
William R. Coughlan
Directing
Biography
William R. Coughlan is an award-winning screenwriter and director, and founder and CEO of independent video production company Tohubohu Productions, LLC. He worked for several years with The Advisory Board Company (and its offshoot companies, CEB and EAB) in Washington, D.C., where he began as a graphic designer before creating a full-service in-house video and multimedia department, and then eventually moving into the ranks of creative department management. In addition, he provides creative oversight for the Public & Government Affairs team at Edelman, is the Creative Director of Jabberwocky Audio Theater, and served for several years on the Board of Directors for TIVA, the Television, Internet, and Video Association of DC, Inc., filling the roles of Treasurer and Vice President before finishing his tenure as President. He also enjoys acting, voiceover performance, design and illustration, editing, animation, and writing autobiographical comments in the third person. He is the illustrator of the therapeutic workbook Stories for Children with Problems & Wishes, has provided schematic graphics for several HBS case studies, designed the acclaimed Protégé clay poker chip line, served as the Critic at Large for the online literary magazine Inkblots, has been a judge for both the TIVA Peer Awards and the Emmy Awards, founded and co-hosted the long-running Tohubohu Producer Podcast, and is an accomplished animator and ambigram artist. He currently resides at a secret compound in Northern Virginia.
Known For

A master occultist revives her recently deceased father in order to take care of some unfinished business. But shortcuts in the resurrection process result in his needing to accomplish more than merely his own objectives.
Closure Corps

A jaded political campaign operative gradually realizes the horrific true nature of the popular yet brash candidate she is working for.
The Greater Evil

When three sudden deaths befall members of a small law firm, Karen Dunmore begins to suspect that they may be retribution for a terrible crime and its subsequent cover-up. Fearing for her family’s safety, she desperately tries to convince her husband and his associates to take action. But will it be too late?
Liability

Rick and Lucy, two creative office workers, find themselves — and the rest of their office mates — behaving in increasingly outlandish ways, all while a mysterious laughter punctuates their actions. As they try to get to the bottom of the situation, they slowly realize there may be no escape from their predicament.
The Golden Cage of Television

A young woman awakens alone in her new (and as-yet-unfurnished) home on New Years's Day, having skipped festivities the night before. But in an offhand attempt to make a worthwhile New Year’s resolution, she inadvertently invokes an… unconventional advisor.
Unresolved

Every Sunday, a group of close friends gets together for a backyard barbecue. But one day, Smitty decides to bring along his new girlfriend — and everyone is shocked to discover that she looks strikingly similar to Samantha, another friend who died several years ago. As the afternoon progresses, each of the friends must not only deal with the new addition to their little circle, but confront the ghosts of their own past relationships — resulting in unplanned revelations.
Close Quarters

A Doctor, a Lawyer, a Baker, a Fool…” Four strangers wake to find themselves imprisoned together in an apparent attempt to lift an ominous curse — provided they kill the “least gifted” among them. With scant minutes before they are forced to act, how will they arrive at their fateful decision?
The Least Among Us

Chain Mail International has had a banner year; the tanking economy is proving an unexpected boon for the firm’s time-honored business — creating and forwarding chain letters. Through the lens of the firm’s holiday party, we get a glimpse into the inner workings of the business, and come to see that as progress moves relentlessly onward, not everyone will be sharing in the group’s success.
Please Forward

The flashes of memory that return to Carrie Wallace as she lies bloodied in the street all share a common trait: Each culminates in an insincere apology. A casual bump in the street, a father’s indifference, a boyfriend’s exit, youthful disappointments. But despite her lifetime’s experience, she holds out hope that she may yet witness a true expression of remorse.
Remorseless

The Coffmans are desperate to win their bid for residency in a new, environmentally friendly condo. Putting their best face forward, they work to convince a jaded government auditor that their lifestyle makes them worthy of acceptance. But when another couple vies for the same home, a battle for environmental superiority begins.
Green House

After learning of an unusual local legend at a neighborhood pub — a tale derided by her local coworkers — a young woman finds the benefits of an unconventional "credit" deal almost too good to be true. But when an unexpected life change casts doubt on her ability to fulfill her side of the bargain, she must beg for the terms of her agreement to be amended.
Devil in the Details

Quentin has a problem: one of his neighbors is gradually taking over the community garden, pushing everyone else out and consolidating her claim. His friend Brent is pushing him to confront the offender, but Quentin seeks the wisdom of Tex — a genuine Old West gunslinger who just happens to find himself in the modern era.
Tex: Wisdom of the Old West

Jack Reade is a mild-mannered academic who finally has a chance to publish his own Great American Novel. But just as he thinks his tome will see print, Pete Willoughby, a smug and influential editor, informs Jack that the book will remain locked in publishing purgatory. After an accident befalls Pete, Jack forges a desperate alliance with Carrie Singer, a disgruntled employee who also happens to be the book’s number-one fan. Together, they concoct an insane scheme to cover up Pete’s death and greenlight the book. Unfortunately, the publishing process is chock full of required approvals, and before long, other denizens of Dennison Publishing begin to fall prey to “accidents.”
Number One With a Bullet

Dire warnings of immminent disaster have proven justified, as global destruction begins raining down from purple-hued skies. A Washington family struggles to cope with the advancing armageddon until a lone physicist proposes an unorthodox course of action.
Uncertainty Principle

In the era of social distancing, everyone has had to adjust. But in the world of professional (or semi-professional) wrestling — where in-the-ring competition necessarily requires close physical contact — the challenges presented are particularly troublesome. But a shift in emphasis toward other entertainment aspects may be just what the sport needs to survive.
Separation Smackdown

Making a good first impression at a job interview is critical, as Mary well knows. But from the start, fate seems to be working against her. She oversleeps, and has to scramble to get ready. She can’t find a taxi, and has to walk from her hotel to the office. She can’t get into an overly crowded elevator, and has to take the stairs. But despite the setbacks, she manages to make it to the office on time, only to discover that — before she can utter a single syllable — the atmosphere is quite contrary to what one would normally expect. And that atmosphere becomes more bizarre with each passing moment.
Quite Contrary

Up-and-coming politico Robert Soxer is making a last-minute campaign appearance at a small kitchen and bath remodeling shop. The shop’s owner, Leon, is an ardent supporter, and takes Soxer and his entourage on a quick tour. Meanwhile, shop worker Rachael, despondent over her recent breakup with coworker Rick, makes a startling discovery — the candidate is far from what he appears to be, giving new meaning to the term “political machine.” As the group leaves, Rachael tries to convince Rick of what she’s seen, but he misinterprets her warnings. Will Rachael be able to stop Soxer’s ascent to power and redeem herself in Rick’s eyes?
Machinations

Richard and Kate have lost everything: Job, home, lifestyle. Now, with everything they own packed into their battered old station wagon, they’re just trying to make it to Cleveland, where Richard’s brother has offered a chance to start over. But making the journey is easier said than done, and when Richard’s plans to borrow money from an old friend fall through, they are left with no choice but to seek out an old flame of Kate’s for help. But will this truly be a chance to move on, or the catalyst for a larger life change?
All Roads Lead Away

A couple on their way to a vacation destination is feeling apathetic about their plans (and possibly each other), when they unexpectedly encounter an unusual trio of ukulele players on their way to a wedding gig.
Uke & Trust Me

Solomon is a genie at the top of his game. But after winning award after award, he decides that the life of a genie just isn’t what it used to be. After discussing his concerns with his otherworldly “boss,” he opts to take an extended sabbatical, choosing a simpler life working in a hardware store (though still performing miracles on a substantially smaller scale). But one afternoon he is approached by a slick-talking “headhunter,” who relentlessly tries to recruit him back into the magical world, promising a substantially improved lifestyle with a new employer…