Commercial production company Tröll Pictures has added director Natalie Johns to its roster. She is currently nominated for an Emmy in Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for Annie Lennox: Nostalgia Live in Concert, a PBS Great Performances presentation. Additionally, Johns’ documentary I Am Thalente tied for the Audience Award (with Lilibet Foster’s Be Here Now) honoring Best Documentary Feature Film at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival.
“For my first formal relationship with a commercial production company, I was drawn to the fact that Tröll is very specialized with a very small roster–they treat their directors like partners,” said Johns who was also drawn to the prospects of working with company EP Peter Steinzeig.
Johns was born in Zimbabwe, grew up in South Africa, launched her career in the UK, and is currently based in Los Angeles. Throughout her career she has directed and produced many live concert events, television and web specials, working with artists including Bono, Madonna, Rod Stewart, Pussy Riot, Sam Smith, The Flaming Lips, The White Stripes, Peter Gabriel, Lauryn Hill, Adele, Imagine Dragons, A$AP Rocky, and Childish Gambino. She has worked with Amnesty International on several projects including its “Bring Human Rights Home” and “Electric Burma” concerts, and with Coca Cola’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) on a branded video starring Chris Taylor, Solange Knowles, and Twin Shadow that reached half a million viewers in under 24 hours. She has also collaborated with brands including Spotify, Bacardi, Nike, and Rock The Vote on commercial campaigns.
In addition to commercial projects, Johns is currently in development on a documentary with John Legend’s #FREEAMERICA initiative.
