ABUSING THE POWER OF MOVIES, PICTURES, & FILM

Lights, Camera, Action!!!

I love movies, always have. I use to use them as a way to escape and vicariously I use to live through them. I was addicted to “chick flicks”. They were my substitute for falling in love/ lust. I couldn’t get enough. The thing was … after the movies ended I had to return back to my lonely and depressing life. I didn’t have my own soundtrack playing in the back or  a Mr.right waiting for me. I was still lonely and that depressed me even more. On top of that, these movies influenced me and help put negative ideas in my head that shaped my world in a negative way.

Violent horror and action movies were also my thrill for a while. They sped up the beat of my heart and made me feel so alive, when I was really dead inside. They played with my imagination, inviting the “spirit of anxiety and fear”. What a rush I thought, until I realized the more I watched them, the more anxious and fearful I became in life. Violence does this. The evidence is crime … all around the world.

There was a time I also remember walking down Portage avenue in Winnipeg, when I was 16 years old, and being approached to be in a porn movie. I was so offended.

I also know the power films can have to make or break a person’s reputation in life. I know this first hand because when I was 19 years old,  film was used by someone I trusted to destroy my life . Their careless decision to film something private and intimate between us and share it with others, without my knowledge, scarred me for years. This was when I learned that film can be hurtful and abusive, if used in the wrong way. Negative films can kill a person’s spirit and be as painful as being sexually abused, over and over again!

Fortunately, with pictures God was kind enough to save me from myself when I let my overwhelming need for money to pay off my student loans, lead me to taking nude pictures of myself, for a play boy magazine contest. What a blessing to be rejected for that “opportunity”back then even though I didn’t think so at the time.

I have really learned a lot from all these lessons about abusing the power of movies, film, pictures, and images. I believe the entertainment, music,  media, and society have not!  People are becoming “numb” because of that. This abuse is also contributing to more crime, violence, and sexual abuse in our world. That is why I want to use the power of films to create more films and movies with powerful lessons, images, and positive messages.

I want to create movies that teach people to overcome evil with God’s love. I want to create movies with wisdom. I want to make films that face the issues of life with the truth. I want to create more films that inspires love, respect, truth, and faith in Jesus. Therefore, I know that through Christ, I will be very successful in the music, film, and entertainment industry some day very soon.

The following videos/short films are my baby steps in that direction. I hope you enjoy them and spread the word!!!

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IN THE CLOSET PRODUCTIONS PROMOTIONAL VIDEO 2009

Watch this 20 minute video on In The Closet Productions vision and mission to be “A voice for The Voiceless” by producing various works of art ( music, books, films, live shows, public speaking engagements, and workshops) to educate the public on the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and inspire survivors to overcome childhood sexual abuse with faith, hope, love, forgiveness, and holistic therapy. BE INSPIRED TO CHANGE.  BE INSPIRED TO OVERCOME !!!

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“THE REAL WOMAN”   \”The Real Woman\” (on YouTube)

(Written, Directed, performed and co-produced by Ingrid D. Johnson of In The Closet Productions) Premier screenings in Winnipeg,  ”THE REAL WORLD” FILM FESTIVAL IN TORONTO, and “GIRL FEST” IN HAWAII.

This compelling short references the music video genre while parading images of striking women contrasting between stylized beauty poses and mundane day-to-day circumstances. The spoken word piece performed over a haunting music track challenges men to consider the reality of femininity versus the media’s image of women. The Real Woman encourages men and women alike to embrace the whole female experience and to appreciate that womanhood is not exclusive from femininity. G. ATWELL

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 Check out various live clips of Ingrid D. Johnson’s premier spoken word CD release of “Black Butterfly” on October.22nd, 2006. A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales went to KLINIC ( a local resource center that treats women who have gone through sexual assault and other forms of domestic violence) in Winnipeg Manitoba. The Show featured several, talented, Winnipeg musicians and artists with all show planning and publicity by In The Closet Productions. In addition, Bravo! News ( Toronto) was kind enough to fly in from Toronto to cover the event and Hot 103, Uof M radio, CKUW, Shaw T.V., and CBC National News were also kind enough to lend their support promoting the event. It was the birth of, God willing, many future events hosted by In The Closet Productions that  will spark awareness and insight into dealing with and overcoming the trauma of childhood sexual abuse and other forms of domestic violence issues.  INGRID D. JOHNSON