I am a film producer, director, cinematographer, and sometimes writer.
I have a lifelong addiction to cameras, stories, and pizza. I am also known to go to unbelievable lengths to find a great cup of coffee.
I am known for creating powerful interviews that go really, really deep into storytelling and creative excellence in my cinematography. I am the founder of Kaifilms a boutique film production company.
My first achievement in film production was documenting 9/11 in NYC, which lead to 10 feature and 4 Emmy credits. Currently, I have several films in production and an episodic true crime docuseries.
HISTORY:
My Journey in film began in New York City 2001 with the documentation of the 9/11 events, which was recognized and published in feature movies by companies such as HBO, CNN, NHK, National Geographic, and The History Channel. All of this work had global distribution with well over 35 million viewers, including an Emmy Award for the HBO publication. Since then I have found myself working on indie features, television commercials, and music videos, and in roles such as director, director of photography, art director, graphic designer, and production assistant. Since the beginning of 2016, I began focusing my role in motion pictures as a director for commercial and independent projects.
See my IMDB page here: http://www.imdb.me/derekjohnsonphoto
Unique traits: Knowing the “heart of man” is one aspect that drives my intention as a director and filmmaker. I first heard this concept from one of my mentors Werner Herzog. In my process, I've learned to look through a person’s eyes, into their heart, and find the deepest meaning to their story. And Just like Werner, I do not want to be a man who lives without dreams. I always find a way to tell a great story.