Gene Howes

Director of: "Johnny Blue"
When: 9 pm Friday, March 19, 2004
Where: HCC Ybor Performing Arts Theater

Gene grew up in northeastern Ohio and lived in Virginia for a stint. As a kid he was amazed to see how his crazy aunt and uncle were able to shoot and edit their own super 8mm film drama complete with catsup blood and rubber knives. He believes that’s where it all got started.

He has pursued a career in film and video production for television, advertising and documentaries and has been able to travel to Eastern Europe, Asia and South America on documentary tours. He moved to St. Petersburg Florida, from Virginia in 1991.

He and Rhonda Davis (producer) started a production company, Skyway Film and video, and from there they produced Johnny Blue.

Johnny Blue was a labor of love that allowed a community to become involved in the art and passion of filmmaking. From restaurant owners to grip and lighting companies, from shop keepers to artists and film lovers Johnny Blue received and benefited from the support of St. Petersburg Florida residents, and the St. Petersburg Clearwater film commission.

After a long drawn out post phase Johnny Blue was completed. Gene now resides in Seminole Heights in Tampa with his wife Kristin. He has since written, directed, and completed a series of much shorter shorts, continues to write, and has recently completed a documentary about the history of Ybor City. He is now working toward future, feature film goals.