Rachel Talalay
Biography
Biography
Multi-talented math major who evolved from production assistant to producer-director. Yale graduate Talalay was working in Baltimore as a computer analyst when she landed her first job as a production assistant to writer-director John Waters on "Polyester" (1981). She played a bit part in the underrated sci-fi effort "Android" (1982) before holding such jobs as script supervisor for "The House on Sorority Row" (1983), software supplier for the disaster adventure "City Limits" (1985), production manager on "A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 2: Freddy's Revenge" (1985), assistant director on the horror-comedy "Return to Horror High" (1986), and line producer for "A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 3: Dream Warriors" (1987).
Talalay made her producing debut on John Waters' "Hairspray" (1988) and performed the same chores on "Cry-Baby" and the teen comedy "Book of Love" (both 1990). She made her directorial debut on "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare" (1991) for which she also provided the story.
Talalay received a first chance for mainstream success with "Tank Girl" (1995), based on the English comic book of the same name. Talalay was given $25 million to bring her post-apocalyptic world to the screen. The result was an uneven attempt to make a futuristic cult film, a la "A Clockwork Orange" or "A Boy and His Dog." While there were some interesting moments (a dance sequence inspired by Busby Berkeley) the film's muddy action scenes and uninspired script overshadowed the lighter aspects of the movie.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Assistant Direction (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Producer (Feature Film)
Film Production - Main (Feature Film)
Location Manager (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Director (Special)
Director (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1981
Landed first industry job as production assistant to writer-director John Waters on "Polyester"
1982
Feature acting debut (bit), "Android"
1983
First credit as script supervisor, "The House on Sorority Row"
1985
First credit as production manager, "A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part 2: Freddy's Revenge"
1986
First credit as location manager, "Sid and Nancy"
1986
First credit as assistant director, "Return to Horror High"
1987
First credit as line producer, "A Nightmare on Elm Street, Part III: Dream Warriors"
1988
First credit as executive in charge of production, "The Prince of Pennsylvania"
1988
First credit as producer, John Waters' "Hairspray"
1991
Feature directing debut (also story), "Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare"
1993
TV debut as series line producer, "Space Rangers"
