User:J.J. Redcloud/sandbox

DIRTY SPACE JOHNSON, LLC Fighting for the hearts and minds of the public An interview by J.J. Redcloud. Dirty Space Johnson, LLC is primarily a independent motion picture production company. However they do so much more. The Company was started in on July 5th 2012, by founder C. D. Johnson. I was able to catch up to Mr. Johnson, and ask him some questions. Mr. Johnson was not at all what I thought. We meet a local coffie shop. I pictured a young cat, dressed yuppie sheik. Mr. Johnson came in with a lime green dress shirt, sleeves rolled up. A old worn out pair of jeans. A beat up pair of dark wire fra me sun glasses. His hair looked uncombed, and he wasn't shaven. He had a "beer" belly, but he was somewhat muscular. He sat down at the table, appologized for running late.

J.J. - " Well, Let me begin by saying thank you, for taking the time to meet with me. Especially, since I am not known, and this will be my first interview. And it's for the internet, so thanks."

Johnson - " No, thank you. We are new ourselves. And to be honest with you we need all the publicity we can get. We are virtually unknown ourselves. So this is a win/win for both of us."

J.J. - "Ok, Let's get down to business. My first question is pretty straight forward. How or Why, Dirty Space Johnson, LLC ?"

Johnson - "I had a slew of names in my head. Ghetto Fabulous Pictures, Theature El'Grosso, Hollywood Renegade Pictures, and Dirty Space Monkey to name a few. But none of them stuck. It is very important to have a good strong, catchy name in this business. Something that stands out. Because, lets face it there are thousands, millions even, of people doing this sort of thing today. And So I liked Dirty Space Monkey, but I was affraid it was to common. Also an african american girlfriend of mine told me it could be considered raceist. So I changed the Monkey to Johnson. Mt last name and the rest is history."

J.J. - "Ok, But is there any meaning beyond that ?"

Johnson - " Well, I am a huge fan of all different generes, but I love Science fiction movies. I couldn't tell you the first one I saw, but I have seen a lot. Dirty, because my taste is a little off, a little twisted. Space, because it is still so unreal. The pictures sent back by the Hubble telescope are sooooo strange and beautiful. Yet the dangers of space are absolute. And as I said earlier, Johnson, because it is my last name, and also a slang term for the penis. So it's kinda a joke as well. One I've heard many times."

J.J. - " I've been to the web site (DirtySpaceJohnson.com) and you don't have a lot of Films, or merchandize for sell. Like say Tromo Studios. I don't think you actually even have one movie for sell. Whats up ?

Johnson - "Well, we've had some trouble getting some of the music rights cleared, for our first feature "Law of Pragnanz". Some one decided to use classical music in the finished master. Once the master was finished everything else was destroyed. The editor assumed the music was public domain, because it was over two hundred years old. But the joke is on us, it's not. With nothing left but this digital master, we can't go back and re-record over the old music, with out wasting a lot of time and money. And I have to say, the classical stuff has grown on me. I like it. It gives the picture a certain feel that, any other music wouldn't. Also, i am happy to report that the dispute is coming to a close. "Law of Pragnanz" just might reach an audience.  The Site is somewhat new. Half of Memoribilia is connected to 'Law of Pragnanz'. The other half is connected to the Company itself. Promotional material, for the fans, and to get the word out. We are constantly working on a variaty of products."

J.J. - "'Law of Pragnanz", huh. What is the film about ?"

Johnson - " It is a Avant Gaurd collection of dark comedy. There are Nasty puppets, a Ghost Pirate (named "Smoke Beard the Smoke face Smoker"), Killer Box's, A Unknown magic Crystal with dark powers, Possession, A dance competition, Mutant Chickens from Outer Sapce, a psudeo campaign ad, grumpy old people, a "star wars" spoof, and a real life Cowboy who got his own tv show in the fifties. To give you an idea. Oh and a hostage situation. I think thats everything in a nut shell."

J.J. - "So it's not your typical narrative film ?"

Johnson - " No. We didn't have a big budget for this picture. But at the same time, we were experimenting with what we were able to do, and what we wanted to do. We had a lot of ideas but, at the time, nothing suitable to carry a whole picture.  I will tell you, this picture was heavily influenced by a few things. We have always been a big fan of "Monty Python" and their style of skit comedy. Adult Swim, on the Cartoon network with shows like: Aqua Teen Hunger force, Sea-Lab 2021, and Super Jail, along with some live action shows such as The Mighty Boosch, and Garth Marenga's Darkplace ( which I never would have known existed other wise.) Loony Tunes and Merry Melodies, which we all grew up watching. The Little Rascles, and the Three Stoogies are great. You just don't see comedic violence like that any more. I can't forget Rod Sterlings: the Twilight Zone. Which the skit Attack of the Box's is basicaly our version of a Twilight Zone. It was actualy shot to be a parody of the Twilight Zone, but some of the footage didn't turn out, at all. So big chunks had the be cut, and you can tell, its rough. The 'Team' gets together, brain storms, throws some ideas around. An detailed outline was made, and in this case, it was turned over to Dick Madison Jr. Who actualy wrote the screenplay. Dick is a great writer. He eloborated on all the ideas that had been hatched, in the think tank, and turned out a fabulious script.

J.J. - "So this movie is heavily inspired by Cartoons ? Are there any cartoons in it ?"

Johnson - "Yes. And Yes. I would have liked to have more of the Old School animation (hand drawn and painted cells) in it, however it takes so long to complete, there just wasn't enough time or money. Some animation made it in, and some was cut. There is a little computer animation, along with some Claymation. But for the most part, the majority of it is Live action."

J.J. - "Were you happy with the final completed film ?"

Johnson - "Well, yes and no. There was a brillaint military skit, that was my absolute favorite! It didn't make it into the picture, do to the original being lost by the lab. What are you going to do? There are many things, that I wish we could have either done better, or done differently. It was a shoe string budget, and all and all, for what we had to work with, I'm surprized we pulled it off. In the end you have to stop, otherwise it will never be finished. An unfinished picture is like an unfinished house, it can serve no purpose. Course in hindsight, with the music situation, I guess we had time."

J.J. - "Music is a big part of any film, why Classical music ? Why not contemporary ? And with all the trouble you have had, if you had it to do over again, would you ?"

Johnson - " Well, I am a fan of all kinds of music. Even though it wasn't my decision. Once I saw the finished product, or the first cut, I knew it had to stay. Classical music is in all the old cartoons! ( He laughs.) But seriously, It adds a deminsion to the scence's that gives them a sence of epic porportion. They would not have the punch, that they do, without Classical music.   I took music appreciation in collage. Those songs have a power to them. Beehtoven, Mozart, Chopin all great musical artists to be sure. Plus, i kinda feel like those songs give the picture a little touch of class. But just a little."

J.J. - "Do you expect the film to be an Independent Blockbuster, like say the Blair Witch ?"

Johnson - "No, not at all. I hope the picture finds as many fans as possible. The test screenings we did, went very well. Thier were people laughing out loud. That's a good sign for any Comedy. Even though, I for one, am not a fan of a test screening. I think its cheating. I know Hollywood Studios have them all the time. Then they tailor the picture, to the most popular answers to the questionair. They never did it in the old days. Thank God! Cause if they had, many great classic pictures, would have been ruined. But I don't see it making a lot of money. That is the real question, right?"

J.J. - "Hey! I'll ask the questions here. I'm Kidding. Yes, that was the root of the question. Do you see the film being a huge success ?"

Johnson - "I just wanted to be sure I was answering correctly. Would I like to see it be a huge success? Most definitly! However, I am a realist. I know a picture from an unknown start-up company, on a shoe string budget, with no stars.when I say that, I mean no big name celebrities, because the whole cast and crew are stars in my book: Charles Frederick, Holden Nuggs, Hugh Barrett, G.W. Rose, Roman Lee, Bo Williams, Phil Deeze, John C. Douglas, and many others all really came together to make this work. And I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. Cause they didn't do it for the huge paycheck, or the fame. They did it......Well I really don't know why they did it? You would have to ask them. But they did it, and the rest is history. This picture is not going to make a hundred million dollars. I would like to recoup what money was invested in it. (He laughs) Perhaps, a little more. Go back out and do it again. With a lot of luck and the grace of God, I will."

J.J. - "So, after the test screenings of "Law of Pragnanz" you were speaking of, no changes were made to the film, based on audience responce ?"

Johnson - "Ok, this is were my hipocracy knows no bounds. The picture was screened two or three times, and changes were made. Now, let me just say that no new footage was shoot, based on audience reaction. The changes were, shuffleing a two skits around. Which, because the picture is an Avant Gaurd collection of shorts, didn't really change the picture that much. Its different with a Narrative picture, at least to me. Depending on what is added, or removed, the whole feel of a picture can change. I agreed with John (John C. Douglas, the Films Director.) Because, in the end, even though, it takes a great number of people to pull off any picture. It's the Directors artistic vision, that should reign supreme. That's what he was hired to do. John and I talked, and he wanted to make some small changes, twik it a bit. I backed John on that decision. If John had refused to change one thing, it would have stayed the same. John said he had the same feeling as the audience, on one skit, running to long. It was cut down in length. One other skit was cut in half and the end moved, farther into the picture. I am a firm beleiver in the artistic vision of the Director. In Hollywood, Directors are sometimes pushed around by studio exects. Who force them to change the picture to suit them. But the Syudio system has always been that way. An example, that comes to mind, is Terry Gilliam's: Brazil. A wonderful film, in my opinion. But Studio Exects didn't like then ending, and pressured Gilliam to change it. Gilliam fought them. I think, when it was all said and done Gilliam got the end he wanted. At least the copy I have is. But this is not the norm in most cases. There are Directors who have complete control over their picture. Stanly Kubrick was said to have that power, before his passing. Clint Eastwood is said to have it now."

J.J. - "So you would be happy to break even ?"

Johnson - "Hell yes! I haven't been in this business very long. But I worked in Television for a few years, and I know there are pictuers that never see the light of day. Not just small indie ones, but big Hollywood Studio ones, that fail horribly.  At the same time, we are not only competing with each other (other independent Companies),the Big Hollywood Studios, and television. But we are up against the unlimited almighty Internet, video games, along with a bad global economy. Its a war zone out there. Really, everyone fighting and scraping for crumbs! Especially us independents, cause we were already getting table scraps.   I will say that everyone in this business wants to make money, for sure! But money isn't the only measure of success, to me anyway. I would rather have a Cult Classic on my hands then a forgetable Blockbuster. I would rather have a million people love the picture, then one-hundred million think it sucked. In the end for us (Indie Companies) its a miracle just completing a picture. Then you have to get it out to the people, and thats even harder. But getting the picture seen by an audience is the goal. Because for the little guy, in this business, its tough."

J.J. - "I have been to a screening of 'Law of Pragnanz', as you know (it's where I met Mr. Johnson, and secured this interveiw.) I thought the film had its moments of hilarity. However with that being said, I witness some who were offended especially by some of the jokes told by the puppet character, the Blumpkin Kid. I heard them say some of the jokes were: tastless, degrading to women, and down right awful. What are your thoughts on this ? I know that at least some of the questionairs reflected this."

Johnson - "Let me start by saying that I deplore censorship. I understand its need in specific situation, for example: Censorship for the sake of children. Now, anytime you are putting forth a work of 'Art', you have to know there will be critics. It's true in all artistic forms: music, paintings, books, films, ect. I make pictures that I would like to see. The pictures that Dirty Space Johnson, LLC produce are, to an extent, a reflection of those who made it. There's no doubt about that. But it doesn't define the company. When it comes to comedy, what's funny to me, might not be funny to you. That is a fact, and there is no way around it. When you set out to make a picture, you can't please everyone. Like snowflakes, everyone is different.     We do not set out to shock and offend people. But it is going to happen. The jokes that the Blumpkin Kid tales are, without a doubt, adult in nature. Part of the humor is that these 'dirty' jokes are being told by a puppet. The root of a joke is to an extent offensive by nature. A joke is an exaggeration of a truth. All jokes have a sliver of truth, somewhere within it's framework. What makes a joke funny is the outragiousness of the exaggeration of said truth. A joke about God, if its funny, is not bad. I hope (he laughs.) But at the same time is bound to offend someone. That doesn't mean its not funny. You can't set out affraid that your going to offend, or be critisized. It is going to happen. Does that mean we are misogynists, because of some of the dialogue content. Not at all. I happen to love and respect women. I came from a women (he laughs.) I don't feel that a joke determines a persons charactor. A joke is a joke, and nothing more. But that is my opinion. I, however, am not easily offended. My sence of humor can be a bit morbid, obscene, gross, thats just how I am. If you are often offended by snide humor then 'Law of Pragnanz' is probably not the comedy for you. At the same time, your friend may think it's the funniest movie they ever saw. Thats just the business. There is a computer animated short of a african american being attacked by giant chickens. The team thought it was funny. Will everyone? No. But that doesn't mean we're racists. It's just a joke."

J.J. - "Whats next for Dirty Space Johnson, LLC., Anything on the horizion?

Johnson - "Oh yeah! There's always something. "Law of Pragnanz" will hopefully be available soon. We would like to get into some feastivals, make some appearances here and there. By the way, our web site has a wonderful line of T-shirts, and posters, along with other special limited edition memorabilia for purchase, if it strikes your fancy. Proceeds will go toward our amazing, artistic, visualy breathtaking motion pictures (he laughs.) There are several pictures in development at this time. All narritives, for those of you who like your pictures with more meat, on the bone. A Comedy Dirty Space Johnson (LLC) style, cause people need to laugh. Two Horror pictures, because its safer to experience death and destruction from a great distance, or remotely. There are even some books in the works, for those of you who like to visualy imagine your very own version of the written page (which is the foundation of any good film.) There is even a Music Album in the works. Yup, we learned our lesson, when it comes to soundtracks, we produce our own music now. We are very excited about the future of the company! And God willing we will continue to do our thing, as long as there is a possible market. We will be on the fringe of it!

J.J. - "We'll good luck, and thank you for your time Mr. Johnson."

Johnson - "No, thank you! I am happy to do it. Spread the word, DirtySpaceJohnson.com Support Independent Film, Support the Arts! Good luck to you, too.    Insert non-formatted text here