Bill Fishman

Directing

Bill Fishman

Bill Fishman, born in 1958, is an American film director and producer known for his distinctive work in both documentary and narrative cinema. With a career spanning several decades, Fishman gained recognition for his groundbreaking documentary "Desperate Teenage Lovedolls" (1984), a cult classic that showcased his unique storytelling style. He continued to make waves with his narrative feature "Tapeheads" (1988), blending music and comedy. Fishman's career expanded into television, contributing to popular series like "Grace Under Fire" and "My Name Is Earl." He won an award at the 1999 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival and has also directed numerous music videos for such artists as They Might Be Giants, George Clinton and Suicidal Tendencies. Known for his eclectic and innovative approach, Bill Fishman remains a notable figure in the world of filmmaking, leaving an enduring impact on both independent and mainstream cinema.

Acting credits

Behind the camera

Tapeheads poster
5.4

The story of Ivan and Josh, two dimwitted ex-security guards who love music videos. Out of work, with no job prospects, they form a music video production company. They soon learn the ins and outs of the business in LA, and with some help from Mo Fuzz, they soon become hot property. But not all goes smoothly when they try to resurrect the career of their favorite R&B duo, the Swanky Modes.

Tapeheads

1988

Tapeheads poster
5.4

The story of Ivan and Josh, two dimwitted ex-security guards who love music videos. Out of work, with no job prospects, they form a music video production company. They soon learn the ins and outs of the business in LA, and with some help from Mo Fuzz, they soon become hot property. But not all goes smoothly when they try to resurrect the career of their favorite R&B duo, the Swanky Modes.

Tapeheads

1988

Hollywood Signs poster
1.5

A documentary that celebrates autograph collecting, collectors, and our obsession with celebrities. It focuses on autograph dealing, the history of the autograph, autograph conventions, celebrities' point of view, and, of course, the folks whose lives revolve around autographs. Hollywood Signs is a love letter to a world with characters you definitely don't see every day.

Hollywood Signs

2022

Car 54, Where Are You? poster
3.4

Brash NYC policeman Officer Gunther Toody is partnered with stiff, by-the-book Officer Francis Muldoon to protect an important mafia witness prior to testifying against orgainzed crime in Brooklyn, all the while dealing with their personal lives, overbearing spouses, common criminals, arms dealers, and their officious boss Captain Anderson.

Car 54, Where Are You?

1994

Waltzing with Brando poster
5.7

The story of how Marlon Brando plucked Bernard Judge, an obscure but idealistic Los Angeles architect from his stable existence and convinced him that he should build the world’s first ecologically perfect retreat on a tiny and uninhabitable Tahitian island.

Waltzing with Brando

2025

Waltzing with Brando poster
5.7

The story of how Marlon Brando plucked Bernard Judge, an obscure but idealistic Los Angeles architect from his stable existence and convinced him that he should build the world’s first ecologically perfect retreat on a tiny and uninhabitable Tahitian island.

Waltzing with Brando

2025

Waltzing with Brando poster
5.7

The story of how Marlon Brando plucked Bernard Judge, an obscure but idealistic Los Angeles architect from his stable existence and convinced him that he should build the world’s first ecologically perfect retreat on a tiny and uninhabitable Tahitian island.

Waltzing with Brando

2025

Desperate But Not Serious poster
5.5

Lily is a twenty-something aspiring writer who receives an invitation to attend a wedding reception with Jonathan, a handsome entomologist who also happens to be the man of her dreams. The only problem is that she's in San Francisco and the wedding is in L.A. Lily is therefore forced to enlist the aid of her friend Frances, an unrepentant party girl who has the L.A. nightclub scene wired. Their plans are completely derailed when they inadvertently lose the all important wedding invitation. This sets in motion an evening full of near misses with Jonathan, and thrusts Lily and Frances into a swarm of offbeat encounters with the underground Hollywood crowd. Off they go from club to club, from party to party and from boy to boy in an effort to find the wedding reception.

Desperate But Not Serious

2000

My Dinner with Jimi poster
5.8

 The story of the night The Turtles met The Beatles and Howard Kaylan had dinner with Jimi Hendrix.

My Dinner with Jimi

2003

Butter Miracle Suite One poster
NR

Tells the story of a woman who moves from California to New York. The song draws parallels with Duritz's personal journey and his own struggles with mental illness.

Butter Miracle Suite One

2021

Butter Miracle Suite One poster
NR

Tells the story of a woman who moves from California to New York. The song draws parallels with Duritz's personal journey and his own struggles with mental illness.

Butter Miracle Suite One

2021

Butter Miracle Suite One poster
NR

Tells the story of a woman who moves from California to New York. The song draws parallels with Duritz's personal journey and his own struggles with mental illness.

Butter Miracle Suite One

2021