More than two years ago, I heard about a very talented Australian director, actor and writer named Johan Earl. I did some research and found he is an incredibly great artist who's always on the lookout for more challenges and new ways to improve his work. Johan is a perfectionist who will never stop until he gets things done in the best possible way. He is charismatic, versatile and the kind of gentleman everybody would like to work with. So I tip my hat at him! Ever since I had the chance to watch Johan's latest movie Forbidden Ground for the very first time.
(https://www.facebook.com/forbiddenground and http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2186783/) I've always said this is one of the best Australian films ever made. Sold in many countries, this movie has a fantastic cast and crew and a storyline that you'll never forget. But who is Johan Earl? Is he as charming and awesome as he seems to be? When Ginger Coyote gave me the chance to interview him, I didn't hesitate at all. Here's my conversation with him.

You are a very talented actor, a great writer and a brilliant director. When telling a story, how important is it for you to focus on human connection?

Thanks for all the flattery. It'll get you everywhere. For me, It's not a film if it doesn't connect to the human or emotional elements of a story, it's paramount. Audiences want that experience, they demand it. There's nothing more satisfying than watching an audience, watching a film I've made and seeing them react, whether it's a smile, tears or laughter. As a writer, director or actor, it's my job to move the audience.

Forbidden Ground is a film full of symbolism which cannot be defined as a war movie, but a WW1 drama. What's the most important thing spectators should need to have in mind to avoid missing the point of the story?

I've always said that Forbidden Ground is an emotional tale set against the backdrop of war. It's not a war movie, but distributors have to sell films so they exaggerate the saleable aspects of the production. I get that. The downside is that people expecting a grand war film may be disappointed, and others who actually would enjoy the depth of the story might not even watch it, thinking: "I don't like war stories". It's a catch 22.

I've had people say to me, "you didn't need the women's backstory" or comments to that effect. I'm stunned when I hear that, I immediately know they didn't understand any of the symbolism or invest any thought into the complexity of the characters or how their lives intertwine. I guess they're the ones who just want more bombs. My only advice to anyone about to watch Forbidden Ground is to keep an open mind and allow yourself the opportunity to invest in the characters.


When was the first time you realized you wanted to be an actor?

I think I was 12, and I joined an extras agency. I remember getting offered a supporting role in quite a big film at the time but the catch was - I had to cut my hair. If you knew me back then, there was no way that was going to happen. I was the golden surfy kid. So regrettably I turned that down as quickly as the words left my agents mouth. Haha, the foolish things we do. I often wonder how my career would be different if I had accepted that role instead of being a spoilt brat. I clearly didn't want it as bad back then as I do now, but that's life.

As being a filmmaker keeps you always so busy, do you think you're missing opportunities as an actor?

Without a doubt, but I'm a firm believer that the universe carves out a path of least resistance for you. Whether you're ready to accept it or not, is another thing. Right now, all the doors are open for me as a writer and director. It would be foolish to ignore such a gift. I'll never stop acting, and I'm always on the watch for projects that inspire me, but as my LA manager reminds me, "In Hollywood you're the new kid on the block, get a few scores on the board and anything can happen."


If you had the chance to choose, what kind of role would you like to play on screen?

I like characters that have deep emotional arcs. I know that sounds somewhat cliche, or like something every actor says but I want to journey deep into the characters psyche, and that's only possible to do with well crafted writing.

Have you ever considered performing a theatrical play?

It's on my bucket list. I've always preferred film simply for the fact of being able to perform a piece of dialogue and then completely forgetting it. To perform the same thing over and over every night, just sounds tedious to me. I get it though, there's energy from the crowd and the chance to perform it differently the next night. I'll definitely do it, as soon as I find the right play or get the right offer.

What kind of movie genre do you feel the most comfortable with?

Porn... hehe, no just kidding. No really, I'm kidding... I don't have a genre that I'm most comfortable with, as long as I connect to the material. I've written everything from complex love stories to high concept sci-fi stories. Coming from an action and vfx background, I understand that genre very well but everything comes from the heart. What the heart loves, the mind will understand. If I connect with the material and find a vision for it, then making it is simply a joy. If I can't, clearly I'm not the right director for it.


What's the hardest thing about directing a film?

None of it is easy. Think of it this way... An actor might completely immerse him/herself into a character, living and breathing as if they were the character, feeling and imagining what it's like to be that person. They only need to be one character. As a director, you need to "live" all the characters. You need to know everything about each individual character, their nuances and personal traits. Then, when the DP asks where you want the camera, you need to snap out of it and be technical. A director needs to be all things to everyone on set. That's the hardest part.



We all know that being an artist is never easy. Did you ever think of giving up?

Never. But I've tried a few different career paths over the years. I left school and did a carpentry apprenticeship. I then ventured into a few interesting career paths and eventually became a Private Investigator. It's there I believe I gleaned a solid insight into human behavior and characteristics. It's there I gained compassion and foresight. I grew as a human being.

All my life experiences have served to make me a better director, a better actor. I think diversity is a fundamental ingredient to being a great film maker. Live life and learn from it.


Your skills as a writer are outstanding. Would you like to write a novel?

I have a beautiful script that I would absolutely love to turn into a novel. I did try once but it's a very different skillset. It's something that takes a lot of free time and devotion. It's like write a page, throw it out... write a page, throw it out. Script writing is more about the minds eye, where novel writing is about using fancy descriptive words to convey feelings. In some ways the two skills completely clash. Maybe one day I'll get around to it, but for now I'll stick with film.

How long does it usually take you to write a script?

It depends. It usually takes around six weeks for a solid draft with minimal errors. Then, there's a few weeks of re-writes and changes. I try to allow myself up to 3 months to deliver a polished draft that's production ready.


You wrote, co-directed and played a lead role (Sgt. Major Arthur Wilkins) in Forbidden Ground. How did you manage to do everything at the same time?

Let me say that Forbidden Ground was possibly the most grueling challenge I have ever faced. The only way I got through the arduous journey was by surrounding myself with talented people I trust. The writing was done prior to production so that doesn't really come into it. However Adrian, my co-director, and I were also digging trenches and set dressing half the time. Half the battle of being a good director is choosing the right team, the other half is believing your instincts and just going for it.



Sgt. Major Arthur Wilkins is a very interesting, but complex character. How did you prepare for this role?

I have a very vivid imagination. I think the fact that I actually dug these trenches myself helped in my mental preparation. Some nights I'd sit in the darkness and solitude of the trench imagining I was really there, hearing the battle sounds and the cries. Trudging through the knee-deep mud and feeling the loneliness and helplessness. How intensely you'd miss your loved ones. Then throwing those emotions to the back of your mind to keep up the pretense and bravado. It's soul destroying, and that's what Wilkins was, a broken man who yearned to be back home. That's what all men on the front were. I don't believe that people on the battlefield are heroes by choice. I think that after a while they reach such an intense emotionally fragile state that they either crumble or just rely on instinct and do what they have to do. The ones who survive are heroes, the ones who die are remembered. Of course I've never been to war so these are just my inner thoughts and feelings after playing a soldier on screen. I can only imagine the horrors of doing it in real life. I've spoken to veterans about their feelings and the common thing is - they just can't talk about it in detail. It's horrendously painful.

Forbidden Ground can be found in the USA under the title Battle Ground, but very few Aussie movies are now in American stores. In your opinion, what's the reason why not so many Australian films break into the American market?

For a start, many Australian films are made for Australian audiences and Americans just don't get our humor and language. Lately though, there's quite a few good Aussie films breaking the mold too, which is awesome to see. There's a movement of Aussies trying to make international films, I'm just one of them.




Of all the movies you have starred in, what was the most difficult scene that you ever had to shoot?

Haha. I did a film a while back called "A Perfect Life" and I had a cathedra inserted into a prosthetic penis in one scene. Actually I was being tortured through the whole film. That has to be up there with the toughest!

There are always dangerous scenes in your films. Do you do your own stunts?

Absolutely... unless there's a chance I might die. I love stunt work and I trust my team implicitly that they've made it as safe as possible. I'm a very active person generally with a long background in martial arts, abseiling, scuba diving, motor bike riding, snow skiing and basically anything that spikes the adrenaline glands.

You are also the director of Scarlet Fire Films and the owner of DCP Australia. What kind of services do your companies provide?

I built the business to help facilitate the postproduction requirements for my own films. I like helping other filmmakers who are struggling to get their projects made or finished. We do everything from editing, vfx, color grading, DCP mastering and organizing the handover of all the final deliverable items, kind of a one-stop shop for filmmakers.


In the short film Scruples, you played a villain. From your point of view, is it more challenging to play a bad guy?

It's much more fun, that's for sure. I have such a chilled and relaxed persona that lashing out and being this aggressive villain is contrary to my personality but I think a little of the dark side resides in us all. I certainly tapped into it for that role.

When you start writing a story, where do you find inspiration?

I just look for stories that spark my curiosity. I know immediately if I like an idea or not. If it hits the mark, I'm like a child with a big candy bar.

When you are not writing, acting or directing, what do you like to do?

Surfing, wreck diving or skiing, depending on the season. I love the ocean and the sun, so that's generally where you'll find me... that's when I can escape from the postproduction studio.


And finally, please tell our readers how they can contact you. Do you have an e-mail address or web page?

I don't like putting my direct contact into articles like this. However, if it's work related, people can send initial emails to my manager Corey:
corey@freshmakermedia.com

For acting related enquiries my agent is Sonya: sonya@randommanagement.com.au If they don't contain death threats or Nigerian scams there's a chance it'll get forwarded to me. Alternatively find me on Facebook with a nice message and I'll be happy to chat.
Twitter: @RealJohanEarl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johan.earl