Meet John Barnes | Filmmaker & Journalist

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Barnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what do you attribute your success to?
My friends and family have always told me that I’m a “go-getter”. Growing up, I didn’t really understand what they meant by the term. Now, I realize my success in journalism and the film industry has come from carving my own path and this “go-getter” factor. For example, I attended the 2023 Sundance Film Festival this past January as a journalist for PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs. I was able to attend because of a plan I crafted in October 2022. My university is in a smaller city and is not located near any film industry hubs like Atlanta, NYC, or LA, so I knew attending Sundance would be beneficial for me as a filmmaker and journalist. Motivated to attend, I sent a pitch to PBS detailing what I would cover at the festival. I had worked as an intern for PBS in high school so I felt confident in reaching out. They agreed to my pitch as long as I could cover all travel and lodging costs. Then, I applied for the competitive Sundance Press Accreditation pass. Remarkably, I was approved for the pass. With my PBS pitch and press pass acquired, I applied for a travel grant from my university to cover the cost of attending Sundance. My grant received approval two days before my flight was scheduled to leave, and I was relieved to attend the festival without taking on any debt.

The festival was a success! I had the opportunity to interview big stars like Will Ferrell, Ben Platt, and Thomasin Mackenzie. I also got to network with filmmakers my own age and view a diverse array of acclaimed films. All of this is to say, the biggest lesson I learned since starting college is the importance of carving your own path. I used to worry about having fewer film opportunities, but through my own determination, creativity, and some luck, I made this trip Sundance trip happen. I believe this “go-getter” factor is part of the reason I have acquired internships, genuine collaborators, and a passion to pursue film.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always been drawn to comedy-drama and realism in storytelling. Some of my favorite films that have influenced my work include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Back to the Future, and Booksmart. My experience with acting and journalism sets me apart from other filmmakers because I have been on the other side of the camera and know how to craft a story through non-fiction elements in my documentaries. Additionally, I been a filmmaker since I was a child on iMovie with my family’s desktop computer, so I have always had room to experiment and grow with different filmmaking styles. One film I am most proud of is a short documentary I made in 2019 called A Passover Story. The day before spring break, I remember checking out film equipment from my high school teacher on a whim. I checked out the equipment in case I wanted to make a documentary on my upcoming trip to my extended family’s seder. Once I landed at my grandparents’ house in Florida, I ended up interviewing everyone in my extended family, from my aunts to cousins to my grandfather, who I call Saba. I really enjoyed making this film because I got to hear personal stories from everyone in my family and got to know them better. The documentary was also filmed in the spur of the moment, so I wasn’t stressed about getting everything perfect, but rather, capturing our Passover seder authentically. When I was editing the documentary a month after filming, I realized how heartwarming and uplifting the story was. At the time, this documentary became my most awarded and screened film. My aunt and Saba even saw the film in front of a live audience at the All-American High School Film Festival in October 2019. It was such a profound experience to watch one of my films screen at AMC Theatres in Times Square with my family in attendance. I’m proud that a film that celebrates my Jewish heritage has gotten so much attention. I think the success of this film demonstrates the importance of showing your authentic self and what makes you unique.
In the past two years, I have worked on professional film sets in addition to my filmmaking. I was a background actor in Spider-Man: No Way Home, The S*x Lives of College Girls, Lady in the Lake, and the upcoming Netflix film Rustin. I was also an additional set production assistant on the upcoming Apple TV+ show Lady in the Lake. I was able to secure this job after emailing someone on the crew about potential job opportunities. When they didn’t follow up with me, I decided to work as a background actor for a few days and introduce myself in person. The next week, I was working as a crew member on set. I think my recent success working on sets showcases my determination to gain more experience. I have been rejected or left without a response hundreds of times, but with a little persistence, I was able to secure my first PA job.
Recently, I’ve been struggling with imposter syndrome and feeling a lack of fulfillment when completing my work. There are so many talented artists around me and it can be difficult to not compare myself to others. I have overcome these challenges by reminding myself to trust the process and let my work stand on its own. The people I compare myself to are on other journeys and it’s not fair to compare myself to them. Although I may not always remember to ground myself immediately, I am aiming to be more present in the moment and express gratitude for where I am.
My long-term professional goal is to work as a writer and director in the film industry. My favorite aspect of filmmaking is helping people feel seen. I remember when I made my short film REJECT in 10th grade, a few of my classmates said they cried while watching the ending because they related to the plot of falling in love with a childhood friend. At that moment, I realized I had the power to help people feel seen in the same way my favorite movies helped me process my emotions. I remember watching films like The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Eighth Grade, and Little Miss Sunshine and being completely overcome by how the story showed me I was not alone. My objective as a screenwriter and director is to keep telling stories that are fresh and original but also continue to help people feel seen, specifically with regard to mental health struggles so prevalent in today’s society. By sharing my story, I hope I inspire people to open up and feel less alone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first place I would take someone to eat in Charlottesville, VA is Bodo’s Bagels, which is a Charlottesville staple. The bagels are super affordable and well-made. They are the best bagels I’ve gotten outside of NYC for sure! Then, I would take them to get a smoothie or smoothie bowl at Juice Laundry, which is my favorite place in the area to get a healthy snack. For our first night out, I would dress up for Crozet Pizza at Buddhist Biker Bar, which is my favorite bar in town. They often have live music and specially themed nights. Also, their pizza is a must-eat for a late-night snack. On the next day, I would take us to MarieBette Café and Bakery for a late brunch. They are another locally owned business with out of this world croissant sandwiches and pastries. I would then walk around the downtown mall and check out some of the book stores and pop-up shops. For dinner, I would take us to my all-time favorite restaurant in town, The Ivy Inn. They have the most amazing macaroni and cheese and the service is impeccable. To top off the night, I would honestly take us back to Crozet, but if we wanted some variety, I would probably stop by another outdoor bar, the Biltmore, which usually has great music and atmosphere. Then, on our last morning in Charlottesville, I would take someone back to Bodo’s for a farewell bagel. Nothing wrong with a repeat meal!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has always been extremely supportive of my journey of pursuing film. More specifically, my Mom has always pushed me to keep seeking out new opportunities. Although her encouragement can sometimes result in a plethora of unread emails, she has helped me connect with her mutual friends in the industry so that I can seek out guidance. Additionally, she is constantly reminding me to keep applying to internships! I also want to shout out my Dad, who has been my rock in supporting my mental health struggles these past two years. He is always willing to listen and help me talk through any crisis, big or small. Last, my sisters consistently provide me support in our family group chat and never fail to make me laugh in my lowest moments. I would also like to thank my late Saba for his never ending love and support.

Website: www.johnbarnes.us

Instagram: @johnbarness

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-barnes-23a89b167/

Twitter: @johnbaernes

Youtube: www.youtube.com/johnthecoolguy123

Other: IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12407003/

Image Credits
Getty Images for the Photo with me with the microphone and interviewing the woman in the red dress.