Keepin’ It Reel with Action Jaxson

Jaxson Johnson, aka Action Jaxson, age 10, participated in this summer’s Keepin’ It Reel: Script 2 Screen Youth Camp at Circle Cinema. Jaxson is everything his nickname implies – energetic, talkative, quick and outgoing. He said Dr. Tamecca Rogers, camp director and founder, gave him the name during camp. Jaxson, who is on the autism spectrum, said the Keepin’ It Reel experience taught him that he could do anything.

Jaxson in his film premiere suit.

TulsaKids: How did you get involved in Keepin’ It Reel film camp?

Jaxson’s mom, Valerie Johnson, says that she saw some information about the camp on a Kellyville social media post, so she asked Jaxson if he wanted to apply since she knew he was interested in singing, acting and improv.

Jaxson: I did a one-minute video as an application, and they chose me. Forty-five kids were accepted.

Valerie says Jaxson has been taking private lessons with Ben Jammin’s Voice & Acting Academy. Ben helped edit the application video showcasing Jaxson’s talents.

TulsaKids: What was your favorite thing about film camp?

Jaxson: Basically everything. Dr. Rogers was kind to me. I had a good time with the other kids. You get to learn about everything. You get to know everyone, and you get to meet famous celebrities like D. Valentine. I asked for his autograph in front of all the students, and he gave it to me. Everyone clapped. D. Valentine told me I could be a king with autism. (D. Valentine is the professional name of Damian Valentine, a motivational speaker, music artist, mentor, actor, author and president of Young Kings Mentoring Organization. He is the author of a rap-a-long children’s book titled “I Am a King,” available at iamdvalentine.com)

TulsaKids: What did you do every day?

Jaxson: I made my own movie. It was a horror film, but not scary because it was way cooler.

Jaxson described the various characters and plot of the film. The students at the camp were divided into six groups. Jaxson’s group mentor was Yelena “Lena” Krivosheyeva, MFA, with Storm Front Studios. Valerie shared many positive comments from Lena about Jaxson’s talent. “He nailed it, and he contributed to the story,” Lena said.

TulsaKids: You learned script writing and acting. It sounds like everyone appreciated your contributions. What else did you learn?

Jaxson: My favorite day was the second day. We did make-up wounds. We learned how people do it in the movies. They said mine was the grossest of all. Now I know how it actually works in the movies when people have wounds. The blood looks so real, but it’s all fake.

I also won an Oscar for cinematography on the last day. I learned how to use a camera.

TulsaKids: Do you plan to keep acting and singing?

Jaxson: Yes. I’m going to take modeling and acting classes at Barbizon Modeling and Acting School in Oklahoma City.

Valerie says Jaxson had to do a two-hour Zoom interview for Barbizon, and he was accepted into the class. Jaxson says he will look for more opportunities to perform.

TulsaKids: What else do you like to do besides acting, singing and filmmaking?

Jaxson: I’m going to play the saxophone in band this year.

TulsaKids: What is a fun fact about you?

Jaxson: I have a pet frog named Garfield. He’s a four-spotted Albino Pacman frog. They can change colors. I have to be careful with him. They can grow up to 7 inches wide. They can eat almost anything. Like frozen mice. Frogs are rare in the wild. Their habitat is losing against humans.

TulsaKids: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Jaxson shared that he had been bullied for six years, but everyone at film camp was nice to him.

Valerie: Jaxson hasn’t been invited to a birthday party or to a friend’s house. Every day, he was more excited to go back to camp. I’m so glad he got to learn these new things. This has been so big for his life. He made friends, and everyone has just embraced him. He found his place.