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
The ‘Sacred Set’ of Unity and Non-Judgment – ART for the Save!
Another Michigan Sunday and another day of beautiful blowing snow. I think we’ll only get the fringes of this new storm. I had planned to jump right into the movie updates but I’ll discuss a few things here that I see as important. Not only to our endeavor but to all endeavors. I’ve noted that on our productions we have cast and crew from all parts of the spectrum. But this spectrum can be in ethnicity, religion, political or even the disabled. In the off time these artists go off to their own circles of living. Some feel the need to shout their stance about everything, lobbying their point to the masses on their social media walls. These opinions are often in opposition to one another which leads to child-like spats.
My sight of this banter is brief as I scroll to post our PR on various film projects. PR is really the only use I have for social media along with keeping up on a few cousin’s day-to-day lives. I’m disheartened by what I see which is a slew of people communicating beyond poorly. WHEN CONDEMNING HATE MAKE SURE YOU DON’T GO TO THE SAME PLACE. Social Media often misused becomes a poison. By reading lots of angry statements I see the poisoned people. People all sipping from the same cup of poison. As I work hard daily to develop, launch and fund projects, stories and parables whose goal is to cast positive light upon all people, others are busy ripping each other down.
I had some great meditations this week on politics since our country is still working to find its balance. I’m a moderate when it comes to governing. I don’t want total supremacy of any extreme stance. I don’t want to have everything my way. I will try to explain a bit better but it’s more about sharing my curiosity on the subject. If I have a group of priorities that is important to me, I’m happy to have some of my ‘wants’ met and to concede some priorities to others. If you have school children your priorities could be very different than a childless couple. But you know even while some of the priorities while not yours, helps others – and so you should be happy to give. Extreme people seem eager to win everything and after a while, at any cost.
In business, we call it same side of the table negotiation. So everyone walks away feeling like they got something they wanted or needed it is a WIN-WIN. If one party has everything and the other party has nothing, it’s not good for the balanced whole. But many people still so want it all. For you to have all others have nothing. Who does conflict serve? I cannot control the world or how individuals treat one another. A world where people are forever pointing out the perceived wrongs by the other party. People trying to remake the world into a place where two wrongs make a right. The one place I can control balance and unity is on a film set. I can say that the stories we tell are built onto the ancient chassis of tragedy and comedy.
I believe, again I say ‘believe’ in the restrictive age of dangerous opinions – that communication via storytelling is one of the few remaining ways of collectively, effectively communicating amongst people. And so by us leading by example – by putting stories of laughter and tears forth and pushing lessons to try and make everyone a little more kind and understanding. Our stories show us where we’re alike and illustrates the often toxic results of leaning too heavily into our differences. So we will continue to tell our stories with a vast array of artists without boxes. I did recently have someone say they might not want to participate in something if the people involved don’t align with their views. No such nonsense will prevail here. I’m accountable for good size chucks of money. I hire the best artists available to us. I work to unify and bring out the best in each artist and it manifests on the screen.
While shooting on ‘Best Years Gone‘ (Now we’re talking movies!) we had talented artists that come at things differently in their personal lives. That was all moved to the background as we told our story of imperfect love, loyalty and dream chasing. All this happened during heavy political and Covid times and yet our artists remained focused. In 10 to 20 years these stories will still be influencing while the politics of today become a notational blip in history. Be skilled. Give the Tribe your best efforts. Be respectful on set at all times to everyone. These are the things I care about. So our storytelling will never have strings attached or walls restricting people save maybe laziness, dishonesty and negativity. A CDI film is a manifested place of creativity, imagination and ingenuity. The outside world with all its A or B is not something I participate in. I choose to try and understand and develop people versus cancelling them and not listening. Participate in that game and nobody wins and eventually it will turn on you.
All the crazy seems to be over one person’s right to check a voting box. Their box checked is based on their own opinions but unsure people often feel the need to over-explain or justify why they check this box or that. You don’t need to explain your view or tear down the opposing view. Just check your box and move on. Why the need to justify with insults to people not listening? PEOPLE don’t listen if they don’t RESPECT. Start with that- I can’t heal people of their insecurity, or need to gather support for their opinions and viewpoints. But I will not get into the judge game as so many do. As I stated before, I don’t want nor need to have everything my way. I’m willing to concede some to create a better balance for the whole. When you walk up the plank boarding a TribeCDI ship you’ve willing come on board for a greater adventure. To tell a meaningful story that will enlighten for decades to come or maybe more. Black, white, brown or green – Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Pagan or Spaghetti Monster- Gay, Disabled, Conservative, Liberal, Moderate will all become ONE TRIBE of STORYTELLERS. This is the way:)
Forty Nights (The Quest Trilogy Part 1)
CHASING THE STAR (The Quest Trilogy Part 2)
The Christ Slayer (The Quest Trilogy Part 3)
THE QUEST TRILOGY above is getting ready to play as a series on PUREFLIX (SONY) on the run up to Easter. I think these films are 100% unique in that they were made with no agenda except exploring, distilling and speculating with a certain teaching at the heart of it. In these films we also chose to tell the story in a style akin to the Original ‘Star Wars‘ films. Please do take a watch on the three films in their proper order. Even if religion is not your thing or even Christianity, take a watch. The films are for everyone and again explore many of the questions that people have pondered for thousands of years.
MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND is getting a new 2021 campaign with BMG. WILD FAITH and LOST HEART are continuing their trek out to worldwide audiences. With home video up 40% we’re getting tens of thousands of new fans per week. If you keep an eye on the parent http://www.cdiproductions.com site you will see many updates coming including streaming and merchandise.
DEVELOPMENT
The Hastings TV series is being packaged to sponsors and potential financiers. The show scripts are being reviewed by possible directors and returning talent. SILENT NIGHT IN ALGONA has been incorporated and we’re working to put the last financial pieces in place but it is so very close. We’re started the hard -casting in earnest and we’re starting to lock in some of the talent. Once we move from development into pre-production we’ll start rolling talent PR announcements out. We’ve been doing a national casting on our young lead 8-11 that plays young. Blond hair preferred. I’m always amazed at the young talent making it happen. I can say I’ll be playing a supporting role on this one. It will allow me to go clean cut for a role.
BEST YEARS GONE is now being worked on by the editor and director to get us a locked picture. This coming week we’ll be helping to set up the new post studio. It’s in a beautiful pine forest and I’m looking forward to our upcoming film work there for years to come. I’m going to start to wrap this up. I’ve been getting a new story synopsis out of my head and onto paper. I have a few business proposals I might try to get a jump on for the week ahead. Be kind to one another. Erase those hateful thoughts. Spit out that poison and do something constructive, productive and meaningful. I see so much wasted time. If you’re in the arts and failing look at your allocation of time. If you waste thousands of words and hours throwing stuff back and forth arguing with no real goal or possibility of change, don’t complain as others pass you by in productivity.
I have said it before, I don’t consider myself special. I’m not anymore special than anyone else. I just focus and hone my craft and basically outwork others. End of the week I had a nice development talk with a younger filmmaker that I had not spoken with in a few years. He has traveled the country in the various film communities and encountered the GOOD, the BAD and the UGLY of our biz. You can’t move away from it. It exists. You can learn to recognize and avoid these pitfalls and quagmires. He was pitching me on an idea I had pitched 15 years ago but I think the environment is now better suited. This filmmaker was on the right track with a mindset adjusted by the world situation. To dream with realistic short goals that can lead to greater rewards. Wait! Was this individual a conservative? Liberal? What religion? Was he gay? Straight? Does he like McDonalds or Burger King? I have no idea. We didn’t talk about such things and they were not important to our discussion. We were two artists with experiences talking about how to move ahead and keep telling stories. Different groups of people doing vastly different things with their time. Which team do you want to be on?
With that, I’m doing to bid you ‘good day’ and get to some other domestic Sunday business. I do have some wine that could be bottled. Maybe a bit more office work. I got a lot of caulking done this week. Thankfully the wood piles are full from a few ‘Viking Days’ at the fort. Keep that fire burning!
Have a great week!
DJ
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 