Editing the Internet: Early Video, AI, and Midwest Hustle with Justin Johnson
Justin “Superstar” Johnson is the kind of guest who reminds you why this podcast exists in the first place. He is an Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker and the founder of BMP Creative, a post-production agency based in Minneapolis that produces thousands of videos each year for clients like Netflix. On top of that, he’s the creator of Spooky Cutter, an AI-powered editorial tool that is helping streamline the storytelling process in a big way. Justin brings a rare blend of technical expertise and emotional intelligence to his work. What really stood out in this episode was his focus on building teams, fostering good energy, and staying true to your creative instincts.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
How Justin’s 30-year creative career was built on two simple values: show up on time and have a good attitude
Why emotional intelligence is just as important as talent when building a creative team
The importance of not burning bridges and how a deleted angry email helped shape Justin’s entire career
The story behind scaling BMP Creative from one YouTube video to thousands of social assets for Netflix each year
How Spooky Cutter is changing the way non-editors collaborate with editors on large-scale content
What “job crafting” means and why it matters for anyone stuck in a role that doesn’t feel aligned
How team retreats like BMP’s “Cog Con” help reinforce company culture in a fully remote environment
“You don’t even need to be the best at the craft. You just have to do it with a good attitude.”
– Justin Johnson
This one really stuck with me. We talk so much about being the best or getting ahead in the industry, but Justin reminds us that success often comes down to something more fundamental. If you can show up, stay consistent, and be someone people actually want to work with, you’re already ahead of the game. Talent might get you in the door, but trust and attitude are what keep you in the room. That mindset has been core to Justin’s journey, and it's something every creative can carry forward.
In this episode…
Talking with Justin was like sitting down with a lifelong creative who never lost his spark. We went deep into the early days of editing on VHS, what it takes to build a business around storytelling, and how to create a culture that people genuinely want to be part of. Justin’s ability to mix innovation with real emotional insight is something I respect deeply. Whether he was talking about scaling a remote team or reflecting on how he almost burned a bridge early in his career, the honesty and wisdom came through every time. This one is packed with insight for creatives, founders, and team builders alike.
Until next time,
Carl Cleanthes
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by Epic Made.
Epic Made creates memorable animation, digital art, and graphic design to elevate brands.
They are a collective of talented artists across a multitude of disciplines who can handle the creativity and communication of any project.
Epic Made has created commercials, key art, social content, and more for leading entertainment brands such as the SYFY Network and Nickelodeon.
To learn more, go to www.epic-made.com or send an email to hey@getepicmade.com.