Anna Thomas
Encyclopedia
Anna Thomas is a film screenwriter
, film producer
and writer
. She was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to a Polish family and came to the United States
as an infant. She grew up in Michigan
and California
.
Thomas met her future husband Gregory Nava
while working on her master's degree at University of California, Los Angeles
. They married in 1975 and have collaborated on many projects. They have two sons: Christopher (born 1984) and Teddy (born 1985).
at UCLA Thomas wrote, produced and directed her master's thesis film
, a dramatic feature titled The Haunting of M, a turn of the century ghost
story, shot in Scotland
. It was well received by film critics
and shown at festivals
and art houses.
, she also wrote her first cookbook
, The Vegetarian Epicure (Knopf, 1972). The book became a success and is acknowledged as the book that brought pleasure to vegetarian cooking
. A few years later she wrote her second book, The Vegetarian Epicure, Book Two (Knopf, 1978). Both books have been translated into several languages, sold in the millions in their various editions, and have remained in print.
on his master's thesis film
, a dramatic feature set in the Middle Ages
, The Confessions of Amans
. It was the beginning of a writing collaboration that has spanned more than two decades.
In 1984, Thomas co-wrote and produced El Norte
with Nava directing. The film was a critical success. Thomas and Nava were nominated for an Academy Award
and the film collected honors at various film festival
s. In 1995, it was elected to the National Film Registry
for the Library of Congress
.
Thomas produced A Time of Destiny
for Columbia Pictures
in 1988 and worked for the studio on a few writing jobs.
She returned to the independent film
world in 1995 with My Family
, a multi-generational Mexican-American family story set in East Los Angeles
which Thomas co-wrote and produced.
In 1996, Thomas wrote The New Vegetarian Epicure, a menu-based cookbook
with a new collection of recipes.
where she continues to write screenplays and other fiction
. She also teaches at the American Film Institute
as a lecturer.
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, film producer
Film producer
A film producer oversees and delivers a film project to all relevant parties while preserving the integrity, voice and vision of the film. They will also often take on some financial risk by using their own money, especially during the pre-production period, before a film is fully financed.The...
and writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
. She was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to a Polish family and came to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
as an infant. She grew up in Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Thomas met her future husband Gregory Nava
Gregory Nava
Gregory Nava is a film director, producer and screenplay writer, of Mexican and Basque heritage.-Education:...
while working on her master's degree at University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. They married in 1975 and have collaborated on many projects. They have two sons: Christopher (born 1984) and Teddy (born 1985).
Education
While at the film schoolFilm school
The term film school is used to describe any educational institution dedicated to teaching aspects of filmmaking, including such subjects as film production, film theory, digital media production, and screenwriting. Film history courses and hands-on technical training are usually incorporated into...
at UCLA Thomas wrote, produced and directed her master's thesis film
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
, a dramatic feature titled The Haunting of M, a turn of the century ghost
Ghost
In traditional belief and fiction, a ghost is the soul or spirit of a deceased person or animal that can appear, in visible form or other manifestation, to the living. Descriptions of the apparition of ghosts vary widely from an invisible presence to translucent or barely visible wispy shapes, to...
story, shot in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It was well received by film critics
Film criticism
Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films, individually and collectively. In general, this can be divided into journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, and other popular, mass-media outlets and academic criticism by film scholars that is informed by film theory and...
and shown at festivals
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
and art houses.
Career
While at collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, she also wrote her first cookbook
Cookbook
A cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
, The Vegetarian Epicure (Knopf, 1972). The book became a success and is acknowledged as the book that brought pleasure to vegetarian cooking
Vegetarian cuisine
Vegetarian cuisine refers to food that meets vegetarian standards by not including meat and animal tissue products. For lacto-ovo vegetarianism , eggs and dairy products such as milk and cheese are permitted...
. A few years later she wrote her second book, The Vegetarian Epicure, Book Two (Knopf, 1978). Both books have been translated into several languages, sold in the millions in their various editions, and have remained in print.
Film work
In 1973, Thomas worked with fellow film student Gregory NavaGregory Nava
Gregory Nava is a film director, producer and screenplay writer, of Mexican and Basque heritage.-Education:...
on his master's thesis film
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
, a dramatic feature set in the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
, The Confessions of Amans
The Confessions of Amans (film)
The Confessions of Amans is an American 16mm drama film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and his then newly wed wife Anna Thomas.The picture was partly funded by the American Film Institute.-Plot:...
. It was the beginning of a writing collaboration that has spanned more than two decades.
In 1984, Thomas co-wrote and produced El Norte
El Norte (film)
El Norte is an American and British film, directed by Gregory Nava. The screenplay was written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The movie was first presented at the Telluride Film Festival in 1983, and its wide release was in January 1984....
with Nava directing. The film was a critical success. Thomas and Nava were nominated for an Academy Award
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
and the film collected honors at various film festival
Film festival
A film festival is an organised, extended presentation of films in one or more movie theaters or screening venues, usually in a single locality. More and more often film festivals show part of their films to the public by adding outdoor movie screenings...
s. In 1995, it was elected to the National Film Registry
National Film Registry
The National Film Registry is the United States National Film Preservation Board's selection of films for preservation in the Library of Congress. The Board, established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, was reauthorized by acts of Congress in 1992, 1996, 2005, and again in October 2008...
for the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
.
Thomas produced A Time of Destiny
A Time of Destiny (film)
A Time of Destiny is an American drama film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The story is based on the opera La forza del destino by Verdi. The motion picture was executive produced by Shep Gordon and Carolyn Pfeiffer...
for Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
in 1988 and worked for the studio on a few writing jobs.
She returned to the independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
world in 1995 with My Family
My Family (film)
My Family is an American drama film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The motion picture stars Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales, and others. It also features Jennifer Lopez in her second film role....
, a multi-generational Mexican-American family story set in East Los Angeles
East Los Angeles, California
East Los Angeles is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Los Angeles County, California, United States...
which Thomas co-wrote and produced.
In 1996, Thomas wrote The New Vegetarian Epicure, a menu-based cookbook
Cookbook
A cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
with a new collection of recipes.
Today
Thomas lives in Ojai, CaliforniaOjai, California
Ojai is a city in Ventura County, California, USA. It is situated in the Ojai Valley , surrounded by hills and mountains. The population was 7,461 at the 2010 census, down from 7,862 at the 2000 census.-History:Chumash Indians were the early inhabitants of the valley...
where she continues to write screenplays and other fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
. She also teaches at the American Film Institute
American Film Institute
The American Film Institute is an independent non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act...
as a lecturer.
Books written
- The Vegetarian Epicure Alfred A. KnopfAlfred A. KnopfAlfred A. Knopf, Inc. is a New York publishing house, founded by Alfred A. Knopf, Sr. in 1915. It was acquired by Random House in 1960 and is now part of the Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group at Random House. The publishing house is known for its borzoi trademark , which was designed by co-founder...
, 1972, 305 pages. ISBN 0394717848. - The Vegetarian Epicure, Book Two Alfred A. Knopf, 1978, 401 pages. ISBN 0394734157.
- The New Vegetarian Epicure Alfred A. Knopf, 1996, 450 pages. ISBN 0679765883.
- Love Soup W. W. Norton, 2009, 528 pages. ISBN 978-0-393-33257-5.
Screenwriting filmography
- The Confessions of AmansThe Confessions of Amans (film)The Confessions of Amans is an American 16mm drama film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and his then newly wed wife Anna Thomas.The picture was partly funded by the American Film Institute.-Plot:...
(1977). - The Haunting of M (1981), also produced.
- The End of August (1982).
- El NorteEl Norte (film)El Norte is an American and British film, directed by Gregory Nava. The screenplay was written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The movie was first presented at the Telluride Film Festival in 1983, and its wide release was in January 1984....
(1983), also produced. - A Time of DestinyA Time of Destiny (film)A Time of Destiny is an American drama film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The story is based on the opera La forza del destino by Verdi. The motion picture was executive produced by Shep Gordon and Carolyn Pfeiffer...
(1988), also produced. - My Family/Mi FamiliaMy Family (film)My Family is an American drama film directed by Gregory Nava and written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The motion picture stars Jimmy Smits, Edward James Olmos, Esai Morales, and others. It also features Jennifer Lopez in her second film role....
(1995), also produced. - FridaFridaFrida is a 2002 biographical film which depicts the professional and private life of the surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. It stars Salma Hayek in her Academy Award nominated portrayal as Kahlo and Alfred Molina as her husband, Diego Rivera....
(2002).
Award nominations
- Academy AwardsAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
: Best Writing, Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, for El NorteEl Norte (film)El Norte is an American and British film, directed by Gregory Nava. The screenplay was written by Nava and Anna Thomas. The movie was first presented at the Telluride Film Festival in 1983, and its wide release was in January 1984....
(1983). - Writers Guild of AmericaWriters Guild of AmericaThe Writers Guild of America is a generic term referring to the joint efforts of two different US labor unions:* The Writers Guild of America, East , representing TV and film writers East of the Mississippi....
: Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen, for El Norte (1983).
Awards won
- James Beard Foundation AwardJames Beard Foundation AwardThe James Beard Foundation Awards were established in 1990 and are often called "The Oscars of Food." Held on the first weekend in May, the Awards honor the finest chefs, restaurants, wine professionals, journalists, cookbook authors, restaurant designers, and other food professionals in the...
: Best Healthy Focus Cookbook, for Love Soup (2010).
External links
- Anna Thomas web site
- Anna Thomas interview with film critic Roger EbertRoger EbertRoger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
- 6 recipes from Love Soup excerpt
- A Tribute to Anna Thomas (August 3-10, 2009) retrieved November 8, 2011