Thomas has worked 45 years in Hollywood, including the production of nearly 40 documentaries, shorts and commercials followed by seven feature films as producer/director/writer and editor. He's also been the behind-the-scenes “doctor” of numerous other movies and television shows. He has worked at the major Hollywood studios, (Warner Bros. for five years) and directed many well-known stars. John’s films have screened at important film events including the Cannes Film Festival.

John is a graduate from the University of Southern California’s Cinema Department, the historic training ground of his fellow filmmakers such as John Carpenter, Ron Howard, Robert Zemeckis and George Lucas. In later years, John earned advanced MA and MFA degrees.

As an enrichment speaker, John has made enjoyable presentations to audiences of all sizes. He currently lives in Houston, Texas and teaches at area universities. Recent comments include: "The most enjoyable presentations of any cruise we've ever been on." "Great fun for a couple of us film fanatics," (2021 and 2022) "Enjoyed all the 'movie secrets' we learned about." (From May 2023) "My husband and I have been on 45 cruises. Your presentations were the best." From a 2023 cruise director, “John was our superstar.”

As a stand-up comedian who appears at local comedy venues, John peppers his always-entertaining movie presentations with his trademark, easy-going and unassuming observational humor which appeals to audiences of all ages. Unlike other speakers who just talk about movies, John is an actual movie maker who enjoys answering questions and discussing films of all kinds.

Clips from several of Mr. Thomas's feature-length films may be viewed online at: http://JGTProductions.com/?page_id=9

The Art of Filmmaking: Bollywood!
With nearly three times the annual output of Hollywood, these three hour long Hindu-language films made primarily in Mumbai, India are becoming popular with non-Indian audiences who enjoy the elaborate dancing and singing sequences.

The Art of Filmmaking: Movie Secrets and Trivia. George Clooney auditioned five times and still didn't get the part!
A 35 year old carpenter, was installing a door at a movie studio when they needed someone to read lines with actresses who were testing for a new film. The carpenter was Harrison Ford! A fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the Hollywood you never knew.

The Art of Filmmaking: Hollywood and Westerns. John Wayne, John Ford and Spaghetti.
No genre has been more important to Hollywood than the western - nearly a fifth of all feature films from the silent era through the 1950s were westerns! We’ll sample the very best of all time.

The Art of Filmmaking: Film Noir. "The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of."
These often dark and stylish Hollywood crime dramas, emphasized cynical attitudes and sexual innuendo during straitlaced times. Included are such classics as, “Double Indemnity,” "Sunset Boulevard," and “The Maltese Falcon.”

The Art of Filmmaking: The Making of 2001: A Space Odyssey. From the Bronx to Jupiter and back.
2024 is the 58th anniversary of this visual masterpiece that makes every top ten list. This is a presentation about the making of "2001" including rare behind-the-scenes videos, photos and the recollections of the actors who helped bring Kubrick's vision to life.

The Art of Filmmaking: The Top 20 Greatest Films of All Time. Playwright Noël Coward said, "Any prettier and they'd have to call him Florence of Arabia.“ What are your favorite films? Which are favorites of the critics? Which films made the most money? Vote for your all-time favorites and see how your choices stack up against the Super List of the best films ever made. (In two parts: 1-10 & 11-20)

The Art of Filmmaking: Movie Music. Sharks, Mrs. Robinson and Whitney Houston.
Who are the well-known musical artists we love to hear, but never see? Learn about the tricks that composers use with music to identify a character, create suspense and so easily manipulate our emotions? Do you know "The two most important musical notes of all time?"

The Art of Filmmaking: The Best Movie Comedies. "Is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?"
What’s your favorite funny film? Why does one film make you laugh, but not another? We’ll look at scenes from the best films by the directors and writers who always know what makes us laugh out loud.

The Art of Filmmaking: Animation. "I'm not bad, she said, I'm just drawn that way."
Did you know that animated films are made backwards? First the sound track, then the pictures! Why have famous animators said that “Disney set animation back 30 years?” We’ll look at how animation has changed over the years and the new revolution in computerized animation.

The Art of Filmmaking: Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). All about Green Screens & Blue Screens.
How DO they create those impossible visual effects? What is a green screen and how does Motion Capture work? Why didn't any of the characters in the first all-CGI feature film, "Toy Story," have hair? All you really need to know about CGI in only 45 minutes.

The Art of Filmmaking: Classic 1960's Science Fiction. Starring 50ft Women, Radioactive Ants and Zombies.
Many consider the 1950’s through the 1970’s to be the Classic Period of science fiction films. Flying saucers, "Robby the Robot," giant radioactive insects and zombies filled movie seats around the world.

The Art of Filmmaking: Hollywood Musicals. "Everyday on the Sound of Music was like being hit with a bagful of valentines."
From “Singing in the Rain” to at least four remakes of “A Star is Born,” musicals emerged thanks to the addition of sound in the late 1920’s. These extravaganzas became popular by creating a fantasy world to satisfy depression-era audiences seeking escapist entertainment.

The Art of Filmmaking: Documentaries. Nanook the Eskimo meets Walt Disney.
The first films ever made were documentaries. How did these unusual filmmakers get started and what motivated them? Some of the most important contributions came from the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany and surprisingly, Walt Disney.

AS A DESTINATION SPEAKER:
Can provide entertaining and fact-filled destination lectures for the following: Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and the South Florida area, Key West and the Florida Keys, Valetta, and the island of Malta, Santa Barbara, California, Hollywood California, Montenegro, Split, Dubrovnik and other Croatian cities.

I've been speaking before crowds from 10 to 2,000 for many years. I have literally dozens of different presentations available - all are presented with the actual movie clips. (Talks can be modified to fit the specific cruise destinations) My talks are always funny and full of surprising behind-the-scenes secrets. Having cruised a lot myself, I know exactly what the typical boring sea day lecture is like. Not me.

Have current visas for Brazil and Australia.
Bermuda Seamen's Discharge Book

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.