The Way to Film
Lori and Johnny were still on good terms and believing in Johnny’s special talent, she introduced him to her friend, Nicholas Cage.
Nicholas was already an actor in his own right having starred in Rumblefish. Nicholas and Johnny hit it off right away and became great friends immediately. Nicholas suggested to Johnny that he try acting. Johnny laughed at first, but realized that acting might be a great way for him to bring in some much needed money and bankroll his music. Johnny went to meet Nicholas’ agent . She loved Johnny as soon as he walked in and much to his surprise she signed him right away even though he had no experience at all. The very first thing that she sent Johnny to do was to go audition for the new Wes Craven film. As soon as Johnny saw the script he was concerned. The part was written for a tall blond haired, football jock. Johnny showed up for the audition in earrings and spiked hair. He himself has stated while chuckling “I showed up for the part looking like a f**king catacomb dweller.” But Johnny had practiced the part and nailed the audition lines. There was no way for him to hide his charisma and charm and he won the director over easily. Craven’s daughter and her friends were at the reading and went absolutely wild over Johnny and his sex appeal. When Wes saw this, he was pushed over the edge and offered Johnny the role.
About this time in his life, his brother Danny lent Johnny a copy of Jack Kerouac’s book called “On The Road.” Reading this book, Johnny said would change his whole life, the way that he looked at himself and what he wanted for his own future. He had never been much of a reader and still took no interest in school academics. Johnny said that when he read the book he felt that the book was speaking just to him and that he soaked up all the information and took it to heart. He began to dream of a better life, one that he had never seen or experienced. Johnny knew that he didn’t just want a mundane life of working nine to five. He knew that there was something more for him out there. This prompted him to start reading more and more. He read through books by such authors as Gregory Corso and Allen Ginsberg. Johnny has said “I had found the teachers and the proper motivation for my life there.” Seeing more of a potential in another kind of living, Johnny finally did the inevitable and dropped out of school. He stated once in an interview, “I knew that’s what I was going to do, then this counselor called me in his office. He looked me in the face and told me with a sigh, “You know Johnny, I just don’t think that high school is for you.’ He actually did me a great favor.”
Johnny’s great plan was to follow his dream to rock stardom.