John G. Thomas
Encyclopedia
John G. Thomas is an American filmmaker. He has been in the film and television business for over 30 years.
A graduate of the USC Film School in production plus a Masters in screenwriting, he has produced and directed dozens of documentaries, feature films and commercials. Among his feature credits are such movies as Tin Man
, Arizona Heat
, Banzai Runner
, Healer
and most recently, Hamal 18
.
Afterwards, he became fascinated with cameras, and began to work in still photography. Soon after, he was selling photos to the local newspaper and regional magazine. By his late teens, Thomas not only produced a local weekly radio show, but also worked as a cameraman for television stations and designed lighting for Miami nightclubs. He even organized a large rock concert starring The Byrds
, Steppenwolf
, and others. Thomas also became involved in local productions including such projects as Flipper
(1964 TV Series) and Gentle Ben
(1967 TV series) by Ivan Tors
. Too young to legally work, Thomas was often paid under-the-table for doing jobs nobody else wanted to do. This sparked Thomas' passion in film, and soon after graduating high school he moved to Hollywood.
At the USC School of Cinematic Arts
, Thomas struggled alongside other to-be-famous film students like George Lucas
, Ron Howard
, and John Carpenter
. After years of facing the constant threat of being kicked out, Thomas was one of five out of four hundred beginning students who graduated.
. During this period, he received many national and international awards for his work. His films were also shown at the Whitehouse and the Vatican. However, in 1983, Thomas decided to give feature films a shot.
His first feature, Tin Man
(1983), is the story of a deaf computer genius (Timothy Bottoms
) who invents a computer which allows him to speak. The film was received with much enthusiasm and earned the title of Official U.S. entry at the San Sebastian International Film Festival
. Thomas' next feature, Banzai Runner
(1987), starring Dean Stockwell
, centers around the death of a cop mixed up in a race involving a group of wealthy drivers and custom high-speed cars on a deserted desert highway. Banzai Runner went on to become the “…top selling (non-studio) video in the first year of it’s release." according to Variety
. The next film done by Thomas was Arizona Heat
(1988), a film crossing cultural boundaries by pairing a tough cop with a lesbian cop in their mutual pursuit of a serial killer. Arizona Heat was also greatly successful.
(1994). A true story that chronicles the bizarre and often humorous lives of two paramedics in a retirement town. Earning the spot of opening night selection at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
, the films stars such actors as Tyrone Power Jr., David McCallum
, Delane Matthews
, and Turhan Bey
. Tobey Maguire
also makes an appearance in the film.
Thomas then took another break and worked in Los Angeles at the Department of Children Protection Services. Contracted by IBM, Thomas witnessed juvenile justice and observed many cases of child abuse. For his work, he received a Commendation from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Thomas felt enriched by this experience and was inspired to once again work in film. Immediately attracted to the script, Thomas created his next film Hamal 18
. This story follows a detective as he searches for a pedophile on the internet.
Aside from creating films, Thomas also programmed specialized budgeting software for feature films, called Easy Budget. This program, developed from Thomas' own production experience, is sold all across the world.
. Thomas' writing work extends from The Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter
, to VOA and NPR.
Recently, Thomas published his first book "Making the Tin Man: How I Made My First Feature Film." This first-hand account records the trials and tribulations Thomas experienced when making his first feature film.
Thomas teaches filmmaking techniques at several colleges, universities, and local high schools. Most recently, Thomas acquired his Masters Degree in screenwriting, and is a recognized expert in the area of internet child safety.
Thomas has a passion for flying, being an instrument-rated pilot. He is also an active member in his community, participating in programs that deliver Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.
Works=
Producer:
Director:
Editor:
Writer:
A graduate of the USC Film School in production plus a Masters in screenwriting, he has produced and directed dozens of documentaries, feature films and commercials. Among his feature credits are such movies as Tin Man
Tin Man (1983 film)
Tin Man is a 1983 American dramatic film starring Timothy Bottoms, John Phillip Law, Deana Jurgens, Troy Donahue, Richard Stahl and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
, Arizona Heat
Arizona Heat (1988 film)
Arizona Heat is a 1988 American action film starring Michael Parks, Denise Crosby, Hugh Farrington and directed by John G. Thomas.-Sources:*...
, Banzai Runner
Banzai Runner
Banzai Runner is a 1987 American action film starring Dean Stockwell, John Shepherd, Charles Dierkop, Rick Fitts, Dawn Schneider and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
, Healer
Healer (1994 film)
Healer is a 1994 American dramatic film starring Tyrone Power Jr., Tobey Maguire, John Johnston, Turhan Bey, DeLane Matthews and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
and most recently, Hamal 18
Hamal 18
Hamal 18 is a 2004 American film starring Michael J. Minor, Yvette Ford, Wendy Cobb, Chad England, Joel Spence, Elina Madison and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
.
Early life
Thomas spent most of his early life on the sea, near his home town of Coral Gables, Florida. At the age of 14, Thomas was proficient enough in boating to be the youngest person to sail from Florida to the Bahamas. By age 15, he was hitch-hiking across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.Afterwards, he became fascinated with cameras, and began to work in still photography. Soon after, he was selling photos to the local newspaper and regional magazine. By his late teens, Thomas not only produced a local weekly radio show, but also worked as a cameraman for television stations and designed lighting for Miami nightclubs. He even organized a large rock concert starring The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, Steppenwolf
Steppenwolf (band)
Steppenwolf are a Canadian-American rock group that was prominent in the late 1960s. The group was formed in 1967 in Los Angeles by vocalist John Kay, guitarist Michael Monarch, bassist Rushton Moreve, keyboardist Goldy McJohn and drummer Jerry Edmonton after the dissolution of Toronto group The...
, and others. Thomas also became involved in local productions including such projects as Flipper
Flipper (1964 TV series)
Flipper, from Ivan Tors Films in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television, is an American television program first broadcast on NBC from September 19, 1964, until April 15, 1967. Flipper, a bottlenose dolphin, is the companion animal of Porter Ricks, Chief Warden at fictional Coral Key Park...
(1964 TV Series) and Gentle Ben
Gentle Ben
Gentle Ben is a children's novel by author Walt Morey, first published in 1965. The book concerns the friendship between the title character, a bear, and a young boy named Mark...
(1967 TV series) by Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors
Ivan Tors was a Hungarian playwright, film director, screenwriter, and film and television producer with an emphasis on non-violent but exciting science fiction, underwater filmed television and films, and films about animals...
. Too young to legally work, Thomas was often paid under-the-table for doing jobs nobody else wanted to do. This sparked Thomas' passion in film, and soon after graduating high school he moved to Hollywood.
At the USC School of Cinematic Arts
USC School of Cinematic Arts
The USC School of Cinematic Arts, until 2006 named the School of Cinema-Television , is a film school within the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. It is the oldest and largest such school in the United States, established in 1929 as a joint venture with the Academy of...
, Thomas struggled alongside other to-be-famous film students like George Lucas
George Lucas
George Walton Lucas, Jr. is an American film producer, screenwriter, and director, and entrepreneur. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive of Lucasfilm. He is best known as the creator of the space opera franchise Star Wars and the archaeologist-adventurer character Indiana Jones...
, Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
, and John Carpenter
John Carpenter
John Howard Carpenter is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, composer, and occasional actor. Although Carpenter has worked in numerous film genres in his four-decade career, his name is most commonly associated with horror and science fiction.- Early life :Carpenter was born...
. After years of facing the constant threat of being kicked out, Thomas was one of five out of four hundred beginning students who graduated.
Early career
Thomas, unlike his peers, focused on Documentary film instead of the feature favored by his peers. Over the next decade, he made 37 documentaries, shorts, and television programs on a varied range of subjects such as aviation, genetic engineering, solar energy, and bluegrass music. He also photographed a land speed record attempt by Kitty O'NeilKitty O'Neil
Kitty O'Neil is a former stuntwoman and racer noted for a handful of exceptional accomplishments, despite becoming deaf when she was four months old.She became a stunt woman because she was married to a stunt man....
. During this period, he received many national and international awards for his work. His films were also shown at the Whitehouse and the Vatican. However, in 1983, Thomas decided to give feature films a shot.
His first feature, Tin Man
Tin Man (1983 film)
Tin Man is a 1983 American dramatic film starring Timothy Bottoms, John Phillip Law, Deana Jurgens, Troy Donahue, Richard Stahl and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1983), is the story of a deaf computer genius (Timothy Bottoms
Timothy Bottoms
-Early life:Bottoms was born in Santa Barbara, California, the eldest son of Betty and James "Bud" Bottoms, who is a sculptor and art teacher. He is the brother of actors Joseph Bottoms , Sam Bottoms and Ben Bottoms . In 1967, Bottoms toured Europe as part of the Santa Barbara Madrigal...
) who invents a computer which allows him to speak. The film was received with much enthusiasm and earned the title of Official U.S. entry at the San Sebastian International Film Festival
San Sebastián International Film Festival
The San Sebastián International Film Festival is an annual FIAPF A category film festival held in the Spanish city of San Sebastián .-History:The festival was founded in 1953...
. Thomas' next feature, Banzai Runner
Banzai Runner
Banzai Runner is a 1987 American action film starring Dean Stockwell, John Shepherd, Charles Dierkop, Rick Fitts, Dawn Schneider and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1987), starring Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell is an American actor of film and television, with a career spanning over 65 years. As a child actor under contract to MGM he first came to the public's attention in films such as Anchors Aweigh and The Green Years; as a young adult he played a lead role in the 1957 Broadway and...
, centers around the death of a cop mixed up in a race involving a group of wealthy drivers and custom high-speed cars on a deserted desert highway. Banzai Runner went on to become the “…top selling (non-studio) video in the first year of it’s release." according to Variety
Variety (magazine)
Variety is an American weekly entertainment-trade magazine founded in New York City, New York, in 1905 by Sime Silverman. With the rise of the importance of the motion-picture industry, Daily Variety, a daily edition based in Los Angeles, California, was founded by Silverman in 1933. In 1998, the...
. The next film done by Thomas was Arizona Heat
Arizona Heat (1988 film)
Arizona Heat is a 1988 American action film starring Michael Parks, Denise Crosby, Hugh Farrington and directed by John G. Thomas.-Sources:*...
(1988), a film crossing cultural boundaries by pairing a tough cop with a lesbian cop in their mutual pursuit of a serial killer. Arizona Heat was also greatly successful.
Breaking from film
Tired from the grind of production, Thomas dropped out of filmmaking for three years. During this, Thomas faced emotional difficulties of having to put his mother into a rest home. The experience led to the eventual production of his next film, HealerHealer (1994 film)
Healer is a 1994 American dramatic film starring Tyrone Power Jr., Tobey Maguire, John Johnston, Turhan Bey, DeLane Matthews and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1994). A true story that chronicles the bizarre and often humorous lives of two paramedics in a retirement town. Earning the spot of opening night selection at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Santa Barbara International Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is a film festival and non-profit organization, established in 1985, that showcases independent American and international films. The SBIFF line-up includes 20 world premieres and 11 U.S. premieres, with newly expanded 11-day festival...
, the films stars such actors as Tyrone Power Jr., David McCallum
David McCallum
David Keith McCallum, Jr. is a Scottish actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Illya Kuryakin, a Russian-born secret agent, in the 1960s television series The Man from U.N.C.L.E., as interdimensional operative Steel in Sapphire & Steel, and Dr...
, Delane Matthews
DeLane Matthews
DeLane Matthews is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Beth Barry in the CBS television series Dave's World from 1993 to 1997.-Career:...
, and Turhan Bey
Turhan Bey
Turhan Bey is an American actor of Turkish and Czech descent. Bey was active in Hollywood from 1941 to 1953. He was dubbed "The Turkish Delight" by his fans for his exotic handsome looks...
. Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire
Tobias Vincent "Tobey" Maguire is an American actor and producer. He began his career in the 1980s, and has achieved his greatest fame for his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man films.-Early life:...
also makes an appearance in the film.
Thomas then took another break and worked in Los Angeles at the Department of Children Protection Services. Contracted by IBM, Thomas witnessed juvenile justice and observed many cases of child abuse. For his work, he received a Commendation from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Thomas felt enriched by this experience and was inspired to once again work in film. Immediately attracted to the script, Thomas created his next film Hamal 18
Hamal 18
Hamal 18 is a 2004 American film starring Michael J. Minor, Yvette Ford, Wendy Cobb, Chad England, Joel Spence, Elina Madison and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
. This story follows a detective as he searches for a pedophile on the internet.
Aside from creating films, Thomas also programmed specialized budgeting software for feature films, called Easy Budget. This program, developed from Thomas' own production experience, is sold all across the world.
Recent years
Thomas writes and Polishes scripts for distributors and production companies as a script doctorScript doctor
A script doctor, also called script consultant, is a highly-skilled screenwriter, hired by a film or television production, to rewrite or polish specific aspects of an existing screenplay, including structure, characterization, dialogue, pacing, theme, and other elements...
. Thomas' writing work extends from The Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter
The Hollywood Reporter
Formerly a daily trade magazine, The Hollywood Reporter re-launched in late 2010 as a unique hybrid publication serving the entertainment industry and a consumer audience...
, to VOA and NPR.
Recently, Thomas published his first book "Making the Tin Man: How I Made My First Feature Film." This first-hand account records the trials and tribulations Thomas experienced when making his first feature film.
Thomas teaches filmmaking techniques at several colleges, universities, and local high schools. Most recently, Thomas acquired his Masters Degree in screenwriting, and is a recognized expert in the area of internet child safety.
Personal life
Today, Thomas enjoys spending much of his time with his wife and two daughters.Thomas has a passion for flying, being an instrument-rated pilot. He is also an active member in his community, participating in programs that deliver Christmas gifts to underprivileged children.
Works=
Producer:
- Hamal 18Hamal 18Hamal 18 is a 2004 American film starring Michael J. Minor, Yvette Ford, Wendy Cobb, Chad England, Joel Spence, Elina Madison and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(2004) - HealerHealer (1994 film)Healer is a 1994 American dramatic film starring Tyrone Power Jr., Tobey Maguire, John Johnston, Turhan Bey, DeLane Matthews and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1994) - Caged In ParadisoCaged In ParadisoCaged In Paradiso is a 1990 American action film starring Irene Cara, Peter Kowanko, Paula Bond and directed by Mike Snyder. It was filmed on St. Thomas in the United States Virgin Islands.-Sources:**...
(1990) - Arizona HeatArizona Heat (1988 film)Arizona Heat is a 1988 American action film starring Michael Parks, Denise Crosby, Hugh Farrington and directed by John G. Thomas.-Sources:*...
(1988) - Banzai RunnerBanzai RunnerBanzai Runner is a 1987 American action film starring Dean Stockwell, John Shepherd, Charles Dierkop, Rick Fitts, Dawn Schneider and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1987) - Tin ManTin Man (1983 film)Tin Man is a 1983 American dramatic film starring Timothy Bottoms, John Phillip Law, Deana Jurgens, Troy Donahue, Richard Stahl and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1983)
Director:
- Hamal 18Hamal 18Hamal 18 is a 2004 American film starring Michael J. Minor, Yvette Ford, Wendy Cobb, Chad England, Joel Spence, Elina Madison and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(2004) - HealerHealer (1994 film)Healer is a 1994 American dramatic film starring Tyrone Power Jr., Tobey Maguire, John Johnston, Turhan Bey, DeLane Matthews and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1994) - Arizona HeatArizona Heat (1988 film)Arizona Heat is a 1988 American action film starring Michael Parks, Denise Crosby, Hugh Farrington and directed by John G. Thomas.-Sources:*...
(1988) - Banzai RunnerBanzai RunnerBanzai Runner is a 1987 American action film starring Dean Stockwell, John Shepherd, Charles Dierkop, Rick Fitts, Dawn Schneider and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1987) - Tin ManTin Man (1983 film)Tin Man is a 1983 American dramatic film starring Timothy Bottoms, John Phillip Law, Deana Jurgens, Troy Donahue, Richard Stahl and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1983)
Editor:
- Hamal 18Hamal 18Hamal 18 is a 2004 American film starring Michael J. Minor, Yvette Ford, Wendy Cobb, Chad England, Joel Spence, Elina Madison and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(2004)
Writer:
- Banzai RunnerBanzai RunnerBanzai Runner is a 1987 American action film starring Dean Stockwell, John Shepherd, Charles Dierkop, Rick Fitts, Dawn Schneider and directed by John G. Thomas.-Plot:...
(1987)