Chris Johnson, Inspiring Us With Quality Films

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson, Advent Media LLC
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Photo Credit: Chris Johnson, Advent Media LLC

Thank you so much for taking time for this interview! Before we dig in, a HUGE congrats on your first Christian film “Pastor Sue Saves Christmas”.  Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path and how it led you to produce films?  

This story opens many moons ago with my attending a Film Appreciation class at our local Junior College. I was hooked, and followed up with the on-set experience of being an extra whenever a film was being shot in Northern California.  There wasn’t an easy way into the film industry in those days, especially for a farm kid in a rural location.  So I focused on screenwriting, scratching out scenes during long days of tractor driving.  In the evenings I honed my craft taking online courses from ScreenwritingU and attending meetings at our local Capital Film Arts Association in Sacramento.  At one of the CFAA presentations, Joanne Butcher from Filmmaker Success explained that in order for people to see their work brought to life, it was necessary to take charge of your destiny and create your own art.  Joanne has guided me now through three feature films and a documentary.     

What inspires your work?

I am driven by a deep seated sense that America is on the wrong track, both spiritually and culturally.  In this modern era there is an incredible amount of spiritual darkness, so I feel called to create entertaining, compelling, and uplifting stories that will introduce people to the Christian Faith. 

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson, Advent Media LLC

Can you share the most interesting story that has happened to you since you started working in the entertainment industry?

When we were filming Pastor Sue Saves Christmas, there were quite a few scenes to be shot outdoors.  We had to work around the hourly bell chimes from a neighboring church steeple so that they wouldn’t interfere with the recording of our actors’ dialog.  On three separate scenes, just as the actors finished their dialog, the bells would chime!  The timing was perfect, and we were blessed by this happy accident.  If you listen closely in the film you can pick this up.

Are you working on any other exciting new projects? What is next for you?

Yes, we’re excited to be in pre-production on a follow up to Pastor Sue Saves Christmas, tentatively titled Easter Saves Pastor Sue.  Now that Pastor Sue has saved Christmas, she is full of pride, she’s the Queen of the congregation.  But destiny will soon serve a course of humility as she preps for the Holy Week before Easter.

We’re also looking forward to the release of our documentary, Why Andorra?  A study of this micro-country situated on the Spanish-French border, and how it has become one of, if not the, safest countries in the world.

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson, Advent Media LLC

Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?  

I am pleased to share that Joanne Butcher of Filmmaker Success has been a guiding light for me in this crazy industry.  It was her presentation at the CFAA’s monthly meeting that inspired me to step up into the world of film production.  A big tip of the hat to Presley Paras, the director on our first two films and Alex Hevia, the director for Pastor Sue and our Andorra documentary.  Both of these gentleman have shared their experience with me, and I am grateful. 

From your experience, what are a few ideas that we can use to effectively offer support to others who want to work in the entertainment industry.

As a faith-Based Christian filmmaker, to understand that the work you are doing is bigger than yourself, that you are making a positive difference in people’s lives.  So to take comfort in that, this is your reward.  To enjoy the wins, no matter how small they may be.  To understand that you need the patience of Job, this industry moves very slowly, it can take years before a film sees the light of day.

Photo Credit: Chris Johnson, Advent Media LLC

Can you please give us your favorite ”Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

Here are a few:  Milton Berle – “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.”   Carl Sandburg: – “This old anvil laughs at many broken hammers.”   The best, the answer to the question “What are your goals in life?”  Is to hear “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23) 

You will face self-doubt and criticism in your life/work/art.  So shake it off like a puppy shaking off the rain!

How can our readers follow you online

I’m on Instagram at:  @chrisjohnsonfilm      On twitter:   @thecontrastfilm

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