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ABOUT FINISE

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Finise Avery is an award-winning director, producer, and creative force in film and television. With roots in fashion, photography, and performance, her multifaceted background informs a visual style that is bold, human, and deeply intentional.

A proud member of both SAG-AFTRA and the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Finise has worked on a range of acclaimed productions—rising from production assistant to assistant director on studio television shows, and now leading her own projects as a filmmaker.

Her directorial debut, Living With Grandma, has earned over 20 international awards and is currently being developed into a limited series. She also co-directed the cinematic commercial Crunch, a dark comedy selected for the Musicbed Challenge.

Finise is currently in pre-production on her next short film, Desperately Seeking Commitment, and continues to write, direct, and produce short-form narrative and commercial content through her company, Electric Dreams Productions.

Passionate about inclusive storytelling, Finise is the founder of Reel Solidarity, a nonprofit dedicated to equity in entertainment. She also serves on the DGA Focus on Women Committee as the Assistant Director/UPM Representative.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (PRODUCTION)

(Directing & Producing Credits)

Living With Grandma, Electric Dreams Productions
Director • Executive Producer • Co-Writer 
2023 – 2024
• Directed this award-winning short film exploring addiction recovery, intergenerational healing, and chosen family.
• Developed the story with co-creator Luisa Oparanozie and original concept by Louis Cangiano, leading the project from pre-production through post.
• Oversaw casting, rehearsals, visual style, and final delivery across all departments.
• Winner of over 20 awards including Best Female Director – Cannes World Film Festival and Best First Time Director – LA Film Awards.
• Currently in development as an episodic series.

Logline:
After blowing a million-dollar lottery win, a struggling young man is forced to move in with his tough, old-school grandmother—only to find that second chances come with laughter, grief, and unexpected healing.

Crunch (Musicbed Challenge 2025), Electric Dreams Productions
Co-Director • Executive Producer
March 2025
• Co-directed this stylized commercial short alongside Trevor Wolfson, who also served as the screenwriter.
• Managed key creative decisions, casting, blocking, camera work, and tone across the production.
• Shot at Arthur Kill Correctional Facility with a full professional crew.
• Executive produced the project from concept to completion under a tight deadline for the Musicbed Challenge 2025, Spec Ad category.

In Pre-Production
(Written, Directed & Produced by Finise Avery)

Desperately Seeking Commitment
Genre: Comedy
• Currently in pre-production as a short film under Electric Dreams Productions.
• Written, directed, and produced by Finise Avery.

Logline:
A quirky comedy about Sophie, a single woman in her late 30s who, desperate for love and marriage, finds herself in a mediation room after her relentless (and hilariously misguided) attempts to "facilitate fate" with a man she's convinced is her soulmate lead to accusations of stalking.

Hidden Facades
Genre: Psychological Thriller / Episodic Series
• Written and created by Finise Avery, currently in early pre-production development.
• Will serve as director and executive producer on the pilot.

Logline:
A successful matrimonial attorney’s hidden past resurfaces when an obsessive detective begins manipulating her life, culminating in a staged suicide that unravels a network of corruption, exploitation, and systemic abuse.

 

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (PRODUCTION)

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Rock Soul Productions
Production Coordinator
Oct 2024 – Jul 2024

• Orchestrated travel, rehearsals, and hospitality logistics for Fantasia's band and touring crew, ensuring efficient scheduling and high team satisfaction.
• Coordinated with venues, vendors, and transportation teams to facilitate seamless live event execution.
• Supported Production Manager Joseph Hellow and Stage Manager Scott Eichel in all phases of concert logistics.

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Only Murders in the Building, Season 5 – Disney Hulu
Addl 2nd Assistant Accountant
Jan 2025 – Aug 2025

• Managed crew reimbursements, kit rentals, and background actor payments.
• Supported UPM Chris George, Production Supervisor Todd Wolenski, and Production Accountant Rain Kanikula.
• Processed background payroll and maintained financial documentation.

​

Only Murders in the Building, Season 4 – Disney Hulu
Clerk
Oct 2023 – Aug 2024

• Supported production accounting team with payroll documentation and background processing.
• Collaborated with UPM Chris George and Production Accountant Rain Kanikula.
• Streamlined clerical tasks and facilitated accurate recordkeeping.

Catamount, Apple TV
Additional 2nd Assistant Director
12.1.2022 – 4.20.2023
(Pennsylvania)
• 1st AD Maggie Murphy
• 2nd AD Steven LaUerty
• 2nd 2nd AD Marisa Taylor
• UPM: Eric Henriquez

The Gilded Age S2, Heydey Productions

2nd AD Covid /Fittings AD 

7.22.2022 - 11.8.2022 ​

  • 1st AD Tony Phillippe

  • 2nd AD Lisa Simon

  • 1st AD Jakub Porembski

  • 2nd AD Chris Vendetti

  • 2nd 2nd AD Self Williams

  • UPM Michael Pitt

Larry’s Diner, Amazon Studios

Background PA 

8.2.2021 - 1.3.2021 

  • 1st AD Deanna Leslie Kelly

  • 2nd AD Chris Dreyer

  • 2nd 2nd AD Lisa Burrascano

Better Nate than Never, Disney +

Background PA

4.10.2021 - 07.25.2021

  • 1st AD Danielle Rigby

  • 2nd AD Brad Robinson

  • 2nd 2nd AD Billy Brennan

  • 2nd AD Annie Tompkins

Bridge & Tunnel, Epic TV

Paperwork PA

10.07.2020 - 11.14.2020 

  • 1st AD Colin A.J. MacLellan

  • 2nd AD Ginger Gonzalez

  • 2nd 2nd AD Kailyn Dabkowksi

Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Lionsgate Studios
Additional 2nd Assistant Director
11.15.2022 – 12.15.2022
(New York City)
• 1st AD Bobby Kennedy
• 2nd AD Abi O'Reilly
• 2nd 2nd AD Anthony Pennachio
• UPM: Nils Widboom

Fleishman is in Trouble, ABC Studios

2nd 2nd AD Covid /Fittings AD

1.5.2022 - 7.21.2022 â€‹

  • 1st AD Adam Escott.

  • 2nd AD Liza Lasser

  • 1st AD Vanessa Hoffman

  • 2nd AD AD Steve Jean-Baptist

  • 2nd 2nd AD Steve Jean-Baptist

  • UPM: David McGuire

Untitled Wootton & Coburn Project, Universal Television

Paperwork PA

7.8.2021 – 7.30.2021 

  • 1st AD Vincent Lascoumes,

  • 2nd James Feldman

  • 2nd 2nd Billy Brennan

Only Murders in The Building, Disney Hulu

Paperwork PA

11.24.2021 - 4.12.2021

  • 1st AD Cedric Vara

  • 2nd AD Elizabeth Gallagher

  • 1st AD Becky Chin

  • 2nd AD Chris Dreyer

  • 2nd 2nd AD Ben Feig

Respect, NYC UNIT Respect Productions LLC

Paperwork PA and Reshoots

2.14.2020 - 2.15.2020

11.2.2019 - 11.8.2019 

  • 1st AD Van Hayden

  • 2nd AD Ginger Gonzalez

  • 2nd 2nd AD Alex Scricco

God Friended Me, Main Gate Productions, LLC Paperwork PA

6.1.2019 – 3.17.2020

  • 1st AD Peter Soldo

  • 2nd AD Lisa McPherson

  • 1st AD Cedric Vara

  • 2nd AD Elizabeth Gallagher

  • 2nd 2nd AD Ben Feig

The Outsider, NYC UNIT Golden Dragons, LLC

Paperwork PA

6.14.2019 - 6.15.2019

  • 1st AD Francisco Ortiz

  • 2nd AD Robert J Tierney

  • 2nd 2nd AD Maggie Callis

Mrs. America NYC UNIT Mrs. America,

Productions Lt First Team PA

10.26.2010 - 10.27.2010

  • 1st AD Mariela Comitini

  • 2nd AD Luca Waldman

  • 2nd 2nd AD Alex Scricco

Orange is The Black, Season 7 Lady Prison

Production Paperwork PA

8.6.2018 - 2.28.2019

  • 1st AD Louis J Guerra (Odd)

  • 2nd AD Robert J Tierney (Odd)
  • 1st AD Colin MacLellan (Even)
  • 2nd AD Ginger Gonzalez (Even)

  • 2nd 2nd AD Kailyn Dabkowski

Hustlers, STK Films

Paperwork PA

3.22.2019 - 4.18.2019

  • 1st AD Colin MacLellan
  • 2nd 2nd Abi O’Reilly
  • 2nd 2nd AD Ginger Gonzalez

Friends From College, 2nd Unit Can’t Forget Productions Paperwork PA

5.3.2018

  • 1st AD Robert J Tierney

  • 2nd AD Michael Greco

Awkwafina, Comedy Central

Paperwork & Walkies PA

7.18.2018 - 7.25.2018

  • 1st AD Adam Escott
  • 2nd AD Nick Vanderpool

  • 2nd 2nd AD Tom Glick

Long Scherfig New York, Project Front Porch Pictures Walkie PA

4.22.2018 - 4.24.2018
  • 1st AD Reid Dunlop
  • 2nd AD Sussan Cordero

  • 2nd 2nd AD Amanda Cheng

The Sinner, Universal Cable Productions

Addl Set PA (5.8-6.1) Paperwork

6.14.2018

  • 1st AD Matthew Mcloota (Odd)

  • 2nd AD Michael Greco
  • 1st AD Shelly kelser (Even)
  • 2nd AD Dana Zoli (Even)

  • 2nd 2nd AD Nick Collins

Main Justice, CBS Studios

Addl Set PA

3.18.2018 & 3.25.2018 
  • 1st AD Brenda Walsh
  • 2nd AD Robert Lopez

  • 2nd 2nd AD Eric Calatyud

The Code, CBS Studios

Addl Set PA

3.20.2018 - 4.5.2018
  • 1st AD Louis J Guerra
  • 2nd AD Robert J Tierney

  • 2nd 2nd AD Yadeedya Mellman

Dietland, AMC Studio

Paperwork PA, (Tandem Unit)

3.16.2018 & 3.19.2018

  • 1st AD Dylan Hopkins (Odd)

  • 2nd AD Ted O’Connor (Odd)
  • 1st AD Shelly Keiser (Even)
  • 2nd AD Melinda Ziyadat (Even)

  • 2nd 2nd AD Kyle Burstein

LUCE, Fanon LLC

1st Team Staff PA

5.17.2018
  • 1st AD Eric Berkal
  • 2nd AD Sussan Cordero

  • 2nd 2nd AD Glen Stewart

Big Dogs, Choice Films

Paperwork PA, (Tandem Unit)

6.11.2017 - 8.25.2017
  • 1st AD Ethan Anderson

  • 2nd AD Aton Roberts
  • 1st AD Kevin Passmino
  • 2nd AD Chris Zou, Rob Coll

  • 2nd 2nd AD Theron Alford
  • 2nd AD Liza Lasser

Quantico, Season 3 ABC Studios

Paperwork PA

2.6.2017 - 3.14.2017
  • 1st AD Mark McGann (Odd)

  • 2nd AD Eric Calatayud (Odd)
  • 1st AD Marco Londoner (Even)
  • 2nd AD Rob Coll (Even)

  • 2nd 2nd AD Anne Yvette Legendre

Drunk Girl- High Guy, Comedy Central Pilot

1st Team Staff PA

12.12.2016 - 12.16.2016

  • 1st AD Nicholas R. Bell
  • 2nd AD Aton Roberts

  • 2nd 2nd AD Luke Sherman

The Imposters, Universal Cable Productions

1st Team Staff PA, (NYC Unit)

6.11.2017 - 8.25.2017 
  • 1st AD AD Neil Daly
  • 2nd AD Patrick Huber

  • 2nd 2nd AD Luke Sherman

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (ACTING)

The Three Christs of Ypsilanti

Stand In (Christina Hope)
Hassell Free Productions

Wonderstruck  

Stand In
Amazon Studios

Red Oaks
Stand In (Alexandra Socha)
Amazon Studios

The Affair
Stand In
Showtime Productions

Divorce
Stand In & Photo Double (Sterling Jerins)
HBO Pilot

Gotham
Stand In Photo double & Stunt double
Warner Brothers

Annie
Stand In (Amanda Troya)
Sony Production

The Amazing Spider-Man 2
Stand In
Columbia Pictures

The Americans
Stand In
DreamWorks Television

Murder in Manhattan
Stand In
FX

Delivery Man
Stand In
DreamWorks studios

Before I disappear
Stand In & Photo double (Fatima Ptacek)
IFC Films

Orange Is The New Black
“Shorty”
Touch Stone pictures

Non-Stop
Core Passenger
Curfew Productions

Royal Pains (Eps:Imperfect Storm)
Stand In Alexa Vega
USA Network

Disconnect
Stand In (Teresa Celentano)
LD Entertainment

The Dark Knight Rises
Stand In (Tyler Dean Flores)
Warner Brothers

Boardwalk Empire 2010-2015
Stand In (Shannon Garland)
HBO

The Dictator
Stand In
Spyglass Entertainment

Being Flynn
Stand In (Olivia Thirlby)
Silver Pictures

30 Rock
Stand In
NBC

The Sitter
Photo double (Landry Bender)
20th Century Fox

Law and Order (Eps: Behave)
“Vickie High school Friend”
Universal Cable Productions

Acting Coach: Larkin Malloy

EDUCATION

Class of 2011
Communication Arts & Media Film Studies
Marymount Manhattan College, New York

Summer Class of 2009
Photography; Lugano, Switzerland European 

photography
Franklin College Switzerland

Summer Class of 2007
French Cannes-Clairan, Languedoc-Roussillon
Le College International de Cannes, France

Summer Class of 2008
Lingua Italian; Design and Fashion; (Italian and fashion design) Milan
International House Scuole, Italy

Aug 2004 - 2007
High school Leysin American School
Leysin, Switzerland

CERTIFICATES

Covid -19 Compliance Officer - Health Education Services, 2023

 

DGA 2nd Assistant Director; NYC Production Center.


Covid- 19 for Leadership (Level A & B) - Safe Sets International, 2023


Covid - 19 Contact Tracing – John Hopkins University, 2023
 

Covid - 19 Awareness -Secret Compass 360 Training, 2023


Adobe Premiere Pro Certified ACA -Certitec Covent Garden London


Adobe Photoshop Certified ACA - Certitec Covent Garden London

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