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.
On this very special BONUS episode of The Exorcist Minute: Robbie, Roland, Ronald, Richard…really? Oops! All Jacob! No matter WHAT we’re talkin’ about we somehow get distracted! Oh, rats! We got demons! …and more!
With the SAG/AFTRA and WGA strikes in full gear, we’re holding regular releases in solidarity and instead have a LEGION of BONUS episodes coming to you starting NEXT WEEK.
On this episode of The Exorcist Minute: Special guest Father David Mowry! Park your collar in the garage! A reading from the Book of Blatty. The RETURN of Vatican II! …and more!
On this episode of The Exorcist Minute: Karras is in DYER need of a friend! A reading from the Book of Blatty. Vatican II: The Vaticaning! I’m a BAD Catholic! And more!
On this episode of The Exorcist Minute: If an actor monologues in the woods and no one is around to hear it… We catch Chris (and Kynan!) monologuing! A Streetcar Named Existential Dread… and more!
On this episode of The Exorcist Minute: Am I gonna get us CANCELED??? We discuss “The Problem of Pazuzu.” Let there be lighting! Undercover Coven, starring Nick Cage!… and more!
On this episode of The Exorcist Minute: Can we be Blunt? “Passing gas” is not as funny as “breaking southwest wind.” Infidelity with The Three Stooges… and more!
On this episode of The Exorcist Minute: A familiar voice! And starring Robin Williams as Regan! Bees can’t read! We visit the Hell Trap with a happier message! We fall into the Landlord Trap – the WORST trap of all! We explain to younger viewers about “leaving a message.” Adultery advice from 1977. Special appearance by Eileen Brennan! (Not really). Yo Mamma jokes with Captain Howdy! “If that’s true, then you must know my mother’s social security number…” …and more!
Lester and Kynan discuss the 85th minute of William Friedkin’s 1973 classic “The Exorcist.” Tune in to hear it!
Lester and Kynan discuss the 84th minute of William Friedkin’s 1973 classic “The Exorcist.” Tune in to hear it!