Birthdays & Bullet Points – Updates!
Hello my friends,
I’m just up and sipping on the hazelnut coffee attempting to put my words down on here for you all to read. This has been a BUSY week as usual. Let me see – today is my youngest dog Luke’s birthday. I had labs growing up and they are great family dogs. I’ve been around many types including wolf/hybrids which unless you are trained should NOT be brought in as a pet. We had two other dogs, the eldest a Rot-mix and she guards. We got Daphne, an Aussie Shepherd/Golden Ret. mix and she is a fun dog but not a protector unless we were attached by moles. So we decided to get a third, one that the other two could help train and that could protect. I had never had a pit/pit-mix but also don’t buy the breed label. All dogs need to be worked with and have strong leadership. Long/short is that we adopted our Luke. He was the color of coffee when we first met him and highly self-assured. Our eldest put him in line a few times and our sweet Daphne thought her favorite stuffed animal dog had come to life. She was a great teacher (still is) and so we ended up with our buddy Luke. (After Star Wars) He grew to be a gentle giant and has brought us much joy and happiness. I watched him lick and give kisses to my niece and nephew – he’s curious, kind and watchful. Do NOT believe all the hype against any breed. Just like us we can all be kind or violent pending our environment and circumstances. We love having him and today he turned five.
Also had both parents birthday’s this week and a slew of movie business work. Let’s look at some of that.
- “40 Nights” sales keep growing and everyday I’ve gotten wonderful messages from people who experiences the film. I’ve also been amazed at how many times people are watching the film and many are giving copies of the film as gifts. We are going to announce more platforms carrying the film and are working on foreign set ups.
- “Chasing the Star” – the second in THE QUEST TRILOGY finished a first edit on Friday and is now fine tuning the edit. VFX and music work will start very soon. Exciting!
- The 3rd film in the trilogy “The Christ Slayer” is in development with locations and such.
- “Bestseller” is expanding and is a great summer film to watch up at that vacation house at night. Spooky:)
- Development work on a few new projects is steadily getting done. Stay tuned!
- We will start working on the next soundtrack release that will likely be “Ashes of Eden” but I want to include several with new releases.
I’ve been approached to look at a few projects/scripts for acting. I will see where that leads me. I’ve got a busy week ahead between meetings and we go to 4H this week. If you eat meat and want well cared for animals that also benefit young people the 4H is a great organization. I’m back on the soccer field today after a week off which was good. I had a knee that needed a little healing up. Is it 100% – no. But we will see what kind of battle I can fight today. It will also be a little bit hot.
Enjoy your day and be good to one another.
DJ
Happy 4th Weekend Updates
Hello my friends – Walmart sales on “40 Nights” continues to grow. It’s a good place to pick one up in-store or order on-line. So if you have been waiting, now is the time. Order below!
Also on July 1st we released the 2nd CDI soundtrack. It is moody, haunting and beautiful. The “Bestseller” soundtrack scored by our composer Dennis Therrian.
BUY HERE
Soundtrack for “40 Nights”
You can also pick up the “40 Nights” soundtrack on iTunes as well as watching either of the movies on iTunes. I think “Ashes of Eden” will be the next soundtrack to release – stay tuned.
Enough business-
I want to thank those you visited yesterday. We had a belated bday gathering that was also our company gathering. It was a nice mix of CDI tribal and friends from several areas of my life. I was blessed with laughter and good stories. The libations flowed freely and I saw many artists sharing and enjoying each others company.
The previous two days had me up on ladders as we installed the phase one of siding on the fort/office. This year the wood stove was installed and the air conditioner is now operational. I think people really enjoy meeting at the office and now we can adjust for too much cold or heat.
This coming week we will be releasing a NEW promotional video for “40 Nights” and working to extend the reach to even greater audiences. Foreign audiences are hungry for the experience.
We’re also happy to announce the 1st cut of “Chasing the Star” is complete. Stay tuned for a 1st look at official photos coming this week. The first teaser will be close behind. Very excited for this second film in our QUEST TRILOGY to move towards being finished.
We also will be announcing a few of the development projects pushing to move into pre-production. It will be exciting to see all this come together.
I have to do some cleaning from our gathering and I hope you all enjoy your holiday weekend. Be safe and Happy 4th of July!
DJ
More Screenings, Movie Updates and Mother’s Day!
Stormy N.C.
That first wonderful sip of hazelnut coffee on a chilly morning is O’ so Good!
I returned from our N.C. trip which took me first to the mountains and the second to a city of cement. It was a good trip to take a breath between these films and get a view of where I want to go.
Melissa Anschutz and DJ Perry in BESTSELLER
“Bestseller”
While there in N.C. we saw the start of the national roll out on our thriller “Bestseller” and I encourage you to add this taunt thriller to your collection. If you are opposed to language and intense situations this film is not for you. If being scared while watching a film is your thing…
BUY HERE
“40 Nights”
Following the capacity church event in Yuma, AZ at Champion Church (Seen above) The Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills, CA got their 1st watch of “40 Nights” on the big screen. I’m waiting to see how all that went but if it went anything like Yuma, I can imagine the experience. Do you want to license the film for an event? Reach out directly perrydj@aol.com or contact us via the http://www.40nightsthemovie.com page.
Additionally
We had an in-depth review by BIBLE BLOG and here is what they had to say.
http://biblefilms.blogspot.com/2016/04/40-nights-2016.html
This forthcoming week we’re finalizing artwork on “40 Nights” soundtrack. The beautiful score by the amazing Dennis Therrian will soon be for purchase. We’re also releasing a new promotional clip from the movie to help bring exposure. It will be a good week ahead.
Featured Sale Site of the Week:)
https://www.fishflix.com/christian-movies-40-nights-dvd.html
“Chasing the Star” the second film in the QUEST TRILOGY
Editing has been underway as we push towards a first cut. We’ve also just reached an agreement to partner with CHOP & HUE to once again provide the opening into for our film. Also a teaser trailer and 1st official photos will be rolling out to social media and such in the days ahead.
We’ve also been having a few development meetings over upcoming projects. We know the third film in the trilogy “The Christ Slayer” will be shooting in the spring 2017. As for which projects move ahead this year we’re close to a few announcements there. It is Mother’s Day and I want to thank my mom for giving this dreamer the best childhood. That is what fueled all that I do now. I love you and I’m so happy to have you. To all of you out there remember those who brought you into this world with a dream of making the world better – we’re trying.
Taking a Few Moments in the Mountains
I’m experiencing culture shock as I’m in some ritzy hotel in Charlotte NC trying to catch up on this blog. People, people, people, people…city, cement. It was just hours ago, I was nestled deep in the mountains of Maggie Valley at a special place called Robert’s Roost. I’ve always felt a draw to mountains and the Smoky’s in particular. It was almost ten years ago that I spent so much time there prepping, filming and promoting our “Ghost Town” movie. It was wonderful to spend time with friends very near and dear to my heart. I also missed some of the souls no longer with us. Their dogs Gator and Ben, the rooster Sampson and panther-headed cat Toby have all passed. On the first night we arrived at the dinner hour and after relaxed with a bon fire and the best relaxing gifts including a peach whiskey of the white variety. The next day we traveled and explored the Blue Ridge and another night of laughter and remembrance. In my guest room filled with 1800’s treasures which included sleeping each night under the tanned hide of a buffalo blanket. They’re heavy and extremely warm, so I now understand why they were in such demand to fight the frontier cold.
My mind and spirit needed the short get away. One full year of prepping, shooting and posting “40 Nights” which released (April 5th). This film released just as we were shooting the follow-up film “Chasing the Star” – which we just put into editing. To adjust to the less hectic phase of development and post production was a welcome change. While many people highly enjoy the filming journey, which I do, it’s also when you’re on alert for any number of issues that could arise. I always breathe easier once we’re in post and things are much more controllable. I didn’t want to slow development, so upon returning from Yuma, AZ – I immediately finished the first polished draft of the third film in the Quest Trilogy entitled “The Christ Slayer” shooting spring 2017. I know that this fall could also see us in production so it was a needed pause, a reset and deep breath. PEACE.
I’m going to try to use the last few days here to catch up on some calls and communications. Our thriller “Bestseller” will start releasing to nationally retailers like Family Video and also online rental/retailers. Here’s a place where our “special edition” version can be purchased.
https://americanchillers.3dcartstores.com/Bestseller–The-Movie_p_192.html
Melissa Anschutz and DJ Perry on set BESTSELLER
“Bestseller” showcases the wonderful talents of Mrs. Melissa Anschutz playing the lead role. People have met her recently as Dana in “Ashes of Eden” and Mother Mary in “40 Nights” and I’m so honored to have such a talented, hard-working actor/producer following in the footsteps of the other CDI tribal members over the years. So look for this exciting thriller at your favorite retailers/rental outlets!
More Links to “Bestseller” will be appearing in these coming weeks.
http://www.videocollection.com/bestseller/091037974662
If thrillers are your thing “Donors” is another film one of ours that released recently. Buy it here at one of these retailers.
Stay tuned for new updates on “Chasing the Star” and several of our upcoming projects. I feel very blessed to be on this journey. I’m aware how the years move steadily forward. I’m appreciative to be working with such talented groups of artist making these life lasting stories. I’m blessed to have met so many great people in my travels. To be blessed to see so many beautiful places. I hope that people will continue to enjoy our collective storytelling. I’ve heard from many of you directly or in reviewing our films and I’m sincerely touched. Thank you. I’m going to end this blog for today and soak up a few more quiet moments in North Carolina.
Be good to one another.
DJ
How you Walk the Path Says Everything About You
A week ago we were recovering from a snowstorm. Today it was in the 80’s and beautiful. Again – this is Michigan. I’m enjoying moving the blog writing to Sundays. I see many new readers from a few new countries and so welcome. I’ve enjoyed the April 5th release of “Ashes of Eden” and of course “40 Nights” films. It has been fun to hear from someone around the country every couple of hours on their viewing of the films. I’m thankful and appreciative of those who are taking the time to watch the films. I was conservative in my joy that came from almost every viewer of one film gushing with praise. I do think it is one of our best to date and love that the film is touching people’s emotions. I told others that I will enjoy it but the rocks are coming. Once the film or any film is finished I toast the art and strap on the business armor. You will never make everyone happy. A spectrum of tastes and ideas and additionally we as artists often operate in a poison environment of peers. By that I mean many artists “hate” because of doors or opportunities mostly EARNED by others yet desired greatly by those denied. This results in masked hate. I find these people fascinating and I feel a deep sorrow for these people. If I don’t agree I usually just don’t participate and redirect my efforts elsewhere. To expend energy to try and hinder someone else is energy someone did not use for themselves. Why spend twenty minutes to spill hate about say a script when you could spend twenty minutes working towards your own successful script. The one film I was speaking of is well made because of the many talented artists. On a scale of 1-10 is in a 5? 7? 10? Perhaps. It will run a spectrum of evaluation but is it deserving of a 1? Speaking for the artists involved I know this film is not a 1:) But someone, one person threw that out there and with that small act of hate his or her world got a little darker. Their worst traits eclipsed a bit more of their better traits. A decade and a half ago I might have felt insulted but it is all part of the game. Going against the grain is a last-ditch effort to be recognized. But how are you seen by others? You choose your actions that define you. You get to decide which attributes you showcase and you’ll become known for these actions. Be positive. Work with positive people. You’ll find positive things manifest in your life.
On DVD NOW!!! “DONORS”
“Donors” a thriller that we helped our friend Charles Pisaeno produce is now in DVD release and in May the much-anticipated “Bestseller” will release nationally. Stay tuned for updates on these two films.
“Chasing the Star”
This week included a handful of great meetings over “Chasing the Star” and we’re now officially in editing. The footage is with our editor and director and the story is going to start being cut together. I’m excited as the footage looks great!
I’m finishing writing on the third script in the QUEST TRILOGY that I chose to do another pass on after shooting the second “CTS” film. I’m also bringing on my business front and center on our fall project. Stay tuned there also for some exciting news!
I’m off soon to go kick the soccer ball around to get some practice in before next weeks first game. We did a bunch of yard work and spent time with the furry babies. The hops have been moved. The pond is being cleaned up. The wood piles are organized now that we have the office wood stove in action. I found an old antique ash bucket which was perfect. I greatly enjoyed the zen peace of preparing the garden/yard for the summer ahead. I do a lot of business by phone walking the grounds so I enjoy getting things ready. My thoughts are with those dealing with the deadly quakes.
Be good to one another.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 