Jayson Johnson (Writer, Director, Producer, and Founder of Strike Five Films and the Streetwear Brand Strike Five) was recently interviewed by TheCelebrity.Online Magazine and below is the Q&A session we had with Jayson.
Jayson Johnson As Cover Story Interview – January 2026 Magazine Edition
How do you introduce yourself?
I’m Jayson Johnson, a Richmond, California-based writer, director, producer, and founder of Strike Five Films and the streetwear brand Strike Five. I’ve been telling stories for over 15 years—starting with a $35 eBay camera and nine short films that played in more than 90 festivals and won six awards. But I don’t just make films; I see the entire film-going experience as something that can be much greater than it is today. Through Strike Five Films and Strike Five streetwear, I’m building a world where storytelling, community, and culture collide—creating work that lives beyond the screen and rewards people for showing up, for believing in the stories we tell, and for being part of the journey.
Struggle – What hardships have you gone through in life?
The hardest stretch wasn’t any single rejection—it was the long quiet years of building a career with no safety net. After working for Francis Ford Coppola and creating content for Netflix, Amazon, ABC, and Discovery, I still had to move to Richmond in 2020 for steady work as a city maintenance aide because freelance filmmaking was too unpredictable. During that time, I bought a goldfish named Roger just to have something steady on my desk while I wrote. Roger became my silent support system—until he passed away, and that loss hit me harder than I expected. I channeled that grief into R.O.G.E.R. & Me. The real struggle has been staying creative and believing in the work when the industry wasn’t calling back, and when I was sweeping floors by day and editing by night.
What do people usually not know about you?
Most people see the Coppola credit or the festival wins and assume I’ve always been confident or connected. The truth is, a lot of my breakthroughs came from solitary, unglamorous hours: teaching myself editing on YouTube, writing scripts alone at my desk with a goldfish as my only company, and praying through imposter syndrome. Many of my best ideas—like the entire premise of R.O.G.E.R. & Me—were born in moments when I felt completely unseen. I’ve learned to trust that quiet persistence more than any spotlight.
What sets you apart from your competitors in the industry and in life?
I don’t treat filmmaking like a sprint to the next credit. I see it as a long-term ecosystem—building stories, building community, and building pathways for others. I’m deliberately making R.O.G.E.R. & Me 100% in Richmond, hiring local crew, using city locations, and aiming to rebrand the narrative around a place that’s often misunderstood. Through my streetwear brand Strike Five, I’m also creating physical, wearable pieces that carry the same spirit—clothing that tells stories, connects people, and becomes part of everyday life. What really sets me apart is my belief that the film-going experience can be so much more than it is today. In the future, I want audiences to be rewarded for showing up—whether through exclusive drops, community perks, or even crypto and blockchain technology that lets fans own a piece of the story and earn real value for their support. I’m not just making films; I’m reimagining how we experience and reward storytelling.
What are your upcoming major events, unforgettable moments, or projects?
Right now I’m in pre-production on my debut feature R.O.G.E.R. & Me—a heartwarming comedy about a Richmond maintenance worker sentenced to carry a GPS-tracked goldfish for 30 days or go to jail. We’ve already held three live table reads with the cast and crew, and we’re planning our fourth for final fine-tuning before moving into full production. These sessions have been incredible—watching the script come alive through Richmond voices has been one of the most rewarding parts of the process. I’m also gearing up for a public trailer sneak preview and cast reading in Richmond this winter—open to residents and the community that inspired the story. At the same time, I’m growing Strike Five streetwear into a platform that ties directly into the film experience—limited drops, community events, and eventually rewards for fans who show up to screenings.
What expert advice would you like to give?
Don’t wait for someone else to hand you permission. Start with whatever you have—even if it’s a $35 camera and a goldfish on your desk. Learn in public, fail in public, and keep going. Resilience and consistency will carry you further than raw talent ever will. And when doubt creeps in, remember: the best stories often come from the quiet, unglamorous moments when no one’s watching. Also—don’t be afraid to dream bigger than the current system. The film industry can evolve, and we can help shape how audiences connect with and are rewarded for being part of great stories.
Your social media handles and website links?
- Portfolio: www.strikefivefilms.com
- YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/bdhu4f28
- Media Kit: https://tinyurl.com/mr3je5c5
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaysonjohnson1/
- IG: @_StrikeFive Twitter/X: @jjtweet
- Linktree: https://linktr.ee/strikefivefilms
Tom Harrecks is an Author at TheCelebrity.Online Magazine who has a vast experience of covering interviews in various international media agencies.
