John received his B.A. in Theater and American Studies from Yale University, before attending New York University's Graduate Film Program.He wrote and directed his first short film "Shame No More" at NYU, a film that played over 70 film festivals. His second, "Slo-Mo" premiered at Telluride and went on to play Sundance and air on HBO, PBS and the Sundance Channel.
John co-wrote and directed his debut feature "Kill Your Darlings," starring Daniel Radcliffe, Ben Foster, Elizabeth Olsen, Dane Dehaan, Jack Huston, Michael C Hall, David Cross and Jennifer Jason Leigh. It premiered at Sundance before screening in competition at Toronto and Venice before being released theatrically by Sony Pictures Classics. It is streaming on Amazon Prime.
John has written screenplays for Universal Studios, Fox 2000, Lionsgate, and Miramax. And directed television for Fox and ABC. He is preparing to direct his second feature "Tunnels" starring Susan Sarandon, Anna Faris, Patrick Wilson, Alicia Silverstone and Jaeden Martell.
John has been chosen by Variety as one of their "Top Ten Directors To Watch", The Advocate as one of their "Top 40 Under 40", and as one of Out Magazine's Out 100.
He was one of the original founders of the DGA's LGBTQ+ Committee, serves currently as its Co-Chair, and has taught filmmaking and lectured at the University of Southern California, New York University, the New School and Yale University.