Today we’d like to introduce you to John Rheaume.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up on Canadian Air Force bases until I was twelve, then my family moved to Ottawa Ontario. Until that move I’d never even heard a swear word. City life was a shock and it took me awhile to adapt. My creative spark first caught fire when I picked up a Batman comic when I was seven and felt an irresistible urge to draw him. Being of an artistic temperament I immediately flunked out in High School until I switched to Art School where I found my long lost tribe and excelled.
I launched my career in New York as a sci-fi and horror artist with Baen Books and Marvel Comics. I developed a horror fanbase from my illustrations for Hellraiser, Nightbreed, and Book of the Damned for acclaimed author Clive Barker. After moving to Los Angeles, while I was working as a Lead Artist and Art Director at the video game company Activision, I transitioned into movie development with Paramount and Full Moon Entertainment. I branched out from creating conceptual art to writing treatments, and eventually full scripts. I also wrote a few novels to hone my storytelling. My script “Bone Witch” is my latest horror creation.
I also created various artworks for Topps Trading. A unique and mystical painting of a levitating Yoda I did for the Star Wars Galaxy Series was originally rejected by George Lucas at the time because he wasn’t sure if there was more than one Yoda. Nevertheless, 330 cards of Yoda mysteriously made it to the printing press. Underground copies of this card are now avidly sought after by collectors worldwide and sells it now for over $6.000.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The twist in my tale comes when I left the video game industry and worked as a fine artist, I decided to take a job as a bouncer at several bars around LA. I consider it to be one of the best decisions I ever made. Getting out of a cubicle and meeting hundreds of new people a day really broadened my horizons. It was invaluable experience not just as a writer but as human being. It made me a more compassionate and understanding person. I’ve heard so many life stories and painful confessions. For some reason I have that houndog face that people feel they can tell their troubles to without being judged. I saw firsthand the struggles and suffering that people face silently every day. Eventually I was given the nickname Yoda which morphed into Yoda O. G. I met many patrons who were suicidal, telling me to my face they were going back to their apartment to kill themselves. Talking them out of it wasn’t easy. Mostly you just have to listen. Fortunately they are all still here.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Along the way I met actors, producers, and directors which over the years led me to start making my first feature, One of them was actor/producer Angel Marrero who was featured in your magazine He’s been instrumental in putting the deal together for the movie we’re making now. It’s called “Bone Witch.” We’re slated to start shooting in Philadelphia this September.
My greatest challenge of my life has been the sheer slog of trying to make it in the entertainment industry in LA. Balancing craft with faith, perseverance and finding the right collaborators hasn’t been easy, not to mention you’re not getting any younger.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
To me, success isn’t just a box office number but it sure helps. It’s realizing your creative vision in a way that lifts everyone on board and together you have a blast doing it. Filmmaking is a team sport after all. My overall goal is to make horror movies with real heart and depth. Horror is the only genre that reinvents itself over and over and I think I might have a role to play in that reinvention.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: johnrheaumefineart
