Johnny Martini

Meet Johnny Martini, an award-winning actor and filmmaker with a long, impressive list of credits, including Fuller House, Grace and Frankie, Leverage, and 12 Round Gun, to name a few. He dabbled in everything from magic and Claymation to music production, and he even toured the Pacific Northwest in a band called The Love Loungers. Deep down, he never let go of his passion for storytelling. We are proud he chose us to follow his dreams. With his undeniable enthusiasm for storytelling and incredible sense of humor, you’ll love reading about him in our new Member Stories spotlight!

What is the key to finding success in the entertainment industry?

“Ikigai is a Japanese concept I love that encapsulates the essence of finding purpose and meaning in one’s life. Ikigai, when illustrated as a diagram, balances the convergence of four key aspects: what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for. At the core, where these areas intersect, lies your Ikigai—the reason that motivates you to get out of bed each day. Finding success in the entertainment industry lies in a combination of factors. I believe maintaining a positive attitude, treating others with respect, being reliable, and demonstrating a strong work ethic while doing what you love all contribute to building a good reputation.”

What inspired you to want to pursue an entertainment career?

“My high school had a newly developed television department that encouraged my creativity to write and produce video segments for the school’s daily televised announcements. That’s when it all came together for me, and I knew I wanted to make movies. The best filmmakers embrace every aspect of the storytelling process and let it guide their choices. Even though I love seeing my own magnificent mustache up there on the big screen, a good story is about connecting with your audience, and in the world of film and television, collaboration is the secret sauce. It’s remarkable how this medium brings together a multitude of talented individuals, each with their unique skills, to create something truly extraordinary and memorable.”

How does First Entertainment benefit you as a creator of entertainment?

“First Entertainment Credit Union really understands the unique needs and preferences of all of us working in the entertainment industry. Their close relationship with Entertainment Partners helps expedite payroll and direct deposits, alleviating the stress of trying to track down incoming checks while working on several projects across many productions.”

How would you compare your experiences with First Entertainment with other financial institutions that you have banked with?

“My experience with First Entertainment eclipses any prior relationship with other financial institutions. As soon as I opened my account with First Entertainment, my ability to budget accordingly skyrocketed, and I immediately closed all other accounts with prior banks.”

What has your experience been like using our digital banking?

“I use the digital banking app on a daily basis. The platform is extremely user-friendly, beautifully laid out, and makes managing my budget much easier.”

Tell us something about yourself you would like the entertainment community and First Entertainment CU family to know.

“When I first moved to Los Angeles to pursue this wonderful dream, I was often living check to check and scraping by just to get to set every day. Once I opened my First Entertainment Credit Union account, I had the tools available to start building financial literacy and finance my own film productions.”