Born and raised in the vibrant city of New York, William "Bill" Tannen's journey began at Boston University, where he laid the foundation for a career in advertising.
Pursuing his passion, Tannen created the iconic "Girl Watchers" campaign for Diet Pepsi in 1967, which garnered a prestigious four Clio Awards. This remarkable achievement marked a significant milestone in his career, and he soon established his own company, Sunday Productions, to produce television commercials.
In 1972, Tannen relocated to Los Angeles, where he continued to direct commercials worldwide, accumulating five additional Clio Awards along the way. His impressive body of work has cemented his reputation as a master director.
Tannen's foray into feature filmmaking began with "Flashpoint" in 1984, followed by a prolific career directing numerous films, television series, and music videos. One of his most notable music video credits includes the Commodore's "Night Shift" in 1985, which won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Video.
Beyond his impressive portfolio, Tannen has also shared his expertise by teaching director's workshops at the esteemed EICAR International Film School in Paris, France.