He is also the founder of the film production company Versus Pictures and the indie rock band Biting Elbows.

Naishuller was born in Moscow, the son of a surgeon mother and a businessman father of Jewish background.

[3][4][better source needed] He studied at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts and met several filmmakers that he would collaborate with later.

In 2011, he directed and edited the music video for The Stampede, a song featured in Dope Fiend Massacre EP.

Naishuller is credited as screenwriter, director, producer and acted as one of the people playing the titular character.

[6][7] Simultaneously, a comic book was released titled "Hardcore Akan #1", written by Naishuller, Brian Phillipson, and Will Stewart.