John D McMahon

My strongest teaching areas are documentary filmmaking, film and television production, and writing for film and television. I could lecture on developing and structuring a story; planning and directing interviews; visual storytelling, cinematography, and composition; and editing for story, pacing, and performance. I can also teach screenwriting fundamentals and screenplay analysis, independent and low-budget production, and the history of film music—including how composers (particularly the music of David Raksin and Jerry Goldsmith), musical styles, and sound shape a film’s storytelling. My background includes two degrees from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, graduate study in music composition, professional experience as a producer, director, and editor, and instruction in filmmaking and photography.

I have taught piano since 2001 and have taught weekend classes at Irvine School of Music since 2019. At USC, I served as an entertainment industry liaison and hosted guest sessions with industry professionals. More recently, I developed and teach community courses in basic photography and filmmaking at Potocki Community Center. My photography instruction covers visual literacy, composition, lenses, exposure, depth of field, and lighting. In filmmaking, I guide students through documentary and interview-based production, from developing questions and recording interviews to organizing footage, editing, and preparing videos for online release. My teaching is hands-on and emphasizes clear explanations, practical problem-solving, and helping students make thoughtful creative choices with the equipment and resources available to them.

I’m interested in helping students connect the creative choices behind a film with the practical work of making one. My lecturing style is conversational, organized, and hands-on: I introduce key ideas, illustrate them with film examples, and invite students to test those ideas through discussion and creative exercises. I encourage questions and constructive critique, and I aim to make technical concepts approachable while respecting each student’s perspective and developing voice. Drawing on my experience in film production and music composition, I can help students see how story, image, sound, and collaboration come together on screen.