(Wo)Man’s Best Friend Goes to the Student Emmys

(Wo)Man’s Best Friend Goes to the Student Emmys

What began as an independent screenwriting exercise became a huge opportunity for FSUFilm alumna Olivia Andrade. Her 2025 capstone film “Rex” was nominated for a Comedy Series/Chance Perdomo Legacy Scholarship at the 45th College Television Awards, which “recognize and reward excellence in student-produced programs from colleges nationwide” (Television Academy). Andrade’s dark comedy displays excellence in the industry while being subversive and thought-provoking. With the support of the College of Motion Picture Arts, the nomination brought her to Los Angeles for the Award Ceremony and special events reserved only for the nominees.

Andrade’s process for “Rex” began before she started thinking about her capstone film. She wrote the first draft as part of an independent exercise in screenwriting, but when capstone season rolled around, “Rex” was the idea she kept going back to. The production of “Rex” was a great experience overall. “When you have a team you trust, everyone can have some creative freedom,” said Andrade. Her favorite parts were working with Moose, the animal actor playing Rex, but the humans auditioning in character as dogs was a close second.  

“Rex” allowed Andrade to get out of her comfort zone. This film was her first experience working with animals or an intimacy coordinator. The film explores themes of power, control, and desire through the story of a single woman who, thanks to an experimental veterinary procedure, has the chance to turn her four-legged friend into a two-legged partner. In writing a dark comedy, Andrade was able to explore the story’s ethical implications while leaning into its absurdity. She says, “dark comedies are hard to do well.”  Andrade was inspired by “Black Mirror,” “which has a dark tone and presents ideas that make viewers question societal standards” (director’s statement). “Rex” was meant to stick with the audience long after viewing.

The nomination came after a limited festival run, winning both a Judges Award and an Audience Award at IronMule Film Festival in New York. Fellow FSUFilm alum, close friend, and “Rex” producer, Alex Taylor, convinced Andrade to submit the film to the College Television Awards. During the four days in Los Angeles for the award ceremony, Andrade and Taylor seized opportunities to network and connect with fellow nominees. The first day was a screening of condensed versions of all nominated films. The second day was dedicated to professional development. They went on a field trip, hosted by The Emmys, to tour the set of “Nobody Wants This” and learn from industry professionals about what goes into production of a series as opposed to a feature. The final day was the Awards Ceremony, where Andrade and Taylor were joined by FSUFilm faculty Valerie Scoon who says, “It has been a gratifying journey as the writing teacher to see Olivia’s journey from pitching her story to writing to directing.   She was able to achieve her vision with the support of her producer Alex as well as her classmates and the film school culminating in receiving the Emmy nomination, Well deserved! And of course, it was great fun to experience the Emmy evening with them and their proud families.” Andrade and Taylor were also surprised with an ad in the screening program from FSUFilm congratulating them on the nomination and wishing them luck at the Awards.

After the run of “Rex,” Andrade is excited about new projects. She started Alter Ego, a production company in collaboration with Taylor creating marketing packages and branding kits for films in the festival submission process. She is currently living in New York and working freelance, as well as producing a short film with fellow FSUFilm alum, Jay Ellis.