Working with Stowe’s David Pope, write a new TV pilot, develop skills, and master a process to create story

Writers Room

12 WEEK REMOTE PROGRAM

2026 WINTER/SPRING SESSION APPLICATIONS OPEN

APPLY HERE

DESIGNED FOR WRITERS WANTING TO WRITE EPISODIC SCREENPLAYS

This program is capped at 12 participants and is broken into two parts encompassing building a show and writing a show.

GOALS + RESULTS

A strong first draft of a TV pilot script

Writers Room participants will leave the program with a strong pilot episode.

PART I: BUILDING A TV SHOW

INTENTION

Part I delves into building a show. David Pope will take participants through building the fundamentals of a successful TV show and teach them how to apply these techniques to writing a new TV pilot.

Past contributors to Part One of the Program have included Screenwriter/Showrunner Clive Bradley (TRAPPED, and CASTLEVANIA: NOCTURNE), Creative Producer Alex Boden (SENSE 8, TOKYO VICE), Screenwriter (and Stowe Alum) Melody Cooper (LAW & ORDER SVU, POWERBOOK IV), Screenwriter/Showrunner Mark Protosevich (SUGAR, I AM LEGEND), Writer and Producer Peter McKenna (KIN), and Screenwriter/Showrunner Derek Simonds (THE SINNER). 2026 contributors to be announced.

METHOD

Over the first four sessions of this program, David Pope and guest speakers will discuss with participants the fundamentals of building a show and then from there outlining the pilot.

The program consists of:

  • 4 weeks / 1 session per week

  • Each session is 3 hours long (2.5 hours with a 30-minute break)

  • Before the program starts, the group will be provided with reading and watching assignments for these sessions

SESSIONS WILL COVER

  • Envisioning a series: creating compelling lead characters, building an effective story engine, and clarifying the goal of the series

  • Building a pilot, how to introduce characters effectively, raising compelling questions that will be addressed in series

  • Creating season-long character arcs, designing dynamic relationships between characters that drive your story forward

  • Nuts and bolts of the writing room process

  • Pitching and selling a show

PART II: WRITING A SHOW

INTENTION

In Part II, writers will build on their initial work and produce an original pilot screenplay.

By the end of Part II participants will:

  • Have written both an outline and a complete pilot episode

  • Be ready to create their series bible

METHOD

Part II of the program blends presentations, one-to-one meetings, group work, and peer-to-peer feedback sessions.

  • 8 weeks / 1 session per week

  • Each session is 3 hours long (2.5 hours with a 30-minute break)

  • Participants should schedule in additional time for writing toward program deadlines

SESSIONS WILL COVER

  • Theme

  • Episode and Season Structure

  • Subtext and Scene Analysis

Alongside project development, participants will be encouraged to develop the collaborative skills so important for writers working in the episodic space.

DATES AND TIMES FOR WINTER/SPRING 2026

Sessions will run Sundays from 12:00 - 3:00 PM ET.

Part I:

  • February 22

  • March 1, 8, and 15

Part II:

  • March 22 and 29

  • April 5, 12, 19, and 26

  • May 3 and 31

Writers Room Program Leader David Pope delivers a presentation on pitching at the 2024 Stowe Narrative Lab.

Writers Room Fee

$2,650

Meet Writers Room Program Leader

David Pope

David Pope is a script consultant and screenwriter working internationally. Script consultation projects include Obraz, candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2026, Tiger Stripes, winner Jury Prize Critics Week Cannes Film Festival 2023 and candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2024, Take It or Leave It, candidate for Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award 2019 and Truth or Justice, candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2020. Other recent projects as script consultant include the feature films Natatorium 2024, Last Sentinel, 2023, Splendid Isolation, 2022, Magic Mountains, 2021. David was Creative Producer on feature film The Goat, 2023. In addition to his work with Stowe Story Labs, he is the long-standing annual advisor and facilitator for Rotterdam Lab at IFFRPro for producers. David has been a creative consultant on Rawi Screenwriting Lab for Royal Film Commission — Jordan, facilitated the Convergence program funded by Screen Scotland and British Film Institute and is the script consultant for Funny Features delivered by Glasgow Film Festival and funded by British Film Institute. He is a regular script consultant for both MIDPOINT Institute and BoostNL. His most recent screenwriting commission has been writing the latest draft of the feature film Summer of 81. David has a slate of feature film and TV projects in development through advance films.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Apply here. Admissions are rolling and will be capped at 12 participants for each program. Applications will close when the program fully enrolls or on January 25, 2026 at 11:59 PM (PST).

  • A team of two may apply and if admitted the team will share meetings with David Pope and any peer group sessions.

  • Yes!

  • Just email us at info@stowestorylabs.org.