February 27, 2025

Episode 2x05 - Jeffrey Stepakoff | Reimagining Hollywood's Writing Ecosystem

54 minutes

Welcome to Trilith Institute Talks! In this episode of Trilith Institute Talks, host Hunter Barcroft interviews Jeffrey Stepakoff, a screenwriter, playwright, novelist, and CEO of Trillith Institute. They are also joined by Christian Noel, winner of the Trilith Institute's Emerging Creative Residency program, and Elisee Junior St. Preux, Program Manager of the Writer's Room of Georgia. The conversation explores Jeffrey's career journey, the importance of storytelling, and the development of a new creative ecosystem in Georgia, aimed at nurturing the next generation of storytellers. They discuss the challenges faced by emerging writers, the significance of community and mentorship, and their vision for transforming Georgia into a vibrant center for film and television production. Episode Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:28 Jeffrey Stepakoff's Career Highlights 00:44 Christian Noel's Introduction 01:06 Elisee Junior St. Preux's Introduction 01:35 Jeffrey's Early Career in LA 05:46 Christian's Journey to Yale and Screenwriting 07:45 Elisee's Path from Music to Writing 08:47 Jeffrey's Mentorship and Reflections on Storytelling 16:04 Christian's Authenticity in Writing 18:23 Elisee's Feature Film in Haiti 20:28 Jeffrey's Advice for Aspiring Writers 24:42 The Golden Age of TV Writing 25:46 The Decline of Modern TV Shows 26:46 Advice for Aspiring Writers 28:16 Building a New Ecosystem in Georgia 30:07 Introducing Writers Room of Georgia 34:08 Creating a Sustainable Writing Community 46:37 Personal Writing Rituals

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