We recently connected with Johnny Legnard and have shared our conversation below.

Johnny, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The is a tie. The most meaningful project to date has to be one of my latest short films, “What comes”, a story about living in the dark. It was my first short film under our new production “there’s a wolf”, where we aim to tell dark fantasy dramas. I feel this film is not only a great representation of “there’s a wolf” but it also let me make what I wanted to make as an actor and filmmaker.

“Nightwatchers”, a short film we made back in 2018, shares the same love. It was easier times. The cast and crew were all friends and family. We were doing what we wanted without pressure. There was a type of fun that I’ve since been able to reach. The film is about two young men, outcasts, who’ve taken upon themselves to establish a neighborhood watch. They soon learn from the neighborhood bullies that their town may be threatened by a real-life warlock that’s dwelling just on the outskirts of the neighborhood.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Johnny Legnard. I am a filmmaker in the SoCal area. I originally started as an actor but have discovered after a while, the urge of telling my own stories would become too difficult to ignore. I’ve been producing short films for the past decade, coming in and out of multiple production houses. Starting my own and joining others. It wasn’t until Winter of 2020 when we launched our latest production house “there’s a wolf”, an arthouse focusing on telling modern fantasies.

As an actor, I’ve found it difficult to find the roles I wanted to work. Furthermore, landing the roles that were already few and far between didn’t seem like a viable option to stretch my creative muscles.

What I’m doing now is whatever I want, without clearance from anybody.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The most important recourse I’ve picked up along the way is the word “no”. “No” burns bridges but “no” keeps you out of trouble.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think society is already doing all it can to support artists. The market is saturated with art: streaming services, music apps, paintings and prints are available in every Home Goods store. I think what your question meant was “what can society do to best support independent or underground artists….”. And my answer still sucks. It’s again not relying on society but more so on the artist.

Society is the perfect judge on what “it” wants. It doesn’t KNOW what it wants but it will consume, nonetheless. It’s up to the artist to be resilient, to weather the storm, to come out on top. Nobody will give it to you. To have your art on the streaming services, music apps, in stores; artists must never sleep and never stop.

Contact Info:

• Website: thereisawolf.com
• Instagram: @thereisawolf_
• Youtube: @thereisawolf

Image Credits
Me