ABOUT THE DIRECTOR

Franklin’s Comedy Book is co-directed by Josh Gibson and Franklin Marshall. The project blends observational documentary with personal narrative, following Marshall’s real-life journey as a stand-up comedian. Franklin Marshall not only directs but also serves as the film’s central subject, creating a self-reflective documentary that captures the struggles, ambitions, and realities of pursuing comedy professionally.

FILM SYNOPSIS

Franklin’s Comedy Book documents the journey of Franklin Marshall The Third, an aspiring and relatively unknown comedian from Greens Farms, Connecticut. The film follows Marshall as he travels across America to compete in the World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas. Along the way, the documentary explores the challenges of life on the road, the vulnerability of performing stand-up, and the emotional resilience required to chase a dream in a highly competitive industry. Part biography, part road story, the film captures both the humor and hardship of pursuing recognition in comedy.

DIRECTOR’S VISION

The film's intent is reflected in its raw, observational style. Josh Gibson and Franklin Marshall aimed to create an intimate "road movie" documentary that demystifies the life of an aspiring stand-up comic. Their vision focused on the contrast between Marshall’s quiet Connecticut roots and the high-pressure, neon-lit environment of Las Vegas. By documenting the physical and emotional miles traveled, the directors sought to show that comedy is as much about resilience and personal history as it is about the jokes themselves.

AWARDS & RECOGNITION

The film received renewed attention on the festival circuit years after its initial release, particularly for its technical and creative merits:

Accolade Global Film Competition (2022): Winner of the Award of Merit for Original Score (composed by Miles Bergsma).

Accolade Global Film Competition (2022): Received an Award of Recognition for Film Feature.

GeekFestUniverse (2023): Nominated for several honors, including Best Documentary, Best 1st Time Filmmaker, and Best Special / Unusual Interest Film.

Festival Presence: The film was featured as a main theme for screenings and filmmaker Q&As at festivals like GeekFestToronto in early 2023