Johnny Goner is a short dark comedy from Black Shadow Films.

The film brings us into the life of Johnny a young hypochondriac who works at a funeral home. Quirky, heartfelt, funny, sad, it’s an intriguing coming of age story.

Most unique to this film is its ambitious filmmakers. David Harris, director and producer, is a sophomore at Menlo High School in Northern California. Writer Jenny Jaffe wrote the film between her junior and senior years at Menlo; she will attend New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts to study screenwriting in fall 2008. Director of Photography Rogier van Beeck Calkoen is a seventeen-year-old home-schooled, Amsterdam based Dutch student who travels the world with his family.

The film was made independent of any film school, program, or adult supervision. The crew, with a median age of 17,was made up of high school students anxious to follow their passion for filmmaking and contribute to the creation of this movie. It is truly an independent film made by student filmmakers.

Johnny Goner stars Stephen Sherwood, a Northern California native who’s subtle acting and quirky mannerisms engendered Johnny. Damara Reilly, the film’s most veteran actor with guest staring roles on hit shows from CSI to Fraiser, brought her trademark smoker’s voice to the role of Johnny’s mother Julie. Her juxtaposition of a raspy exterior with the soft sole of a caring mom added great dimension. Allyn Rachel, East Coast transplant now in Hollywood, and NYU Tisch grad, adds an approachable, warm, high-spirited, and smart Daisy to Johnny’s life and self-explorations. Comedian and improv entrepreneur, John Wolf provided his friendly, easy, “hang loose” and good buddy persona, and sets the stage with a memorable opening monologue. Lance Nichols came to the role of funeral home owner Henry Mortimer from New Orleans as an established long time dramatic actor with a résumé of life-long film, television, and theater work.

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