Statement about CMD Distribution Inc.
Crystal Creek Media worked with CMD Distribution to bring our film CREED OF GOLD to the market. Unfortunately our experience with this distribution company did not go well. After a number of contractual violations on the part of CMD Distribution and CMD’s unwillingness to remedy the violations, it became clear that litigation was the only option to resolve the situation. On January 3, 2017 Crystal Creek Media, LLC was awarded a judgment against CMD Distribution Inc. by the Superior Court of New Hanover County in the state of North Carolina.
We feel an obligation to share our experience in order to warn fellow producers and investors that CMD did not fulfill its contractual financial obligations. All this can be verified through the North Carolina VCAP system. While we were seeking to resolve our situation with this distributor, we heard from many other producers who were also financially defrauded by CMD Distribution. For those who have been defrauded by CMD Distribution we ask you to do two things. The first is to file a complaint with the NC Attorney General’s office (click here) and the second is to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau (click here).
Michigan-made film being shot at Troy office building
By Andrew Kidd, The Oakland Press
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Ann Arbor-based director Daniel Knudsen readies a camera prior to filming on June 6. Knudsen is shooting a portion of his new film “Rather to Be Chosen” at the Doeren Mayhew office building located at 305 W. Big Beaver in Troy, featuring a mix of local talent and actors from across the nation. (Photo by Andrew Kidd/The Oakland Press)
TROY—A Troy office building will serve as the backdrop for a new Michigan-made film being shot this summer.
Ann Arbor-based director Daniel Knudsen is shooting a portion of his new film “Rather to Be Chosen” at the Doeren Mayhew office building located at 305 W. Big Beaver in Troy, featuring a mix of local talent and actors from across the nation.
Knudsen, who works with Crystal Creek Media, said the film is a romantic drama set in present-day New York City, with the lead character inheriting an engineering firm passed onto him by his deceased parents. The lead falls in love with another co-worker while working undercover at another one of the firm’s branches.
Knudsen said the Doeren Mayhew building had that “New York look” he was scouting for.
“We were location scouting, looking for the correct building,” Knudsen said. “That kind of executive office, it has to have the right look. Not every building has that. Doeren Mayhew is well known for financial services they provide but the building they have is very exquisite and has sort of that executive, ritzy look that we’re looking for when we scout locations.” Read more >>
‘A Matter of Faith’ continues filming in Grand Rapids
Feature film ‘A Matter of Faith’ continues filming in Grand Rapids, extras needed
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 24 June 2013
By Terry DeBoer | grentertainment@
<http://connect.
— Director Rich Christiano has faith that his current film project will be completed on schedule.
“Our second week of shooting was touch-and-go because we had to shoot outdoor stuff – but thankfully we finally got a couple of sunny days,” said Christiano of work on the Five and Two Pictures production, “A Matter of Faith.” Read more >>
12 Guideposts to a Compelling Audition
These are the 12 guideposts from Michael Shurtleff’s “Audition”. If you are into acting at all, these are essential points to consider.
Guidepost 1: Relationships
Relationships are the foundation of acting. In order to express how you feel, you need to know what your relationship to the other characters are in order to be successful in the scene. However, it’s not enough to just say “She’s my mother/sister/girlfriend/classmate” or “He’s my brother/father/best friend/coworker” etc., you have to dig deeper and figure out how they make you feel. Do you love that girl because she is the most wonderful person you have ever met or do you hate the person so much it makes you want spit because every time they walk in the room they do something that just drives you crazy?
Guidepost 2: What are you fighting for?
Breaking down a scene into beats and sections is helpful but it doesn’t go deep enough. Instead of using goal, motivation, or any other customary terms, ask yourself “what are you fighting for?” and find a positive motivation. This will serve you in a stronger manner than a negative choice will. Dig deeper into what motivates the character because the actor can’t settle for whatever the character appears to be on the surface. Read more >>
Crystal Creek Association Project Wins Award!
Last weekend Crystal Creek Media’s association feature film project Indescribable was announced as the runner up for the Best Music Score at the 2013 San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. The award was presented last Saturday in San Antonio’s Lila Cockrell Theater during the Jubilee Awards ceremony. Read more >>
Local Film Company Spends Time in Livingston County Jail
By Penny Carlisi
BRIGHTON, MI – Most people are not excited to be sent to jail, but it was a dream come true for a local film producer, Penny Carlisi of Milford. Last November, her crew went to jail by special invitation and now, one year later, the feature-length movie she produced, “Unexpected Places” is premiering in Brighton. The event begins at 5 p.m. on December 1, 2012 at Brighton Nazarene Church, 7669 Brighton Rd. in Brighton. Tickets are available online in advance for $6.00 at RevealFilmGroup.com or $8.00 at the door. Musical guest, Messenger, will kick off the evening at 5 p.m., followed by the premiere showing of the movie at 6 p.m. The evening will end with a dessert reception at 8 p.m.
Carlisi’s time in jail started innocently enough, when she asked Chaplain Jim Proos if he knew where she could borrow two beaten-up metal bunks for the jail scene. Read more >>
Five Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
Five Characteristics of Successful Entrepreneurs
Originally posted on entrepreneurspro.com.
A successful entrepreneur has certain characteristics that compel them to succeed. They have an innate ability to push for a new way of life and are dedicated to that dream. Entrepreneurs move on a vision by taking action, and accepting full responsibility for the outcome. They are not conventional thinkers but innovators of new ideas. Read more >>
Why So Many Movies Fail
Originally posted on PhilCooke.com.
There is no end to the opinions of why most movies – particularly “Christian” genre movies – fail at the box office. Some cite the lack of quality, others, the over-emphasis on the message, others, ignorance of storytelling, and more. But this post from Larry Poland, Founder of MasterMedia International is a much more comprehensive view. After spending decades in Hollywood, working with professionals at the highest levels of the industry, Larry has noted the top reasons he believes so many well meaning filmmakers miss the mark. Read more >>
Creed of Gold Film Festival Run!
Thrilled to participate in film festivals around the nation, Creed of Gold has been well received by many audiences. Daniel Knudsen, the director of Creed of Gold, expressed his enthusiasm stating, “We are excited to see our mission in action of producing films that reveal the redemptive purposes of God.” Creed of Gold has been shown on festival screens in places such as Virginia and Indiana.
Legacy of History
Historic locations provide an authentic feel to CREED OF GOLD
It was not until about halfway through principle photography that the crew thoroughly realized the wealth of locations that had been opened up to the film. Many of the locations for CREED OF GOLD were on the National Register of Historic Places. Being that the story is a contemporary extension of historical fiction, the rich historical sites were important for the atmosphere of each scene.
Director Daniel Knudsen recalled, “I especially realized this when we shot the 1920’s Russia train scene. We were shooting a historical scene in a building where history really happened.” Most of the Russia scenes were filmed at the Indianapolis Union Station, the first union station in the world. In 1861, Thomas Edison had worked there as a telegraph operator. Eventually he was fired for wasting his time with “useless experiments.” Read more >>