William Tannen

William Tannen

82 · Born: Aug 31, 1942

Known For

Personal Details

BornAug 31, 1942 New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Bill's journey began in New York City, where he was raised and later graduated from Boston University. He then returned to New York to pursue a career in advertising, creating the iconic "Girl Watchers" theme and campaign for Diet Pepsi Cola, written by Sid Ramin. This campaign won four Clio Awards and its musical theme became a hit record produced by Bob Crewe of The Four Seasons, covered by over 100 artists.

Bill went on to found Sunday Productions, producing and directing television commercials. He also directed his first film, the short subject "Eulogy for R.F.K.," which premiered at the New York Film Festival alongside "Battle of Algiers." The film was later released theatrically by Grove Press and played the college circuit for years, still available on YouTube.

In 1972, Bill relocated to Los Angeles and continued to direct award-winning commercials globally. He has won five Clios for his work with Pepsi, Diet Coke, Air France, McDonald's, and Ford. In 1984, Bill directed his first feature film, "Flashpoint," for Tri Star and HBO, starring Kris Kristofferson, Treat Williams, Rip Torn, Tess Harper, and Jean Smart.

Throughout his career, Bill has directed ten other feature films for various studios and networks, including Cannon, Village Roadshow, Disney, ShowTime, Millennium, and Lifetime. He has also directed several television series, music videos, and a television special with Charlie Rose.

Bill's music video for The Commodores' "Night Shift" won the Grammy for Best R&B Video following Lionel Richie's departure from the band. He has worked with numerous legendary artists, including The Temptations, The Four Tops, The Turtles, Martha & The Vandellas, Tangerine Dream, Lou Christie, and many others.

Bill's directing career has taken him to various locations worldwide, including South Africa, the Czech Republic, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico, and South America. He has been invited to teach advanced Directing Workshops at the Eicar International Film School in Paris, returning for three more winters.

Career

{"id":80081,"title":"Cover-Up","year":"1991","job":"Writer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cover-up-1991","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_80081.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_80081.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
Cover-Up
Cover-Up as Writer
{"id":50054,"title":"Night of Terror","year":"2006","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/night-of-terror","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_50054.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_50054.jpg"},"released":1}
2006
{"id":49502,"title":"Ozzie","year":"2006","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ozzie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_49502.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_49502.jpg"},"released":1}
Ozzie
Ozzie as Director
{"id":22549,"title":"The Cutter","year":"2005","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-cutter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_22549.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_22549.jpg"},"released":1}
2005
The Cutter
The Cutter as Director
{"id":107910,"title":"Nobody Knows Anything!","year":"2004","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/nobody-knows-anything","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_107910.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_107910.jpg"},"released":1}
2004
{"id":155521,"title":"Love Lies Bleeding","year":"1999","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/love-lies-bleeding-1999","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_155521.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_155521.jpg"},"released":1}
1999
{"id":58437,"title":"The Goodbye Bird","year":"1994","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-goodbye-bird","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58437.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58437.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":157999,"title":"Windrunner","year":"1994","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/windrunner-1994","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_157999.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_157999.jpg"},"released":1}
Windrunner
Windrunner as Director
{"id":185319,"title":"Inside Edge","year":"1993","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/inside-edge","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_185319.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_185319.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
Inside Edge
Inside Edge as Director
{"id":7636,"title":"Hero and the Terror","year":"1988","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hero-and-the-terror","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7uoihqhcutj0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7uoihqhcutj0.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
{"id":61029,"title":"Deadly Illusion","year":"1987","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/deadly-illusion","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_61029.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_61029.jpg"},"released":1}
1987
{"id":32184,"title":"Flashpoint","year":"1984","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/flashpoint","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32184.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32184.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Flashpoint
Flashpoint as Director