After years of silence NorthFront Films finally remerges
 

One of the world's most innovating and creative independent film companies looks to recapture a spark that they had when they burst on the scene in 2001. The five year sabbatical the company took has left many questioning what happened as the events of  2002 unfolded and now with an official announcement  which in turn leaves the world wondering where will their vision will take NorthFront Films into 2007 and beyond?

 

NorthFront Studios, U.S.A. February 2, 2007 /NorthFront Public Relations/ -- In the last five years a dark cloud has shrouded NorthFront Films, one that has instilled a mystery to wonder how a rising force in the entertainment community could suddenly vanish almost in the blink of an eye without any trace of what happened and not a single word being uttered nor was any reason given on their official website. In the public eye it looked as if the company fell from grace due to several factors including financial instability and more importantly a lack of direction as the company's founder simply succumbed to the pressure of being in the glare of publicity and took the low road opting to tap out and step away from his vision to a pilgrimage to find his inner soul.

To fully understand what has gone on in the past five years it is necessary to go back to beginning and get a better comprehension on how this company evolved.

NorthFront Films came to be in the spring of 2001 being the grand vision of businessman Allen Stanley Johnson; Johnson was the middle child of a relatively small yet closely knit family. From an early age Allen learned the values of smart business sense from his father, a self disciplined/hard edged workaholic accountant, however it was Johnson's own mother, Theresa, who taught him how to dream big by introducing him to the magic of the silver screen through greats like Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart, Bela Lugosi, The Three Stooges, Judy Garland, and Marilyn Monroe to name a select few. It wasn't until the summer of 1981 when Allen Stanley Johnson's life would be forever altered as the young 18 year old caught a screening of a film that would coin the term "Summer Blockbuster" that film was Raiders Of The Lost Ark. From that point on Johnson instantly knew his life desire wanting to try his hand at film yet his father intervened crushing his dreams by insisting he follow in the footsteps of the family business. It would be a conflict that would open wounds and test the very limits of the relationship Allen had with his father and over the years would put strain on the family as the elder Johnson wanted his son to be successful in what he did with his life and not take the harsh risks that came with a career in the film industry. Johnson eventually came to terms with his father and gave into his demands and enrolled in college majoring in accounting with a minor in business. After graduating Allen would find himself becoming an intricate part of the business that his father built and was fiercely devoted to his work. As the years progressed Johnson would go on to meet his father's goals yet by the time the late 90s came into focus Allen was ready to venture into a longtime hunger that was building up inside of him that he desperately wanted to feed so after consulting with his father Allen was given a blessing from him to go ahead and venture out to find life's other possibilities. 

Wasting little time Johnson set to work beginning to build a company from the ground up seeking out people with natural talent that fit a genuine mold of quality and perseverance that Allen asserted in his business career. Then faith intervened in a chance meeting where Allen met a young man by the name of Jere Fritsche who had the same attitude, demeanor, and passion for life that Johnson recognized right away. In early January 2001 Jere signed on to NorthFront's creative team becoming Allen's protégé and closest supporter. "Allen Stanley Johnson is one of the most devoted guys I've met and have had the opportunity to work with, never have I met a man who with as much determination who is also a grand visionary." stated Fritsche when he was asked to share some thoughts about his tenure with NorthFront in 2001/2002. With his creative team in place Johnson and company set to work designing a website that would mesh Allen's original ideas with a edge that would combine both mainstream movie making with the popular indie film market that was beginning to find a wider audience. Various projects found their way to NorthFront Films as 2001 progressed and everything seemed to be falling into place as NorthFront continued to build support when the unthinkable happened on September 11, 2001, a day that would forever change history and brought about a halt to the age of innocence. "That day was one that changed the face of reality and I think everyone in the world was naturally frightened on a day to day basis" states Fritsche "The attitude completely changed around NorthFront and in my opinion lead to the company's hiatus."

As 2002 began Allen Stanley Johnson tried to push his vision further and move forward without faltering yet his support was beginning to become unfocused Fritsche confirms in the following statement: "I remember around that time the creative team and I were all gun-ho on a independent film project called Mindful Future, it was going to be a rough documentary shot on location and would be done on a low budget. As the project drew closer Allen was questioning the title Mindful Future and wasn't sure if it should be called that with what was happening in the world at that certain time but there wasn't really much that could be done as promo posters were fully designed and were being printed up. I stood firmly by the project title and told Johnson that it has a deeper meaning than ever but he just shrugged it off. In the end the project was basically called off and we decided to begin to throw more ideas into the pot on where NorthFront Films could go, what boundaries could be explored and broken through, and how we could set ourselves apart from other film companies out there on the indie market and then suddenly one day Allen told me that he needed time away to rethink things and find himself. The next day he called me and promoted me to the head of NorthFront Public Relations and basically said here are the reigns you're in charge!" From that point on NorthFront Films' future remained uncertain and many inside the company feared the worst with Fritsche in charge. "That was a time when I was extremely cautious and I made decisions with a learn by doing mentality. It was probably one of the most interesting experiences in my life since here was a twenty year old kid basically helping guide a company and when looking at that now many will think its absurd but that is the position NorthFront was in at the time."

With the arrival of the final quarter of 2002 Johnson's original vision was almost completely faded with the company in peril and the guidance continuing to diminish among the ranks of the powers that be who were trying to keep things on a level playing field. "It felt like I was suffocating and there was nothing I could do about it." Mr. Fritsche comments "I wasn't happy at all… Its not that I didn't have loyalty to this upstart company however I was reaching a point in my life where I was just getting out there in life and I wanted to explore my options. When I look back at my time with NorthFront I enjoyed just about every experience that came my way and looking back I wouldn't change a thing but when November 2002 came around I decided to step down and do like Johnson did when he started NorthFront which was explore other avenues. So the next time he called me I told him my decision and although he was upset with it he understood my feelings and didn't want to hold me back and I gave him two of the best years of my life and really helped to give NorthFront Films a unique face."

With that blow came the indefinite hiatus of NorthFront Films there were no announcements, no press releases, or any official statements made the company just up and faded into the sunset. As the sunset to that chapter of NorthFront Films ended many people who had followed the company since its inception wondered what was to happen. As 2007 begins the sun has risen once again and is full of limitless possibilities as in this day in age there are multiple facets of technology that have recently come online and revolutionized the internet world. NorthFront Films looks to take full advantage of these promotional tools to write their new chapter. Even though Allen Stanley Johnson is yet to say anything his passion for this endeavor has come back around full circle and is ready to turn the world on its side and bring people his brand of entertainment. "It's simply not in his nature to start something and not finish it…" Fritsche affirms "In fact he called me about a week back to tell me he was making plans to reboot the company and all I had to say was it's about time! I wished him the very best with his decision to return to his passion, I know over the last few years he was questioning himself on if he could do it but I have all the faith in the world that if his determination is there then NorthFront Films will become a big success… It's simply too great of an idea not to." Success is something that according to Jere that is gained by not only personal goals but isn't defined by everyone knowing who you are. "If it wasn't for my time with NorthFront Films I have no clue where I would be at today it was a guiding light to what was to come" As after Fritsche left NorthFront he co-formed the popular music website http://www.shipwreckislandstudios.com and in the last few years has gained notoriety through his passion for music and his vast knowledge and intellect combined with his skills with technology has brought out the absolute best in his personality. "Shipwreck Island Studios is a dream come true and the second best thing to happen in my life. Once we gained a reputation and word of mouth got around the website skyrocketed and even to this day I feel like I'm trying to catch up to all the praise we've received. I attribute most of what I learned at NorthFront Films into what Shipwreck Island became and for me to be a part of that is something I will always cherish." When asked if he'd return to his former stomping grounds Jere had this to offer "It was truly a once in a lifetime chance and even though I'd probably be invited back with open arms my commitment will be with Shipwreck Island, it was a website made from basically nothing and has gone on to become something that is beyond words… Who knows though I might collaborate with my old buddies and I think the possibility of NorthFront Films and Shipwreck Island Studios working together would definitely be a venture in itself so I'll just say that anything is possible when it comes to that!..."  

What is known is with the update of NorthFront's return the main agenda is to pick up where things were left five years ago as the process has already begun with the company's branching off by joining sites like myspace and youtube.com the fact remains that 2007 should be an interesting year for this little independent film company.

http://northfrontfilms.blogspot.com --- www.myspace.com/northfrontfilms --- 

--- http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=NorthFrontFilms ---

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