EXCLUSIVE: Interview with Johnny Alba

Disclaimer: This interview took place on June 1st, 2007 through email. Johnny really did answer these questions. If you would like to see the transcripts from the interview, please email me. Enjoy!

I!: Johnny, let me start off by saying thank you for doing this interview. Now let's get into it, what are your thoughts on this month's baits?

Johnny: As I previously stated, I thought this month was one of the best yet in the contest. We are having some troubles putting together our final Top 10 because so many baits deserve recognition and that is obviously a sign of quality.

I!: It sure is, now do you have a favorite bait?

J: From 2006, I selected Ironic Nonfiction as the Editor's Best Bait of that year (on the Best of 2006 Awards Page), I have also enjoyed the Fresh Heir Series, Wackos, The Arabic Cafe, The Wall, The World's Longest Suicide & Photograph. I won't reveal any preferences for this year's bait until it's over out of respect to every contestant.

I!: Of course, what has been your favorite month of the contest or the strongest?

J: The strongest Top 5 yet, in my opinion: August (Photograph, The Arabic Cafe, Wackos, I. Bergman and Fresh Heir III). March and April 2007 have also been really solid.

I!: Definately, do you anticipate certain baits or do you feel like that influences you too much?

J: I never read Buzz Threads until I have read and uploaded all the baits, that way I make my own opinions the baits and judge them without any kind of bias. Of course there are baits that grab my attention for its Oscar-friendly attributes but execution is always my priority.

I!: Cool, Do you listen/pay attention to buzz and the online campaigns?

J: I pay attention on the FYC campaigns before reading the baits, I pay attention to the Precursors Buzz after I have read all the baits, and this allows me to compare what I thought with what the community thought as well.

I!: That would be kind of hard for me, why did you create this contest?

J: The Oscar Igloo is a community; I have always encouraged the free exchange of opinions in order to stay away from the bias that affects most Oscar-buzzing websites. I wanted to create an engaging feature that would allow people to interact and compete and so, I came up with Bait an Oscar. I never expected it to become such a passionate and involving experience and I'm proud of its constant evolution.

I!: A tournament sounds fun as like a summer thing because a lot of us have more time on our hands. Well, thank you for your time Johnny!

J: Thank you!