Tom Stern (director)

Tom Stern
Born United States
Occupation Director, actor, writer, producer

Tom Stern is an American actor, director, writer, and producer living in Los Angeles, California.

Education

Stern grew up in Pleasantville, New York and attended Byram Hills High School in Armonk, New York, and then went to film school at Tisch School of the Arts New York University (NYU) from 1983–87, where he met Alex Winter.[1] The two collaborated on a number of short films including Squeal of Death,[1] which was noticed by an executive at Columbia Pictures in 1986. After graduating the pair went to Hollywood and directed IMPACT video magazine, which feature artists and performers such as Bill Hicks, Survival Research Labs, Public Enemy, Robert Williams, Janes Addiction, and another short film with Butthole Surfers.

Hollywood

In 1987 Stern and Winter drove to Hollywood and sent a copy of Squeal of Death to Sam Raimi, whose film Evil Dead 2 was an inspiration to them. Raimi responded enthusiastically. He and his partner Rob Tapert optioned an anthology comedy feature film script from Stern and Winter. The pair then worked on a number of short films and music videos for bands such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ice Cube, and Butthole Surfers. They also directed IMPACT Video Magazine for producer Stuart Shapiro. Impact was a counter-culture arts magazine that featured short films, performances, and interviews with the likes of Butthole Surfers, painter Robert Williams, hip hop pioneers Public Enemy, robotic art collective Survival Research Labs, and comedian Bill Hicks.

Stern and Winter teamed up with writer Tim Burns on the The Idiot Box,[2] with Stern and Winter also co-starring and co-directing.[1][3]

Immediately following The Idiot Box, Stern, Winter and Burns co-wrote the 1993 film Freaked with Stern and Winter also serving as co-directors. Freaked starred Winter, Randy Quaid, Keanu Reeves, Bobcat Goldthwait and Mr. T.[2] The film gained a cult following and in 2013 played at Cinefamily in Los Angeles in celebration of the 20th anniversary of its release.[4]

Stern also co-wrote the screenplay to An American Werewolf in Paris, the sequel to the 1981 film An American Werewolf in London, with Burns and Anthony Waller.[5][6]

Stern and Burns also collaborated on The Chimp Channel[7] and Monkey-ed Movies.

Stern has worked with Jimmy Kimmel's production company Jackhole Productions on shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Man Show as segment director,[8] and Crank Yankers as director and supervising producer.[9] In addition, Stern appeared as an actor and worked as a writer for Trey Parker and Matt Stone's presidential parody, That's My Bush!,[10] as co-executive producer, served as director and writer for The Andy Milonakis Show,[11] and was one of the creators and producers of the Comedy Central travel show parody Gerhard Reinke's Wanderlust.[12]

In May 2008, Stern directed a music video for Russian metal band ANJ called "Gorbachev: Bigger and Russianer". He posted it on his Vimeo page in July and within four weeks it had been viewed over four hundred and eighty thousand times and 111K on YouTube all by word of mouth. In July 2008, Stern directed the puppet show pilot Alligator Boots, hosted by Kanye West. In August 2008 Stern completed the rear projection content for Cheech & Chong's Light Up America tour.

Filmography

Music videos

References

  1. 1 2 3 Farber, Jim (April 20, 1991). "Alex Winter's 'Idiot Box' Series Unleashes Violence For Laughs". New York Daily News. Retrieved November 27, 2014 – via Chicago Tribune.
  2. 1 2 Willman, Chris (October 4, 1993). "Movie Review: 'Freaked': Potty-Level Humor Mixed With Terrific Effects". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  3. ↑ Willman, Chris (March 23, 1991). "TV Review: Hey, What's Wrong With a Little Idiotic Stealing Among Friends?". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  4. ↑ Berg, Bret (September 27, 2013). "Heavy Midnites: Freaked (20th Anniv. screening, directors Alex Winter & Tom Stern in person!)". Cinefamily. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  5. ↑ Ebert, Robert (December 25, 1997). "An American Werewolf in Paris". Rogerebert.com. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  6. ↑ "An American Werewolf in Paris". The Daily Script. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ Richmond, Ray (June 9, 1999). "Review: 'The Chimp Channel'". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  8. ↑ "The Man Show: Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Crank Yankers: Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  10. ↑ "That's My Bush!: Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  11. ↑ "The Andy Milonakis Show: Credits". Hollywood.com. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Gerhard Reinke's Wanderlust: Full Production Credits". The New York Times. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
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