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 you're looking for the easiest 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
The risks are much greater when investing in 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. Maybe you've already written or shot a few episodes but it's very unlikely that you have made a completed series to sell. Creating your show is as much about who YOU are as a person as it is about the story you're telling.
In contrast, when you bring a film to a festival, you're selling a completed project. The buyers do not have to wonder about your ability to complete the project, they can see exactly what they are buying.
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 must register individually
- Everyone who registers is automatically accepted into the Exposition & Firstlight modules (see below)
- Registering today grants you access to Storieroad benefits & events through Dec 31, 2021
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 can select 1 project to be considered for the next Catalyst Content Festival
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You will receive 1 Creator VIP badge to the Catalyst Content Festival
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Eligibility towards table reads, Marketplace pitch meetings, and production workshops (once selected)
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Access to the Catalyst jobs board (coming soon)
The Four Institute Modules
Exposition
A series of in-person and online seminars, lectures, and social events that provide fundamental info about the industry process and set realistic expectations about how to create and sell a TV show. Topics include: creative, legal, management, development, production, distribution, networking, and much more.
Automatic acceptance with enrollment
Firstlight
An in-depth look at pitching and project development. Topics include: creating your pitch, learning how to take a pitch meeting, what executives look for, basics pitching rules, and much more.
Automatic acceptance with enrollment
Storiearc
Writing labs & table reads. Topics include: character creation, project formats, plot development, and more information to ensure your script is ready to shoot and present to potential buyers.
Once selected. Requires creative approval after completing Exposition and Firstlight.
NextTake
Physical production workshops. Topics include: pre-production logistics, principal photography, and post-production.
Once selected. Requires creative approval after completing Exposition and Firstlight.
Registration Window/Deadline
Storieroad registration & project submission are open everyday, year round. All current registrations grant access to Storieroad through December 31, 2021.
Cost
$19/mth (minimum 12 payments, $228 total) or $195 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
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.