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-theline filmmakers in New Mexico,” New Mexico Economic Development Cabinet Secretary
Alicia J. Keyes said.
“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 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.
“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 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.
STOWE STORY LABS MEDIA CONTACT:
Tamaryn Tobian | tamaryn@spectaclecreative.com