Dreamsite Productions, Inc. is the brainchild of Walter Williams, noted writer, filmmaker and creator of pop icon Mr. Bill. Williams’ concept of production is simple: tailor it to the idea. Drawing upon a background in filmmaking, he leads a tightly organized production process in order to plot out the most efficient road map to success.
Innovations in comedy and technology have been the hallmarks of Walter Williams’ career. That’s as true of the first Mr. Bill short (which he created 30 years ago for under $20) as it is of the digital desktop studio he uses to create everything from commercials and documentaries to 3D animations and stereoscopic 3D films. “It’s so cutting-edge, I’m bleeding,” he muses.
Williams, a New Orleans’ native, was 17 when he discovered Super-8 film. “Fortunately, I had no aptitude for anything, so Med. School was out of the question. He started making his own comedy movies and showing them in local clubs and bars, which led to his own UHF-TV show in New Orleans. When “Saturday Night Live,” still in its incandescent infancy, put out a call for home movies in ’75, Williams submitted his reel and launched Mr. Bill on national TV.
Williams followed his mutilated little creation to New York, where he made more films for SNL and did stand-up at the Improv. After three seasons, Lorne Michaels hired him as a full-time staff writer, responsible not only for the 20-plus Mr. Bill skits he did from 1978 through 1980, but for other sketches and films as well, including “Elvis Presley’s Coat.” Williams left when Michaels and the rest of the original cast exited in 1980.
Since then, he’s continued to build his own career and Mr. Bill’s, working with live actors whenever possible to establish himself as something other than the premier Play-doh director. He’s written screenplays and directed hundreds of shorts and shows for television, including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” and directed the Fox show “TV,” conceived by fellow SNL alum, Michael O’Donoghue, which starred Rutger Hauer, Kelly Lynch and Brian Keith.
Williams launched a successful commercial directing career with the “Pizza Head” character he created for a national Pizza Hut TV campaign. Over four years, the 20 spots became so popular with kids that a Mr. Bill tape sent to a friend’s son caused him to declare it “a Pizza Head take-off.” He has also directed national Mr. Bill campaigns for Mastercard, Subway, Lexus, Burger King and Ramada Inn.
In addition to comedy, Williams is currently focusing on documentaries and educational DVDs. He is a leading advocate for coastal restoration and has created an exciting range of comedic and educational films about the issues facing New Orleans and South Louisiana.
Williams sees both comedy and technology as tools for education. “People complain that everyone just wants to watch TV. They’re not going to stop, so it’s important for society to use television and technology to help educate people”.
