We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Johnny Guerra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Johnny , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Thank you so much for having me. I’m truly honored to be here and excited to share my mission and insights with your audience. I always knew that my life’s mission would revolve around creativity, making storytelling through writing a natural path for me to follow. Writing holds deep meaning for me as it centers around inspiring and forging connections with individuals through the profound influence of telling stories. Writing is my canvas, and words are my palette; I can paint vivid landscapes and evoke deep emotions through them.

A familiar sense of wonder envelops me, reminding me of the essence that initially pulled me to storytelling. I was a wide-eyed six-year-old when I unwrapped Steven Spielberg’s cinematic masterpiece, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” on a Christmas morning. The story of a young boy forging an extraordinary friendship with an otherworldly being and their quest to reunite the alien with its home struck a deep chord within me. I yearned to join Elliott and his friends in their escape from the government and their triumphant flight across the moonlit backdrop. The soaring musical crescendos and the promise of grand adventures in imaginary worlds tapped into a reality that inspired me profoundly. At that moment, I understood that there were no limits to what could be achieved in storytelling, and I became determined to pursue a career in the film industry.

Johnny , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Yes, of course! I was born and raised in the San Francisco Peninsula in California, where my upbringing was infused with a fascination for writing, cinema, literature, and pop culture. Christopher Reeve’s Superman stood out as my hero; his portrayal influenced my values, identity, and aspirations.

My journey into the storytelling industry started with “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” which inspired me to pursue acting, with a deep desire to inspire others through the films I’d become a part of, just as “E.T.” had done to me. During my school years, I got involved in school plays, taking on various roles on stage and behind the scenes. But before I entered college, I took a significant leap by enrolling in a talent and modeling school and joining a casting agency in San Francisco. This was an exciting opportunity as I found myself on the sets of T.V. shows and movies, including ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer,’ ‘Spider-Man,’ ‘Bee Season,’ ‘The Dark Knight Rises,’ and ‘Saving Mr. Banks’ as a background actor. These experiences immersed me in the film industry in various ways.

One particularly unforgettable experience was when I had the honor of being invited by actor Mike Vogel to visit the set of Warner Bros.’ ‘Poseidon’ remake at the Burbank lot, featuring stars like Kurt Russell and Emmy Rossum. I was managing Mike Vogel’s official website at the time, and he wanted to gift me an all-access pass. During my visit, Mike Vogel guided me on a behind-the-scenes tour of the water soundstage they were using that day. To my amazement, I learned some scenes from “The Perfect Storm” were also shot there. While on set, I had the chance to stand just a few feet away from the late director, Wolfgang Petersen, and witnessed an incredibly intense scene. In this pivotal moment, Mike Vogel and the rest of the cast were trapped in a container-shaped room surrounded by rushing water. It was a thrilling scene where they had to devise a way to escape, and I was fortunate to witness the creative process up close. It’s a complete 180 from what I typically observe on a movie set. There I was, mingling with the actors, eating lunch with them, and everything seemed normal on a Hollywood movie set.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Speaking of a 180-degree turn, you know that feeling when you progress on a particular field, yet something feels out of place, as if pieces aren’t aligning correctly? Well, that’s precisely what I experienced; despite enjoying my time on movie sets and witnessing the collaborative magic that brought movies and T.V. shows to life, a moment of clarity struck me while I waited for the cameras to roll. It became clear that, as an actor, I wasn’t experiencing personal growth; I was essentially portraying different versions of myself, only changing costumes for each role. I persisted as a background actor as long as I could to get more experience on set, but it no longer brought the same sense of fulfillment or happiness it once did. I acknowledged that my genuine passion for storytelling lay in writing rather than being in front of the camera.

As I pivoted into writing, crafting numerous short stories and feature screenplays over the years, 2021 emerged as a significant chapter in my life despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. I had the opportunity to write and direct my first short film, “The Cherry on Top.” Set against the nostalgic backdrop of the 1950s and featuring Franco Machado-Pesce and Alivia Levie in the lead roles, this experience was nothing short of a dream come true. It solidified my aspiration to continue writing and exploring various storytelling methods. Fun fact: “The Cherry on Top” is produced by Franco Machado-Pesce’s House of Clubs.

Around the same time, I started taking on a new adventure as an author, creating my first children’s book that I’m writing and illustrating myself. Even though I’ve had the chance to co-author two books in the past, this one is extra special and dear to my heart. This book has a dual purpose: introducing children to new words and instilling valuable lessons in self-encouragement through affirmations. I aim to rekindle children’s love for reading while enhancing their vocabulary and wordplay skills. Instead of asking the challenging question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” With its societal pressures, this book encourages children to explore their unique talents and abilities. Like Superman’s journey of self-discovery, it prompts them to reflect on “What is your superpower?”—guiding them to look inward and embrace their individual strengths.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

In the creative and film industry, personally and professionally, you encounter two distinct groups: those who wholeheartedly believe in and champion your dreams and those who consistently offer negative feedback and undermine your aspirations. As I diligently worked to establish my reputation, I found myself haunted by the persistent whispers of doubt that echoed through the years, accompanied by the unsolicited advice of those who believed they knew what was best for me. For over a decade, I remained with a production company that initially seemed full of promise, but I ended up being exploited for my writing and visual design skills. My commitment persisted because I aspired to make a name for myself and my strong desire to support my loved ones in the future. Throughout this journey, I faced setbacks like opportunities slipping through my fingers, compromising values for projects, and enduring three months of the 2007 WGA strike. Despite going through a kaleidoscope of emotions, I’ve learned that if God planted a dream in your heart, it will grow, even in the face of adversity.

In hindsight, what’s truly remarkable is that even though that young boy didn’t quite fulfill his dream of becoming a film actor, “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” impacted him as a writer in his adult life. I aim to harness the power of storytelling and writing to ignite the same sense of wonder and inspiration, leaving a lasting, positive influence on those who engage with my work. So, if there’s any wisdom I can share, and it might sound cliché, but it’s a valuable piece of advice that could save you years of your life: follow your heart and pursue what genuinely brings you joy; that’s the essence of storytelling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://contentbyjohnny.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storiesbyjohnny
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnny-guerra