An American family business struggles to stay afloat amidst a foreign invasion.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer John C. Brown/Bert Simonis

Watch The Neon Struggle on Prime Video

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

We made this film to capture a dying form of commercial art. Once, there were neon signs everywhere. Car dealerships, shoe repair shops, ice cream parlors, diners – every business was advertised with the glow of a neon sign. These signs were made by mom and pop shops around the country and required skill and artistry. With large companies selling LEDs and Jumbotrons, and doing an effective job of convincing the customer that this is cheaper – these mom and pop shops are going out of business and will be like the family farm in a few short years.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

We've captured a unique look at a truly American art form and business. We take a close look at a successful family business and see how difficult it is to survive and compete.

The Neon Struggle - The original McDonalds restaurant, Downey, CA

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

Perseverance and a willingness to adapt are the universal themes that are developed.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

Originally, this was going to be a “how neon is made” film with a lot of examples of pretty neon signs. We still have the pretty neon signs, but it is a family story now.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

Empathetic and positive. The large petroleum company that sells LEDs are seen as the bad guy.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We are hoping that more people will appreciate the effort that goes into making neon signs and will look at them as an art form and support the artists that make neon.

The Neon Struggle - The El Dorado Hotel and Casini, Virginia Street, Reno, NV

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We'd like to see a distributor pick up this film and give it broad exposure.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

This is a true Made in America story and we would like to see neon emerge from the seedy side of the sign and art world and see it become respectable and enjoyable as it once was.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

What happens when big business comes in and uses their marketing dollars and muscle to create a new product and put a decades long businesses out of work?

Would you like to add anything else?

As film makers and artists, we would like our viewing public to support us and all artists who are trying to make a living using their creativity.

The Neon Struggle - The Rio Grande Theater, Las Cruces, NM

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

We're working on our next film about a group of L.A. based Christmas Carolers who are like a little (dysfunctional) family that gets together once a year to make beautiful music.

Interview: March 2017

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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The Neon Struggle

An American family business struggles to stay afloat amidst a foreign invasion.

Length: 38 mins.

Director: John C. Brown/Bert Simonis

Producer: John C. Brown/Bert Simonis

Writer: John C. Brown/Bert Simonis

About the writer, director and producer:

John C. Brown and Bert Simonis are partners in This 'n That Films. Formed six years ago, they specialize in stories about American artists. A Burlesque comedian, mid-century developers, a desert architect, a 19th century literary giant and a neon tube bender have all been subjects of their unique documentary style.

Key cast: Alan Hess, Rio Score II

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):

Distributors, sales agents

Where can I see it in the next month? Amazon