An Interview With Award Winning Filmmaker Johnny Greenlaw
With the release of Mommy’s Box just around the corner we were excited to get the opportunity to sit down and speak to it’s director Johnny Greenlaw. The movie will be in theaters in Hollywood and New York starting September 30th. It will also be available on digital platforms, Google Play and Amazon so make sure you check it out!
Hi Johnny, it’s great to get the opportunity to speak to you.
Where do you hail from?
I was born and raised in a town called Floral Park. It’s on the border of NYC and Long Island.
How was your childhood there? Good memories?
My childhood was excellent. I come from a blue collar, hard working family. My parents were never handed a thing and busted their asses, my father working two jobs, just so my brother and I could live a good, safe life. What I remember most about my childhood, living in Floral Park, was that I was able to get on my bicycle and roam free. I would meet up with my friends at Floral Park, play sports all day, and once the 6pm firehouse alarm rang I knew it was time to get home for dinner. It was a great time.
It sounds like you had a fantastic childhood, thanks to your parents.
Growing up, did you want to be a filmmaker?
I had always been interested in the arts as a kid, entering high school talent shows, taking drama classes. On family trips to Disney World we would bring a camera and shoot Mission Impossible themed videos, with special effects and all. But it wasn’t until I got into college that I seriously started to pursue filmmaking.
That is pretty cool. Maybe we could see you directing a Mission: Impossible movie in the future? … at Disney World?
What did your parents want you to do?
Like I said my parents are blue collar and they would always tell me to learn a trade. “Be a carpenter, a plumber, an electrician…take the police test or fireman exam…”. They were just trying to protect me, I know this now. They just wanted to make sure I was able to take care of myself financially. My parents have been great throughout my life, they have always been very supportive of what I wanted to do, never pushing me into anything and allowing me to find my own way.
Your parents sound great, supporting you fully in your choices.
How long before you got your big break in front (or behind) the camera?
I don’t know if I ever really got a “big break”. It seems to me that it’s been a long road with a lot of hard work, and small victories along the way that have led me to this point in my life. Hey Scorsese… Hey Spielberg … I’m ready!
I am sure they will be reading! But it goes to show that hard work does pay off.
You directed Mommy’s Box. Is it your first flick?
Mommy’s Box was my first scripted feature as Director. I directed the documentary feature “Finding Francis” a few years back, that has done well.
Yes, we have heard of Finding Francis and we also heard that Martin Scorsese was full of praise for the film. That must have been an excellent confidence boost.
Did you write the script for Mommy’s Box, too?
I wrote the story for this film. When it was time to write the screenplay, I enlisted a friend who is a talented writer, Caitlin Scherer, and we wrote the screenplay together based on my story.
I think it is good to get someone in sometimes to see the story from an outsiders perspective.
How long did it take you to write it?
Six months.
How different was that first draft to the shooting script?
Very different. Some things changed for story, some for budgetary constraints.
It is fascinating how much a story can change from paper to film.
Did you cast out of New Jersey?
No. The entire film was cast out of NYC and Long Island. Actually most of the NYC actors played the NYC roles and most of the Long Island based actors played to Long Island character roles. I was very fortunate to have my pick of such fine actors. Many of the Long Island actors came from the Barebones Theater company, where I am also a member.
What are your plans for the movie?
The movie was picked up for distribution by Indie Rights. We are having a theatrical release in theaters in Hollywood and New York starting September 30th. It will also be available on digital platforms, Google Play and Amazon. The film will also be at the American Film Market in L.A. this November, being sold to all foreign markets.
Well good luck with the movie, I am sure it will do very well and there is lots of big things out there for you in the future! Thanks for talking to us.
