Who Knows Oscar The Clown

John Charles Gerald is an independent filmmaker based in Los Angeles, known for his deeply personal and emotionally charged psychological thriller Johnny. The film, which took over six years to complete, reflects Gerald’s own traumatic experiences, including themes of abuse, abandonment, and loneliness reflecting much of Gerald’s own experiences growing up. He has described the process of making Johnny as cathartic, comparing it to therapy through filmmaking. He used Johnny to confront and explore these heavy topics in an artistic way.

Gerald’s work in Johnny has garnered critical attention, earning awards at various film festivals and a distribution deal through Midnight Releasing in 2021. Although the film loosely falls into the horror genre, Gerald emphasizes that his intent was more about subjective storytelling rather than adhering strictly to genre conventions. His inspirations include films like The Machinist and Donnie Darko, which delve into psychological drama rather than conventional horror.

In addition to writing and directing, Gerald has been noticed for his exceptional DP skills and background in audio engineering. He is also highly skilled in editing and color grading. Like Stanley Kubrick, Gerald merged into filmmaking with a foundation in photography. He also learned how to build a puppet for his film, showcasing his resourcefulness and dedication to his craft. Despite numerous challenges, including a chaotic production process, he managed to complete Johnny and continues to explore storytelling in unique and unconventional ways.

His production company, Urban Tunnel Films, and his film have both been recognized for their raw, emotionally intense style, making him a standout in the indie film circuit

Background and Career

John Charles Gerald wears multiple hats in the world of film: he is a director, writer, producer, and actor. With no formal background in puppet-making or certain technical aspects of filmmaking, Gerald taught himself various skills during the production of Johnny. This resourcefulness reflects his commitment to bringing his vision to life, despite having limited resources and external help. He also has experience in audio engineering, which played a crucial role in his attention to detail, particularly in sound design.

Johnny: The Film

Johnny is described as a psychological thriller, though it also overlaps with horror due to its eerie atmosphere and dark themes. Gerald didn’t set out to make a horror film but rather a subjective, subtext-rich narrative that accidentally leaned into the genre. Films like Donnie Darko and The Machinist inspired him, not for their genre but for their ability to tell complex, layered stories. The film received several awards on the festival circuit and was distributed by Midnight Releasing in 2021.

Challenges in Production

Gerald encountered various obstacles during the six-year production of Johnny. He even abandoned the original script partway through filming and took an unorthodox approach, writing scenes as the production progressed. His improvisational and problem-solving mindset was a significant part of the film’s unique style. At times, the production was chaotic, with stories of late-night shoots in precarious locations and run-ins with strangers, such as a homeless man brandishing a box cutter.

Style and Themes

Gerald’s style is rooted in a desire to communicate deeply emotional and psychological experiences. He uses subjective storytelling filled with subtext, focusing more on human emotions and experiences than typical horror elements. The film deals with heavy themes like abuse and trauma, aiming to encourage empathy in viewers. The emotional weight of the film is a direct reflection of Gerald’s own life and his desire to explore such difficult subjects through art.

Future Work

John Charles Gerald has several new projects lined up for production and is likely to carry forward his focus on intense, personal storytelling. His ability to blend various elements—whether psychological drama, horror, or experimental filmmaking—makes him a distinctive voice in indie cinema. He also aims to continue working with his production companies, Urban Tunnel Films and Luminant Features, to explore new, unconventional ways to tell stories like Who Knows Oscar the Clown (2022) which is a feature film currently in production directed, produced, and scored by John Charles Gerald. The story is set in Los Angeles, following a multi-talented man’s tragic downfall into the depths of shattered dreams. Struggling for survival, the protagonist ends up homeless, begging on the streets while dressed as a clown.

Gerald not only directed but also played the character of John, with Joseph Miller starring as Oscar. The film explores themes of despair and survival in a harsh urban environment  .

This indie production is being shot in Los Angeles and has been rated favorably by audiences, gaining a score of 9.2/10.