Meet Dawn Marie Johnson of A New Dawn Media in Norcross

Thanks for sharing your story with us Dawn Marie.

So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I had just become unemployed. The doctor’s office that I worked for closed. By trade, I worked in the Social Services field. I have worked with people with intellectual disabilities, as well as persons with Alzheimer’s. My husband and I always talked about having our own business. I was thinking about a tea shop/book store. I was not thinking this!
When my husband started his production company, THEBiGJAY, I assisted him with the administrative things. I began learning more about the industry. I asked a ton of questions! My husband was very encouraging. I began setting up meetings to get financing for our projects. And that is when I found my groove. My past skills were showing up. I was able to secure financing for two projects!

I began A New Dawn Media because I wanted to make sure, along with my husband, I would only finance and produce projects that I believed in. When I signed my first co-development deal, I was so elated. I had this amazing feeling of accomplishment I knew right then that I am where I am supposed to be. I stepped out on faith. I don’t say that as a cliché. I prayed about this decision. And stepped out.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was very challenging for me. I had to learn a lot very quickly! My husband taught me a lot. I have built a great team around me. There were times where I wanted to throw in the towel. You are the hardest on yourself. I kept doubting if this is what I should be doing. But the more I put myself out there in this industry. Those doubts began to fade.

Our teenage daughter that doesn’t quite understand the concept of “it is okay to change careers” started to ask questions. When I told her that I was going to do this, she immediately asked, “what is your plan b?” I simply said, “There isn’t one.” She grew up with me being in social services and working in that field. This was scary for her. I had to convince my daughter that it is going to be okay.

I have to say, telling family and friends was not as easy I thought it would be. But many were very supportive. My mom was nervous for us. It was all so new to everyone.

My now husband and I were both unemployed, planning our wedding and raising our daughter Natalee, who was 13 at the time. Things came together at the right time. We did our first pilot. And I knew I had made the right decision stepping out on faith.

Please tell us about your work.
One thing that we pride ourselves on is that we work with Atlanta talent. Not just actors and actresses. We also use talent behind the camera that native to Atlanta. When we shot our scripted pilot, all of the talent in front of the camera and behind the camera, were from Atlanta.

At A New Dawn Media, we focus on building Atlanta driven creative content in an effort to grow genre diversity in the Atlanta film and television community. We are dedicated to giving opportunities to people of all backgrounds, placing equal value on tenacity and attitude as a long tenure. Most importantly, A New Dawn Media is a family. We take care of our employees with communication, empathy, and a desire to help them grow into their ideal professional persona.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up in Chicago apartments, and going through the public school system until high school, I would say the diversity of my friends. During the summer, I would spend days in my backyard or out front on the stairs with my friends. Sometimes they would all come with me to my grandmother’s house and we would be in her backyard. Having friends from different backgrounds and cultures shaped who I am today. That is one reason I love Atlanta. There is diversity here.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1585 Danbury Dr
  Norcross, GA 30093
• Website: www.anewdawnmediallc.com
• Phone: 770-376-5171
• Email: dawn@anewdawnmediallc.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/anewdawnmedia
• Facebook: facebook.com/anewdawnmediallc
• Twitter: @NewDawnMediaLLC

Image Credit:
All pictures are copy write by THEBiGJAY Productions.

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