Jeremy Johnson’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Jeremy Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Good morning Jeremy, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I recently returned from a trip to Europe, spending time in France, Italy, and Switzerland. The experience brought me a lot of joy and creative inspiration. Travel has always had that effect on me. Late last summer I explored the American South, and a place I stayed sparked the idea for the screenplay I’m currently writing. Diving into its world has been incredibly rewarding, giving me new insights into both the main character and a key supporting character.

While writing, I kept thinking: I wouldn’t be working on this at all if I hadn’t taken that trip. It reminded me that stories sometimes find us when we’re not looking. And midway through my time in Europe, I found myself scribbling notes for another future screenplay. Travel does that for me — it unlocks adventure, discovery, and endless inspiration. Someday, I’d love to create a film in Europe.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a writer, director, and producer from Seattle, Washington, now based in Los Angeles, and a graduate of the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, where I earned my degree in film studies and production.

Over the years, I’ve worked on a wide range of film and television projects, including NBC’s Young Rock, Hawaii Five-0, Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, HBO’s Succession, NCIS: Los Angeles, Spider-Noir, and Amazon’s The Terminal List. I also served as Stage Producer on Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings.

As a director, I’ve helmed multiple music videos for Billboard-charting singer/songwriter and AGT/The Voice finalist Nolan Neal, as well as the music video Destiny for Dr. Nino Wes, which was named Music Video of the Week on NewLeaseMusic.com.

My short film Mute aired on PBS, secured distribution through ShortsTV – The Short Film Channel on DirecTV – and screened at festivals worldwide. I also directed Triple Threat, a Honolulu-based web series that earned numerous awards, including the Roy W. Dean Grant for Independent Film; multiple honors from the Southern Shorts Awards, Global Independent Film Awards, and British Web Awards; and 1st Place for Best Web Media and 3rd Place for Diversity & Inclusion. Triple Threat later aired on KITV in Hawaii.

Currently, I’m developing financing for two feature films I’m attached to direct—one an inspirational sports drama inspired by true events, and the other a horror feature also based on true events. I’m also writing my first biopic, a project I’m deeply excited about. Across all my work, I aim to tell stories that expand social consciousness and spark meaningful conversations about how society can evolve and improve.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Right after high school, a unexpected health issue changed everything for me. I went from being a healthy athlete to someone suddenly confronted with the limits of my own body. It was humbling, disorienting, and ultimately transformative. What began as physical recovery became a kind of spiritual awakening — a moment that rerouted the trajectory of my life. In that isolation, I turned inward and started writing. First poetry, then screenplays. I devoured films, and three in particular shaped me during that period: American Beauty, Good Will Hunting, and Garden State. Teaching myself to write by studying scripts online, I started my first screenplay… and from that moment, I was hooked.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
From the beginning, writing and filmmaking became an emotional outlet—a way to express what I was feeling inside. Looking back at the first poem and screenplay I ever wrote, I can see how much they reflected the uncertainty I was experiencing at the time. Even then, though, I remember feeling hopeful and inspired, and those qualities naturally found their way into my work. I’ve realized that the stories I gravitate toward are always rooted in hope, inspiration, and belief in the underdog or the character who sits outside the norm. I believe cinema is a powerful art form—one that allows audiences to witness anything come to life and gain a deeper understanding of people, ideas, and experiences.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m fully committed to a project that centers on a disabled character who embodies the underdog spirit—a story inspired by true events and rooted deeply in my own advocacy for the disabled community. I know that in this industry, securing the right financing can take time, often far longer than expected, but this has never discouraged me. If anything, it has strengthened my belief in the story and the importance of telling it the right way.

This project represents everything that matters to me as a filmmaker: hope, resilience, and the voices that aren’t always heard. I’m passionate about portraying disability with authenticity, dignity, and nuance, and I’m determined to bring this film to the screen in a way that honors the community it represents. No matter how long the process takes, I’m committed to seeing this project through—because stories like this deserve to exist in the world.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in the cinema, both as an observer and as a creator. The cinema is my sanctuary, my church, where I can immerse myself in a world of endless possibilities. It’s a space where time slows down, and I can lose myself in the stories that unfold on the screen, but it’s also where I feel connected to something bigger—an art form that transcends boundaries and brings people together.

Telling stories, whether through film or other mediums, brings me a sense of calm and purpose. It’s when I’m writing or directing that I feel truly aligned with myself, able to express my innermost thoughts and emotions. Crafting a narrative that resonates with others, sharing a piece of my perspective and inviting others to see the world through my eyes, is where I feel most grounded. In a way, it’s like I’m part of a larger conversation—one that spans generations, cultures, and experiences. There’s peace in knowing that the stories I tell have the potential to inspire, challenge, and connect us all.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @jeremyvjohnson
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-johnson-22023753/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.johnson.960093
• Other: https://pro.imdb.com/name/nm4434715?ref_=hm_nv_usr_profile

Image Credits
Richard Wood photography.