Kurt Kuenne
Birth : 1973-10-24, Mountain View, California, USA
History
Kurt Kuenne is an award-winning filmmaker and composer of both fiction and documentary films. He is a graduate of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where he won the Harold Lloyd Scholarship in Film Editing, and where he also studied film scoring at the USC School of Music under the tutelage of classic film composers Buddy Baker and David Raksin. His first feature, the teen drama “Scrapbook” (1999), landed him on Filmmaker magazine’s 25 New Faces of Indie Film feature, and he followed it with “Drive-In Movie Memories” (2001), a documentary about outdoor movies which opened the 2001 Telluride Film Festival and played nationally on PBS.
In 2002, he won the AMPAS Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting for his screenplay “Mason Mule”, while his screenplay “Explode” made the quarterfinals in the same year. He then directed a series of black & white short musical comedies – “Rent-A-Person” (2003),”Validation” (2006), “Slow” (2007), and “The Phone Book” (2008) – which won 40+ awards at 120+ film festivals worldwide.
In 2008, he completed his 6 year passion project, the documentary “Dear Zachary: A Letter To A Son About His Father“, which premiered at the Slamdance Film Festival. The film was released by Oscilloscope Laboratories and MSNBC Films, was named one of the Top 5 Documentaries of 2008 by the National Board of Review, won numerous awards and placed on more than 40 critics’ lists of the Ten Best Films of 2008. In 2012, PBS POV named it one of the “100 Greatest Documentaries of All Time”. “Dear Zachary” inspired the creation of Bill C-464 in Canadian Parliament, which reformed Canada’s criminal code when it became law on December 15, 2010. (An epilogue chronicling this process – “The Legacy of Dear Zachary: A Journey to Change Law” – was released on the web in 2013.)
In 2011, he collaborated for the second time with actor TJ Thyne (“Validation”, “Bones”) on the fiction feature “Shuffle“, a mystery/fantasy about a man who begins experiencing his life out of order, which was released by Screen Media Films and won numerous awards at film festivals worldwide, including the 2013 Frank Capra Award.
In 2014, he co-wrote, edited and sound designed the celebrated documentary “Batkid Begins” for his Emmy-winning director pal Dana Nachman. The film premiered once again at the Slamdance Film Festival, won 5 audience awards and was acquired by Warner Bros. Pictures/New Line Cinema, who released it theatrically on June 26, 2015. Julia Roberts acquired the film’s remake rights.
Kurt has since directed numerous episodes of the hit NBC television show “The Blacklist”, starring James Spader.
His work as a composer includes re-scoring the restoration of the silent classic “Cyrano de Bergerac” (1925) and writing the book, music and lyrics for an award-winning stage musical adaptation of the New York Times-bestselling novel “The Looking Glass Wars”.
Kurt is managed by Good Fear Film and Management.
Additional Editing
An elixir to our current state, "Dear Santa" takes us on the fanciful and poignant journey of a little known program called Operation Santa. For more than 100 years, human elves have been helping Santa respond to the thousands of letters children write and mail to him. This gripping documentary crisscrosses the country, following the most emotional letters as the elves work hard to make sure each child’s Christmas dreams come true.
Editor
On November 15, 2013, the world came together to grant one 5-year-old leukemia patient his wish to be Batman for a day. "Batkid Begins" looks at why and how this phenomenon took place, becoming one of the biggest "good news" stories of all time.
Writer
On November 15, 2013, the world came together to grant one 5-year-old leukemia patient his wish to be Batman for a day. "Batkid Begins" looks at why and how this phenomenon took place, becoming one of the biggest "good news" stories of all time.
Narrator
This short documentary chronicles the completion and release of the feature documentary "Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father" and the subsequent journey to amend the Canadian criminal code. It is intended as an epilogue to "Dear Zachary" and offered as a thank you to those who supported this effort and made this change happen.
Director
This short documentary chronicles the completion and release of the feature documentary "Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father" and the subsequent journey to amend the Canadian criminal code. It is intended as an epilogue to "Dear Zachary" and offered as a thank you to those who supported this effort and made this change happen.
Director of Photography
Lovell Milo is a man who begins experiencing his life out of order; every day he wakes up at a different age, on a different day of his life, never knowing where or when he’s going to be once he falls asleep. He’s terrified and wants it to stop - until he notices a pattern in his experience, and works to uncover why this is happening to him - and what or who is behind it.
Editor
Lovell Milo is a man who begins experiencing his life out of order; every day he wakes up at a different age, on a different day of his life, never knowing where or when he’s going to be once he falls asleep. He’s terrified and wants it to stop - until he notices a pattern in his experience, and works to uncover why this is happening to him - and what or who is behind it.
Producer
Lovell Milo is a man who begins experiencing his life out of order; every day he wakes up at a different age, on a different day of his life, never knowing where or when he’s going to be once he falls asleep. He’s terrified and wants it to stop - until he notices a pattern in his experience, and works to uncover why this is happening to him - and what or who is behind it.
Original Music Composer
Lovell Milo is a man who begins experiencing his life out of order; every day he wakes up at a different age, on a different day of his life, never knowing where or when he’s going to be once he falls asleep. He’s terrified and wants it to stop - until he notices a pattern in his experience, and works to uncover why this is happening to him - and what or who is behind it.
Writer
Lovell Milo is a man who begins experiencing his life out of order; every day he wakes up at a different age, on a different day of his life, never knowing where or when he’s going to be once he falls asleep. He’s terrified and wants it to stop - until he notices a pattern in his experience, and works to uncover why this is happening to him - and what or who is behind it.
Director
Lovell Milo is a man who begins experiencing his life out of order; every day he wakes up at a different age, on a different day of his life, never knowing where or when he’s going to be once he falls asleep. He’s terrified and wants it to stop - until he notices a pattern in his experience, and works to uncover why this is happening to him - and what or who is behind it.
Sound
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Editor
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Director of Photography
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Producer
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Music
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Writer
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Self (voice)
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Director
In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.
Sound
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Editor
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Cinematography
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Music
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Producer
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Writer
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Director
"Slow" is the story of a traffic safety worker who is accidentally caught in a newspaper photograph — and his life is changed forever.
Sound
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Editor
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Cinematography
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Music
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Producer
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Writer
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Director
“The Phone Book” is the first-ever film adaptation of the world’s most widely owned book – the telephone directory. To preserve the artistic integrity of the original work, all dialogue has been reproduced exactly as it appears in the source material.
Editor
A cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation...
Director of Photography
A cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation...
Original Music Composer
A cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation...
Producer
A cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation...
Director
A cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation...
Writer
A cheerful parking attendant considers it his job to do more than validate parking. He wants to validate the customers themselves, delivering compliments about their appearances and the inner qualities behind them. Everyone who comes up to him with a ticket walks away validated as a worthwhile human being. Soon, the parking attendant becomes so popular that people line up for validation...
Sound
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Editor
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Cinematography
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Music
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Producer
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Writer
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Director
A lonely bathroom attendant starts a business renting passengers to freeway commuters who want to utilize the carpool lane.
Music
A universal story with Latino characters told in an unconventional way (like Forrest Gump and Amadeus) about a man who's trying to keep his hot-headed younger brother from carrying out revenge.
Sound Designer
A nostalgic, informative history of drive-in movie theaters, featuring extensive archival photographs and interviews with Leonard Maltin, John Bloom, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Barry Corbin and many others... Drive-In Movie Memories is a film celebration of America's greatest icon of youth, freedom and the automobile. What began as an auto parts owner's business venture to make some easy money accidentally became a magical place where romance, fun and a sense of community flourished. This film chronicles the drive-in's birth and development, its phenomenal popularity with audiences of all ages, its tragic decline, and its inevitable comeback as a classic form of Americana.
Cinematography
A nostalgic, informative history of drive-in movie theaters, featuring extensive archival photographs and interviews with Leonard Maltin, John Bloom, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Barry Corbin and many others... Drive-In Movie Memories is a film celebration of America's greatest icon of youth, freedom and the automobile. What began as an auto parts owner's business venture to make some easy money accidentally became a magical place where romance, fun and a sense of community flourished. This film chronicles the drive-in's birth and development, its phenomenal popularity with audiences of all ages, its tragic decline, and its inevitable comeback as a classic form of Americana.
Original Music Composer
A nostalgic, informative history of drive-in movie theaters, featuring extensive archival photographs and interviews with Leonard Maltin, John Bloom, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Barry Corbin and many others... Drive-In Movie Memories is a film celebration of America's greatest icon of youth, freedom and the automobile. What began as an auto parts owner's business venture to make some easy money accidentally became a magical place where romance, fun and a sense of community flourished. This film chronicles the drive-in's birth and development, its phenomenal popularity with audiences of all ages, its tragic decline, and its inevitable comeback as a classic form of Americana.
Editor
A nostalgic, informative history of drive-in movie theaters, featuring extensive archival photographs and interviews with Leonard Maltin, John Bloom, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Barry Corbin and many others... Drive-In Movie Memories is a film celebration of America's greatest icon of youth, freedom and the automobile. What began as an auto parts owner's business venture to make some easy money accidentally became a magical place where romance, fun and a sense of community flourished. This film chronicles the drive-in's birth and development, its phenomenal popularity with audiences of all ages, its tragic decline, and its inevitable comeback as a classic form of Americana.
Director
A nostalgic, informative history of drive-in movie theaters, featuring extensive archival photographs and interviews with Leonard Maltin, John Bloom, Samuel Z. Arkoff, Barry Corbin and many others... Drive-In Movie Memories is a film celebration of America's greatest icon of youth, freedom and the automobile. What began as an auto parts owner's business venture to make some easy money accidentally became a magical place where romance, fun and a sense of community flourished. This film chronicles the drive-in's birth and development, its phenomenal popularity with audiences of all ages, its tragic decline, and its inevitable comeback as a classic form of Americana.
Music
Preston Tylk is an ordinary guy living in Seattle. When he discovers that his wife, Emily, whom he adores, is having an affair, he is devastated. Storming out of the house, he returns later only to find her brutally murdered.
Sound Designer
“Scrapbook” (aka “The Piano Player”) is the story of a high school sophomore desperately searching for a meaningful connection with another human being; the efforts of his popular older brother to help him out only end up making things worse, leading to a cold war between the brothers that spirals out of control when our hero falls in with the wrong crowd. A coming of age tale populated with memorable characters that takes many unpredictable twists and turns, “Scrapbook” celebrates youth in its complex blend of joy and agony — and mourns the tragic mistakes that reverberate into adulthood.
Editor
“Scrapbook” (aka “The Piano Player”) is the story of a high school sophomore desperately searching for a meaningful connection with another human being; the efforts of his popular older brother to help him out only end up making things worse, leading to a cold war between the brothers that spirals out of control when our hero falls in with the wrong crowd. A coming of age tale populated with memorable characters that takes many unpredictable twists and turns, “Scrapbook” celebrates youth in its complex blend of joy and agony — and mourns the tragic mistakes that reverberate into adulthood.
Music
“Scrapbook” (aka “The Piano Player”) is the story of a high school sophomore desperately searching for a meaningful connection with another human being; the efforts of his popular older brother to help him out only end up making things worse, leading to a cold war between the brothers that spirals out of control when our hero falls in with the wrong crowd. A coming of age tale populated with memorable characters that takes many unpredictable twists and turns, “Scrapbook” celebrates youth in its complex blend of joy and agony — and mourns the tragic mistakes that reverberate into adulthood.
Producer
“Scrapbook” (aka “The Piano Player”) is the story of a high school sophomore desperately searching for a meaningful connection with another human being; the efforts of his popular older brother to help him out only end up making things worse, leading to a cold war between the brothers that spirals out of control when our hero falls in with the wrong crowd. A coming of age tale populated with memorable characters that takes many unpredictable twists and turns, “Scrapbook” celebrates youth in its complex blend of joy and agony — and mourns the tragic mistakes that reverberate into adulthood.
Writer
“Scrapbook” (aka “The Piano Player”) is the story of a high school sophomore desperately searching for a meaningful connection with another human being; the efforts of his popular older brother to help him out only end up making things worse, leading to a cold war between the brothers that spirals out of control when our hero falls in with the wrong crowd. A coming of age tale populated with memorable characters that takes many unpredictable twists and turns, “Scrapbook” celebrates youth in its complex blend of joy and agony — and mourns the tragic mistakes that reverberate into adulthood.
Director
“Scrapbook” (aka “The Piano Player”) is the story of a high school sophomore desperately searching for a meaningful connection with another human being; the efforts of his popular older brother to help him out only end up making things worse, leading to a cold war between the brothers that spirals out of control when our hero falls in with the wrong crowd. A coming of age tale populated with memorable characters that takes many unpredictable twists and turns, “Scrapbook” celebrates youth in its complex blend of joy and agony — and mourns the tragic mistakes that reverberate into adulthood.
Orchestrator
Remembrances was Kurt Kuenne’s final USC student film.
Editor
Remembrances was Kurt Kuenne’s final USC student film.
Music
Remembrances was Kurt Kuenne’s final USC student film.
Producer
Remembrances was Kurt Kuenne’s final USC student film.
Writer
Remembrances was Kurt Kuenne’s final USC student film.
Director
Remembrances was Kurt Kuenne’s final USC student film.
Music
Cyrano de Begerac is joyous, witty, a poet, a leader and filled with plenty of charisma and bravado in 17th Century France. He has only one flaw: an unusually long nose which makes him unattractive to any woman. Thus, he cannot have the woman he loves, his cousin Roxanne. Roxanne loves an officer in his army who gets tongue-tied in front of women. Who will Roxanne love? Will Cyrano ever find love? Or will he find happiness in helping the officer woo Roxanne? This is a story of split personalities, human frailty and unrequited love.
