What’s in Yuma?  CDI!  We’re currently filming the thriller RENOVATION in association with Pisaeno Productions and Rampant Entertainment.  DJ Perry, Dean Teaster and Tony Hornus are all contributing their acting talents, and if you know DJ, you know that he’s almost always producing. It’s a movie-making adventure in Arizona!

We know, we know, we’ve been pretty quiet the last few months.  Never fear, we’re still here and making progress on many fronts.  More updates soon…  (And if you’re into fear, RENOVATION is going to be right up your alley.)

It’s a good time for independent film!  Two CDI projects, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST, are now available on Amazon VOD through their partnership with IndieFlix.  [Note: if you're not running Flash Player 10, Amazon VOD provides a quick and easy link to upgade.]

Triumphant Entertainment, the parent company of Triumphant Pictures and its newly launched genre division Gutter Films, recently acquired domestic rights to AN ORDINARY KILLER.  This true-crime drama  is slated for limited theatrical release during the 3^rd Quarter of 2009 with a 4^th Quarter DVD release through Triumphant’s New York based partner, E1 Entertainment.  You can even add AN ORDINARY KILLER as your friend on MySpace.  (And while you’re at it, you can add CDI too!)

But it’s also been a sad time as the entertainment industry mourns the loss of two of its great stars along with the rest of the world.  To say that Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson each made such great contributions is an understatement.  While we take these moments to reflect again on how momentary this life can be, let’s take in the celebrations and fireworks of the upcoming holiday in a true spirit of gratitude for our independence and all it brings.

Wishing you a safe and happy 4th of July…

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and CDI's Anthony Hornus

When Anthony Hornus (producer, writer, director, actor) talked with Michigan’s Governor Jennifer Granholm a couple weeks ago at a Michigan Notable Authors event in Lansing, they had a chance to talk about the status (and future) of the film incentives.  Granholm reinforced what we’ve been hearing in the media lately — the incentives aren’t going anywhere under her watch.  As the state’s economy continues to struggle, one of the bright spots is the growth of the film industry right here in America’s heartland.  We’re happy to be a part of that growth.

We’ve got other good news coming in regarding the status of WILD MICHIGAN, but until things are finalized and official, we can’t say more than that.  We know, we know — we keep teasing you with updates that WILD MICHIGAN will soon be filming.  But, rest assured that things are in fact moving along and that a formal cast list and start date will be announced in the coming weeks.

In the meantime, FIGURE IN THE FOREST has enjoyed some late night show times on TBN despite being bumped out of its initial time slot due to scheduling changes at the network.  Isaac Hernandez at TBN Programming says, “FIGURE IN THE FOREST is a film that is sure to bring hope and peace to those who have experienced a tragic loss of a loved one and further appreciate the time we still have with those that are still with us.”

CDI’s Tribal Chief DJ Perry has also been busy with interviews related to multiple projects.  Check out his interview related to the May 5th release of the special edition of THE 8TH PLAGUE with First Fright — DJ Perry Has an Axe to Grind.  Another interview with 28 Days Later Analysis focuses on the March release of GPS — GPS: An Interview with DJ Perry.  But whatever you do, don’t miss the big interview with Rogue Cinema that covers a whole slew of projects!

So, stay tuned for more updates coming soon and don’t stop moving toward your goals.  They’re right there, at your fingertips, if you’ll only keep reaching for them.

CDI is pleased to announce that our family film FIGURE IN THE FOREST is playing on TBN. Below are the times for the first showings in April.

April 25, 2009 (9:00 pm)
April 28, 2009 (11:00 pm)
April 29, 2009 (12:00 am)

You might see some of our other family fare go out on this network. It’s wonderful to bring our stories to a wider audience.

In other news, we’re continuing to take steps to lock in casting for WILD MICHIGAN. Please stay tuned for more to come on that soon. We’re looking forward to the green light on this project as much as anyone!

While we’re moving forward with WILD MICHIGAN casting, our excitement doesn’t stop there.  Sounds like there is other good news afoot in Michigan where films are concerned.  Here at CDI, we’ve been thrilled by the opportunities coming to our state, and look forward to being able to employ and train many artists and other professionals in the coming weeks and months.  As an employer in a state with a struggling economy, we’re anxious to put people to work!

We know there are people out there who would like to be retrained, students who would like real world experience to put on their resumes.  Believe us, we want to give that experience to as many as we can.  Keep your eyes on filmmakers in Michigan.  We’re really going to put our hand on the map.