Raised in New York City, Bill Tannen graduated Film School at Boston University and returned to New York to pursue a career in advertising. He worked for D'Arcy, BBD&O and Young & Rubicam Advertising Agencies. He started Sunday Productions to produce and direct television commercials.He also directed his first film, the short subject "Eulogy for R.F.K." which opened at the New York Film Festival with " ". Besides working in Los Angeles and New York, Bill has directed films in Africa, Czech Republic, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Mexico and South America. In 2004 Bill moved to Portland, Oregon.
In 1972 Bill moved to Los Angeles and quickly became one of the most successful bi-coastal directors, winning five Clio’s (the industry’s highest honor) for clients Diet Coke, Ford, Air France, McDonald's and Pepsi Cola. By 1987, Bill had directed hundreds of commercials shooting in the U.S., Europe, South America and Australia.
In 1980 he began an association with director Robert Altman that led to the development of a project for Glenda Jackson entitled “Grace”. Bill also wrote and directed for Altman a thirty-minute comedy that was televised on NBC-TV, “Go to Health” starring Glenda Jackson, James Garner, Lauren Bacall, Carol Burnett, Paul Dooley and Dick Cavett.
In 1984 Bill made his feature directorial debut with the political thriller “Flashpoint” for Tri-Star Pictures. It featured Kris Kristofferson, Treat Williams, Rip Torn, Jean Smart and Tess Harper.[1]
Two years later Tannen directed “Deadly Illusions” starring Billy Dee Williams for RCA/Columbia and CineTel Films.
“Hero and the Terror” starring Chuck Norris for Cannon Films was next.
Bill then wrote his first produced screenplay, ”Cover-Up” for Dolph Lundgren and Louis Gossett. Capital Films of London produced the film.
Bill then directed Michael Madsen in the film noir thriller “Inside Edge” in Mexico. Life Entertainment produced it.
Directing his first music video, “NIGHT SHIFT” by The Commodores for Motown brought Bill a Grammy award for best director. He has since worked with The Temptations on their videos.
In 1993 Tannen directed his first “family” film, “The Goodbye Bird” for Showtime. The movie starred Cindy Pickett, Wayne Rogers, Concetta Tomei and Chris Pettiet. The film has received several awards including best picture at the Giffoni Family Film Festival in Italy.
The following year Bill directed the “family” film, “Windrunner” for the Disney Channel. It starred Russell Means, Jason Wiles, Margot Kidder and Bruce Weitz.
In 1995, Bill produced the motion picture “Money Plays” for Showtime. Written and directed by Pulitzer Prize winner Frank D. Gilroy. It starred Roy Scheider and Sona Braga.
The following year Bill went to South Africa for six months and directed the first show and numerous episodes of the television series, “TARZAN.”
In 1997 Bill directed and produced a television special for the USA Network starring Charlie Rose. The show went on location and featured Sir Anthony Hopkins, Whoopi Goldberg and the heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield.
The next year brought Bill to Prague, Czech Republic to direct the period piece motion picture, “Love Lies Bleeding” for Village Road Show Pictures. The film stars Paul Rhys, Faye Dunaway and Malcolm McDowell.
Returning to Los Angeles, Bill produced and co-directed “Nobody Knows Anything” a comedy starring Michael Lerner, Alana Ubach, Richard Kind, Fred Willard, Robert Englund, Mike Myers, Ben Stiller, Wayne Rogers, Kristen Johnston and Janeane Garofalo.
In January 2001, Bill went to Auckland, New Zealand to direct the family film, “Ozzie” for VIF-Germany, and Daybreak-New Zealand. The film is a “screw-ball” comedy starring Spencer Breslin, Joan Collins, Ralf Moeller and Rachel Hunter.
After seven years in development “hell” and three options to various studios, “The Cutter” was finally given a “go” by Nu Image Films in the fall of 2004. This thriller takes place in Spokane, Washington and stars Chuck Norris, Joanna Pacula, Daniel Bernhardt, Bernie Koppel and Curt Lowens.
Before the year 2006 ended, Bill flew to Toronto, Canada and directed his first television movie for the Lifetime Network, “Night of Terror”. This thriller stars Mitzi Kapture, Nick Mancuso and Rick Roberts.
Since moving to Portland, Oregon Bill has directed two motion pictures, one in Spokane, Washington and the other in Toronto, Canada. In January 2011 he will be teaching an advanced Directing Workshop at the EICAR International Film School in Paris.