A very good morning to everyone out there. I’m sipping on the hazelnut coffee and I’ve been already doing quite a bit of film work. I am luckily able to turn it off at night and sleep very soundly. But first thing in the morning my brain starts chewing on the things we are trying to fix, solve or find. We are 10 days from filming starting tomorrow and we are looking good. Last few castings, crewing and still bringing on a few backers and sponsors. We will be announcing more like ETC sponsoring a meal for our crew and more! Films bring communities together and we love that. Everywhere we’ve filmed we have so many friends and some almost like family.
On the home front we added the gazebo to the new deck and added some runners and rugs. It looks so nice. I’ve continued to harvest and my wood processing is about to kick into high gear as the first fire in the fort might be tonight. I’ve been harvesting my herbs that will become my herbal teas. I’ve gathered enough berries and rhubarb to do a winter batch of Frankenberry Wine. I missed soccer this past week with our season over but my body has been recovering nicely. I’ve held off on the end of season mowing because the bees are stilling gathering from the flowers they can find mostly red clover and the tops of mint.
Last night was goulash made with venison which was so good. That heavier food is good as the days and nights become colder. This next film will be nice because most all of it is inside and no all-night shoots. Okay, I hear you. Enough of the homestead updates get to the artistic endeavors.
THE SECRET OF THE KINGDOM CHIP (TSOTKC) – So as I mentioned the sets are all close to being ready. We only have a cast or two we’re in talks on. A few crew as well and we’re still lining up a few business things but we are about ready to start rolling. We will be having an extra call this week for the 18th and 19th of September in Owosso are the two days with extras. I’m pretty excited as I’m doing something I haven’t done yet and after 30+ years that is hard to find in this industry. I’m playing an AI character (maybe) which sounds confusing but it will all make sense to those who watch the film. I went into the studio and performed all my scenes to be used in the movie. It was done in advance so that the actors can play directly off it. It will be the backbone of the performance but I still have some scanning to take place both with and without my beard.
This film is a loose modern day follow up to our series The Quest Trilogy which includes Forty Nights, Chasing the Star and The Christ Slayer. In there I played ‘Jesus’ is parts one and three. This film had me digging out a few wardrobe pieces and becoming a version of that character. But it is different. There is something unique added and on review of the footage I was satisfied by what we captured. The final Avatar ‘skin’ will be put on after the actual shoot. But it is funny how the wardrobe along put my mind back into the headspace from those other films. We considered filming this in Yuma, AZ but the added cost of flights and lodging had us choose a closer location. Actually most of it is in our director’s home town.
Wild Faith Christmas – Speaking on playing characters again, I was so happy to bring Ben Lily alive again on screen. I like this because in the first film they were the visitors and now you get to see them somewhat at home. Meanwhile, Emmett (Shane Hagedorn) and Edmond (Dean Teaster) are now the visitors. The movie which was also a test run for the TV series came out great! Our theatrical rep LOVED it and it will be pitched to the theater chains starting very soon. We plan a Nov- into 2026 theatrical followed by a dark window with maybe a few festivals followed by home video for the holidays 2026. Get ready for more 1800’s Michigan adventure! Watch part one again and get ready!
ROM COMS MUST DIE – This highly entertaining story of filmmaking cousins doing almost anything to get their sophomore feature off the ground after a lackluster first film. The script has lots to say about the world of acting, writing, filmmaking, distribution and more. The film is at the Pine Studio preparing to have the score produced. The first PR announcing the first peek at the teaser trailer was met with many good laughs. We will look to have an end of year premiere and follow that with a theatrical and home video release all in 2026!
Harsens Island Revenge – The film was extended for another week (Until Sept 11th) in the Riverside Cinema in Marine City, MI and the Okulski Theatre in Grosse Pointe, MI. It will arrive ONE NIGHT ONLY at Forest Theatre in Forest City, IA on September 19th! We also are up for multiple awards at the Red Letter Awards on the 13th. We are working hard to try and get Fridley’s in Algona, IA to do a week run. We hope this week they will book. We plan to keep booking right up to our 10/6/2025 home video release! An exciting time for this film to be sure.
Development – I’m not going to go on about much development here. I’m going to focus on what is on my plate BUT development is always underway. I’ve had a few great conversations about future projects and over the holidays I’ll have some productive conversations I’m sure. I have one script I want to finish up on and I’m about to sign on another writing project. I’m considering a literary rep again to option/sell a few of my screenplays.
WRAP UP: I’m about to go throw down on a few eggs and some buttermilk pancakes. Today is a beautiful day to get some work done outside. MSU won their second game last night and the Lions kick it off tonight. I might see a bit of the game before I have my brother and a few friends over. The wood stove might get its first fire of the season tonight. We’ll be bouncing work emails back and forth today and already I’ve been getting our budget onto our software. This coming week we’ll be really putting the final things into play. I’ll be working on cast and crew agreements. Securing some of the final business needed and on the 18th cameras are going to ROLL!
I do feel good having gotten the bulk of my performance out of the way. I’ll be there to assist alll the actors who might need it if they have any timing issues. Much like ROM COMS MUST DIE we are required to film part of the film in advance so actors can respond to it directly in real time. That frees me up to handle many other things during the shoot. Once we get this film in the can I think that is a wrap on feature production. We have some great releases theatrically, home video and premieres and maybe even a fest trip. So we’re going to get this amazing story shot and it will give our team something to work on during the cold months in Michigan.
I hope all of you have had a great year. I know many people have had challenges, myself included. But that is life, facing the challenges, creating and enjoying the company of friends and family. I’ll have to swap out my Summer for fall clothes this week and that is always fun. I have more cold weather clothes I like versus warm weather. I almost see the bottom of the coffee cup so that is my cue. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day. Have a great week and we’ll talk next week!
I want to welcome our new readers from the Netherlands, Brazil and Austria! It was a busy yet productive week. I wanted to start with a cool giveaway on the new book that I’m a contributor on. I want to once again thank Callie Smith Grant for allowing me to participate. This book has a fun story dealing with our queen ‘Lulu’ and I hope you all will check out this and the many other stories.
LOST HEART – We had several great meetings over this next CDI film. We have something unique planned. We’re excited that it got approved by our distributor BMG. Now the planning will start in earnest this week with a planned CAST & CREW premiere. This one will be different but such is the way and I think it will be fun for everyone. October will be a big month! We’re also exploring several drive-in’s and theaters to play the film.
We’ll be wrapping up the last few delivery pieces and the short BTS promo will be assembled this week perhaps to share next. We are also looking at a few merchandise options so fans can support the film.
BEST YEARS GONE – Our development here is full speed ahead with sponsors and camera tests on deck. We’re about to comb through the script and see what scenes can be pulled off the main schedule and shot. This includes a few VFX shots and sequences that might need or benefit from added attention. I will say that as my ‘Gil’ as a character, is coming along nicely. I cannot wait to share him. We are still looking at end of Oct pre-prod and shoot in November.
The cast of ‘Smoke & Mirrors’
SMOKE & MIRRORS – David Gries stars in this short film that is a precursor to the feature. We’ll have a locked picture this week and music discussions with Dennis Therrian have begun. We plan to develop this into a full feature. The short was shot by Jesse Aragon and he’ll be color correcting it. We also hope to have something to show in October.
WILD FAITH/HASTINGS
Wild Faith has been seen by millions of viewers and the powerful story has created an interest to see this continue. The groundwork is being laid to shoot a season 1 (8 shows) all set in the Wild Faith world. The TV show is currently titled ‘Hastings’ and may shoot in 2021. If you have not seen the film please do. It is inspired by of course ‘Little House’ but also the old Disney movies like “The Apple Dumpling Gang” which is reflected in the humorous moments.
THE QUEST TRILOGY – After filming the trilogy I kept my full Jesus garb save the sandals which were borrowed. When I was looking at character shirts for our new film at the thrift shop I found the same make of sandals in my size. Heaven sent or good luck? But I think my Jesus days are done save if a film was ever done about a return. I think we have some other great biblical tales if we want to return top that genre. I’m excited to see the new trailer for the trilogy which will launch likely in October. Did I say Oct might be a busy month?
MBF: MAN’S BEST FRIEND – Our event/theatrical/festival showing of this film was hampered by the virus. We will continue to seek a few events to play the film at even into 2021. But the response to the film has been great. We just need to get more visibility for it so if you watched it and enjoyed the story, share it. I was asked recently if I had any plans to play Paul Landings again and the answer is not right now but never say never.
WRAP UP
We are about to go walk another flea market. I have grilling to do later today along with a few yard tasks. I’m happy to report that I got both the batch of AUTUMN ALE and the ROTHGA (Return of the Hoppy Grape Ape) started. They started fermenting yesterday and so the fall will have a nice harvest. I was sad that last week I posted a picture of the MSU Spartan helmet and later that day the BIG 10 cancelled their football season. That leaves the LIONS as our only hope. Come on LIONS!
The garden is growing now with fall cold weather plants in which include beets, carrots, beans and more. I’ve been doing some caulking in the office getting ready for winter and to help keep even more heat inside. Soon the wood stove will be kicking again. Viking Thursdays with wood cutting will also begin in a few weeks. I’m going to leave all this here. Time to fill the coffee cup and get some oatmeal. I hope you all have a great week ahead. Be kind to one another!
DJ Perry's Official Blog 'Clawing My Way to the Middle' 