Jason working as director of photography on the Viking action film “Gungnir” in Tennessee, February 2024.
Bio
Jason R. Johnston is an American multi-award-winning cinematographer, director, producer, and editor. A multi-faceted independent filmmaker since childhood, Jason began his career in the television advertising industry in 1997, producing thousands of regional commercials for small businesses in southern Texas. Transitioning to feature films in 2007, Jason began work as a unit stills photographer, then camera assistant, then camera operator, on a few low budget feature films.
Progressing to cinematography in 2009 and working on several short films, Jason shot his first feature film as Director of Photography in 2010. By Q4 2023, Jason has shot 8 feature films, 19 short films (directed 5 of them), 45 music videos (directed 30), competed in 20 timed filmmaking competitions (9 as director) among which several became official selections of their respective festivals, won awards (6 times for his cinematography)), and gathered critical recognition at film festivals around the world.
A native Texan, Jason resides near Nashville, Tennessee, where he works as a full-time freelance cinematographer, producer, and director of independent films, corporate and commercial documentaries, and broadcast television. He is currently working on his first feature film as director.
Jason on IMDb
Fifty Oars Motion Pictures LLC
Jason R. Johnston Photography
Jason sizing up a potential shot on the set of period western feature film “Killin’ Jim Kelly” in Texas, April 2023.
Photos
Memberships
| Nashville Filmmakers Society | December 2021 — present |
| Rio Grande Valley Filming Society / RGV FiSo | May 2017 — present |
| Harlingen Chamber of Commerce | June 2016 — 2017 |
| Friends of the American Society of Cinematographers | June 2010 — 2011 |
Occasionally, I also do commercial VO work and compose score for film.