Tommy O’Haver

Born 1968, Indianapolis (USA). After a degree in critical studies in film, he moved to L.A. where he worked as a production assistant on FREDDY’S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE and made his first short film, THE PITCH. He studied at the School of Cinema and Television of University of Southern California (USC) where he made the short films: CATALINA, TWO and HAPPY HOUR. In 1995, O’Haver directed his first feature film BILLY’S HOLLYWOOD SCREEN KISS, followed by a second film GET OVER IT. ELLA ENCHANTED marks O’Haver’s third feature film.

Director’s statement

“I loved the story because I saw the potential for it to be about more than just a girl who breaks her own curse. To me, it came to be about a young woman whose spirit of adventure liberates an entire kingdom. It’s a girl power story, but it’s also a story for everyone.
“I’ve always loved fantasy films, as well as cartoons and fairy tales and it’s what I’ve most wanted to direct. I was thrilled by the chance to take this enchanted world and make it my own, give it a real personality, a strong sense of spirit and irreverence.
“I wanted to merge the old-fashioned sensibilities, settings and values of traditional fairy tales with the kind of a rocking comedy-adventure, and hopefully make something new”.