development of new industry connections .
Jeanine B . Frost is a proud VPC Board Member and screenwriter . She is also the visionary behind the Incubator program and finds great fulfillment through coaching its screenwriters through all stages of the creative process . She explains that at its core , the Vermont Screenplay Incubator program is about supporting the creative voices of emergent Vermont filmmakers . “ We aim to provide Vermont ’ s screenwriters with the tools and guidance that they need to bring their stories to life .” When Frost first conceived the idea for the Incubator program in 2023 , VPC reached out to various film festivals . “ Made Here was eager to be part of the journey ,” says Frost . “ The planning began in October 2023 , with the goal of integrating the event into the April festival .”
When the event came to fruition , it featured a staged reading of five Incubator projects , including Marianne DiMascio ’ s short-film screenplay , Solve for X and Why , and four feature films : The Island of Misfit Toys ( Ben Johnson ), Metamorphosizer ( Billy Bob Thompson ), Windmill Hill ( Sam T . McFarland ), and I Am My Domain ( Sean Kirby ). The collaboration between the Vermont Screenplay Incubator and the Made Here Film Festival embodies VPC ’ s commitment to nurturing local talent and fostering a vibrant film community . “ Events like this give filmmakers a platform to connect with audiences in meaningful ways ,” notes Frost .
Solve For X and Why received the Audience Award , sponsored by FastLights and VERMONT Magazine . “ It was amazing to see my screenplay resonate with the audience ,” shares DiMascio .
The journey that led DiMascio to creating her screenplay was closely guided by the supportive environment of the Incubator program . “ Being part of the Incubator program was a powerful experience for me ,” says DiMascio . “ From refining my script to receiving feedback , the program gave me the confidence to bring my vision to life .” The table read , a key component of the Incubator program ’ s process , offered screenwriters the opportunity to see their scripts performed onstage . With audiences providing real-time feedback , the table read served as a pivotal moment in the development of each project . “ Seeing my script performed and witnessing the audience ’ s reactions helped me refine my story further ,” says DiMascio .
Directly inspired by DiMascio ’ s own childhood memories , the narrative of Solve For X and Why follows a young girl in 1986 , who embarks on a journey of self-discovery with her best friend after missing a crucial day of sex education class at school . “ I was sick on the day of sex-ed ,” recalls DiMascio . “ I asked my best friend what I missed , and her response stuck with me .” This formative experience laid the groundwork for the storyline , exploring themes of loss , womanhood , and the complexities of familial relationships . “ There are themes of loss and self-discovery woven throughout the story ,” explains DiMascio . “ The narrative delves into universal experiences of growing up .” As the protagonist and her best friend follow through with their quest , they encounter a cast of characters who serve as guides along the way . “ They seek guidance from various sources , from the local priest to the ‘ cool girls ’ at school ,” explains DiMascio . “ Each encounter shapes their journey .”
The comedic elements in the script for Solve For X and Why are deeply-rooted in DiMascio ’ s extensive background as a sketch comedy performer . As the co-founder of the celebrated Burlington-based sketch comedy troupe , Stealing From Work , DiMascio has a notable presence in Vermont ’ s comedy scene . From its inception , Stealing From Work has been dedicated to producing original , thought-provoking comedy . “ We ’ ve had the opportunity to explore a wide range of themes and styles ,” says DiMascio , reflecting on the troupe ’ s evolution over the years .
With productions like A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Front Porch Forum and History Retweets Itself , Stealing From Work has tackled everything from social commentary to pop culture with irreverent wit . Their performances resonate deeply with Vermont audiences , earning them accolades such as Seven Days ’ “ Daysie Award ” for best comedy troupe in 2019 .
DiMascio ’ s journey with the Incubator program exemplifies the transformative impact of the initiative – and it pushed her artistic boundaries far beyond the creative confines of sketch comedy . “ I almost didn ’ t apply because of my doubts ,” she admits . “ But the support and encouragement I received allowed me to follow through and ultimately connect with potential producers for my film .” For DiMascio , the support she received extends beyond funding . “ The connections and networking opportunities have been invaluable ,” she says . “ From finding a creative producer to meeting fellow filmmakers , the community support has been instrumental .”
As Vermont ’ s film industry continues to evolve , events like the Made Here Film Festival underscore the importance of community support and collaboration . By championing local talent and providing a platform for their work to shine , the festival paves the way for Vermont to become positioned as a potential hub of innovation in the world of cinema . With each project developed and each film showcased , the partnership between VPC and MHFF strengthens Vermont ’ s cinematic community . n
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