CURRENT CLASSES
"We are not here to do things we can do."- John Hindman
SCENE STUDY 1 & 2 — In Person Class
4 Weeks $275 — The McCadden Place Theatre
NEXT SESSION
TUESDAYS 7pm-10pm May 2nd -May 23rd
This class is an intense, directed, on-going scene study class in a working theater environment. From Shakespeare to emerging new playwrights, we use the best material possible to push the actor and create a richer level of storytelling. The sole purpose of this class is to get the actor to function from a deeper emotional truth.
You will be given a scene from a play and assigned a partner. Long scenes are encouraged as we strive to create and sustain the life of the character over an extended period of time. You are expected to know your lines and come to class having made choices. The goal of this class is to use great plays as a device to uncover the obstacles to your creative growth. It's not a contest to see who can do the best scene, but rather an emotional exploration of the character and a deepening of your understanding of your own process.
*Class size is limited. Actors will be considered for Scene Study 1 or 2 based on an interview
and or reel submission. Auditors must register in order to attend.
ZOOM SCREENWRITING STORY
STRUCTURE CLASS
The hardest thing about writing is knowing what to write – Syd Field
Many of us have had a great idea for a story only to have it die slowly once we try and turn it into a screenplay. Or worse, you’ve been unable to even begin due to a lack of understanding of how screenplays work. You’ll receive what every writer needs; a roadmap that breaks down the necessary story elements that you need in order to tell your story. Whether you’re an actor, writer, director, or producer you need to understand how stories work in order to contribute to them on any level. This four week workshop explores and explains the various schools of thought on screenwriting using popular films as a guide. All great films have the same story building elements in common. If you know what they are you have a good chance of telling a story that works.
At every level, your success lies in your ability to understand and contribute to the story in a meaningful way.
-Producers have to give notes.
-Actors have to interpret the script
-Directors need to translate the script language into film.
-Editors need to shape a story that adheres to classic structure.
We will be joined by special guests from the entertainment industry who will share their insight and expertise into the world of story telling:
Stephen McFeely - Screenwriter "Captain America: The First Avenger/Winter Soldier/Civil War", "Avengers:Infinity War" and "Avengers; Endgame"
Andy Garcia - Oscar nominated Actor and Director ("The Untouchables", "Godfather 3", "Ocean's Eleven", "Father of the Bride")
Kevin Messick - Oscar nominated and Emmy winning Producer ("The Big Short", "Vice", HBO's "Succession", Netlflix's "Don't Look Up", HBO's "Winning Time")
Alan Ritchson - Actor, Writer (Amazon Prime's "Jack Reacher", "The Hunger Games", HBOMAX's "Titans", "Blue Mountain State")
Week one:
Breaking down the language of screenplays
What makes dialogue work?
Theme- what is it and how to make it great
Writing great characters - Heroes and opponents
Week two:
Q and A with Special Guest
Breaking down the first act of a film
Exploring a current screenwriting template and finding what works
Mining your life for ideas
Screenwriting template #2
Week three:
Q and A with Special Guest
Breaking down the second act of a film
Finding your ending
Screenwriting template #3
Week four
Q and A with Special Guest
Breaking down the third act of a film.
Cards – what they are and how to use them
How to go from an idea to a finished script
Establishing a writing routine you can stick to.
ENROLL AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE
ABOUT JOHN
In 2017, After eighteen years of teaching, John Hindman opened his own studio in the heart of Hollywood on Theater Row. Using his experience as a writer/director John will guide students through the rigorous and detailed work of character building in an on-going scene study class.
As a writer, his script The Dream of the Romans was included on Hollywood’s famous Black List. He is the writer and director of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize Nominee The Answer Man starring Jeff Daniels and Lauren Graham. His latest film, The Passing Parade, was selected as the opening night film for the Boston Film Festival where it won Best Actress. It was released August 2019 on all platforms.
John has written for studios, producers, as well as television as a staff writer for NBC/Universal's sitcom Bad Judge for Gary Sanchez Productions.
Theatrically, John has directed multiple award-winning productions including David Auburn’s Proof and Beth Henley’s Crimes of the Heart as well as Cyndy Lou Johnson’s Brilliant Traces and Dusk Rings a Bell by Stephen Belber. His re-imagining of Rajiv Joseph's Gruesome Playground Injuries was a commercial and critical success. John was also one of the directors of the groundbreaking Noir Series which was the first Los Angeles theatrical production to be live streamed globally.
John's script "Unstoppable" starring Jennifer Lopez is being produced by Ben Affleck's and Matt Damon's Artist's Equity .
INQUIRIES AND ENROLLMENT
THE McCADDEN PLACE THEATRE
1157 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90038
instgram @johnhindmanstudio
