A Writer and her Muse

celery kovinsky

5r

 

Born and raised in Toronto, Celery has lived in Nova Scotia, Ann Arbor, Michigan and British Columbia. Despite training in rational decision theory, she left an award winning career in academia to start over as a screenwriter.

Following a residency at Norman Jewison’s Canadian Film Centre, her screenplays were optioned by The Halifax Film Company (Bowling for Columbine; Shake Hands With the Devil); Buffalo Gal Pictures (Amreeka) and Belladonna Prods. (Transamerica). She’s had four feature scripts supported by Telefilm Canada, including a drama about a contemporary couple who go on an adventure in France and North Africa to find Jim Morrison.

Celery’s dark comedy script Pride and Joy has attached a two-time Oscar winner as the lead. Also in development is a sisterhood comedy with producer Amy Baer (Adaptation; Mary Shelley; Jerry and Marge Go Large); and the drama Ludo and Sibylla (based on Helen Dewitt’s novel The Last Samurai), for Wolf Films and Frank Doelger (Game of Thrones; John Adams; Rome). Emmy and BAFTA winning director Richard Loncraine (Richard III; The Gathering Storm; Band of Brothers) is attached to direct. Celery has also written a feature adaptation of the groundbreaking, feminist documentary The Education of Shelby Knox for Neal Baer (ER; Law and Order) and Christine O’Malley (Wordplay; TS:Miss Americana). She is currently co-writing a feature with Connor Ratliff (Marvelous Mrs. Maisel; Dead Eyes Podcast) for the director Amber Sealey (No Man of God).

On the television side, her dark comedy series set in the world of women’s professional tennis was optioned by Warner Bros. She’s also adapting a novel into a limited series with Beth Schwartz (co-creator of Netflix’s Sweet Tooth and HBO’s Dead Boy Detectives) for WB and Alloy Entertainment (You; Gossip Girl) — and developing an original medical dramedy with Chris Grismer (Designated Survivor; Prodigal Son; Quantum Leap).

Celery has worked as a teacher, newspaper editor, bioethics researcher, and wildlife rehabilitator. She’s a former baseball player and coach, who happens to be supernaturally skilled at pinball — a power she has been unable to translate into any real-world advantage.

She would have been a vital member of the “Stairway to Heaven” jury.

Celery is a member of the Writers Guild of Canada and the Writers Guild of America.

In the United States she is represented by Bard Dorros and Trent Anderson at Anonymous Content. In Canada she is represented by Great North Artists Management.