img

Melissa Birks

Screenwriter

Biography

My screenwriting journey began when I became obsessed with the story of my great-aunt Helen, whose ghost haunts the Mansfield Reformatory (where "Shawshank Redemption" was filmed). I fictionalized Aunt Helen's story and eventually crafted my brand as a writer of historical fiction. My screenplays tell stories of characters who may be under-the-radar or unexplored. A former newspaper reporter and editor, I enjoy spending hours trolling digital newspaper archives on the hunt for hidden gems. I wrote an origin myth about Jack the Ripper that placed in the quarterfinals of the Nicholl Fellowship. I wrote and produced a 30-minute mockumentary in which historical figures interact with a fictional inventor driven to build a rocket-powered flying pig. My drama inspired by the real serial killer Albert Fish placed in the finals (top 10) of the 2022 Stage 32 Feature Fellowship. 

My screenwriting journey began when I became obsessed with the story of my great-aunt Helen, whose ghost haunts the Mansfield Reformatory (where "Shawshank Redemption" was filmed). I fictionalized Aunt Helen's story and eventually crafted my brand as a writer of historical fiction. My screenplays tell stories of characters who may be under-the-radar or unexplored. A former newspaper reporter and editor, I enjoy spending hours trolling digital newspaper archives on the hunt for hidden gems. I wrote an origin myth about Jack the Ripper that placed in the quarterfinals of the Nicholl Fellowship. I wrote and produced a 30-minute mockumentary in which historical figures interact with a fictional inventor driven to build a rocket-powered flying pig. My drama inspired by the real serial killer Albert Fish placed in the finals (top 10) of the 2022 Stage 32 Feature Fellowship. 

Projects (5)

img
The Confessor
Feature
  • Crime .
  • Historical
0 Recommendation
2 Awards
Watch Video
Available
img
Jumbo's Keeper
Feature
  • Drama .
  • Historical
0 Recommendation
1 Award
Watch Video
Available
img
Girl of the Palio
Feature
  • Action
0 Recommendation
1 Award
Watch Video
Available
img
Uncaged
Feature
  • Crime .
  • Thriller
0 Recommendation
0 Award
Watch Video
Available

Education

DePaul University
MFA Screenwriting
img

Melissa Birks

Screenwriter

Biography

My screenwriting journey began when I became obsessed with the story of my great-aunt Helen, whose ghost haunts the Mansfield Reformatory (where "Shawshank Redemption" was filmed). I fictionalized Aunt Helen's story and eventually crafted my brand as a writer of historical fiction. My screenplays tell stories of characters who may be under-the-radar or unexplored. A former newspaper reporter and editor, I enjoy spending hours trolling digital newspaper archives on the hunt for hidden gems. I wrote an origin myth about Jack the Ripper that placed in the quarterfinals of the Nicholl Fellowship. I wrote and produced a 30-minute mockumentary in which historical figures interact with a fictional inventor driven to build a rocket-powered flying pig. My drama inspired by the real serial killer Albert Fish placed in the finals (top 10) of the 2022 Stage 32 Feature Fellowship. 

Awards & Accolades

img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img
img

+4 More

Success Stories

img
BELLE placed in top 100 of "Shoot Your Sizzle 2020"
img
Fast Track Fellow, Melissa Birks Signs With The Savage Agency
img
Conversations
img
img
img
img
Typing....
close
Privacy Notice

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Settings.