Testimonials
Check out some of the kind things people have said about us.
“I had a wonderful time and feel a clear sense of direction for my project now. I’m so grateful for the opportunity. It was truly life-changing!”
— Ellen Shanley, 2021 Screen Queensland Fellow
“Stowe Story Labs offers the most important kind of environment for a writer: a safe, supportive place in which to be open and take risks. The balanced focus on both the business and the art of writing allows you to go deep into your story in practical ways that I found incredibly useful.”
—Melody Cooper, 2017 Tangerine Fellow, mentor, and board member
“I'm so grateful to have received the fellowship which allowed me to join the incredibly gifted, brilliant, and supportive Stowe community. I am still reeling from not only the valuable insight I was given and lessons taught over the lab, but also the boost in morale as a screenwriter from you both and every single person involved.”
—Morgan b. powell, 2021 Stowe diverse voices fellow
“I have loved learning about Stowe’s programs and getting to know the people at Stowe. It’s very telling how the stories Stowe selects are always diverse in genre, style, and content, but consistent in heart, decency, and humanity—from the stories to the storytellers. It’s unique for a lab of this caliber to be so thoughtful in curating not just the projects but the people behind them. After every program, I always feel so inspired by the participants’ enthusiasm, positivity, generosity, and graciousness, and a bit more hopeful for our broken world.”
—Bertha bay-sa pan, mentor, nyc based director
"Stowe has been so instrumental in my development as a writer and I am so grateful for everything that has been poured into me. As artists, we all need a creative home and I found that here."
—La’Chris Jordan, 2020 Stowe Narrative lab participant
"Fellowship opportunities like these are vital in creating a more democratic and diverse storytelling landscape. Unlike dry networking events, the environment at the Labs bred authentic and lasting friendships between screenwriters and folks in the filmmaking industry.”
—Erika Valenciana, 2019 WeScreenplay Diverse Voices Fellow
“It's been a long, winding road to get here, but my brief time at Stowe was a gigantic education in the craft and business of writing movies. Just wanted to say a very big THANK YOU to everyone at Stowe for all that you do, every day, to help writers like myself.”
—Larry Santana, 2015 Stowe Participant
“The Stowe Narrative Lab came at the perfect time for me! It’s made me feel incredibly prepared and able to take on opportunities that have crossed my path since attending. I’ve been made better for all of the wonderful writers I met there, and am proud to be a part of this fantastic community."
—Victoria Lucia, 2019 NEF Fellow
“I am evolving into the type of filmmaker I want to be and Stowe Story Labs has helped me tremendously in my journey.”
—Selena Mars, 2017 SAGindie Fellow
"My experience at Stowe Story Labs was very important. The network of people I met there extended all over the world and stayed connected with me in the years that followed. But importantly, the Labs helped me zero in on the story I was trying to tell. Several years later, the story I brought to Stowe Story Labs became the film that helped me get admitted to grad film at both NYU Tisch, and USC as a George Lucas Scholar. Stowe Story Labs was a great experience that I think will continue to shape what's to come."
—Jeremy Lee MacKenzie, 2015 Champlain College Fellow and 2015 PAGE Awards Gold Prize Winner
“I believe what I loved most about the Labs is how far reaching the event was. It was incredible to meet people from all around the world and read the stories that they were passionate enough about to spend so much time writing.”
—Blake Donovan, 2019 Champlain Fellow
"Stowe Story Labs not only hones the screenwriter’s skills through pitching and brainstorming and talking out the narrative logic, it also brings in experts who give fascinating inside views of other facets of the film industry, from casting to finances. The instructors are totally engaged, friendly, and highly accomplished. Stowe Story Labs impressively succeeds in providing a sum that is even greater than its stellar parts."
—Nancy Zafris, 2015 PAGE Fellowship Recipient
"I consider Stowe to be THE turning point in my writing life, and can’t recommend it enough.”
—Nikhil Kamkolkar, 2017 Stowe participant
“I came away with a solid pitch, a plan for packaging my project with next steps, I made friends and met—I hope—future collaborators for a lifetime. Thank you."
—Jodi Gibson, 2015 Tangerine Fellow
"It was a fantastic combination of insights into different aspects of the industry, storytelling craft tools, hard but necessary work on pitching, and inspiring community building."
—Gabriel Robinson, 2015 NewEnglandFilm.com Fellow
“[Stowe Mentor] Ellen Parks notices everything and was able to break it all down into actionable feedback."
—Kelsey Whalen, 2016 Stowe Participant
"This is the first time I’ve gotten any insight into the world of casting. Ellen’s [Stowe mentor] passion for her work is evident and infectious."
—Eafat Newton, 2014 Stowe Participant
"Chris Millis, I want to be the female you. Sue me."
—Victoria (Via) Buksbazen, 2015 Stowe Story Labs Fellow
"Alex Boden’s brain is a maze of industry knowledge. He opened the door to the complex and fascinating strategies behind the actual business of getting a film made. I convinced myself I was following along."
—Kelsey Whalen, 2016 Stowe Participant
“In the couple of months since attending the 2014 Stowe Story Labs, I’ve successfully pitched a feature concept to a producer, struck a deal to write a screenplay, and received a government grant to develop a children’s TV series. Stowe Story Labs, and the people I met there, both developed my pitching confidence and skills and provided the community I could call on to help guide me through it all.”
—Paul Bissett, 2014 Stowe Participant and PAGE Bronze Medal Winner
"Super enjoyable to hear how someone with no industry connections just kept pushing his [mentor Chris Kratt] work forward, no matter how much rejection he got."
—Victoria (Via) Buksbazen, 2015 Stowe Story Labs Fellow
"Attending the Stowe Story Labs was such a good boost for my career. Meeting and networking with other filmmakers was inspiring and encouraging. This, along with learning the ins and outs of pitching my projects, getting a deeper understanding of three act structure, and insight into how a casting agent works and thinks were all invaluable in helping me take my filmmaking up to a higher level. Don’t work alone in the dark, come out into the Vermont sunshine and let Stowe Story Labs give your career a boost of adrenaline."
—Rob Koier, 2013 Stowe Story Labs Fellow
On David Pope’s pitching workshop: "Stressful and ulcer-inducing, and worth every penny. An amazing, insightful exercise with volumes of constructive criticism!"