By: Mariah Thomas
Photo By Cvnty Productions
It took me a minute to acclimate to the chaotic intro of the pilot or the series “CVNT.” However, I quickly realized the intention behind it. Marnie is a down-on-her-luck addict, single mom. When her world turns upside down chaos ensues and as the audience, we feel that right along with her. “CVNT” is a great example of how impactful sound design can be.
Single mom Marnie (Nicole Higgins) finds herself in a bind when the government pulls her childcare funding. Her child’s balance is in the negative, so she is unable to take her in until that is paid off. Reaching out for help from different sources, she is met with no luck. While pumping breastmilk, Marnie gets the idea to determine if she can sell her breastmilk online. She finds a believable ad and decides to go for it. For her safety she brings along a friend and meets Doug the Plug (David Brown). Marnie was delighted at the $2,400 price point but quickly discovers that the buyer wanted fresh milk – not frozen. This brings her total down to $400. Therefore, Marnie bargains her way into a better deal.
This pilot highlights the impossible math of being a single mom and puts a spotlight on the lengths said mother will go to for her child. The sound design and song choices were a personal standout for me. It further brought to light the intensity of specific moments and helped set the tone for every scene. This is a show concept that surely has the ability to bring needed conversations on very poignant topics surrounding motherhood.
Nicole Higgins not only stars in this project but also wrote and directed. Her vision here feels very complete and complex. There are many fun directing choices that lend to the comedy of this episode. I found myself very intrigued with the pilot and would love to see what else this show could grow into by her hands.
“CVNT” is part of the 2026 Tribeca TV lineup. For the whimsical feel and important themes, it is sure to be a festival favorite for many. It is specifically in the Indie TV Narrative Showcase and is sure to be a fan favorite of the fest.