Screenwriter, Krystal M. Harris has been working on a project about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, nicknamed the " Six Triple Eight ". The 6888 was an all-black battalion of the Women's Army Corps and was the only all-black, all-female battalion sent overseas during World War II.
I reached out to Krystal about her project with a few questions and you can check out our interview about her 6888 project below.
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| Screenwriter Krystal M. Harris |
AAREPORTS: Tell us a little about yourself. How did you start writing, become a screenwriter, and what other projects have you worked on?
Krystal Harris: My name is Krystal M. Harris and I’ve been writing professionally since about 2008, when I was commissioned to write for Beacon Pictures on their slate. I was still in college then but I had completed a few television pilots and even landed a pitch at the formerly titled, ABC Family. My foray into screenwriting came from being a frustrated actor that was often typecast as “Hot girl #1” or “Bikini Babe.” I come from a strong lineage of powerful Black women and for me, even though I understood dues had to be paid, the role options were limited and did not speak to the truth of the women I grew up around... the woman I was. So, I turned my disappointment into determination and began writing roles that I wished I could audition for. That quickly turned into me writing roles that were not just for me, but for other actresses I saw coming up, ones who inspired me and who I knew were not getting their true talent showcased.
My first completed “original” project was called “IMPOSSIBLE: A SCANDAL FAN FILM.” I wrote this after a season break of the hit show SCANDAL and did a what-if scenario regarding Olivia and Fitz. It was wildly popular and was even shared by some of the cast of the show. I also wrote a television film for Teen Nick entitled, THE WONDERGIRLS, that was the first exploration of K-Pop in America. In fact, this endeavor was just profiled in Billboard this year... it may have been ahead of its time, but the fact remains clear that K-Pop was destined to be a hit in America. Growing up in the Philippines with my father during the summers, I already saw its influence and so it was important to bring that awareness to America... whether I was too early or not didn’t matter because it worked and it has become a cult favorite for Wonder girls fans. One of my projects that I am most proud to have worked on is The New Jim Crow: Majority Rules, which tells the story of a conservative news reporter whose fiancĂ© becomes the latest face in the Black Lives Matter Movement after he is gunned down, unarmed. This series pitch pilot that I wrote and produced, examines life from the side of the women who are left behind to pick up the pieces and the power they uncover through the pain of their tragedy.
You are doing a television series on the all African American female WWII unit , The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. How did you find out about this unit and what inspired you to want to tell their story?
The 6888th United States Central Postal Battalion has been on my radar since 2019 when my mother sent me an article about them and begged me to write about them. Back during the 6888th’s time, the Army was still segregated based both on race and gender. In fact, they were enlisted in the newly formed women’s branch of the Army called the Women’s Army Corps (formerly the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps).
My mother served in the Women’s Army Corps and was one of the last graduating classes to be segregated based on gender. My great- aunt before her served during WWII in the Women’s Army Corps. So for me this was a story that was as much about uncovering the hidden legacy of the 6888th, as it was about uncovering my own fierce identity and understanding the strength that I possessed to say no to the status quo, and forge my own path. I am a direct result of these women and their accomplishments so I felt it was not only my honor, but my duty to give them a voice and have their story told by a descendant of one of their own. I completed a feature film in 2020 and then adapted that screenplay into a television limited series.
AAREPORTS: What type of research was involved with the project and did you reach out to the US Army and if so were they helpful?
Researching the 6888th before they received their Congressional Gold Medal was difficult indeed. The information was out there but you really had to know what to look for. I had to comb through military documents, newspaper clippings, interviews buried within general war footage of the time, and speak with Army personnel to ensure I was getting the tone right and as much of the facts right. The research took me about nine months before I was able to piece together the story. Not just the story I wanted to tell, but their story that needed to be told. Now, there is a little more information out there but back in 2019 when I was urging my management team to take a look at this story... it was deemed as “not timely, or important.” I vehemently disagreed. And as we see today, their story is almost comparable to that of Hidden Figures. It’s just sad that we have to uncover this history instead of it being taught to us.
What was most remarkable was the fact that there were stories within stories when it comes to this battalion, when people get a chance to see my series they will see that race-passing was prevalent within the unit, that there were injustices committed from every side of the military, and that the women were so incredibly resolute and strong with what they endured, that they healed a nation while also healing deep wounds within themselves. This is not just a story about delivering mail... the people behind this, the character they possessed... that is the story and it is incredible.
AAREPORTS: I understand that initially you were thinking of doing a movie on the unit. What made you change your mind and go with a series instead?
I do have a completed feature that has been shopped around Hollywood. The feedback I received from the companies that read it was something I agreed with. It’s too big. What they did, is massive and to tell it, even in a two-hour film, still only barely hints at the accomplishments they were able to achieve. Being a filmmaker, I understand the necessity for collaboration in this art form. I take notes from trusted professionals who understand story and ultimately... even though I’d love to have this premiere in theaters... it would be a disservice to their legacy to cut them off at two hours of screen time. No, these women and what they did deserve more. So I made a limited series... with a spin-off option too.
This way we can understand the women more in depth, we can understand what drove them to join the military, what drove them to pass for white in some cases, what drove them to stand up for themselves during a time when our voices were barely considered as human. For me, you need time to be able to get behind their psyche and their mission. You need time to understand them because then you can fully understand the incredible accomplishment that they achieved and how that was able to outlive them.
AAREPORTS: Where does the project stand right now and what challenges have you faced in getting it off the ground?
Right now, I have had some recent success with the proposed series and accompanying series bible. It has placed in several screenwriting competitions and garnered some incredible feedback. We do have something in the works, but I can’t speak too much on it right now. Just know I was in Europe this summer scouting locations and so things are definitely moving along. The main challenge I have faced in getting this story told is that, I am a relatively (to the masses) unknown writer. Add that to the fact that I’m also a Black Woman, which as this story will tell, comes with its own set of challenges. But these women gave me strength in continuing to pursue avenues to make sure they were recognized the right way.
I don’t have deep pockets, I can’t just make the story on my own, so yes... help is needed. However, it is difficult to gain such needed help in an industry that is still finding its footing in the age of diversity and inclusion. I took to social media during this summer and started publicizing the project. Writers are notoriously secretive but I couldn’t gain the traction needed unless I went public and so I did and what I found was people craved this story. They wanted this story. I have received countless emails from women who served who are so incredibly excited to have me at the helm of this story and that to me is the biggest accomplishment -besides getting it made- because it means my finger was right on the pulse. The audience is there, now it’s just up to the producers to recognize that and give the people what they want.
AAREPORTS: Are there any actors that we might recognize attached to the project as of yet?
I can’t say who we have attached to this, but I can tell you who I have envisioned playing the roles since 2019. Nicole Beharie is my pick for Charity Adams, the leader of the Six Triple Eight. I describe her as headstrong, powerful, and confident and she knows she must be this way in order to survive in a white-male dominated military. She is the epitome of strength and resilience. Her first lieutenant Abbie Campbell in my mind can be played by no one other than Michaela Coel. Abbie is smart, but she isn’t afraid to speak her mind even when it’s not “smart” to do so. She has wit, but it comes with a whole lot of grit. A force of nature and that is how I see Michaela. If you see a picture of the real Charity and Abbie, I think you will agree. It’s them, hands down.
AAREPORTS: When do you think we will see your story about the 6888 on screen?
Television is a development beast, so it is anyone’s guess when it will actually premiere. However, I plan on keeping people informed as I understand the true hidden story, the one behind the headlines and articles, is something that audiences are asking for and it is something I plan on delivering.
Well that's our interview and I hope it inspires you to learn more about the "Six Triple Eight' and Krystal M. Harris' television series about them.
Learn more about the project here http://www.sixtripleeightseries.com and at http://www.krystalmuseinc.com
Follow Krystal Harris on Twitter at https://twitter.com/krystalmharris
