Today we’d like to introduce you to Rodney Johnson.
Rodney, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I first moved to Atlanta from Dallas, Texas in 2007 and went to the Art Institute of Atlanta. I graduated with a BFA in Media Arts and Animation with the intention to draw and animate cartoons for the rest of my life. However, I found that finding a full-time job in animation in the Atlanta area was an uphill battle. With that in mind, I discovered motion graphics and went to SCAD Atlanta to pursue and eventually get my MFA in Motion Media Design. Upon graduating, I had the opportunity to work as a full-time motion designer at local Atlanta Post Production company Tube Creative where I learned under the Owner and Creative Director Chris Downs. I learned not only how to polish my design skills but Downs also allowed me to grow in other areas such as editing, color correction and cinematography.
He was also very transparent about running a small business and working/keep clients and people in general. He opened my eyes to so much and I’ll always be grateful to him being a launchpad for my career. While working at Tube Creative, I had an opportunity to be a DP (Director of Photography) and lead Editor for a documentary that would potentially change the trajectory of my career. However, if I took the opportunity I’d have to leave Tube and essentially become a freelancer which I did and still am. At the same time, this golden project turned out to be a dud and left me on my own with no job. Although this happened I managed to maintain relationships I’d made over the years that led to plenty of work being sent my way and for me to grow and flourish utilizing the skills I obtained over the years starting all the way from 2007 to now!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I wish it was a smooth road! That would’ve been great! While working at Tube I never intended on leaving, but there were plenty of small side jobs I would do ranging from logo design to shooting short films and editing. While these jobs were fun and would bring in extra cash, it was difficult doing this extra work while working a full-time job at Tube and also supporting a family at the same time. For a good three years prior to leaving Tube I would work 9am-6pm then come home to my wife and eventually my newborn son for 2 hours then work another 5-6 hours from 9pm to usually 3am or 4am just to wake up and do it all over again.
Once this opportunity came up that would eventually lead me to leave Tube, I had to gain my footing as a freelancer. While this was exciting it was also very scary. Having to unexpectedly support my family was terrifying.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
As of now, I focus on Motion Graphics that include animated text, logos, and some minor visual effects. I also do plenty of shooting and editing for interviews, documentaries, and short films such as “14 Months” which I did with my family business Culture Media Group, and a new series “Pretty For A Big Gurl” written and created by Courtney Lockett. While motion graphics are a big part of what I do, I love getting projects that allow me to get behind camera on small film sets, or putting a story together in the editing process which I love just as much!
What I’m most proud of is probably the short film “14 Months” I worked on. That was a family project that was extremely difficult but also extremely rewarding. I don’t usually get a chance to use all aspects of my skill set on a single project but this one allowed me to do so and I couldn’t be more grateful!
I think what sets me apart from others is being able to use my background from traditional character design and animation all the way up to being behind a camera on a film set and editing to hopefully elevate a project further than what was originally conceived…hopefully.
What were you like growing up?
I was weird and a total nerd. Plain and simple. I had glasses (and still do) and wasn’t really as athletic as I wished. When the other kids were playing basketball or running around, I was ALWAYS somewhere in a corner drawing cartoon characters or superheroes. I was really big into cartoons, comic books and movies so getting a chance to do some of that stuff as an adult is incredibly rewarding. As I got older into my teenage years I started playing sports and getting into music which helped me become a little less socially awkward but also strangely allowed me to grow as an artist by doing logos, and design work for my friends.
My family was also really musical and heavily involved in church so that also gave me a chance to grow in music playing the drums and I believe strongly influences my film editing choices involving music to this day.
Contact Info:
- Website: rjmodesign.com
- Phone: 8174719977
- Email: rodney.e.johnson@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrrodneyjohnsonii/
- Other: https://vimeo.com/rodneyjohnson
Image Credit:
Photos taken from “Pretty For A Big Gurl” film set, “The Myx” film set, and Jason Travis
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