Talk with Sylvia Johnson Director of “Roaming Wild”

Reviewed by Kelly Bader. Viewed at Santa Barbara Film Festival 2014.

The director Sylvia Johnson of the film “Roaming Wild” was kind enough to come and talk to us about her film. Sylvia Johnson graduated from film school in Washington and said the most important thing she gained from film school was connections. Sylvia talked about how going to film school helped her to network, since people who go to film school want hand on opportunity’s to put to practice what they are taught.  This was Sylvia’s fist full-length film, however, she has done several shorts prior to this, which gave her some practice.  So Sylvia was ready to jump in head first on this huge endeavor.

In 2009 is when Sylvia started this film, not filming anything yet just going out and doing research. I didn’t realize how much time is needed to go out and find someone who is willing to get filmed for your production. Finding someone is tough but then having to gain that relationship with them is what takes the time, but is most crucial. Sylvia was talking about how these people are depending on you to show them and their story in a positive light, which can easily be twisted. This is a ton of pressure put on the director since you don’t want to let them down.

2010 is when Sylvia began filming and would do trips back and fourth to filming location to continually gain more potential footage for the film, however the budget began to disappear.  This is where Sylvia had to network and convince people to give her money to go on another trip out to film some more footage. Sylvia said getting the money has got to be the hardest thing. She said you are constantly asking for donations and contributions, even now that the film is complete. “Everything is money, Cd’s, festivals, and even the cab ride over here,” said Sylvia. But it in the end they where able to come up with what they needed and now, three and a half years later they are premiering their film here at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.

Someone asked Sylvia doing the Q&A if she lets the story guide her image or let her image guide her story? Sylvia said she lets the story guide her image because she believes with out a good story you have nothing. Passion is definitely a leading component in Sylvia’s works since she puts every ounce of what she has into her work. Her work ethic is astounding and the amount of love she has for these wild horses and how she wants to give them a voice is heart warming.

Sylvia’s goals for this film is to have it shown at various film festivals so it can eventually appear on television on channels such as Discovery or HBO. She would like to get the word out to inform others about wild horses and the dilemma they are in. For now Sylvia is just waiting to see how it goes and where these appearances at film festivals will lead her.