Matt Johnson Reflects on Filmmaking Challenges and Inspirations From Josh Safdie

Director Matt Johnson, known for his unique storytelling style, recently shared insights on his filmmaking journey and the challenges he faced while creating his latest film, "Tony." Appearing on the Filmmaker Toolkit podcast, Johnson likened his film-making process to that of a group of misfits, akin to Anthony Bourdain's description of a restaurant kitchen as a chaotic pirate ship.

Throughout his career, Johnson has centered his narratives around young men grappling with their identities and aspirations, whether it's the crew in "Tony," the engineers in "BlackBerry," or the characters in previous works like "The Dirties" and "Operation Avalanche." As he turns 40, he acknowledges that his films often reflect his own experiences of growing up and learning about adulthood.

Johnson's filmmaking style has historically embraced a guerrilla approach, characterized by improvisation and spontaneity. However, he faced a stark contrast while working on "Tony," a period film that required a more structured narrative centered on its lead, Dominic Sessa, who portrays a young Anthony Bourdain during a pivotal summer in Cape Cod.

"I was trying to challenge myself to just tell a story using only acting and writing," Johnson explained, noting the necessity of adhering to a planned script. This shift left him feeling somewhat confined, a departure from the freewheeling creativity he enjoyed in past projects.

Johnson expressed that he felt "trapped" during the filming of "Tony," where the rigid structure of a period drama contrasted sharply with his usual exploratory style. He credited his cinematographer, Michael Bauman, as a guiding force, helping him navigate this new territory. "The struggle was that for the first time I was really locked into what we had planned," Johnson admitted, adding that he often felt a sense of failure if a scene turned out exactly as envisioned.

His conversation took an interesting turn as he discussed his friendship with filmmaker Josh Safdie, with whom he has been collaborating on a comedy about the TSA. Johnson admires Safdie's dynamic storytelling and ability to maintain enthusiasm throughout the filmmaking process. "My job is to transfer enthusiasm from myself to the other people making this movie," Safdie advised, a sentiment Johnson fully resonates with.

As he contemplates his future projects, including a potential studio trilogy based on "Magic: The Gathering," Johnson is aware of the learning curve ahead. He aims to find ways to preserve his signature style, even as he navigates larger-scale productions influenced by directors like Denis Villeneuve. Johnson openly recognizes that he does not approach filmmaking from a technical standpoint but from a desire to explore and tell meaningful stories.

In an industry that often pushes for bigger and more commercial productions, Johnson remains committed to his roots, continuously seeking to maintain the spirit of collaboration and discovery that has defined his work. As he moves forward, he hopes to bridge the gap between his intimate filmmaking style and the demands of larger projects.

Source: www.indiewire.com