Alex Mechanik
Alex Mechanik (born October 18, 1986) is an American filmmaker. For his work on the Todd Haynes drama May December, He was nominated alongside his wife Samy Burch at the 96th Academy Awards.[1]
Alex Mechanik | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 18, 1986 |
| Occupation | Filmmaker |
| Spouse | |
Early life edit
Mechanik was raised in Tampa, Florida.[2] He graduated with a bachelor's degree from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2009.[3]
Career edit
After graduating from college, Mechanik worked as a production assistant on reality television programs such as The Apprentice. He served on the casting department for features such as Allegiant and Ant-Man, where he is credited as Woody Mechanik.[2]
Mechanik collaborated on a series of short films with his partner, Samy Burch. The pair later collaborated on the screenplay for May December, a 2023 feature directed by Todd Haynes and starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore. Mechanik is also an editor for the "Open Door" video series produced by Architectural Digest.[2]
As of early 2024, Mechanik is set to direct a feature film starring O-Lan Jones for Gloria Sanchez Productions, the company that produced May December, based on a script he developed with Burch.[4][2]
Personal life edit
While studying at New York University, Mechanik met Samy Burch, with whom he would collaborate on a number of short films as well as the story for May December. The pair married in 2023.[4]
Filmography edit
Film edit
| Year | Title | Editor | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | All You Can Eat | Yes | Yes | Short film; Co-directed with Samy Burch |
| 2016 | Bev | Yes | No | |
| 2017 | Crown Prince | Yes | Yes | |
| 2023 | May December | No | Yes | Shares "Story by" credit with Samy Burch |
Television edit
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 – 2020 | Gourmet Makes | Editor, 2 episodes |
| 2020 – 2024 | Architectural Digest | Editor, 24 episodes |
| 2024 | Almost Already Famous | Editor, TV movie |
Awards and nominations edit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Slamdance Film Festival | Spirit of Slamdance Award | The Greggs | Won[a] | [5] |
| Best Narrative Short | Nominated[a] | ||||
| 2023 | Indiana Film Journalists Association | Best Original Screenplay | May December | Runner-up[b] | [6][7] |
| Florida Film Critics Circle | Best Original Screenplay | Nominated | [8] | ||
| Golden Orange | Runner-up | ||||
| 2024 | Columbus Film Critics Association | Best Original Screenplay | Nominated[b] | [9][10] | |
| Online Association of Female Film Critics | Best Original Screenplay | Runner-up[b] | [11] | ||
| Austin Film Critics Association | Best Original Screenplay | Nominated[b] | [12] | ||
| North Dakota Film Society | Best Screenplay | Nominated[b] | [13] | ||
| Portland Critics Association | Best Screenplay | Nominated[b] | [14] | ||
| Independent Spirit Awards | Best First Screenplay | Won[b] | [15] | ||
| Academy Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Nominated[b] | [16] | ||
| Writers Guild of America Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Pending[b] | [17] |
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ Magidson, Joey. "Interview: Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik Talk About the 'Coyote vs. Acme' Controversy, Their 'May December' Oscar Nominations, and More!". Awards Radar. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ a b c d Guzzo, Paul. "Tampa man co-wrote 'May December' starring Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ n.a. "2023 Gotham Award Nominees". Tisch School of the Arts. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ a b Barber, Nicholas. "How 'May December' screenwriters hit the cinematic jackpot with their first produced spec script". Screen Daily. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ n.a. "Alex Mechanik - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ n.a. "2023 Award Nominees". Indiana Film Journalists Association. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 17, 2023). "The 2023 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt. "The 2023 Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ n.a. "Awards 2023 Nominees". Columbus Film Critics Association. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ n.a. "Awards 2023". Columbus Film Critics Association. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ n.a. (December 21, 2023). "AWARDS Online Association of Female Film Critics 2023 Awards – Winners". Online Association of Female Film Critics. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Erik. "Austin Film Critics Association Nominations (AFCA): 'Killers of the Flower Moon,' 'Oppenheimer' Lead with 10 Each". AwardsWatch. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 15, 2024). "The 2023 North Dakota Film Society (NDFS) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 15, 2024). "The 2023 Portland Critics Association (PCA) Winners". Next Best Picture. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (December 5, 2023). "Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: Best Feature 'American Fiction', 'May December', 'All Of Us Strangers', 'Passages', 'Past Lives' & 'We Grown Now' — Live". Deadline. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ Gonzalez, Shivani (January 23, 2024). "Oscar Nominees 2024". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ n.a. "2024 Writers Guild Awards Nominees". Writers Guild of America. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
External links edit
- Alex Mechanik at IMDb