Filmmaker Tommy Avallone's guest appearances

Filmmaker Tommy Avallone

Respect The Process

DreamPath Podcast

Tommy Avallone

Rob Paulsen

LeBron James

Elijah Wood

Don McLean

Chris Smith

Stephen King

Lynn Shelton

Maz Jobrani

Judd Apatow

Shane Hurlbut

Tommy Chong

Bill Burr

Joni Mitchell

Nancy Wilson

OwlTail

Tommy Avallone is an LA-based director, producer, and actor, whose documentaries include I Am Santa Claus (2014), The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Madman (2018)(available on  Netflix), and  Waldo on Weed (2019) which was co-produced by Whoopi Goldberg (available on Amazon Prime and for rent on all streaming platforms).  What you will learn:  The origins of the Waldo on Weed story and the film’s efforts to tell a universally compelling story, regardless of viewers’ opinions on marijuana. The unique challenges of combing found-footage from home movies with present-day interviews. [00:00-09:45] Tommy’s experience at the Tribeca Film Festival, and the story behind his early run for mayor at the age of 20. [09:45-16:18] What a day in the life of Tommy Avallone looks like. The importance of playing within the Hollywood system as a filmmaker, while also maintaining your independence and autonomy. [16:18-24:38] Tommy's approach to filming the Bill Murray Stories without Bill Murray’s involvement, and how not having him in the film added to the mystique and mystery surrounding Murray. How the fair use doctrine allowed him to use footage from Murray’s films in the documentary. How Tommy feels about appearing in his own documentaries. [24:38-32:41] Life lessons from Bill Murray and Tommy’s insightful encounter with an audience member in Austin at the South By Southwest Film Festival. Also, how Tommy deconstructs the concept of charisma. [32:41-38:07] Why Tommy gravitated towards documentary filmmaking vs narrative films, but still aspires to make narrative films. [38:07-46:11]. What projects Tommy is currently working on, including the upcoming film This is GWAR starring Thomas Lennon. Also, how Tommy navigates the unique business and financial challenges facing documentary filmmakers. [46:11-52:49]  Resources:  Tommy Avallone’s: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and IMDb Double Windsor Films 

<a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2056650/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tommy Avallone</a> is an LA-based director, producer, and actor, whose documentaries include <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2526846/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">I Am Santa Claus</a> (2014), <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7329810/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bill Murray Stories: Life Lessons Learned from a Mythical Madman</a> (2018)(available on <a href="https://www.netflix.com/watch/81031650?trackId=13752289&amp;tctx=0%2C0%2C0d23385b5ffa7b7f1f29a4dde71b2116bb202e06%3A3cf253b9af26f496c521bc97fd8a82077b0d9340%2C0d23385b5ffa7b7f1f29a4dde71b2116bb202e06%3A3cf253b9af26f496c521bc97fd8a82077b0d9340%2Cunknown%2C" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Netflix</a>), and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6065196/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Waldo on Weed</a> (2019) which was co-produced by <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000155/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whoopi Goldberg</a> (available on Amazon Prime and for rent on all streaming platforms).  What you will learn: <ul> <li>The origins of the Waldo on Weed story and the film’s efforts to tell a universally compelling story, regardless of viewers’ opinions on marijuana. The unique challenges of combing found-footage from home movies with present-day interviews. [00:00-09:45]</li> <li>Tommy’s experience at the Tribeca Film Festival, and the story behind his early run for mayor at the age of 20. [09:45-16:18]</li> <li>What a day in the life of Tommy Avallone looks like. The importance of playing within the Hollywood system as a filmmaker, while also maintaining your independence and autonomy. [16:18-24:38]</li> <li>Tommy's approach to filming the Bill Murray Stories without Bill Murray’s involvement, and how not having him in the film added to the mystique and mystery surrounding Murray. How the fair use doctrine allowed him to use footage from Murray’s films in the documentary. How Tommy feels about appearing in his own documentaries. [24:38-32:41]</li> <li>Life lessons from Bill Murray and Tommy’s insightful encounter with an audience member in Austin at the South By Southwest Film Festival. Also, how Tommy deconstructs the concept of charisma. [32:41-38:07]</li> <li>Why Tommy gravitated towards documentary filmmaking vs narrative films, but still aspires to make narrative films. [38:07-46:11].</li> <li>What projects Tommy is currently working on, including the upcoming film This is GWAR starring Thomas Lennon. Also, how Tommy navigates the unique business and financial challenges facing documentary filmmakers. [46:11-52:49]</li> </ul> Resources: <ul> <li>Tommy Avallone’s: <a href="https://twitter.com/tommyavallone3?lang=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/rockhardkilla" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tommyavallone3/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a>, and <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2056650/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">IMDb</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.doublewindsorfilms.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Double Windsor Films</a></li> </ul>

Waldo on Weed and Capturing the Zen of Bill Murray, with Filmmaker Tommy Avallone

It’s always a treat to talk with director/producer/editor Tommy Avallone, (picture with Exec Producer Whoopie Goldberg) this time via Skype due to social distancing. Waldo On Weed tells the story about Waldo James Mysterious Dwyer, a six-month old baby boy suffering from Retinoblastoma – eye cancer – in both of his eyes. Seeing their son suffer through the […]

Docu Filmmaker Tommy Avallone Returns With "Waldo On Weed".