Black Shield Productions was started by Jonathan Presson. He is an independent screenwriter and creative producer known for his commitment to storycraft, character-driven filmmaking, and the pursuit of artistic integrity in modern cinema. A lifelong autodidact, Jonathan’s earliest education in storytelling came under the tutelage of his mother—a veteran English and Drama teacher—who mentored the likes of bestselling Christian author Robin Parrish and screen and stage actor Frank Glidden.

Jonathan would sit for hours, watching and learning as his mother adapted short stories and classical works for high school and college theater. Under her guidance, he dissected the works of Shakespeare and Arthur Miller, gaining a foundational understanding of narrative structure, performance, and adaptation.

That early stage experience evolved into a focused study of cinema. Jonathan taught himself screenwriting by analyzing the screenplays of Leigh Brackett and Lawrence Kasdan and reading critical essays on the work of William Goldman. He tracked down published scripts, reverse-engineering their structure and pacing while absorbing lessons on dialogue, tone, and cinematic rhythm.

His father—a musician, poet, and biblical scholar—had studied filmmaking at Bob Jones University and worked on productions such as Flame in the Wind before answering a call to ministry. Growing up, Jonathan spent long hours watching films with his father, learning camera tricks and techniques like forced perspective, undercranking, and practical stunt setups.

Filmmaking was a living tradition in their home. A frequent visitor was his father’s cousin, Jerry Horstmann, a veteran of broadcast and documentary work, who shared stories of his time on the road—covering everything from local news to ringside reports at Tyson and Mayweather fights.

At age 11, Jonathan was named a finalist in the National Junior Novelist competition. But for many years, he set aside creative pursuits to focus on family and provide through hands-on work. He has worked as a professional horseshoer, welder, machinist, and, most recently, as a field QC superintendent for a state-contracted asphalt producer. These blue-collar roles instilled in him a practical, grounded perspective that now shapes the authentic texture of his creative work.

In recent years, Jonathan’s return to filmmaking has been fueled by the encouragement of his wife, who saw how his determination and technical skill could translate into a long-dormant dream, and by a close circle of industry friends—actress Busisiwe “Bu” Irvin (Roll Bounce), bestselling author Robin Parrish (Relentless Trilogy), and filmmaker Justin Rossbacher (founder of Cry Production and Post). With Rossbacher and producer Karl Horstmann now serving as his creative mentors, Jonathan has reemerged as a filmmaker with a clear voice and a powerful vision.