Tamara Joy Johnston

Johnston began a career in film by producing student films and independent projects while earning a bachelors degree in psychology from Azusa Pacific University. After assisting Producer Jack Hafer of Boulevard Pictures (then Gummshoe Productions, "To End All Wars") she began a three-year relationship with ImageMovers, Robert Zemeckis' ("Forrest Gump," "Cast Away") production company. She worked her way up from the production office on the feature "The Polar Express" to first assistant in the office of Producer Steve Starkey. Recently, Johnston left ImageMovers to pursue other ventures in media and humanitarian work. She is currently producing feature documentaries on the AIDS crisis in Africa and is starting a non-profit organization with her two partners. Johnston also works closely with Writer/Director/Producer Lauralee Farrer and Burning Heart Productions on projects such as the award-winning documentary "Laundry and Tosca" (2004) and feature narrative film "Praying The Hours" (2006). She first met Farrer in 1992 while volunteering with Theater Quest, a non-profit group that worked with professional actors and at-risk teens in the Pasadena area.