UNCSA shines at the Emmys: A look at alumni's outstanding achievements
After being delayed due to the Hollywood strikes, TV's biggest night returned to the small screen on Jan. 15, 2024. The Emmys, also known as the Primetime Emmy Awards, are widely recognized as the television industry's most prestigious accolades, celebrating excellence in television programming.
Throughout its history, the Emmys have become a symbol of recognition for the exceptional creativity and talent that contribute to the diverse landscape of television entertainment. This annual event gathers the industry's brightest stars and creative minds, showcasing the best of television across genres and formats. With connections to the thriller comedy-drama mini-series "Beef," satirical comedy-drama "Succession" and science fiction action film "Prey," UNCSA made a strong appearance in the night's award-winning productions.
Here's a list of all the 2023 Emmy Award-winning productions with UNCSA connections — in alphabetical order.
Beef
"Beef" won eight Emmy Awards, which included outstanding casting for a limited or anthology series or movie, outstanding directing for a limited or anthology series or movie, outstanding picture editing for a limited or anthology series or movie, outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, outstanding limited or anthology series, outstanding writing for a limited or anthology series or movie, outstanding lead actor in a limited or anthology series or movie and outstanding contemporary costumes for a limited or anthology series or movie. The mini-series follows Danny Cho and Amy Lau, two strangers whose involvement in a road rage incident escalates into a prolonged feud.
School of Filmmaking Screenwriting alumnus Alex Bickel (B.F.A. '04) served as a colorist for the mini series. Bickel’s recent work includes the 2023 documentary concert film "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé" and the 2022 psychological thriller "Don't Worry Darling." School of Drama Timothy Eulich (B.F.A. '03) served as a stunt performer for the series. Eulich's stunt work is also featured in the 2023 Oscar-winning films "Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” and the superhero film "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
Only Murders in the Building
"Only Murders in the Building" won the Emmy for outstanding production design for a narrative program (half-hour). The series follows three neighbors — Charles, Oliver and Mabel — united by their passion for true crime. As they investigate murders close to home, the trio unravels complex secrets and confronts lies within their exclusive Upper West Side community.
Several alumni have connections to the series, including Drama alumni Wesley Taylor (B.F.A. '08) who played Clifford DeMeo in season 3; Samuel Farnsworth (B.F.A. ‘18) who portrayed young Martin Short in season 2; Tiffany Little Canfield (Drama '00) who served as the casting director and Quincy Dunn-Baker (B.F.A. '05) who played Kev in season 1. Design and Production alumna Juli Reed (M.F.A. ‘21) served as an art department PA in season 1.
Poker Face
"Poker Face" won the Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy Series. The "case-of-the-week" murder mystery series, starring Natasha Lyonne, follows Charlie Cale — who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying — as she hits the road in her Plymouth Barracuda and, with every stop, encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can't help but solve.
In the series, School of Design & Production alumnus Christof Gebert (B.F.A. '00) serves as production sound mixer, current Filmmaking graduate student Wesley Broome serves as second assistant accountant and Drama alumnus Jack Alcott (B.F.A.' 19) guest stars in an episode of the mystery-of-the-week series.
Alcott recently starred in the Showtime mini-series, "Dexter: New Blood," and guest starred in an episode of NBC's hit series "The Blacklist." Gerbert's work can also be seen in the "Halloween" reboot trilogy, which was co-written by filmmaking alumni Danny McBride, Jeff Fradley and David Gordon Green and features work from many alumni. Broome's recent work includes the feature film "Bros," starring Billy Eichner and Nicholas Stoller.
Prey
“Prey” won the Emmy for outstanding sound editing for a limited or anthology series, movie or special. School of Filmmaking William Files (B.F.A. ’02) is credited on the win as co-supervising sound editor on the film. Set in the Comanche Nation 300 years ago, "Prey" follows Naru, a skilled warrior who fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.
Smoky Cloud (B.F.A. ’04) served as first assistant sound editor on the film. Cloud’s recent work includes the 2023 documentary concert film "Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé" and the 2023 Netflix comedy film “The Family Switch.”
Succession
“Succession” took home six Emmys, including outstanding drama series, outstanding writing for a drama series, outstanding lead actor in a drama series, outstanding lead actress in a drama series, outstanding supporting actor in a drama series and outstanding directing for a drama series. The series is a satirical comedy-drama following a family who owns one of the largest media and entertainment conglomerates in the world.
Jane Rizzo (B.F.A. Film ’98) served as an editor for several episodes throughout the series' four seasons. Rizzo’s recent work includes the 2023 comedy-drama film “The Beanie Bubble,” which also features “Succession” star Sarah Snook.
The White Lotus
"The White Lotus" won five Emmys, including outstanding contemporary hairstyling, outstanding music supervision, outstanding music composition for a series (original dramatic score), outstanding supporting actress in a drama series and outstanding casting for a drama series. The dark comedy-drama series follows the guests and employees of the fictional White Lotus resort chain, whose interactions are affected by their various psychosocial dysfunctions.
Drama alumnus Jake Lacy (B.F.A. ‘08) was nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for his performance as Shane in the first series of “The White Lotus.” Lacy’s recent work includes the 2022 true crime drama television miniseries “A Friend of the Family” and the 2023 legal drama film “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial.”
Did you catch a connection to a 2023 Emmys win that is not included on this list? Send us an email and we will update the story.
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January 19, 2024