For Immediate Release – May 2012

DJ Perry’s and Jeff Kennedy’s Michigan-based film company Collective Development Inc. has always been associated with diverse artistic talent. The company boasts several in-house writers, directors, producers and tight circles of experienced film talent.  Together they have been steadily hammering away at the film industry by releasing film after film in various genres worldwide.  Recently the company has been associating with some new exciting artists/filmmakers. Below are some of the 2012 films moving into distribution.

This week at the Grand Rapid’s Celebration Cinema North (Knapp Corner), “7 Stones,” a powerful action/drama, will show on May 17th at 7 pm. This will serve as a preview before the film starts a campaign of theatrical and festival showings. The TV film was written and directed by Tom Norton and stars Melissa Anschutz and DJ Perry. The story takes place in a South American prison and has strong themes of reflection, redemption and relatable topics pulled from current headlines.

CDI also associated with Yuma, AZ based filmmakers Charles Pisaeno and Robert Gwinn with the production of “Deadly Renovations.” The film is a tense thriller about greed and murder centered on the historic Hotel Del Sol.  The sales trailers can be seen here.  The film is due out domestically on August 7th, 2012 with Midnight Releasing after a limited theatrical.

To tell a story halfway around the world CDI associated themselves again with award-winning director Anthony Hornus (“An Ordinary Killer”) on his first documentary film entitled “Outside the Wire, Forgotten Children of Afghanistan.” This film has played several festivals and venues across the country aligning itself with major organizations like The Wounded Warrior Program.

Another exciting international association came when CDI joined with Philippine-based film company Gothic Pictures International. Noel Tan directs this “found footage” horror film entitled “Darkest Night”. Demonology and witchcraft plague a Christmas gathering that had 17 people mysteriously disappear.  The film is prepped for worldwide theatrical and will screen in Hollywood for distributors in June. A series of trailers can be seen our their website.

The horror/thriller vein is strong with CDI’s association with At Risk Entertainment with “Locked in a Room.” This psychological mind tease packs a powerful scare factor. It was directed by Larry Simmons and stars Robert Miano, Rae’Ven Larrymore Kelly, Carlucci Weyant and DJ Perry.  It has started playing in Limited theatrical with Rocky Mountain Pictures booking.

DJ Perry & Melissa Anschutz on the set of 7 STONES

And we want to give them to you! First up, Current Projects.  7 STONES is in final stages of post production after an invitation only preview in late January. It is slated to be finished by the end of the month and several festivals are being targeted.

DARKEST NIGHT is also in the final stages of post, with producer Russ Williams now in the Philippines overseeing the theatrical cut. Screenings for distributors in LA will most likely happen sometime in April.

We also have news that LOCKED IN A ROOM is wrapping up post production as well, and a screening has been announced for May 3. More details will be announced as we have them.

Another co-production, DONORS, is in the beginning stages of post after wrapping production at the end of February. That project has been getting some good PR buzz, including some early contacts and interest from distributors. Packaging and development, including location scouting and casting, have been moving ahead on SECONDARY HEROES, SOUL EATER, RACE TO JUDGMENT and LONG ROAD HOME.

We also have news on films from the CDI Catalog. A New Video release of FIGURE IN THE FOREST, HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and AN ORDINARY KILLER is scheduled for late second quarter. We are working on dates now and will be sure to share them as soon as we have them confirmed. DEADLY RENOVATIONS is heading to the Hong Kong film market this month and the new sales trailer from our international distributor just arrived today.

The first quarter of 2012 has been a busy one and the rest of the year shows no signs of slowing down. We’ll keep you posted–keep coming back!

Another co-production has had a title change–RENOVATION is now DEADLY RENOVATIONS. This change comes as part of its distribution deal. U.S. theatrical release in select markets will be done by Nocturnal Features. Midnight Releasing will handle domestic distribution and Acort International will manage foreign sales.

After a series of successful screenings of  co-production OUTSIDE THE WIRE, distribution deals are under consideration and further screenings are being planned into 2012. Maybe we could call 2011 “the year of co-productions.”

On a more somber note, we have to mention the death of Bill McKinney on December 1. We were honored to have worked with Bill on GHOST TOWN. As news of his passing spread throughout the CDI tribe, we all shared fond memories of our time together in North Carolina. Rest in peace, friend.

We were thrilled to see the trailer for DARKEST NIGHT make its first appearance, especially when we had a chance to see it on a big HD TV instead of a computer screen. Take a few minutes to watch it for yourself. Also check Facebook for updates including our recent media coverage (national and international). The official website is still in the pipeline, so keep an eye out for that.

Speaking of things still in the pipeline, upcoming news regarding other associated projects RENOVATION and LOCKED IN A ROOM is forthcoming. CDI has also teamed up with fellow Michigan motion picture production company Third Coast Film Partners based in Grand Rapids. Shout out to the west side! Pre-production for that project, 7 STONES, is already underway and filming for the gripping action-drama will begin later in July.

We’re past the 4th of July now, but CDI has had much to celebrate the last few weeks. The Michigan premiere for Outside the Wire in Owosso was a success! The first showing sold out, and turnout was strong for other showtimes over the course of the weekend. CDI has also added a new member to the tribe–legal counsel Eric Nelson.

The CDI tribe continues to grow–not just chiefs but also fans! Please stay tuned for more updates on projects, screenings, and other news. Summer has been, and will continue to be, a busy time for us, but we’re finding time to sit in a lawn chair. We hope you are too!

Tickets are now available for the first Michigan screening of this powerful documentary. OUTSIDE THE WIRE will be presented by the Owosso Community Players on June 25th (8:00 p.m.) and 26th (2:00 & 5:00 p.m.). Click here to buy tickets for any of the three show times.

Several members of the CDI tribe will be in attendance at the June 25th screening. We hope to see you there!

CDI has also licensed photos and footage from Dean Teaster’s GHOST TOWN to Popcorn Sutton’s Tennessee White Whiskey. Cast as a mountain man moonshiner in the film, Popcorn Sutton faced a real prison sentence for making illegal whiskey and sadly took his own life. However, Popcorn’s legacy and recipe live on. We are honored and proud to have worked with and known Popcorn. We share a commitment to the honesty of the product and hope to work on additional marketing efforts in the future.

Speaking of Dean Teaster’s GHOST TOWN, if you haven’t yet had a chance to see the “Red Mountain” music video for Paul Proios’s original song, check it out! CDI is open to moving into more music video projects. Contact DJ directly if you are interested in discussing any potential commercial work, including music videos.

CDI will be handling the film’s marketing and distribution in North America and the U.K. Additionally, CEO DJ Perry will be playing the leading actor role. Gothic Productions International, a Philippine company funded by independent U.S. resources, will be producing the project. It will be directed by experienced Filipino director Noel Tan. Check out the official press release for additional details.

Noel Tan, Director, DARKEST NIGHT

On top of this associated project officially coming together this month, we’ve also been notified that OUTSIDE THE WIRE will be showing at multiple film festivals this year. It’s first appearance will be at the Cleveland International Film Festival. OUTSIDE THE WIRE will play March 29, 30 and 31. More info on additional festival appearances will be coming soon.

CDI's DJ Perry

From DJ Perry, CEO of Collective Development Incorporated

Dear Governor Snyder,

I’m a lifelong resident of Michigan and have been CEO of the Lansing-based motion picture company Collective Development Inc. since 1996. I’m also an established actor, writer and producer who’s been taken as far as Costa Rica and even India in my endeavors. We’ve been making films for many years and have spent millions of dollars in communities across the country from Seattle, Washington to Little Rock, Arkansas to Maggie Valley, North Carolina to Richmond, Virginia. And yes, we spent large sums of money in our own state economy way before any film incentives existed.

As a matter of fact, at one time most of the state filmmakers could be counted one hand. Michigan created an infrastructure based upon a commercial industry driven by Michigan manufacturing. But the creative industry known as show business consistently overlooked Michigan. The film office used to be one woman trying to draw business to Michigan off some sad incentive that made certain companies exempt from sales tax on hotel stays over 30 days. WOW!

Runaway production to Canada, who had the strongest film incentives for over a decade, was a reality in the industry until states like New Mexico, Louisiana and Michigan awoke to the realization that BIG money flows with and in the wake of the motion picture industry.  I’m not a politically active person but I respect those who take on civil service. Our state incentives came at the right time because we as business owners were being faced with difficult decisions where it was becoming downright irresponsible not to shoot our films elsewhere using incentives and rebates. That kind of thinking lead to creatively sad choices where movies like “Detroit Rock City” were shot from across the waters in Canada and left CDI considering shooting a western-era film entitled “Wild Michigan” in New Mexico.

In all the arguments I hear being thrown around for the pros and cons of the rebate and incentives program in Michigan, I notice that one major factor is being left out.  DREAMERS. This was the kind of individual that drove Michigan at one time as Michigan phased from one industry to another. David Ward, once the richest man in Michigan, was a lumber baron and part of the timber industry that put Michigan on the map. Later, men like Henry Ford created a new industry off horseless carriages. American record producer Berry Gordy put Michigan on the map for Motown and had someone created the right incentives at the right time perhaps that industry would have survived longer in Michigan. I’ll get to my point.

All the studies and numbers being thrown around as to just how much the movie industry brings into the local economy factors the employed cast, crew and services of any given motion picture. The dreamer’s gold rush, as I deem it, represents the huge number of artists and business people flooding into the state to seek work in the alluring entertainment industry. People rush to entertainment portals like California and NYC  to seek their fortunes and fame. A thousand people may audition for a role taken by one person. To factor just what a production company pays that person overlooks the “cost of doing business” of the other 999 people. They probably filled a car with gas, stopped at a breakfast place, paid city parking and went for drinks afterward to express their hopes and worries of an audition or interview.

I get a huge amount of emails from seekers of employment who have relocated to Michigan so they can try to work in their dream industry.   People have to pay the “day-to-day” expenses to live and this in turn helps drive up the surrounding economy. Many of the newly hired individuals in local businesses are the newly relocated dreaming of being that next actor, production designer or composer while working as a postal worker, waiter or fitness instructor. If Michigan continues to provide the incentives to attract these projects to our state, or in my company’s situation making it a responsible choice to remain in our state, the dreamers will continue to come.

What future stars will rise FROM Michigan’s talent pool is yet to be seen but I can tell you that Michigan boasts many stars that are FORMERLY FROM Michigan. Most of those stars left to spend their hard-earned cash in other economies that supported opportunity for these dreamers to live their dreams.

Certain unrealistic perceptions and shortsighted views held by some in this state will kill rather than create a new industry. Certain law makers helped clear the way for the emerging lumber industry where it was once said that a squirrel could travel from one side of the state to the other and never touch the ground. These same lawmakers were wise enough to slow when the ecosystem had been pushed far enough. Other lawmakers were wise enough to see the efforts of emerging inventors and their horseless carriages before another state did. Did Motown get the attention and state incentive support to remain in the Motor City? I saw a lack of vision by lawmakers to support new emerging industry in Michigan until recently with our aggressive film incentives.

The entertainment industry continues to grow year after year. In times of economic downturn, entertainment escapism such as movies will remain high or even grow. The fact that we (as a state) have an opportunity to invest in a recession-proof industry is amazing. However, for those in independent film, the industry has seen financing shrink since the fall of 2008 and for many, projects  have been harder to get off the ground. As the economy is improving, now is not the time to cut the incentives. The state has only just begun to see the impact the incentives can have on our economy.

The fact that a few loud voices cry out against such a pattern of growth shows me that wisdom does not exist in government as it once did at least in regards to the nurturing of innovative and emerging industry. Had Michigan’s lawmakers let some other state outbid it in the early stages of the auto industry maybe Virginia could have been the car capital of the world. Maybe Motown would have been O-Town taking root in some Ohio town. I think you get the point I’m making.

We are going to keep making movies wherever it makes the most sense. I’ve decided to keep Michigan my home because it is a beautiful state with the finest folks. As a businessman and company we can easily be responsible and travel to whatever state makes sense. I would like to see that be our own state and I know many, many people who also love to see Michigan continue to nurture our new industry.

I’m told you are a good man who might listen to some reason on this subject so I’ve taken the time to write you my thoughts. I don’t like to see the state suffer and I’ve fought the backwater reputation some people have tried to pin on Michigan. We need to have government officials that work with the visionary dreamers. It is that relationship that this great state was built upon.  We’ve seen industry wax and wane through the years and grow through several incarnations as new opportunity presented itself. This foundation of a new industry needs to be embraced and not fought against. Especially by folks who need to take ten steps back and look at a bigger picture. Michigan grew from the wilderness it once was by leadership. That is what is required now as Michigan once again finds itself in an economic wilderness. It needs trailblazers. Is that you Rick? Perhaps. I hope I’ve presented this in the best way I know how. I wish you much success on your journey. Seek wisdom.

DJ Perry, CEO
Collective Development Incorporated

“The man who has no imagination has no wings”
- Muhammad Ali

For more ramblings from DJ, check out his blog Clawing My Way to the Middle.

“This is the war you won’t see on network news. It’s the truly heartwarming story of U.S. soldiers bringing relief aid to children, widows and refugees living in the most dangerous areas of Afghanistan. Despite living ‘Outside the Wire,’ these children will charm you with their smiles, laughter and eternal optimism. An inspiring story of a grass roots effort and some very brave soldiers trying to bring these children a better tomorrow.”

- W. Clark Bunting, President and General Manager, The Discovery Channel

In addition to progress on that project, final notes have been sent over for RENOVATION, which will have a theatrical release in Yuma, AZ in March. We are also looking at screenings in Las Vegas, and possibly here in Michigan.

We are also continuing to explore taking on new projects, moving forward on projects already in play, and making new contacts and connections that will make 2011 a successful year. Good luck to everyone in making 2011 a great year for all.

Director Robert Gwinn, Co-Star Shawn Rougeron, and DJ Perry at the RENOVATION premiere

It’s finally really snowing here in Michigan and we’re taking time to catch up and let all of you know what we’ve been up to the last few months.

CDI was hired in October by our associate Jim Leggett to produce the horror feature SILVER LAKE.  That project kept us busy for almost a month–some filming was completed and the remaining portions will be filmed in 2011. DJ and Tony Hornus both took a short break during production to attend the RENOVATION premiere in Yuma.

In early November, almost immediately after coming home from the SILVER LAKE shoot, DJ was on his way to Las Vegas for a co-starring role in a film shooting there. Since he returned home just before Thanksgiving, he and the rest of the CDI tribe have been focusing on other fronts.

Co-productions continue to move ahead.  Both RENOVATION and OUTSIDE THE WIRE will be sent out to distributors after the first of the year. A few festival screenings prior to release are a definite possibility for both movies.  LOCKED IN A ROOM is in final audio post-production but first looks are powerful and haunting.

We’ve also been firing up our commercial division and are producing promotional pieces for a few new clients. It’s a fun change of pace for our creative team.

Our newly mastered HEAVEN’S NEIGHBORS and FIGURE IN THE FOREST are being held because of an opportunity to release with a major studio. Stay tuned for that announcement after the first of the year.

In the meantime, we’re wishing you and yours a very merry holiday season.