Until We Meet Again...

October bonding happened both quickly and slowly. The initial spark is always swift; people are excited to arrive and finally meet in person. But then, over meals and late night movies in the barn and notes sessions and bike rides and walks on the beach and hikes in the bogs, something much deeper happened. Kinship, collaboration, and friendship. Our 2022 October Colony was truly full of excellent work, mutual respect, and warmth.

Nicco Aeed, Michael Lei, Marina Michelson, and Olive Nwosu now join our growing ranks of alumni. Each of these talented writers brought their own original story on the page and many more stories in themselves.

Time with our mentors was similar. It starts with introductions and handshakes, but after a few meals and a trip to the beach, our mentors are also folded into the family.

This year’s mentors included Amanda Idoko, Shaka King, Derek Nguyen, Kiva Reardon, and Maryssa Sklaroff. A vibrant mix of writers, writer/directors, producers, and executives. These accomplished and generous pros shared their own stories - personal and professional - they asked questions, listened intently, and provided valuable notes on scripts.

Thank you to each writer and mentor who brought so much to the table and contributed to making the month such a success. Your openness, hard work, and enthusiasm justify the work we do. We’re delighted to have you in our Almanack Screenwriters community!