Experience

Waterproof Studios

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Directing Cinematic Animation - Unreleased titles

  • Jul 2018 - Present

  Directed motion-capture based cinematic animation for Mortal Kombat 1, releasing in Sept 2023!

• Directing Cinematic Animation - Mario Strikers Battle League

  • Mar 2021 - Jul 2021

  Direction keyframe animation for Mario Strikers opening game cinematic.

• Directing Cinematic Animation - Hogwarts Legacy

  • Mar 2020 - Mar 2021

  Directing Cinematic Animation for Hogwarts Legacy, inlcuding creature keyframing and human motion-capture.

• Senior Facial Animation - MK11

  • Dec 2019 - Feb 2020

  High-end facial animation for Mortal Kombat 11, solid team and great organization on the animatics Waterproof provides for this franchise.

• Directing Cinematic Animation - Gears Tactics

  • Aug 2018 - Nov 2019

  Directed Cinematic Animation for London client, managed a group of 10-12 artists in Vancouver studio, took part in motion capture planning and shoot, assessing scope and resource allocation, hiring.



Self-employed

• Short Film #10, "The Dragon Awakens"

  • Apr 2022 - Dec 2022

  Paul Johnson's 10th musical short film in 10 years is about 3 dinosaur pixel friends relegated to the vitrium mines, from which they must escape and return to the wilds of their homeland through the power of their minds, absorbing the kung-fu skills of the Sparrow of Shaolin and dancing and kung-fu-ing their way from pixels to cartoons and ultimately to freedom. Using: TV Paint, Filmora Pro, Flash, FL Studio, Graphics Gale. Produced independently over 8 months with a zero dollar 300-hour budget, this 2d digitally hand-drawn film was animated in TV Paint, and composed and edited by 25-year animation pro Paul Johnson, available for guest speaking and teaching roles. Show less



Self-employed

• Short Film #9, Krazy and Ignatz

  • Mar 2021 - Oct 2021

  Paul Johnson's 9th musical short film in 9 years is based on "Krazy Kat and Ignatz", a popular American comic strip from the 1910's created by George Herriman. Having been adapted into animation several times since its first printing 105 years ago to varying degrees of success, Paul Johnson brings Herriman's iconic comic strip to life with strict adherence and homage to the source material, including the original strip in the credits. Produced independently over 10 months with a zero dollar 150-hour budget, this 2d digitally hand-drawn film was animated in TV Paint, and composed, and edited by 25-year animation pro Paul Johnson, available for guest speaking and teaching roles. Show less



Independent Short Film

• Short Film #8, "Run"

  • Jan 2020 - Oct 2020

  Paul Johnson's 8th short film in 8 years "Run" explores 2d animation cycles to their extreme. Using twenty-four run cycles, each 24 frames long, timed to music over 6 minutes, exploring endless kaleidoscopic variations and colours, this music video tells the story of how animation is created from one independent mind from concept through music, animation, marketing, and final realization. Completed in 339 production hours over 10 months, animated in TV Paint, composed in FL Studio, and combined in Filmora Pro. Show less



Independent Short Film

• Vancouver, Canada Area

• Short Film #7, "Dance Dog Dance"

  • Jan 2019 - Oct 2019

  Dogs, dragons, cats, sharks, and foxes show off some of the best dance moves of the past 100 years, rotoscoped from the likes of Buster Keaton, the Beastie Boys, Cab Calloway, the Nicholas Brothers, Christopher Walken and more! Dogs, dragons, cats, sharks, and foxes show off some of the best dance moves of the past 100 years, rotoscoped from the likes of Buster Keaton, the Beastie Boys, Cab Calloway, the Nicholas Brothers, Christopher Walken and more!



Independent Short Film

• Short Film #6, "Metal Mouse vs. The System"

  • Apr 2018 - Oct 2018

  Metal Mouse faces his biggest challenge yet in taking on The System in a battle for the survival of all Mousekind! Can he defeat the giant metal pixel art cat guarding The Goo? Metal Mouse faces his biggest challenge yet in taking on The System in a battle for the survival of all Mousekind! Can he defeat the giant metal pixel art cat guarding The Goo?



DHX Media

• Canada
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Directing Animation

  • Apr 2018 - Jun 2018

  Directing Animation on Mega Man for 4 teams of 6 people. Standardizing style of character motion, with focus on adding excitement, contrast and emotion to episodic content. Liaising between series directors and animation leads with enthusiasm and positivity to contribute towards creating a great looking show! Directing Animation on Mega Man for 4 teams of 6 people. Standardizing style of character motion, with focus on adding excitement, contrast and emotion to episodic content. Liaising between series directors and animation leads with enthusiasm and positivity to contribute towards creating a great looking show!



Sony Pictures Entertainment

• United States
• Entertainment Providers
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior animating on Hotel Transylvania 3

  • Dec 2017 - Apr 2018

  Had a great time working with and learning from Genndy and Alan H on Hotel T3! Great experience with a stellar production team and solid crew. Had a great time working with and learning from Genndy and Alan H on Hotel T3! Great experience with a stellar production team and solid crew.



DHX Media

• Canada
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 2d pixel-art pipeline dev, design and animation

  • Jun 2017 - Dec 2017

  Design, animation, pipeline development of 2d pixel-art interstitials on new 3d reboot of Mega Man S1. Thanks to Gino, Morgana, Ian, and all the crew there for a terrific experience! Design, animation, pipeline development of 2d pixel-art interstitials on new 3d reboot of Mega Man S1. Thanks to Gino, Morgana, Ian, and all the crew there for a terrific experience!



Independent short film

• Fifth short film in 5 years, "65 Million Years Ago"

  • May 2017 - Dec 2017

  My 5th short film in 5 years, "65 Million Years Ago" is complete! Watch for it in a festival near you. https://vimeo.com/channels/xon My 5th short film in 5 years, "65 Million Years Ago" is complete! Watch for it in a festival near you. https://vimeo.com/channels/xon



Sparrow of Shaolin

• Independent

• 4th short film in 4 years

  • Jan 2016 - Apr 2017

  Short film #4 is kung-fu pixel-art chiptune animation using bad English dubs for dialogue, and live-action fighting for reference. The script for this chiptune pixel-art animated short is the result of combining low-budget English dubs with choreography from 1970's Chinese kung-fu films, like Crippled Avengers (1978), Fury in Shaolin Temple (1979), and Shaolin vs Ninja (1983). Check out the WIP vids below! Short film #4 is kung-fu pixel-art chiptune animation using bad English dubs for dialogue, and live-action fighting for reference. The script for this chiptune pixel-art animated short is the result of combining low-budget English dubs with choreography from 1970's Chinese kung-fu films, like Crippled Avengers (1978), Fury in Shaolin Temple (1979), and Shaolin vs Ninja (1983). Check out the WIP vids below!



Bardel Entertainment

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Leading an Animation Team

  • Dec 2015 - Apr 2017

  Approvals and a little animating on Turtles Season 5, great job, great people, great time. Booyakasha! Approvals and a little animating on Turtles Season 5, great job, great people, great time. Booyakasha!



Ottawa International Animation Festival

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Attended OIAF 2016 with "Begone Dull Care 2015" in competition

  • Sep 2016 - Sep 2016

  Honorable Mention for "Best Canadian Short Animation Film" for my short film "Begone Dull Care 2015". Attended two screenings and took part in the Filmmakers Q+A at the best festival in the world. Honorable Mention for "Best Canadian Short Animation Film" for my short film "Begone Dull Care 2015". Attended two screenings and took part in the Filmmakers Q+A at the best festival in the world.



ITFS Stuttgart Trickfilm Animation Festival 2016

• Stuttgart Area, Germany

• Attended ITFS with "Begone Dull Care 2015" in competition

  • Apr 2016 - May 2016

  Attended three screenings of "Begone Dull Care 2015" in both International Competition 5, and the "music and animation" program. Great programs, terrific speakers, learned a ton and met some excellent people. Hi to all my new friends! Attended three screenings of "Begone Dull Care 2015" in both International Competition 5, and the "music and animation" program. Great programs, terrific speakers, learned a ton and met some excellent people. Hi to all my new friends!



Technologico Monterrey

• Monterrey Area, Mexico

• Guest Speaker, Master Class, Portfolio Review

  • Apr 2016 - Apr 2016

  Visited Monterrey's Technologico school with William Maher to deliver a presentation on animation skills and principles, gave a Master Class on the animation production process in Maya, and hosted a 6 hour portfolio review of drawings and 2d and 3d animation. Thanks to Jeronimo, Andrea, Lucy, Dany, Alexis, Julieta, Hernan, Francisco, Cesar, and all the other terrific people I met there for their hard work and excellent hospitality! Visited Monterrey's Technologico school with William Maher to deliver a presentation on animation skills and principles, gave a Master Class on the animation production process in Maya, and hosted a 6 hour portfolio review of drawings and 2d and 3d animation. Thanks to Jeronimo, Andrea, Lucy, Dany, Alexis, Julieta, Hernan, Francisco, Cesar, and all the other terrific people I met there for their hard work and excellent hospitality!



HAFF Holland Animation Festival

• Utrecht Area, Netherlands

• Attended HAFF with "Begone Dull Care 2015" in competition

  • Feb 2016 - Mar 2016

  Attended multiple screenings for HAFF and saw my own film there on the big screen in Theatre1. Met great people and had a terrific time :) Attended multiple screenings for HAFF and saw my own film there on the big screen in Theatre1. Met great people and had a terrific time :)



Cinesite

• United Kingdom
• Movies and Sound Recording
• 700 & Above Employee

• Feature Animation, "Charming" feature film

  • Apr 2015 - Dec 2015

  Feature animation on Cinesite's very first feature film, Charming. Great experience, great crew, had a blast helping Cinesite on their first of many feature films! Feature animation on Cinesite's very first feature film, Charming. Great experience, great crew, had a blast helping Cinesite on their first of many feature films!



Independent Film #3

• Montreal, Independent

• Short Film #3, "Begone Dull Care 2015"

  • May 2015 - Oct 2015

  Film was completed in October 2015; competed in HAFF Holland 2016 (March), Stuttgart Trickfilm 2016 (April), and upcoming Ottawa 2016 (September). Great to attend all three. *** Chiptune pixel-art animated 2d film "Begone Dull Care 2015" re-imagines the 1949 NFB public domain short to engage, entertain, and stimulate attentiveness, the latter of which is necessary today more than ever before. Film was completed in October 2015; competed in HAFF Holland 2016 (March), Stuttgart Trickfilm 2016 (April), and upcoming Ottawa 2016 (September). Great to attend all three. *** Chiptune pixel-art animated 2d film "Begone Dull Care 2015" re-imagines the 1949 NFB public domain short to engage, entertain, and stimulate attentiveness, the latter of which is necessary today more than ever before.



Bardel Entertainment

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 300 - 400 Employee

• TMNT Animating and Leading

  • Jan 2012 - Apr 2015

  Animating and leading Team Donatello, Seasons 1-4 on TMNT. An awesome job with an awesome crew. Ninja action, funny acting, great project all around!

• Fanboy + ChumChum Animation

  • Jul 2011 - Dec 2011

  Fun project, aw yeah.

• Planet Sheen Animation

  • Nov 2010 - Jun 2011

  Working on Planet Sheen with a great crew - fast, zippy action, terrific fun!



Think Tank Training Centre

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Mentoring animation

  • 2009 - Feb 2015

  Teaching application of animation principles in Maya to future 3d animators through one-on-one mentoring and Anim 200 to 2nd termers. Teaching application of animation principles in Maya to future 3d animators through one-on-one mentoring and Anim 200 to 2nd termers.



Mars Era

• Beijing, Shanghai, Harbin; Taiwan

• Animation instruction, distance mentoring

  • 2005 - Feb 2015

  Teaching and real-time long-distance mentoring for Universities in China and Taiwan, currently with Mars Era in Beijing. Teaching and real-time long-distance mentoring for Universities in China and Taiwan, currently with Mars Era in Beijing.



Canadian Animation

• Canada

• Featured article

  • Jan 2015 - Jan 2015

  http://www.canadiananimation.com/2015/01/canadian-animator-paul-johnson.html - Grayden Laing wrote an awesome feature on me, he's a total pro. http://www.canadiananimation.com/2015/01/canadian-animator-paul-johnson.html - Grayden Laing wrote an awesome feature on me, he's a total pro.



Independent short film development

• Short Film #2, "The 8-bit Cup"

  • Apr 2014 - Nov 2014

  "The 8-bit Cup"​ is an 8-bit pixel art homage to sixteen of the animation projects I've been part of going head to head in 7 different 80's video game sports. Time spent: 375 hours. Project final length: 2:37 minutes. Premiere screening: Nov 18, 2014.WINNER: Canada International Film Festival's Rising Star Award (2015). OFFICIAL SELECTIONS: Cine de Deporte Festival Internacional (2015). Athens Animfest Official Selection (2015). Three Cities Online Film and TV Festival (2015). Show less

• Short Film #1, "Earth, Video Games, Port Mann Bridge"

  • Sep 2013 - Mar 2014

  EARTH, VIDEO GAMES, PORT MANN BRIDGE is a chiptune-driven film that traces the history of the Port Mann bridge in Vancouver, Canada, from 1964-2012, including the vehicles and environment during its lifespan. All cars in the film were owned by me or my family at some point. (300 ch)This short film is the result of my almost 20 years experience animating and teaching in the industry. Upon visiting the Ottawa International Animation Festival for the first time in 2013, I was inspired by the wealth of ideas and talent I saw there, and chastised for now creating my own films. EARTH, VIDEO GAMES, PORT MANN BRIDGE was completed 6 months and 300 hours later; I am currently working on my second short and plan on creating two films per year for the rest of my life. EARTH, VIDEO GAMES, PORT MANN BRIDGE starts off in outer space, recalling video games from my youth. We pan over to Earth as seen from space, an image that stuck with me from the first time I saw a photo of the entire Earth as a child. Zooming in to the old Port Mann Bridge, we find ourselves in 1964 as the bridge starts its lifespan and welcomes all types of cars and weather for the next 48 years. In 2012 the old Port Mann Bridge was disassembled once a replacement span was functional. Over 250,000 cars a day passed over the bridge, and it represents the connection of Vancouver with the rest of Canada via Highway 1.- 300 hours production time, 1:40 final running time. Show less



DHX Media

• Canada
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Animation Revising - My Little Pony (season 1)

  • Jun 2010 - Oct 2010

  Helping all the little Ponies fly and live their cute little pony lives. Fun show, great crew! Helping all the little Ponies fly and live their cute little pony lives. Fun show, great crew!



Bardel Entertainment

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Animation - Neighbours From Hell

  • Jan 2010 - Jun 2010

  Neighbours From Hell - the Harmony show that pushed my understanding of pendulum-style animation to new heights.

• Various Animation positions

  • Apr 2004 - Mar 2010

  Various animation positions including animator, lead animator, and assistant animation director on shows including:Wow Wow Wubbzy I+IIThe Buzz on Maggie Mucha LuchaHarvey BirdmanWhere my Dogs At?Chaotic

• Assistant Animation Direction

  • Jan 2008 - Feb 2009

  Second Animation Director on Wubbzy season II until Feb/09. Fun stuff!

• Special Effects Supervision

  • Jan 2007 - Dec 2007

  As Special Effects Supervisor, I animated and organized a fully functional re-use library for all Effects for the series. At shows end, there was a fully functioning library of 300+ re-usable Effects divided into 10 catagories: Electricity and explosion EffectsFire EffectsLiquid non-splash EffectsLiquid Splash EffectsMisc EffectsMultiple image EffectsPie EffectsSmoke Effects PuffySmoke Effects WispyWipe EffectsGreat show to work on, a terrific crew! Show less



Vancouver Institute of Media Arts (VanArts)

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Animation Instruction

  • 2001 - Mar 2010

  2d and Flash Animation instructor for F/T and P/T programs. Helped develop curriculum and helped hundreds of students gain industry-ready skills. 2d and Flash Animation instructor for F/T and P/T programs. Helped develop curriculum and helped hundreds of students gain industry-ready skills.



Capilano University

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Animation Instruction

  • Jan 2010 - Jan 2010

  Taught Maya Animation principles as part of Cap U's Harbin (Northern China) program. Cold but fun! Taught Maya Animation principles as part of Cap U's Harbin (Northern China) program. Cold but fun!



Mars Era Institute of Animation

• Animation Instruction/Mentoring

  • 2008 - 2010



Urban Safari Entertainment Inc.

• Animation/Storyboarding

  • Mar 2009 - Aug 2009

  Boarded and animated a 90 second short for "Little Jake", part of a series of interstitials for APTN. Boarded and animated a 90 second short for "Little Jake", part of a series of interstitials for APTN.



DHX Media

• Canada
• Entertainment Providers
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Animation Revisions - Kung Fu Magoo

  • Apr 2009 - Jun 2009

  Revs on rescue project at Studio B - good crew, tight schedule, lots of fun! Revs on rescue project at Studio B - good crew, tight schedule, lots of fun!



ToonZone studios

• Animation and Post-production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Animation

  • 2009 - 2009



Aquent

• United States
• Staffing and Recruiting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Animation

  • 2009 - 2009



Think Tank Training Centre

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Flash Animation Instruction

  • Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Traditional/Flash Animation instructor/mentoring for small groups of students. Traditional/Flash Animation instructor/mentoring for small groups of students.



Rainmaker Entertainment

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• 2d Effects Art for 3d project The Nutty Professor.

  • 2007 - 2007



Global Mechanic

• Canada
• Animation and Post-production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Animation

  • 2006 - 2006

  Flash animation on "Fetch" for WGBN, animating Ruff Ruffman, Blossom the cat, and Grandma Ruffman. Flash animation on "Fetch" for WGBN, animating Ruff Ruffman, Blossom the cat, and Grandma Ruffman.



Vancouver Film School

• Canada
• Higher Education
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Animation Instruction

  • Sep 1999 - Apr 2005

  Flash/Traditional Effects/Animation instructor for Classical F/T Diploma Program Flash/Traditional Effects/Animation instructor for Classical F/T Diploma Program



The Art Institutes

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Animation Instruction

  • Jan 2003 - Jan 2005

  Instructor for Storyboard and lip-sync courses. Instructor for Storyboard and lip-sync courses.



FatKat Animation

• Freelance Animation

  • 2003 - 2005



InAFlash Animation

• Owner, Director, Animation

  • 2000 - 2003



Animation World Network

• Online Audio and Video Media
• 1 - 100 Employee

• article published

  • 2002 - 2002



WSi interactive

• Animation / Graphic Art

  • Feb 2000 - Nov 2000

  Dot-com internet incubator that went under in late 2000 - good experience, great people I worked with there! Dot-com internet incubator that went under in late 2000 - good experience, great people I worked with there!



Walt Disney Animation Canada Vancouver

• Effects Assistant Animation

  • 1996 - 2000

  Special Effects Assistant for direct-to-video/ theatrical releases including: • Beauty and the Beast II • Pocahontas II • Winnie The Pooh Valentine’s Day • Little Mermaid II • Peter Pan II Special Effects Assistant for direct-to-video/ theatrical releases including: • Beauty and the Beast II • Pocahontas II • Winnie The Pooh Valentine’s Day • Little Mermaid II • Peter Pan II



International Rocketship

• Pencil-on-paper Animation

  • Sep 1995 - Jun 1996

  Animator on Far Side II; animation assistant on various commercials. Marv Newland's 3 keys to surviving in animation: passion, perseverance, and blind single mindedness. Animator on Far Side II; animation assistant on various commercials. Marv Newland's 3 keys to surviving in animation: passion, perseverance, and blind single mindedness.



Gordon Stanfield Animation

• Pencil-on-paper Animation

  • Mar 1995 - Aug 1995

  Animation/clean up on "Kleo The Misfit Unicorn" pilot. Animation/clean up on "Kleo The Misfit Unicorn" pilot.