First A.D. Tim Zinemann on the set of “Bullitt” with Steve McQueen in San Francisco. Directed by Peter Yates.
This week on The Road to Cinema Podcast, we speak with first assistant director and producer Tim Zinnemann. As we learned with our guest Hawk Koch, a first A.D. runs the nuts and bolts of a film set assuring that every aspect of production is organized and executed to the utmost detail. Among Mr. Zinnemann’s credits; “Bullitt”, “The Day of the Locust”, “The King of Marvin Gardens”, “Carnal Knowledge”, and “The Cowboys”. Among the directors he worked with is a list that encompasses the most acclaimed Oscar nominated and Oscar winning filmmakers of 1960s and 1970s American cinema; Peter Yates, Mark Rydell, John Schlesinger, Bob Rafelson, Mike Nichols, John Frankenheimer, and Billy Wilder.
The first film he produced was Dustin Hoffman’s underrated crime drama “Straight Time”. He went on to produce “Fandango” starring Kevin Costner and “The Running Man” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. Tim Zinnemann is also the son of Oscar winner Fred Zinnemann who directed such classics as “From Here to Eternity”, “High Noon”, and “A Man for All Seasons”.
Here’s a clip from the famous “Bullitt” car chase sequence featuring Steve McQueen. The sequence was coordinated by first A.D. Tim Zinnemann. 60 blocks of San Francisco streets were blocked off in order to execute this dynamic chase which many consider to be one of the best car chases in film history.
Take a listen to episode #3 of The Road to Cinema Podcast to learn about the making of Steve McQueen’s famous car chase through the streets of San Francisco in “Bullitt”.
Special thanks to our guest Tim Zinnemann for providing us with these incredible on-set photographs.
Producer Tim Zinnemann on the set of “Straight Time” with actor Dustin Hoffman. Directed by Ulu Grosbard.
First A.D. Tim Zinnemann on the set of “The King of Marvin Gardens” with Ellen Burstyn, Bruce Dern, and Jack Nicholson. Directed by Bob Rafelson.
First A.D. Tim Zinnemann with Director John Schlesinger on the set of “The Day of the Locust”. The film starred Donald Sutherland and Karen Black.
Here’s a clip from “The Day of the Locust” where an entire movie set collapses on a group of unsuspecting actors and stunt men. This visually stunning scene was coordinated by first A.D. Tim Zinnemann.
Here’s a clip from “The Day of the Locust”. It’s the climactic Grauman’s Theatre movie premiere mob attack coordinated by first A.D. Tim Zinnemann. This was not shot on location on Hollywood Boulevard. Instead, the entire set was built inside on a massive sound stage at Paramount Studios. Absolutely incredible!
First A.D. Tim Zinnemann on the set of “The Cowboys” with director Mark Rydell. Look deep into the background. You’ll catch a glimpse of the film’s star John Wayne.