Kirby Ellwood
What do you do in the Vertical Industry?
Actress
How did you come across Vertical Dramas?
I originally started submitting to them on Casting Sites before knowing what they were. Then I booked one off of my Demo Reel for a day player Role in January 2024 on "The BIllionaires Baby Bargain". Then the next vertical I did was a lead and here we are 25 Verticals Later.
What is your favourite project you have worked on so far?
Hardest Question Ever. That's like picking your favorite child. But some that come to mind are Single Dad Hunt because I just remember laughing the whole time on that set and having the best time. Then Billionaire's Matchmaker for sure. It's one of those shows that the whole time you're filming you just get into this flow state and I was ecstatic filming the scene where Miss Sunshine 1964 had her big moment I was genuinely dying in the corner. At one point I didn't realize they were filming me because I was just so entertained by the whole thing.
What is the craziest thing you have found yourself doing while working on a vertical?
Getting hit in the face with lettuce was hilarious, but I mean getting pushed into a freezing pool and throwing bright orange cake which ended up getting EVERYWHERE, are definitely some highlights. OH I recently had to sing a song called "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" from the 1950s Accapella for a bar scene which was so scary because I wouldn't consider myself a singer I was so scared and its not out yet so I'm nervous for that to come out...
Any funny stories you can share with us?
In The Billion Dollar Baby there was a scene where my character is uncontrollably crying. It's a very funny scene in the script so I wanted a lot of tears so I had Zeik the Makeup Artist apply the tear stick under my eyes... I kept telling her I couldn't feel it so I had her put more and more... Well, when I finally started to feel it it completely overpowered me and I couldn't open my eyes during the take. So I had to do the scene with my eyes closed with my eyes burning and lowkey laughing at my stupidity. The lesson it be conservative with the tear stick.
Who is your unsung hero? Someone in the industry who should get more credit?
I mean the whole crew! We couldn't do what we do without them. They are the real heroes.
What do you wish more people knew about verticals?
They are really like feature-length scripts and sometimes it feels like sprinting a marathon.
What developments would you like to see in the industry in the year ahead?
I would love for more interesting and unique stories instead of just recycling the same storylines over and over again. I would LOVE some new genres within the genre like horror or thriller.
What are you most proud of?
Honestly, just the fact that I get to consider myself a working actor. That to me means so much and I am so grateful that all the work I've put in over the years is amounting to something and I feel like I'm finally carving out space for myself in this industry one step at a time.
Which vertical actor would you like to play you in the biopic of your life?
Brooke Moltrum! No question <3
3 Random Facts:
⭐ I sing all the time, especially on set (I'm that person who gets random songs stuck in your head)
⭐ In College, I was a Molecular & Celluar Bio Major for 1 semester
⭐ I used to work at Starbucks & Target
Favourite snack:
Veggie Tray
Current earworm:
Mystical Magic By Benson Boone
Last movie you saw at the cinema/play on stage:
Wicked
Currently reading:
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Thank you Kirby 🙏🏼
Please do check out:
🎞️ Cohabiting Lover on Reelshort & Sereal Plus
🎞️ The Billion Dollar Baby on Shortmax
🎞️ Kirby’s IMDB
📸 Kirby’s Instagram @kirby.ellwood
