Local filmmaker hopes to raise funds, child abuse awareness

“There were a lot of issues to deal with,” he says. “But I made the decision to make my life better. I graduated college, played pro basketball in England. But all the time, there was a war going on inside me. I needed a way to give back.”

	Online To learn more about the “Supernal Darkness,” visit www.supernaldarkness.com/

Today, the local filmmaker is hard at work creating an outreach/awareness film project called “Supernal Darkness.”

Johnson says the film deals with the various forms of child abuse – sexual, physical, religious, abduction – told in a movie-style format instead of the traditional documentary presentation.

“I wanted this project to make an impact while telling a good story,” he says. “It’s been a long process and we’re finally getting people to notice it.”

“Supernal Darkness” was developed by Johnson, but the original screenplay was written by Garin Wolf, who was the head writer of “General Hospital,” and also stars Steven Michael Quezada, who can be seen in “Breaking Bad” and as host of “The After After Party with Steven Michael Quezada.”

Johnson says getting Quezada involved was an easy task.

“Steven and I have done a couple films together in the past,” he says. “When I had the idea, I sat down and talked with him about it and he was very interested. We’ve been able to do a lot with not a lot of money. Now, it’s about getting people to get acquainted with the film.”

Johnson says the mission of “Supernal Darkness” is to raise the necessary resources for Youth In Transition, a nonprofit organization, to secure a new drop-in center that will provide assistance to the 4,000-plus homeless children and teens in Albuquerque.

“These funds will also be used for supplies (clothing, food, toiletries, beds, utilities, etc) and life-skills training,” he explains. “The core plan for Youth In Transition and the troubled youth we help is to ‘teach them how to fish’ so they may aspire to become self-sufficient and productive members of society.”

Life skills training will range from filling out job applications, achieving their GEDs, learning about the many scholarships available, and building a positive and solid foundation for the young generation helped by Youth In Transition.

Currently, there are two trailers showcasing the film.

Johnson says his goal is to make a feature-length film, but the focus is on getting the word out about the project.

“There is a script for a short film and it’s ready to go,” he says. “We’re shopping the idea around and just getting people talking about it.”

Johnson hopes to have the trailers show at various film festivals.

“We’re trying to get as much as we can about this,” he says. “It’s an important issue and I think the way we’ve done it, is done very professionally. We’re trying to bring some awareness to this issue and really want to bring it into people’s conversations.”

SEND ME YOUR TIPS: If you know of a movie filming in the state, or are curious about one, email film@ABQjournal.com. Follow me on Twitter @agomezART.