Stowe Story Labs Partners with The New Mexico Film Office in Launching New Training Program for Emerging New Mexican Screenwriters
SANTA FE, NM – Today, the New Mexico Film Office announced a partnership with Stowe Story Labs to provide a new training program for emerging New Mexican screenwriters. The program will be administered in three parts over the course of six months by Stowe Story Labs Founder and Director David Rocchio and is designed to support emerging screenwriters in developing foundational skills necessary for writing feature film or television scripts.
"Stowe Story Labs prepares and equips top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers with all that is needed to develop a diverse story as well as the skills to pitch, package, finance, and distribute their work. The funding from the State of New Mexico for this training program will provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to above-the-line filmmakers in New Mexico," New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary Alicia J. Keyes said.
“We are excited to launch this program with the New Mexico Film Office. For many emerging talents, gaining access to development programs and just being given the opportunity to flex their wings and do the hard work to advance skills and projects is all but impossible. We are excited to offer this opportunity to talented New Mexicans who otherwise might never see such opportunities, and through the work to maybe bend the world a bit through story,” Rocchio said.
The three-part program will begin in May 2022 and includes an immersive three-day narrative story lab, a four-month virtual writing program, and a four-day capstone retreat. Part I will be an in-person narrative lab that will focus on skills such as story structure, character, and theme development; elements of pitching; creative production; casting; adaptation; and finance and distribution. Part I will run from May 13-15, 2022, at the Taos Hotel & Spa, El Monte Sagrado.
Part II will be a virtual long-form writing program led by Stowe Co-Founder David Pope. The writing program will involve twelve online group sessions; blocks of structured writing time; and individual one-on-one meetings with Pope and will focus on building stories from a character-centered approach. By the end of Part II, writers will have written a first draft of a screenplay, a logline, and a synopsis of a narrative feature film or television script.
Part III will be a four-day writers retreat set for November 5-8, 2022, and facilitated by David Rocchio. The retreat will include two one-on-one meetings with two different industry mentors; daily structured small group and peer meetings; and group workshop sessions on subjects vital to developing the craft and navigating the business of screenwriting.
Participants in the program will also benefit from opportunities to network and connect with their cohorts.
“The New Mexico Film Office is committed to supporting accessible and industry-standard training programs that develop an array of skill sets applicable to our booming film and television industry. We are pleased to partner with the prestigious Stowe Story Labs in the launch of this bespoke screenwriter intensive, offering New Mexicans the opportunity to advance their abilities and provide a platform for fresh, diverse voices and untold stories to emerge through screenplays," Amber Dodson, director, New Mexico Film Office said.
The program will be limited to ten emerging writers. Participants will be selected through a competitive application process and must be current residents of New Mexico or New Mexican students studying out-of-state. Applications will be evaluated and chosen based on a demonstrable ability to write a feature or television script, capacity to learn and incorporate new skills and approaches into their work, a collaborative nature, and a willingness to develop a strong story idea. Participants are responsible for the $10 application fee and their own travel costs to Taos; however, instruction, mentoring, meals, and lodging will be provided through funding from the New Mexico Film Office.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, April 6, at 11;59 pm MDT. Interested New Mexicans can apply using the following link: https://bit.ly/3499hRr
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ABOUT STOWE STORY LABS:
Stowe Story Labs is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit based in Stowe, Vermont. Now entering its 10th year, Stowe offers labs, retreats, writing programs, and mentoring programs to top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers from around the world. Learn more about Stowe Story Labs and its programs here.
ABOUT THE NEW MEXICO FILM OFFICE:
The New Mexico Film Office (NMFO) is a division of the New Mexico Economic Development Department and serves the film and television industry locally, nationally, and internationally. Their purpose is to market the state to the film industry, service the productions, and create jobs for New Mexicans. They assist productions with finding potential filming locations; do consults regarding the financial aspects of a project; connect productions with the crew, vendor services, and film liaisons throughout the state. In addition to promoting and providing production services, the film office is initiating emerging media opportunities for the state and working to expand industry infrastructure. To learn more, click here.
STOWE STORY LABS MEDIA CONTACT:
Tamaryn Tobian
NEW MEXICO FILM OFFICE MEDIA CONTACT:
Bruce Krasnow
For media inquiries, please email info@stowestorylabs.org.