M is for Make Believe

Lake native debuts filmmaking skills in nationwide contest

Clear Lake native Summer Johnson has made a horror film that could be part of “ABCs of Death 2,” the sequel to the popular 2012 anthology film, “ABCs of Death.”

The format is simple: 26 directors and 26 short films, one

 for each letter of the alphabet. The studios Timpson Films, Drafthouse Films, and Magnolia Pictures are hosting a contest to find the film’s 26th director. Submissions have poured in from all over the globe.  Johnson’s movie, “M is for Make Believe,” is among the most popular entries in the contest. The three minute film is best described as “horrible meets adorable.” It’s about two young girls who find a dying man in the forest. They mistake him for “the King of the Fairies” and attempt to heal his wounds.

Johnson was born in Mason City, the daughter of Judy and Daniel Johnson, and spent her early childhood as a Clear Lake resident. She currently lives in Omaha, Neb.  “M is for Make Believe” is her directorial debut.

“Filmmaking is something I’ve always been interested in, but never pursued.  About a year and a half ago I reconnected with an old friend who is active in the Omaha film making community,” she explained.  “Since then I’ve worked on several short films, but “M is for Make Believe” was my first time in the director’s chair. The response to my film has been overwhelming.  I didn’t expect for it to be so popular!”

Johnson said she hopes she makes Clear Lake proud with her submission to the contest.

“ I hope I make Clear Lake proud!,” she said.  “It’s my favorite place in the entire world.”

Johnson’s family moved from Clear Lake to Council Bluffs, Iowa, before she started school, but the family returned to visit each holiday to see relatives, she said.  Introducing her daughter to Clear Lake’s Fourth of July celebration and sharing her fond memories of Clear Lake, like spending summer vacation at her grandparents’ house (Merle and the late Ruth Larson), fishing with her uncle (Dave Larson) and lake adventures with her siblings, is something she still enjoys.  “My wonderful cousins, Sue Hill, Jennifer Acres, and Steven Acres, who are lifelong Clear Lake residents, have been very supportive of my film.”

“I have a lot of family still in Clear Lake, and I do visit, but not as often as I’d like now that I have a family of my own,” she said.  “If I garner any success from my ABCs of Death submission, maybe one day I’ll shoot a film in Clear Lake.”

Visit http://26th.abcsofdeathpart2.com/entry/m-is-for-make-believe/ to watch Johnson’s PG-13 film.  Votes are calculated by Facebook “likes.” To cast your vote, click the “like” button located above the video player.