John has people work on dark material, tried for 2 days and had to sit through 3 pedophile scenes.
I was assigned a comic scene, that had to include an orgasam on stage... My first day, memorized my lines over the week, worked hard, came to class in character the next week. But my partner wasnt there to do the scene and he didnt even mention what i was assigned and had me work on something else with a different partner.
I had personal problems and tried to leave early but the doors were locked, the first week.
John yelled at me and said "how dare you try to leave early without having a word with me!!!" I said im sorry john and he said nothing.
He then let me sit through the whole second day... And at the end of the class he didnt let me finish my scene on stage... He asked me for money, in an unprofessional manner... Said to me everyone brings him money the first of the month... Said to me i got one free day, but i owe him for today...
I said i dont have money problems i will bring you the cash next week... He said no you must have money problems otherwise you would have the money today!
I said ok, i must have money problems.
I was going to go back but realized... A few more things...
I also saw him badger a new student her first day there and on stage, she challenged the teacher in a very not such a big deal way..
And john did not conduct himself in a professional manner at that moment.
He said, "if you want to impress me i would like to see you recite some lines from segull..."
Nearly All the material assigned by john to everyone is working on is dark and tragic... I sat through one too many pedophile scenes.
There are many incredible beautiful plays, that test an actors limits ... Why linger in this area with sexual connotations?
Something just didnt feel right, i have met con men in my life, pedophiles, and pedophile victims.. I get the jist that john will put you in for the long con... And i cant even begin to imagine what else he has in mind.
He only talks about acting in hollywood la scene too much... In fear that his students would leave him and go there...
But i see it that if you are a true actor you can look for work in other countries too... America is not the only country making movies, and providing theatre work.
He did not discuss with me my goals and aspirations for the class...
I was there just to be around other actors and be happy.
I act for myself, i dont need the stage, or a crew and a bunch of cameras.
As kate winslet said too.
Marty scorsese, a master in film... In his early days, was happy to be in one college class that explored movies a little when movies werent so mainstream. He wanted just to be around movies and was happy...
He is a man open to anyone with no sense of self importance.
With John i sense self-importance...
He mentions stella too much as to assure us that he is connected to the greats, but i read her book and he did not discuss even the basics of her methods.
I sense fear, and fear leads to the dark side. I will go with my intuition and not associate myself.
If you read this and decide to still take the class, research how to do cold reads, and master that first.
All he has people work on is cold reads.
His webpage is misleading as it says he works on film with you but everyone was working on stage.