Good morning! I’m getting a later start today having stayed up past my bedtime to watch our Detroit Lions play last night at Dallas. Man the calls were really against them and that final “situation” was disappointing. I’ll let those wiser in football knowledge debate and discuss that final call. I think it will all fire the team up for their next encounter. My alumni school Michigan State University also had a hard year in football but their basketball team is looking like their getting back on track. I’m really looking forward to our outdoor soccer season. I’m looking to have an even better season but overall it is just fun and healthy to compete like that each week.
Health is wealth is still the mantra I’m sticking by. I like the idea of never saying you are sick but you’re always healing. My ailments this year have thankfully all been minor and I’m putting more energy and effort towards that in the coming year. I’ve got a few action films or films with action still in me. I’ve been moving from just daily maintain workouts to building. Usually just flexibility and tone are my goals but I’ve moved into more building. Each of you should either start or perhaps try to build upon your own routines. I’m thankful for the martial arts that I’ve practiced since I began in 7th grade. The only film I’ve displayed any of my martial arts was MAN’S BEST FRIEND playing Paul Landings. I’ve used my training to allow and assist me in doing many of my own stunts. I’m really proud of the knock down drag out fight scene in WICKED SPRING with actor buddy Terry Jernigan. We’ll see what the future holds.
REVIEWING 2023 GOALS–
As I look over my goals list that I make each year I’m reasonably happy with the results. It is good to put it down in writing and it is okay if you fall short. You almost always will. I had plans to have a deck built and finish these rafter coverings on the fort/office but that did not get done. But it will go on my 2024 list. Producing a feature film and music video both were achieved. Harsens Island Revenge was filmed and is now being edited together. A great rock music video was shot a follow up to our DEEPFALL “Revolution” video. It will be releasing soon but it came out great. Best part was exchanging stories with the drummer Chris Adler (Megadeath, Lamb of God) about all our mutual associates in Virginia where he lives. That goal was met and I plan to match or exceed that in 2024. I had a goal of acting in an outside CDI film which is always fun because I don’t carry the responsibilities of producing. I graciously did have an offer to star in an outside CDI film but it was too close to our Harsens Island Revenge shoot and I was already in the look and mindset of ‘Axel’ and could not switch gears. But I’ll give myself partial credit for I could have but I like to focus on one at a time and give my full attention and effort. My gardening efforts were successful and I enjoy my ongoing study ofherbs and fungus. Such healing power in nature and it is fun to unlock the secrets. I will continue that into the new year. I set a safe soccer season as a goal and that was met. Again I hope to play with the same strong intensity and stay safe and healthy. Finish two new scripts was a goal and while I did not finish two new ones I made new progress on four or so pet project scripts. Pet project scripts are ones not on a fast track and I’m not being paid to write. While I did not get SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE financed progress was made and perhaps 2024 will see that follow through. I had a goal of assembling the CDI film back up RAID that will store and allow easy access to the footage. I’m happy to report that all the equipment is in and next week it will be active and ready to start loading up with CDI films. I wanted a CDI highlight reel cut but that was dependent upon the RAID build so while I don’t get to unveil that today it will be coming soon. I asked for a smooth tax season which it was thanks to my great team of people. I ask for that again this year. The development of a theatrical division was a goal and I’m happy to say with had our best run in 2023 with SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA going into 70+ theatres and playing 9 months in the midwest theatres. I have zero doubt that Harsens Island Revenge will build upon that and go even higher. My last set of goals was the development of a full on merchandise and music division. Steps were taken but not fully realized and those goals will carry over to 2024! As you can see I too did not achieve all my goals but some of them and took good steps towards the others. So write down your own goals and that will help you work towards them.
SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA released nationally on December 1st and has been an extreme joy during the season. So many people are now getting to watch this beautiful story at home with family and friends. Such a great story of hope. Hope that even during dark times we can reach down and find the good parts of ourselves. It is available on DVD and streaming so please do enjoy a watch. If you liked it please leave a review on it’s http://www.imdb.com or Amazon page or wherever you can.
Harsens Island Revenge – I just actually received an update from our director Carl Weyant who is editing. We have a solid hour edited and he’s been fine tuning it. The last quarter of the edit starts with the new year. I’m excited to get working on a ‘behind the scenes’ and a teaser trailer not to forget the director’s theatrical poster built from GW Burns powerful elements. I cannot wait to start having Dennis Therrian put a score to this powerful film.
HOT ROD LOVE was on the development track last year when Harsens Island Revenge came in fully funded. The 70’s comedy/drama set against the backdrop of drag racing was put on a shelf but is now moving back into active development. We are proud to say we’ve got our friends at PEPSI onboard and even the first committed funds. We’ll be giving our past backers the first opportunity to get involved and that process will start first of the new year. We’ve made several new friends who’ve given interest in getting involved with these stories and so rest assured opportunities will be presented.
WILD FAITH celebrated passing the 8 million views mark at Encourage TV meaning 20-30 million worldwide not counting broadcast. The Wild Faith: HASTINGS TV series that continues the story from the feature is being looked at by several parties. The key has always been creative control. The series might have been produced already if deep compromises had been made. I was unwilling to do so. If and when it is brought back it will be done properly.
2023 saw the rebirth of KNIGHT CHILLS on Blu-Ray. The film which has built a following over the years was released in Oct. having been digitally remastered. The 1st special cover run sold out in 6 days. A director’s rewrite of a sequel is going to be submitted and 2024 might see the sequel ride into production. Also the original will be heading to streaming we are just looking at the best course for it.
The possibility of several of the CDI Classic Collection being remastered and re-released is moving forward. It takes time but it is worth it to see these films brought back into the marketplace. My coffee is getting low and I’m feeling a need for some eggs. I’m going to try and wrap this up and enjoy my day. I had the last of my Christmas family gatherings yesterday and get to see some family I haven’t seen since pre-Covid. At the gathering we got word of a family members passing. We took a moment of silence right in the middle of a game full of laughter. A reminder that each year is precious and that loved ones will pass on. I know of several friends who lost loved ones. So again bringing it full circle, I ask for health and happiness for you all in the coming year. Work on your goals but be kind to yourself when you fall a little short. Try to be more kind. More understanding. More compassionate. More giving where you can. Sometimes that giving is just time. Time. A way we measure our journey. I wish you all a beautiful 2024 journey. I’ll be here to share mine with you. I’m also really considering the podcast FIRESIDE WITH DJ PERRY, suggested to me so often the last few year. If it happens or not I’ll still look forward to those fireside chats at the fort/office with all my dear friends and associates. To you all I wish you a Happy NEW YEAR!
I’m sitting in my lazy boy sipping the hazelnut coffee. It has been nice to sleep in my own bed and be cozy with my family. We have recently enjoyed a wonderful CDI shoot in Corunna/Owosso area and enjoyed great home away from home service at Quality Inn in Durand, Michigan. We got to enjoy many of the fine eateries in the area and filmed at many of the landmarks in the area. Many know that our most recent film was MBF: Man’s Best Friend that had themes of military wounded and shelter dogs. I encourage anyone looking for a good family addition to visit our friends at the Shaiwassee Humane Society. I got to work with the amazing staff and with many of the animals there awaiting you. We had a great visit from Animal Planet and we’ll be the focus of one of the new shows “Amanda to the Rescue” this fall. We had ‘Duncan‘ the two-legged boxer join our cast and what an inspiration. The VFW provided a fish fry that made this non-fried food eater give in just this once.
Duncan on set with actor Greg Mason
As for the art itself – I was so proud to share the screen with so many incredible actors and to work alongside such a great dedicated crew. (See IMDB.com) In all my years of producing I can honestly say this crew was just on point. I look forward to working with them again. I went to places with this wounded warrior character Paul Landings that I’ve not been on camera. These externally and internally wounded soldiers who live daily with this heaviness pushed me to complete truth. As the role ended I almost felt guilty because for many there is no WRAP on their role. They will still wake up to disfigurement or mental anguish and issues. It is why suicide rates are so high because how long can they carry the heaviness? Now dogs have proven to help carry some of this heaviness and to bring joy back into their lives. Emotionally I gave everything I had and I feel good about that.
Also when I was coming into our business – I did not want to do 1) Soap Opera or 2) Action films to start with. Both in my mind limited how audiences would look at you. I have a long history of martial arts study and practice but mainly use it for health and to allow me to do many of my own stunts. In this film I showcase a bit of my training and that was truly enjoyable. It actually felt very natural and I was happy that the crew seemed to really enjoy what we captured. Most of my fight scenes in the past consisted of deconstructing so as to not appear trained. I want to thank my fellow actors who performed with me and John Lennox who helped me coordinate the scene. I hope audiences enjoy it.
Robert Bradley our dog coordinator and Big Poppa aka Brown Boy in MBF
We do have one more pick up day for the film. It is flashback footage and will show war footage and Paul before being wounded. That will be the icing on the cake. We will be releasing this film again with BMG targeting early next year.
Speaking of BMG we’re in the final stages of putting together something exciting for WILD FAITH. We’re looking at a few more summer theatrical runs before a fall home video release. We also might be playing a west coast festival after being approached. We will know more about that in the coming weeks.
BMG is also the distributor of our biblical adventure films in THE QUEST TRILOGY. Both FORTY NIGHTS and CHASING THE STAR (2016/2017 ‘Most Inspirational’ at ICFF) are in the marketplace – Amazon Prime and many other specialty sites selling DVD and streaming. Here is one of the many new platforms –
This Christmas part 3 THE CHRIST SLAYER will be rounding out the trilogy with a theatrical followed by an Easter 2019 home video release. The theatrical trailer will release in the coming weeks. Music moves into high gear with the feature starting this week with our composer Dennis Therrian.
So this week will include getting all the paperwork straight on MBF and catching up on yard work. I’m back to playing soccer today. It killed me to take a few weeks off but as the lead role in a film, an injury would have risked just too much. But today we’re back at it and I’m ready to roll. I hope you all have a great weekend. For those following along with our boy Luke, he’s going to have his third radiation treatment tomorrow on his sinus tumor. He is doing pretty good but of course I wish I could do more. He is still doing three walks a day, eating and drinking well just a tad slower.
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 