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.
Early life Mechanik was raised in Tampa, Florida. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from New York University Tisch School of the Arts in 2009.
Career 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.
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.
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.
Personal life 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.
Filmography Film Year Title Editor Writer Notes 2013 All You Can Eat Short film;Co-directed with Samy Burch 2016 Bev 2017 Crown Prince 2023 May December Shares "Story by" credit with Samy Burch
Television 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 Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref. 2014 Slamdance Film Festival Spirit of Slamdance Award The Greggs Best Narrative Short 2023Indiana Film Journalists Association Best Original Screenplay May December Florida Film Critics Circle Best Original Screenplay Golden Orange 2024Columbus Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay Online Association of Female Film Critics Best Original Screenplay Austin Film Critics Association Best Original Screenplay North Dakota Film Society Best Screenplay Portland Critics Association Best Screenplay Independent Spirit Awards Best First Screenplay Academy AwardsBest Original Screenplay Writers Guild of America Awards Best Original Screenplay
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