On the Couch with Amy Johnson

Realscape-Productions-Amy-JohnsonWho is Amy Johnson?
I think I might secretly be a Ridley Scott robot, a systematic brain with enough humanity to get by. I’m very logic driven, but with a creative spark. I like to make things happen, probably more for enjoyment of creating the process than the end result. I’m also a Producer at Realscape Productions.

What would you do differently from what you do now?
I need some headspace for higher level thinking but resources have shrunk over the COVID hiatus. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and I’m heading towards it. Meditate, exercise, eat well. I know it’s going to be good for me, but I became a bit of a slug during 2020 and it’s hard to form good habits.

Who inspires you and why?
I love to see what Global Creatures do from year to year – it’s great to see Australian producers creating actual original work both locally, and internationally.

What would you do to make a difference in the world?
I’ve been trying to be less idealistic and more actionable here. The immediate impact – creating opportunities for others in the projects we create, sharing knowledge, experiences and connections to help others. On a non-professional note, 2020 has been a period of listening and reflection. I’m not sure on the bigger picture yet, but one small thing is amplifying other voices and trying to take them back to my regional roots to impact the thinking there.

Favourite holiday destination and why?
I like escaping the Australian winter and being in Northern Hemisphere cities. I think I prefer living somewhere then holidaying, so going somewhere like Manchester for two months would be ideal (my partner is from there). That can’t actually happen at the moment, but that’s my goal – to be able to be in another city for long enough to live in it.

When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
It wouldn’t matter what idea I put here, I think myself and my partner in crime, Nathan, would end up taking them to a bar. Then another bar. Then it will be Tuesday and they’ll have to go home… Oops.

What are you currently reading?
What I want to be reading is sci-fi novels for research, but what I’m really reading is memes on @iamthirtyaf’s instagram.

What are you currently listening to?
Mostly 4 hour long, disco infused mixes on Soundcloud. A US-based DJ called N2N got me through lockdown with his sunrise mixes.

Happiness is?
I think I’ve got that down pat. I landed a relationship that is an echo chamber of fun and creation. True happiness is a Sunday eating cheesy pizza and watching sci-fi.

What does the future hold for you?
It keeps evolving – I want it to be a few big projects whilst looking at how that feeds back into the creative industry – I have a lot of ideas that I’m trying to reduce down into something more actionable. I don’t really exist outside of work at the moment but I think finding a warehouse space to build a home within and maybe a dog is also on the horizon in a few years. Also getting back into weightlifting. Starting tomorrow, or Monday, or January…?


Amy is a Producer at Realscape Productions – who are presenting COMA, FLIGHT and SÉANCE at the Woodside Pleasure Garden as part of the 2021 Fringe World Festival: 15 January – 14 February. For more information, visit: www.darkfield.com.au for details.

Image: Amy Johnson – courtesy of Realscape Productions