UNCSA alumnus nominated for Academy Award

An alumnus from the School of Filmmaking at UNCSA is nominated for an Academy Award, and several other alumni contributed to nominated films.

William Files (B.F.A. ’02), who was re-recording mixer/supervising sound editor for “The Batman,” is part of a team nominated in the best sound category. The film is also nominated in the best visual effects and best makeup and hairstyling categories. In 2022, Files won an Emmy Award for outstanding sound editing for a comedy or drama series and outstanding sound mixing for a comedy or drama series for Netflix’s “Stranger Things.” 

Several alumni have connections to “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” which is nominated in several categories including best makeup and hair styling, best visual effects and best costume design. Connections include School of Design and Production alumni Chris Diamantides (B.F.A. ’99) as a makeup artist; George Augustus Lee (B.F.A. ’86) as set designer and Samantha Kingsland (B.F.A. ’13) as additional stitcher. Filmmaking alumni connected to the film include Tyler Blythe (B.F.A. ’11) as the sound mixer: second unit; Joseph Blankinship (B.F.A. ’14) as the matrix head technician: second unit; and Matthew Petrosky (B.F.A. ’00) as camera operator and Steadicam operator: second unit.

Design and Production alumna Jessica Moretti (B.F.A. ’10) was set designer for “Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio,” which is nominated for best animated feature.

School of Drama alumnus Timothy Eulich (B.F.A. ’03) was the stunt coordinator for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” which is leading nominations with a total of 11 categories including best picture, best director, best lead actress, best supporting actor, best actress in a supporting role, best original screenplay, best film editing, best original song, best costume design and best original score. Additional Filmmaking alumni include Sam Ogden (B.F.A. ’11) who was the set designer and Alex Bickel (B.F.A. ’04) was the colorist for the film.

Filmmaking alumnus Matt “Smokey” Cloud (B.F.A. ’04) also worked in the sound department of “The Batman” as assistant sound editor: Warner Bros. In addition, Cloud was the first assistant sound editor on “The Whale,” which is nominated in the best lead actor, best supporting actress, and best makeup and hair styling categories.

Filmmaking alumna Emily Rayl (B.F.A. ’16) was an apprentice editor on “Top Gun: Maverick,” which is nominated for best picture, best adapted screenplay, best film editing, best original song, best visual effects and best sound. Filmmaking alumnus Christopher Frith (B.F.A. ’13) was the additional assistant editor and Evan Scott Russell (B.F.A. ’15) was a production assisstant on the film.

Additionally, former UNCSA Chancellor John Mauceri was the music adviser to filmmakers for “Tár,” which is nominated for best picture, best director, best lead actress, best original screenplay, best cinematography and best film editing.

The nominations were announced yesterday in at the Samuel Goldwyn Theatre in Beverly Hills. The 95th annual Academy Awards will be broadcast live on ABC on Sunday, March 12, at 8 p.m.

Information in this release reflects what could be obtained by press time; updates will be made with additional connections as they are brought to our attention.

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