Callie Johnson
1. Tell me about yourself.
I grew up in a really small, rural town about 60 miles outside of Chicago. We lived on the very edge of town with a fabulous yard and incredible sets of neighbors; it was definitely an “our door is always open” kind of community. I suppose I had an idyllic 90’s kid experience - I loved American Girl Dolls (I had Felicity, Molly, and Kit), The Backstreet Boys, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Girl Scout camp, making up dances in my living room with my friends, putting up the tent in our backyard for summertime sleepovers, and, of course, I always had a few Beanie Babies tagging along for the ride. I grew up dancing, which led to my interest in performing onstage and pursuing a bachelor in fine arts in theater. I have a really tight knit group of friends, most of whom are from childhood or college. They, alongside my parents, have been my rock throughout this rollercoaster of a career. I’m an extroverted introvert - I love being around people, but I definitely love having alone time to recharge! I usually spend that time cuddled up with my kitties (Toby and Jasper), or being productive in some way; listening to a podcast while cleaning and organizing is super meditative for me! Speaking of podcasts - true crime all the way, baby. I don’t know what it is about our collective fascination with the topic, but it’s always playing in my headphones. I love being outdoors and traveling to places with beautiful natural views, like Big Sur or the Tetons. I’ve definitely been known to sleep in the back of my Subaru on road trips! I love horror films (i.e. Hereditary), shows like I Think You Should Leave are, for me, peak comedy, and I’ve never met a grilled cheese I didn’t like.
2. Can you tell us more about "The Beanie Bubble"? What is the film about? What is your character like? What can people expect to see in the film?
Sure! It’s inspired by stories in a book by Zac Bissonette following Ty Warner and the meteoric rise of Beanie Babies (if you were alive anywhere near the 90’s, you’ll probably remember those signature red, heart shaped “Ty” tags). The film, however, actually centers around the female characters who helped make these toys such a phenomenon, but didn’t make billions or get their names on the tags. My character, Linda, is a suburban Chicago mom whose cul-de-sac becomes ground zero for the craze - with Linda at the center. She may seem like just a soccer mom, but below the surface she’s a fierce entrepreneur with a knack for finding ways to creatively capitalize on the “Ty” brand. For me, this film really explores the female relationship to the American Dream and how it’s often undermined. People can expect a very beardless Zach Galifianakis, bright colors, lots of shoulder pads, and a totally killer soundtrack!
3. What is your philosophy on storytelling? How has that shaped how you approach your career?
As I’ve gotten older and continued to hone my craft, I’ve realized the importance of cultivating meaningful connections with others, and most importantly, with myself. So much of my work as an artist derives from the time I invest in being an authentic, whole hearted human being. I think it is an absolutely crucial part of being an effective storyteller. For me, this means being in therapy, taking time to quiet my thoughts and ground myself, and continuously practicing (because it does take practice) being a good friend, daughter, and partner. When I am focused on doing these things, I can feel myself opening up and allowing my innate creativity to totally blossom.
4. What are some charities and organizations that you work with frequently? Why are these organizations important to you?
One of the most exciting things, to me, about having a growing career means having the ability to direct more income to causes I care about. Currently, I make monthly donations to the Brothertown Indians of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; my paternal grandfather’s family have been members of the tribe dating back to the 1700’s, and investing in the tribe is something of great importance to me; they still do powwows, provide educational opportunities, and encourage keeping the language alive. Up next, I have my eye on causes like The Innocence Project (an organization which works to free innocent people wrongly convicted of crimes) and Season of Justice (a non-profit that provides funding for investigative agencies and families to solve cold cases). Although I am fascinated with true crime, I think there is a responsibility to help fund the folks who are actually trying to make a difference in these cases.
5. What is your favorite part of what you do? What accomplishments are you most proud of?
Something that really lights me up is taking direction from whoever is directing the scene; I love coming in with my own thoughts and choices for my character, and then having the director give me their own thoughts and ideas on the spot while the camera is rolling. To quote a friend’s favorite phrase, it “sprays the good chemical” on my brain to be able to use my creativity in that way. I’m a recovering perfectionist and have the tendency to overthink things, and in moments like that, I don’t allow myself the time to think or process - it’s purely instinctual. Making those hairpin turns in the moment is where I have the chance to make some serious magic with my scene partner.
As far as accomplishments go, I could certainly name off some really tangible things I’ve accomplished thus far. However, I think the thing I’m most proud of is my diligence and belief in myself. I’ve pushed the boundaries of my own comfort in some really low points, and I’ve had to choose to be brave in those moments. I think we could all benefit from acknowledging when we’ve been particularly brave.
6. Where do you hope to take your career in the future? Do you have any current/future projects you can tell us about?
Oh boy, there are so many things I’m interested in - I love a good period piece (heightened language is another “good chemical” for my brain), I’m very into grounded sci-fis like Westworld, Fringe, or The Last of Us; I find the women in those stories have an extraordinary amount of cunning bravery trying to navigate such strange and deadly circumstances, the #1 threat still being surviving in a man's world. I adore anything A24 produces; they are so intentional with their content, and they aren’t afraid to take risks in their storytelling. At the end of the day - this is a career of longevity, and I cannot wait to see where mine takes me.
Currently, things are pretty slow in the industry due to strike activity (which is necessary and fully supported), so right now I’m in class practicing my craft, making sure my materials are up to date, and seeking representation for when things pick back up again! An artist is always working and refining to prepare for whatever opportunities come our way.
