From Live PD to Paramount: Lessons in Storytelling with Malik Johnson

Malik Johnson's path into nonfiction didn’t begin in a pitch room - it began filming his grandfather’s church sermons at age twelve. From producing live television on Live PD (where he learned to build story in 20 seconds) to working on culturally resonant documentaries like The Milli Vanilli doc, As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, and How Music Got Free, Malik has built a career centered on point of view, collaboration, and trusting both filmmakers and audiences.Malik shares his buyer POV on what moves the needle in today’s market: built-in audiences, clear vision, and filmmakers with conviction. He also makes a strong case for trusting viewers to handle nuance - and for taking more creative risks in a space that’s grown increasingly risk-averse.