Today we’d like to introduce you to John Luksetich.
Hi John, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
John Luksetich is a native from Dubuque, Iowa in the Midwest. People from that region are known for their hard work, integrity, and generosity. Mr. Luksetich moved to California to finish his education at the University of San Diego.
Mr. Luksetich begin his screenwriting career in San Diego at a screenwriting class with Scott Young, writer for Square Pegs and Battle Star Galactica who assisted with our unique Screenplay “Ugly Shoes” picked up by Jerome Siegal & Associates.
After graduation Mr. Luksetich produced and hosted a children’s film program for two years at the Pasadena Cable TV station. Upon moving to Long Beach Mr. Luksetich produced and hosted a Cable TV program entitled “Imagine” for over 16 years. The program focused on cutting edge alternative concepts in the areas of medicine, science, law, politics, education, etc. He interviewed over 500 guests – many well known and respected individuals in their respective fields such as Dr. Garth Nicholson who appeared on Nightline and testified before our congress concerning an effective treatment for Gulf War Syndrome, Ted Gunderson 28 Yr. FBI Veteran, Leonard Horowitz, PHD on creation of AIDS, and so many more…
Mr. Luksetich began writing several Children’s Books; critically acclaimed such as Touched by the Sun published by Jack and Jill Magazine; Whose Coat?, No Small Change, and Croak published by Imagine Nation Press with No Small Change achieving Amazon status as one of the top 100 best illustrated Children’s book.
As a public School mentor 32 year veteran teacher Mr. Luksetich developed rap songs for educational purposes. His rap song “Just Say No” was collaboration with Sam McWhorter from Put a Little Love in Your Life and was performed by his 6th. Grade class at the Rose Bowl before 25,000 DARE students and Nancy Reagan. Later Mr. Luksetich with his partner starting VizLearn unique educational program with simulations, educational rap video songs, and historic name student impersonations was presented three times at the California Middle Schools conference and once at the National Middle Schools conference.
Mr. Luksetich later taught film and television classes at seminars such as the San Francisco Parks and Recreation exposition, at Buena Park School District, and Long Beach City College.
He was a member in South Bay Indie Film Makers and Long Beach Screenwriters group.
In his 40s Mr. Luksetich began his Stand Up comedy and Acting career – the latter with over 30 credits in TV shows and Indie Feature films before turning his attention to Producing, Directing, Editing, Acting, and Writing independent movies and TV series.
In the past 15 years Mr. Luksetich has focused exclusively on making feature films and TV pilots as shown on his IMDB page. He has been a screenwriter, director and producer with over 30 years experience. Currently Mr. Luksetich has a slate of four features and two TV pilot to be shot over the next three years. Several receiving awards and critical acclaim such as Shadow of the Monarch, Different Eye, Blood Tulips, Cafe in the Void…
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path has not been smooth. After being forced to leave home and being sent to San Diego my creative career began. Working at a school as a teacher’s aid I began telling Children’s stories then with encouragement wrote several stories published later. After being almost broke after college graduation, I met Mike Miller and we began a partnerships writing scripts.
My girlfriend became pregnant and I married her and needed to get a steady work quickly – thus the teaching career. During that I began hosting a cable TV show with my students running the show performing at the Rose Bowl the anti drug rap song. My wife became pregnant again and just three weeks before she was due I lost my job and we were evicted. My daughter was born with Down syndrome and that crisis along with me coming down with CFS fibromyalgia led to another phase of my life – Cable TV conspiracy show with the alternative Doctor who saved my life.
Time passed with children’s book coming into reality for my African American stepson to confront racism, Stone Heart for my Downs daughter, No Small Change for my son and Whose Coat? for my shy daughter Aurora.
Later during separation with my ex-wife I was challenged to make Different Eye with my limited speech Down /syndrome daughter Maria as the lead. That’s just one story. Every film had challenges that seemed impossible to overcome. we can discuss together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
What I do currently is write, edit, act, produce, and direct faith and uplifting special needs films. My specialty is writing scripts, songs, stories; editing video, direct narratives, act in films and get low budget films produced. I’m known for acting, writing (children’s and scriptwriting), producing and directing films. I”m most proud of making Different Eye and Loose Ends Down for the Special Needs community and finishing Cafe in the Void during lockdown.
What sets me apart is my can do persistent attitude that never quits, creative vision (Thanks to God) and ability to see the possibility of getting films done with little budget when it seems impossible.
What’s next?
My plans are to make Faith based and special needs films, merch , music, etc. Most important project is one God gave me the idea for in the night. A mini series entitled “Inherit the Earth”.
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