Stories — FACES

David at Coney Island

Featuring: David

Filmed: 2014 Coney Island, NYC

Video by: Josh Ethan Johnson

The Newsstand

"The Newsstand" is about a Elizabeth Willis who's owned a Times Square news stand for almost 50 years. Liz has reason to believe she's the only black woman who owns a newsstand in all five boroughs as well as the oldest person to do so. From with in the tiny stand on 50th and 7th, we see Liz Willis interacting with her customers who are also her "family". She speaks about her strained relationship with her kids, Go-Go dancing in the NYC '80s, how she loves her job, and other unique observations on a life lived in the city.

Featuring: Liz Willis
Shot: 2016, NYC
Video By Josh Ethan Johnson
Music by: Grant Cutler
Sound Design by: Daniel Kramer

faces-stories.com/

Gangs

In April of 2019, two young members of an LA gang invited me to see their gun collection and hear what life being born into a gang is like.

We met at one of their spots tucked behind a strip of shops in a quiet blue collar neighborhood. I had only an hour to shoot video, take photos and eat their delicious offerings of seafood tacos and micheladas before one of the members had to pick his daughter up from school. Thankfully they weren’t camera shy.

I didn’t have to pry hard to get them talking about violence, drugs, home robberies and how to disassemble a pistol. What I found surprising was all the ways modern gangs have updated their operations to thwart police and throw off rivals. They’ve learned to blend in, keep a day job and try not to wear their successes on their sleeve.

I found them unassuming, generous and full of surprises. Through out the 8 minute film, we learn how they both moved back home after graduating college. They’re close with their families despite having disapproving mothers. They’re knowledgeable film buffs and appreciate nature.

It was a complicated reminder to never judge gang members by their stereotypes.

Video by: Josh Ethan Johnson

Music by: Grant Cutler

Barry David Used To Make Porn

Featuring: Barry David
Shot: 05.13.2017, NYC

Video By Josh Ethan Johnson & Adam Ridley
joshethanjohnson.com
bumbleton.com

Music by:
Grant Cutler: grantcutler.com/

A Day With Martha

Video by Josh Ethan Johnson

Featuring: Martha Johazel Lewis

Edited by Gabriel Garton
gabrielgarton.com/

Music By:
Daniel Kramer: vimeo.com/estate
Grant Cutler: grantcutler.com/
Matt Reints and Falcon Arrow: falconarrow.bandcamp.com/

Color Grade By:
Kath Raisch at Company 3
company3.com/artists/kath-raisch/

It's Dark Inside Of Here

This is part of the FACES docuseries.
faces-stories.com/

Featuring: Frank James
Video by Josh Ethan Johnson
Music by Grant Cutler

Filmed: 10.14.2017
Completed: 05.07.18

The Giant Hunter

Featuring: James Vieira
Produced / Directed by: Josh Ethan Johnson
Edited by: Matthew Askinazi

Music by:
The Over Eesy sleeping Orchestra
Dan Kramer
Paul In The Lab
Audio Network
Fading Canvas
Rich Douglas
Michael Rucci

Freddy's Museum

Featuring: Freddy

Filmed: 3/2016, Nassau, Bahamas

Video by: Josh Ethan Johnson

Music by: Dan Kramer

The Eel Man

Ray Turner has been carrying on a long tradition of eel trapping which he believes could so old, it may have been in operation alongside the Mayan empire. For the last 40 years, he's carried this torch, maintaining a 500 foot long eel weir just upstream of his home on the Delaware River. While he's had to retire recently due to what he calls "geezer-ism" along with many other environmental concerns, he still runs his smoked meat shop next to his home. No phone, no email address. You have to simply drive down the long dirt road and hope he's there ready to sell his quality products. It's very likely he'll be there selling what he has on offer.

Film by Josh Ethan Johnson

Music by Daniel Kramer

THANKS TO RAY TURNER AND EVERYONE WHOSE IMAGERY I USED.

BOB SZUTER - Along the Delaware

TEN AND TWO MAGAZINE

TIME LIFE VIDEO - THE LIVING PLANET

UNCREDITED PHOTOGRAPHERS & ILLUSTRATORS