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.
This is a SHORT chapter! – We got more sevens here! What is this, Vegas? – The last of the plagues! – The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in heaven…and more!
On this episode: Why is it “put” your eye out? – Riddle me this! – What is Officer Brian doing to that lamp?! – “An orgy of stupid” – hidden hotdog – PSA: clean your sex toys…and more!
PSA: Even Hell has laws about drinking and driving – Seven heads, ten horns, and really good legs! – Excuse me, where are your grapes of wrath?…and more!
Ever stayed in a situation one beat too long because leaving felt worse than staying? This month on Sitting in the Dark, we’re talking The Invitation, The Night House, and Caveat—three films that understand the terrifying math of “just a few more minutes.”
On this episode – Fart Proudly! – You’ve been a naughty Raccacconie – Emergency Foods! – No, not my butt! – Are cats domesticating US?…and more!
What’s the deal with this woman clothed with the sun? – Milton and Blake: the peanut butter and chocolate of the devil – Blake was a Red Hat? (kinda) – He’s got butts on his butt!…and more!
On this episode – Zelda reference! – I’m really REACHING for an intro this time! – What sounds trigger you….in a good way? – Daniel Scheinert! What are YOU doing here?…and more!
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!