got another cold snap but unseasonably warm weather is coming next week. I want to also give a BIG shout out to two of my generals in getting things done. Our own Tony Hornus and Shane Hagedorn, both masterful talent on both sides of the camera both were born on this day. So a HUGE happy birthday to them both. Shane is getting a well earned few days of rest in the sunshine state of Florida including a visit with GW Burns, our new CDI production designer. Some good talks over our next film endeavor will no doubt be happening. Dennis Therrian is excited to watch the cut of Harsens Island Revenge and start bouncing music bed ideas off our director Carl Weyant. Carl should have gotten back from Brazil on Friday and I’m looking forward to connecting with him this week. Where to start on my update or maybe this just random format fits the energy.
(BIG 50 Happy Bday to Shane Hagedorn)
Lots happening-
(Me, Stuart MacDonald, Lynn Drzick and Jim Greulich)
OLD SCHOOL – I’ve spoke several times about my humble beginnings in the film world. I struggled for many years to the point of many saying I should let go of my pipe dream. Persistence is a key in this business and without you will likely fail. Patience is another key and is hard for many to grasp. It is a lesson in discipline. My first feature film was a creature feature called IN THE WOODS. I starred as rookie firefighter Alex Kerwood. It is the manifestation of some young hungry artists forcing their way into the industry. We wanted to just get into the game and that we did. The film was not without flaws as inexperience and budgetary restraints were met with passion and enthusiasm. The film was released heavily into the US market and into many countries around the world. It put us on the map so to speak. The film had critics but also fans. I recall the Adrian MI the film playing in conjunction with The Haunting a once major Halloween attraction. The town was plastered with IN THE WOODS on fliers at McDonalds, billboards, news, radio and more. I remember when the line to get signed autographs was 400 strong. That showed the power of the medium. Hard-core horror fans had some issues because the film flew against the formula of the time. Annoying victims, cool villain and when and how would they die. This was a bit more of a soap opera with firefighter drama and ADD in monsters. The two factors that played heavily maybe not seen at that time was- women like scary films too but they like character development. Women also like firefighters. So the positive fans of the film tilted heavily with the lady-folk. While men wanted their “boobs and blood” women seemed to like the blood too but could use a dose of men in uniform. The fans were there then and now 25 years later we’re giving them a new polished up version plus a new director’s cut with added footage and more streamline editing. I traveled to Kalamazoo where we filmed on Friday and we saw the new cut and did commentary for the blu-ray that will feature both films. A new release campaign is rolling out this year with BluRay, DVD, VHS (Yes), streaming, new book releases (which I will list) and even soundtrack and toys. A great reunion with director/writer Lynn Drzick, Stuart MacDonald (Al Fargo), Jim Greulich (Wayne Higley) and me (Alex Kerwood). After the fresh watch and commentary we had several hours by the fire discussing plot points for the planned sequel. Yes. IN THE WOODS 2 is in active development. We all agreed to go back into the woods again to have round 2 against the creatures who will also be getting upgrades. The plot points and story threads are pretty exciting. It will be fun to bring these characters back to the screen. It was fun even doing a bit of Alex Kerwood audio work for the new release. We did try to launch a sequel a few years after the first film but it was too soon. We even did a teaser trailer years ago that I’ll share but this new film will be one for the books. The chemistry was there when we sat around the fire playing out some scenes in character – the magic was back.
So lets see how you can get ready for the new release and new sequel.
The Making of IN THE WOODS– a great guide and inspiration for young filmmakers- https://www.amazon.com/Making-Woods-Lynn-Drzick/dp/B0BXMTJS9C/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=EIFE0&content-id=amzn1.sym.d0ebfbb2-6761-494f-8e2f-95743b37c35c%3Aamzn1.symc.50e00d6c-ec8b-42ef-bb15-298531ab4497&pf_rd_p=d0ebfbb2-6761-494f-8e2f-95743b37c35c&pf_rd_r=F4JNGGVESM0FJA761F4V&pd_rd_wg=tBSKE&pd_rd_r=ed96e755-a343-4af2-9fe4-85ea6b0837e7&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m
The reissue of the IN THE WOODS Novelization by Nancy Gideon giving lots of back ground info- https://www.amazon.com/Woods-Nancy-Gideon-ebook/dp/B00SEKIHYE/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HFATMYW8WKF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QiukYlBgrJ9AF41sf-Su3_63yJLoZiXgXSz_dB5yDKc.Z0HnzSRNumwrvQu5MidJPiDYLfTiRyaJ-UcoU9VNQeE&dib_tag=se&keywords=In+the+Woods+novelization+by+Nancy+Gideon&qid=1708267999&sprefix=in+the+woods+novelization+by+nancy+gideon%2Caps%2C91&sr=8-1
My big-budget sword and sorcery movie script prequel that tells the Origins of the Beasts titled PanDEMONium! – https://www.amazon.com/panDEMONium-Woods-Origin-DJ-Perry/dp/B0CV8F73D6/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=EIFE0&content-id=amzn1.sym.d0ebfbb2-6761-494f-8e2f-95743b37c35c%3Aamzn1.symc.50e00d6c-ec8b-42ef-bb15-298531ab4497&pf_rd_p=d0ebfbb2-6761-494f-8e2f-95743b37c35c&pf_rd_r=F4JNGGVESM0FJA761F4V&pd_rd_wg=tBSKE&pd_rd_r=ed96e755-a343-4af2-9fe4-85ea6b0837e7&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_atf_m
This will get you up to speed before the major release on the 25th Anniversary Blu Ray!
HERE is the old sequel trailer for many years ago- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVDnyNGY6mE&feature=youtu.be
CDI’s KNIGHT CHILLS is getting the Remastered treatment with the Blu-Ray for sale now HERE – https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Chills-Tim-Jeffrey/dp/B0CJ5WBSZR/ref=asc_df_B0CJ5WBSZR/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=680424942453&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14483042912564000939&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9017262&hvtargid=pla-2260223998064&psc=1&mcid=08fc0b8d3ebc3af99b43436fce7530fa&gad_source=1
The BluRay is full of great extras and we’re working to set up the HD streaming on some select horror film streaming sites. Also the book and script will get the literary release treatment very soon. It’s in the works! A sequel has been talked about for years and we have various scripts and have interviewed many filmmaker teams. We’re still working to get that just right but in the meantime we’ll introduce a new generation to Sir Kallio, Dark Knight of the Red Rose.
(Terence Knox, Terry Jernigan and Dan Haggerty in ‘An Ordinary Killer’)
MORE OLD SCHOOL:
CDI’s Second film FROM VENUS has some Tom Miller (Knight Chills) artwork underway and we’re discussing the Blu Ray deal. FIGURE IN THE FOREST & HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS will eventually get the HD treatment and we’ll look to make those available. We have a DVD double feature which we’ll work to make more available. The genre films are a touch easier to set up right now.
AN ORDINARY KILLER and GHOST TOWN – Our true story crime drama and Smoky Mt western are also getting a planned new release campaign. These two films will start with a planned theatrical release. Both will be getting a new remastered theatrical DCP film and a Blu Ray release. The collector’s edition DVD from the Ghost Town in the Sky theme park will also become available perhaps at the theaters concession that plays the film. Lotta ground work to do but technical-wise it’s all underway including a new theatrical trailer for Ghost Town. These two films will likely do a theatrical release around where they were filmed to start with. But CDI’s theatrical division is getting stronger in the wake of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA just played another theater in Cherokee, Iowa and we’ll keep processing requests of folks wanting to watch on the big screen. Meanwhile I’m happy to announce that people who subscribe to Up Family & Faith will be able to watch our WW2 drama starting July 1st and it will run there for a year. It’s still available to rent on many platforms at will. Thank you to those who are watching and referring it to friends and family. The DVD’s are selling well also and so again thank you. Some of the proceeds from sales are directly helping the two participating museums in Algona.
As Easter approaches THE QUEST TRILOGY is seeing a good draw. This trilogy of stories interconnects and leaves one to ponder and be inspired. No heavy handed stuff here just the distilled down beauty of the parables. So watch FORTY NIGHTS followed by CHASING THE STAR and THE CHRIST SLAYER. Make them part of your yearly watch or anytime you need a good dose of positivity. All free with ads on Encourage TV (Youtube, Roku)
LOST HEART, WILD FAITH, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BEST YEARS GONE – all of the CDI films have some great lessons or awareness woven into the storytelling. Treat yourself and tell others about your favorite story.
COMING SOON!
Harsens Island Revenge was talked about earlier and those anxiously awaiting will be treated at the end of the month to the ‘behind the scenes’ video showing the hard work and fun of making a CDI film. Next month my plan is to release the first teaser trailer and soon after the theatrical poster.
HOT ROD LOVE – We have more funders interested in getting behind this movie. We are awaiting to see to what degree and we’re in talks with many other parties old and new. This 1970’s story will be a blast to film. Our director Shane Hagedorn will be meeting with our production designer in FL to discuss some elements of the film. We’ll be doing a location scout soon at the race track location. Too early to sound the battle horns but we’re getting there. Also we’re getting some sponsors on board joining Pepsi and so if you have interest of getting your company involved please do reach out to me. It is a unique marketing opportunity for sure.
MISC. DEVELOPMENT
Monday I have another development meeting and we’re close to signing and announcing on it. Also I’m bringing on a local Iowa artists to assist us in the funding of SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE. Additionally, I’m 1/3 of the way through a new/old script that might be filmed next winter. It is a cool stylized piece and will make a great feature film. I’m looking to have some talks next week that might put some fire under the WILD FAITH: HASTINGS TV series. Steps. Steps. Steps. I’m ready for some eggs so I’m going to bring this to a close. Keep your roots planted and remember where you come from and where you started. CDI is multi-generational and I’m proud of that. I’m off and we’ll chat next week same place and time. Be good to one another and have a productive week!
DJ
The ‘Artistic Perception’ and Several Updates!
(On set ‘Lost Heart’ Premiere – getting ready for ‘Best Years Gone’ as Gil Gilles) * LOVE my coat!
Good morning my friends! I’m sipping on the coffee and looking forward to again sharing a few thoughts, updates and insights. This blog has been getting even more followers as friends share the blog with others. The artistic spirit can feel like a curse when you are unable to live it fully. But know it is a spirit that can manifest in all that you do. How you write a memo. How you lay our a display. Art can manifest at any job you do and often inspire outside of work art, if you do not get to do art full time (yet). I had a great meeting with our friend Mark at Pepsi and let me tell you the man possesses an artist’s spirit. It has taken him a bit to see that but every gardener is an artist and more. Every leader who uses creative endeavors and programs to nurture the best from his employees and co-workers is an artist. Leadership is an art to be sure. Art is to feel and ultimately to care, because you have something to say. That art can cause or stimulate the artistic receptors in others like when looking at a painting or a sculpture. Thinking of you Greg Zivic. Back to Mark who we met because of good people networking starting with Graham Turner, a health and fitness trainer friend. He started sitting in on meetings and was my martial arts partner when working out the action sequences for Man’s Best Friend with John Lennox. He brought his expertise in one area to CDI’s health and hospitality. This is our expanded version of craft service. Now he’s worked up into the office as a production coordinator. He’s an artist. True artists attract other artists who can sense sincerity and intent.
(Creative meetings at the office/fort are powered by Pepsi)
Full circle to Mark Balko at Pepsi who is more than just a contact he is a tribe member. He found a group who understood his artistic urges and did not feel odd or outcast but accepted. ART is the secret to doing great things. Anyone can follow instructions and bake but those who take it to another level is art. Grilling – we can all but flame to meat but for a true grill master it becomes an art. You should look for the art in all you do and some are already fully aware of it. ART is EVERYWHERE because it is a PERCEPTION! It can make your smaller market distributor a top in the country, GO Alpena Bears! It can make melt-in-your mouth pork and cakes that are almost a shame to cut into. Sometimes you don’t have to seek out a different circle of artists sometimes it is just being the one who stimulates that in others. Thus the art of leadership. All interconnected. I hope this helps a few of you to look at things differently. But I want to thank Mark at Pepsi for their sponsorship of CDI and our films. They were a sponsor on Harsens Island Revenge and we have some fun ideas for the Alpena, MI premiere end of the year. Even more exciting is their involvement in HOT ROD LOVE that we are working hard to shoot this year. Let’s move to that film to discuss for a few.
(Thank you to Pepsi, save the Coor’s Light which is thanks to Adam Towner)
HOT ROD LOVE 2024 – We’re pushing into new talks with potential investors and sponsors on our 1970’s dramedy with drag racing at the heart of it. We had more commitments this week and have additional meetings next week. We are taking steady steps forward to get the business foundation in place. It is a 90% business and 10% creative until we get all our financial ducks in a row. That is what the producers at CDI do is work to get those things in place. This film will be a blast to produce and I cannot wait to go location scout. With nicer weather we might do that sooner vs later but again I don’t like to get to deep on all that until we are a full go. We call that a GREEN LIGHT. Ironic isn’t it with a racing movie. The official start of pre-production. I’ll keep you informed as we move forward. Right now we are focused on those two things funders and sponsors. Thank you to those who have already committed and we look forward to telling another great story.
Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) UPDATES! I had an almost two hour talk with our director Carl Weyant while he is still in Brazil. He returns Feb 14th and we’ll get together soon after. He was working on the final 20 minutes of the film edit. With end credits and the opening scene we still have to shoot we are guessing 1:45 min runtime. Once Carl has landed back here we’ll plan our final scene shoot and also do a watch on the cut before tweaks and a picture lock. The Behind-the-scenes is being worked on and I’ll get a better ETA on that but my goal is end of the month. Once our director is back we’ll be working the theatrical poster and trailer. The trailer will help us now if a 3rd party theatrical will be getting involved in booking or if our theatrical division at CDI will handle. We had a good run with our previous release and I think we can do even better second time around. So either way, it will be a successful run. More on HIR next week but exciting things ahead.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – The film just went back into Cherokee, Iowa’s American 3 theaters for a run last week in January. I know we’ve had some additional requests and I met with Shane Hagedorn end of week to pass along some returned DCP files for theatrical play. The home video release is still going strong and I’m just so happy that this story is growing each week. I’ll know second quarter how strong the film is doing since it released 4th quarter of 2023. It is all a process and the wheel turns. We still have broadcast TV and ad-based video on demand later in the year. Plus foreign sales should start appearing as the film travels to the film markets and gets picked up. The two museums in the town of Algona are already benefitting from the film just off our theatrical thanks to The Donald Tietz Foundation. Preserving history and helping the community! We should all strive to do such things.
(A beautiful scene from part 3 of THE QUEST TRILOGY – The Christ Slayer)
THE QUEST TRILOGY – As the sun and light starts its return and will slowly bring us out of winter we’ll soon be approaching the spring season of Easter. These three films have become a gems of the season and we’re so appreciative of all the fans who’ve made them a tradition. If you want to take some time for deep contemplation and to feel inner happiness take a watch. I watch them at least once a year and they always make my day better. Part 1 is FORTY NIGHTS, Part 2 CHASING THE STAR and Part 3 THE CHRIST SLAYER. Don’t let the title of part 3 throw you as it is a lesson unto itself that will make since once you watch the film. For you fans of Harsens Island Revenge, it stars our director Carl Weyant and he does a great job. If any of you on here watch them please do leave your comments here but also on http://www.imdb.com on the individual pages or Amazon‘s page if you rent/watch from there. They can be watched FREE with ADs on ENCOURAGE TV on YOUTUBE.
MISC: I could write a nice bit about each and every film but I will not take your time with that. But I want to thank all the fans of LOST HEART, MAN’S BEST FRIEND, BEST YEARS GONE and WILD FAITH who’ve reached out. I also want to thank all the people who reached out about my new agency for acting. I put my everything into the #tribeCDI and often neglect myself because I’m very fulfilled. I’ve been on the posters, the physical media art and so on. I really do enjoy seeing my fellow artists spotlighted.
I’m feeling good about by decision with Treasure Coast Agency because I like how they treat people. I got to experience that as the producer approaching them and dealing with them so I know first hand. So again thank you and soon I’ll be listed on their site. I’m looking into some new pics of ME not any of my numerous characters. That is hard because I’m always creating. Even now ‘Woody Jr.’ from HOT ROD LOVE is starting to form:)
In addition to my actor materials I’m trying to polish up my social media. I love the instagram mainly because of them allowing little musical snippets with your postings. So if you want to follow me there my new handle is officialdjperry so join me there. I do have two Facebook pages because the home page Richard Perry (DJ Perry) is limited two 5k and I’ve got about 2k in folks waiting so I started a DJ Perry run over page. It is also helpful when I have lots of PR that I don’t want to collide. So I’m trying to get my social media stuff up to par but I know it is lacking somewhat. I’m excited to meet this week over my FIRESIDE CHAT WITH DJ PERRY podcast that Adam Towner will be producing. We will be filming the first one this month and we’ll see how that goes. Many of you enjoyed the little video snippets I’ve done when my WordPress here was giving me trouble.
Speaking of podcasts my good buddy Dean Teaster is now working with “Two Average Joe’s” a cold case team, investigating the death of Dawn Louise Basom from Ypsilanti, MI in 1969 The link can be found here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srOWdtME-y8&feature=youtu.be
Aside from all this film and marketing work I’ve been preparing for spring. I love the nature around me and I’ve been in deeper study of my herbs and fungi and the beneficial properties. I’m looking forward to the herb gardens and we’re going to plant more clover around the yard. The chickens are slowly starting their egg laying again which for that we’re happy. This year we’ll be making several upgrades to the yard. I’m going to rebuild our compost bin and maybe add a few rain barrels. This week will probably have me do some more log splitting with the new set of axes. Last go around with Adam Towner and Graham Turner we killed two of the axes. But this warm spell will let me do a final round of splitting to be ready for the last blast of winter. Also soccer season is right around the corner and I could not be more excited.
I’m going to call it good here because I have to go eat and do some reorganizing to the office/fort after getting the new fridge in there. I’m looking forward to spending time with my brother and a few friends later in the day. Might do a run to a farm supply store to get a new snow shovel. My U shaped handle wide shovel is the best one I’ve ever had. Eliminates back pain and gives a strong arm and chest workout. It got a bit of a crunch with my cousin Bart Ketner stopped over. I should have had it in a better place. But on the positive he helped me string new lights up in the office/fort including a customized one he built. Plus he’s gonna get my yard chipper working. He’s a ‘Handy Andy’ as I like to say. I appreciate having him when my skills reach an end. But each year I get a bit better at my tinkering thanks to my handy friends. I am a work-in-progress:)
PS: RIP to Carl Weathers a great on-screen talent. I never met him but his loss felt personal having grown up loving his work.
Until next week. Be good to one another. Keep that artistic perception.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Ten Project Updates – Remembering Friends
(Filming Ghost Town w/ Herbert Cowboy Coward in the middle)
Good morning out there to my friends across the globe who stop in with their morning beverage to read and ponder. This has been a productive week in business but I’ll start by talking about a subject often on our minds as mortal folk. Death. This week I was stunned one eve as I received tragic word that one of my costars and friends Herbert Cowboy Coward had passed away. For those that don’t immediately recognize that name I’ll give you some background. This man worked and entertained at a NC theme park called GHOST TOWN IN THE SKY. A western town high atop of a mountain often shrouded with clouds. At its peak the live gunfighter shows thrilled 10,000 visitors a day from Spring-Fall. Friends like Robert Bradley were amongst the famed gunfighters as was CDI’s Dean Teaster’s dad Doyle Teaster. And Herbert better known just as Cowboy. The movie and TV studios would send stars up there to participate for a few months when the shows were on hiatus to gather fans and the actor and shows. Stars like Tony Dow (Leave it to Beaver), Dan Blocker (Bonanza) and Burt Reynolds (Too many to count) spent time up there. When Burt’s career took off and they were casting DELIVERANCE and needed a second mountain man to “harass” our vacationing men, Burt knew a perfect one. The legendary casting story was that Cowboy who had lost his front teeth due to a non-trained stand in gunfighter at Ghost Town, was called in. Burt said give him a good scare. So the producer who was there to interview Cowboy was thrown against the wall and subjected to mutterings of this man about to…to…to… (Cowboy stuttered) cutting him up. Cowboy got the part on the spot and a smile replaced the grimace and history would be made with Bill McKinney (Outlaw Jose Wales) as his co-star. They were voted by Maxim Magazine the top screen villains of all time. Watch the film DELIVERANCE and you might agree. When we did our Ghost Town in 2006 movie * (I’ll get more to this film soon) we reunited Cowboy and McKinney on screen going head to head. Bill made a living playing bad guys and to this day is one of the most intense actors I’ve ever worked with. Cowboy was tough but got to show his tender side. After Deliverance Cowboy could be found at the local flea market chatting up fans and introducing them to his pet squirrels. He was like a wildlife rehab where they often lived out their days with Cowboy. Bobcats, squirrels…you name it. The other other person I’ve met with those kind of Dr. DoLittle skills was Dan “Grizzly Adams” Haggerty. He was a gentle soul and just a kind simple man. To get that call that he, his wife, pet dog and squirrel all died in a car accident hit me hard. From what I’ve heard he turned in front of a young man, new driver in a big truck. I pray and believe that it was an instant death. I felt worse thinking of his loved ones that also perished and I felt bad for a young teenager who will be forever scarred. Those that know those twisty turning mountain roads can see how it could happen. Add snow and ice and it only gets worse. Gone in a flash. Now both Bill McKinney and Dan Haggerty died from cancer. F$#$%#@ cancer! We’ve often debated amongst friends if quick and instant with no farewell or longer illness with suffering but time to say final goodbyes and get affairs in order is better. Pros and Cons top each but lessons once again about appreciating each day we have and our loved ones. In all three of these cases I believe they were 75+ and so while many live longer they surely lived some full lives. I also learned this week that our ASHES OF EDEN costar Josh Carrizales (Ponch) died in May of 2020. I don’t know the details but I do know that he was too young. So ends my talk on death but I lost a friend and discovered that another one of our fellow actors has left the stage. I’m sorry if I went on a bit about this less than happy topic but it was important that you knew who this simple man was.
(Josh in ‘Ashes of Eden’ RIP)
FILM UPDATES:
- Ghost Town – We get the film rights back this year from Lionsgate and we’ve got a new campaign in the works. A Blu-Ray is planned as part of the ‘Special Edition’ reboot of the film. Also some special new releases of some of the merchandise that sold up at the now closed theme park and some new items also. One such might be a re-issue of the novel packaged with the screenplay. This film marked the end of the classic CDI period.
- Speaking of the classic CDI period another one of the films might be gifted to a non-profit in honor of the now deceased backer. The film AN ORDINARY KILLER is a fictional retelling of the actual famous cold case film. The film revenue will be used to provide financial support to military personal and wounded warriors. The non-profit has helped the children of Afghanistan and several other veteran causes via past projects. The lead detective played by yours truly is a Vietnam Vet and has his own complications from his times served. I also see a screenplay and book combo for this film. This is the film where I met long time friend and collaboration Terry Knox, best known for his work on St. Elsewhere and Tour of Duty. It seems like a fitting place for this film to land and that is better than it just being dead. It’s highlight was playing on ABC across the country. For lovers of true detective
- Speaking into the subject matter above – true crime, our own Dean Teaster has been participating in a podcast with retired detectives still working cold cases – subscribe by following along HERE: https://www.youtube.com/@TwoAvgJoes
- SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA which just released 4th Q onto home video is also back into theaters by request. Cherokee, Iowa American 3 is playing it until Jan 31st. We’ve also just gotten another request so I think it will be rolling into more theaters once again as people want to see it on the big screen. We’re told that the film is doing very well on DVD and Streaming but won’t really know until we get 1st Q reports from 2024 as it is a process of reporting and collecting. But please do buy a DVD for your collection and/or stream it will family and friends. This war drama is really being received well.
- We are starting to talk about theatrical roll out for Harsens Island Revenge because you have to start that far out. We are planning the theatrical premiere in Alpena and one likely in Lansing plus a hosted DVD/streaming release party in Lansing. We have Red Cedar Spirits as a sponsor in Lansing as well as the director Mr. Elliott of SW Growth Corp another sponsor just happens to run the Ellison Brewing Co. So 4Q of this year will be full of parties to celebrate the film. Our director returns from Brazil in a week and we’ll be doing a producer watch on the cut of the film. We also will put into motion the filming of the one opening scene of the film that is WW1. The BTS video is being worked on now so any cast or crew reading this that wants their video considered please contact Mr. Adam Towner. We’ll be planning the new theatrical poster using GW Burns amazing photo elements and the first teaser trailer! All very exciting news. Join our FB pages on any of these films that interest you to stay up to date.
- Let’s just from my most recent film that I acted in to my first feature IN THE WOODS. Fans of the creature features are in for a treat as we prepare a fun PR release. The cult classic of monster hunters Alex Kerwood (Me) and Wayne Higley (Only if not meal time) played by my first feature film co-star Jim Greulich just might have a new distribution deal. It might include a Blu Ray of the digitally remastered classic movie with a new director’s cut. It might even be getting a VHS and streaming release. Furthermore rumor has it that we might possibly see a soundtrack released on classic mediums. But wait could there be even more rumors? Maybe even merchandise including clothing, toys, toothbrushes, frisbees, fishing poles, rifles and…okay maybe some of this is just rumor. You will have to wait and find out the TRUTH. Coming soon! I can confirm that there will be a theatrical premiere of the new director’s cut sometime this year in the Kalamazoo MI area. More theaters after that? You never know:)
- Speaking on my acting which is still my driving force- I think I’ve mentioned last week that I’ve joined a new agency Treasure Coast Agency. I finally feel good that if someone reaches out wanting to hire the actor behind roles like Paul Landings, Ben Lily, Col Lodell or Jesus, that they will be treated with kindness and respect. That has sadly not always been the case and it has made deals fall apart. You can still reach out direct but I’ve got help it sorting affairs and it won’t cost you any more. I’m not listed on there yet but will be soon. You can find many great talent at this site but also will be treated well. HERE: https://www.treasurecoasttalent.com
- HOT ROD LOVE is in active development to shoot this year. We’ve been having meetings with sponsors and funders and are happy to have made even more steps this past week. This 1970’s racing comedy will be a lot of fun to film. Each week we’re taking steps and once we’re there financially we’ll start the engine! Thank you to everyone already working hard to make this happen. We’ll see Shane Hagedorn once again directing and telling this groovy story!
- We’ve got development happening on a few other fronts that could put Carl Weyant and Curran Jacobs back in action in the near future. I’m looking forward to finishing the month strong with more development talks and meetings. Every project is the result of thousands of little steps. We’re going to keep on stepping!
- I’ve been enjoying writing on a few scripts in between the business work. We’re finishing our end of year work with our accounting firm and legal. I want to thank these parties for their hard work. This is not as exciting as new artwork, trailers and such but it is the work that makes it all go. The creative of picking up a camera and making cool lighting is fine and dandy but without the foundation it is just play. So make sure you balance what you like to do with what needs to be done. That balance will make things happen much faster. BALANCE!
WRAP UP: Our chickens have their new feathers and with the growing light we’ve had our first eggs. And thanks to them we just had a great breakfast of bacon and eggs. I’m going to bring this to a close so we can do some grocery shopping and get ready for the Lions NFL football game. If they win tonight it is off to the Super Bowl! As I’ve said before we’ve had family member fans go to the grave waiting for a Detroit Lions team like this. We never know how many days we have so live richly and appreciate the journey. I thank you all for being part of my journey.
Be good to one another!
DJ
2024 is Underway and Here We Go!
Coffee cheers on a snowy day in Michigan that is actually looking like winter. I want to welcome our new readers from Sri-Lanka, Philippines, Brazil and more. Note all those places are warm. Speaking of that last one Brazil, I had a chance to speak with our director of Harsens Island Revenge in Brazil via FaceTime on my phone. What an amazing jump in technology from just a few years ago where I would have given anything to say hello to loved ones at home when in the Philippines or India. It was occasionally jerky but clear as day we had a good meeting over the film progress. We might as well jump right into that but I hope you all are having a great start to your new year.
First our director Carl Weyant will be staying an extra week and coming home the first week of February. The edit so far is at 1 hour and ten minutes and moving quickly towards the end. He’s over the moon with the performances and the film even before color correction looks great. The film really sucks you in and keeps you engaged as the story progresses. The relationships are strong and we just really talked also about our journey getting to this point. He credited the script strength and the performances and I acknowledged his positive attitude, preparedness and his creative eye. Carl and I first met above the cloud line in India in a place called Ooty. A place unlike the hot and humid lowlands. A place high above set in the mountains where great pine forests lie. Here the British built palaces and the tea fields grow vast fields of the precious stuff. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Gem set at the top of the mountain. The film was called Karma: Crime, Passion, Reincarnation and is a great spooky thriller that is just beautiful. There is talk of trying to bring the film to the USA. We tried several years ago but what they wanted $ wise did not match want distributors wanted to pay. But maybe this could be the year. It really is a gem of a film. I loved the experience save the getting in and out of the country itself. The airports are a bit chaotic and communication was not what is is now. From there, Carl who was the leading man and I was the supporting detective became fast friends. Over the years we’ve guested in each others films. I went to NYC to play an FBI agent in THE ACTOR (On Amazon) and he acted in ASHES OF EDEN (Also available to watch). After that he was our lead as the blind centurion in part 3 of our biblical adventures in THE QUEST TRILOGY entitled The Christ Slayer. (All three can be seen and should be seen in order Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer) CDI had some exciting short form projects like music videos opening up to us and I paired he and Travis Hayward and it was magic. Those two work so well together and we’re soon to start another music video. Carl was invited to Iowa and played Lt. Grant in SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and from there he was awarded the drivers seat on Harsens Island Revenge.
Relationships are everything in this business. I use to ponder that statement in our business of “it’s all who you know.” While really it is “who do you trust.” Trust to give 100%. Trust to appreciate all the effort before they came onboard. Trust that they will be that sail not an anchor to a project. To trust requires one to know. That is a big part of my job to look at a story and the pool of trusted creatives and pull together the best trusted team. When I’m successful I build that trust with my team. I’ve surprised people on several occasions with my outside the box ideas or the choosing of a certain person for a certain role or position. Bret Miller as the director of Chasing the Star was a surprise to some but he was the right person. Josh “Ponceman” Perry as Albus in The Christ Slayer. Carl Weyant was one of those surprise choices as the Harsens Island Revenge director but I dare say in all three of these examples the right choice was made. I’m so damn proud of our always growing tribe of creatives. I encourage you to watch all these films and follow the history of CDI. One day I do want a doc made on the company and now that we’re about top have easier access to the films footage it will happen eventually.
One of my goals I think I failed to mention was to become more present in a few of these industry mixers and open myself to discovering new talent. I’m a bit of an introvert by nature loving to listen to music, ponder and write. To take and make phone calls and in-person meetings. My days of “partying” are truly behind me having been there, done that and got that tee shirt. I like being productive and creating. But I can socialize and I do love getting to know people’s stories. I’m easier to get to know when I’m not on set with lots of responsibilities in producing and performing. So I’m going to make more of an effort this year.
Active development is underway for 2024 and 2025. Some projects like SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE and WILD FAITH: HASTINGS are large and require more time and larger budgets. These two will be working towards rolling camera sin 2025. Active development in 2024 looking to shoot this year includes HOT ROD LOVE and a KNIGHT CHILLS follow up. This coming week we’re going to be approaching our pool of past investors with HOT ROD LOVE. A great film with much to say as most CDI films do but wrapped in humor and set in the glorious 1970’s drag racing world. Shane Hagedorn (Best Years Gone) will be directing and we hope to film late summer/early fall. We already have Pepsi signed on as a sponsor and will be talking with many others with this exciting film. A few of the film’s investor units are spoken for and as noted we’ll give first opportunity to those with seniority. After we’ll open it up any remaining opportunities to those new folks wishing to journey with us.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA had a great Christmas season and will continue the roll out march into our new year. This war time film can be enjoyed at anytime of year. We’re starting our marketing expansion and I hope many other countries get to experience the film. We had a very strong November and I’m sure December was even stronger. And this time next year I would imagine it available in many countries and playing on broadcast TV. Fans of free watching with ads will likely be able to see it in several months and with certain subscriptions. I would love to see it on HBO, which was always my go to for historical fiction.
BEST YEARS GONE, MANS BEST FRIEND, LOST HEART, WILD FAITH…so many good watches. It might be a first watch or just a chance to watch again and meet up with old friends like Hannah Sweet, Paul Landings, Chip or Emmett Murphy. We have so many films on Encourage TV that they gave us our own playlist so make it a watch marathon – WATCH HERE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2Tn2MhKrkFOCsmKZaxoZCT1R5GEOEL3E
WRAP UP: I’m going to work to wrap this up. I have eggs and corn beef hash awaiting me. I’ve been getting lots organized for end of year taxes both personally and the films. We broke an axe and sledge hammer while splitting logs last week and so I need to get replacements. We winterized the chicken coop just in time before this heavier snow flew. We still have our Christmas stuff up which I love but the tree will come down soon and Christmas lights will go into storage.
Our back up RAID for film storage is built and so we’ll be loading films onto that in the coming weeks. We’re looking at what older films from the CDI classic collection to remaster and get out to market. The re-release of KNIGHT CHILLS has been very fulfilling. To see where you started makes you truly realize how far you’ve come. One moment you’ve taking a rest at the Peacock Tree Farm in Bath, MI waiting for the fire department so you can blow up a car on Knight Chills and next moment you’re at the Old Lighthouse in Alpena, MI capturing magic hour for Harsens Island Revenge. 25 years plus in a blink of an eye. Don’t put off any dreams you might have. This past week a friend lost his dad after a full life and tragically I read about a 50 year old friend of friends who passed way too early. Don’t wait. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failing is learning. Learning is growing. Growing is what makes us truly feel alive. If you’re 80 years young and always dreamed of writing a book, do it. You’ve always dreamt of leaving the hustle bustle and have your own food truck, do it. You always wanted to share your music, do it. Okay, I’m off to eat and enjoy this wintery day. I so appreciate all of you for taking your time to stop by and read these words. I hope they offer you some insight and inspiration to your own endeavors.
Be good to one another!
DJ
Christmas 2023 – Good Tidings and Joy
I’m sitting here after another near non-stop day of prep for a holiday trifecta of family get togethers with another on the 30th. I know this is a time for many to reflect upon past holidays and days gone by. I know this time of the year can be hard for those who’ve had loss. We all have empty spots around the table missing grandparents, parents, siblings and dear friends. I had a close friend lose his father today and those losses hurt us all. We are the ones giving the comforting hug or receiving it when it is our time. I had another friend’s memorial a week earlier and that makes these times painted with bittersweet. One of my cousins today was sending me pics of past days and that sparked emotion. I felt like Clark Griswold watching old films in the attic. But it is good to remember even when it hurts a little. Usually a smile will come as we recall funny stories from those past days. Even past pets bring those happy and sad feelings. But we have a new pack of love here with our two dogs and our new kitty Sybil. All are adopted and bring joy into our lives. That is the turning wheel of life. So love on your loved ones and if you are alone consider an adopted pet. They can truly bring joy back into your life.
(Luna Mae)
We also had a furnace issue resulting in a lack of heat. We just had a new one installed a year ago but the problem is that the old one we knew. Yes. It looked like something from Freddy Krueger’s boiler room but we knew it. This new one is very efficient but looks like something that could be found on a spaceship. We looked about and tried a reset but dealing with electricity and gas is unnerving. No dice. So we went to sleep praying we did not have a gas leak. The slowly declining heat was not too bad thanks to the warm weather we are having. The next morning we got ahold of our installer also a friend. The reset button I was trying to find on my own was so small five of them might fit on a penny and between two wires. Ultimately it was a dirty sensor that had to be removed, wiped down and presto. HEAT! But man, you need to know where everything is. Being Christmas and a friend we got off very reasonable but I can see where some would be paying up for a simple service. BUT, they have meters and equipment that are costly and I know that even moving a diesel service truck is costly. I’m thankful and I now know how to clean a sensor. Okay that sensor.
While doing some work this week I did my yearly Christmas watch on The Quest Trilogy. This unique exploration of three interwoven biblical stories always invokes deep thought and positive feelings. Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer. Watch them in that order and I think you will take something positive away. They can be watched many places but on Encourage TV you can watch free with ads. Truly a challenging role for me and a massive undertaking filming all three of those in the desert. Filmmakers earn their desert stripes by filming in a desert. If you know, you know.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA has been sweeping across the country. I was sent a link this morning where it was talked about on a National talk show (Clay Travis & Buck Sexton) to an audience of 10 million + folks. Our national PR doesn’t really kick in until the first of the year but people are renting and buying it. They’re traveling back to 1944 and experiencing a true story that is a bright spot in human history even though it happened during the very dark time of WW2. It is important that we don’t lose those stories and I want to thank our investors and sponsors for making this project happen. I want to thank our cast and crew and my producer team led by director Anthony Hornus. He was the director of Man’s Best Friend which is one of the most talked about films with fans I meet. This film is an amazing follow up and really shows the heart ‘Tony’ puts in his storytelling. But that heart and passion can be found in most all our CDI tribe. I love what I do and much of that is because I love the people I work with and I love the fans who reach out to tell us how they’ve been touched. It was a VERY hard film to make but it was all worth it. I’m glad it is complete and now being seen by the world.
I had some great conversations about upcoming and developing projects. I believe that projects will find a way if they are meant to be manifested. That doesn’t mean sitting and just waiting- it takes packaging and aligning. Countless calls, meetings and the hard work of a strong core of producers. Audiences can already rest assured that another CDI story is coming at you in 2024. Harsens Island Revenge is coming together currently being edited in Brazil. We were closing on the first hour of our story in my last director update. I always like to take the path of modesty but everyone associated with that project knows we have something very special coming. Early in 2024 audiences should be getting their first look with a teaser trailer with the first music by the one and only Dennis Therrian. With the amazing photos by GW Burns a new advanced theatrical poster will be coming.
KNIGHT CHILLS has been fun to revisit. It was CDI’s 1st film and is now on BluRay and selling well. The extras are a great source of learning and inspiration for new or upcoming filmmakers. Thank you to all the fans of this little film. Big things might still be coming from this franchise. You can buy the Blu Ray on Amazon and many retail stores like Walmart, Barnes and Noble and Best Buy.
WILD FAITH: HASTINGS is getting some momentum. HOT ROD LOVE will soon be officially announced on the development slate. We have Pepsi officially onboard and our first investor. We’ll be giving our past investors first opportunity in the new year before opening it to those who’ve given interest in getting involved. Like I said in a meeting this week- we’re building pyramids. These stories will last for generations and they should. I really do like making films that matter. I enjoy films that are just escapism for fun but the older I get I really like the depth. I believe that both can be achieved and much of that starts with the script. I’ve been doing a little bit of screenwriting also but we’ll save that for a different day. We have a few projects developing with young filmmakers and opportunities to grow that next ring of branches at CDI. I have a few potentially big meetings first of the year including one requiring me to jump on a plane across the country. I’m just happy I’m not flying during this time of the year. But in 2024 I’ll jump on a jet and try to kickstart a few new films.
Speaking of 2024- I’m really spending some time recharging and refocusing. I usually make a set of proposed goals and I already have a few in mind. I’m pretty disciplined but that is going to become even more-so in the new year. At 53 I feel like I’m still moving towards my peak. What’s really helping me is the wisdom I’ve accumulated over the years. I know myself very well. I know what I like and what I don’t. What I will tolerate and what I won’t. Mistakes of my past have become vital experience used to achieve success. I’m very excited about 2024 and I hope you are as well. ‘Be the change you want to see’ is a good statement I’ve heard recently used. What I want for Christmas is comfort for those dealing with loss. Peace on earth and goodwill amongst men (and women). Love, unity and understanding- even for a day. If it can start with a day it can grow into more but it takes a step. 2024 doesn’t have to be division filled if we learn to respect one another including learning to respectfully disagree. Anyone preaching or proclaiming hate should not be a leader. And they are only empowered by followers so trust your heart and follow only that. Skip the slights and insults and instead just communicate. Thank you for almost a year of us meeting once a week to think and ponder together. My last blog of the year will be New Year’s Eve. I look forward to joining with all of you again next week and the year beyond.
Be good to one another and Merry Christmas.
DJ
Thankful For the Journey Thus Far – Embrace the Past That Created YOU. Oh, and Film Updates!
(Done with the clean shaven for a while, snow is about to fly in the Michigan)
I’m sipping the hazelnut coffee and sitting down with you all on this fine Sunday morning. I want to welcome all our new readers from Norway, Germany, Saudi Arabia and more. We are expecting snow here in Michigan today and the bitter chill is a precursor. Only a few more things in the yard to stow away until the springtime. This past week was a busy one with Thanksgiving falling on a Thursday. We went up North and spent time with family. Friday and Saturday were getting things ready for Christmas. I was happy to spend a little time with Dean Teaster who came to pick up a few of his props. He had several period phones that we used in Harsens Island Revenge. Saturday we got supplies for the chickens and also went and cut our Christmas tree. It is up and awaiting decoration which will happen over the next few days. I’m feeling thankful at this time of the season. I’m trying to slow my roll from the active year and recharge. I’ve had several great meetings last week both by phone and in-person. The fire at the office is a great place to sit around and throw ideas. Let’s look at some of the meetings and developments from the week.
- The top news is the special screening of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA for one day FREE w/ ads at Encourage TV. It is free to subscribe and plays on Youtube, Roku and various platforms. Read all about it here: https://www.prlog.org/12995184-silent-night-in-algona-one-day-free-screening-on-encourage-tv-before-release-to-home-video.html and watch the interview here – https://www.facebook.com/share/v/MgHsnnVRqwsR6SVF/?mibextid=hubsqH
- On December 1st the film SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA will start its DVD and Video on Demand run. A great family watch or a holiday gift for lovers of history. It can be found on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Algona-Anthony-Hornus/dp/B0CL7DFYSK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1WMZK4FVE00Y7&keywords=silent+night+in+algona&qid=1701008715&sprefix=silent+night+in+%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-1
- Got word that SAVAGE, a Bigfoot story that I wrote and developed with director Lynn Drzick (In the Woods) was sold and script was produced. It is now making its way to digital home video on Jan. 1st. Read about it here! https://www.horrorsociety.com/2023/11/20/savage-the-bigfoot-legendlives-on-digital-platforms-jan-1st/
- This is AWESOME – Encourage TV has given CDI its own Playlist so you can watch all the family films playing on Encourage TV. You can now do a marathon of CDI films at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2Tn2MhKrkFOCsmKZaxoZCT1R5GEOEL3E
- Harsens Island Revenge is full speed ahead on editing. We are looking this week at a possible model boat explosion. I need to speak today or tomorrow with our director Carl on that front. Our Production Designer Greg Burns (GW) has created a group of Christmas cards using our locations and vehicles. If you are interested in these you can reach out to GW at gwburnsphotography@gmail.com (See the Harsens Island Revenge FB page to see pics)
- Knight Chills is performing well with its new Blu Ray release. I will be looking to get our materials back and set up the film in 2024 for streaming. Here is where you can buy the Blu Ray- https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Chills-Tim-Jeffrey/dp/B0CJ5WBSZR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=VH32AUSX4DRN&keywords=Knight+Chills&qid=1701010903&sprefix=knight+chill%2Caps%2C267&sr=8-2
- WILD FAITH is about to cross another mark on Encourage TV, EIGHT MILLION VIEWS! This will happen in just days and that number is increasing at all the platforms. We will be working hard to position the TV series HASTINGS for production. The demand is there we just need to get the right partners lined up. Creative control has been the biggest thing to deal with but we are making progress.
- DEVELOPMENT – This is a great time of year where we are planning the next several years of projects at CDI. I’ve got some good script writing on deck and we’ve been making moves on positioning other films to launch. We mentioned Hastings above and we’re actively looking at a primarily location for HOT ROD LOVE. We’ll be updating some of the materials soon which will also include the addition of Pepsi to our package as a sponsor. We will be approaching other sponsors and funders in the new year with the hope of rolling cameras in the summer 2024.
In wrapping up this blog, I reflect the sentiment of the recent holiday, appreciation. I’ve been enjoying meeting with so many of you as we prepare to celebrate a NEW release as our holiday WW2 film hits the market Nov 30th. We will be enjoying behind the scenes, posters and trailers for Harsens Island Revenge as we enter 2024. Our back up system for the CDI films is being build now and we’ll soon have easier access to footage. I am planning to release a 2024 CDI highlight reel on New Years Eve we will see. I was reminded by a friend that I need to enjoy the victories and not just jump to whatever is lagging or under performing. In time, but again I’ll take the moments to celebrate those wins. And I will say that this blog and all of you are part of that win. I appreciate those artists who’ve reached out and expressed how the blog has helped them. Sometimes it the stimulating of an idea that can be implemented into your own endeavors. Sometimes it is just the comfort of knowing that struggling is just part of living. If you picked the arts you’ve chosen the harder path. But I have been rewarded by the places I’ve been, the people I’ve collaborated with and the creation of stories into the world that would not have been there otherwise.
(Always the dreamer – I’ve done some biographical writing over the years and one day it might make a good book)
Off some recent conversations – For those just starting out. There is no shame in doing other work as you build a foundation. Writers pull on those early jobs. Remember write about what you know. I use to go home from my first job at PONDEROSA steakhouse with a pocket full of napkins full of my scrawling for script and movie ideas. When I managed a fitness club it also became my office. This was at a time of using calling cards for long distance so having phones set up for free long distance was a plus. I had a mail system which made send outs easy. But I also lived in Kinkos for several years – I remember having to go up there to get my Scream 2 sides faxed. That audition is what took me to Hollywood for the first time. Everything leads to something else. Embrace your journey. Patience is a hard thing to master and you might spend a lifetime trying to tame it. Faith that everything led you to where you are is also nurturing. Any variance or change could have affected many outcomes. Be mindful of the past and note the future but really do focus on the present. I’m spending this winter reflecting, recharging and refocusing – when the new year comes I hope to bring some hard fought and earned wisdom to the next leg of the adventure.
Coffee Cheers! Maybe 2024 will be the year of the full time coffee sponsor!
Be good to one another, DJ.
NEW ‘CDI’ FILM UPDATES! – November 19th, 2023
This is a truly chilly Michigan morning. Thankfully I was able to get a hot pot of hazelnut coffee flowing. I want to welcome my new readers from India, Philippines, Bangladesh and Canada. I’ve been busy getting things rolling in promotion with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA and we’re also chugging along on HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE post-production. I’ve had several meetings over the course of the week. MSU, my alumni actually won a close football game yesterday and we’ll see in the Detroit Lions can keep their momentum.
This week I kept up with the winterizing of the yard. We’re going up North on Thanksgiving so we’re having a holiday gathering at my dad’s today. We enjoyed watching the SILVER BELLS holiday tree lighting fest here in Lansing. From our house we could watch the drone show and the fireworks show put on by one of our “Harsens Island Revenge” sponsors, ACE Pyro Inc. It was a great display.
- Met with our BMG Global team on the roll out of PR leading up to the December 1st DVD and streaming release of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA. I know Amazon Prime and Vudu are a couple of the streaming sites that will carry the film. Many more streaming platforms will be releasing it I just need to track those links down. It will make a great gift and shared watch with family. PRE-ORDER the DVD here- https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Algona-Anthony-Hornus/dp/B0CL7DFYSK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OKCPJN0M4XQ&keywords=silent+night+in+algona&qid=1700399845&sprefix=silent+night+in+algona+%2Caps%2C94&sr=8-1
- I met this week with an old friend discussion charity work with CDI. It is something we’ll move into more of as we continue to develop and grow the company.
- I also had a meeting with Adam Towner this week over our CDI back up RAID that is being assembled. Once that is active we’ll have easier access to our footage for promotional work. One of the the things I want done is a Behind the Scenes video for Harsens Island Revenge to release in December and a CDI highlight reel to drop on Jan 1st, 2024.
- I also took a meeting over a possible CDI associated TV show. It was more consulting at this point but it could turn into something more solid leading into 2024.
- Met with our production designer GW Burns over CDI merchandise. One of the cool first run items is a collection of Christmas cards featuring locations and vehicles used in Harsens Island Revenge. You can view the cards and order from GW directly at https://www.facebook.com/GregWBurns
- I also met with our John “Tiger” Mashni, our fellow producer to prep for end of the year tax work and also film dispersement to our backers either in Dec or Jan. This also includes state filing fees and other business to-do’s.
- A beautiful thing is that BMG Global/Encourage TV has created a PLAY LIST for those wanting to watch one CDI film after another. We will be adding The Patchwork Girl from Oz to the list also. Here it is! https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2Tn2MhKrkFOCsmKZaxoZCT1R5GEOEL3E&si=KgpKfZOfJOAc91Ne
- And while a tad different, the animated CDI associated film THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ is a wonderful watch for the entire family. It features many of your favorite characters. WATCH NOW! – https://youtu.be/qLaw6zOAsw0?si=ThELZd33DsDJqXJv
- Climbing in the ranks of films is CDI’s maiden voyage film KNIGHT CHILLS. It actually has a YULE time plot line which I will not give away. The film has been brought into high def and the audio has been remastered. Also many great extra features old and new. Give the gift and maybe a red rose;) BUY NOW! https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Chills-Tim-Jeffrey/dp/B0CJ5WBSZR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=BFQA5294BLA6&keywords=Knight+Chills&qid=1700401692&sprefix=knight+chills%2Caps%2C133&sr=8-2
- HERE is the final SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA home video release trailer from BMG Global – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_D35qZCUlc
WRAP UP: So as you can see from above it was a busy week. While all this is underway we’re taking a hard look at development. It is nice to just have a clear head without any character building currently happening. I do love that process. But right now after months of keeping myself more or less clean shaved, I’m enjoying the wild beard. Plus it is helping with the cold for sure. I’ve been getting after log splitting and tonight I’ll have the wood stove kicking.
The fort’s fireside provides a great place to brainstorm and to move business along. I’m looking forward to many more over the winter as we find the spark for new upcoming projects. We have several properties in development. We’ll seek to capture that momentum from our upcoming releases and exciting post production updates. Who is excited to see a Harsens Island Revenge behind the scenes video or teaser trailer? They will be coming. In the meantime you watch follow us on Facebook and watch all the great photos rolling out.
As it gets cold it is a great time to revisit your CDI favorite films like The Quest Trilogy, Lost Heart, Wild Faith…If you want to watch director Anthony Hornus’ last film before SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA releases watch MAN’S BEST FRIEND. I’m going to finish off the coffee and look at getting into some bacon and eggs. I hope you all are having a great harvest season. We are reaping the rewards of past efforts and it feels great. I want to once again thank all our backers, cast, crew and sponsors and most of all, our fans. Have a great week and we’ll chat next week. We might actually get some snow mid week so get out those warm clothes.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
‘Silent Night in Algona’ About to go Global – ‘Harsens’ Updates and Glimpses of 2024!
It is a wet and chilly morning in the Michigan. It makes me glad that we got our filming on Harsens Island Revenge complete. We do have some pick up shooting between now and Feb 2024. We will be working with my old friends at McGraw Multimedia to do some specialized filming on the actual island. We’ll be getting that just before we lose all our leaves and color. After that we’ll be doing a little PYRO action with one of our sponsors. We have a boat that meets an untimely end and we’ll be dealing with that here soon after. Lastly, we have two proposed pieces to get in Feb. one is a close up cock pit of a period bi-plane and the other is our opening of the film in WW1. A powerful and emotional opening to the film and thanks to our friends at thew Alpena Air Base it looks like we’ll be filming there.
(Don Most’s intense performance will shake audiences)
We’ve kept the momentum flowing with the releasing of official photos to our FB page. Some are stills and others BTS. We even have a special gallery black and white gallery and a “Meet the Purples” and a “Meet the Harsens Island Militia” section. Most of the pics taken by our production designer and still photographer GW Burns. He’ll be working with CDI moving forward and we’re happy to have him. I had meetings this week with several of the team toasting and getting good feedback for future endeavors. We are still wrapping up a few aspects of production but we are almost there.
(100+ years and still on the road, FORD tough)
The season of scares is upon us and last week I gave folks a list of CDI associated spooky projects or projects I’ve acted in. I did have some conversations with a past director about forthcoming films in the horror genre. We had some direct talk on timelines. If you don’t have a script prepared that can take a good part of a year to develop. Even with a strong, polished script you could spend a year between location scouting and casting. In our business there is a lot of talk and that can hurt filmmakers. Assuming something is moving forward when a third party might not be that interested but find it easier to just say maybe, soon…I could give a list of excuses often given. I use to live with my hope attached to those excuses. Now I work with only the most serious of folks minding my time. So if someone is giving lip service push for that letter of INTENT or move on.
Let’s talk about the juggernaut on the board. We had a first big teams meeting with our distributor at Twin Engines Global. SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA will be getting the highlight treatment at AFM (American Film Market) having been evaluated and targeted for success. The film was a surprise hit in the theaters with word of mouth bringing the film into 70+ theatre and played for 10 months after the Dec. 2022 release in Algona. The film will enjoy a release on DVD and streaming on Dec. 1st and we’ve been highly encouraged by our pre-sales. The film went live on Amazon last week to start pre-ordering the DVD. We’ve had hundreds of people asking for DVD’s since the theatrical release from around the country. Now the film has debuted in Amazon’s Top 100 and we broke the under 50 by week’s end. Can we get to #1 on Amazon? It’s a great goal and I would be happy to get in the top 10. Looking at all the negativity in the world showcasing humanity at less than it’s best it is a breath of fresh air to have a film like SNIA releasing. The based on a true story highlights some light in a dark period. Actions that reflect the better side of humanity and can give us HOPE that we can do good. It is the best chance to date of CDI creating a holiday classic aside from our biblical trilogy. (Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer) * watch all three in order you will not be disappointed. SNIA will make a wonderful gift and belongs to be part of everyone’s forever collection. You can even send the film as a gift with a message.
PRE-ORDER HERE (SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA) – https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Night-Algona-Taylor-Nichols/dp/B0CL7DFYSK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=7VT1J3D4V465&keywords=silent+night+in+algona&qid=1698585918&sprefix=silent+night+in+algona%2Caps%2C80&sr=8-1
CDI’s first film KNIGHT CHILLS a PG -13 thriller is also a pre-order for a special Blu-Ray full of extras- it releases on Halloween! PRE-ORDER HERE (KNIGHT CHILLS) – https://www.amazon.com/Knight-Chills-Tim-Jeffrey/dp/B0CJ5WBSZR/ref=sr_1_2?crid=L4UBHK9HY82J&keywords=Knight+Chills&qid=1698586174&sprefix=knight+chills%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-2
(One of the CDI props hanging at the office awaiting a future film shoot )
Looking Ahead to 2024!
I’ve been spending a good amount of time in thought and evaluation of which project to push next. Really you push several properties and get behind the one with the most momentum. I think we might return back to the film HOT ROD LOVE that we were pushing but lost our filming window and our main location was still a bit up in the air. It is a fun 70’s comedy based around small track drag racing. We had some commits to fund and we’ll see who else would be interested in participating. It could film early Spring/Summer and give us an opportunity to film again in the Fall or a Spring 2025 shoot in a warmer place like Yuma, AZ:)
(Bart Ketner and Travis Hayward brainstorming at the ‘Fort’ over Bday gifted HIGH WEST – thank you David Zugger)
As for writing I’ve got a few scripts that I’ve been working on as time presents itself. I’m also looking over a collection of books to once again try to pick a story that would translate well to the screen. I think I might have landed on one. I love to write in the wintertime and from the chill outside we can tell it is not too far off. I had some initial talks on the SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE film that would be our follow up in Iowa. I had a few semi-productive talks last week but the pending success of SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA will help these efforts. If I had the full funding today on Spirit Lake Massacre we would still not be rolling cameras to 2025 between casting and location scouting which is another state. I’ve got a few more financial talks over the next few weeks and I think we’ll make some good progress. The best is yet to come!
December 1st on DVD and Streaming!
The truth of our storytelling profession is that everyplace, every town has a few stories just deserving of being told. By population there are only a few storytelling groups out there who want to tell the story as is versus giving it the old Hollywood treatment where you get notes from clueless people thinking of profits not story. The two can go hand in hand but too often desperate filmmakers meets clueless executives and the result is a mess. Many do it right and that starts at the top with passion for a story. EVERY CDI film is like a handcrafted whiskey. A blend of ingredients chosen and handpicked. Speaking of- kudos to one of our sponsors RED CEDAR SPIRITS for sponsoring with us on Harsens Island Revenge. Our meetings as of late have included a warm taste of bourbon or a choice Pepsi product. The Bubly sparkling water is a popular chaser.
(The ‘Harsens Island Revenge’ edit once complete will travel to Dennis Therrian for another amazing score and sound design)
I’m going to wish everyone a fun and safe Halloween. I do enough characters and wardrobe to not feel a need to participate in dressing up. But the beautiful full moon yesterday and the awesome Fall days with leaves changing and falling, just has me super content. The last of the production items save one tote has been dropped off and repacked for storage. I’m looking forward to the holiday season that for me runs from Nov 1st to Easter! It is a good season to stay in with friends and family and watch or rewatch your favorite content from CDI. What is your favorite and why? Put your answers in the comments.
We have 4H bacon cooking and fresh eggs are on deck. I know some in Michigan are out there trying to fill their freezer with venison. This week I think I’ll finally bottle my ‘Rocking Rhubarb’ wine. Great for gifts and/or the meeting around the wood stove. It is at these brainstorming sessions that new seeds are planted. I will give some more thought to ‘AROUND THE FIRE’ podcast proposed a few times. maybe once a month with various storytellers and creators. We have finished the music video we shot just before our last feature film shoot. I’m really happy with it and I’m sure we’ll be able to share that soon. Until we speak again next week, be good to one another.
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Deceleration Into Home Life- Basking in the Afterglow of Filming
Greetings to everyone out there. I’m really feeling good. I’ve come home to a true fall festival. The final harvests are underway. Rainy and cold I’ve already had several fires in the wood stove. I’ve had several wonderful conversations with cast, crew, sponsors, location owners and random folks associated with our last film Harsens Island Revenge around that fire. I feel like a bunch of returning vikings that sailed off across the sea on a wonderful adventure. Some are in the desert, some the jungle, the mountain and the rugged shores of Thunder Bay. I do miss the sound of the crashing waves and seabirds. The community was amazing like many have had the pleasure to call home for a while when filming. Yuma, Algona, White Hall, Hastings…we energize and bring communities to life via storytelling. I’ve seen the artistic fires ignite and burn bright with people we’ve met. The #CDItribe keeps growing!
Tony Hornus with our new sound team Travis and Cody!
Our set problems encountered were few due to great prep work by the team leaders and the reward was great with each day’s footage being the gold. I saw so many crew members inspired by the performances and the actors were inspired by the world created by the hard working crew. Debriefing is and has always been fun. We as producers debrief daily on set, sharing issues or victories of the day, prepping for upcoming needs and wants. Daily issues are discussed and via order of business tasks are handled. Port-a-johns, pontoon boat, military base clearance and the ‘to do’ list goes on. Hundreds of things happening behind the scenes and the goal always is to TCB (Like Elvis) in a non-distracting way. Aside from trouble shooting there is just the flow -Prepping payroll, paying payroll and accounting payroll: show+biz = motion picture production
Don Most takes his third journey with CDI. Quality talent continues to be drawn to our stories and I love the range and diversity that talent can showcase. I can promise you that this man in the middle brings a powerful performance to the film. It reminds me of when Rance Howard was excited about playing the Devil in the three biblical films. He was often cast as the good this or the good that so to play ‘the bad guy’ was a great thrill. Also it was great fun for the Howard clan who had not seen Rance with a beard in many years. I’m proud of all the performances and I think every actor will be proud to have participated in this movie. Follow our movie Facebook page as we are rolling cool pics out daily. Kind of inspired by trading cards of old we’ll be rolling them out. BTS, Officials, black and whites, intro to the militia and Purple Gang. Fun stuff! Check us out. Also we’ll be end of year updating the http://www.cdiproductions.com website. There is lots of cool stuff on our site about our creative group and our endeavors.
I have worked to settle back in until we take the next CDI adventure. That means props and craft service stuff goes back into storage. I think we are close to being at a stage or acquiring an enclosed trailer to store all the CDI stuff like tables, chairs, coffee makers, tents. Now with a growing transportation department I think we might be able to grow that. I’m very excited about this last production because we ran about 95% efficiency. It is hard to control that final 5% variable you can just react to it. But even next to Algona it was an easier shoot. But Algona was much winder and colder. That alone drains a cast and crew and putting up lights and flags in heavy winds becomes problematic. But the weather really was perfect with the cold front hitting on the last night showing us what we had missed. We’re just so excited about what we captured in Alpena. We will continue that tradition of great stories.
Today Marv Chickering who runs the Nativity Scene Museum in Algona, was gifted the beautiful RED LETTER AWARDS that the film received for best screenplay and best film. They will hang the pair of awards in the museum. SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA was made to showcase that towns beautiful story from 1944. That story can be seen by everyone on Dec 1st 2023 on Amazon Prime, Encourage TV and many other streaming platforms. Once I get a list I’ll announce that. Again follow our Facebook site for a lot of great updates on this beautiful film. I look forward to hearing the feedback which if matches the theatrical it will be well received.
I see that several thousand of you have watched THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ – thank you!
KNIGHT CHILLS– While organizing in the office I got to truly enjoy the HD version of the film. I could see the cracks of a 10k production budget and 10k post production budget in the 90’s. I enjoyed the documentary about the films place in the history of horror films. I love the editing they did around the interviews. Overall just a real joy. I’ll be reaching out to the distributor next week. We’re talking some expansion merchandise. I want to again say how much I love the Tom Miller fan art.
Knight Chills Blu Ray can be bought on many major outlets starting Oct 30th, 2023. If role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons is your jam, check it out. CDI first feature released 22 years ago and filmed 25 years ago. Lots going on with this franchise.
DEVELOPMENT – Lots of development thoughts and talks underway. We discussed this last week and I’m not going to go deep on this topic yet. We have several projects in development and we’ll see what synergy is created. I love the fall/winter as a time to birth ideas and new stories from my imagination.
(Axel, wardrobe test)
END OF WEEK THOUGHTS– My mind has already plotted out all the additional steps we need to take in post and once our clean up is completed we’ll be single focused on the post process. Many are feeling that deceleration sickness of riding on that artistic high for weeks traveling with so many and suddenly being solo and returning back to the quiet. I’m looking forward to my many meetings next week. Past, present and future all mixed into the journey. Proud of where I’ve been and what I’ve done and of now I’m doing. And always looking forward to what we will do in the years ahead. Plans have to be made ahead of time as these movies don’t always move fast. But we have many awaiting to see what the new stories and adventures will be. So am I. So I’ll keep on moving forward and we’ll see what happens. It has been nice to put Harsens Island Revenge’s Axel out to the island. I lived with him for quite some time and I love how he came out. I’m a happier person than Axel and so I’m happy to be back to 100% me. It is funny that I really don’t feel the urge to dress up and become on Halloween anymore. I get my fill of that with my acting roles. I don’t know what is next and that too is kind of exciting. Until next week!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Pepsi Joins the Journey plus TOP UPDATES FROM THE WEEK!
Hello from beautiful Alpena, Michigan. This past week has been a whirlwind as our pre-production team landed and got immediately to business. I want to welcome our new readers from China, Canada, Brazil and of course the USA.
This is another of my Saturday updates that will happen during our film shoot with Saturday being the day off. For a producer there is no real day off but that it is a bit more slow paced. I’m going to do a top updates in the world of CDI films.
- KNIGHT CHILLS sold through its 1000 piece special slip cover Blu Ray in a week. I have yet to see it all myself even though I hear my copy is sitting at home on my desk. Here is the link to the standard edition still available- https://vinegarsyndrome.com/products/knight-chills
- THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ – animated family film can be seen free with ads here- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vm3MvQt5xoo
- Tonight SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA will be represented at the Red Letter Awards outside Nashville, TN. Our own Donna Kitzinger will be there to represent CDI, the film and accept should we win any of the nominated categories. We are up against some huge budgets and very talented artists so just happy to be recognized. Watch the FB page for updates!
- Harsens Island Revenge (HIR) starts rolling cameras in the morning. Our prep team has been hard at work and that is how we get all the value we do on the screen. No replacement for hard work either you do it or you don’t.
- HIR has many great developments such great location owners. Such great vehicles being rounded up by our transportation Captain Dane Deford. Sets being built like a moonshine still site by our art team of GW Burns and Bart Ketner. Just a great positive energy as we move towards our launch. Actors are now landing and the secondary crew members will be moving in.
WRAP UP: We’re getting such great help and collaboration from the people and city of Alpena. We also have a slew of great sponsors coming on board including Pepsi. They are really stepping up hard making this one of our most supplied projects for craft service. Protein bars, Muscle Milk, Tea, Energy drinks, sparkling vitamin water and the list goes on and on. We are very excited to have Pepsi partnering with CDI.
I’m going to wrap this up here and get back at some activities. I’ll be going in front of the camera first thing in the morning. But I can say after months of creating I’m ready to let Axel loose. I want to thank all of you who followed along on the prepping of this journey. You’ll enjoy the FB daily updates and I’ll be back next Saturday to report on week one of shooting.
(Director Carl Weyant & I on location scout)
Here we go!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
End of Month (July) Updates- Mysteries, Goals and Making Moves
A beautiful morning in Michigan that has that slight chill I love. I’m sipping my hazelnut coffee and looking forward to sharing with all of you. Thank you to all the new readers. Do share the blog with artists who you think might enjoy the weekly read. I’m still hearing and reading many expressing their fear over the new emerging technologies. I had an interesting talk with a doctor friend of mine recently. We talked about the developments in medicine that may change how we treat disease and the social issues that could go with it. Imagine if suddenly we were not losing millions of people a year to cancer, heart disease and more. What if they could slow or stop cellular degeneration, aging? How would things change if 120-150 years became the life expectancy? Population is already an issue that is devouring natural resources. Housing, social security- I could go on but I think you see the issue. That is why I love the space race that our billionaires are engaged in. We will need to start living on the moon or other planets to survive the rising population. The wild fires in Canada sending smoke down into the USA gives a hint of how horrible things can be when air quality goes South. What if it was volcanic ash or worse nuclear fallout. AIR, WATER effects FOOD supply and in turn HEALTHCARE. These things should live outside politics. No lobbying should allow the pursuit of short term profit doom long term health and happiness. I think our advances in medicine are coming but the issues of millions extending their lives by decades will come with issues to consider.
This week saw government talks on UFO’s. Yes. I know they have different names for them now but I’m old school. We as kids loved the mysteries of ghosts, UFO’s, Bigfoot and Loch Ness monster. Never in my imagination would I have thought these fringe topics would be mainstream. Maybe the many tv shows proves how much we all love mystery. It is just incredible to watch it all move out of the shadows into the light. I think the public is more than capable of handling the truth. Science continues to push the boundaries as we can see farther, smaller and into areas that before were hidden. Even ground sonar is finding ancient structures that were hidden by nature reclaiming them. But with several “news” outlets reading more like the National Enquirer it can be challenging. It will be interesting to see what will be revealed in the next decade.
Let’s get back to discussing movie updates-
HARSENS ISLAND REVENGE – We’ve moved into the final six weeks of off location pre-production. The schedule was released and we do have a small adjustment coming whereas one of the characters was missing from a scene so that is being added. We did have a few shake up’s due to the schedule. This happens every film, every time. When we look back at picture wrap we can never imagine it being any way other than how it went down. One actor we switched roles and one had to drop because of being out of the country. This past week I did all the agreements for crew to be reviewed and dispersed and this week will be the cast agreements. We are closing in on filling the small handful of cast and crew needed. Things like catering, insurance and lodging are getting solidified. Friday is our new meeting day and it was great to do an end-of-the-week recap. Jersey Giant joined Lerma Transportation as a sponsor and we have more to announce. Independent films are made with the assistance of many and we due provide visibility to tens of millions worldwide. We’ll be announcing many more in the coming weeks.
On a personal level I’m now at the point with my character of breaking down wardrobe for each scene I’m in. I always like to have a say in my props and clothes as the role. I run stuff by our wardrobe professional and it becomes collaborative. I had to get all my measurements for some pieces of clothes I plan to purchase. I’m still tweaking personality traits for the role and studying daily the world in which this character lived in. I still need another haircut to get it closer to period. I’m excited to soon be telling another story. I also love being with all the artists. Some I only really see while filming and so that makes it pure joy. More on this film as it develops.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA – My hope is that our few visual fixes will be done and we can move the new master film file to our distributor and their third party to fix a pixel drop. Something the eye doesn’t catch my the QC software did. So we’re going have that fixed that in prep for the run up to DVD and home video. The theatrical run has concluded and we’re only awaiting payment from one remaining theatre. After that we’ll be doing dispersement back to our backers. We are all so EXCITED to have people around the globe see this film. It is as powerful of a film as we’ve ever made. I’ll look forward to all the communications from fans over this film.
DEVELOPMENT WORK – We’ve got a TV series and a new epic film in development. Our pitch decks are complete and we’ll be approaching folks over the next few months. Things take time so they have to start many months/years ahead of actual production. That is one of the things I often encounter is people having unrealistic timelines. We make it look easy but it is hundreds if not thousands of moves on a chessboard of development. I know we could move faster if we were willing to sacrifice creative control which I’m not willing to do. When we don’t have the reigns that is when things can get messy. Many in my position might agree to whatever terms but experience shows that creates turmoil and often failure in such endeavors. So sometimes the longer road is better than the perceived short cut. Remember that.
WRAP UP– The hops are blooming into cones. I harvested more rhubarb for future runs of wine. The herbs have been in full swing filling the air with sweet scents. The eggs are coming daily from happy chickens. My furry son had his first run in with a “white-striped kitty” resulting in a needed, unscheduled bath. The trees are full of apples which may become hard cider or just be squirrel food.
We had another soccer match whereas this time we came up short but again I just love the hard-nose competition. I love how strangers can just collide in brutal fashion, fighting for space and to move the ball towards the opposing goal. I’ve been enjoying watching the women’s World Cup matches while doing work. I still love the game and I’m happy to be able to still play at the level I do.
I’m going to conclude this post and get to finishing a few projects around the homestead. I hope you all have had a great weekend. I hope that your week ahead will be productive and move you closer to your goals. It is important that even when you have a major goal sitting in the distance that you also focus on all the smaller goals that will help get you to that major goal. Proper evaluation is very important. Hard work can be wasted if it is not directed in the proper way. The smarter versus harder is true. Pressure needs to be applied in the right place to get your desired outcome. Do evaluate your plans and see if you are doing things in the correct order of business. Again, I see so many people do what they WANT to do or what they deem FUN but ignore what NEEDS to be done. Fun will follow when things are done in the right order. When they are not you don’t get fun as a result you get frustration.
Keep following your dreams! Coffee Cheers!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 