Do You Have Stories to Tell?
Storytelling is core to who we are. It's how we learn, it's how we connect, it's how we inspire - and it's how we shape the world into becoming the better place we want it to be. You've come to Catalyst because you have stories to share and are looking for the a path to have them funded, produced, and distributed to the world.
Setting Expectations
When it comes to the business of storytelling & production, your story falls into one of two artistic formats: (1) it's either a series, meaning that it is an open-ended story world designed for the viewer to watch over the course of multiple episodes, or (2) it is a film, meaning that it has a pre-determined beginning, middle, and end designed to be watched in one sitting (typically under 3 hours).
Catalyst focuses only on series, not films.
The Truth About Making a Series
Because your story is in a series format, it is not good enough for you to just be talented and have a good story idea. You need to simultaneously build a network of people who believe in your ability to create an entire series that doesn't exist yet. Creating your show is as much about who YOU are as a person as it is about the story you're telling.
This is why the series side of the business can seem so much more difficult to breakthrough - because it's all about relationships and trust. And that takes time (years) and opportunity.
What is Storieroad?
Storieroad (aka, the Catalyst Story Institute) is a step-by-step pathway of meetings, workshops, seminars, festivals, and social events designed to showcase your stories to the industry, advance your career opportunities, and grow your trusted professional network.
Catalyst is where relationships are made. Participants have gained jobs, signed with agents, sold projects, and made career partnerships through Storieroad.
Who Can Register
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Creators, writers, directors, actors & producers
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Each person from a show must register individually
- Registering today grants you access to Storieroad benefits & events through Dec 31, 2022
Types of Content Accepted
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Narrative/episodic/serialized content of any genre, length, style, and type: comedy, drama, thriller, scripted, unscripted, documentary, limited series, social media, influencer, short form,"half-hour", "hour-long", radio, podcast, reality, talk show, game show, animation, kids, gaming, VR, mobile, etc.
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Projects can be in any stage of development: pitch, script, in-production, post-production, or completed.
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Your projects can have any number of episodes. Projects with an average runtime of 15 minutes or less per episode will be considered "short form".
Types of Content Not Accepted
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Feature films
How It Works
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Submit your project info & career details
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Schedule your general meeting with our Executive team to discuss your career path & goals
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Watch the Exposition module (details below) including 20+ hours of seminars & virtual events
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Schedule your creative notes meeting (aka, Network Notes) to discuss your project
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Your career profile & project info will be listed in our content database for industry executives to search & discover throughout the year
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You receive 1 project submission to next year's Catalyst Content Festival (a $65 value)
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You receive 1 Creator VIP badge to the Catalyst Content Festival (a $295 value)
Registration Window/Deadline
Storieroad registration & project submission are open everyday, year round and grant access for 12months from the date of registration.
Cost
$35/mth (12 payments, $420 total) or $395 one-time payment
Scholarships
A limited amount of scholarships are available for artists that demonstrate financial need.
Scholarship Fund
If you would like to support our scholarship fund, please make a donation below.
Recent & Upcoming Storieroad Events
You will have access to re-watch previous
events after you register
Thursday, July 2, 2020
3pm EST
Understanding Chain-of-Title, Distribution & Management
An overview of legal basics every creator should know about how to protect their projects.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Friday, June 26, 2020
3pm EST
The Art & Style of Cinematography
A lively discussion about the technical aspects of how to make your TV show look good.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
7pm EST
Real Stories and Tangible Actions
Award winning Manager/Producer Steven Adams is a Founding Partner at Alta Global Media where he represents international media companies and talent.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Monday, May 18, 2020
3pm EST
Music Contracts for Every Production Budget
Music rights are a critical piece of producing your series. Hear how the pros do it.
Online
Duluth, MN
Friday, May 8, 2020
3pm EST
In the Room: Creating A Network Series
Our guests are: Dan Levy (Indebted) & Neel Shah (The Bold Type). How to set up a show at a network level from the pitch to the writers' room & production.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Thursday, April 30, 2020
3pm EST
The Journey from Assistant to Staff Writer
Making the career move into the writers' room at some of the industry's most well-known studios
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Thursday, April 23, 2020
3pm EST
Digital Series Seminar
1 digital series with 1 billion views. The story of how It's A Southern Thing went virl.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
8pm EST
Exposition Lecture #2: Showrunners
A talk with Karl Gajdusek, the Executive Producer of Stranger Things, about the job of being a Showrunner and how content creators can connect with Producers.
In-person live & online after
1200 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN 55811, USA
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
3pm EST
Starting Your Own Production Company
A producers' chat about when, why, and how to start your own production company.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Thursday, June 25, 2020
7pm EST
Finding Your Voice and Career as a Director
Our guest is Anu Valia:
As a TV director, Anu's directing credits include: THE OTHER TWO (Comedy Central), AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS (Comedy Central), MIXED-ISH (ABC) and NEVER HAVE I EVER (Netflix, produced by Mindy Kaling and Lang Fisher).
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Friday, May 22, 2020
7:30pm EST
Women of the Sci-Fi Writers' Room
Sci-fi presents a unique set of creative challenges. Learn more about the in-depth process.
Online
Duluth, MN
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
3pm EST
The Development Process: What it is & How it Works
Three development execs talk about the nebulous process of developing a series.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
3pm EST
Script & Development: How a Network Show Becomes a Reality
Our guests are:
Cort Cass - VP of Drama Development at ABC Studios
Steve Basilone - Exec Producer/Writer, "The Goldbergs"
Elaine Loh - Writer, "Gossip Girl" at HBO Max
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Wednesday, April 29, 2020
6:30pm CST
Making the Move & Breaking Through in LA
The stories of how four east coast women moved to Los Angeles and worked their way into key roles at some of the industry's largest studios.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Monday, April 20, 2020
3pm EST
Casting Director Seminar
Ask your questions (see details below) as we talk in-depth about the new casting paradigm, and hear how industry experts are navigating the changes in today's casting process.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Saturday, February 8, 2020
7pm EST
Catalyst Night at The Players
Join us for a social night of fun and entertainment industry chats as we gather together our Catalyst community at this exclusive and historic club in NYC!
In-person Only
16 Gramercy Park S, New York, NY 10003, USA
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
3pm EST
Developing Your Writing & Directing Career
Going from indie to a professional working creative can be a difficult path. Hear from Jenna Laurenzo about ways to navigate it.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
3pm EST
Young Minds & Kids Content
A fun discussion about the unique challenges of producing children's content.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
8pm EST
Indie to Network: Directing a TV Series
These directors all started small and now work on network shows. Join in and learn the job of directing a TV series.
Online
Duluth, MN
Monday, May 11, 2020
3pm EST
Making Music Decisions for Your Series
The first in a 3-part special series focused on producing music for your series.
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Friday, May 1, 2020
7pm EST
From Pre to Post: the Nitty Gritty of Being an Indie Producer
Our guests are Kimberley Browning (HBO Access/Hollywood Shorts) and Jessica Petelle (Fox, SYFY, Viacom, Netflix).
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Monday, April 27, 2020
7pm EST
Founders' Seminar: The Story of Why Catalyst Was Created
1-on-1 with AJ Tesler, the original founder and creator of ITVFest (now Catalyst)
Online
Duluth, MN, USA
Sunday, March 1, 2020
4pm PST
Los Angeles Social Mixer
Join us at this speak-easy inspired wine bar to catch up with Catalyst friends, makes new connections, and hear about what Catalyst is planning for 2020. No RSVP required.
In-person Only
903 Westbourne Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Wednesday, January 29, 2020
8pm EST
Exposition Lecture #1: What Creators Want
The foundational lecture of the Storieroad series. This video covers topics such as how to sell your show, get an agent, what to expect from the TV process, legal basics, and more.
In-person live & online after
1200 Kenwood Ave, Duluth, MN 55811, USA
Additional FAQS
How Do I Get Meetings for my Project?
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You will be given access to the link to sign-up for your initial general meeting after you register.
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After your general meeting, we will send you the link to sign-up for your creative Network Notes meeting.
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Further meetings will be by approval only, once it is determined you have completed the Exposition and Firstlight process.
Do I have to be accepted into the festival to be in Storieroad & get meetings?
No. The festival has no impact on your ability to be a part of Storieroad.
Which is more important, the festival or Storieroad?
Storieroad is where you can advance your career, meet people, and get notes on your projects. The festival is a fun weekend where everyone gathers together to see new content and meet many people at once. Being accepted into the festival and winning an award is always a great boost to any project, but the majority of your long-term career work will be done through the smaller Storieroad events throughout the year.
Who are the Industry Professionals Involved?
The industry producers, casting directors, writers, directors, lawyers, agents, speakers and other professionals who partner with us changes every year. The full list is posted in March when the schedule is announced. You can see last year's list here.
What are the Network Notes and Marketplace meetings?
Network Notes are one-on-one meetings with a Catalyst producer/creative professional to give you notes on your project. These are valuable feedback sessions where you can make a new industry contact. Some previous Network Notes meetings have lead to creators gaining mentorships or industry jobs.
Marketplace executive meetings are one-on-one meetings with creators and industry executives who are seeking content in your genre (comedy, drama, reality, podcast, etc.). This is a general introductory meeting and, if the executive is interested in pursuing your project further, they will coordinate future meetings directly with you.
Are all projects submitted to Storieroad automatically accepted into the festival?
No. All Storieroad projects are automatically submitted for festival consideration but are not automatically selected to screen at the October festival event. Projects will go through the normal festival selection process.
Do projects have to be in Storieroad to win awards at the festival?
No. All projects selected to screen at the festival are eligible for awards in their appropriate categories.
Do I have to attend the festival in Duluth in October for my meetings?
No. While we strongly encourage you to attend so that you can meet other industry professionals and creators, it is not required. If you are unable to attend, we will do our best to set up meetings for you as close as possible to your home location, or virtually.