Seth Johnson, Department Head of the Art & Design Department, became Director of Longleaf Studios (JSU’s film studio) last year. Through Longleaf, he has produced two documentaries, which will be released soon. Here, he talks about his background, own work, and advice for students.

Which classes do you teach?

I teach the BFA and BA Senior Capstone classes, as well as the MFA contemporary media class. Before being a department head, I taught all levels of graphic design courses, from web design and motion graphics to foundations and typography.

What is your specialization?

I specialize in documentary-style filmmaking including cinematography, motion graphics, video editing, and production management, specifically planning and budgeting, which is a much larger behind-the-scenes component of filmmaking than most realize. On top of that, I have practiced as a user interface and motion graphics designer for over 18 years.

Where did you get your degrees?

I received my MFA from the University of Tennessee and my BFA from Jacksonville State University.

Why did you return to JSU?

Before JSU, I was a professor at MTSU for 12 years. During that time, I watched the university almost triple in size due to the lottery scholarship. I lost touch with my students due to the sheer size of the program. I found myself missing the small department at JSU, where I learned to be an artist and had such a strong mentor relationship with my professors. When the opportunity came up to return to my alma mater to lead the Art and Design Department, I decided to uproot my family and return to Alabama. I made a great decision and love this department just as much as I did as an undergrad. When I started as department head, there were so many things we needed to do to get us headed back in the right direction. It’s been a slow and laborious process, but I am happy with the direction we are going. We have made some great hires, and we have a strong group of faculty enriching the lives our students.

What can you tell us about Longleaf Studios?

As director of Longleaf Studios, we plan to offer our students the hands-on ability to work with a professional production crew and experience all aspects of documentary-style filmmaking. Eventually, we will have a dedicated production space where our students can learn from working professionals and be involved in real-world productions.

What are your recent projects?

I am currently producing two, 1-hour long documentaries for Alabama Public Television through JSU’s Longleaf Studios. The first documentary is titled “Forever Wild: The James D. Martin Story” and chronicles the life of former congressman and commissioner of Alabama’s Department of Natural Resources. Martin’s legacy lives on in the conservation work he did for the state, including his role in the establishment of the Forever Wild Land Trust Program and the revitalization of Alabama’s state park systems. This documentary is slated to air on Alabama Public Television in November of this year. The second documentary chronicles the May 14, 1961, Freedom Riders bus attack in Anniston, Alabama, and the impact of that event on the community for years to come. The film features interviews by witnesses and three living Freedom Riders that braved their lives to stand up against racial segregation. This documentary plans to air in February 2021 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Freedom Rides. For the production of this documentary, we have partnered with an incredible African-American led production crew, Prodigi Arts, that is using their award-winning production style to tell this story. 

What are some of the highlights of your design and film production career?

I’ve been lucky to travel the world working on various marketing campaigns for the tourism industry. To date, I have been to Africa eight times, New Zealand four times, Argentina, Mexico, Italy, and 48 of the 50 states working on various projects. Not every trip has been glamorous, though. I almost died in New Zealand once and spent a couple days in the hospital after a bad fall. On another trip, I got tick-bite fever in Africa and ran a 102-degree fever for several days until we could get some much needed antibiotics. Talk about suffering for your work!

Advice for students?

My advise for art and design students has evolved over time, but the general message remains the same. Having a skillset doesn’t guarantee anyone a career in the Arts. The ability to use those skills, in combination with a work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit, will take you far in life. Always remember that you chose this field because you were passionate about it at some point. Above all, learn how to nurture that passion in a way that you can make a living, but not burn yourself out. Remember to make art for yourself along the way and try to remember what made you so passionate about it when you were younger. For me, I learned I have to travel and experience wild places to find my center. I learned how to combine that passion into filmmaking along the way, and it recharges my batteries every time I think I am reaching burnout.