William R. Coughlan

Directing

William R. Coughlan

William R. Coughlan is an award-winning screenwriter and director, and founder and CEO of independent video production company Tohubohu Productions, LLC. He worked for several years with The Advisory Board Company (and its offshoot companies, CEB and EAB) in Washington, D.C., where he began as a graphic designer before creating a full-service in-house video and multimedia department, and then eventually moving into the ranks of creative department management. In addition, he provides creative oversight for the Public & Government Affairs team at Edelman, is the Creative Director of Jabberwocky Audio Theater, and served for several years on the Board of Directors for TIVA, the Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC, Inc., filling the roles of Treasurer and Vice President before finishing his tenure as President. He also enjoys acting, voiceover performance, design and illustration, editing, animation, and writing autobiographical comments in the third person. He is the illustrator of the therapeutic workbook Stories for Children with Problems & Wishes, has provided schematic graphics for several HBS case studies, designed the acclaimed Protégé clay poker chip line, served as the Critic at Large for the online literary magazine Inkblots, has been a judge for both the TIVA Peer Awards and the Emmy Awards, founded and co-hosted the long-running Tohubohu Producer Podcast, and is an accomplished animator and ambigram artist. He currently resides at a secret compound in Northern Virginia.

Acting credits

Screening Process poster
NR

Kevin can’t seem to catch a break in the romantic arena, and his poker buddies aren’t afraid to let him know it. Over the course of a friendly game, they recount his romantic misadventures, and a pattern emerges — all of Kevin’s concepts of romance derive from 1980s-era films. Which might be all right, except that Kevin can’t seem to execute them the way they come off in the movies. Whether he’s reenacting his favorite scenes from “Pretty in Pink,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Top Gun,” or “Say Anything,” he always manages to end up with egg on his face. That is, until he meets just the right woman…

Screening Process

2004

Remorseless poster
NR

The flashes of memory that return to Carrie Wallace as she lies bloodied in the street all share a common trait: Each culminates in an insincere apology. A casual bump in the street, a father’s indifference, a boyfriend’s exit, youthful disappointments. But despite her lifetime’s experience, she holds out hope that she may yet witness a true expression of remorse.

Remorseless

2012

Homemade Hero poster
NR

Ever since he was a child, Reuben knew he was different… and despite all his attempts to fit in with “normal” people, he remains isolated and alone. But a chance encounter with an up-and-coming rock star gives him the spark needed to hone his supernormal skills, to shape himself into a true hero. And then Campbell, a new face in his office, demonstrates abilities comparable to his own, but with a bizarre twist — and nefarious intent. Reuben’s coworkers are oblivious to the danger she represents, and slowly fall under her spell. As Campbell spreads her nefarious influence, Reuben’s friends must decide: Soup… or hero?

Homemade Hero

2005

Codependence Day poster
NR

Emily is nervous about meeting her husband Wilson’s family for the first time at their annual Independence Day gathering. Having eloped, she is concerned that the family will never accept her as one of their own. But Wilson has a plan to bring her into the fold — competing in the family’s annual (if ridiculous) tradition of throwing balls at a target object, a barely-recognizable variation of bocce.

Codependence Day

2015

The Lake poster
NR

The Lake tells the story of two sisters, each dealing in her own way with the childhood loss of their father. Claire still lives at home with Mom and spends her days on the lake in their father’s old rowboat. Laney has built her own life in the city, but when she comes back to visit, the sisters’ discoveries will dredge up the past and the secrets that bind this family together may just tear them apart.

The Lake

2013

Separation Smackdown poster
NR

In the era of social distancing, everyone has had to adjust. But in the world of professional (or semi-professional) wrestling — where in-the-ring competition necessarily requires close physical contact — the challenges presented are particularly troublesome. But a shift in emphasis toward other entertainment aspects may be just what the sport needs to survive.

Separation Smackdown

2020

Believe Me poster
NR

In this contemporary take on the classic fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” a man finds himself bored with his job — and decides to amuse himself by playing pranks on his coworkers, only to find that they may be disinclined to believe him when their trust is most critical.

Believe Me

2017

Bombshell poster
6.0

Binjamen, irate after a conflict with a local sushi chef, decides to take revenge — in an extreme fashion. But when he meets the vacationing Lynette, he is instantly smitten... and has to reconsider his plans for vengeance when it seems she may be caught up in his actions.

Bombshell

2018

The Rest of Your Life poster
NR

Recent high school graduate Caleb is reluctant to embrace his friend Abby’s advice to embark on a new chapter of his life; he prefers the status quo. But his own perspective shifts radically when a sudden accident leaves him dead — and reanimated as a ghost. Guided by longtime spirit (and 1970s holdover) Paul, Caleb must acquaint himself with his newfound condition… and ultimately determine the course of his “unlife.”

The Rest of Your Life

2017

Touched by a Lawyer poster
NR

Phil has an amazing ability: With a touch, he can see exactly one hour and eight minutes into someone’s past. Unfortunately, it seems to cause him nothing but trouble — especially at the office, where he is called in before the boss and lectured on “inappropriate touching.” His coworker Lily is convinced that his ability makes him a superhero, but Phil is hardly persuaded… until a chance bump with a new client shows him that he may have an opportunity to prove her right.

Touched by a Lawyer

2011

The Greater Evil poster
NR

A jaded political campaign operative gradually realizes the horrific true nature of the popular yet brash candidate she is working for.

The Greater Evil

2015

The Greater Evil poster
NR

A jaded political campaign operative gradually realizes the horrific true nature of the popular yet brash candidate she is working for.

The Greater Evil

2015

Tex: Wisdom of the Old West poster
NR

Quentin has a problem: one of his neighbors is gradually taking over the community garden, pushing everyone else out and consolidating her claim. His friend Brent is pushing him to confront the offender, but Quentin seeks the wisdom of Tex — a genuine Old West gunslinger who just happens to find himself in the modern era.

Tex: Wisdom of the Old West

2015

Behind the camera

Screening Process poster
NR

Kevin can’t seem to catch a break in the romantic arena, and his poker buddies aren’t afraid to let him know it. Over the course of a friendly game, they recount his romantic misadventures, and a pattern emerges — all of Kevin’s concepts of romance derive from 1980s-era films. Which might be all right, except that Kevin can’t seem to execute them the way they come off in the movies. Whether he’s reenacting his favorite scenes from “Pretty in Pink,” “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” “Top Gun,” or “Say Anything,” he always manages to end up with egg on his face. That is, until he meets just the right woman…

Screening Process

2004

Close Quarters poster
1.0

Every Sunday, a group of close friends gets together for a backyard barbecue. But one day, Smitty decides to bring along his new girlfriend — and everyone is shocked to discover that she looks strikingly similar to Samantha, another friend who died several years ago. As the afternoon progresses, each of the friends must not only deal with the new addition to their little circle, but confront the ghosts of their own past relationships — resulting in unplanned revelations.

Close Quarters

2006

Close Quarters poster
1.0

Every Sunday, a group of close friends gets together for a backyard barbecue. But one day, Smitty decides to bring along his new girlfriend — and everyone is shocked to discover that she looks strikingly similar to Samantha, another friend who died several years ago. As the afternoon progresses, each of the friends must not only deal with the new addition to their little circle, but confront the ghosts of their own past relationships — resulting in unplanned revelations.

Close Quarters

2006

Green House poster
NR

The Coffmans are desperate to win their bid for residency in a new, environmentally friendly condo. Putting their best face forward, they work to convince a jaded government auditor that their lifestyle makes them worthy of acceptance. But when another couple vies for the same home, a battle for environmental superiority begins.

Green House

2011

Remorseless poster
NR

The flashes of memory that return to Carrie Wallace as she lies bloodied in the street all share a common trait: Each culminates in an insincere apology. A casual bump in the street, a father’s indifference, a boyfriend’s exit, youthful disappointments. But despite her lifetime’s experience, she holds out hope that she may yet witness a true expression of remorse.

Remorseless

2012

Homemade Hero poster
NR

Ever since he was a child, Reuben knew he was different… and despite all his attempts to fit in with “normal” people, he remains isolated and alone. But a chance encounter with an up-and-coming rock star gives him the spark needed to hone his supernormal skills, to shape himself into a true hero. And then Campbell, a new face in his office, demonstrates abilities comparable to his own, but with a bizarre twist — and nefarious intent. Reuben’s coworkers are oblivious to the danger she represents, and slowly fall under her spell. As Campbell spreads her nefarious influence, Reuben’s friends must decide: Soup… or hero?

Homemade Hero

2005

Liability poster
NR

When three sudden deaths befall members of a small law firm, Karen Dunmore begins to suspect that they may be retribution for a terrible crime and its subsequent cover-up. Fearing for her family’s safety, she desperately tries to convince her husband and his associates to take action. But will it be too late?

Liability

2010

Uncertainty Principle poster
NR

Dire warnings of immminent disaster have proven justified, as global destruction begins raining down from purple-hued skies. A Washington family struggles to cope with the advancing armageddon until a lone physicist proposes an unorthodox course of action.

Uncertainty Principle

2009

Schlimmer poster
NR

Sebastian is eager to show off his latest acquisition to a cadre of eccentric — and soon-to-be-jealous — art collectors, even hiring his photographer nephew to capture the unveiling for posterity. But when the “Schlimmer” turns up missing, accusations of theft begin flying, and long-simmering resentments begin to undermine the group’s cohesion.

Schlimmer

2004

Unresolved poster
NR

A young woman awakens alone in her new (and as-yet-unfurnished) home on New Years's Day, having skipped festivities the night before. But in an offhand attempt to make a worthwhile New Year’s resolution, she inadvertently invokes an… unconventional advisor.

Unresolved

2024

Winston poster
NR

Alina, eager for a promotion at work, agrees to take on what appears to be a straightforward task: Housesitting and taking care of her boss Sybil’s precious dog, Winston. But confusion sets in when Alina arrives at the home only to discover that ”Winston” is in fact a stuffed animal — leading her to question both her boss’s motives and her mental state.

Winston

2016

Winston poster
NR

Alina, eager for a promotion at work, agrees to take on what appears to be a straightforward task: Housesitting and taking care of her boss Sybil’s precious dog, Winston. But confusion sets in when Alina arrives at the home only to discover that ”Winston” is in fact a stuffed animal — leading her to question both her boss’s motives and her mental state.

Winston

2016

Codependence Day poster
NR

Emily is nervous about meeting her husband Wilson’s family for the first time at their annual Independence Day gathering. Having eloped, she is concerned that the family will never accept her as one of their own. But Wilson has a plan to bring her into the fold — competing in the family’s annual (if ridiculous) tradition of throwing balls at a target object, a barely-recognizable variation of bocce.

Codependence Day

2015

Codependence Day poster
NR

Emily is nervous about meeting her husband Wilson’s family for the first time at their annual Independence Day gathering. Having eloped, she is concerned that the family will never accept her as one of their own. But Wilson has a plan to bring her into the fold — competing in the family’s annual (if ridiculous) tradition of throwing balls at a target object, a barely-recognizable variation of bocce.

Codependence Day

2015

The Lake poster
NR

The Lake tells the story of two sisters, each dealing in her own way with the childhood loss of their father. Claire still lives at home with Mom and spends her days on the lake in their father’s old rowboat. Laney has built her own life in the city, but when she comes back to visit, the sisters’ discoveries will dredge up the past and the secrets that bind this family together may just tear them apart.

The Lake

2013

The Lake poster
NR

The Lake tells the story of two sisters, each dealing in her own way with the childhood loss of their father. Claire still lives at home with Mom and spends her days on the lake in their father’s old rowboat. Laney has built her own life in the city, but when she comes back to visit, the sisters’ discoveries will dredge up the past and the secrets that bind this family together may just tear them apart.

The Lake

2013

Separation Smackdown poster
NR

In the era of social distancing, everyone has had to adjust. But in the world of professional (or semi-professional) wrestling — where in-the-ring competition necessarily requires close physical contact — the challenges presented are particularly troublesome. But a shift in emphasis toward other entertainment aspects may be just what the sport needs to survive.

Separation Smackdown

2020

Separation Smackdown poster
NR

In the era of social distancing, everyone has had to adjust. But in the world of professional (or semi-professional) wrestling — where in-the-ring competition necessarily requires close physical contact — the challenges presented are particularly troublesome. But a shift in emphasis toward other entertainment aspects may be just what the sport needs to survive.

Separation Smackdown

2020

Believe Me poster
NR

In this contemporary take on the classic fable “The Boy Who Cried Wolf,” a man finds himself bored with his job — and decides to amuse himself by playing pranks on his coworkers, only to find that they may be disinclined to believe him when their trust is most critical.

Believe Me

2017

Closure Corps poster
NR

A master occultist revives her recently deceased father in order to take care of some unfinished business. But shortcuts in the resurrection process result in his needing to accomplish more than merely his own objectives.

Closure Corps

2022

Closure Corps poster
NR

A master occultist revives her recently deceased father in order to take care of some unfinished business. But shortcuts in the resurrection process result in his needing to accomplish more than merely his own objectives.

Closure Corps

2022

Machinations poster
NR

Up-and-coming politico Robert Soxer is making a last-minute campaign appearance at a small kitchen and bath remodeling shop. The shop’s owner, Leon, is an ardent supporter, and takes Soxer and his entourage on a quick tour. Meanwhile, shop worker Rachael, despondent over her recent breakup with coworker Rick, makes a startling discovery — the candidate is far from what he appears to be, giving new meaning to the term “political machine.” As the group leaves, Rachael tries to convince Rick of what she’s seen, but he misinterprets her warnings. Will Rachael be able to stop Soxer’s ascent to power and redeem herself in Rick’s eyes?

Machinations

2006

Bombshell poster
6.0

Binjamen, irate after a conflict with a local sushi chef, decides to take revenge — in an extreme fashion. But when he meets the vacationing Lynette, he is instantly smitten... and has to reconsider his plans for vengeance when it seems she may be caught up in his actions.

Bombshell

2018

Please Forward poster
NR

Chain Mail International has had a banner year; the tanking economy is proving an unexpected boon for the firm’s time-honored business — creating and forwarding chain letters. Through the lens of the firm’s holiday party, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of the business, and come to see that as progress moves relentlessly onward, not everyone will be sharing in the group’s success.

Please Forward

2009