Archived Q&A with Timothy Greenfield-Sanders

• Q

  

  HBODocs

  Please welcome About Face filmmaker Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Timothy, how do you feel after last night’s premiere on HBO?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  What premiere?... Ok... it was very exciting... I've been inundated with emails and calls. Even my mother liked it

• Q

  

  YoriEric

  I'm very into fashion, but I find that the film has themes that transcend the industry. Did you make the film with that intention?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Absolutely. I thought this group of women would be a heighten experience to examine aging and marginalization...through the eyes of famous, beautiful women.

• Q

  

  hollyjosey

  If "wisdom is supple while folly keeps a groove"... what does it take to see Isabella Rosellini embraced once again?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Isabella was an amazing day... we all just adored her. She arrived from the subway, with a backpack on. No limo, no nonsense. I could have put everything she said into the film... but it would have added another HOUR!

• Q

  

  Emily Giannusa

  What are some of the most challenging projects that you've worked on?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I'm just finalizing The Latino List: Volume 2 for HBO. It will air on September 24th. From Victor Cruz to George Lopez to Nely Galan. It's great. Also, I'm working on The LGBT List...also for HBO.. for next year.

• Q

  

  HannahGibbler

  What surprised you most when filming About Face?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Hard to say... probably how real the women were. I wanted that to come through in the film. Every once in a while there was a diva moment..but that made it fun

• Q

  

  Walter Sedovic

  Confidence radiates beauty and "nothing says 'I'm not confident' as much as Botox." Any feedback from current modeling & product community?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I'm sure that Botox Monthly is not going to do a cover story on ABOUT FACE! I did see one plastic surgery blog take issue with the film...but of that's to be expected.

• Q

  

  Jill Johnson Mann

  More stunning than these models' faces in their youth is their wisdom now. Were they selected for their eloquence or are most models smarter than people think? (As a former model and now modelingmentor.com blogger, I've been waiting a long time for such an excellent, balanced, insightful look at the modeling industry and its icons!)

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Thanks for the kind remarks. When I started to meet the models on this project, I knew others outside the industry would be surprised. We have to get past our cliches about models being dumb.

• Q

  

  jfagnan

  Did you try to get Jean Shrimpton? or any British or European models?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I did want Jean Shrimpton, but we got no answer. As for other Europeans... well.. Isabella is Italian and Marisa Berenson lives in Paris and Jerry Hall lives in England. But for this film, I tried to keep it more U.S. centric, just to keep control over the project

• Q

  

  DeaLawrence1

  Did any model you wanted in the film decline to be interviewed?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I get asked that a lot. Yes, Veruschka said NO. She was not interested in talking about the past. I really wanted her in the film, because when I was a teenager, "Blowup" , was a big deal to me and my friends.

• Q

  

  YoriEric

  What other models did you want to interview?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Veruschka said no...

• Q

  

  YoriEric

  Hollywood & fashion have some similarities. Do u think the film wouldve had the same message had it been famous actresses instead of models?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Good question. I thought about including famous actors who started out as models, but most of those experiences were light on the modeling side. I would imagine that older actresses would have a LOT to say about this. I'm considering going there for a doc...but don't want to repeat myself too much. I'd need to think of a new way to shoot it.

• Q

  

  YoriEric

  The film touched on it a bit, but how impactful would u say the AIDS crisis of the 80’s was on the industry, behind/ in front of the camera?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  The AIDS crisis devastated the fashion industry. Not just the designers, but the hair and makeup artists and many of the great male models. I'm starting a new doc on the male side of this... and many of the great guys are gone... from AIDS.

• Q

  

  JasonLekson

  What inspired you to create this film? Really glad you did!

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  You've all probably read this by now, but I went to a party 2 1/2 years ago that hair guru Harry King and model Nancy Donahue gave for their 70's and 80's Facebook friends. I met a handful of models there and left thinking it was a perfect group portrait. Once I got to know the models... I knew it was a documentary, as well.

• Q

  

  LindaOren

  Was there anything that some of the models refused to discuss?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Not really. They were all very open. I didn't have extensive interviews with everyone...so some of the women are not seen as much in the film as others.

• Q

  

  KarenJenns

  What was your biggest takeaway/learning experience after filming?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I think the film is about reinvention, in a sense. I think about that myself as I get older and strive to keep relevant in my own work.

• Q

  

  Kim Warner

  What made you want to document supermodels and present their perspective on aging?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  We all have to think about and deal with aging as we get older. I thought that supermodels would be great way to examine this process, but on an elevated level. How do the most beautiful people in the world handle this issue? I knew we could learn a lot from those more perfect looking than we.

• Q

  

  ChesleyRich

  I caught the black list and found it really inspiring - any plans to do more?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I'm just about finished with THE LATINO LIST: Volume 2. It airs on HBO on September 24th.

• Q

  

  beckyayay

  Are you working on any other new projects?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I'm half completed The LGBT List, my new doc on the gay America. It's in the style of The Black List and included Ellen DeGeneres, Larry Kramer, Dustin Lance Black and Janet Mock among others. It's going to be fantastic.

• Q

  

  KarenJenns

  How did you choose your interview subjects for the film?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  About Face started with the 70's and 80's group portrait. That was the core of the film. Then I realized I needed to go back in time to the 60's and 50's...to get people like China Machado and Carmen Dell'Orefice.

• Q

  

  HannahGibbler

  What were your expectations for "About Face?"

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Getting into Sundance was very exciting. I had hoped that would happen and when it did, it really gave the film a wide platform. Sundance is the good housekeeping seal of approval. I've had three films there and it's a big deal for any filmmaker. So... once we got in to Sundance... I knew we were on our way. HBO was hugely supportive of the film and that made me very happy.

• Q

  

  EmmaRothlen

  What inspired you to become a filmmaker?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  Andy Warhol inspired me to be a filmmaker when I was a teenager and read about his crazy movies like "Chelsea Girls" and "Empire". I wanted to make underground films. I went to graduate film school at the American Film Institute.. and there I fell in love with portraiture.

• Q

  

  JessReppler

  What were some of the challenges you faced when shooting "About Face?"

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  It's always challenging to get the subjects lines up. Jerry Hall took months because she lives in England and Australia. Once we got the women into the studio... it was all fun!

• Q

  

  LaurenFeatherse

  Who are some of your favorite supermodels?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  That's a "Sophie's Choice" kind of question. I can't answer that other than I love them all.

• Q

  

  EmmaRothlen

  What did the women you interviewed think about plastic surgery? Honestly.

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  About Face extensively explores plastic surgery. Watch the film and you'll see.

• Q

  

  HBODocs

  That’s all the time we have for today’s Q&A. Thanks to Timothy Greenfield-Sanders. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

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  Timothy Greenfield-Sanders says:

  I think it was Betty Davis who said, “Getting old isn’t for sissies.” The experience for me was so wonderful that I would still be making this film today if I hadn’t gotten into Sundance. It was fascinating to get to know these women - I admire them so much. I would have gone on and never stopped.