Kynan Dias is an actor and award-winning screenwriter, born in Honolulu and raised in Las Vegas. Inspired at an early age by great American playwrights such as Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, and Edward Albee, Kynan taught himself to write feature-length screenplays as a 14-year-old high school student. He earned a B.A. in film from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he pursued acting, screenwriting, and directing. Later, Kynan earned his MFA in screenwriting from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he developed a love for writing TV sitcoms that were further nurtured during his time studying improv comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade.
As a writer, Kynan’s films tend to live within the thin space between the humorous and the tragic, in sarcastic dramas and in comedies that hurt. As an actor, he is often hired to cry in comedies. With Lester Ryan Clark, Kynan co-hosts a series of film history podcasts on the TruStory.FM network that are meticulously researched yet lean heavily on improvised comedy.
Teaching at UNLV FILM since 2008, Kynan has developed a wide variety of courses in film production, directing, acting, screenwriting, and film studies, being especially proud of building classes such as Women in Comedy and Queer Cinema. His research interests include animation history, studio system economics, queer coding in classic film, and foregrounding previously unsung collaborators within major film authors’ historiographies.
We take the scenic route today! Look at that beautiful shoreline! – Taking bus 666 to Hel, Poland – We learn why hotels don’t have a 666th floor! – TOO MANY BEASTS!…and more!
On this episode: – Might as well JUMP! – the DARK mentor – Dark Side of the Macho Man – All the Village People All At Once – When *IS* a good time to dance?…and more!
On this episode – This chapter of the bible stars Ralph Fiennes! – “Let’s eat Grandma!” – Who is this woman clothed with the sun? – So Satan is Rufio? – Machiavelli vs…..Good Machiavelli – …and more!
On this episode – Jim Henson’s ALIEN – Alpha Gong Gong is being a “killjoy.” – Is comedy the bridge between horror and pathos? – It’s HAMMER space time!…and more!
On this episode: The Infernal Revenue Service – The Beubeir-beast! – We can’t blame King James for this one – Good Will (Have Been) Hunting – The Haves and the Have Had Nots…and more!
On this episode: Do dads just carry box cutters everywhere? – In the Hook Universe, is Waymond Tinkerbell….or Smee? – We opened up a can of rocks – I look just like Berry Holly!…and more!
On this episode – Tevildo, Prince Of Cats! – John of Patmos eats his words! – In the beginning there was the word….and it was delicious! – What does a Stephen King book taste like?…and more!
On this episode – You know! That Bible Story! – No, this isn’t an episode of The Devil’s Details! – Let that raccoon cook! – Just get out of your own way…and more!
On this episode – Do you have a moment to talk about our Lord and Savior Abaddon? – This is a STING operation! – My windshield is covered in bugs with human faces!…and more!
On this episode – Mrs. Firefox – If Dick Long’s office is a-rockin’, don’t come a-knockin’! – Waymond’s Way, on Nick Jr.! – Gentle language! …and more!