Meet susan johnston | founder/director new media film festival®

We had the good fortune of connecting with susan johnston and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi susan, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
My school had a play and I was a flower (behind the flower, holding the prop) and the flower fell and the whole audience laughed. Fortunately i thought that was fantastic and the rest they say is history.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m now known as a New Media Expert/Media Futurist because my work (Director of New Media Film Festival®) keeps me on the pulse of story and technology all over the world. But it really started when I was a kid. Always curious, seeing the larger picture and going for it, not afraid to try and learn. Something that really worked when I first moved to Los Angeles was I offered myself to work for one day for free on a set (i was fed, they usually gave me gas money), but, i chose different positions so I could get first hand experience in all areas. That led to being a snake handler, craft services, focus puller, best boy (learned what barn doors are and why you wear gloves) , dolly grip (I have one speed), props, art direction, costumer, PA and more. So exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
When you are born in the East Coast of USA, that is where the Pilgrims landed and “discovered America”. What this means is history in Los Angeles is not that old. So, I like to take people depending on what they like to do: The Magic Castle and Yamashiro in the same night.
Sunset Blvd in Hollywood drive all the way to Malibu
Drive through the Malibu canyons
Hollywood Bowl, Pantages, The Getty, The Getty Villa, Paradise Cafe, Griffith Park Observatory, Lake Shrine (I had the pleasure of meeting one of Paramahansa Yogananda’s relatives), the Hollywood Sign stopping in Beachwood Canyon, Hollywood Forever Cemetary to watch films at night.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My High School Theater Teacher, Donald Babbitt and my college Theater Professor Dr. Picozzi, they let me shine brightly by allowing me to be me and asked me questions and listened. I am so blessed for that.

Website: https://www.newmediafilmfestival.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmediafilmfestival

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/susan-johnston-media-futurist

Twitter: https://twitter.com/newmediaff

Facebook: http://facebook.com/NewMediaFilmFestival

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/newmediafilmchannel

Other: https://soundcloud.com/user-135482983 https://www.rollingstone.com/author/susan-johnston/

Image Credits
new media film festival