What is
?
it's the mononym for Michael Hyon Johnson; a BlacKorean Air Force veteran, published writer, and director who gained notoriety with Machinima, Inc with the cult-series, Pre-Game Lobby.
Michael's written and visual work focuses on characters from lower income families, mixed race protagonists, and ensembles navigating uncomfortable conversations and difficult themes.
He's also the Director of Streaming & Content Operations for ElectricNOW - a mobile and CTV app and FAST channel owned by Electric Entertainment.
In his free time, he teaches film production for Series Fest's Mobile Cinema Lab - Los Angeles.
And, he 's racked a long list of accolades:
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2026 Realscreen Summit & NATPE Dialog Mentee
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The War Horse - 2025 Black Veterans Writing Fellow
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Tyler Perry's 2025 Dream Collective Directing Finalist
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Stowe 2025 June Stowe Narrative Lab Mentee
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Stowe 2025 USVAA Veterans Fellowship Semi-Finalist
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M Film Lab Screenwriting Workshop - Spring 2022 Winner
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Netflix Animation's Foundations Program - 2022 Writing Mentee
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Writer’s Guild Foundation: 2021 Veterans Writing Project Mentee
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VME - AT&T 2021 Veterans Media Fellow
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Chapman/Dodge College MFA
PRESS LINKS
Electric Entertainment | Director of Operations - ElectricNow | 2024 -
Black Metal | Writer & Director | 2023
Winner of the M Film Lab Screenwriting Fellowship 2022
Lost the Lead | Writer & Director | 2023
Best Pilot: Project Nerd Film Festival 2023, Best Editing: LA WebFest 2023
Immortals Esports | Producer | 2022 - 2023
Koji | Content Production Manager | 2022
Honhyeol | Writer & Director | 2022
Best Screenplay and Best Directing: Asian American Film Lab 2022
Being Free | Cinematographer | Produced by Roadtrip Nation | 2022
Caring Forward | Cinematographer | Produced by Roadtrip Nation | 2022
Mia Makes A Cut Crease Video | Writer & Director | 2020
Best Actress: Asian American Film Lab 2020
This Will Destroy You | Writer & Director | 2020
Best American Film: LA Cinematography Awards, Best Cinematography: Virgin Spring Festival
BuzzFeed | Video Producer | 2021
Electric Entertainment | Streaming and Operations Manager | 2019 - 2021
I Can See the Star | Cinematographer | Directed by Xiao Ni | 2019
Perennial | Cinematographer | Directed by Aaron Ellis | 2019
Sisters | Cinematographer | Directed by Chandler Freelander | 2019
Axios | Writer & Director | 2017
Festival Heart: Intendence Film Festival 2017
Ménage a Terror | Writer & Director | 2016
Chest of Doom | Writer & Director | 2016
The Wolf Among Us | Writer & Director | 2015
Top 15 Denver Film Race
PreGame Lobby | Writer & Director
Produced by Machinima Inc | 2008 - 2011