Conversations with Jeremy Johnson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeremy Johnson.

Hi Jeremy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey into storytelling started in Seattle, where I grew up obsessed with movies and the mechanics of storytelling. That passion led me to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where I earned my degree in Film Studies and Production and really began honing my craft behind the camera.

While in Hawaii, I dove headfirst into directing and producing independent projects. One of my first major highlights was writing and directing the short film Mute, which went on to air on PBS, picked up a distribution deal on Shorts TV (The Short Film Channel on DirecTV) and Dark Footage Entertainment, and screened across the film festival circuit. Around that same time, I created and directed Triple Threat, a web series shot in Honolulu that aired locally on KITV. Triple Threat had an amazing run—winning the Roy W. Dean Grant for Independent Film, earning top honors at the Global Independent Film Awards, and taking home awards for directing, production design, and best pilot across several international web festivals.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of contributing to a wide range of film and television projects, including Spider-Noir, Hawaii Five-0, HBO’s Westworld, NCIS: Los Angeles, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Succession, and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, as well as serving as a Stage Producer on Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.

Along the way, I directed music videos, including multiple projects for Billboard-charting singer-songwriter Nolan Neal (America’s Got Talent, NBC’s The Voice) and the music video “Destiny” for Dr. Nino Wes, which was featured as Music Video of the Week on Newleasemusic.com.

Today, whether writing original screenplays, directing, or producing, my focus remains the same: bringing compelling, immersive stories and vibrant characters to life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Definitely not a smooth road—but I don’t think anyone who chooses a career in filmmaking ever expects it to be! The entertainment industry is inherently unpredictable, and every stage of the journey comes with its own unique set of hurdles.

Early on, one of the biggest challenges was simply turning ambition into tangible results. When you’re making independent projects like Mute or Triple Threat, you’re wearing every hat imaginable: funding, organizing logistics, managing crews, and pushing through sheer willpower to ensure the vision makes it from script to screen. Navigating the festival circuit, securing distribution, and getting viewers to pay attention in a noisy industry takes incredible persistence.

Transitioning into major studio productions presented a different kind of challenge. Stepping onto massive sets like Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise or HBO’s Westworld requires adapting instantly to fast-paced, high-stakes environments where precision, flexibility, and clear communication are everything. Balancing work on large-scale studio projects while continuing to develop and write your own original projects requires constant discipline and sharp focus.

Ultimately, the biggest struggle in this career is navigating the quiet moments—the periods between projects, pitch process cycles, and overcoming the endless “no’s” to find the right “yes.” Every challenge along the way forces you to sharpen your craft, lean on your adaptability, and refine how you tell stories.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I do & what I specialize in: I’m a writer, director, and producer specializing in narrative storytelling across film, television, and digital media. At my core, I specialize in character-driven narratives—whether that’s a psychological drama, an action-packed feature, or a visually rich music video. Because I’ve worked extensively across both high-budget studio environments and nimble indie sets, my skill set bridges the creative and logistical sides of production. I write and direct with a clear visual identity, but I also understand the engine room of how a production actually runs.

What I’m known for: Professionally, I’m known for versatility and craft. In the indie space, people know me for projects like Mute and Triple Threat—work that focused heavily on narrative intention, sharp performances, and strong visual aesthetics. In the studio world, I’m recognized for being a reliable, adaptable collaborator on massive productions, from stage producing high-profile shows to working on complex blockbusters.

What I’m most proud of: I’m most proud of seeing projects from a single blank page all the way to complete distribution. Seeing Mute find an audience on PBS and Shorts TV, and watching Triple Threat gain recognition across global festivals and broadcast on KITV, were incredibly rewarding milestones. Knowing that an idea born out of pure passion made it all the way to screens and resonated with audiences is what keeps me writing and creating every day.

What sets me apart: What sets me apart is the balance between macro scale and micro focus. Having worked on some of the largest film and television sets in the world—like Amazon’s Spider-Noir and HBO’s Westworld—I’ve seen how top-tier world-building and visual storytelling operate on the highest level. I bring that same scope, polish, and discipline to everything I write, direct, or produce, while retaining the heart and hands-on resourcefulness of an independent filmmaker.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I like best about our city:
What makes Los Angeles unmatched is the sheer density of world-class creative talent and industry infrastructure. Beyond being the historic heart of filmmaking, LA is a incredible melting pot of cultures, neighborhoods, landscapes, and ideas. Within an hour, you can go from the ocean to the mountains to distinct urban pockets, which makes it a dream city for visual storytellers. But above all, it’s the people—the community of crew members, writers, directors, and artisans who bring unmatched craft and dedication to sets every day.

What I like least about our city:
My biggest concern right now is watching production flight affect our local creative community. Even with California’s recent efforts to expand state film and TV tax credits, local shooting levels in LA have still faced tough headwinds because competing states and international markets offer aggressive financial incentives.

It’s tough seeing talented local crews, technicians, and small businesses—the backbone of our industry—struggle when productions choose to film elsewhere strictly for budget reasons. Los Angeles has the best infrastructure and crew base in the world, and protecting local working families by keeping Hollywood production right here at home is something I think everyone across our industry wants to see prioritized.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jeremyvJohnson
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4434715/

Image Credits
Richard Wood photography.