A BLAST from the PAST!

I thought I'd use this time to poke fun at myself and my blog.

The header/Logo for this page has gone through several transformations and I thought I'd share some of them with you all.

If you havent been following since this blog began four years ago...this should be (somewhat) interesting!

From the begining to what it is today!!!

...AND YES THAT SILHOUETTE IS REALLY ME! I DIDN'T STEAL IT FROM SOMEWHERE!

The Footsteps that I Follow

Below is a list of actors whose careers I emulate and admire. They are my influences

SIDNEY POITIER Sidney is a true pioneer. He has won Oscars and gained respect of Hollywood when Black actors would not be given lead roles. I cannot say enough words about his Career aside from the fact that Black male actors owe their careers to this guy. He paved the way!

LAURENCE FISHBURNE

I was 3 or 4 when I saw 'What's Love Got to Do with It for the first time. I was terrified of Ike Turner's character as a child, he was so vicious. I couldn't watch Laurence in any other films for a long time after that. It wasn’t until ‘The Matrix when I saw Laurence as Morpheus. I had a full grasp of how good of an actor he was and his immense understanding of characters. I knew from then on that I wanted to be as good an actor as he was!

PATRICK STEWART

Patrick is a Genius I saw him in Star Trek for the first time and then later in ‘X-Men’. I looked up his work and was able to see his work on tape with the Royal Shakespeare company as well. Patrick’s voice and demeanor on film is admirable. I think he is an excellent actor who I have grown to respect.

GARY OLDMAN Aside from being a freakin’ awesome actor, he is truly a master of disguise. Every single part that he plays is a completely different person. The nuances in his performances make him that much more real. When I see a film with Gary Oldman, regardless of how famous he is …he truly disappears, I admire that.

HARRY BELAFONTE

Harry is another pioneer who I wasn’t going to place on this list but I had to think twice. If it weren’t for him I may not have opportunities as an actor. Not only is Harry a trailblazer but he was one of the first Black actors to have 'sex appeal' in his time. Women loved him and he was insanely talented as well. He showed that Black men Hollywood could captivate female audiences. IAN MCKELLEN

Ian is a master at what HE does. He is a great Shakespearean actor who I respect. He plays characters with an epic strength and presence that I admire. I saw him for the first time in the first X-Men film and was blown away by how awesome Magneto was. Ian is truly an influence in my work as an artist. I recently was able to see some of his recorded work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and WOW is all I can say.

MORGAN FREEMAN

Like the men mentioned above and below Morgan portrays leaders. Leadership roles are what I think I do best and what I think Morgan has mastered. He has become the go-to guy for “God” roles and Voice-overs. Mr. Freeman has a calm leadership quality that shows on film and I admire that in his work.

LIEV SCHRIEBER

This guy is a great actor, I saw him for the first time in (don’t laugh) the ‘Scream’ films. His character went from bit player, to one of the leads, to cameo within three films and I really understood and felt bad for his character of Cotton Weary the red herring who never caught a break. I was able to see his work in several other films and saw snippets of his work in stage plays. This guy is good! He has an understanding of characters and makes an unlikeable character likeable.

DON CHEADLE

This guy moves so fast, it seems. He goes in and out of films and pops up all over the place. It seems like Don Cheadle is always working. His performances are golden whether it is a cheesy action flick like Iron Man or a heart wrenching Drama Like Hotel Rwanda. I actually played the same part he played in Topdog/Underdog. After playing the part of Booth I have so much respect for him

JAMES EARL JONES

The ultimate, his voice is something that I wish I had. He is an excellent actor, when he speaks…we listen. I admire how he captivates and leaves a lasting impression with his voice. A man who once stuttered constantly, now has one of the most expensive and commanding voices in show business. What is there not to admire about James and his work.

WILL SMITH

He may not be a heavy contender on the stage but he can act on film. But not only has he grown and shown great strength as a performer but he has control over his career. His name brings box office bucks to the studios. He can support his family and guide his children under his wing and develop their careers. I admire how much control he has as an actor and producer in Hollywood. He is a genius in so many ways when it comes to the business. If he wasn’t a talented businessman then he wouldn’t be anywhere near where he is today!

HUGH JACKMAN

I want to be the black Hugh Jackman! This guy seems to be one of the coolest men on earth. I would love to meet him. He is insanely talented. He is a triple threat (Actor, Singer, Dancer). Like Ian, I saw him for the first time in ‘X-MEN’ as Wolverine. I saw how well he played the "tough guy" role and then went on and did a Broadway musical and sang and danced. I said to myself. “WTF?, is that Wolverine... dancing?” I knew right away that this guy was a true theater artist who could do it all and execute each part of his craft well. I admire Hugh for his Versatility.

DENZEL WASHINGTON

He is someone who has taught me so much and I haven’t even met him. It was his interviews and body of work that showed me that an acting career is a marathon and not a sprint. Denzel has been around for so long and he had no need to rush, it just happened for him over time. He always stresses to do theatre first and not to run to Hollywood. He stresses that theater is our discipline and it is where our craft truly lives. The other actors on my list may know this and live by this but I have seen Denzel stress this! He has taught me lessons through his work.

-Sean Boyce Johnson

Photos from Topdog/Underdog

This show was an amazing experience. I have learned so much from Topdog/Underdog. Below are some photos from the production on and off the stage.

Suzan-Lori Parks' Topdog/Underdog - The Actor's purpose and my process

(I am pictured right with Anthony Williams Jr. on the left)



Performing in this production has been such an educational experience for me. I've learned so much about the Actor's purpose in a production and the process that I undergo as an actor.

Purpose: My purpose as an actor is to dedicate my energy and time into making the author's (in this case Suzan-Lori Parks) text into a character. It is my job to literally flesh out a character for an audience. I have no other obligation. My job as an actor is not to impress, get rich or increase my popularity. My job is to dedicate my physical presence to the storytelling process. As an actor I am a part of a team of theatre and film artists. There are so many people involved in the storytelling process and an actor must use his body & voice (his/her instrument) to be a productive member of the team. I'm so blessed to have worked with such a committed team. I can truly say we brought Suzan-Lori Parks' work to life.

Process: Because Booth is such a complex character it was very easy to self observe during the rehearsals. After having a conversation with our director Jay Pecora, I became fully aware of how I approach a character as an actor. I read the script without any preconceived notions, I continue to read over and over again and eventually build the character. The writer creates a person; this person has a life and universe in which they live. I approach the person as if they were real, reading the play is like having a first conversation. The next time I read, I find new things and the person/character begins to introduce himself to me. He introduces himself to me through the text and I use my body and voice to introduce him to the audience.

- Sean Boyce Johnson

Topdog / Underdog

I'm staring as Booth in my university's production of "Topdog / Underdog" which is a pulitzer prize winning play written by Suzan-Lori Parks. I'm very excited, this is a very different role for me and it is emotionally demanding. I am so excited for opening night which will be in April!!!!!

STILL

I feel like I'm standing still

As they all pass me by

I can stand here until

I have no things left of mine

I keep on standing still

I won't keep standing still

To whom I will I talk?

I can stand here until

Today... The day when I decided to walk

Don't Just Do Something, Sit There: The Epiphany

About two weeks ago, I experienced an epiphany that literally made me stop, relax and live in the moment. This epiphany was the first time I actually had one and called it an “epiphany” in my mind.

I woke up early to get ready for class that morning like I do every day. I was on-time but I had been rushing to get to my class like I usually do. I am from New York City and I am so used to grabbing things and heading out the door as fast as possible. On that particular day I had been boiling water for my green tea. I ran down the stairs with my jacket on in a hurry and prepared my tea. I poured the tea into a traveling mug, only to discover that the mug was broken. I decided that I would have my tea anyway so I poured it into a glass mug. I tried to drink it fast but it was too hot.

After sipping the hot tea I came to the realization that I would have to sit down and let the tea cool off before I drank it. I knew that I would have to sit and drink the tea slowly which frustrated me. I soon realized I had nothing to be frustrated about; I had plenty of time to spare. I sat down, drank the tea and took that moment to observe my life and surroundings. I didn’t dwell in the past or think about the future. All that mattered at the time was the moment. This was so freeing because I had always been very confined in thinking of past and future from the moment I wake up until I fall asleep. The epiphany allowed me to take in each moment and it has literally made each day so much better.

Seeing Yourself How Others See You! (Positively)

I struggle with this BIG TIME!. I have a self esteem area that I need to work on where I feel as though I'm not worthy of certain things. I begin to doubt myself in a lot of the things I do and it has an effect on me. My closest friend doesn't even know this...

I have friends who think highly of me and respect me for my character and what I do. I know this but I have to GET MY SHIT TOGETHER in order to face the fact that I am worthy of the best and I need to exude confidence as well as humbleness. I recently had a conversation with one of my good friends and she told me how a lot of people do not look back on their lives to see what they have done for others and accomplished for themselves. We get caught up in the illusion that we haven't done anything important because there is no constant reminder.

The lesson is:

1. To know that you are capable of greatness regardless of what anyone says!
2. To remind yourself that that you have done and will do great things!
3. To Be confident!
4. To understand that the things people think about you should be none of your business!
5. Realize that you're a good person and you are worthy of the good things that come your way!

Take these into consideration and live your life!

The Fiber of my being! (RANT)

I have officially hit a point where I am asking myself "Am I wasting my own time?" I put just about every fiber of my being into eating, sleeping and drinking acting. It has become very much associated with ME as a person. I don't mind this, but it has gotten to the point where the people who are close to me (mostly friends at home in NYC) see me as just "The Actor". I have literally put my life on hold in order to excel in school, study and develop my craft, I'm losing my life it seems. I have let so many experiences pass me by because I perceived them to be distractions .

It turns out that those distractions would have helped me as a person, as an artist. Actors thrive on LIFE EXPERIENCE, what the hell am I doing? I'm doing myself a disservice by cutting people and experiences out of my life...I have done it so much ...to the point where the things I have cut off have begun to outweigh my actual life... Even though people who know me may or may not agree...this is how I feel at the moment.

Photo By: Natalie J. DeVore @ Devore Vision

Public Figure Page

In order to promote myself as an actor and the projects that I do...I created a public figure page on Facebook to give friends, family and blog readers a heads up!!!!!

Click HERE to get to the page!!!!

Update!!!.

I just wrapped two short films this summer I had a great deal of fun! In one I played a detective accused of a crime and in the other I played a strip club owner who is unfaithful. VERY Interesting!!!!! I'll be back with some more info on what else is going on!!!!!

Play the Game or Go Home!

I've had this passion for as long as I can remember and I just now realized that in order to make something of yourself as an actor you have to be a "pusher" of a product. I have always been tenacious and likely to move forward despite obstacles, but I am also someone who dislikes a lot of attention. I want to succeed as an actor and what I have recently learned is that I must push and promote myself . I must be willing to get myself seen in order to do what I want to do, which is to act professionally. In this business the words ME MYSELF and I are going to be of major use to me.

Denzel Washington has said many times,"Do what you have to do in order to do what you want to do." I have to be able to seek something that I dislike and that is ATTENTION. I need attention so that I can pursue my goal. It is crazy because a lot of people pursue this career choice for the attention itself, so the pushing is easy for them. I'm not one to seek attention, but I have to seek it because I may not get any further if I don't. 

Wow, I spoke about sacrifices just over a year ago and I have now encountered one of many to come.

Theatre Reel (Long Time No See)

I made an attempt to combine a little bit of the stage work I've done into a reel...

Sean Boyce Johnson (Theatre Reel) from Sean Boyce Johnson on Vimeo.

BTW sorry for my long brake I'm definitely here to stay!

Two videos where I just let it all out!

What projects I just finished and what projects I am currently working on and my life in college!

MY FEARS!!! *I really share some personal feelings here!

Learning What We Like and What We Don't

Vlog 21: Update!

2010 Blog Change

Hello, From now on "The Voice of an Actor" will be reinvented for those who follow it. The look of the site will go through a slight change and the journal entries will change. most of the videos posted will contain monologues or excerpts from performances that I have done. Occasional journal entries from my experience as an actor/student will be posted. Entries surrounding my personal life and beliefs outside of acting will be non existent unless completely necessary. Thank you to all of those who have been followers of this blog and those who have shown an interest. Sincerely, Sean Boyce Johnson

Meet Jerome

Jerome is another one of my BIZARRE characters and he's ANGRY!

I Completed an Animation Voiceover

Hey, Ive been quite busy up here at school. I finished doing a voice over for a student animated short, it was a fun experience. I met a group of awesome digital artists/students. I made new friends and of course I got to do what I love...ACT! I play Zeus in the animation. Zeus feels there is no need for him to be the Greek God that he once was. Check it out!

"The McGuffin" Photos

I have been talking a lot about the Touring Ensemble lately and I haven't shown any images from our rehearsals or performances. Here are some sneak photos from our kid show "The McGuffin". The pictures from "The Wrestling Season" are coming soon possibly within the next month or so!