Kyle Schickner

Infobox actor
name = Kyle Schickner

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caption = Kyle Schickner at work
birthdate =
birthplace = New Jersey, United States
website = http://www.fencesitterfilms.com/
spouse =

Kyle Schickner is an American producer, writer, director, actor and a bisexual rights activist. He is the founder of FenceSitterFilms, a production company devoted to entertainment for women, and sexual and ethnic minorities.

Career

Schnickner attended Rutgers University from 1993 to 1995 before dropping out to start Off-Off-Broadway theater company, Fencesitter Productions. [cite news |work=The Star-Ledger |title= Filmmaker repays debt to hometown - Shooting of Ally Sheedy movie now through December includes town residents as extras |date=2006-10-27 |first=Nawal |last=Qarooni] Based out of the Stanford Meisner Theater, the company produced four successful plays, three of which were written and directed by Schickner himself.

While in college, inspired by hearing a talk given by Bisexual Rights Activist Lani Ka'ahumanu, he formed BIAS (Bisexuals Achieving Solidarity) the first college bisexual rights group in the United States. After seeking out the campus' gay and lesbian organization, Schnickner recalls, "I knew I was bisexual, but those who ran the club didn’t believe it."cite web |url=http://www.rutgersalumni.org/1766/1766%20SPRING%202008.pdf |work=1766 Magazine |publisher=Rutgers Alumni Association |accessdate=2008-06-26 |title=Spring 2008] He later went on to appear on CNN, Montel Williams, Jane Pratt and several other national television shows, helping to give visibility to what was at that time a largely invisible community.

After writing and producing four successful plays, Schnickner moved to cinema in hope of reaching a wider audience. In 1995, FenceSitterFilms (the former Fencesitter Productions) started production on "Rose by Any Other Name...", a film based on Schnickner's most successful play.cite news |work=Los Angeles Times |title=MOVIES; Having It Both Ways; If you think there are more bisexuals in films, it's because there are |date=1997-07-20 |page=20 |first=Michael |last=Szymanski |quote= In his "Rose by Any Other Name," due in October, New Jersey filmmaker Kyle Schickner stars as a straight man baffled by the idea of dating a lesbian.]

According to the official website, FenceSitterFilms was "founded on the belief that films don't need straight white men as heroes in order to be successful and entertaining." [cite web |url=http://www.fencesitterfilms.com|title=FenceSitterFilms Official Site] He says, "I wanted to make films a person of color, a woman, or a bisexual person would enjoy watching.”"

Schickner went on to write and directed five feature films, as well as several commercials and music videos. His features include romantic comedy "Rose by Any Other Name . . .", the mockumentary "Full Frontal" the critically acclaimed thriller "Strange Fruit".cite news |work=Southern Voice |title=A ripe discourse; Black arts festival includes gay films among offerings |url=http://www.southernvoice.com/2005/7-15/arts/feature/eclipse_nationalblackarts.cfm |date=2005-07-15 |first=Brian |last=Moylah] His most current feature film, "Steam", stars Oscar-nominated actress Ruby Dee, 1980s and indie icon Ally Sheedy as well as up-and-coming young actress Kate Siegel.cite news |work=LA City Beat |title=Gays Gone Wild! Quicksilver queers flaunt it at Outfest |first=Paul |last=Birchall |url=http://www.lacitybeat.com/cms/story/detail/gays_gone_wild/7231/ |date=2008-07-09] [cite news |work=University Wire |title=Rutgers: Filmmakers cast the spotlight on Rutgers |url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-26933317_ITM |date=2006-11-20 |first=Milalie |last=Francisco |quote=Most recently, former Highland Park resident and Rutgers alumnus Kyle Schickner returned from California to film his independent movie, "Steamroom." Selesky said Schickner filmed at various sites in New Brunswick, including Passion Puddle.]

He currently lives and works in Los Angeles, where he directs films, music videos and commercials.

Filmography

Feature films

*"Steam" (2007) (producer, director, writer)
*"Paradise Lost" (2006) (producer, director, writer, actor)
*"Strange Fruit" (2004) (producer, director, writer, actor)
*"Full Frontal" (2001) (executive producer, director, writer, actor)
*"Rose by Any Other Name . . ." (1997) (producer director, writer, actor)

References

External links

* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0771362/ IMDB Profile]
* [http://www.fencesitterfilms.com/ FenceSitterFilms official site]