Johnny Smith
Writer
Film, TV & Theatre
Film, TV & Theatre
Johnny Smith is an experienced animation and live action screenwriter.
He has recently adapted the Cornelia Funke novel DRAGON RIDER for Constantin Films. He has also recently completed a new animated feature film for FunnyFlux.
Working alongside Rob Sprackling he has sold numerous original feature film scripts in the UK and in Hollywood, including Disney's box office hit GNOMEO & JULIET, nominated for an Annie Award in 2012. They also wrote the top 5 grossing UK feature film MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER, writing and exec-producing the TV series spin off for ITV. They are currently working on the sequel MIKE BASSETT: INTERIM MANAGER in development with Riley Productions /BFI and a brand new, original feature commission for Aardman Animation.
Johnny and Rob have recently completed work on ANIMAL FARM for Andy Serkis at the Imaginarium Studios. They have also been commissioned to work on a family feature with Fox Animation, and are working on a feature rewrite for Mosvold Studios. They have just started work on a new animated feature based on their original script with nWave Studios.
For television, Johnny worked on the new series of DENNIS AND GNASHER for Red Kite Animation, for whom he has also written the pilot scripts for a new animated series. He also worked on the recent revival of the classic series DANGER MOUSE for the BBC and has written scripts for Wish Film and Komixx. His previous credits include lead writer on MUDDLE EARTH and multiple episodes of WIBBLY PIG, both for the BBC.
Johnny is represented by Charlie Ferraro at UTA in the USA. He is a member of the WGA (West).
In Development
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
THE INVISIBLE BOY 2019 | Unstoppable Film and Television/Sony | |
DRAGON RIDER 2017 | Constantin Film |
Film
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
THE QUEEN’S CORGI 2019 | nWave Studios | UK release on July 5th 2019 |
GNOMEO & JULIET 2011 | Disney | Original screenplay and story for feature-length animation. Worldwide release in February 2011, the film has taken $200m worldwide. |
MIKE BASSETT: ENGLAND MANAGER 2001 | Hallmark | UK Number 1 British hit, starring Ricky Tomlinson. |
Television
| Production | Company | Notes |
|---|---|---|
THE HAPPOS FAMILY 2016 | Spider Eye Productions | 4 x 2 min scripts for new animated children’s show on Boomerang |
DANGERMOUSE 2015 | CBBC | Showrunner of the new series reviving the orginal |
WANDA AND THE ALIEN 2014 | Wish Films/ Komixx | Two ten minute scripts for this animated pre-school |
BRADLEY AND BEE 2014 | Red Kite Animation | Two episodes, series bible and additional ‘punch up’ material for the series |
WIBBLY PIG 2010 - 2014 | CBeebies/Wish Films | 10 episodes |
DENNIS AND GNASHER 2009 | Red Kite Animation for CBBC | Three episodes for series 4 |
MUDDLE EARTH 2006 | BBC | Lead writer on CBBC animation series – edited and polished scripts for all 26 episodes and wrote a core block. |
MIKE BASSETT: MANAGER 2005 | ITV | Wrote and produced six part TV spin-off from the feature film. |
CAPTAIN BUTLER 1997 | Channel 4 | Conceived and wrote six part comedy series. |
LOGGERHEADS 1996 | Absolutely Productions | 1 episode of Animated comedy series. |
THE ANIMAL SHOW 1994 | Jim Henson Productions | Series contributor |
Books
On the book side, Johnny has a four book deal with Scholastic for JOHN SMITH IS NOT BORING!, a series of children’s books. The first two books, CAP'N JOHN THE (SLIGHTLY) FIERCE and SIR JOHN THE (MOSTLY) BRAVE, were published in April 2015, and the second two, SHERIFF JOHN THE (PARTLY) WILD and SPACEMAN JOHN THE (NEARLY) BOLD, were published in July 2015.