Kirby Marshall-Collins (Writer/Director)
Kirby’s storytelling strengths are forged from a decade of acting, writing, improvising, and directing for the stage before focusing on film and TV. She understands character and story implicitly and empathetically connects with actors of all ages to find the core of their struggle and next opportunity. Unfortunately, she does not have a directing reel from her theater directing. This project will serve as her primary directing sample.
Recently, Kirby excelled as a Writers’ Assistant on NANCY DREW (The CW). In her first writers’ room, Kirby wrote scenes for both the season premiere and series finale, and saw her pitches make it on screen. See below for clips and stills.
Clips from NANCY DREW (The CW) Season 4, Episode 8.
Kirby pitched the above beat(s) wherein Ace (currently in Nancy’s body because of a supernatural body swap) casually hands Nancy her beloved necklace (for her to wear on his body). While a small gesture on the surface, Ace knows that it’s the first anniversary of Nancy’s mother’s death, and the necklace is all she has left of her mom. Later, after they swap back, in this moment of reconciliation, Ace admits that he wanted her to have the necklace and his support on this tough day. A two-beat arc that reinforces how well Nancy and Ace know and love and each other, even while struggling with a curse that will kill them if they act on their feelings.
Still from NANCY DREW (The CW), Season 4, Episode 4.
Kirby wrote the on-air text copy for the final hopeful texts between the cursed lead couple, Nancy and Ace. In less than five lines, the texts capture the playful giddiness of Nancy and Ace planning for a future after they break their death curse and can be together. The texts also tee up the Passover Seder at the heart of episode 11.
About “Ways to Fly”
Briana Monet (Director of Photography)
Briana latched onto the opportunity to visually represent what ADHD and anxious discomfort can look like for a Black girl. She intends to use a mixture of handheld and Steadicam to capture the conflict between our lead’s hyper-focus and distractibility in an overwhelming ballet class.
Her years of filmmaking experience across levels and mediums balance Kirby’s vision on a technical level. Her colorful, saturated moments with Black actors of all shades also adds immense production value.
Logan Johnson (Composer)
Fresh out of the coveted Television Academy Summer Music Internship (left), Logan’s channeling her Master’s in Music into original compositions that evoke curiosity, simmering discomfort, and the miracle of finally, truly being heard and understood (and by a parent no less).
Accolades for “Ways to Fly”
Kirby won an Emerging Artist Grant from the Los Angeles Performance Practice x California Arts Council, with “Ways to Fly” as her key submission.
ScreenCraft Film Fund — Semifinalist (Fall 2023)
“Ways to Fly” is on The Red List! CoverFly’s Red List displays the top 20 highest-scoring scripts in each genre. Check below for current rankings and percentages.
