Williamstown Film Festival Talks Suspense With Director Tony Gilroy

Amy Krzanik reports from North Adams. As part of its creative 2014 programming, the Williamstown Film Festival held a benefit dinner on Friday, November 7 at Gramercy Bistro, followed by a discussion with writer/director Tony Gilroy on “The Art of Suspense." The Festival’s Executive Director, Steve Lawson, and board member Stephen Hannock moderated the discussion, which was held in MASS MoCA’s Hunter Center. Gilroy is most famous for writing the scripts of the Bourne movies starring Matt Damon, and received an Academy Award nomination for writing and directing Michael Clayton starring George Clooney -- the film received seven nominations in all. Clips of Gilroy’s films, including the recently released Nightcrawler which he produced, and other thrillers were interspersed to give the audience examples of how filmmakers keep moviegoers on the edges of their seats. Lickety Split hosted an after-party in the lobby, and guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres and dessert, including pistol-shaped sugar cookies in a “blood-spattered" bowl. Above: Tony Gilroy and his wife, Susan Gilroy, flank Stephen Hannock.

WFF Consultant Sandra Thomas, WFF Board Vice President Roger Clark, projectionist Anna Moriarty Lev and Ned Thorne; WFF board member Diane Pearlman and WFF Board President Joe Finnegan.

Bonnie and John Raines, subjects of the documentary 1971, with Peter Thompson; WFF board member Sue Killam with Cody Ball and Peyton Young.

Linda Conway, Ellen Bernstein, Emily Eakin, WFF board member and Williamstown Selectman Jane Patton and Gintare Everett.

Annie Kennedy of pop-up shop School For Style, with Wit McKay, and Molly Kerns of Tsubo Massage; Tony Gilroy and WFF Executive Director Steve Lawson.