John Jacobsen

Current

Principle Director at Moga/Jacobsen Productions
President at TheFilmSchool
Writing Mentor at TheFilmSchool (Self-employed)

Acting Teacher at Acting Classes
Director/Writer at Feature Films, Commercials and Theatre (Self-employed)

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2 more...

Past

Instructor at Freehold Theatre
Instructor at Seattle Central College
Program Manager at UCLA Extension, Film Department

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Education

Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies at the American Film Institute (AFI)
Washington and Lee University
St. Albans School for Boys

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Recommended

33 people have recommended John

Connections

390 connections

Industry

Entertainment

Websites

John Jacobsen’s Summary

Feature film director with an expertise in working on new material and with actors. Director and host of the TV show, Artist Toolbox. 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. Former Vice President of the ACT Theatre, one of this country's best regional theatres, current Trustee.

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

Principle Director

Moga/Jacobsen Productions

(Entertainment industry)

January 2008 — Present (1 year 11 months)

MogaJacobsen is a dynamic and creative independent film company specializing in thought provoking entertainment. Located in Seattle, where a burgeoning independent film scene thrives, MogaJacobsen has over 25 years of experience and has produced and developed numerous films, TV shows and commercials.

We currently have several features ready for production and are always looking for good writers and scripts. For more information, please contact us at (206) 774-9818.

Please do not send unsolicitated material.
President

TheFilmSchool

(Non-Profit; 1-10 employees; Entertainment industry)

January 2004 — Present (5 years 11 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.
Writing Mentor
TheFilmSchool (Self-employed)

(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Writing and Editing industry)

January 2000 — Present (9 years 11 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.
Acting Teacher

Acting Classes

(Educational Institution; Myself Only; Entertainment industry)

January 1988 — Present (21 years 11 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.
Director/Writer
Feature Films, Commercials and Theatre (Self-employed)

(Self-Employed; Myself Only; Entertainment industry)

January 1981 — Present (28 years 11 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.
Instructor

Freehold Theatre

(Entertainment industry)

2007 — 2007 (less than a year)
Instructor

Seattle Central College

(Entertainment industry)

1998 — 2006 (8 years )
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

Center for Advanced Film and Television Studies at the American Film Institute (AFI)

Certificate , Film Direction , 1985 — 1986
Washington and Lee University

BFA , Theatre and English , 1975 — 1979

Activities and Societies:

Omnicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, Beta Theta Pi
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, French, art, film, theatre, New York, San Francisco, Nantucket

John Jacobsen’s Groups:

MogaJacobsen, TheFilmSchool, ACT Theatre, Seattle Central, Film Business in Seattle

Linked:Seattle
Beta Theta Pi Fraternity
Washington and Lee University Alumni
American Film Institute
Omicron Delta Kappa - National Leadership Honor Society (Members Verified by ODK National Hdq.)
ACT Theatre
TheFilmSchool Alumni