PEACE AND BALANCE – OCTOBER 2026 UPDATES
Hello my friends from around the world. I love seeing the breakdowns of all the readers. I so appreciate all the artists who stop through to reflect on the journey of an artist. To read my trials and tribulations and apply it to your own journey. I am sipping my hazelnut coffee which is my morning favorite. I got up and when cup in hand I explored with my furry son Finn. We listened to all the various birds and watched the squirrels wake and start their morning activities. I try to start my day with nature not technology. It is hard sometimes because of deals or medical monitoring for aging parents. But I try to start my day and end my day with zero technology.
I am and always have been a SciFi fan. I do love that technology has moved from SciFi into our real lives. What we once saw in STAR TREK or STAR WARS is now part of our lives. I’m still wrapping my head around my childhood on fascination for UFO’s now being front and center in the news. I said a month or so ago that riding in a TESLA driving itself was the most SciFi moment I’ve had in decades. We have a great film coming out at the end of the month that puts a spotlight on spirituality and technology sharing space in the new world. I think it is odd for us to image not being the Apex Thinker. We do still process information in a way energy wise that machines cannot quite replicate yet. When robots threatened to replace blue collar jobs the noise was not as loud as when it was suggested that white collar “thinker” jobs could be replaced. This stopped many in their tracks. Accountants billing hours could see machines or programs that can process the information in minutes or seconds. Hours of billable research by attorneys, consultants and such, done in moments. Many industries have been forever changed by advances in technology. Horses and wagons in transportation and military use replaced by autos. The mighty train and streamliners replaced by airplanes. Telegraphs replaced by the telephone. I could go on and on. And for those in the fading professions it became change or die. Not literally but you get it.
This week was a hard one for me personally because of juggling several things at once. Like many my age lucky enough to have one or both parents, I deal with their issues. Both have their current issues in very different ways. The medical system is a double edged sword. Modern meds that can now save someone from was once a death sentence. And a system that knows how to put a medicine bandaid on issues without regular evaluation. And doctors and medical staff are human, for now. We watch LUKE SKYWALKER inside a Bacta Tank being healed by a medical robot. (Sorry non Star Wars geeks) Would they do better at analyzing symptoms, labs and applying the correct medicine. Would they immediately know any bad drug interactions? Likely. A sad truth but the stresses and anxiety of the mind is something more complicated. The issue with compounding medicine is you lose track of what is treating the source issue and what is treating just a side effect.
So this week had me dealing with human faults. Not on purpose as I like to see most human beings as wanting to do kindness because they too benefit from that. Lazy could play into something or job burnout that is real. Another check on why technology and robots could get the edge on humanity. On one small piece of business something off my desk came back to it because someone did not read the submitted letter. On a personal level I also dealt with spending time on something that was declared as “simple” and wasn’t. And it was also thrown back because of their form not being clear. So something technology could do in seconds we take days to sort out. It is not looking good for us on that level. I also think phone trees were created by the Devil. Just joking, maybe.
So this week was full of issues and in the middle of that our elder cat foster-fail Fredrick who was showing serious symptoms has passed. We gave him a beautiful 8 months. He was loved by us and his three female kitty sisters. Or maybe he was Fredrick Hefner with his three ladies. Either way Fred had a good end of life and I encourage folks to give older adoptees a great send off. For me it is the seeking of peace. I saw a high-school classmate say something about peace over happiness. When times are tough strive for peace. Balance is what martial arts teaches and that can be mental also. So I hope all of you find peace and balance and happiness will find you. Onto some movie updates-
UPDATES-
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – has released to DVD and streaming. This is an over-the-top dark comedy about the frustrations of being an artist. The release will widen even more at the end of the month. I’m not sure how audiences nationwide are enjoying it but I’m happy that it is out there. The main push comes as we close in on the end of the month. Record a video and let us now your artist frustrations and maybe we will post it. Write a review on Amazon, IMDB, Letterbox or any review sites and we might spotlight your review. For those who have watched it Amos and Clem thank you.
- Next up to release will be AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip that will start its release on 10/30/26. Like my talk on technology above this film will make you laugh and maybe cry but it will make you think. It isn’t a cheap scare about the coming technology but a real look at the potential good, bad and ugly. I was inspired to write this after a real news story. I did add a SciFi spin but it is a projected path of where we might end up. So add this DVD to your CDI collection when it starts pre-sales in the coming weeks. And watch it when it streams and have those conversations with one another. I look forward to the reviews as I really don’t know how audiences will take it. The acting by the three leads Michael Rene Walton, Melissa Anschutz and Taylor Nichols is great. So I think everyone should enjoy the film. That of course is our goal every time.
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS – This is the follow up to one of our most popular films. Having seen the reaction to the film by our theatrical crowd I am excited to get this out to the tens of millions who have seen the first film WILD FAITH. It will be a beautiful gift of a story that I believe captures the true Christmas spirit much like SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA did. The film releases on DVD and streaming on 11/3/26. I will be heading to the Will Rogers Awards in a few weeks to see if we won GOLD, SILVER or BRONZE for my screenplay, the producing team and CDI as a production company.
- DEVIL’S PASS – (Now in post-production) This film was a collaboration with McGraw Multimedia and our friends in GA. If this project was a success it would have CDI helping produce their slate of films. It is different from CDI just having full control over production but has been healthy. It forces good communication between the parties. So far it has been a very smooth process. We have a few meetings coming up over the next two weeks that is just about communication and eliminating any grey areas that can slow the post process. We all want to make the best film we can and that is the underlying directive. We did a great Channel 10 Lansing/Jackson story that will air this week. The edit is moving right along and our director’s are very happy. If you follow our FB page we are dripping out Screen Captures and other great promo pieces. Coming in 2027!
DEVELOPMENT– I’m happy to be in a place of downshifting from production and looking ahead. As I noted CDI and our GA partners will be discussing a slate that bounces back and forth with our own CDI slate. I have truly enjoyed working with the CEO Dan Searles who like myself is a writer/actor and loves telling these stories. I am reading a few of his properties and vice versa. Our RETURN TO ALGONA (Working Title) has over half the funding committed by organizations and we are looking to close that with participating brands and private investors. It is a beautiful comparison of life from 1944 to 1968 during one of the most conflict ridden time in America. We once again follow the German artist and ex PW on his return to the town that once imprisoned him. The other film being considered being put back on the slate is the feature version of SMOKE & MIRRORS a comedic turn of the century who done it. Twice it was on the runway only to be bumped by two financed projects.
On thew writing front I’m working two scripts MBF2 which is the follow up to MAN’S BEST FRIEND, a powerful drama that has had fans clamoring for a follow up. I am in no rush to produce it but I do want to get the script out of my head. The first draft is almost complete. But I’ve been having a whole lot of fun writing WILD FAITH 3. I’ve had an 8 part TV series ready since Covid times but when the funding opportunities had too many strings we just did another feature film. I’ve adjusted the TV series to take place after the second feature film but if a good deal doesn’t present itself we will just do a third feature film. It is a world that I really enjoy writing in and so it is moving along quite quickly.
We are also working to develop several other film properties and even possible TV. I always like to put forth goals for 2027 and examine how I did with my 2026 goals. We are being forced to reexamine our processes always in the efforts of improving, streamlining and launching new initiatives. I still occasionally have that thought of how much easier it could be to just go bartend at the MooseLodge with my lifetime of stories and adventures. But soon after I realize my adventuring days are not over. I still might have a few characters locked up in my imagination to let loose on the screen. So development continues.
WRAP UP- This weekly reflection really helps me put my TO DO’s front and center. And the ability to talk about some of my own issues personally or in the artistic world helps. I still feel lucky that every day I get to do what I love. I get to work with people I love. I get to be myself and not play a role at a soul stealing job. I sometimes also enjoy the positive energy that comes with someone who was moved by a film or a performance. I don’t always have rainbows and flowers but I do realize how blessed I am. And this blessing came with sacrifice and very hard work. I try not to slip into the work-a-holic mode that helped me build what I have. But to also keep that hunger to push forward. I will be an artist until my last breath. Until I return to the fire ashes to ashes. But as you keep on your journey seek out that peace and balance. Until next week my friends! Coffee Cheers- DJ
Mother’s Day, Weddings, Scouting, Casting and More…
Good morning! I’m starting this sunny morning with a hot cup of hazelnut coffee. A Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mother’s out there. I’m taking the momma’s in my life to the movies today as it was deemed a bit too chilly for the park picnic or a few out the outdoor ideas. I’ve been so enjoying seeing the green that is springing up everywhere. Plants sprouting, squirrels building and birds are singing. Our chickens have been loving it and happily kicking out the eggs on a regular basis. Already some of the herbs like chives are growing steady. I’ve been getting the grill ready for some grilling and chilling. I had to fix one fence that divides off the raspberries and I still have a bit of property work to do. Having the ability to go work on the property while pondering decisions is helpful. So let’s get into some of the updates from that world.
Film Updates-
- The first draft of a business proposal for three films between CDI and Katharsys Media is done and being refined. These are three genre films with Lynn Drzick (In the Woods) directing.
- The first polished draft of RETURN TO ALGONA is done and sent to the parties in Algona we are working with. If everything follows plan we just might be filming that in 2027. The story is a powerful look at how time had marched on from WW2 to 1968 and the Vietnam War. It also has many lessons and examples that are applicable to what is happening in our world today.
- Following that script I now plan to finish up on MBF2 and the Wild Faith 3 script underway. Both of these don’t have a plan to shoot but better to have them waiting in the wings. I’m really happy with how both of these follow up stories are coming along.
- Wild Faith Christmas – Shane Hagedorn and I traveled to ICFF in Florida and had a great trip representing our film. From our nominations we won for Melissa Anschutz’s role as Hester! Before we left Florida, we heard that she had also been nominated for the RED LETTER AWARDS for Best Actress taking place outside Nashville, TN in August. We are nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress Addy Paddy, Best Supporting Actor Dean Teaster and Best Actor Shane Hagedorn. This train is a rolling and we are so grateful to everyone loving this film. We will work with our theatrical partners at Dreamscape Productions and see if they can book any additional theatrical showings but the film releses to streaming on 11/03/2026!
- ROM COMS MUST DIE is having its first kick off showing May 18th at the Sun Theater in Williamston. The full public is invited and tickets are $10 cash at the box office that opens at 6:30 with sNyte
- Adam Topwnerhow at 7:00. Come out and enjoy this comedy with many of the cast and crew. June 11th Adam Towner and I will be appearing on The Baron & Sindee Nyte Show that livestreams 7pm EST. Other theatrical bookings will start with a proposed Q3 streaming release.
- AI Jesus: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is having a full review on Monday with our composer/sound designer before a producer’s review. The end credits are being built and soon this film will be ready to start some theatrical bookings. We’ll be heating up the PR on this film very soon. I think audiences will find the film heartfelt and will stimulate many discussions.
DEVELOPMENT: Moving soon out of development and into pre-production is DEVIL’S PASS. This adventurous tale is an 1800’s piece brought to CDI by Dan Searles. We will be working with Dan’s company and again McGraw Multimedia. John and Eldon McGraw will be directing and heading up the camera, grip & electric departments. We’ve worked so well with them on the last two feature films and I’m excited to launch them with this motion picture. We’ve set our shoot dates in September and we’ll be again shooting in Michigan. We’ve been working on placing some of the keys and early casting. There will be many upcoming announcements as we bring more good folks onto the film. We had an amazing scout trip last Thursday and found all our locations and more. Some locations are so cool that we might re-stage a scene at a different location for cinematic reasons. If your company, business or brand want to align with us we’ll soon be approaching our sponsors and product partners that help all these films get done. It took several months for CDI to agree to supervise and produce this film. Things have to come together the correct way and I’m happy that it did. So many moving parts and you have to have excellent communications. The schedule is being worked upon and soon I’ll have a rough actors day of days that helps with the casting process. We have an IMDB and Facebook page that we’ll keep adding updates to. We will be doing some local casting once we get done the road just a little bit more.
WRAP UP:
I will say that one of my most interesting experiences I’ve had was last Thursday at the scout. I had driven to John McGraw’s house and we were going to drive from there. I go to get into this car and the handle bewildered me. It was a TESLA. I got in and the entire roof is transparent and that car DROVE us to pick up Adam Towner and out to the scouting location. I’ve always said, “I don’t know” about driverless cars/trucks. But as I moved to the backseat giving up the shotgun seat to mister Towner, I was amazed. It backed out into traffic and started us on our way. The power and pick up to this car with no oil or standard brakes again left me speechless. Now having experienced it, I have to rethink my feelings on that entire process. I truly felt for the first time in my life like a JETSONS moment. Look it up kids, it is an old cartoon. But I could see the day of owning one. It can take you right to its own refueling stations and…just incredible.
I also wanted to mention that on Friday we attended a beautiful wedding as CDI’s Melissa Anschutz’s eldest son tied the knot. It was a beautiful venue and after was an elegant cocktail hour and dinner. Being there with several of the CDI old guard to celebrate with Melissa and her family was just wonderful. Congratulations to Alex and his new bride Catrina. We work hard and it was so nice to just have a little time to relax, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. I even got to try out a few wardrobe pieces I might wear in the upcoming film. Yes. I will be acting in Devil’s Pass but we’ll leave those updates to another date. I’ve got a fresh coffee and I’m going to go eat a few eggs, shower up and get ready to go spend time with the moms. Until next week- be good to one another and don’t just DREAM but DO!
Coffee Cheers!
DJ
Summer Saturday Rundown
It is another Summer Saturday in the Michigan and I’m sipping the morning java and writing you a few of my thoughts of the past week. I will try to bring something forth that might help some of you others walking this path. I do have a few story’s from the week and I will perhaps pick one of them to try to teach a lesson.
The Oversell – I know in films about filmmaking you always see the slick Willie producer trying to tell everyone what they want to hear and keep their stories straight. This may be funny in the movies but those people aren’t real and once you burn bridges it rarely ends up happy ever after. Be honest and let it roll from there. I know various projects that worked in half-truths at best and I can’t stress enough that once you lose that credibility you are really in trouble. So don’t paint castles in thin air saying you have so and so on board if you don’t. I had a few situations where things were being said to try to appease someone and after a simple communication the jig was up. FALSE INFO. So someone comes across as either A) A liar or B) Clueless to the Truth. I don’t think either of these things play well into the perceptions of how someone runs their business. So if packaging something be honest and don’t oversell. Because that person may be able to pick up a phone and directly confirm your story and if it doesn’t vet out, you lose.
I also had a situation this week where someone claimed that my schedule was in conflict with a project that wanted me to work on it. Right now I speak for myself. I know my schedule and what conflicts or does not. To have someone put words in your mouth screams agenda. I’ve seen people in casting positions (not experienced ones) try to push one talent over another. In this case someone had someone in mind for a lead because they thought somehow it would better their standing. So other options to that same role were buried. It is just a sad disservice to whomever hired that individual but that was all exposed and now this individual has that little check next to their name. Checks against someone don’t erase easy because someone rarely changes who they are or how they operate. I honestly don’t put too much energy into such matters because if someone placed these unqualified people in power that usually means a series of bad choices will be made. Too many bad choices equals a bad movie. If I’m asked for materials and I take the time to send them all I expect is for them to be seen by the right people. I don’t mind being turned down if something was truly evaluated. I lost another role a while back because I just won’t pass for a gaunt lab assistant. Not without a large paycheck to just focus on that and I shudder to think of what it would do to my soccer game:) You might look like another character or be the wrong age or race, all acceptable. But I book off my reels all the time and to hear someone say, “they don’t want to see reels.” WRONG. I’ve produced many films and reels are the best sell. Like if you were looking at hiring a PRO player on a team. Try outs are great but game footage is golden! Agents with a stable of actors without reels shy away from sending reels.
OK. Onto the more positive. Serbia media was blowing up on inventor TESLA’s birthday and the film I’m attached to officially changed the name of the film from THE MAD SCIENTIST to TESLA. I think it was a great move and I’m excited to be part of the movie telling the story of my favorite inventor.
We saw the PR release this week on the German, Austria, Switzerland deal going down with WICKED SPRING, DARKEST NIGHT and LOCKED IN A ROOM.
DARKEST NIGHT is now on VOD (Amazon Instant) and releases on DVD on the 16th of July here. You can see a sneak peek and so take a watch and leave a review of your experience.
http://www.fangoria.com/new/exclusive-clip-darkest-night/
This month we also have WICKED SPRING and FIGURE IN THE FOREST playing on Parables TV!
ASHES OF EDEN marketing is firing up and in the weeks to come we will have new posters, trailer and other exciting updates. The film is in post and is just way beyond my expectations.
SUPERMODEL SHOWDOWN series has been in editing and is truly a fun watch. We are starting to look at marketing for this project as well. I think lovers of reality TV will enjoy this show.
Other than that it has been doing yard improvements – and attending the 4H auction, picking berry’s and working the new driveway. I’m also happy to report the garden is producing the 1st beans and tomatoes will soon follow. I’m greatly enjoying my summer as I finish these projects up and develop new ones. I know I will be back in front of the camera again when the time is right. But until that time I will keep on with the business work and enjoying my day-to-day. We also start the second half of the soccer season on Sunday and I’m excited for that. I get to put my new gear into action! I wish you all a great weekend!
DJ
Mad Scientists, Holiday Miracles and Management
This week was wonderful with our first hints of spring and the sun bringing us our 1st 80 degree day. We got lots of yard work done getting the garden ready and such. We lost our 1st soccer match to the ex champs last Sunday but we played well and it was great to be out running full field. That was until Tuesday when the sore caught up to me but by Weds I was ready to go again. As the 80 degree heat was hitting I was lamenting the fact that my hair was heavy and long almost midway down my back. I was excited by a few upcoming projects because I would be trading the long hair for a short period haircut such as on the “The Mad Scientist” film about inventor N. Teslsa. That shoots in the early fall and so I was thinking I might be stuck for a bit looking like the missing member of ALABAMA. But maybe not…:) Read on.
Tuesday I had a great meeting with some other Michigan filmmakers at the new office. We shared a few bottles of home wine and had good discussions on the biz and I gave encouragement as these fine folks travel rocky roads I’ve been on before. It’s hard to be a working artist especially at the start. It is where many die along the road way like a filmmakers own Trail of Tears or Oregon Trail. Anyway, when I came in for the night after our meeting I saw that another filmmaking buddy from Michigan had reached out about a role in a film he was directing. It was a smaller role but upon reading it I liked the character and thought I could bring something special to it. It also would provide a first opportunity to come work with him versus just our informal meetings over hard cider. The best part – a haircut:) So tonight and Tuesday I will be participating in the storytelling of Holiday Miracle. I’m playing one of the child lead’s father. I almost did a role like this on the film, THE IRISHMAN playing the father who leaves the boy at the orphan’s home. The difference was some new casting director was trying to place a bunch of hoops for me to deliver just a handful of powerful lines. All I ask is for someone to look at my work and respect it. If you know I can do something just present the offer and if I connect with a character I may do it. But I will not be jerked around by casting folk on a power trip. Needless to say, The Irishman was a pass for me. That said, this opportunity reminded me of that but the director/producer friend knows my work and presented an opportunity professionally. No BS. No hoops. Just an offer. I’ve carried films as the star and I’ve also been a supporting spoke in a hub of artists working together to tell a story. As a producer I can tell you all roles are important. One bad casting can ruin a scene. A few bad scenes can ruin a movie. So everyone is important right down to groups of extras. So I want to thank Joel Paul Reisig whom I’ve known for several years now for professionally offering an opportunity to work together. He is another one of the DOERS in our industry and for that he has my respect. Let’s tell a story. I’m looking forward to meeting his team.
On Other Fronts-
The national PR on “Darkest Night” is really heating up and will as we approach the July release. It is now for PRE-ORDER on amazon.com and other outlets.
We are doing some FX planning work on one upcoming western-era film. Also progress on “Soul Eater” the prequel to “The 8th Plague” as we are now gathering our foreign partners. I talked this week to actor amigo Terry Jernigan who plays Buck and I can officially say he is on board. I also talked with Eric Williford who produced the original and is now directing his own material. It is great to re-circle the wagons and talk about future collaborations.
“Ashes of Eden” is closing in on the rough cut edit and again I’m amazed at the scenes. This film will surprise many in the range of the powerful performances. Great job Shane Hagedorn on the edit work.
“Supermodel Showdown” TV show and “Donors” are in post being assembled and scored under my supervisor Dennis Therrian.
I’ve also been in beginning discussions with a personal management company in Hollywood. My entertainment attorney is out there and I’ve had agents out there and it looks like I may once again dive into that realm. Why? Basically many Hollywood’ers think I’m ready for prime time and keep wanting to know why I’m not working the larger studio films. I guess with my tolerance for bullshit being low that has kept me content with the independent scene vs mainstream Hollywood. But with this powerhouse firm handling the BS I could start doing a big picture or two a year. The nice part is I don’t NEED the work. That keeps coming and as I’ve focused more on foreign productions the offers are just growing. But with 3 new Star Wars films and several great comic book films still to be made into blockbusters I just might have to throw my hat in the ring on a few of these. Is Hollywood’s studio system ready for DJ Perry? Maybe, I guess we will see.
Other Roles –
I will be filming with Larry Simmons on his follow-up film to our “Locked in a Room” that has been a steady best seller on Google Play via Echo Bridge Entertainment since the release. More on “Panic in 703” as we get closer into production.
Okay friends, I’ve got a day full of stuff today to do before I go play on set with some fellow Michigan artists. Tomorrow I look forward to another battle on the soccer field and I’m feeling lean and mean. So once again I say, let’s get it on:)
Enjoy the day and thank you for stopping in for a read.
DJ
