| John L. Simpson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 September 1963 Sydney, Australia |
| Education | Epping Boys High School (1977-1982) UWS - Performing Arts, Major in Acting (1984 - 1986) AFTRS - Film & Television Production (2001 - 2002) |
| Spouse | Maria Simpson |
John L. Simpson (born 2 September 1963) is an Australian film and theatre producer, writer and distributor. He is the CEO and founder of Titan View. In 2010, he was listed as one of the top 26 most exciting and intriguing Australians working in film by Trespass Magazine.[1]
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Simpson began his career as an actor, performing for Cameron Mackintosh in productions such as Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. He began to produce theatre in 1991,[2] with the powerful anti apartheid play “My Black Heart". The play premiered at Melbourne Fringe Festival to great success, quickly transferring to Belvoir St Theatre. After training at AFTRS, Simpson moved into producing film. His first notable credit was as Associate Producer for Razzle Dazzle under Al Clark[3]
Simpson rose to prominence after picking up the The Jammed for distribution at the 2007 Dungog Film Festival. Simpson had never distributed a film, but had experience working with Palace Films during the release of Razzle Dazzle, in his role as Associate Producer.[4] In order to release the film and found his distribution company, Simpson mortgaged his house, earning him a reputation as a maverick filmmaker.[5] His strategy was to market the film from the ground up. He personally distributed flyers outside Greater Union's Russell Street complex in Melbourne in order to build an audience.[6]
The Jammed was a huge success and paved the way for Titan View's establishment. The Jammed went on to screen on over 40 screens in Australia, and during it’s first two weeks of release held the third highest grossing screen average for an Australian film of all time, beaten only by Crocodile Dundee and Lantana.[7] In 2008 The United Nations selected The Jammed to be screened at international conferences on human trafficking in Vienna, Geneva and New York.[8]
Following The Jammed, Simpson Produced and co-wrote Men's Group, which went onto win Inside Film Awards for Best Film, Best Script and Best Actor.[9] Simpson started the production without finance secured, and was working unpaid full time on the project. In order to feed his family, and the cast and crew of Men's Group, Simpson spruiked for the local fishmonger and butcher, who then paid him in produce. “I needed 60 to 70 hours a week to work on my passion – my film, leaving me four hours on a Saturday to feed my family.” [10]
Simpson founded Titan View in July 2007. Titan View traditionally has released films that touch on the human condition, and deal with confronting subject matters such as sex workers (Black & White & Sex, The Jammed), boat people (Mother Fish), and men's depression and suicide (Men's Group). Simpson's approach to independent film making is fierce. Quoting another filmmaker at Byron Bay Film Festival, John L. states: "Shut up about money. Steal the stock, steal a camera, borrow someone’s computer. If you’re not making a film, you’re not passionate enough and you shouldn’t be making films!’” [11]
Simpson has been known as an outspoken member of the Australian film industry, and appeared in Andrew Scarano’s documentary Into The Shadows, where he took the commercial cinema chains to task for their “dodgy distribution deals”.[12] He is a passionate advocate for independent cinemas, and in particular Australian cinema.[13] This is primarily due to Australian film's poor box office recoupment which accounts for less than 5% of the total Australian box office.[14]
In 2008, John L. Simpson was awarded the AFI Fellowship, to tour his film Men's Group around Australia. During this time he developed the Digital Screenings Map using Google Maps.[15] The map was intended to create a blueprint for future filmmakers to follow, listing various, non traditional locations independent filmmakers could use to screen their films.[16]
In 2010 Screen Australia announced John L. Simpson and Titan View as the recipient of their Innovative Distribution Funding for 2010–2012 [17] The funding was attributed to Titan View for its low budget feature film model, which includes non-theatrical exhibition, VOD, DVD, and internet/mobile services.[18]
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | This is Roller Derby | Mentor & Distributor |
| 2011 | Black & White & Sex | Distributor |
| 2011 | 33 Postcards | Marketing Director & Distributor |
| 2010 | Mother Fish | Distributor |
| 2010 | Who Wants to be a Terrorist! | Distribution Executive |
| 2009 | Into the Shadows | Self |
| 2008 | Blind Company | Distributor |
| 2008 | Three Blind Mice | Distributor |
| 2008 | Men's Group | Writer, Producer & Distributor |
| 2007 | The Jammed | Distributor |
| 2007 | Razzle Dazzle | Producer |
| 2004 | Thunderstruck | Assistant to Producer, Post Production Coordinator |