^^ Very true, but it's important to point out as John Z himself has noted: When V&M came to train with him, he knew they were already an experienced and talented team. Maybe the key is that Vanessa saw something in John Z that she felt resonated with what she and Morgan were desperately trying to find. In Florida, they discovered the missing pieces of the puzzle and everything fell into place rather quickly.
John Z has said in interviews that at first he didn't try to make many changes, he just tried to enhance the strengths J/C already possessed. Plus John Z and Silvia F are also very much about teamwork and communication and working on the psychological and emotional connection between a pair. In working out these details, nothing is blocked or gnarly with their dynamic when they are out on the ice performing. Obviously, John and Silvia are also helping their singles skaters bring their emotions and motivations to the ice, which apparently breeds confidence. And we can't forget how much Jeremy Barrett and John Kerr have been an essential part of the team that helped Vanessa and Morgan access and fully bring forth the magic they already possessed. Finding the right music has been essential. And then the fine-tuning and further polishing has been coming to the fore as well. But I'm sure J/C know that all they experienced previously and the coaches who they worked with through all their ups-and-downs also played a role in them getting to where they are now.
If you look back at old videos, you will see that J/C were very good from the moment they first paired. They were just very raw and rough around the edges, but their connection, charisma and athletic talent was there from day one. It only needed to be fully developed and honed. Morgan was a singles skater who was able to become a competent and confident pairs skater very quickly. The hot connection between J/C was always present and unmistakeable.
Also thanks to @Enchanted
here is an interesting interview on the SP creative process with Guillaume
Wow, Guillaume came prepared. He'd mapped out J/C's movements, and he created new patterns for the element placements that went with the music. And he cut the music, and he designed a sp costume for Vanessa, which will be unveiled later this season. This for free for his friends, all the while preparing and training for his own new season. As Bev Smith writes: "Is there anything Guillaume can't do in skating?"
