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

Hi Jayson, thanks for joining us today. Everyone has crazy stuff happen to them, but often small business owners and creatives, artists and others who are doing something off the beaten path are often hit with things (positive or negative) that are so out there, so unpredictable and unexpected. Can you share a crazy story from your journey?

I’ve always wanted to work in the film industry, but with no formal training, I was like a frog in a blender trying to figure out how to get in. I tried the traditional route, wearing a dress shirt and tie, crafting a resume, and knocking on as many doors as I could, but all I got was a swift kick in the butt. Apparently, experience was more valuable than a strong desire to make it in Hollywood. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands and rebrand myself as an “experienced” line producer, even though I had no idea what that meant.

With my new title and a tiny bit of film knowledge from making some of my own short films, I landed a job on an indie Bollywood film called “K.I.S.S.” (Keep It Simple Stupid). And boy, did I feel stupid! I didn’t know what any of the crew members did, and they looked like they could carry me out in a wheelbarrow. But, I was determined to make this work.

The Executive Director called a meeting to introduce me as the guy who was going to bring this project home, and I suddenly felt like a deer in headlights. That’s when one of the crew members asked, “How are we going to film at Cal Berkeley without a permit?” I was stumped. I had no idea what to do. But then, a genius idea hit me. I saw the crew was pretty young and looked like they could pass as students, so I said, “Pack everything up in the van. We’re going to film without a permit!”

We all piled into a Sprinter van and headed to Cal Berkeley. As we drove, I had the driver stop by a campus bookstore, and I bought everyone bright yellow Cal Berkeley shirts. My plan was that we were going to blend in as students working on a commercial for the college. Yeah, it was a dumb plan, but it was better than nothing.

As we started filming, everything was going off without a hitch. Security rolled by a few times, but we just waved at them, and they drove off. It was perfect! We even got a scene where the main actor walked out of a classroom, and I felt like a genius for stealing a college campus location.

But, as they say, pride comes before a fall. I decided to scout the next location myself, and I ended up breaking into an instructor’s office. She caught me, and before I knew it, she was calling security. I ran for my life, and it felt like I was in a Benny Hill sketch. I finally escaped into a local pub, and my boss called me, laughing hysterically at what had transpired.

Despite my disastrous start, we ended up finishing “K.I.S.S” fifteen days later, and no one else got chased for the rest of the production. Moral of the story? Sometimes, it’s better to fake it until you make it!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Jayson earned his Master of Arts in film production from Eastern Illinois University. However, his life took an unexpected turn when he landed an interview that led him to work with the legendary film director, Francis Ford Coppola. After several successful collaborations on wine and food projects, Coppola advised Jayson to “go out and become famous.” Jayson took this advice to heart and transitioned into independent film production, creating award-winning content for top companies such as Discovery Networks, ABC, Amazon, and Netflix.

For the past seven years, Jayson has written, produced, and directed nine short films that were selected for eighty-five film festivals and won six awards. He is currently in pre-production for his first feature-length film, “Counterfeit Cabernets.” Jayson is currently employed as a writer, director, and producer at Strike Five Films, a Black-owned film production company that brings fresh, original stories to the big screen. Tired of the same old superhero movies and rehashed franchises, Strike Five Films focuses on creating exciting, thought-provoking content that speaks to a diverse audience. The company’s mission is to showcase Black talent both in front of and behind the camera and to tell stories that have been overlooked or marginalized by Hollywood. With a commitment to quality and authenticity, Strike Five Films is poised to become a leading force in the film industry.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to break free from the limiting belief that my ideas were not creative enough. Despite having the privilege of working with industry giants such as Francis Ford Coppola, Boots Riley and Terry Zwigoff, I found myself constantly having to prove my worth to others. It became a tiresome pattern that followed me from project to project until I hit a breaking point and realized that I had something valuable to offer creatively.

It was a pivotal moment for me when I decided to step out of my comfort zone and venture into creating my own content. I had to let go of the fear of not being good enough and take a leap of faith. This newfound freedom allowed me to grow and thrive as an artist. It was a cathartic experience to finally stop seeking validation from others and start creating content that spoke to my own vision.

In the end, it was all about getting out of my own way and trusting in my creative instincts. I stopped listening to the doubts and fears that held me back and embraced my own unique voice. It was a journey of self-discovery and liberation, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken that first step towards creative freedom.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I strongly believe that creativity is deeply connected to courage. I don’t think there’s anyone who lacks creativity; we all possess creative abilities. The crucial factor is whether we have the bravery to showcase it. Unleashing our inner creativity can be intimidating, but if we place great value on it, we must learn to let go of negative thoughts, doubts, and external opinions and take the leap! It’s only by embracing our creativity and taking risks that we can truly thrive.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://jaysonjohnsonproducer.weebly.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysonjohnson1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/jjtweet
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuA1f5lDGEW08uCZZAfivjw
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/strike-five-films-san-pablo

Image Credits
Robinson Kuntz/Daily Republic