Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to DEN JOHNSON. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

DEN, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I’ve known my whole life, but it wasn’t something that was easily obtained.

I can remember some of the first thoughts I had were of Hollywood magic, and the artwork and visual effects surrounding horror and science-fiction movies and video games. I was simply obsessed and left wondering, how’d they do that?!

Visual effects masters and pioneers, Ray Harryhausen, Tom Savini, Rick Baker, to voice acting icon Mel Blanc, comedy legends Laurel & Hardy, the godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy Osbourne, and so many others were my heroes. I wanted to do that type of work. All of it. I wanted to know how the magic was done and I wanted to do all of it! All. Of. It.

But I didn’t know a soul in the creative industry…. I mean, how would I? Have I mentioned yet, that I’m originally from Oklahoma?

Even though I knew what my path should be at an early age, I had no clue how I was going to pursue a creative career, or how I was even going to take the first step. Those first steps are always the hardest.

I was lucky enough to grow up in the 80’s, in a small town in the middle of Oklahoma. Hanging out in the arcades, cruising Main Street in our cars and pickup trucks and watching horror and science-fiction movies at the drive-in movie theater, was an every Friday and Saturday night occurrence. I was obsessed with that magical silver screen and the arcade video game screens. It was an escape into something much bigger than my small Oklahoma hometown. So, I knew from a very early age that I wanted to do that. All of that. Every bit of that.

When I was growing up and hanging out in the arcades of the 80’s… I always wondered, just how did they get that artwork in there? I wanted to know! I was very curious and artistically and technically obsessed, so I found out! I then diligently pursued a very successful career doing just that. I’ve also included my IMDb link for credit listings, etc.

The artistic, technical and business side of the creative process has long intrigued me. So I knew pretty much since my first thoughts, exactly what I wanted to do for a living when I “grew up”. I wanted to be a creative individual. However, I’m still waiting to grow up… and I’m still obsessed with this business of creativity.

I’ve always been compelled to be creative, with an intense desire to also perform and professionally compete in a variety of artistic mediums.

I have always felt different, but never knew why. I’ve since realized that I simply feel and express things differently, because I’m a creative being.

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?

I’ve always been creating something, from the time I was a little kid till now. Every thought I’ve ever had, has always been around the creation of something.

Whether it be creating character voice acting work for video games, animation, commercial and promo… to creating environments and props for award winning video games and movies like “God of War”, “Starship Troopers” and more… to artwork and paintings, musical performance, acting or filmmaking… creation has always been the root of my intense focus.

Working in the creative Hollywood industry always felt like my ultimate destiny. I was drawn to it, like a moth to a flame.

When we are little kids, we sing, we dance, we perform, we draw, we create. As we get older, most of us tend to grow out of all that fun. For some reason, I never did. Instead, I did the craziest thing ever, and pursued a creative career… not knowing what to do, or how to get started… and with zero industry connections.

Growing up, people told me that I was just a “dreamer”, and that I should focus on getting a real job. I never listened. Instead, I kept the dream alive, by pursuing it even more intensely with everything I had.

And when I say “dream”, I am most certainly not saying that lightly. I’m originally from a little town in the middle of Oklahoma named, McAlester. I was raised with cows and cowboys (but dreaming of surfing, the ocean, Hollywood and California), working on a farm and doing and learning hard work at an early age.

I believe this to be the foundation that helped really take me to the next level, learning a solid work ethic from hard work and seeing it all through. It ultimately created a sense of pride from a “job well done”, and knowing that I’d seen it through even though it was hard work.

Well like I say, you don’t come from a little town in the middle of Oklahoma and dream of doing Hollywood work, because they’ll tell you real fast to, “go back to sleep and finish that dream”!

I was always drawn literally and figuratively, to create. The older I became, the more I realized when you take your creations (whatever it is) then combine that with marketing and promoting yourself… that’s how you do it! I mean, nobody else is going to do it for you, right?

I never asked permission, and I never asked for the rules. I just jumped in feet first and did it, and I did it with everything that I had. And I never gave up. I think mainly, because I was extremely driven to succeed. That was indeed a fact, and the fact I had nothing to fall back on except the talents I was born with.

Through hard work, diligence, failing many times, and ultimately succeeding. I’ve since made many industry connections and am doing what I love. I have equally been drawn to the entrepreneurial aspect of being a creator as well… it really makes my blood pump and my heart beat. It’s very exciting!

I’m extremely proud of my position as, Director of Placement and Alumni Engagement with Gnomon School of VisualFX Games & Animation in Hollywood.

Here, I have the opportunity to give back to new and amazingly talented upcoming artists. I’m able to share everything I’ve learned along my creative journey and all the strategies and industry connections needed to help new artists successfully moving themselves forward.

I’m also really proud of some fairly recent voice acting nominations and awards.

In 2021, I was nominated for a “SOVAS” (Society Of Voice Arts And Sciences) award for, “Outstanding Animation or Gaming Demo/Best Voiceover”.

That same year (2021), I was also nominated and won, a “One Voice” award for, “Best Performance Male Demo Reel”.

My most recent endeavor is a new YouTube Channel called, “ThisZ dEN”. Short form video is my format (for now), with most having a runtime of a minute or less. My focus is…

“Filming places that we so often fly by in a blur of hurriedness. Always focusing on the world of the bizarre, desolate, artful, shadows, the forgotten, and overtly impactful place we call home… Earth.

Artist, Vocalist, Musician, Filmmaker and Time Traveler, with a hard twist of lime and Heavy Metal.

I am dEN… of Earth.”

– “ThisZ dEN” YouTube Channel –
https://youtube.com/channel/UCIBEMxwcOddiY7YqXp_sGwg

– VOCAL DEMOS & BOOKING –
https://www.dENjOHNSONVO.com

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

The main thing I can speak of regarding a story from my journey, that truly illustrates resilience is…

Do not stop.
Ever.

Resilience is foundational.

I’m a firm believer that if you want something bad enough and make diligent and strategic efforts daily, that you’ll eventually achieve whatever it is you’re trying to achieve. You’re not going get there overnight, and you most definitely have to work it with everything you have. Daily.

All I know is creativity.

Creativity on multiple levels, as my creative interests are quite varied. This is what I do. My reason for existence is to create, connect, and to help other creatives move themselves forward, onward and upward.

I’ve most definitely had to take on other jobs just to make ends meet that were not creative. Jobs that I didn’t much care for, but I had to do, just to make ends meet. Those damned “ends”.

Those particular jobs in turn, fueled my desire to keep pushing myself forward daily in order to put myself where I knew I belonged. I also realized quickly that no one else was going to get me where I needed to be (nor should they have), and this adventure was all mine to embrace. So, I gave it a big ole bear hug and did everything I could to move myself forward.

Because I was financing all my efforts, I had to re-strategize and restructure many times, simply because I had nothing to fall back on. I was definitely not born with a silver spoon, and I literally grew up on the other side of the tracks. Hard work and dreams are all I’ve ever known.

Everything achieved, I credit to being driven by an unending passion to create, combined with diligent and strategic efforts, hard work, and never giving up.

Even when I didn’t see immediate results, I just kept moving forward religiously. I had nothing to fall back on except the talents I was born with, so forward was the only way. Even when I failed, I’d get back up and try again. But always trying new strategies.

Even when I had to take those “in between” jobs just to make ends meet, I was always creating during my off time, always reworking and rebranding. Always trying to push myself to that next level. I didn’t give up and I kept going, and here I am now. Howdy!

If being a creative for a living were easy, then everybody would be doing it. But it’s not, it’s highly competitive and fast paced, but highly exhilarating.

I say, “don’t give up and don’t give in”, because it just takes “one”. It takes one person to give you that shot. Then you just keep connecting, mastering your craft and growing your brand and business from there.

I say to those who are wanting a creative career, to keep going and don’t give up! Achieving your dreams does not come easily… keep those dreams alive by working daily towards them.

I’m living, walking, talking, and breathing proof… that anyone can achieve their dreams… if they want it bad enough. It takes time and patience and most definitely doesn’t happen overnight. You have to work it with everything you have and more.

By applying intense effort, strategy and drive, I never forgot my dreams, or my simple beginnings in that small hometown of McAlester, Oklahoma. Instead, I followed them… and here I am, and that’s how I did it. There’s nothing better in this world than getting paid to do what you love. Hooray for Hollywood!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I’m perpetually entertained, I absolutely love being a creative individual. I equally love helping fellow creatives get started, get connected and get themselves moving forward on their journeys.

It’s a very full, rewarding and equally fulfilling circle. I’d say that’s pretty much a top level reward, and consider myself quite blessed!

I’d like to thank you and the readers for sharing an interest in my life and creative journey, and I hope to have inspired anyone wanting to pursue their own creative path… Just DO it!

All my very best,
-dEN

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.denjohnsonvo.com/
• Instagram: @ThisZdEN
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/denjohnson68?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denjohnson?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCIBEMxwcOddiY7YqXp_sGwg
• Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1693948/ Email: [email protected] Photographer: Hanna Bixel | Bixel Photography | Shot on location in Niland, California

Image Credits
Hanna Bixel