Mike Johnson, a native of Austin, Texas, spent a significant portion of his childhood engaging in a creative and imaginative activity, as he would often bend and break plastic dinosaurs in an attempt to recreate scenes from his favorite Ray Harryhausen films. This early fascination with animation and filmmaking would ultimately shape his future career.
After completing his education at the Rhode Island School of Design in Film/Animation/Video, Johnson relocated to San Francisco, where he secured his first major break as a rigging assistant on the animated classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas, directed by Tim Burton. This experience proved to be a pivotal moment in his career, as it led to a succession of opportunities in the stop-motion animation industry.
Johnson's subsequent work included animating for various productions, such as James and the Giant Peach and the Emmy Award-winning children's series, Bump in the Night. His dedication and expertise in the field of stop-motion animation earned him recognition and accolades, including awards for his work.
In 1996, Johnson founded his own animation company, Fat Cactus Films, through which he produced and directed a diverse range of stop-motion projects, including commercials, music videos, and short films. His animated short, The Devil Went Down to Georgia, received widespread critical acclaim and was screened at numerous film festivals around the world.
In 1998, Johnson relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he directed three episodes of the Emmy Award-winning television series, The P.J's, starring Eddie Murphy. This experience further solidified his reputation as a talented and versatile director.
In 2002, Johnson's career came full circle when Tim Burton invited him to join him in directing the stop-motion feature, Corpse Bride. This project marked a return to the collaborative partnership that had begun with The Nightmare Before Christmas, and it showcased Johnson's continued expertise and dedication to the art of stop-motion animation.
