Riley Stearns
Riley Stearns (born June 29, 1986) is an American filmmaker best known for directing the films Faults and The Art of Self-Defense.
Riley Stearns | |
---|---|
Born | Austin, Texas, U.S. | June 29, 1986
Occupation | Filmmaker |
Years active | 2008–present |
Spouse(s) |
Early life
Stearns was born on June 29, 1986 in Austin, Texas, and grew up in Pflugerville, Texas.[1] He attended University of Texas at Austin, but dropped out after being turned down by the film program.[2]
Career
Initially wanting to be a musician, Stearns became involved in filmmaking after visiting various movie sets and after being advised on being a screenwriter by Final Destination 3 director, James Wong.[3]
Stearns worked as a writer for Cartoon Network show Tower Prep and for T.V. series, My Own Worst Enemy and Bionic Woman.[4] His short film The Cub became his first film to be premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and also to be featured by Vice Media.[5][6]
He released his feature debut Faults in 2014. It was later chosen to be part of the Best Unproduced Scripts Black List of 2013. Stearns wrote and directed a second feature, The Art of Self-Defense, which was released in 2019.[7]
Personal life
In 2010, he married actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, whom he met during an ocean cruise in 2002.[8] She starred in his first two short films, before starring in his feature film debut, Faults in 2014.[9]
The couple separated in 2017.[10]
Filmography
Year | Title | Credited as | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Director | Producer | Writer | |||
2011 | Magnificat | Yes | No | Yes | |
2012 | Casque | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
2013 | The Cub | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
2014 | Faults | Yes | No | Yes | Directorial debut |
2019 | The Art of Self-Defense | Yes | No | Yes | |
TBA | Dual | Yes | Yes | Yes | Filming |
References
- "SXSW Filmmaker Spotlight: Exploring Truths, Lies and Cults in 'Faults'". KUT 90.5. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Meet the 2014 AFI Filmmakers #1: ‘Faults’ Director On How Not to Lose Ten Pounds on Set. Indiewire. 7 November 2014.
- "Filmmaker Interview: RILEY STEARNS, writer/director of FAULTS". SAG Indie. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Interview: Riley Stearns. Film Comment. 23 February 2015
- "The Cub by Riley Stearns: VICE Shorts". Vice Media. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "Director Riley Stearns on his Short Film, 'The Cub'". Vice Media. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "'The Art of Self-Defense' filmmaker Riley Stearns talks toxic masculinity and tattoos". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "Mary Elizabeth Winstead: "Fargo Helped Me Embrace My Sexual Side"". Glamour. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- "Filmmaker Interview: RILEY STEARNS, writer/director of FAULTS". SAG Indie. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
- Mary Elizabeth Winstead Splits from Husband Riley Stearns: 'We Are Still Ride or Die'. People. 14 May 2017.