We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Susan Johnston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Susan below.
Susan , appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Living in Los Angeles during the Financial crisis of 2008, I witnessed many colleagues exodus. No longer could they afford the lives they built and at studio level vs Independent, it was really hard to even break even. I starting thinking about what is the root of what we do in media, which is story based and how we do it is with technology. I was a tester for Panasonic through Doug Leighton and was VP of Production at Big Vision Studios so I had an idea. What about a “creative sandbox” where people can test their theories (pitching) prove their expertise (screenings) meet people that move their careers forward: creators, cast, crew, speakers, sponsors, deal makers, judges and more. It has been wonderful to see all of the positive experiences, connections, jobs, etc. that have come out of New Media Film Festival®
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?
A trailblazing badass, Susan Johnston is a pioneer when it comes to bridging the gap between technology and story as well as innovating ideas for the future of media. For over 20 years, Susan has been at work in the film industry both in front and behind the camera.
Inspired by the idea of interactivity between new technologies and formats for Media and Cinema with global consciousness, Susan gained public awareness by founding the award-winning New Media Film Festival®, now in its 12th successful year. The festival is the global catalyst for story and technology that honors stories of all ages, cultures, and media.
Aside from being the founder and director of New Media Film Festival®, Susan has taken on other pursuits such as owning and acting as the production/casting manager for award winning film studio, Select Services Films Inc, and the casting agency Susan Johnston Casting since 2000. She has also been the VP Production for Big Vision Studios since 2008.
Film projects Susan has taken on includes co-producing the feature film Dreams Awake and producing the Marvel comic feature Prey: Origin of the Species. She is a member of the Academy of Television, Arts & Sciences (EMMYS), SAG/AFTRA, BMI, The Caucus of New Media, SET Awards Board, and Computer & Animation Society Board, and is a Professor Emeritus of New Media.
Susan was Knighted for her work in the humanities and arts in 2017. A New England native, she worked with the Providence & Rhode Island Film Commissions for over 5 years to build its infrastructure before she relocated to Los Angeles in 2000. Additionally, she developed Context Media Studios International production capabilities as well as garnered funds before Senate Committee hearings to help facilitate the 25% tax incentive for investors of films in Rhode Island.
In 2012, LinkedIn announced she was one of the top 10% of profiles looked at out of 20 million. With over 80,000 subscribed to her monthly newsletter and over 2 million followers across social media, Susan has been touted as a Social Media expert. She has lent her expertise to Los Angeles Social Media Week, IFFS, Jackson Hole Science Conference, Moviola, and A Brasov Romania conference. Additionally, she is proud to have spoken at prestigious conferences such as American Film Market, NAB and NATPE.
Susan’s most recent awards include: Influential Business Woman, Best Women Owned Film & TV Production Company CA, and Best Video Production & Dedicated Servant to Global Change.
Susan’s Heavy Metal Awards:
● 2020 Global Awards, Best Woman owned Film & TV Prod. Co
● 2020 Media Award, TMT Magazine
● Best Video Production Services
● CA State Business Awards: Best Arts & Entertainment Annual Event 2017
● City of Los Angeles: Certificate of Appreciation
● Global Excellence Award: Most Outstanding Film TV Production Company
● Global Excellence Award: New Media Producer of the Year
● Los Angeles Award: Influential Businesswoman
● Los Angeles Award: Best Woman Owned TV Production Company
● Los Angeles Award for Excellence in Broadcast Media Services
● Most Influential Woman in Media Production Support
● US Company of the Year (Film & TV) – Select Services Films Inc.
● Women to Watch: Production Hub/WIF and Indiewire/Sydney Levine
● Women’s History: Dedicated Servant of Global Change
Book and Publication List:
● New Media, All Media: The Intersection of New Technology and Storytelling – Institute for Education, Research, and Scholarships (January 22, 2020)
● Enlightenment – Your Life Is Remarkable – Barnes & Noble
● The Way of the Savant – Barnes & Noble
● Virtual Reality as New Media is Revolutionary – Connect-World: Europe II (2019)
● How to Make it in Hollywood: The “Must Have” Resource Guide to Navigate the Film World When You’re on Your Way Up – Barnes & Noble
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Its funny as the grass roots effort taken in the beginning, 2009 resonated wide and got me some speaking gigs on the How to’s of Social Media. Basically I looked at who I was talking to, what would they be interested in what the festival was doing. Since we do so many things for us, it was easy. In today’s saturated social media environment it is crucial to be steady on your focus and implementation.
What are you talking about? Who are you speaking to? What do they want to hear about your company? What don’t they know about your company that they may resonate with once they learn about it. If you post once daily, and you can pre-schedule, you have 365 days a year to connect with people all over the globe.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
Outside of the social media we discuss above, I always say to people, ask. So, in most posts, I ask to share. In most newsletters (we send them out once a month) not only do we offer things, but we ask people to, share and make it easier to do by having the icons for all socials, so they can just click and the email icon.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmediafilmfestival
- Facebook: http://facebook.com/NewMediaFilmFestival
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-johnston-media-futurist
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/newmediaff
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/newmediafilmchannel
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/4gR6i80CLs5VJs63FXxYbP
Image Credits
fatima hurd