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 episode: Has it really been only an hour? It feels like MOTHS! – Where do Everything Bagels come from? – So does it come outta their *mouths* or their *fingers*?…and more!
We look into Revelation Chapter 2, exploring the letters sent to the seven churches, each church’s message, the historical context of early Christianity, and the implications of terms like ‘synagogue of Satan.’
The lights are out, and the monsters are in. This month, the gang dives into Wait Until Dark, Don’t Breathe, and Pitch Black—three terrifying reminders that nothing good happens after someone says, “Wait, where’s the switch?”
On this episode: New do and new boo! – I mean it just doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen it I’m just so moved! – On the OTHER hand…. – “foot fingers”…and more!
In this episode, we look into the book of Revelation, exploring its themes, imagery, and interpretations. We discuss the historical context of the seven churches, the political subversion present in the text, and the significance of the Christophany. Finally, we take a look at the differences between popular and scholarly interpretations!
On this episode: Evelyn’s got a new do! – Creativity time over! – Tuning into the universes – DON’T think about all the cockroaches around you right now!…and more!
On this episode: In Hell , no one can hear you scream (because they’re all screaming). Rapture Watch – now they can open doors! – It’s always in the last place you look!…and more!
A Fistful of Dildos – DEIRDRE?! What are YOU doing here? – Goovil – What’s in a name? – Wish Fulfillment – Don’t look up Rule 34! – The Bane of our existence…and more!
Have we been LEFT BEHIND??? – I can’t operate on this plane…because I’m Nick Cage! – Armageddon means Apocalypse and Apocalypse means nobody gets Left Behind…and more!
On this episode: Hello, first-time listener! – It not SIZE of club that matters! – Gruesomely comedic….or comedically gruesome? – Bringin’ a pig to a gun fight…and more!