TODD HAYNES (Writer/Director) founded Apparatus Productions in 1985 with Barry Ellsworth and Christine Vachon. Apparatus is a non-profit grant-giving organization providing funding, production and distribution support to emerging filmmakers. Todd is also one of the founding members of Gran Fury, a collective of artists in the AIDS activist community.
His short film SUPERSTAR: THE KAREN CARPENTER STORY has become an underground cult classic. Written and directed by Haynes, the film traced Karen Carpenter's demise from anorexia nervosa. Using Barbie dolls as actors, a soundtrack of heartrending Carpenters songs, and a '70s wardrobe that any doll would be proud to own, this seminal film demonstrated Haynes' intense empathy and theatrical bravado. The film was awarded the Golden Gate Award at the San Francisco Film Festival; and the Best Experimental Film Award at the USA later Sundance Film Festival.
POISON, Haynes' first feature film as writer/director, interwove three separate tales of transgression inspired by the writings of Jean Genet. It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1991, where it was awarded the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film. It subsequently played in over 20 film festivals, earning a Teddy Award at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Critics' Prize at the Locarno International Film Festival, prior to its theatrical release.
The 30-minute short, DOTTIE GETS SPANKED, followed. Set in suburban New York in 1966, the film explored juvenile sexuality through a little boy's obsession with a television comedienne.
Haynes' second feature film, SAFE, looked at the life of a California housewife (played by Julianne Moore) who finds that she is becoming allergic to the 20th century. SAFE premiered at the 1995 Sundance Film Festival; screened in the Directors Fortnight section of the 1995 Cannes International Film Festival; and was released theatrically in the summer of 1995. In the Village Voice Critics' Poll of 2000, 65 film critics voted SAFE the best film of the '90s.
VELVET GOLDMINE, his third feature as writer/director, premiered as an Official Selection at the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival and earned Haynes a Special Jury Prize for Artistic Contribution. A multi-layered glam-rock epic tracing the rise and fall of a mythical rock star, the film starred Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Toni Collette, Christian Bale, and Eddie Izzard. Released theatrically in the fall of 1998, VELVET GOLDMINE won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography (by Maryse Alberti) and earned a BAFTA Award and an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design (by Sandy Powell).
CHRISTINE VACHON (Producer) is partnered with Pamela Koffler and Katie Roumel in Killer Films, which Vachon and Koffler founded in 1996.
Her early films as producer included Todd Haynes' controversial first feature, POISON, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival; and video artist Tom Kalin's first feature, SWOON, which was based on the infamous Leopold/Loeb murder case, and which received the coveted Caligari Award at the 1992 Berlin International Film Festival.
Her partnership with Pamela Koffler grew out of a collaboration that began in 1993 with Tom Kalin's documentary GEOFFREY BEENE 30, the first of several Vachon projects on which Koffler was line producer.
Vachon's subsequent credits as producer included Todd Haynes' second feature, SAFE; and Steve McLean's POSTCARDS FROM AMERICA, which premiered at the 1994 New York Film Festival. She also executive-produced Rose Troche's GO FISH and co-produced Larry Clark's KIDS.
She next produced Nigel Finch's STONEWALL, which premiered at the prestigious Venice International Film Festival; and Mary Harron's I SHOT ANDY WARHOL, for which star Lili Taylor won a special acting prize at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival.
Killer Films' first production was Cindy Sherman's OFFICE KILLER, starring Carol Kane. With Redeemable Features, Killer then produced Tony Vitale's KISS ME, GUIDO, which was shown as part of The American Spectrum program at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival.
Todd Haynes' VELVET GOLDMINE followed, world-premiering in competition at the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival, where Todd Haynes received a Special Jury Prize for Artistic Contribution for the film.
Also that year at Cannes, Killer's production of Todd Solondz' HAPPINESS had its world premiere in the Directors Fortnight section and was awarded the prestigious Fipresci Critics' Prize.
Vachon and Koffler next produced I'M LOSING YOU, Bruce Wagner's adaptation of his best-selling novel, which premiered at the 1998 Toronto International Film Festival.
The next feature Vachon produced, Kimberly Peirce's BOYS DON'T CRY, based on the true story of Brandon Teena, was featured in the 1999 Venice, Toronto, and New York Film Festivals and released that fall. The film went on to receive a number of honors. For her performance in the lead role, Hilary Swank earned an Academy Award as well as a Golden Globe Award. In addition, Chloë Sevigny's performance brought her Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations.
Killer's CRIME + PUNISHMENT IN SUBURBIA, directed by Rob Schmidt, screened in competition at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. SERIES 7, writer/director Daniel Minahan's feature directing debut, world-premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival.
In May 2001, Katie Roumel was named partner in Killer Films, joining Vachon and Koffler. Roumel had met the latter duo while working on KIDS as a casting assistant. She went on to be the assistant coordinator on STONEWALL and I SHOT ANDY WARHOL; line producer on KISS ME, GUIDO; and producer of SERIES 7 and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (directed by and starring John Cameron Mitchell).
Killer's production of the latter film, based on the Off-Broadway rock musical, premiered at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, where Mitchell won the
Audience Award and Director Award. He also later earned a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance.
Recent Killer projects include Todd Solondz' STORYTELLING, which world-premiered at the 2001 Cannes International Film Festival, and went on to screen at the New York and Sundance Film Festivals; Mark Romanek's ONE HOUR PHOTO, starring Robin Williams, which world-premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; Tim Blake Nelson's THE GREY ZONE, starring Harvey Keitel and Mira Sorvino, which premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released in the fall of 2002; and Rose Troche's THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS, starring Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, and Patricia Clarkson, which premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival and will open this winter.
Killer's current slate of projects encompasses a diverse group of filmmakers: Robert Altman is directing THE COMPANY, written by Barbara Turner and starring Neve Campbell; THE PASSION, based on the book by Jeanette Winterson, has Kasi Lemmons attached to direct; THE EXTRA MAN, based on Jonathan Ames' book, will mark Isaac Mizrahi's directorial debut; COCK AND BULL, based on Will Self's book, will be directed by Jason Farrand; Tom Kalin will direct SAVAGE GRACE; Douglas McGrath is writing and directing CAPOTE; A HOME AT THE END OF THE WORLD will be directed by Michael Mayer from the Michael Cunningham novel of the same name; and production has been completed on PARTY MONSTER, written and directed by Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato, and starring Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, and Chloë Sevigny.
In 2000, Killer Films joined with John Wells in an innovative co-production pact that has yielded such films as THE GREY ZONE, ONE HOUR PHOTO, and Far from Heaven. Killer also has a 2-year development deal with Paul G. Allen's Vulcan Productions, which has already led to such successful collaborations as Far from Heaven and THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS.
In 1994, Christine Vachon was awarded the Frameline Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lesbian and Gay Media. In 1996, she was honored with the prestigious Muse Award for Outstanding Vision and Achievement by New York Women in Film and Television. More recently, she received the Independent Feature Project's 1999 Gotham Award for her work as producer.
She is currently serving on the Producers Council board of governors for the Producers Guild of America.
Her book, Shooting to Kill: How an Independent Producer Blasts Through the Barriers to Make Movies that Matter, was published in the fall of 1998 by Avon and was a Los Angeles Times bestseller.
JODY PATTON (Producer) is president of Vulcan Productions, an independent film production company founded by Paul G. Allen to originate, develop and finance creatively driven and inventive motion picture and documentary projects. The company aspires to the highest level of compelling storytelling in its filmmaking, and is dedicated to creating films characterized by significant artistic merit as well as long-term commercial success.
Feature films produced by Vulcan Productions (formerly known as Clear Blue Sky Productions) include Victor Nunez' COASTLINES (which world-premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival), starring Josh Brolin, Sarah Wynter, and Timothy Olyphant; Rose Troche's THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS (which world-premiered at the 2001 Toronto International Film Festival), starring Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, and Patricia Clarkson; Marleen Gorris' THE LUZHIN DEFENCE, starring John Turturro and Emily Watson; Julie Taymor's TITUS, starring Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange (which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Costume Design by Milena Canonero; and John Sayles' MEN WITH GUNS.
Vulcan's documentary productions, all for PBS, include the series EVOLUTION, the special CRACKING THE CODE OF LIFE, and the upcoming series THE BLUES. The latter series will have seven feature film directors helming individual episodes; among the directors are Martin Scorsese, Wim Wenders, Mike Figgis, and Clint Eastwood.
Since helping launch Paul G. Allen's management company with Allen and William Savoy in 1986, Patton has developed and led a wide variety of Allen's business, charitable, and entertainment endeavors. In addition to serving as a senior advisor to Allen and directing the ongoing strategic and corporate development of the organization and its broad portfolio of projects and investments, her responsibilities include serving as president of Vulcan Productions (the independent film production company), vice chair of First & Goal Inc. (the developer and manager of the Washington State Football &
Soccer Stadium), and executive director of Experience Music Project (Seattle's uniquely interactive music museum).
Patton also serves as executive director of the six Paul G. Allen Foundations, which support nonprofit organizations throughout the Pacific Northwest in the areas of health and human services, the arts, medical research, and forest protection. She previously served in various capacities in the business and nonprofit worlds, including development work for the Pacific Northwest Ballet.
An active member of the arts and education communities, Patton serves on the board of directors of the University of Washington Foundation, the International Glass Museum, the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and the Theatre Communications Group; as well as on the advisory boards of Meany Hall and the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival.
STEVEN SODERBERGH (Executive Producer) not only works behind the camera as a director but behind the scenes as a producer for a variety of projects.
In 2000, Soderbergh and George Clooney formed Section Eight, a film production company based at Warner Bros. Their ensemble comedy WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD, written and directed by brothers Anthony and Joe Russo, was selected to close the 2002 Cannes International Film Festival's Directors Fortnight. They also executive-produced Christopher Nolan's INSOMNIA, starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank; and are in post-production on an untitled film written and directed by Lodge Kerrigan.
They are currently in post-production on Charlie Kaufman's adaptation of Chuck Barris' book CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND, directed by and starring George Clooney with a cast that includes Sam Rockwell, Drew Barrymore, and Julia Roberts. The film will be released in December.
Soderbergh's other credits as producer include THE DAYTRIPPERS and PLEASANTVILLE; and, as executive producer, SUTURE and Godfrey Reggio's upcoming NAQOYQATSI, the final installment of the non-narrative films that make up the Qatsi Trilogy, beginning with KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI.
Soderbergh is the only director to have two films nominated for Best Picture and Best Director in the same year. His Academy Award for Best Director of TRAFFIC marks the first time since the 1928/29 Awards that a director has successfully competed against himself (Frank Lloyd for THE DIVINE LADY; Michael Curtiz, a double nominee for Best Director in 1938 for ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES and FOUR DAUGHTERS, lost to Frank Capra for YOU CAN'T TAKE IT WITH YOU).
TRAFFIC also received Oscars for Editing (Stephen Mirrione), Supporting Actor (Benicio Del Toro), and Adapted Screenplay (Stephen Gaghan). The film's fifth nomination was for Best Picture (Laura Bickford, Marshall Herskovitz, Edward Zwick).
In addition to Soderbergh's Best Director nomination for ERIN BROCKOVICH, Julia Roberts received the Best Actress Academy Award. The film's other nominations were for Best Supporting Actor (Albert Finney), Best Original Screenplay (Susannah Grant), and Best Picture (Danny DeVito, Michael Shamberg, Stacey Sher).
Last year, Soderbergh directed the hugely successful ensemble caper OCEAN'S ELEVEN. His additional directing credits include THE LIMEY, OUT OF SIGHT, GRAY'S ANATOMY, SCHIZOPOLIS, THE UNDERNEATH, KING OF THE HILL, and KAFKA.
In August, his contemporary comedy FULL FRONTAL, shot during eighteen days using a combination of digital video tape and film, will be released.
Currently, Soderbergh is directing the science-fiction thriller SOLARIS, starring George Clooney, Natascha McElhone, Jeremy Davies, Viola Davis, and Ulrich Tukur.
GEORGE CLOONEY (Executive Producer) is an award-winning actor and producer who has recently turned director: he is currently in post-production on his feature directorial debut, CONFESSIONS OF A DANGEROUS MIND. The film is based on the "unauthorized autobiography" of Chuck Barris, who is played by Sam Rockwell. Clooney also stars in the film with Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts.
As actor, Clooney next stars in the science-fiction thriller SOLARIS for Steven Soderbergh; and Joel and Ethan Coen's INTOLERABLE CRUELTY, opposite Catherine Zeta-Jones.
He is partnered with Steven Soderbergh in the film production company Section Eight. The company's first project, Anthony and Joe Russo's WELCOME TO COLLINWOOD, has Clooney not only as producer but also in a cameo role. The film world-premiered as the Closing Night film of the Directors Fortnight section at the 2002 Cannes International Film Festival. Clooney also executive-produced Christopher Nolan's INSOMNIA.
He recently starred for Steven Soderbergh in the boxoffice smash OCEAN'S ELEVEN; and in Joel and Ethan Coen's popular O BROTHER, WHERE ART THOU?, for which he won the Golden Globe Award as Best Actor in Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy).
His previous screen credits include starring roles in Wolfgang Petersen's blockbuster THE PERFECT STORM; David O. Russell's THREE KINGS; Steven Soderbergh's award-winning OUT OF SIGHT; Mimi Leder's THE PEACEMAKER; Joel Schumacher's BATMAN & ROBIN; Michael Hoffman's ONE FINE DAY; and Robert Rodriguez' FROM DUSK TILL DAWN.
Clooney has starred in several television series, and is best known to TV audiences for his five years on the top-rated drama series ER. His portrayal of Dr. Douglas Ross earned him Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, People's Choice, and Emmy Award nominations.
He also develops television projects through his Maysville Pictures. He executive-produced and co-starred in a live television broadcast of FAIL-SAFE, which won two Emmy Awards and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award as Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made For Television. The telecast, which aired under the direction of Stephen Frears in April 2000, was based on Eugene Burdick and Harvey Wheeler's novel of the same name, published some 40 years earlier.
JOHN WELLS (Executive Producer) is a prolific producer, director, and writer for the stage, television, and film.
He currently oversees four notable hourlong television series: ER, THIRD WATCH (which earned an Emmy Award, a Prism Award, and a Peabody Award in its first three years on the air), THE WEST WING (which won 17 Emmy Awards in its first two years on the air), and the new PRESIDIO MED. ER, in its first eight years on the air, earned Wells and his team 19 Emmy Awards, 2 Peabody Awards, 8 People's Choice Awards, 2 Producers Guild of America Awards, and a Humanitas Prize.
His feature projects as producer, aside from Far from Heaven, include the soon-to-be-released WHITE OLEANDER, directed by Peter Kosminsky and adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from Janet Fitch's best-selling novel. The film's cast includes Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer, Robin Wright Penn, and Renée Zellweger. Wells also produced Neil Jordan's THE GOOD THIEF, starring Nick Nolte, slated for a 2003 release.
His prior film credits include, through his innovative co-production pact with Killer Films, Tim Blake Nelson's THE GREY ZONE and Mark Romanek's ONE HOUR PHOTO (starring Robin Williams); and, as co-executive-producer, Mimi Leder's THE PEACEMAKER, starring George Clooney and Nicole Kidman.
Before beginning work on ER, Wells was a writer and producer on the acclaimed series CHINA BEACH. The show was honored with a Peabody Award, a Humanitas Prize, and Writers Guild of America and Emmy Award nominations.
The Alexandria, Virginia native is the immediate past president of the Writers Guild of America. His award-winning stage work includes productions of "Judgment," "Balm in Gilead," "Battery," and "She Also Dances. "
ERIC ROBISON (Executive Producer) is a business advisor who has worked for over two decades with entertainment, media, and technology companies.
Since the mid-1990s, he has worked in producing capacities with independent filmmakers on a variety of acclaimed projects: he associate-produced John Sayles' Spanish-language feature MEN WITH GUNS and Michael Apted's
documentary about the creative process entitled INSPIRATIONS; co-produced Marleen Gorris' THE LUZHIN DEFENCE, starring Emily Watson and John Turturro; co-produced Rose Troche's THE SAFETY OF OBJECTS, starring Glenn Close, Dermot Mulroney, and Patricia Clarkson; and executive-produced Victor Nunez' COASTLINES (which world-premiered at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival), starring Josh Brolin, Sarah Wynter, and Timothy Olyphant.
Robison works with Vulcan Productions and Vulcan Inc. (the company that manages all business interests for investor Paul G. Allen) as a consultant. He previously worked at Vulcan Productions as general manager/vice president; and at Vulcan Inc. as vice president of business development and project development.
Based in Montecito, CA, he also currently serves on the boards of directors of CNET Networks, the leading provider of information about technology; and Cumulus Media, which operates 245 radio stations in 53 markets.
JOHN SLOSS (Executive Producer) has executive-produced over two dozen independent feature films. These include Rebecca Miller's PERSONAL VELOCITY; Kimberly Peirce's Academy Award-winning BOYS DON'T CRY; Richard Linklater's BEFORE SUNRISE, subUrbia, THE NEWTON BOYS, and WAKING LIFE; John Sayles' CITY OF HOPE, PASSION FISH, THE SECRET OF ROAN INISH, LONE STAR, and MEN WITH GUNS; Michael Almereyda's HAMLET (2000); Brad Anderson's HAPPY ACCIDENTS and SESSION 9; Edward Burns' SHE'S THE ONE; Michael Corrente's AMERICAN BUFFALO; Maggie Greenwald's THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO; Ethan Hawke's CHELSEA WALLS; Errol Morris' MR. DEATH: THE RISE AND FALL OF FRED A. LEUCHTER, JR. ; Victor Nunez' ULEE'S GOLD and COASTLINES; Whit Stillman's THE LAST DAYS OF DISCO; and Gary Winick's TADPOLE.
In March 2001, the Detroit native founded Cinetic Media, a consulting firm specializing in producer representation (securing distribution for independent features and other content), providing consulting services to end users and/or media financiers worldwide, and securing financing for motion picture projects. He lectures extensively on the subject of global entertainment finance. His other Cinetic activities include consulting for several high-profile film financiers and producers, as well as a partnership in Independent Digital
Entertainment (InDigEnt), a series of digital features made in collaboration with established filmmakers and actors, which is quickly becoming the gold standard in digital filmmaking.
As an attorney, he represents (through Sloss Law Office, which he formed in March 1993), clients in all aspects of motion picture financing, production, and distribution. He is a graduate of both the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan School of Law.
BRADFORD SIMPSON (Co-Producer) is a producer at Killer Films. The Brown University graduate joined Killer in 1996, and was head of development from 1999-2002.
He was the Killer executive in charge of production on Todd Haynes' VELVET GOLDMINE, which was awarded a Special Jury Prize for Artistic Contribution at the 1998 Cannes International Film Festival. He then associate-produced Kimberly Peirce's BOYS DON'T CRY, which earned Hilary Swank the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Simpson is currently producing PARTY MONSTER, which Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato are writing and directing, and which stars Macaulay Culkin, Seth Green, and Chloë Sevigny.
He is also developing, with director Douglas McGrath, a screenplay based on the writing of Truman Capote's In Cold Blood; with Isaac Mizrahi directing, the film version of Jonathan Ames' The Extra Man; with Jason Farrand helming, an adaptation of Will Self's Cock and Bull; and the film version of Randall Sullivan's Labyrinth: The Murder of Biggie Smalls, with Henry Bean writing.
DECLAN BALDWIN (Co-Producer) most recently produced Moisés Kaufman's THE LARAMIE PROJECT, the HBO Films feature which had its world premiere at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival; and line-produced Todd Solondz' STORYTELLING (also for Killer Films).
The native New Yorker began his career as a production assistant on area films, and soon was working as a unit manager on such features as Arthur Penn's PENN & TELLER GET KILLED. He later worked as location manager on Barbra Streisand's THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES, Ang Lee's THE ICE
STORM, James L. Brooks' AS GOOD AS IT GETS, and Tim Burton's SLEEPY HOLLOW, among other major films.
Baldwin segued into producing movies by way of two back-to-back features with George A. Romero: line-producing the 1990 remake of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (directed by Tom Savini) and then producing Romero's THE DARK HALF (which was based on Stephen King's best-selling novel). He subsequently co-produced Clare Peploe's ROUGH MAGIC, which starred Russell Crowe, Bridget Fonda, and Jim Broadbent.
He was the creative and marketing consultant for the newly formed Hudson River Stages production facility in Yonkers, NY.
EDWARD LACHMAN, A. S. C. (Director of Photography) is one of the most respected cinematographers of his time, one who has worked on big-budget, independent, and foreign-language films.
Lachman's feature film credits as cinematographer include Terry Zwigoff's forthcoming BAD SANTA; Andrew Niccol's SIMONE; Pat O'Connor's SWEET NOVEMBER; Far from Heaven executive producer Steven Soderbergh's ERIN BROCKOVICH and THE LIMEY; Sofia Coppola's THE VIRGIN SUICIDES; Gregory Nava's SELENA and MI FAMILIA; Paul Schrader's TOUCH and LIGHT SLEEPER (for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination); Stacy Cochran's MY NEW GUN; Hanif Kureishi's LONDON KILLS ME; Mira Nair's MISSISSIPPI MASALA; Susan Seidelman's MAKING MR. RIGHT and DESPERATELY SEEKING SUSAN; David Byrne's TRUE STORIES (for which he received an Independent Spirit Award nomination); Nicholas Ray and Wim Wenders' LIGHTNING OVER WATER; Mark Reichert's UNION CITY; and Werner Herzog's LA SOUFRIÈRE and STROSZEK.
MARK FRIEDBERG (Production Designer) has been the production designer on a variety of both major studio and independent films. These include Ed Harris' POLLOCK; Garry Marshall's RUNAWAY BRIDE; Ang Lee's RIDE WITH THE DEVIL and THE ICE STORM; Mira Nair's KAMA SUTRA: A TALE OF LOVE and THE PEREZ FAMILY; Bob Rafelson's HBO feature POODLE SPRINGS; Herb Gardner's I'M NOT RAPPAPORT; Maggie Greenwald's THE BALLAD OF LITTLE JO; and Alexandre Rockwell's IN THE SOUP.
For television, his notable work includes designing the telefilm THE VERNON JOHNS STORY, which starred James Earl Jones as the late civil rights leader and was directed by Ken Fink.
JAMES LYONS (Editor) is a longtime collaborator of Todd Haynes', having previously edited the features VELVET GOLDMINE, SAFE, and POISON, as well as the short DOTTIE GETS SPANKED. He also co-created (with Haynes) the story for VELVET GOLDMINE.
Lyons' other credits as film editor include Erik Skjoldbjaerg's soon-to-be-released PROZAC NATION; Jesse Peretz' THE CHATEAU and FIRST LOVE, LAST RITES; Tom Gilroy's SPRING FORWARD; Sofia Coppola's THE VIRGIN SUICIDES; Ronnie Larsen's nonfiction feature SHOOTING PORN; John Johnson's RATCHET; Peter Freidman and Tom Joslin's award-winning nonfiction feature SILVERLAKE LIFE: THE VIEW FROM HERE; and the short films LATE FALL (directed by Jason Kliot) and THE DEBT (directed by Bruno de Almeida). He also works as a screenwriter and actor.
SANDY POWELL (Costume Designer) earned the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for her work on SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE, directed by John Madden. That same year, she was also nominated in the same category for her work on Todd Haynes' VELVET GOLDMINE (for which she won a BAFTA Award). She was earlier Oscar-nominated for Iain Softley's THE WINGS OF THE DOVE and Sally Potter's ORLANDO.
Powell has also designed the costumes for such noteworthy films as Martin Scorsese's upcoming GANGS OF NEW YORK; Atom Egoyan's FELICIA'S JOURNEY; Mike Figgis' MISS JULIE and STORMY MONDAY; Anand Tucker's HILARY AND JACKIE; Michael Caton-Jones' ROB ROY; and Bill Forsyth's BEING HUMAN.
Two directors with whom she has collaborated extensively are Neil Jordan (on THE END OF THE AFFAIR, THE BUTCHER BOY, MICHAEL COLLINS, INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE, THE CRYING GAME, and THE MIRACLE) and the late Derek Jarman (on WITTGENSTEIN, THE LAST OF ENGLAND, the "Depuis le jour" segment of ARIA, and CARAVAGGIO).
Powell is a four-time winner of the (London) Evening Standard Award; and, in addition to her BAFTA Award win for VELVET GOLDMINE, has received four additional BAFTA Award nominations.
ELMER BERNSTEIN (Music) is the only active composer with a body of feature film work spanning a half-century: the year 2001 marked his 50th anniversary as a working movie composer. Far from Heaven is his most recent project of the over 150 feature films that he has scored.
Bernstein has received 13 Academy Award nominations, winning the Oscar for his score of George Roy Hill's THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (1967). His other Oscar nominations were for scoring Martin Scorsese's THE AGE OF INNOCENCE (which also earned him a Grammy Award nomination), John Landis' TRADING PLACES, Henry Hathaway's TRUE GRIT, George Roy Hill's HAWAII (for which he won a Golden Globe Award), Burt Kennedy's THE RETURN OF THE SEVEN, Robert Mulligan's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (for which he won a Golden Globe Award), Peter Glenville's SUMMER AND SMOKE, John Sturges' THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, and Otto Preminger's THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN ARM; and, in the Best Song category, for "Walk on the Wild Side" (from Edward Dmytryk's movie of the same name), "My Wishing Doll" (from George Roy Hill's HAWAII), and "Wherever Love Takes Me" (from Peter Hunt's GOLD).
He won an Emmy Award for scoring the television program THE MAKING OF THE PRESIDENT (1960), directed by Mel Stuart; and was nominated again for the epic miniseries CAPTAINS AND THE KINGS, directed by Douglas Heyes and Allen Reisner. He has also been nominated for four additional Grammy Awards, and twice for a Tony Award.
Bernstein's career honors include Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association; the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); the Society for the Preservation of Film Music; the Foundation for a Creative America; and, most recently, the Flanders International Film Festival. In 1996, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard. In 1999, he received an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Five Towns College in New York State; and was honored by the American Film Institute in Los Angeles and the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
His many scores also include Martin Scorsese's soon-to-be-released GANGS OF NEW YORK, BRINGING OUT THE DEAD, and CAPE FEAR (1991; for which Bernstein adapted Bernard Herrmann's original score from the 1962 version of the film); Martha Coolidge's award-winning INTRODUCING DOROTHY DANDRIDGE (for HBO), LOST IN YONKERS, and RAMBLING ROSE; Stephen Frears' THE GRIFTERS; Jim Sheridan's THE FIELD and Academy Award-winning MY LEFT FOOT; George Roy Hill's FUNNY FARM, SLAP SHOT, and THE WORLD OF HENRY ORIENT; Ivan Reitman's GHOSTBUSTERS and STRIPES; John Landis' "Thriller" music video, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, and NATIONAL LAMPOON'S ANIMAL HOUSE; Jim Abrahams, David Zucker, and Jerry Zucker's AIRPLANE!; Don Siegel's THE SHOOTIST; Robert Mulligan's BABY THE RAIN MUST FALL, LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER, and FEAR STRIKES OUT; Martin Ritt's HUD; John Sturges' THE GREAT ESCAPE; John Frankenheimer's THE GYPSY MOTHS and BIRDMAN OF ALCATRAZ; Vincente Minnelli's SOME CAME RUNNING; Alexander Mackendrick's SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS; Cecil B. DeMille's THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (1956); Fred Zinnemann's OKLAHOMA! (for which Bernstein scored the ballet music); and David Miller's SUDDEN FEAR.
The New York City native discovered his love of music growing up in a family interested in the arts, and was encouraged by them in his various creative pursuits. He was mentored by the renowned composer Aaron Copland, taught by Henriette Michelson and Israel Citkowitz, and subsequently studied with Roger Sessions and Stefan Wolpe. He began as a concert pianist and, during World War II, arranged American folk music and wrote dramatic scores for the Army Air Corps Radio Shows. Two shows that he did for United Nations Radio brought him to the attention of Columbia Pictures vice president Sidney Buchman, and Bernstein was given the opportunity to write his first film scores.
He is a founding life member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He has also been a vice president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; and president of the Composers and Lyricists Guild of America. He is currently president of the Film Music Museum, established for the preservation of, and home for, film music; and continues as Professor at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, where he teaches the course "Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television. "
