CSU alumnus executive produces film about a wicked icon of children's programming

Think Big Bird. But instead, he’s Bad Bird. Or think Elmo. But instead, he’s Hellmo. Buddy, a new dark comedy that released in theaters on Friday, August 28, centers on the premise that a beloved icon of children’s programming is in reality deeply sinister.  The film stars Cristin Milioti, Topher Grace, Patton Oswalt and Keegan-Michael Key. CSU alumnus Ryan Kelly (BA ’18) is an executive producer on the project.

He became attached when Tyler Davidson, one of the film’s producers, contacted Substance, Kelly’s Cleveland-based studio, as a possible location to shoot.

“…When he presented the project to us and [we] read the script…[it] was just absolutely funny and great,” Kelly said.

It was a no-brainer to become involved. The Substance team had long admired Davidson and Buddy’s writer-director, Casper Kelly (no relation).

“It was a great opportunity to work with them and put our name out there and to work on some big projects. Everything lined up perfectly…”

Buddy shot almost exclusively on the Substance sound stage in Brooklyn, OH, and also counted five other CSU alumni — Tom Zavertnik (BFA ’20), Vince Calabrese (BA ’20), Deanna Ochrin (BA ’19), Najada Davis (BA ’19), Evan Prunty (BA ’18) — among the crew.

As an executive producer, Kelly worked to ensure that Buddy’s creative team had the resources to make the film. It’s a role that he says suits him well.

"I'm good at putting puzzle pieces together. I'm good at connecting dots. And that's what a producer does,” he said.

"I don't really need to be in front of the camera. I don't really need to be directly behind it. I need to be in earshot of it."

Kelly enrolled at CSU’s School of Film & Media Arts in his mid-thirties. He’d spent a good chunk of his life as a touring musician and drummer, which he says had run its course. But his experience working on music videos sparked an interest in film.

He was focused when he came to CSU. He was older than most, knew what he wanted and says he found it.

“[I] had a great time…[and] met some great people that…pushed me into the field and into the entertainment world,” he said.

Those connections led him to work as an assistant on Cherry, the 2021 Russo Brothers film, starring Tom Holland. It was an experience that Kelly says launched his career.

He launched Substance in 2024, an arm of TRG Multimedia, with his partners Adam Wild and Geoff Yaw. Kelly is head of development.

It’s remarkable success for an industry that’s notoriously challenging.

Kelly’s found his footing, though. And he works hard.

"I remember names. I remember faces. I remember what they do. I study it. I pay attention. I know where the industry is, who the players are."

The studio is currently releasing seven projects, including Buddy and Micronations, a film by another CSU alumnus, Joe Kowalski (BA ’17).