Carly Usdin

Last updated

Carly Usdin
Born1982 (age 41–42)
NationalityAmerican
Alma mater University of Central Florida [1]
Occupation(s)Filmmaker, writer
Years active2016–present
Notable work
Website carlyusdin.com

Carly Usdin (born 1982) [2] is an American director, writer, and producer. Usdin is best known for directing the 2016 film Suicide Kale and co-creating the comic book series Heavy Vinyl with Nina Vakueva. In 2019, they received the Jury Prize for Best Director for the short film Misdirection at the Los Angeles Diversity Film Festival. [3]

Contents

Early life and education

Usdin was raised in Monmouth County, New Jersey. [4] They are Jewish. [3] Usdin began to identify as a lesbian at age 16 and came out at age 20. [3] [5] They attended the University of Central Florida and received their bachelor's degree in film. [6]

Career

Film

Usdin's feature film directorial debut, Suicide Kale , was released in 2016. Written by and starring Brittani Nichols, it also starred Jasika Nicole, Brianna Baker, and Lindsay Hicks. Usdin received the Audience Award for Best First Dramatic Feature at 2016 Outfest. [7]

In 2017, they were the showrunner and director for a digital web series called Threads, which was distributed through Verizon's Go90 platform. The show was an anthology series that dramatized stories "inspired by real events." It was hosted by Milana Vayntrub and ran for 20 episodes. [8]

They were accepted into AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women's class of 2019 cohort, through which they wrote, produced, and directed the short film Misdirection starring Vico Ortiz. [9] [10] The film tells the story of Cam, a college freshman struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and a crush on their straight college roommate, who becomes interested in close-up magic. Usdin drew on their personal experience with OCD to portray the protagonist's symptoms of counting. [3] It was accepted as a 2019 Official Short Film Selection at the Bentonville Film Festival. [11]

In 2021 Usdin partnered with Reese Witherspoon's media company Hello Sunshine to produce a film sponsored by Bailey's and the social media site Bumble. The short film, First Date, starred Shalita Grant and Shannon Woodward. [12]

Comic books

Usdin co-created and wrote the comic book series Hi-Fi Fight Club in August 2017, published by Boom! Studios and illustrated by Nina Vakueva. [13] The series centers on a queer teenage girl who begins working at a record store where the employees have a clandestine, all-female vigilante fight club. In November 2017, it was announced that the series' name had been changed to Heavy Vinyl. [13] Thrillist named it one of the 25 best comic books of 2018; [14] SyfyWire selected Usdin as one of the 30 best writers for comics in September 2017 for her work on Heavy Vinyl. [15] The series was nominated for a 2018 Prism Award. [16] A follow-up called Heavy Vinyl:Y-2KO was released in March 2020. [17]

The first issue of Usdin's second comic book series, The Avant-Guards, was released in January 2019. [18] The series had 12 issues in total. Written by Usdin and illustrated by Noah Hayes, it tells the story of a transfer student at an all-girls performing arts college who joins the school's fledgling basketball team. [19]

Personal life

In 2012, Usdin married photographer and producer Robin Roemer. [20] Usdin is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. [21]

Filmography

YearTitleCredited asNotes
Director Writer Producer
2016 Suicide Kale [7] YesNoExecutiveReceived Best First Dramatic Feature at LA Outfest 2016
2017Threads [8] YesNoExecutiveWeb series, directed 10 episodes
2019Misdirection [3] YesYesYesShort film
2019Wizard School Dropout [22] YesNoNoWeb series
2021First DateYesYesNoShort film sponsored by Bailey's and Bumble

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clea DuVall</span> American actress, writer, producer, and director

Clea Helen D'Etienne DuVall is an American actress and filmmaker. She is known for her appearances in films such as The Faculty (1998); But I'm a Cheerleader, Girl, Interrupted ; Ghosts of Mars (2001); Identity, 21 Grams ; The Grudge (2004); Zodiac (2007); and Argo (2012). She starred as Emma Borden in Lizzie Borden Took an Ax (2014) and its miniseries spinoff, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015). Other television roles include Sofie on Carnivàle (2003–2005), Audrey Hanson on Heroes (2006–2007), Wendy Peyser on American Horror Story (2012–2013), Lara Cruz on Better Call Saul (2015–2017), Marjorie on Veep (2016–2019), and Sylvia on The Handmaid's Tale (2018–2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radha Mitchell</span> Australian actress

Radha Rani Amber Indigo Ananda Mitchell is an Australian actress. She began her career on television, playing Catherine O'Brien on the Australian soap opera Neighbours (1996–1997), before transitioning to working in Hollywood. Known for her work in the action and thriller genres, she is the recipient of an FCCA Award, as well as nominations for Fangoria Chainsaw, AFI, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jared Padalecki</span> American actor (born 1982)

Jared Tristan Padalecki is an American actor. He is best known for playing the role of Sam Winchester in the TV series Supernatural. He rose to fame in the early 2000s after appearing on the television series Gilmore Girls as well as the films New York Minute (2004) and House of Wax (2005), later starring in Friday the 13th (2009).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naim Audio</span> British hi-fi manufacturer

Naim Audio is a British hi-fi manufacturer based in Wiltshire, United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Heisserer</span> American screenwriter

Eric Andrew Heisserer is an American filmmaker, comic book writer, television writer, and television producer. His screenplay for the film Arrival earned him a Best Adapted Screenplay nomination at the 89th Academy Awards in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jonathan Nolan</span> British-American screenwriter (born 1976)

Jonathan Nolan is a British-American screenwriter, producer and director. He is the creator of the CBS science fiction series Person of Interest (2011–2016) and co-creator of the HBO science-fiction/Western series Westworld (2016–2022).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machinima, Inc.</span> 2000–2019 U.S.-based multiplatform online entertainment network

Machinima, Inc. was an American multiplatform online entertainment network owned by WarnerMedia. The company was founded in January 2000 by Hugh Hancock and was headquartered in Los Angeles, California.

Autostraddle is a formerly independently owned online magazine and social network for lesbian, bisexual, and queer women, as well as non-binary people and trans people of all genders. The website is a "politically progressive queer feminist media source" that features content covering LGBT and feminist news, politics, opinion, culture, arts and entertainment as well as lifestyle content such as DIY crafting, sex, relationships, fashion, food and technology.

<i>Black Panther</i> (film) 2018 Marvel Studios film

Black Panther is a 2018 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the 18th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole, and it stars Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther alongside Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis. In Black Panther, T'Challa is crowned king of Wakanda following his father's death, but he is challenged by Killmonger (Jordan), who plans to abandon the country's isolationist policies and begin a global revolution.

<i>Lucifer</i> (TV series) American urban fantasy television series

Lucifer is an American urban fantasy television series developed by Tom Kapinos that began airing on January 25, 2016, and concluded on September 10, 2021. It revolves around Lucifer Morningstar, an alternate version of the DC Comics character of the same name created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth, and Mike Dringenberg. In the series, Lucifer is the devil but abandons Hell to run a nightclub in Los Angeles, subsequently experiencing massive life changes when he becomes a consultant to the Los Angeles Police Department. The supporting cast includes Lauren German, Kevin Alejandro, D. B. Woodside, Lesley-Ann Brandt, Rachael Harris, and Aimee Garcia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fortune Feimster</span> American comedian

Emily Fortune Feimster is an American writer, comedian, and actress. Having made her television debut on NBC's Last Comic Standing in 2010, she starred as Colette on The Mindy Project (2015–2017). In July 2019, she began hosting the hit radio show What a Joke with Papa and Fortune with Tom Papa, interviewing comedians and celebrities, the first live programming on the Sirius XM channel Netflix is a Joke. She played Heather in The L Word: Generation Q, a reboot of The L Word.

go90 American video streaming service

go90 was an American Internet television service and mobile app owned and operated by Verizon Communications. The service was positioned as a mobile-oriented "social entertainment platform" targeted primarily towards millennials, featuring a mixture of new and acquired content from various providers. The service was available exclusively within the United States.

<i>Riverdale</i> (American TV series) American teen drama television series (2017–2023)

Riverdale is an American television series based on the characters of Archie Comics. The series was adapted for the CW by Archie Comics' chief creative officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, and is produced by Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios, in association with Berlanti Productions and Archie Comics. Conceived as a feature film adaptation for Warner Bros. Pictures, the idea was re-imagined as a television series for Fox. In 2015, development on the project moved to The CW, where the series was ordered for a pilot. Filming took place in Vancouver, British Columbia.

<i>Upgrade</i> (film) 2018 film directed by Leigh Whannell

Upgrade is a 2018 cyberpunk action film written and directed by Leigh Whannell and starring Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, and Harrison Gilbertson. Upgrade follows a technophobe who is implanted with a chip that allows him to control his body after a mugging left him paralyzed. The film was produced by Jason Blum, under his Blumhouse Productions banner.

<i>DC Super Hero Girls</i> (TV series) American children animated action-adventure television series

DC Super Hero Girls is an American animated superhero television series created and developed by Lauren Faust and produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment for Cartoon Network. Based on the web series and franchise of the same name, the series premiered on March 8, 2019, with a one-hour special.

<i>Suicide Kale</i> 2016 film by Carly Usdin

Suicide Kale is a 2016 American dark comedy film, directed by Carly Usdin and written by Brittani Nichols. The film centers on Jasmine and Penn, a lesbian couple who unexpectedly find a hidden suicide note in the home of their friends Billie and Jordan. The film premiered at the Queer Hippo International LGBT Film Festival in Houston, Texas on April 3, 2016. Usdin won the Audience Award for Best First U.S. Dramatic Feature at 2016 Outfest.

Brittani Nichols is an American producer, actress, comedian, and writer. In 2016, Nichols wrote, produced, and starred in the film Suicide Kale, which won the Audience Award for Best U.S. Dramatic Feature at 2016 Outfest. She has written for the television programs A Black Lady Sketch Show, Take My Wife, Strangers, Drop the Mic, and Abbott Elementary. She served as Consulting Producer for The Circle and Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness.

The depiction of LGBTQ characters in animated series in the 2010s changed significantly from the previous decade; especially in Western animation. This included Rebecca Sugar's Steven Universe which aired on Cartoon Network and praised for going "above and beyond when it comes to inclusive storytelling" The 2010s also brought with it shows such as Adventure Time, The Legend of Korra, BoJack Horseman, OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes, Amphibia, She-Ra and the Princesses of Power, and The Bravest Knight, among others, all of which had strong LGBTQ characters. Representation of LGBTQ characters would only continue to grow in the 2020s.

Rebecca Henderson is a Canadian actress.

References

  1. ↑ Anderson, Tre'vell (July 28, 2016). "Drag goes big (think Broadway) in 'Le Bal' extravaganza at the Theatre at Ace Hotel". www.latimes.com. Retrieved June 15, 2019.
  2. ↑ Farris, Annalise. "Interview: Talking Hi-Fi Fight Club with Writer Carly Usdin". Rogues Portal. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Hogan, Heather (March 2, 2018). "Carly Usdin Is Making Hollywood Gayer Every Day (And You Can Help)". Autostraddle . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Exclusive: BOOM! Announces Comic About Vinyl-Loving Teen Vigilantes, Hi-Fi Fight Club by Carly Usdin & Nina Vakueva". pastemagazine.com. May 17, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ Usdin, Carly (October 11, 2019). "I came out as a lesbian 20 years ago (lol) but my identity in constantly in flux". Twitter. Archived from the original on October 11, 2019. Retrieved November 24, 2020.
  6. ↑ Hamersly, Mike (May 14, 2019). "At Reel Minds Miami film festival, a search for healing and answers". Artburst. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Staff (October 24, 2016). "Dark Comedy 'Suicide Kale' Is A Must See Indie Film". Curve . Archived from the original on August 27, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  8. 1 2 Gutelle, Sam (July 25, 2017). "New Form's Newest Addition To Go90 Catalog Explores The Mysteries Of The Internet". Tubefilter. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  9. ↑ N'Duka, Amanda (February 13, 2018). "AFI Directing Workshop for Women Unveils Eight New Trainees". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  10. ↑ Rebecca, Down (March 9, 2018). "The GLAAD Wrap: 'Vida' trailer, 'Love, Simon' sneak peek, 'Take My Wife' on iTunes and more!". GLAAD . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  11. ↑ Ramos, Dino-Ray (May 8, 2019). "Netflix's 'Good Sam' To Make World Premiere At Bentonville Film Festival; 'Blinded By The Light' Added To Lineup". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  12. ↑ Haring, Bruce (August 31, 2021). "Reese Witherspoon's Hello Sunshine Teams With Baileys Irish Cream And Bumble For "Meet Cute" Short Films". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 31, 2021. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  13. 1 2 Arrant, Chris (November 8, 2017). "Behind HI-FI FIGHT CLUB's Name Change to HEAVY VINYL". Newsarama . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  14. ↑ Khan, Joshua (January 3, 2019). "The 25 Best Comic Books and Graphic Novels of 2018". Thrillist. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  15. ↑ Dorville, Matt (September 1, 2017). "Power Report: The 30 best comic book writers for September 2017". SYFY WIRE. Archived from the original on July 1, 2019. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  16. ↑ "2018 PRISM AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED". Prism Comics . July 21, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  17. ↑ Hogan, Heather (July 5, 2019). "Exclusive: Carly Usdin's "Heavy Vinyl" Is Getting a New Original Graphic Novel!". www.autostraddle.com. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  18. ↑ Pulliam-Moore, Charles (January 25, 2019). "Twins Are Demonic and Jocks Are Theater Geeks in This Week's Best New Comics". io9 . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  19. ↑ Foxe, Steve (September 28, 2018). "Exclusive: BOOM! Studios Hits the Basketball Court in The Avant-Guards". Paste . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  20. ↑ Carmen (December 17, 2012). "Carly and Robin's Wedding Was, In Fact, Too Adorable For Words". Autostraddle . Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  21. ↑ "About". CARLY USDIN COMEDY DIRECTOR & WRITER. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
  22. ↑ Haring, Bruce (November 9, 2019). "Jovanka Vuckovic & Carly Usdin Sign With CAA; Aisling Chin-Yee Inks With WME". Deadline. Retrieved December 31, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.