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Derek Wayne Johnson (born February 23, 1983) is an American film director, screenwriter, editor and producer.[1]

Derek Wayne Johnson
Johnson at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in 2017
Born (1983-02-23) February 23, 1983 (age 39)
Carthage, Texas, U.S.
Alma materStephen F. Austin State University (BA)
OccupationDirector, screenwriter, editor and producer
Notable work
  • John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs (2017)
  • 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic (aka Becoming Rocky: The Birth of a Classic) (2020)
  • STALLONE: Frank, That Is (2021)

Early life and education


Born and raised in Carthage, Texas, Johnson began making short films at an early age, winning several awards while still in high school. Johnson directed his first feature film, Within Us, in his senior year of film school at Stephen F. Austin State University.[2] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Film in 2006.[3]


Career



Acting and Directing


After college, Johnson tried his hand at acting, starring in independent films and appearing in theatrically released and made-for-TV movies. Deciding to forgo acting and focus solely on filmmaking, he directed three feature films in Texas and Louisiana, including Broken Blood and Scrape, before landing in California.[4]


Documentaries


Upon arriving in Hollywood, Johnson directed John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs, about the Academy Award-winning director whose credits include Rocky and The Karate Kid.[5] The documentary features interviews with Sylvester Stallone, Ralph Macchio, Martin Scorsese, Talia Shire, Burt Reynolds and many more.[6] Alongside John Avildsen and the cast and crew of The Karate Kid, Johnson received a Commendation by the City of Los Angeles for his documentary and its association with The Karate Kid legacy.

Sylvester Stallone hand-picked Johnson to direct 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic (aka Becoming Rocky: The Birth of a Classic). The documentary, narrated by Stallone, details the making of Rocky [7] and was acquired by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).[8] Johnson and his documentary were mentioned in the 2021 Life magazine special issue dedicated to the Rocky franchise.

Johnson directed STALLONE: Frank, That Is, highlighting musician and actor Frank Stallone, brother of Sylvester. The documentary features interviews with Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Billy Dee Williams, Duff McKagan, Joe Mantegna and many others.[9]

Sylvester Stallone once again hand-picked Johnson to edit The Making of Rocky vs. Drago, a documentary directed by John Herzfeld.


Return to Feature Films


In the summer of 2021, Johnson wrapped production on his directorial return to feature films with Blood Streams, a crime/drama/thriller starring Han Soto, Brad Maule, Hollin Haley, and Yuji Okumoto. The film was shot entirely in Panola County, Texas and will see a worldwide release.


Personal life


Johnson’s plaque on the Carthage Main Street Arts Walk of Fame
Johnson’s plaque on the Carthage Main Street Arts Walk of Fame

On February 18, 2022, Johnson received a “star” in downtown Carthage, Texas as part of the first class of inductees to the Carthage Main Street Arts Walk of Fame. The plaque is located on the sidewalk outside the historic Esquire Theater. Johnson also received a Key to the City of Carthage, presented by the Mayor.[10]

Johnson cites his original VHS copy of Raiders of the Lost Ark as the reason he became a filmmaker, calling it "the holy grail" of his movie collection and the film he studied the most growing up.[11]

Johnson is a lifelong martial artist and 3rd Level Black Belt in the art of American Karate. In 2020, he was inducted into the AMAA Who's Who in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame alongside Chuck Norris, Benny Urquidez and other martial artists from around the world. He was included in the 2020 Martial Arts Masters & Pioneers Biography Book, Vol 1 and received the 2020 American Martial Arts Alliance Legends Award.


References


  1. Barlish, Becky. "Carthage native's documentary honors legend", The Panola Watchman, Carthage, TX, 1 August 2017. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.
  2. "Derek Wayne Johnson". Bill King. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  3. Ordmandy, Ryan. "SFA film alum returns for Nacogdoches Film Festival". Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  4. Goodrich, Robbie. "Underdog Comes Out on Top", Sawdust, Nacogdoches, TX, Winter 2017. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.
  5. Kreps, Daniel. "John G. Avildsen, ‘Rocky,’ ‘The Karate Kid’ Director, Dead at 81", Rolling Stone, San Francisco, CA, 17 June 2017. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.
  6. Farber, Stephen. "'John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs': Film Review|Santa Barbara 2017", The Hollywood Reporter, Los Angeles, CA, 2 February 2017. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.
  7. Drown, Michelle. "John G. Avildsen: King of the Underdogs Director Derek Wayne Johnson", The Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara, CA, 26 January 2017. Retrieved on 16 February 2017.
  8. Lang, Brent."MGM Buying ’40 Years of Rocky’ to Air on Epix (EXCLUSIVE)", Variety, Los Angeles, CA, 13 November 2019. Retrieved on 18 November 2019.
  9. Gonzalez, Bobby. "Spoken Dreams: Derek Wayne Johnson, Filmmaker", KTLA, Los Angeles, CA, 19 February 2018. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.
  10. Wieser, Stella."First inductees announced for Carthage's new Art Walk of Fame",The Panola Watchman, Carthage, TX, 18 December 2021. Retrieved on 13 February 2022.
  11. Gonzalez, Bobby. "Spoken Dreams: Derek Wayne Johnson, Filmmaker", KTLA, Los Angeles, CA, 19 February 2018. Retrieved on 21 August 2018.




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