CDI PROJECT UPDATES: Plus Looking Ahead at 2026
It is a cold yet sunny morning in Michigan. My hazelnut coffee warms me and puts a smile upon my face. I slept deep after a busy week. One that had more up’s versus downs but everyone has those trials in their lives. My only real “issue” came from me not holding to one of my own processes in a work flow. A polite NO would have eliminated an issue but I had my reasons for saying YES. But even with good intentions it still created an issue for me. It can be hard to be the one accountable and making decisions that can be unpopular to a person or persons. I want to make everyone happy. I create art to make people happy. But like many things you should measure the strength of something or someone by how they perform when things are not flowing proper. I also have to make decisions off expert advisement that others have earned. This is especially helpful when you sit between two opposing views on a topic. But in these moments, which are few and far between, where everyone isn’t on the same page, you have to make a fair decision best you can. First, we’re not talking about anything shattering but artists can be emotional which has pros and cons. Passion is a pro and overreaction a con. I’ve said this before, I’ve lost friends in this industry because of decisions I’ve had to make. It can be someone not cast or added to a crew. Or someone who felt one way or another about a direction taken. I’m always willing to remain friends even if the business ceases. But often the friendship ceases because it was truly based on what someone was receiving and not just my friendship. I’m happy to say in this situation the friendship is intact and any future business is for a future conversation. I’ve said, I don’t always do right but I always try to. And sometimes the right is just a perspective and what side you sit on. But when I’m accountable, I have to make the best decision I can. And if I make a decision unpopular with someone I hope my friendship and the good graces I’ve earned brings me some forgiveness. Now that said, I can be harsh with business but tend to be kinder in friendship. Because one involves other’s money and one is feelings. I wanted to put this down here so my readers can see I don’t pitch a perfect game all the time. As artists the most beautiful thing we have to give each other is collaboration. I miss certain collaborators but that absense opens the door to new collaborations. Every time an artist passes on an opportunity it creates a new one for someone else. I’ve gotten several opportunities I’m sure by being the second choice. Even the most recent film I did outside CDI I was the second choice. But it opened a new collaboration. If it turns out good you might become someone’s first choice.
I could write three times as much about the things that went right. I make note of the small missteps to correct those in the future. If you clean up your small errors it will keep you from getting sloppy and making big errors. That is called self accountability and if everyone practiced that and better communication productivity will increase. I am hard on myself because I don’t want to be a DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO person. I want to be a DO AS I DO person. And so I am. Our ongoing success indicates that this is how our organization operates. But it takes time and attention to make constant improvement. I’ve dedicated my life to this very purpose and so we are always improving. I’m so very proud of all our endeavors and our artists. Let’s look at some of the great developments of the week. I will say that my personal week was hampered by a mild head cold, my first in a good long time.
FILM UPDATES:
- Harsens Island Revenge has started its recoup back to investors as we collect from our theatrical run. This film is making its way now onto various platforms on home video. The marketing seems to be getting this exciting film out there and I appreciate everyone taking a watch and supporting it. A recent talk with the book author was enjoyable as we noted all the positive feedback. We both noted how almost all negative comments come from other artists not audiences. Positive people are too busy managing their own success to cast stones. But frustrated, negative artists dwell in the space of rock throwing. If I don’t enjoy a film or TV show I just keep moving on with the mindset NOT MY CUP OF TEA. I know how hard artists work and I refuse to be negative.
- If you like books to film you can also watch BEST YEARS GONE (Hope from Heaven book by Karl Manke), and BESTSELLER (Book by Chris Knight),
- WILD FAITH CHRISTMAS is still in the window of theatrical and it might be light on showings until just before the Q4 home video release. But for us indie films the theatrical is like a monetized test audience. That said, this film exceeded all expectations. It is being delivered to our home video distributor to prep for the 2026 holiday season.
- Wild Faith Christmas director Shane Hagedorn has been giving some loving attention to ASHES OF EDEN. It was the first collaboration with Shane and CDI. He is now able to sell the director’s DVD with commentary and extras. We will also be exploring streaming with it later in the year. It is a powerful drama starring Melissa Anschutz and Steven Sutherland.
- ROM COMS MUST DIE – the comedy/drama is soon to premiere. We are going to enter a few tests and prepare for a theatrical run. It is also slated for a Q3 home video release. Poster art for theatrical is being worked on and if you go to IMDB and search Behind the Scenes of Rom Coms Must Die you can watch a few short of the making of.
- AI JESUS: The Secret of the Kingdom Chip is now in music and sound design with Dennis Therrian. We have a director’s poster for theatrical and that will happen towards the end of Summer. It will release on home video for the holidays Q4. We are all very pleased with the end result. We released a full trailer and the response has been great. It is both funny, heartfelt and thought provoking. More on this as we move forward.
- Films from the CDI Classic Collection are being tested to see if we can get them brought to HD for future release. I’m wishing for good news and technology improves monthly so we will see! KNIGHT CHILLS, AN ORDINARY KILLER and GHOST TOWN undergone restoration.
- I’m really excited about this next announcement. Some might know that CDI turns 30 years old this year. I’ve been working with Adam Towner to create a 30th CDI Highlight Reel. He did such a great job. It was all his concept and execution and I’m proud of his work. On February 14th Valentine’s Day the reel will drop on CDI’s Youtube as a love gift to everyone ever associated with or supporter of the CDI tribe. I will release some PR this week with the link.
DEVELOPMENT: We are always in development at CDI and some projects move faster than others. But we are gaining momentum on a few films. I will not announce anything until it becomes solid but know some of these projects have been developing for years. But we do hope to have some exciting news this year on several fronts. Patience is not something that comes easy for most, myself included. That said, I’ve disciplined myself to have more patience.
Aside from the features we have a few documentary films in development and now that I almost am past tax season I hope to return my attention to a few scripts. The TV series for the Wild Faith franchise might have a few new pathways opening up. Commercially we might have a few new projects including music videos. One of our two finished collaborations with SHALLOW RISING (band) might be releasing soon! I do love music videos.
WRAP UP: If Facebook is to be trusted, today is the day we lost my furry daughter Daphne at 14 years of age. It was sad and joyful to see old pictures. I love our furry family so much. If you ask how much, watch MAN’S BEST FRIEND movie and you will see. I’m glad the Olympics have been filling the TV space with unity and uplifting images versus negativity and division. Try to be kind to one another. We are all here together for a short period of time. I hope this week ahead is as productive as last week minus any head cold or tensions. I’ve been enjoying playing indoor soccer and my running is coming back and I’ve been enjoying the time with my brother. Outdoor soccer league is already starting to form up for Spring. Chickens are enjoying more light and egg production is increasing slightly. I’m ready to be growing plants and tinkering around the property this year. I like our change of seasons but I’m ready for winter to let go. And with that I’m going to finish my coffee and get on with my day. Thank you for joining me from all corners of the world. – DJ
Strong Week of Developments
Cool photo that I found inspiration in this week.
Hello my friends. I find the blog worldwide breakdowns very interesting. These are the countries my leading readers are hailing from. 1) The USA. I would hope so but you never know. 2) Australia. Hey Mates. I’ve never been down under but would love to one day. Mad Max/Kings Road/Miller…I’m looking at you. 3) Denmark. I LOVE this country. Always will. 4) Germany. I’ve had a lot of releases here. Wonder what their favorite is? 5) India. Namaste. Thank you. 6) Philippines. Like family. Great hospitality. 7) Ireland. Never been but will one day. Irish/Scot blood runs through me.
Okay. I was just enjoying where everyone is tuning into from. It has been a good week. Okay. That is modest, the week felt ultra productive. I think once you set a destination it becomes easier. A target to focus upon. In our business it starts with a solid blueprint (script) interested key talent and crew to make your proposal package. I think many chase money and when someone does say YES, at that point they start looking at details. I look at the details first knowing if they say yes, I can do this. I have the team that can make this happen. Again I see too many people saying yes, to endeavors they are not qualified to handle. And if they mess up it just becomes one more poisoned well. I personally would love 3-4 Michigan film entities making films and a few TV series rolling. That might lead to some good roles and guest star moments. So I really do wish all those around me the best. I’ve just seen over 20+ years so many good contacts ruined by bad business. I’ve actually reached a point in my career where the bad business makes us look better. But some drop out of the film game all together and everyone loses. So DO THE WORK. GIVE YOUR BEST.
Let me see where to begin.
The new CDI website is under construction. I will be uniting all the films and product to a central place where audiences can find what they are seeking. This new platform will eventually help other filmmakers out there. It will explain itself in time – stay tuned as THE TRIBE is on the move.
Here is the interesting side note… I was just having an unplanned chat with one of our vet members going back to the late 90’s. I was trying to explain where I was with everything. There is potential all over the board and I’m looking five years down the path and trying to chart the best course. But it actually feels fun. The final product is actually making it fun again. Make the wrong alliances, associations, partnerships or agreements and you lose time. Time is LIFE. The saying Time is Money is smaller in value to the other. Time is LIFE. I work as concise as I can and encourage the team to do so because another story is always in the womb. I have no less than two films I’ve given myself as a role in a world created by artists. The management in both cases – WAIT. Accountability – I’ve also WASTED time in my journey so refrain from a defensive stance. I’m saying IF you’re truly doing it for the art don’t hinder the endeavor with people who are not serious. How serious you say? Serious to me is when actions speak and words are not even needed. So be more careful with your foundations. Work out all the details before you accept investment. I know artists whose years have become consumed with production entanglements and endless legal loose-ends. That will rob you of your time, your LIFE. That space & time dance where you can create art for audiences if you choose. Just make good choices. Allow it to be fun.
Knight Chills
OK. So when CDI was a tribe consisting of three crazy artists – myself, Jeff and Juanita Kennedy – we hatched many great ideas. Much inspired by our mutual love of classics especially in the fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, Pulp genres. See STRANGER THINGS was my childhood. The love of the vibe that is that Golden-Age of Nerds whereas by playing Dungeons and Dragons you could also be a Rebel. Because much like young Rock and Roll, they (mainstream) did not understand it and feared it. “Knight Chills” is a classic tale, an urban myth almost of the bullied nerd. Retold in a world that now people are trying to recreate. STRANGER THINGS does that and my amigo Myke Michaels is up for an Emmy for his work on that show. But the film was shown in many circles over the years including Special Edition releases and box sets. It was released legally and not in several foreign territories. The film was common talk on Comic Con circuits. Hey, I didn’t believe “In the Woods” truly had a drinking game until I saw a theater full of people doing it Rocky Horror Picture style. So my vet of the Comic Con circuit David Hayes was a fan of the film. We joked about him doing a book until finally we made it happen. I wrote three other scripts that all took place after the first. Each one a small budget likely as we tried to harness and contain our imaginations. BUT graphic novel and comics…
Some of our early content is a perfect fit. KNIGHT CHILLS is the first and it will be for order in stores and also E-Book I believe. I know they are going to be selling on the Comic-Con circuits and we’ll be doing some cool promo. PR will go out next week but for all of you. Here is our new front cover.
I also think this could be a jumpstart for the original film for new licensing and the sequel script is written and director talks have taken place.
THE QUEST TRILOGY
Forty Nights continues the roll forward as Chasing the Star enters the home video orbit. DVD’s were being mastered to prep for the warehouses and Sept. 5th release. Now this Friday following a development meeting we were all treated to the first teaser to The Christ Slayer with temp sound/music. What the…! Holy…! Speechless… Play that again please. And another time. It pummels you with emotional power. What moments given by the cast and what power captured by the crew. I’ve been feasting on the Summer Movie Trailers so my taste are high. (Production Value)
I’m proud to once again have our collective names put on a story invoking much emotion. Right now its being used just for a few business things but audiences, cast, crew will get a first strong showing of the Official Teaser. But the few who’ve seen it can attest – it makes all the hard work worth it. It almost makes it fun again.
Wild Faith sits in a good place right now. Strong interest as business talks keep moving ahead. The talks are centered on the first season of the TV show. The interest is there on a few fronts and once we have the additional trailers and final film to show I feel that the tv deal is a real possibility.
Looking forward to working with this guy as an actor again on M.B.F. – The last time was ‘An Ordinary Killer” a few years ago. Mr. Anthony (Tony) Hornus is our director.
Man’s Best Friend is Officially going to go by M.B.F. – we’ve had a surge in business since announcing this project. The foundation of the house is almost in. Another great meeting this week is showing us a clear path. The response to the script has been on-point, luckily:) Some people are being reached out to about availability. Casting Calls will be going up. I’m excited about telling this story. I think it will strike a chord with many people.
Okay, I’m off to eat some lunch and I have to get ready for a soccer match in this balmy heat. The garden has been kicking and I’ve enjoyed the results. I had fresh BLT’s yesterday. I didn’t grow the bacon:) The masses have enjoyed the Irish Stout and I’m soon to make my batch of mulberry/rhubarb wine.
Have a great Sunday and rest of the week.
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 