Daniel J. Johnson(I)
- Music Department
- Editor
- Sound Department
Born and schooled in the San Fernando Valley; aspired early on to a
career in athletics while playing football at the high school and small
college levels from 1970 to 1983. Beginning in Chatsworth pop warner
leagues to Encino Crespi High, to Los Angeles Pierce and Los Angeles
Valley Colleges and ending with a last-ditch tryout for USFL's Los
Angeles Express in 1982, Dan began studying music during college years
while simultaneously working for father Ken Johnson, (passed in 2003),
a film editor and one of the first music editors ever to receive a
screen credit in such a classification. Beginnning as an apprentice
editor in mid-1970s, obtained associate's degree in music composition.
Further trained through BMI-sponsored school for composers by
accomplished composer Earle Hagen. Received first film credit at the
age of 20 on TV series "Eight Is Enough"; (Earle Hagen, composer).
Worked as music editor on first movie ever to use CGI graphics: "The
Last Starfighter" 1984, on which he and father Ken received co-editor
credits; (Craig Safan, composer). Notable film and composer highlights
include the Disney/Touchstone acclaimed 6 hour miniseries "The Little
House on the Prairie" in 2004, and the critically acclaimed
docudrama,"Path to 9/11" in 2006. Was nominated for Emmy for Sound and
Music with Emmy and Oscar-nominated composer, long-time family friend,
John Cameron. The show won Emmy for Best Picture Editing. Also notable,
supervised Annette O'Toole's acclaimed musical performance as "Tammy
Wynette in "Stand By Your Man", (Earle Hagen, composer); also "Navy
Seals", "Rocky V", "The Slugger's Wife", "Necessary Roughness" "Rookie
Of The Year", "Spy Hard" and "The Adventures Of Huck Finn";"The Academy
Awards",(Bill Conti, composer); "Clueless" with David Kitay, composer);
"A Time For Dancing", (Laurence Rosenthal, composer); the original
"Punisher" in 1989 (Dennis Dreith, composer); "The Color Purple",
(Quincy Jones, composer);"Nashville", (Richard Baskin, composer); "Gran
Torino", "Invictus", "Trouble With the Curve" (Lennie Niehaus, Kyle
Eastwood, composers). Nominated for various Golden Reel and Emmy
Awards; teamed on three Emmy-winning post production units and one
Oscar-winning unit. Now owns and operates post production and music
management company for motion pictures, Spirit Inspired Media of
Burbank, California.