My Projects
OVER HEARD
2025 - Summer
Made At USC SCA Summer program
During a high-pressure exam, a nervous student’s anxiety spirals into a surreal nightmare where reality blurs and every sound feels like an attack. No synchronized diologue used.
Surveillance
2025 - Summer
Made At USC SCA Summer program
A beloved janitor working the night shift uncovers a chilling secret hidden within the school’s walls.
The War Within
2025 - Junior Year
A story about Vietnam soldier who struggles in his never ending battle with PTSD.
Hush Money
2025 - Junior Year
SMASHN Oscar Ceremony Winner
A retired assassin who is short on cash, embarks on one last hit, only to get involved with the Water Gate Scandal. Special thanks to the Juniper Hotel (Cupertino, CA) for letting film
Every Drop Counts (documentary)
2024 - Junior Year
SMASHN Oscar Ceremony Nominee
San Joaquin Student Film Festival Winner
This documentary exposes how urban runoff, industrial waste, and plastic pollution are choking the San Francisco Bay, paired with interviews of professional surfers to board officials—all combining in a powerful call to restore our bay.
The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost
2024 - Junior Year
SMASHN Oscar Ceramony Nominee
This short film is a visual adaptation of a single poem—every shot, cut, and line of dialogue is anchored to the poem’s words and mood. To keep the piece compelling, we layered in dynamic camera moves and a creative story to keep an emotional arc.
Team Builds Family
2024 - Sophomore Year
Inspired by my own experiences, this compelling short film shows how sports teams forge lifelong friendships and a true sense of family.
Anyone Can Be Homeless
(documentary)
2024 - Sophomore Year
SMASHN Oscar Ceramony Nominee
New York Independent Film Festival - 3rd Selection
In just five minutes, this documentary shines a light on San Francisco’s homelessness crisis—melding personal stories, expert insights, and real-world solutions to inspire concrete action.
Pink
2022 - Freshman Year
My first film follows a man whose color sets him apart as he struggles to belong. Lacking a camera, I brought his journey to life through animation. While it may not be my proudest work, it laid the foundation for who I am today.
About Me
I’m Ian Johnson, a senior high school student filmmaker from San Jose. I’ve written, shot, and edited a range of projects—from war dramas exploring PTSD to documentaries on water pollution and homelessness. Outside of school, I freelance as a videographer for over seven clients, creating event coverage, branded content, and personal stories. Film is my passion; I’m drawn to themes of identity, horror, and resilience, and I take inspiration from directors like Ari Aster to tell bold, emotionally charged stories. As I prepare for college, I’m focused on expanding my portfolio of narrative shorts and documentaries.
