I'm Curley Johnson, a filmmaker living in Portland, Oregon. I make my living, with all its ups and downs, directing television spots, videos and web content. As with other filmmakers, the work of earning a living in this way is necessary and rewarding, and something for which to be thankful; not everyone gets to do it. Still, I'll admit it does not satisfy all of my creative interests and ambitions. Simply put, I will be much happier when my income stream comes from making narrative and documentary films. That's the dream isn't it.
In the meantime, like so many actors, musicians, writers, artists, and filmmakers, we cannot sit around waiting. We share a common need to be doing the work which we love, regardless of the income: the "day-job" versus the "passion." The idea for this workshop came as one way to create an environment where in collaboration with actors, writers, and other filmmakers, we can pursue this common desire, this common passion.
As of this writing, the shape and direction of the workshop is still evolving. As a general vision, actors will be auditioned for a number of spots in a group which will meet regularly. The core of the group will be the actors, writer, and director, "working out" together. This would mean exercises, improvisations, and rehearsals of evolving scripted material, all with the goal of developing the characters and script for a short narrative film. From this preliminary group, a cast will emerge and the later stages of the workshop will be rehearsals in final preparation for the shoot.
As general as the vision is at this time, the goals are clear. First of all, we will be engaged, sleeves rolled up, doing the work that we love, regardless of the outcome. Secondly, we will craft the best film our ensemble can cook up. And if we're lucky, we'll end up with newfound friends and collaborators, sparking the potential for more films and adventures yet to come.
