We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mr Reginald Thompson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mr Reginald below.

Mr Reginald, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I was raised by my grandmother. She gave me all the love, care, food, and clothes than I could have asked for. During my childhood I was fascinated with movies particularly Action Movies! My favorite action movies of all time are ‘Die Hard” “Speed” “Con Air” & “Bad Boy’s”. In my opinion the 90’s were and still is the best decade for Action Cinema. Watching action films was an experience. It was my get away from home when I couldn’t actually get away from home. My dream was then to do all of the action I saw on tv. Car chases, foot chases, shootouts. However I thought that meant becoming a real life police officer, BOY WAS I WRONG!!! After ten(10) years of Law Enforcement my eyes were wide open. I realized that it wasn’t a real life cop that I wanted to be. I wanted to be the actor playing the cop doing all the cool looking action scenes. So I started pursuing and became an Actor. I quickly learned pursuing acting was a hell of a lot harder than becoming a cop! Especially when I knew exactly the kind of movies I wanted to make. After 7 years, 6 agents, and 26 roles no action movie came my way. In October 2022 a received an audition for a short film. They said they needed someone who was in shape, can handle a gun, and run with their shirt off. Needless to say this was right up my ally. I was so exited! I worked out like I have never before and I told all my friends, co workers, and gym mates about this great opportunity! I didn’t celebrate too long. Once I read the Screenplay I was confused, there weren’t any actions scenes written anywhere throughout the scripted. They had decided to go a different direction with their story. I was FURIOUS!!! I was on the verge of quicking. I said to myself 7 years is enough! The next day I went to work and my supervisor Darly Clark suggested that I wrote the movie that I want to star in. The very next day I hear a quote by Quentin Tarantino ” What’s the movies we have not seen because you haven’t made it yet?” I immediately went back to my childhood and ” The Chronicles Of John Slater” was born!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

About the Author I was raised by my grandmother, who showered me with love, care, nourishing food, and all the clothes I could have asked for. During my childhood, I was fascinated by movies, particularly action films! My all-time favorites are ‘Die Hard,’ ‘Speed,’ ‘Con Air,’ and ‘Bad Boys.’ In my opinion, the ’90s were – and still are – the best decade for Action Cinema. Watching action films was a thrilling experience; it was my escapism when I couldn’t physically get away from home.
I dreamt of performing the action sequences I saw on
TV: car chases, foot chases, shootouts. However, I initially thought this meant becoming a real-life police officer. But, boy, was I wrong! After ten years in Law Enforcement, I had an epiphany: it wasn’t a real-life cop I yearned to be, but the actor playing the cop, doing all the captivating action scenes.
Consequently, I started pursuing acting. I quickly discovered that making a career in acting was a lot more challenging than becoming a cop! Especially when I had a clear vision of the kind of movies I wanted to make.
After seven years, six agents, and twenty-six roles, no action movie came my way.
In October 2022, I received an audition for a short film.
They needed someone fit, gun-savvy, and comfortable running shirtless. I was ecstatic! I told everyone about this fantastic opportunity and started working out harder than ever. But my celebration was short-lived. Once I read the screenplay, I was confused–there were no action scenes. They had decided to take their story in a different direction. I was livid!
On the brink of quitting, after seven long years, my supervisor Daryl Clark suggested I write the movie I wanted to star in. The next day, heard a quote by Quentin Tarantino: “What are the movies we haven’t seen because you haven’t made them yet?” This immediately took me back to my childhood, and “The Chronicles of John Slater” was born!

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

With eight years in the industry, I have honed my skills as an actor, model, photographer, director, content creator, producer, and finally, a writer. My passion lies with action films – the popcorn flicks that keep you on the edge of your seat. This passion led me to write my own story. I grew tired of waiting for someone else to cast me in their action film, a process that could take years. So, I took matters into my own hands and wrote an action film with myself as the star, aiming to introduce the world to a new action movie sensation! This film is a love letter to the 90’s action movies – a homage to the films that fueled my dreams and sparked my imagination.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s amazing to me how I’ve learned so many skills along my journey! I’ve learned photography, editing, writing, filmmaking, the business side of the entertainment business. Agents, managers, etc!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjohnslater/
• Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/reginald-thompson-393619150
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@TheChroniclesOfJohnSlater
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm11272171?ref_=m_acc_yourpage

Image Credits
Photographers Credit Reggie Thompson Bryant Capers Jeremiah Madden