We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful John Ramaine. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with John below.
Hi John , really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
Purpose is not a lone process. It initially becomes an idea, a thought that translates into a calling. Through the layers of action and activity, purpose becomes clearer and more specific. It is rooted within your gifts. Passion grows. Once you allow all of these steps to take place, a purpose becomes distinct. But it is never clear cut. We don’t usually know how to fulfill a purpose despite all desire and ambition priming your motivation. The wisdom in all of this is how you use your gifts in making things happen. As an actor, I find that having a clear vision, rooted in creativity allows others to follow you. They can’t help but hire you over and over. They are motivated by your gifts, and your ability to distinctly interpret that vision. I find that also being a screenwriter helps convey that same creative power only in a form that is more tangible. This is the process by which a Film project that I, and a very select group of gifted people, are putting together. The Film titled, THUS ALWAYS TO TYRANTS, is a poetic, urban legend account based on the escape and suicide of John Wilkes Booth. A story never told. In writing this narrative, I was able to pour out my innovative thoughts’ in its completion; I then discovered that purpose was now taking root; in having it reviewed, I discovered it’s validity; I then discovered it was accepted by the people within the production, which in turn motivated their purposes. It was very empowering. These people, Producer and Director Bob Johnston (30/90 Studios, Blue Valor), Producer Susan Michels (SWE Films), Producer Derek Michalak (Key Word Films), among others, are now motivated by purpose to complete this film. This will have to have its own interview about process and purpose upon completion. I am also working with another team of very talented individuals who are motivated by purpose in completing a play. Due to some legal issues at this point, I can only say that it is a play being Produced by May Day, Scott Gordon and Michael Defilippis, Directed by Tom Costello, with motivational insights by Savannah Camastro and Kim Depole. It is an established piece that premiered on Broadway, was written by an Academy Award/Tony Award winning writer regarding a famous artist, who had a very secret and historical location downtown related to his life, that is the center piece to the play. This is also a future interview on its own and worthy of a thorough testimonial on purpose.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Most people who know me know my professional passions and motivations. What excites me is working with people who maintain the same creative impulses. It drives me to be better. These two groups of individuals are the streams by which I flow. They believe in me, have invested time, money and their gifts into my career. How does this happen? I do believe there are no accidents when it comes to vision and how you disperse your energy. It attracts people and hopefully the right ones. I have been blessed by all these individuals in my life who are motivated by purpose to jump into these projects. This flows beyond just telling stories. It moves towards leaving something behind; to know that we have been here and left a mark and said something important for others to ponder long after we’ve shed this mortal coil. I have two quotes from the film team that I need to share simply because it involves purpose and how something that motivated me then motivated them and brought them along on my journey.
Susan Michels (SWE Films),
“I was drawn to the project at first due to the superior writing. Poetic in a way, as if it was channeled from a higher source. That alone with John’s pure passion is such a beautiful gift. Nothing beats the feeling you get when you know this collaboration is part of something bigger than us in singularity. To entertain, raise questions, spark conversations and in some cases agree to disagree can only bring us closer as a society.”
Bob Johnston (30/90 Studios, Blue Valor),
“My vision is to introduce this story to civil historians and the general public around the world and to reach into the psyche and reasoning of John Wilkes Booth; the period culture, his family dynamics and the political seduction that he endured, forcing him to perform an extreme actor of violence…”
There is no possible way for individuals, such as these two artists, to be motivated to write down these honest thoughts unless it fulfilled a deeper, inner purpose in them. I am honored to simply be a tool in his whole design.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
As I mentioned previously, make sure you have the right people on your project; those who see the project at your level or even higher. The team is the most important thing. But even within the team, there has to be certain skill sets that are rooted within the structure of mobilization. Within the play or the film projects, their are people who are mobilized in raising money, others in equipment, casting, locations, promotions, publicity, legal… you name it. So a team that can critically think and solve problems are on a quicker path to achieving their vision than having a group of excited people who somehow lack the significant gifts in solidifying important aspects of their project. Also a strong work ethic is important and everyone has to carry their weight. As a producer on TYRANTS, I am simply motivated to bring the right people together in order for things to manifest. I am known as the Actor and Writer on the project but I also want to help motivate and inspire the team; someone who carries himself with purpose and spreads it around. I don’t believe in wasting time, and none of the other people on either team believe that either. So I believe that picking the right team, maintaining a strong work ethic and possessing the ability to problem solve are key to the success of any project.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I believe that obstacles are simply tests on which we just find a better way to get things done. The challenge is to always stay motivated. The tests in raising money, or finding the rights or finding the continued inspiration to carry on is an ongoing struggle that keeps hammering at you if you don’t stay on top of it. Each of the two projects possess their own sense of challenges. Thank God we have each other to stay true to the call and purpose. We are all motivated to complete this – simply because it is too important to simply let it slide for a better day. There is no better day than now. Time is our greatest enemy, the only winner and it will remind you that it is quickly flying by. The time bandits continue to tell you of all your weaknesses and failures. These creative teams with whom I am involved, are motivated in making the best use of time, helping one another in making sure that all the time spent prior to manifestation is used in preparation for that big day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.johnramaine.com
- Instagram: www.instagram/johnwilkesboothconfessions.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ramaine-5361083b
- Other: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0707940/ walk.net
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Jonathan Walker
Jonathan Walker
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