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Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of famous people Fall 2022 Graduates.
Jayla Johnson always knew she wanted to have a career in the entertainment industry and make movies.
Jayla Johnson graduated this fall from the Poitier New American Film Institute in Sydney with a BA in Film and Media Production.Photo courtesy of Jayla Johnson
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“I used to walk around with my VHS tapes in my arms, getting ready to put them in the player,” she said.
“Growing up, movies freed me from my fear of the world. I grew up with severe anxiety attacks and the only thing that helped me cope was turning on a happy movie. My mom knew that, she knew What kind of movie, whether I’ve seen it before or not, soothes me and puts a smile back on my face. Growing up and accepting these challenges has helped me realize an appreciation for the filmmaking process and how those stories helped me as a child Created.”
Johnson, who was born and raised in a small town in Wyoming, said she decided to start pursuing her passion early, earning an associate degree before she even graduated high school.
“I’ve always loved school and had a goal of being successful in life, so during my last two years of high school I worked hard to earn an associate’s degree at the same time.”
Johnson earned an associate degree in communication and multimedia, which she says is the closest she’s come to starting a filmmaking practice.
“I decided to pursue a degree in high school because I quickly learned that a film/TV career is a long journey and I wanted to start this journey as soon as possible to achieve my goals,” she said.
Johnson continued her career at Arizona State University, graduating this fall from the Herberger School of Design and Art’s New American Film Institute in Poitiers, Sydney with a BA in Film and Media Production and a minor in Business from the WP Carey School of Business.
“The ultimate goal of my career is to be a film producer or creative executive,” she said. “I came to ASU with the sole intention of being a writer, but quickly discovered that I enjoyed the creative and business side of making a film or TV show. As a producer/creative executive, I enjoy developing and creating something that is not only fun but Stories that matter to both filmmakers and audiences.”
“I love how such a passionate story developed by a more passionate filmmaker can change a person’s life, and I really didn’t see what I could do.”
While at ASU, Johnson also served as the director of several student organizations and created short films with other film students. She received the New American University Provost Award and Sun Devil State Award Scholarship.
Question: What did you learn at ASU (in class or otherwise) that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Reply: Aside from learning about the technical aspects and business practices of film, I believe the most impactful lesson I learned at ASU was how to get out of your comfort zone. It’s not something that’s taught in a classroom, but it’s something very important when entering adulthood. Before coming to ASU, I was shy, quiet and nervous, but after arriving on the Tempe campus, I knew that if I continued like this I would not be successful. So, I did something I’d never done before, started reaching out to people and going to club meetings, and I can now say that by doing that, I was on the right track to my goals and met amazing, amazing people. Unforgettable people approach. By taking chances, I continue to learn more and more about myself, and I would never be who I am today if I hadn’t stepped out of my personal comfort zone.
Q: Why did you choose ASU?
A: I know a lot of people choose ASU because of the weather, but I personally don’t consider the weather when choosing a college. Since I have family in Arizona, I applied to several schools and planned to use ASU as my backup; however, once I started researching each of my options, I realized that ASU was exactly what I was looking for s things. Just by browsing the website, I can see that there are many academic and professional opportunities that excite me. There is also news that ASU is the 50th film school in the United States, which I think is not bad!
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Professor Chris LaMont was the first professor I had a one-on-one conversation with at Arizona State University. I had meetings with him about academic and professional goals, but he left with tears in his eyes. That meeting was the most important lesson I learned and I believe it was the catalyst for my decision. He told me that the film business is really hard—it’s as simple as that. He told me I needed to work on this every day and learn the industry inside and out. This was a lot of information to my freshman self, hence the tears, but it was the biggest motivation for me to move forward and be the hardest worker in the program.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give someone who’s still in school?
A: Work hard and network with your peers and faculty. This advice may be simple, but you’d be surprised how many people don’t. By working hard, people will start to notice and admire what you do both professionally and personally. By making connections, you can get friends, gigs, job opportunities, and more. You never know how much someone can impact your life if you don’t make that initial connection.
Q: What is your favorite part of campus, whether studying, meeting friends, or thinking about life?
A: My favorite places are Pringles, the seating area outside the ASU Art Museum and Music Building. The area is shaded nearby and every once in a while you’ll hear the music students practicing their music which is a great atmosphere for the lessons.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: After graduation, I will be moving to Los Angeles to work in the film and television industry. I’m looking to land an entry-level position at a major production company or talent agency.
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what problem would you solve?
A: I will solve the main problem of garbage pollution. It’s an issue that is often overlooked by (and causes) so many health problems in people and in the environments animals live in. To think that there is now an island of garbage floating in the ocean is devastating. Earth is such a beautiful place, yet neglected by humans for granted, so I wanted to bring back the beauty of our planet.
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