Todd Johnson serves as Executive Producer and stars in “A Pornographer” the controversial and alarming, fact-based story of excessive internet porn listings—over 100 a day in Los Angeles alone-- for porn actresses which may, or may not, be fraudulent casting sessions.
Johnson is very comfortable in his roles as Executive Producer and star of “A Pornographer.” He is also a co-writer of the short film. “Johnson is a filmmaker’s filmmaker who plunged head first into every dimension of wearing the multiple hats,” remarks “A Pornographer” director Mike Campbell.

As an actor, Johnson is inspired by Academy Award-winner Kevin Spacey. “He just does it right,” quips Johnson. “In life being an engineer, I’m also inspired by Albert Einstein. He was as smart as hell, was a womanizer and everyone loved him for both of those qualities. Playing the lead character of the Porn Director in “A Pornographer,” I pulled from Spacey’s dark side in American Beauty,” Johnson explains.

Campbell continues, “Todd financed the short film himself (he gave the investor’s money back because they wanted nudity in the film for overseas distribution purposes). Todd respected the integrity of the script and knew the actor’s performances would be more important than the gratuitous nudity. In fact, it’s Todd’s dedication to his acting craft that convinced me to come onboard the project.”

Johnson opines, “One of the best things about being a producer-writer-actor is the collaboration aspect of it. Nothing gets done when people have attitudes and agendas that don’t include everyone else,” smiles Johnson. “Contrarily, I do miss my regular sleep patterns when making a movie, but I really enjoy the creative process from conception through the editing.” He continues, “Rather than going to Hollywood parties where I don’t know anyone, I do hit the gym 3-4 times a week and that keeps me mentally alert and physically fit. Next to show business, I love anything written by J.R.R. Tolkien or Frank Baum.”

Johnson didn’t come from a show business family, however, his mother was a writer, but she wrote for newspapers and historical societies. His father was a scientist. Ultimately, Johnson confides, “I got into the entertainment business, initially, for the excitement of it all. Now, it’s really about the camaraderie.” He laughs aloud, realizing, “Well, it sure wasn’t for the money!”

“The most fun I have had in a performance was a sketch comedy show that I acted in, directed and produced in a small theater called “The Black Box” on the Westside of Los Angeles.” He recalls, “On opening night, we had 17 people in the audience. The second night, we were half-full and by the time the show closed, we were turning people away because we were going to violate fire laws. Can’t beat that!”

Johnson continues, “I got bit by the acting and show biz bug at a very early age, pre-pubescent, actually. My most memorable performance was my first. I was in 2nd grade, and I was a Noun. In fact, I was going to be an Adjective, but the kid who was the Noun originally couldn’t say the word “plural”… so since I already knew his lines, I took it and was the star of the show! That got me hooked and I’ve acted since.”

The candid and passionate father reflects, “I stopped acting from age 23 through 34; I was married but basically raised my kids by myself. I also used to own a high-tech business.” Currently, Johnson balances his days between being an Engineering Fellow at aerospace giant, Raytheon, and wearing his multiple hats-- spending his time and money to make movies which make a difference. He smiles proudly, “My daughter is pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Writing and she hopes to be a screenwriter…!”

Johnson was graduated from Colorado State University with a dual major and received a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Bachelor of Arts in Theater. He went on to receive his Masters of Science in Optics from the University of Rochester. The academician turned actor/producer/writer qualified but has not finished his dissertation for a Masters degree in English from NYU.