Aaron Wolf (director)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aaron Wolf
Occupation(s)Director, writer, actor
Websitewww.howlingwolfproductions.com

Aaron Wolf is an American actor, writer and director best known for the feature documentary Restoring Tomorrow.[1] He is the co-founder and President of Howling Wolf Productions based in Los Angeles, CA.

Education[edit]

Wolf attended New York University.[2] He expanded his acting and improv education later while studying with The Groundlings.[3]

Career[edit]

In 2012, Wolf wrote the film Guest House starring Michael Gross, Heather Lind and Mark Gessner.[4] The film is based around real events in Wolf's life, and premiered at the historic TCL Chinese Theater for the HollyShorts Film Festival.[5][6] In 2014, Wolf's production company, Howling Wolf Productions, produced The Quitter, an indie drama about a former baseball player who attempts to rebuild his relationship with his daughter.[7] In 2014, Wolf wrote, directed and co-starred in The Walk alongside Peter Riegert.[8] The film was adapted from an anecdote written in Rabbi David Wolpe's book "Why Faith Matters."[9]

Restoring Tomorrow[edit]

In 2016, Wolf completed Restoring Tomorrow, a documentary on the history and $150 million restoration of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, where Wolf's grandfather Rabbi Alfred Wolf served for 50 years and where Aaron himself attended and was bar mitzvahed.[10] The temple was built in 1929 and was designed in part by designers from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Universal Pictures and Warner Bros., much like a Hollywood set.[11] Its "false facades" wore over time and the building became in danger of collapsing. In 2011, Rabbi Steven Leder began a campaign to raise money for the temple's restoration and in 2013 the restoration was completed.[12] The documentary includes archival footage as well as interviews with notable public figures such as founder and former CEO of Relativity Media Ryan Kavanaugh.[13] Intertwined in the story of the restoration is Wolf's own rediscovery and reconnection to his temple, his family and to his Jewish faith.[14]

The film premiered in Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival on 3 May 2017.[15] Since its premiere, Restoring Tomorrow has been acquired by 7th Art Releasing for sales and distribution.[16] It has received extensive coverage in publications such as The Los Angeles Times,[17] Variety,[18] Guideposts[19] and The Times of Israel.[20] The film will also see a companion series that is currently in production.

TAR[edit]

Wolf is working on the creature feature TAR.[21][22]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "MBIFF 12 Results". Myrtle Beach Film Festival. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  2. ^ Groves, Martha (29 November 2015). "Documentary-maker rediscovers Judaism, family, self". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  3. ^ Allen, Tracy. "Interview With 'Tar' Writer/Director Aaron Wolf". Pop Horror. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  4. ^ Pace, Terry (28 February 2014). "UNA Screens Award-Winning GUEST HOUSE, Welcomes Director and Star for 17th Annual Lindsey Festivities". University of North Alabama. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  5. ^ Nash, Rebecca (5 October 2013). "Landmark Alumni Visit to Discuss Careers in Film Industry". Landmark College. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  6. ^ "Aaron Wolf "Guest House" @ Opening Night 9th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival #HSFF @HowlingWolfProd" (Video). Youtube. Red Carpet Report. 18 August 2013. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  7. ^ Scheck, Frank (11 September 2014). "'The Quitter': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 18 May 2017.
  8. ^ Lightening, S.M. (11 August 2014). "Peter Riegert Stars in Rabbi David Wolpe's 'The Walk'". Jewish Business News. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  9. ^ Henerson, Evan (19 November 2013). "'Walk' changes a life". Jewish Journal.
  10. ^ Artsy, Avishay (27 January 2016). "A filmmaker with an eye for Wilshire Boulevard Synagogue's transformation". Jewish Journal.
  11. ^ Cutler, Tess (30 November 2015). "Restoration of L.A.'s Wilshire Boulevard Temple Gets—What Else?—a Movie Treatment". Tablet Mag. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  12. ^ Ghert-Zand, Renee (30 December 2015). "Filmmaker chronicles synagogue restoration, ends up rebuilding own Jewish identity". Times of Israel. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  13. ^ "'Restoring Tomorrow': Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  14. ^ Ghert-Zand, Renee (30 December 2015). "Filmmaker chronicles synagogue restoration, ends up rebuilding own Jewish identity". Times of Israel.
  15. ^ Murrian, Samuel R. (7 May 2017). "12th Annual Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival Closes With Documentary Restoring Tomorrow". Parade Magazine. Parade. Retrieved 19 May 2017.
  16. ^ McNary, Dave (14 June 2017). "Wilshire Boulevard Temple Documentary 'Restoring Tomorrow' Acquired by Seventh Art (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Variety. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  17. ^ Crust, Kevin. "Review: 'Restoring Tomorrow' engagingly chronicles Wilshire Boulevard Temple's revival – Los Angeles Times". latimes.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  18. ^ McNary, Dave (14 June 2017). "Wilshire Boulevard Temple Documentary 'Restoring Tomorrow' Acquired by Seventh Art (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  19. ^ "Restoring Tomorrow: A Tour of the Historic Wilshire Boulevard Temple". Guideposts. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  20. ^ "Filmmaker chronicles synagogue restoration, ends up rebuilding own Jewish identity". Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  21. ^ Gelmini, David (13 June 2016). "Exclusive: Aaron Wolf Talks TAR". Dread Central. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  22. ^ Marchman, Kelli (3 June 2017). "Actor-Writer-Director Aaron Wolf Talks About His Upcoming Film 'TAR' In An Interview". HorrorFuel. Retrieved 15 August 2017.

External links[edit]