We were lucky to catch up with Jeffrey Johnson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jeffrey, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
I’ve always been a pretty optimistic guy. And that’s not to say I consider myself naiive, or overly rosy. To me, a sense of optimism reflects a sense of realism, if that’s possible. “It is what it is.”
Yes, of course there are disappointments, yes, some things are hard to swallow, yes, some things are infuriating, but if that’s the way of the world, well then so be it.
I can focus on my side of the street. I can try to be present in my moment. And if I’m making the choices that are mine to make, then I have to live and learn from those. And that brings me a sense of pece & therefore, optimism. There is a bright side if you look for it.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve been lucky enough to be able to make a living as an actor for a quarter century now. (& YES, I feel frickin’ old saying that…) Sure, there have been some lean years, but I am extremely Grateful to be where I am, and amazed that acting, which I adore, has brought me here. And the more time I spend in the industry, the more I enjoy exploring other aspects of production; be it directing, scoring, writing… Trying on different hats, as it were. Though, trust me, I know my limitations.
Lately I’ve found myself trying to create projects I can not only act in, but create music for, maybe some remedial editing, etc. Or even take myself out of the eqation to collaborate with peers I admire and put something in their hands. I have met an awful lot of very talented people along the way. I ceated a small production company, Drunken Troubadour, and who knows what’s in store next..
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
-Faith. Or, trust, I might say, in the process. Learn, train, study, & eventually you’ll figure out a way to express what it is you feel you need to express. I used to say “I’m gonna die trying”. Luckily, I’ve learned some tricks along the way.
-Patience. Try not to get caught up in “success” or “making it”. As an artist, just try to get better every day
-Listening. Easier said than done. And God knows, I’m no expert on this. It’s one of the most importatnt skills an actor can possess, and a human being even moreso.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
It’s so easy to get overwhelmed. Not only by the pressures the world puts on us, or the industry puts on us, but by the pressure we put on ourselves. There are so many hopes & expectations, yet so little guarantees. It’s a grind; it’s a struggle. This isn’t easy. Not by a long shot. And there is so much sacrifice along the way. Sacrificing comfort, sacrificing clarity, sacrificing a normal approach to life, (whatever THAT is,) and stepping into the void.
It takes a lot of guts. So, that whole “fake it ’til you make it” thing…? Yeah, that’s real.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1378502/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_0_nm_8_q_jeffrey%2520johnson
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captainblackmovie/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaptainBlackMovie/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY6r2MHAfxY&t=6s
Image Credits
“Drunken Troubadour” logo by Pier Gustafson
