Here we go! The official first #WCW feature goes to a BOSS named Ari Johnson. Ari is an actor/writer/producer living and working in LA and oh yeah did I mention that she is a boss? Whatever she sets her mind to gets done so I made it my mission to ask a few questions and figure out what makes her tick!
(KY) What made you want to go to school for acting? (AJ) I wanted to become a good actor!
How did you decide what to do after graduation? The decision was pretty tough. I didn’t feel prepared to move to LA- (theatre majors wanting to pursue film- build your resume prior to graduating!!) so I waited a couple of years until I was ready.
What made you want to move to LA? Was it hard starting over in a new city? LA has always been the dream- it's the place to be for television and film. Starting over was definitely difficult- it’s a very lonely experience and provided a lot of inspiration for my web series.
When did you first know you wanted to write a web series? In the summer of 2017 I had grown tired of feeling like I didn’t have any control over the direction of my career and began toying with writing something. In November, I committed myself to writing it and in February committed myself to actually making [Friend Request]. All in all it was a pretty quick process!
Why did you feel like it was important to have your series be about adult friendship? So often we see loneliness depicted as something that is caused by the lack of a romantic relationship. In my life, the times when I’ve been the loneliest (and subsequently the most unfulfilled and unhappy) have been when I have lacked friends. But I felt so embarrassed to admit that- there’s a lot of shame in saying, “I don’t have friends” or “I don’t know how to make friends.” But as I started to write, I found more and more women that were talking about experiencing the same thing. Writing something honest was important to me, and this is honest.
The show deals with a ton of different issues that women deal with on a day-to-day basis, was creating a show that dealt with these issues important to you? Absolutely. This show was created by women and for women, and I wanted it to reflect our real experiences.
What was the process of getting the show made like? It was exhilarating and terrifying. I realized early on that if I wanted this thing made, I was the only one that could do it. No matter how much my friends supported me and wanted me to succeed, it was still all on me to make it happen. It was daunting and there were many times that I wondered if it would be best to give up. But I pushed through anyway.
How was your first time directing? I feel so incredibly lucky to have worked with the team I worked with. I could gush about them for days- the project was made so much better by each of them. I have to call out three women in particular- our crazy talented DP Ali Brocato, our superstar Producer Kat McArdle, and our magic Production Designer Madison Boutilier. These women lifted me up and together we created something that I’m very proud of. I am so, so grateful for them.
Has being in Hollywood been different for you than your male peers? What have you dealt with as an actress in the film industry? As a woman directing and creating, there is a lot of pressure to create a masterpiece your first time around, because you might not get another shot to prove yourself. And that is something that exists all the way up the ladder- look at Ava DuVernay or Patty Jenkins. On the acting side, I think most actresses have read a script and felt more excited by the male part than by the part they are actually auditioning for. I’ve certainly been there. Fortunately, as more and more women claim a seat at the table (and share their seat with other women), the better the roles are becoming.
How have you dealt with the standards the film industry has for women? How have you dealt with staying true to yourself and what you believe in? Women in this industry are supposed to have a certain skin color, be a certain size, be young, able bodied, etc. The pressure to look a certain way can be discouraging- I was told by an agent: “call me when you lose 40lbs.” I remind myself that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected back in film and that I have to do my part to prioritize diversity in the projects I create.
Who is your biggest career inspiration, and why? Reese Witherspoon. When told by studios that there wasn’t a market for female driven films, she took control and started creating her own. She does so much to empower women and support women and bring women together. She’s just a badass.
What do you love most about being a part of the film industry? I have been changed countless times by film and television. The stories we tell have the power to open up a different worldview, and I think that is such a beautiful and necessary thing.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Creating, creating, creating!
Rapid Fire:
If you could have lunch with any woman, who would it be with and why? Ava DuVernay. She is such a light in this industry. Her devotion to making everyone feel seen is remarkable, and she gives me a lot of hope.
Favorite TV Show/Movie/Book? TV Show: Insecure. Book: A Thousand Splendid Suns. Movie: Pass!
Favorite spot to write in LA? M Street Coffee!
Make sure you follow Ari on Instagram and make sure you follow Friend Request so you won’t miss an episode!
