The Team
Dan Johnstone
DAN JOHNSTONE is president and founder of Breaklight Pictures, an Asylum Entertainment Group company.
With over two decades of television experience, Johnstone is well known for his directing work across premium documentary as well as narrative-driven scripted-hybrid. Since launching in 2020, Breaklight has produced several projects including Discovery+ titles AMERICAN CARTEL, DETECTIVE DIARIES and HILLSONG: A MEGACHURCH EXPOSED as well as the upcoming COWBOY CARTEL for Apple+, which Dan also directs. The company is also in production on unannounced series for ID and CBS.
Previously, Johnstone served as head of Karga Seven Pictures’ Special Projects Division where he spearheaded the development and production of several long-form History series including HUNTING HITLER, JFK DECLASSIFIED: TRACKING OSWALD, THE HUNT FOR THE ZODIAC KILLER and BURIED: KNIGHTS TEMPLAR as well as the scripted-hybrid project, RISE OF EMPIRES: OTTOMAN for Netflix.
He began his career at Harpo Films where he served as Vice President of Development, servicing the company’s exclusive HBO deal for television, movies and miniseries, as well as theatrical projects for all major studios including Lionsgate and Dreamworks. Throughout his career, he has produced for global companies including STX Entertainment, All3Media, Maverick TV, and leading networks such as VH1, Comedy Central, A&E, Animal Planet and HGTV, among many more.
Madison Powers
MADISON POWERS joined Breaklight Pictures in 2024 as the Senior Director of Development. Powers is a seasoned unscripted television producer whose work has appeared on networks and streamers such as Netflix, Showtime, ABC, FOX, CNN, A&E, OWN, and Discovery.
Some of her notable credits include LOVE IS BLIND, DANCING WITH THE STARS, LEGO MASTERS, FINDING BIGFOOT, PIRATE GOLD OF ADAK ISLAND, HIP HOP HOMICIDES, and CAR MASTERS. Throughout her career, she has produced for an array of companies such as Endemol Shine, BBC Worldwide, Lionsgate, ITV, and Kinetic Content.
Before producing, Powers got her training wheels in all things development and television working at Mad Cow Productions for the co-creator of THE DAILY SHOW, Madeleine Smithberg. Powers is a natural storyteller and is excited to tap into the evolving zeitgeist and deliver buzzy documentaries.
Asylum Entertainment Group Company