Want a thrill?
Go see “Paralytic,” a feature length thriller written and directed by Joey Johnson, a Lynnwood native and 1995 Lynnwood High School graduate.
“Paralytic” will be shown at Seattle’s International Film Festival at 9:30 p.m. June 3 and 9 p.m. June 7 at SIFF Cinema Uptown, 511 Queen Anne Ave. N, Seattle. Tickets are $13. Johnson will be at both showings for Q&A.
“Paralytic” is about a high-end hit man who takes vengeance against a drug cartel. It was filmed in Washington. D’Angelo Midili, of Everett, plays a sociopathic villain in the film. More at paralyticmovie.com.
What have you been up to since high school?
After going to college at Harvard and living in New York City, I moved back to the Seattle area in 2001 because I missed water and mountains and the air. But I also came back because everything felt possible here, including making movies.
I have since adopted Capitol Hill as my home. I work in Redmond as a project manager and coach a youth distance running club.
I adore trekking, have been around the world venturing to some glorious and hard to get spots, but am very much looking forward to hiking the Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier this summer.
As I am not married yet, I can afford to make tremendously foolish decisions, like making two feature length films, which have been deliriously wonderful journeys.
Talk about your new movie:
“Paralytic” puts a new spin on the hit man genre, where a contract killer attempts an elaborate plan of revenge against the drug cartel that betrayed him. A small town sheriff discovers his body and a suicide note in a remote cabin, and she must solve the mystery of what he was trying to do to stop the cartel before they commit untold horrors.
Where do you get your ideas?
This particular concept first came to me after watching the movie “Collateral” (2004), when I started pondering the fate of an incredibly talented hit man being hunted, and how he would handle it. This originally took the form of a very short story, but in 2013 I started thinking about expanding it into a feature. After watching a rather reviled film called “The Counselor” I was hit with this notion of an utterly unstoppable evil, that would find you in any corner of the earth. Combined, the story of “Paralytic” poured out from there.
If you could direct anyone alive or in history who would it be?
I would love to work with a woman who could be the next Sigourney Weaver or Linda Hamilton of action films for our day and age. Emily Blunt, Rebecca Hall, Olivia Wilde would all be high on my list. Brilliant actors in their own right, but who have the strength — mental and physical — to hold their own against some epic adversaries.
How did you get started making movies?
I started a few times, actually.
First, with very amateurish movies with my friends, just as a way to entertain ourselves. But then they outgrew that, while I wanted to start writing scripts.
Next, as I found people wanting to learn how to make “good” movies, I started making reasonably professional short films.
But nothing could prepare me for the intensity of making feature films, the gigantic challenge was a large part of why I wanted to do it. I had wanted to make a feature since my early 20s, and the stars aligned well enough in 2011 for me to take the leap to do so.
Who will you thank at the Oscars?
I always loved Steven Soderbergh’s acceptance speech for “Traffic”: “This is for anyone who spends any part of their day creating.” I’d thank the people who create for creation’s sake, not for views or money. Just because they love what they are able to do, no matter what anyone else thinks.
But of course I’d thank my parents. I’d be nothing without their continual support throughout my life.
What movie is next?
I’m about to do something rather stupid. I’m gathering a very small cast and crew to go film an action thriller out in the most beautiful (and hard to reach) places in the Cascades. I can’t tell you how excited I am to direct an action film starring a woman.
Finish this sentence: People would be shocked to know I …
Won two state cross country titles running for the Lynnwood Royals back in 1993 and 1994. We were just a bunch of goofballs who loved to run, and great things happened.
What’s the craziest or best thing anybody ever said to you?
The friends/readers of mine, throughout the years, who would read something that I had poured my heart into, and told me that it was not good enough. Early on, I would resent such harsh feedback. Now I know that I need it. They pushed me to have far higher standards for my work, and that has made a tremendous difference in everything that I do.
What’s your most proud moment?
As part of my coaching responsibilities, at the end of each cross country season, I get to say a little something about each of my athletes in front of all of the families on the team. I’m so proud of them and what they do, and I’m proud that their family gets to see how amazing they are.
What are you wearing?
For film festivals, I do my best to look sharp without wearing a tie. This is Seattle, after all. Nice jeans, nice shirt and an eternally grateful smile.
What are three things in your fridge?
Peanut butter, strawberry preserves and milk. That might be it. I’m a professional at bachelorhood.
What is your favorite thing about growing up in Lynnwood?
So many beautiful places to run. I concocted many stories while on distance runs around town, and so I have endless wonderful memories of the streets and parks of Lynnwood.
What is your pet peeve?
Texting while driving.
What is your guilty pleasure?
The “Cinemasins” channel on YouTube. Virtually no educational value, highly entertaining, and teaches me a lot about what NOT to do in making movies.
What kind of career do you see in filmmaking?
Given how volatile the movie industry can be, career directors have to work incredibly hard to manage a living wage. Rather than risk having to take projects that I don’t really want to take on, my plan is to complete a feature every few years, so that I can maintain my day job (which I love), and be able to create without the crushing financial pressure.
What was your favorite location in shooting “Paralytic”?
We were so incredibly lucky to get to use the Cave B Estate Winery, which is next door to the Gorge Amphitheater. There just aren’t many better views in Washington, and we got to stage these beautiful, epic, and sometimes remarkably intimate scenes with the backdrop of the Columbia River gorge. If you can ever get out there, for the day or for the weekend, you will be shocked at how peaceful and enjoyable the place is.
— Andrea Brown,
The Chat is a weekly casual conversation with ordinary questions put to local extraordinary people. Do you know someone we should get to know better? Send suggestions to abrown@heraldnet.com or call 425-339-3443
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