Stowe LAUNCH Participants Accepted into Writing in Unreal

Stowe Launch participants Emily Ray Reese (with feature film project Guadalupe Mountain) and Tisha Robinson-Daly & Jonathan Mason (with feature film project High) have been accepted into Tribeca Enterprises partnership with Epic Games: Writing in Unreal.

The Writing in Unreal program is a month-long program culminating in an intensive in New York City on November 16-18. The program enables independent filmmakers to gain firsthand knowledge from Unreal Engine experts and fellow colleagues on how to use the award-winning engine and its tools in their filmmaking process and to craft their stories.

The filmmakers will be paired with an “Unreal Engine Artist” who will virtually produce one scene from their films. They will spend a month working with the artists and as well during the three days in NYC. During those three days, the filmmakers will direct their scenes within Unreal, including a presentation to a final expert panel for feedback and guidance. Director Darren Aronofsky and Producer Effie T. Brown will serve as advisors to the participating teams offering direction and feedback.

The Stowe Launch program is an advanced development program for top emerging screenwriters and filmmakers. Launch incubates and develops feature films and television projects they have nurtured through their labs and retreats. The program is aimed at achieving Stowe’s mission to bring top emerging screenwriters, directors, and creative producers together with seasoned, working industry professionals to get work made and seen and to advance Stowe’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. You can learn more about Stowe Launch h e re.

"Stowe's Launch program has been critical in fully realizing my script for Guadalupe Mountain,” said Reese. “I have received feedback and mentorship that has helped me strengthen and execute my story in a way that is distinctly my voice and vision. I now feel confident that my story will communicate my intended themes, perspective, and experience to an audience. It's been the best development experience I could have asked for!”

Reese continued, “Due to the clarity of my vision that Stowe has helped me solidify, Guadalupe Mountain was one of ten projects selected by Tribeca and Epic Games' Unreal Engine to participate in The Writing In Unreal program to explore the use of the Unreal Engine in independent filmmaking to help filmmakers previsualize scenes in their films as a tool in the writing, directing, and producing of their films. Seeing my vision come to life within Unreal Engine has further given me confidence around my vision.” “I know that the outcome of Writing in Unreal in conjunction with the Launch program will give my project a level of definition that will attract the perfect team for the making of Guadalupe Mountain," she said.

Tisha and Jonathan shared their thoughts about Stowe Launch as well: "Being in Stowe Story Labs’ initial Stowe Launch Program has acted as a generator and central hub for all of our film's recent momentum. We've been able to bounce ideas, evaluate opportunities, and strategize on priorities. It's been a real game changer for us!”

They continued, “Most recently, the draft we developed at Stowe was one of ten projects selected by Tribeca and Epic Games' Unreal Engine to participate in a month-long program to explore the revolutionary software's possibilities. Not only has this helped us to visualize the world of High in real time, but it's giving us a glimpse into where the film industry itself is heading!"

“Stowe Launch closes the circle on our work with emerging filmmakers and screenwriters,” said David Rocchio, founder and director of Stowe Story Labs. “For ten years we have been helping artists define their vision, develop their scripts, and prepare to take their projects out into the world. With Stowe Launch, we now can spend that extra time with selected projects to help them find the appropriate producers, financiers, and other critical team members to get the work made. I am so pleased to be working with Reese, Jonathan, and Tisha and we are all proud of them for being part of this Tribeca program,” he said.

About the Launch Projects:

GUADALUPE MOUNTAIN

Logline: Forgotten in the midst of her parents’ crumbling marriage, Lola, a ten-year-old barrel racer, attempts to escape a sexual predator by harnessing a secret source of power within her. Learn more about Reese and her project here.

HIGH

Logline: Scaling life defying telecom towers fueled on cigarettes and little sleep is how Butch Robbins and his nomadic crew make a living. But the aftermath of a freak accident sends Butch on a downward spiral, away from the connections he needs most: his wife Maya and their 9-year-old daughter Olive. Learn more about Tisha, Jonathan, and their project here.