Tom Donahue has been working in film since the 90′s. He started as an editor, doing both docs and narrative and later produced “Washington Heights”,winner of five awards for best picture worldwide and runner-up for the jury award at TFF.
“Guest of Cindy Sherman” is his directorial documentary feature debut, which he presented last week at the Tribeca Film Festival.The film portrays a witty picture of the New York art scene and includes interviews with a veritable who’s who of the art community(including Roberta Smith, Ingrid Sischy, John Waters, Robert Longo, Carol Kane, David Furnish, Danny DeVito,and Molly Ringwald). The sold-out screening was filled with art aficionados watching a project that took four years to put together and which used more than 15 years of footage.
Tom is currently working on “Beard’s Creek”, his narrative coming out party which we cant wait to see.
Biggest film accomplishments so far?
“Washington Heights”, “Keep the River on Your Right”, “Naked States”, “Man Push Cart”, “Highway Courtesans”, and now “Guest of Cindy Sherman”
Dream projects?
Two are in the works right now. One is a documentary about the pioneering Hollywood Casting Director, Marion Dougherty. She’s a woman no one outside the industry knows who single-handedly changed Hollywood over the last half century. The other is my narrative feature debut. It’s an incredible script by Maureen Tilyou called BEARD’S CREEK(Ilan Arboleda is producing)! Hands down, without exaggeration, I can say it’s the best script I’ve ever read. I only hope I can do it justice.
Differences between the film industry in New York and LA?
It’s much smaller in New York. There’s a lot less opportunity. But it’s also less stratified and less corporate.
Favorite websites?
Yours, of course. And imdbpro is a HUGE resource.
Do you prefer editing or directing?
I prefer directing because it affords me total control.
How was your screening at the Tribeca Film Festival?
It’s been great. We’ve received some amazing notices. Some pull quotes below (if I may : )
“5 (out of 6) stars” -Time Out New York
“A work of art” -Variety
“One entertaining (and sometimes squirm-inducing) concoction.” -Salon
“Weirdly compelling” -Village Voice
“A surprisingly powerful psychological drama” -New York Sun
“Entertaining” -Artforum
“A genuinely compelling modern love affair that will appeal
even to those who are only mildly curious about who?s hot
and who?s not in the art world.” -Artlovers New York
What makes Tribeca so interesting for film makers?
I love the people that run out. And I love that it’s in New York.
www.guestofcindysherman.com
