Fans of horror and exploitation films as well as comics, may recognize Robert Tinnell‘s name for his work writing and directing the paean to classic horror and Monster Kids, FRANKENSTEIN AND ME or producing the legendary SURF NAZIS MUST DIE or co-writing graphic novels like the Rondo-Award-winning THE BLACK FOREST. As early as his teenage years, Tinnell pursued his genre passions, including creating the fanzine DEMONS OF THE MIND, on staff for QUESTAR magazine, and as a production assistant on CREEPSHOW. His passion for filmmaking and storytelling has propelled him beyond his feature film work to commercials that made the cover of Adweek, long and short-form documentaries and MTV-award winning music videos he produced for the likes of David Fincher.
As a feature film director Tinnell has consistently attracted talented cast for projects, among them Burt Reynolds, Joe Mantegna, Joe Pantoliano, Skyler Gisondo, Malcolm McDowell, Ben Gazzara, Louise Fletcher, and Paul Ben-Victor. He has a strong track record of casting future stars in early roles, including Ryan Gosling, Elisha Cuthbert, Andrew Schulz and Jessica Darrow. Tinnell’s writing efforts are not limited to his own films, with screenwriting assignments for the late Steve Golin of Anonymous Content among others.
He has also had a successful career writing comic books and graphic novels and nabbed a prestigious Eisner Award-nomination for FEAST OF THE SEVEN FISHES (which he went on to adapt and direct for the screen). When he is not writing or shooting, Tinnell spends his time with his wife and children, working on permaculture and forest farming projects as well as conducting large-scale habitat restoration on his mountain farm in Appalachia.
We’re very happy to welcome Robert to his first Monsterama!
