Today we’d like to introduce you to Johnny Baca.
Hi Johnny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am from Dallas, TX. Growing up I had a love for all things entertainment. Films, music, sports, wrestling, and the works. My film journey began later in life than most. A “blow-off” class in college called intro to the theater. I needed the credits but little did I know it would change my life. I began acting and have acted for over 15 years now but somewhere along the way I began listening to who I truly was, a creator… a storyteller. When I was 27 I wrote my first TV pilot and a few years later produced, wrote, directed, starred, and edited an original web series titled, “Yoga Pants Gone Wrong.” After that, I completed my first short film, “Of The Essence” which debuted at the Los Angeles Shorts International Film Festival in 2018.
From there, I wanted to join film school but I couldn’t afford it so I made my own. Teaming up with others who wanted to work on their craft and together we crafted what I call mini shorts and scenes growing and building our craft. Finally, this year, I finished my second full short film titled “CRYpto” (pronounced “Cry… Pto”). I’ve learned a ton over the years through trial and error on a shoestring budget or better no budget at all. One of the key things I learned was to listen to my inner self and not fight it any longer. Also, knowing what type of stories I want to share with the world. I am a director. I am a writer. I am a creator.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest struggle over the years has changed but currently, it was letting go of the reasons I moved out here and to start listening to my inner self. What I was born to do has always been there but every time I would start heading down that path, I would stop it.
Out of fear, out of outside influences, out of embarrassment to be viewed as a failure. None of that mattered and I was finally about to let it all go. It’s so hard to move forward from something that has been your identity for over a decade but I did and since then I’ve soared.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a writer/director. I love storytelling. I love collaborating. I lead with trust. Trust in my crew. Trust in my cast. I think trust is the most important thing to a successful film set (or any industry for that matter). Leadership is about respect, trust, and leading by example. One of the things I’m extremely proud of is my ability to communicate with my actors. Since I come from an acting background, I understand what they are going through. Hiccups on set, needing to take some time and guidance to get to places that may be more difficult. But, again, it all comes back to trust. They trust me and I trust them.
My proudest moment took place last week. I finally finished my first feature-length film script. It’s been a story I’ve been working on for over 5 years and I was finally able to cut out the noise and focus. Again, listening to my inner self and removing everything that has held me back from soaring.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Life’s a journey, not a destination. Don’t concentrate on the result but enjoy the journey. And listen to your gut, or as I’ve been putting it, your inner self. Your answers are within and if it takes you on a different path than you thought, follow it and trust in it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/johnnybaca
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnybaca1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGiTFIZpFTJofF_vDHy64Aw
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnnybaca1?_t=8WNkK9dr0ZC&_r=1
Image Credits
Joanna Degeneres and Leann Oliver
