A graduate of Grand Valley State University's film program. Potrykus lives in Grand Rapids, MI USA, far from any entertainment industry, which allows for filmmaking with no interference. His 2010 Super 8 short "Coyote", focusing on a junkie werewolf, was his first work with actor Joshua Burge. His first feature, "Ape", won Best New Director at the 2012 Locarno Film Festival. Along with production, Potrykus is a film critic for an annual publication.