Producer Johnny Sachon on playing “Elliot” in Blackman’s ANIMUS

Johnny Sachon produced ANIMUS with Katie Goldfinch who also acted in the short film alongside Johnny. “After years apart, a young couple are reunited under quietly tragic circumstances in a tender yet unsettling drama.” ANIMUS is directed by Mark J. Blackman and the UK Film Reviewed it as “A masterclass in dramatic poise” and “an example of near-perfect filmmaking”. Johnny talks with indieactivity about his experience making ANIMUS.

indieactivity: How did you get connected to the project?
Johnny: Animus came about in quite a unique way. Mark J Blackman (Director of Animus) and I met in Cannes 2012 and had both recently worked with DOP Eben Bolter. Since then I’d been following Mark’s career. Mark had me in mind for a project but unfortunately that didn’t work out.

However, he asked if I had anything else I was developing and it so happened that Katie Goldfinch and I were workshopping a short film concept. Katie and I had worked together on several films before but we felt we wanted to challenge each other on this project. The three of us got together, discussed what we wanted to explore, personally, professionally and Marks beautiful script evolved from these discussions and workshops.

Interview with British Actor & Producer Johnny Sachon

indieactivity: As lead on the project, how did this ‘choice’ work for you?
Johnny: A few choices I made in the film were to use “props” that aided my performance. Although the character and the actor are clearly separate there were many aspects or choices that were routed in my own “truth”. For example, I had recently lost a close friend before the shoot and chose to smoke a tobacco during the film that he used to smoke. Although it wasn’t something that related to the character directly it did remind me of a sense of loss which aided my performance at times.

indieactivity: What part of the story challenged you when you read it? What drove you to get on the project?
Johnny: I loved working on Animus as it was so lean, brutal and almost painfully truthful.

indieactivity: You’re not new to indie films. What do you enjoy about the work that keeps you working?
Johnny: I love all aspects of the filmmaking process. I enjoy challenges and there is always something to learn from every project. This project in particular I felt challenged me as an actor.

indieactivity: Give an example of a direction you received from the director during the production?
Johnny: Because Animus is such an intimate piece Mark made sure our performances were subtle at all times and kept me focussed on what was happening in front of me. It’s easy, especially when you’re producing the film as well, to be distracted by what’s happening outside of your immediate scene or what might be happening next. Focus was key for me during this film and it really was fantastic having the help of Katie to Produce with me.

indieactivity: How did you create your character from ground up?
Johnny: Again, this project was quite a unique one as it was written from workshops and discussions we had with Mark – he coined it a “life slice” which I think is a perfect description of it. A lot of the characters came from us so finding the “truth” in the role was fairly quick but not always easy at times – sometimes self reflection can be hard or even painful. Something I did find challenging was that, until Animus, I had played a lot of action roles where I was very aware of how I looked. For this role I had to really let myself go – I didn’t go to the gym, I wasn’t conscious about what I ate, I didn’t get my hair cut, didn’t shave etc because that’s what the character would be like. I struggled with that at times but really enjoyed the challenge.

indieactivity: As main cast on the film, describe the feeling of responsibility that you shouldered. Where you scared? Or did it fire you up? What scenes where difficult to shoot?
Johnny: When producing a film I always feel a little nervous as ultimately the responsibility of the whole film is on you. However, I had Katie producing with me and she was brilliant to work with. I was absolutely confident in Mark as a Director and excited to be working with him and with the talented Beatriz Sastre behind the camera I knew the film would be everything we hoped for. When you’ve got such a strong, talented and reliable team around you it’s hard to feel anything but excited about a project. I also have to shout out Simon Slater for the original score he composed for Animus – his nuanced score really gets under the skin of the film.

indieactivity: Explain one creative choice you made on set during production?
Johnny: We decided, almost at the very last minute, to shoot the film in 4:3 which I felt, as a Producer, was a little risky. However, I think the risk really paid off. Mark felt Animus was about people and faces and the 4:3 framing really helps convey the intimacy and pressurised situation the two characters are in.

indieactivity: What did you take away from the film production?
Johnny: I found a particular way of working as an actor that I now feel very at home with. I also found the film quite cathartic in a way.

indieactivity: What do you like most about the director, and his collaboration with his team?
Johnny: I enjoyed working with Mark as he’s a truly great collaborator, has a style that is unique to him and carries a positive, calm vibe on set that everyone picks up on.

indieactivity: What is next for you?
Johnny: I also shoot and Produce music videos and have been very busy this year so far. I’m also working toward Producing my first feature film with my partner at Inspired Pictures Luke Armstrong and I’ve just been cast in a world war II film that I can’t say too much about yet at this stage – the character is very exciting and different to what I’ve done before.

indieactivity: What advice do you give actors regarding what you learnt on the project?
Johnny: There have been times in films that I felt I had to be “doing something”. If you’ve done your work prepping your character, trust in your work and it should be as simple as listening and responding. That being said, there is so much more to listening than hearing someone’s words. Focus on the other actor and really listen to what they’re giving you and let the rest happen. Stay positive, stay persistent.

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