Out Now is Screaming In Digital, a new documentary that takes us back to the 1995 film “The Demons in My Head” directed by Neil Johnson. In this documentary filmmaker Neil Johnson confirms that “The Demons In My Head’ was the world’s first entirely digital live-action feature film. This landmark achievement in filmmaking is explored in the documentary “Screaming In Digital”, directed & produced by Stuart Bannerman, which chronicles the creation and impact of this visionary project. Neil Johnson’s achievement “The Demons in My Head”, released in 1995, was an experimental and ambitious film that utilized cutting-edge digital technology for its entire production, breaking new ground in the world of cinema. In a time when the film industry was still heavily reliant on traditional analog film stock, Neil Johnson’s decision to shoot the movie digitally was revolutionary, marking a pivotal moment in film history.

Dealing with continuing harassment from local Christian groups and actors feuding on set during the height of
summer in Australia, the film completed shooting in February of 1995. It was also unique at the time for featuring a gay character who would later transition to woman. Despite being told it was a mistake to shoot on digital, Johnson, and his producer Jane Rowland, pushed ahead with the production that would be shot anamorphic wide screen on a freshly released digital cinema camera, and then edited, mastered and color graded inside a computer (the now defunct Imix Stratosphere). It was even projected digitally in a cinema on the Gold Coast in Australia, near the end of 1995. The film sold in over 20 territories world-wide, but was rejected by a few countries who considered the presence of a gay / transgender character to be unacceptable to their culture in mid-nineties. Created with minimal budget, Johnson’s bold experiment proved the viability and potential of digital technology for storytelling on the big screen. The film’s digital format not only delivered high-quality imagery, but it also set the stage for the digital revolution that would transform the industry in the years to come.

The Digital Revolution and Screaming In Digital Documentary

In “Screaming In Digital”, Stuart Bannerman delves deep into the story of “The Demons in My Head”, featuring interviews with Neil Johnson, the cast and crew, as well as other influential figures from the tech and film industries who were involved in the digital filmmaking movement of the 1990s. The documentary explores the technical challenges Johnson and his team faced, the cutting-edge technology they used, and the cultural impact of their trailblazing work. It also features a behind-the-scenes look at the making of “The Demons in My Head”, including how it was shot on the prototype Sony DVW-700, the first professional anamorphic digital camera to be used in filmmaking.

Stuart Bannerman’s film highlights the unheralded nature of Johnson’s achievement and the critical role “The Demons in My Head” played in proving the concept of digital film production. Despite being largely overlooked at the time, the film has since earned its place in cinematic history as a milestone in digital cinema. “At the time, and for the next five years, I was a laughing stock in the local Australian film industry,” said Neil Johnson. “Even my second and third films were fully digital and sold internationally, but I was never even acknowledged by anyone. And then a chance meeting with Rick McCallum and George Lucas changed everything.”

Impact on George Lucas and Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones

One of the most significant indirect impacts of “The Demons in My Head” was on the decision- making of George Lucas and producer Rick McCallum when it came time to make “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones”. In the late 1990s, Lucas and McCallum were evaluating the possibilities of digital technology for the Star Wars franchise. While “The Demons in My Head” was not the only factor influencing their decision, the film’s success in utilizing digital technology demonstrated the potential of shooting an entire feature digitally—something Lucas and McCallum had been contemplating for years. Ultimately, this contributed to their landmark decision to make “Attack of the Clones” the first major studio film to be shot entirely on digital cameras. While Lucasfilm’s decision to go all- digital with “Episode II” was rooted in a desire to push the boundaries of filmmaking technology, the groundbreaking use of digital on “The Demons in My Head” helped validate the concept and inspired confidence in the broader film industry. It was a critical step in the evolution of digital cinema, leading to the widespread adoption of digital filmmaking in Hollywood and beyond.

A Look Back at a Landmark Moment in Film History

At the time of its production, “The Demons in My Head” represented the cutting edge of digital technology, and it was shown primarily in theaters with digital projection equipment, a rarity during the mid-90s. The film was not only an artistic success, but it also drew attention to the economic advantages of digital filmmaking, from lower production costs to faster post- production processes. Though its initial reception was modest, the legacy of “The Demons in My Head” continued to grow as the digital revolution gained momentum, culminating in the widespread use of digital cameras in mainstream cinema in the 2000s. “The Demons in My Head” remains a testament to the ingenuity and foresight of its director, Neil Johnson, whose foresight ultimately helped pave the way for digital filmmaking in Hollywood and beyond. The film has been recently upscaled to 4K and is available for a limited time on youtube before being re-offered to streaming services later in the year.

The film is still in print on DVD around the world (under a variety of titles), including USA, Germany, Holland, Switzerland, and the UK. This film helps pave the way for Neil Johnson’s latest 10 hour limited series “The Time War”, which uses production techniques that were developed in 1995, and new opens the door to new shooting methods that are clearly displayed in the new series, literally 30 years in the making.

To view the 4k remaster of 1995s The Demons in My Head:

To view the new Documentary “Screaming in Digital”

About Neil Johnson
Neil Johnson is a director, writer, and producer whose career spans more than three decades. He is best known for his work in science fiction, and his films have often explored the intersection of technology and human nature. In addition to “The Demons in My Head”, Johnson has directed numerous other films that incorporate cutting-edge technology and innovative visual effects, including his latest opus “The Time War”, which is set for release in 2025.

About Screaming In Digital
“Screaming In Digital” is a documentary that shines a light on the early days of digital filmmaking, focusing on the revolutionary work done by Neil Johnson in 1995 with “The Demons in My Head”. Directed by Stuart Bannerman, the documentary tells the story of how a small, independent film helped change the course of cinema forever. It will be released on streaming platforms worldwide later this year.

Empire Motion Pictures company website:
https://www.empiremotion.pictures/