'MBF' (Man's Best Friend) Moves Into Pre-Production Announces Collective Development

There are two key elements that basically define the inner-workings of the entertainment world. A project - whether film, TV, theater, music – does not exist 'until somebody writes something.' And once an intellectual property is written, copyrighted, pitched, developed and nurtured on both the business and creative sides of the equation, it must get the 'Green Light' for production on the strength of full financial backing and distribution options.

The next 'Green Lighted' feature on the slate for arguably the most prolific film production company in Michigan, award-winning Lansing-based Collective Development Inc. (CDI), will roll cameras this spring in mid-Michigan.

'MBF' (Man's Best Friend) is a unique and engaging story that shows parallels between the treatment of wounded military veterans and 'last chance' shelter dogs. Written by DJ Perry (who also stars as former Marine Corps K-9 handler Paul Landings, who suffers from TBI and PTSD after an IED blast in Afghanistan), 'MBF' touches on an array of societal issues, many not unique to just veterans.

PTSD; emotional/psychological challenges; physical
wounds/burns/amputations; homelessness/suicides; animal abuse/mistreatment; troubled teens; and, the arrogance of 'perceived privilege' by those in positions of power, are among the topical points explored in the film.

"What drew me to the story was the depth of the characters as they try to navigate thru real-world challenges and issues in their daily lives," said the film's director, longtime CDI colleague Anthony Hornus ('An Ordinary Killer,' 'Outside the Wire: The Forgotten Children of Afghanistan,' 'Chasing the Star').

"Every day, people are reaching for balance in their lives, even redemption in some cases," added Mr. Hornus. "The lines between right and wrong, good versus evil, are oftentimes blurred. In the eyes of the beholder, if you will. We'll expose the darkness of man's inhumanity to man (and beast), yet we also embrace the goodness in the hearts of others," he concluded.

'MBF' follows Gunnery Sgt. Landings (Mr. Perry, 'Wicked Spring,' 'Forty Nights,' 'Wild Faith') his working K-9 and companion 'Bart' and the Explosive Ordnance Demolition (EOD) team from a fateful mission in 2008 Helmand Province, Afghanistan, to his struggles trying to make a meaningful life for himself in his small Michigan home town.

This contemporary action/drama, to be filmed entirely on location in Mr.Hornus' home town area of mid-Michigan, offers layered storytelling with an ensemble of interesting, compassionate, damaged and eccentric characters. It's twisting and turning narrative is a study in cautionary tales, faith, hope and the understanding of the 'role' dogs (and pets overall) play in our lives as family, as pets and service/therapy companions.

Casting is winding down for 'MBF.' Some of the talented artists tentatively on-board include:

Tim Abell ('We Were Soldiers,' 'Circus Kane,' 'NCIS,' 'Criminal Minds'); Tony Becker ('Tour of Duty,' 'Little House On the Prairie,' 'Justified'); Garry Nation ('Polycarp,' 'Chasing the Star,' 'Legends & Lies,' as Robert E. Lee); Sammy A. Publes ('Shameless,' 'Chicago Fire,' 'Chicago PD'); Dean Teaster ('Forty Nights,' 'Figure in the Forest,' 'Wild Faith'); Melissa Anschutz ('Bestseller,' 'The Christ Slayer,' '7 Stones'); Shane Hagedorn ('Ashes of Eden,' 'Wild Faith'); Greg Mason ('An Ordinary Killer,' 'Small Town America,' 'Wild Faith'); Walker Fairbanks ('Age of Ice,' 'Garroter'); Austin 'Two Feathers' ('Dean Teaster's Ghost Town,' 'Wild Faith'); Christine Marie ('The Spirit of Mumbai,' 'The Christ Slayer'); David Gries ('The Lost Within,' 'Mimesis'); David Michael Reardon ('Knight's End,' 'Taneycomo'); Donovan Rogers ('Smokey Robinson,' 'The Wiz'); and, Bobby Henline ('Shameless,' 'Sophie and the Rising Sun').

'MBF' will be a 2019 release by Bridgestone Multimedia Group (BMG).

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