Film Director and Writer, Acting Coach and Writing Mentor
Greater Seattle Area
- Current
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- President at TheFilmSchool
- Writing Mentor at TheFilmSchool (Self-employed)
- Acting Teacher at Acting Classes
- Director at Film Production
- Director/Writer at Feature Films, Commercials and Theatre (Self-employed)
- Past
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- Instructor at Freehold Theatre
- Instructor at Seattle Central College
- Program Manager at UCLA Extension, Film Department
- Education
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- The American Film Institute
- Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies at the American Film Institute (AFI)
- Washington and Lee University
- St. Albans School for Boys
- Recommended
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21 people have recommended John - Connections
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376
connections
- Industry
- Entertainment
- Websites
John Jacobsen’s Summary
Feature film director with an expertise in working on new material and with actors. Strong theatre background, as well as commercial background. Has worked on Broadway and off, in regional theatre, and now predominately in Los Angeles and Seattle writing and/or rewriting feature films. Screenwriter and published author. Leading acting teacher and writing coach. Founding partner with Tom Skeritt of TheFilmSchool, one of this country's best places to come learn story. Current Vice President of the ACT Theatre, one of this country's best regional theatres.
John Jacobsen’s Specialties:
Directing film and theatre. Writing for film. Working with actors, writers, and directors. Producing. Negotiating. Teaching. Administering school programs and courses.
John Jacobsen’s Experience
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President
TheFilmSchool
(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)
January 2004 — Present (5 years 7 months)
I am a founder of the school with Tom Skerritt, Stewart Stern, Warren Etheredge and Rick Stevenson.I am the President of the school and board, as well as an instructor.
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Writing Mentor
TheFilmSchool (Self-employed)
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Writing and Editing industry)
January 2000 — Present (9 years 7 months)
I am sent screenplays from many different sources (agents, production companies, directors, and writers) primarily from LA and Seattle. I am asked to analyze the script and suggest solutions to improve the material. I often do rewrites and consult over long periods of time through many revisions.
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Acting Teacher
Acting Classes
(Educational Institution; Myself Only; Entertainment industry)
January 1988 — Present (21 years 7 months)
I have taught acting across the United States for almost 20 years, to over perhaps 300 students. I have taught at major universities such as UCLA and Cornish, professsional acting schools such as Weist Baron and Freehold, but now teach predominately to students in my private acting classes. With experience in film, stage, commercials, and corporate, I teach a very practical method of acting as taught to me by many great actors and directors, including Uta Hagen and Hal Prince.
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Director
Film Production
(Entertainment industry)
1985 — Present (24 years)
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Director/Writer
Feature Films, Commercials and Theatre (Self-employed)
(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Entertainment industry)
January 1981 — Present (28 years 7 months)
John Jacobsen’s career has encompassed direction, writing and production of feature films, films for television, short films, commercials, television shows and documentaries. He has worked with such stars as Bill Pullman, Sandra Bullock, Eli Wallach, Marcia Gay Harden, Scott Bakula, Peter Boyle, among others. Around the Fire (Devon Sawa, Tara Reid), which he directed, won top prize at the Giffoni Film Festival, and his short films also have received awards at the Aspen Film Festival and the Houston International Film Festival. Jacobsen has also directed more than 20 stage productions regionally and in New York, worked as an assistant on Broadway to legendary director Hal Prince and sold seven screenplays.
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Instructor
Freehold Theatre
(Entertainment industry)
2007 — 2007 (less than a year)
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Instructor
Seattle Central College
(Entertainment industry)
1998 — 2006 (8 years)
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Program Manager
UCLA Extension, Film Department
(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Entertainment industry)
March 1988 — July 1991 (3 years 5 months)
Managed the world's largest film school. Conceived and created with my great boss, Ronnie Rubin, new courses and administered all the classes in the film and TV division. Helped write copy, budgeted, hired, implemented and oversaw all aspects of the program.
John Jacobsen’s Education
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The American Film Institute
Directing 1985 — 1986
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Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies at the American Film Institute (AFI)
Certificate , Film Direction , 1985 — 1986
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Washington and Lee University
BFA , Theatre and English , 1975 — 1979
- Activities and Societies:
- Omnicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Theta Pi
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St. Albans School for Boys
High School Diploma , Staying Alive , 1966 — 1975
Additional Information
John Jacobsen’s Websites:
John Jacobsen’s Interests:
feature films, screenplays, directing, writing, acting, teaching, Seattle, Los Angeles, Paris, France, Italy, theater,
John Jacobsen’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- getting back in touch
