Devin McKay

My name is Devin McKay, and I'm a writer, director, and actor based in Atlanta, GA. Through my company, Val and Vic Productions, I tell stories that explore family, legacy, and the unsung heroes within our communities. My recent project, Don’t Cry for Me, was featured at several Oscar-qualifying festivals, including the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival and The BronzeLens Film Festival. As an actor, I’ve appeared on platforms like Funny or Die and in the film Harold and the Purple Crayon. My latest work, Monte Cristo, is inspired by my grandfather’s service as a Navy cook in the 50's and follows a Black sailor navigating life at sea during desegregation.

Screenwriter Interview:

1. How did you discover your passion for screenwriting?

I’ve always loved writing and telling stories, even as a kid. I still have the first story I ever wrote. It was basically my own version of Robocop. Movies and I have always been connected that way. But it wasn’t until high school, when I started creating my own original stories, that I realized this was more than just a hobby, it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So, I pushed in that direction.

2. Who has been your biggest influence in the movie industry?

I have a lot of influences. Spike Lee is one of the biggest. I know that’s kind of a go-to answer, but his overall approach; the boldness, the style, the way it’s so unapologetically him and of the culture; that always inspires me. I’ve spent a lot of time watching his behind-the-scenes featurettes and early shorts, just learning from the way he works.

Sofia Coppola is another big influence. Movies like The Virgin Suicides and Lost in Translation changed the way I thought about storytelling. As a teenager, I was struck by how everything felt so quiet and mundane, but the relationships still pulled you in. That really shaped the kinds of stories I wanted to tell.

And a third (even though you only asked for one) would be Robert Townsend. I’ve always respected how he never settled for what Black stories could be on screen. He’s done superhero films, musicals, and satires. He’s always pushing the limits of his work and of Black cinema as a whole.

So I guess my work is a blend of all three of them.

3. Who are two actors you would like to work with, why?

Hmm. I would love to work with Margot Robbie. She’s such a chameleon. You never feel like you’re watching the same performance twice. It’s the little details with her that always get me. Like in Barbie, when the businessmen try to trap her in a box and she flinches, almost like PTSD. It was a tiny moment, but it gave her whole journey so much more weight. All of her movies have little moments like that.

The second would be Sophie Okonedo. She has this powerful stage presence, but also a rawness that feels like she’s leaving everything out there. Every emotion, every movement, every line feels completely lived in. That kind of authenticity is alring to me. I’m the type of director who loves to collaborate, and when an actor comes in already grounded in the character and the backstory, it gives us so much more space to explore and discover new layers during filming.

4. How many screenplays or scripts have written and or have produced? List titles please. 

I’ve written and produced a lot of short-form and stage work over the years, but with my production company, Val and Vic, this is the first time I’ve really stepped into producing in the traditional sense. Our first short film, Don’t Cry for Me, was released last year, and that was my introduction to the world as a filmmaker. Our latest project, Monte Cristo, is the next step. It's an opportunity to say, “Now that I’m here, let me show you what kind of storyteller I am.”

5. What are some pitfalls you've experienced in your career?

I didn't go to school for film, everything I learned was from doing. That’s been both a blessing and a challenge. On one hand, it’s forced me to figure things out on my own and carve my own path. On the other hand, not having that formal training sometimes made me feel like I was playing catch-up. I think that’s why it took me so long to start certain projects in the past. I was coming from a place of doubt and uncertainty, feeling like every film had to raise the bar in case it was my last shot.

There were times I doubted myself, or second-guessed whether I was “qualified” to be in certain spaces. But those moments taught me persistence. I had to get comfortable learning on the fly, asking questions, and being okay with not knowing everything right away.

Now, looking at my career, I can see that all those pitfalls were really preparation for the path ahead.

6. What are your best experiences in your career?

I’ve been really fortunate to have had some incredible experiences in my career so far. A quick one that comes to mind is working on a Marvel production and getting to see their process up close. That was a dream of mine going all the way back to 2012 when I first saw The Avengers. Being in that space felt like reaching a milestone.

Attending the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in 2024 gave me a similar feeling. To see a film I created programmed alongside so many other incredible works—it made me pause and really take stock. It felt purposeful, almost like confirmation that I’m on the right path.

7. Are you independent or do you have a contract with a movie producer?

Independent, baby. Grassroots! I love the energy and community of the independent film scene. That said, it’s definitely a dream of mine to one day collaborate with a company like Oscilloscope, which fosters independent talent. I'd like Val and Vic to be a space for that, too, eventually.

8. What is your all time favorite movie or movies? Why? Would you change anything about the story plot?

I've learned recently that you can discover all of someone's secrets by getting three movies out of them: their favorite movie, their formative movie, and their comfort movie. 

So for me, that would have to be...

1. A Goofy Movie - This has always been my favorite. Always has, always will. It’s got tenure at this point. I'm always reminded of the roadtrips with my dad when I watch it, how we'd hop in his big ole Econoline van and hit the road. I also felt like a bit of an outcast in school. This film was the key to my heart, it opened me up to be bolder and take chances. I actually went to the 30th anniversary celebration recently, and it was the first time I’d seen it in over two years, and my first time since childhood seeing it on the big screen. Sitting there, I felt like I was experiencing it for the first time all over again. I wouldn't change a thing about that movie. 

2. The Rules of Attraction - This one is a little wild and completely out of step with everything else I’ve said, but it rocked me as a kid. It was fun, it was dark, and it used all these inventive camera tricks that blew my mind at the time. Like, the entire opening is in reverse and shows you the same party from multiple perspectives. There's a lot, but yeah, I've never forgotten that movie. I don’t talk about it much, but visually it had a huge influence on me in my formative years as a creative person.

3. The Shawshank Redemption - This is my comfort movie. I’ve literally watched it three times in a row before. To me, Shawshank is a perfect film. The writing is tight, the performances are powerful, and the payoff is so satisfying. It's so hopeful and endearing, and I wouldn’t change a thing about it. Andy Dufrane, in that story, was a big inspiration for the character Bill Harper in my film Monte Cristo. They both carry this quiet resilience about them where they don't speak much, but their actions speak volumes.

I don't like thinking of changes after the fact, or at all, really. To me, if a film connects with someone, if it makes them feel seen or inspired or just entertained, then it’s done its job.

Movie Trailer: