Meet Sara Kirby

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sara Kirby. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Sara, thank you so much for making time for us today. Let’s jump right into a question so many in our community are looking for answers to – how to overcome creativity blocks, writer’s block, etc. We’d love to hear your thoughts or any advice you might have.

Although I’d like to think I know how to “overcome writer’s block”, it will always come up throughout different creative endeavors, so all I can do is use tools that help me find a spark in the moment. Whether it’s writing a song or a screenplay, if I come across a time when I don’t want to to open my computer or pick up my guitar I usually go back to the basics. Can I play a chord? Can I play anything in a pattern of four that sounds like it could be a song? I don’t think “ok I have to make this have meaning… the lyrics needs to be perfect.. the character needs to say something important.”. Sometimes I have days that feel meaningless (creatively), and other times I feel like I could write for hours. I’ve learned it can be slow, but ultimately I can’t force creativity. Lately I’ve been practicing more. Scales, re-learning songs. I realize the more I play the instrument, the more I am comfortable exploring my own ideas. The same thing can be applied for writing. I’m a creative, as cliche as that sounds.
I ultimately want to be a filmmaker because it encompasses what I like most. Music, images, creativity.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’d say I am “building an artistic career”. I am a musician, mainly focusing on fiddle and singing. I write songs mostly on the guitar because I like the “songwriter” style. And yes, I play the “fiddle”, even though a fiddle and violin are the same thing, the styles are different. I am in a band and we recently put out an album! I’ll make sure to link that. We are a folk band called Uff Da!
I am also a Filmmaker. I have an autobiographical short in pre-production that I hope to shoot next spring. I think writing connects my two passions the most. Music and Movies. I moved to Los Angeles 6 years ago and started working freelance on commercials and music videos as a PA (production assistant) and personal assistant. In 2020 I had the opportunity to be on a feature in a quarantined set as a stand-in and Director’s assistant and most recently was a Script Supervisor on an Indie feature. When I wasn’t on set, I spent a lot of my free time working as a street performer. Also known as a “Busker”. That was technically my first job. I played fiddle on the streets of New Orleans, Boulder CO, Los Angeles, and even explored Europe a little. I found that exposed me to all different characters and stories. I wanted to try and write some of my own because I find people fascinating. I also grew up doing theater and loving movies so I guess I’ve always known I wanted to eventually go into this field. I started writing a short over a year ago about the time I had cancer at 11 years old. It took 6 months to write a few pages but each time I had a memory or idea I would jot it down into the script and soon realized I had a 20 min short basically done. I can’t force creativity but I trust that it will happen if I feel inspired.
I’ll be starting fundraising for that soon so keep and eye out! (-:

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Be Curious.
I believe curiosity brings me stories to tell and the most expansive life experiences that I can draw from in my art.

I’m still in early stages but be true to yourself, I know that sounds cheesy. Easier said than done but if you have a vision or an idea go for it! That’s what’s I’m trying to tell myself.

Have mentors.
I think the saying “history repeats itself” comes from reality and there will always be someone you can learn from. I have had teachers, bosses, and friends I admire that are older than me that I can always learn from. And of course my parents too.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

As much as I can get annoyed with my parents over the phone (don’t we all?), I love them very much and they have been the people to impact me the most in who I am today. They are both creatives and I learned growing up that doing what you love can bring you the most happiness. My Mother is a photographer and my Father is a pianist and painter. Although my childhood was not always glamorous (you can imagine the income of two self employed artists…) some of my favorite memories are playing card games and listening to my Dad practice the piano for hours. My Mother was also the one to tell me to “stick with it” when it came to playing an instrument. In middle school I started the violin and wanted to quit many times because it was so squeaky and I wasn’t an avid practicer but I am so glad now that I had to “stick with it” because it has brought me great experiences and I love to play. My first instrument was the piano, and although my Dad didn’t teach me, he helped me learn how to listen and practice so I wasn’t wasting time. If you practice something wrong over and over again you just have to re learn, “practice makes permanent”. I still take that to heart with endeavors I do now. I find my parents inspiring and I hope to find my own art like they did.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @saraakirbyy @thebandiscalleduffda
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sarakirby8341
• Soundcloud: (Spotify Link) https://open.spotify.com/artist/75JFlYBIPpkLqP7QFsgyqv?si=z-nTCW-6TsuxWpqQL-GFsA

Image Credits

Marie-Dominique Verdier

Alyssa Danae Stocker-Keefe