Collective Development Incorporated » News & Updates

No Spring Break Here

collectivedevelopment — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:36:13 +0000

A couple of quick updates on some projects we’ve been talking about in recent weeks… CDI’s co-production RENOVATION has been progressing in post-production since we wrapped in Yuma, AZ back in November. Check out the trailer that just went live today! More will be added to the site soon, but this is a great first look.

A glimpse at FIGURE IN THE FOREST

CDI is also happy to announce an official first-look deal for CDI’s domestic distribution through Triumphant Entertainment. On a related front, we recently got the official street date for the wide DVD release of FIGURE IN THE FOREST (Aug. 10) and HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS (Aug. 27) — mark your calendars! FIGURE IN THE FOREST will also be playing again on TBN: March 16, 2-3:30 a.m. (EST). Yes, that’s right, we said A.M. For those of you on EST like we are in Michigan, you might need to bust out the TiVo or set an alarm if you’re not a night owl.

New on Facebook:

FIGURE IN THE FOREST

HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS

Filming continues to progress on LOCKED IN A ROOM, a co-production with At Risk Entertainment. It’s been an exciting experience shooting in our own backyard again. We’re looking forward to more Michigan productions and staying close to home whenever we can.

New Releases

collectivedevelopment — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 17:03:20 +0000

DJ Perry & Dean Teaster in HEAVEN'S NEIGHBORS

Another announcement. . . Two dramas from the CDI vault will get a wide DVD release. FIGURE IN THE FOREST and HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS will have US distribution via Triumphant Entertainment International through their E1 output. They released BLOOD TIES and AN ORDINARY KILLER in Oct. 09. FIGURE has started to find an audience after being licensed to TBN last year but this will be the 1st wide DVD release for the two films. Look for new websites, trailers and a July release for the two films.

Mary Jo Cuppone as Rita James in FIGURE IN THE FOREST

In an odd coincidence in timing earlier this week, our own Dean Teaster met a fan who found FIGURE and watches the film regularly to help her cope with the loss of her own child. That’s some powerful feedback! While dramas might not be an easy genre for filmmakers to get into the marketplace early in their careers, they are often more satisfying to produce. Congratulations to all the artists associated with those two films. In particular, big congrats to Jeff Kennedy who directed them both and is slated to direct WILD MICHIGAN this year.

What? Did we just say WILD MICHIGAN? Yes, we did, but we’re not going to say more right now. After the negative turn of events when we were ready to go into production in the fall of 2008, we’re not going to say too much too soon. However, we are making progress in getting legs back under this film and hope to make a formal announcement sometime before the middle of the year.

In other news, CDI co-production LOCKED IN A ROOM is rolling camera! RENOVATION has been quietly progressing in post and after seeing the rough trailer and the color correct tests we are sure the finished trailer and new website will be worth the wait. Our doc film OUTSIDE THE WIRE has had Tony Hornus hard at work on voice over.

Part of the CDI team will be on the set of LOCKED IN A ROOM tonight, so it’s time to get ready for that. Enjoy your weekend and thanks for checking in with CDI.

More Co-productions and Co-producing!

collectivedevelopment — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:42:23 +0000

We’re happy to officially announce that CDI is now in association with At Risk Entertainment to produce the feature LOCKED IN A ROOM. Written and directed by At Risk Entertainment’s CEO Larry Simmons, LOCKED IN A ROOM is a thriller with some great twists and turns. A co-production seemed like a natural next step after many good conversations. In addition to our own slate of films, we’re looking forward to continuing a new trend of co-productions with other groups of hard-working artists. Larry Simmons was a top 250 finalist in Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s 2004 Project Greenlight (HBO/Live Planet). In addition to writing and directing, Larry also produces. Casting will be completed after just a couple more roles–most of the talent is from Michigan, including many from the CDI ranks who will make some appearances.

Speaking of affiliated projects, CDI’s own DJ Perry co-produced and acted in BOOK OF RUTH: JOURNEY OF FAITH which will air on Sunday, February 14 at 10:00 p.m. EST on Trinity Broadcasting Network. Check your local listings and tune in!

Bright January

collectivedevelopment — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:54:57 +0000

Believe it or not, but here in Michigan we’re having a pretty mild winter. Some very cold days here and there, but not much snow and even in this last cold spell we’ve had more than our normal dose of sunshine. It’s made January a bit brighter, and while February usually feels like the darkest part of winter, it’s easy to see today’s sunshine as a sign of more bright days to come. Bring it on, February!

This first week of February should see the unveiling of the first glimpse of CDI co-production RENOVATION, with a completed trailer and debut of the official website. We’re also crossing the ts and dotting the is for another CDI co-production which we will announce officially in our next update…

In the meantime, enjoy some coffee, watch some movies, visit with loved ones and make these winter days bright ones!

Goodbye 2009, Hello 2010!

collectivedevelopment — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 18:08:43 +0000

DJ Perry as Benjamin in THE BOOK OF RUTH

As we get ready to wrap another year, it’s worth a quick look back at the highlights before looking forward to the new goals and projects ahead. While 2009 did not see production for WILD MICHIGAN, we have continued to make progress in overcoming the major roadblocks and have taken steps to move production to 2010.

We were proud to see the wide release of AN ORDINARY KILLER in October, along with television air dates for FIGURE IN THE FOREST. Post-production for OUTSIDE THE WIRE: THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN OF AFGHANISTAN is nearly complete and we’ll have a locked picture in early 2010.

CDI co-production RENOVATION wrapped on-schedule and the post-production is underway. We’re looking forward to seeing more on that project as it comes together.

DJ Perry, Collective Development Inc. CEO, has continued to be active with other non-CDI productions as well. He served as co-producer and acted in THE BOOK OF RUTH which is available now in most Christian book and gift stores and will see TV airplay and wider DVD release at the start of 2010. KARMA: CRIME, PASSION, REINCARNATION featured DJ as a detective in India and screened at the MIAAC Film Festival in NYC. Read more on DJ’s escapades in a December interview with 28 Days Later.

2010 looks to be a great year with many exciting projects on the horizon. Stay tuned for more updates and enjoy a safe, happy and fun-filled night as 2009 draws to a close. Happy New Year from all of us here at CDI!

At work in Yuma

collectivedevelopment — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:12:31 +0000

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.)

Celebrating Independence

collectivedevelopment — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:02:12 +0000

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…

Incentives to Keep Springing Ahead

collectivedevelopment — Sun, 03 May 2009 15:13:30 +0000

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.

Spring TV dates for FIGURE IN THE FOREST

collectivedevelopment — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:45:56 +0000

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!

Is that spring in the air?

collectivedevelopment — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 04:35:32 +0000

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.