Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie J. Stone.
Hi Katie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I moved to LA in ’04 to study screenwriting at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. During that time, I also began modeling in the fine art world for David LaChapelle and also did a little acting around town. I graduated in 2008 – into both the recession and writers’ strike – definitely a challenging time to be a young artist trying to break into the industry. I continued modeling and acting, but my priority was always building my long-term TV writing career. In 2011 I decided to team up as writing partners with David Daitch, who I knew from USC and had just gotten off active duty from the US Navy. It turned out to be a life-changing and a great decision for both of us. As we worked toward meeting our professional writing goals, David continued his work in the Navy Reserve, and I continued with my performing arts endeavors, even expanding my portfolio to burlesque and pole dancing. All of this led us to hitting our big break in 2016, writing for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered. From there, we got staffed on SHOOTER (USA), developed a Game-to-TV adaptation for UbiSoft, sold pilots to three networks, and most recently began writing on the SPLINTER CELL series for Netflix with Derek Klostad (creator of John Wick.) We’re so excited to be where we are in our careers and look forward to all that’s yet to come.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing about this road was smooth. At every stage, there were setbacks (#MeToo) and times when it felt like the world was working against me. But what I learned was to reframe that kind of thinking. If the world is working against you: try joining Team World. I’m serious! If you can’t change the system, but you want to be a part of it, rather than spinning your wheels going nowhere fighting it, find a way in and make it work for you. Then once you’re inside, you can enact meaningful systemic change from within. But you’ve got to get in there first. Be creative and clever; don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
David and I are known for writing “Feminist Military” aka “Strong Woman in a Man’s World” – for example, the pilot we sold to ABC was a “Female Top Gun” story. This isn’t the place either of us wanted to be originally, but it’s one we’re so happy to be trailblazing. David wanted to write comedy, and I wanted to write Serious Art about FEELINGS. (My thesis screenplay at USC was a modern Midsummer Night’s Dream, set in Las Vegas, where the more the kids got intoxicated by the world they spoke in pentameter. So there’s that.) But anytime someone heard David was in the Navy, they wanted to read our nonexistent military sample. He didn’t want to write about the military because he already lived it and knew too much. I didn’t want to write about it because I didn’t know anything it at all and thought there wasn’t anything there for someone like me. Wow, was I wrong. We both had the professionalism to get over ourselves and what we thought would be creatively fulfilling for us and actually gave the military a closer, valid, artistic look. We didn’t think there was a place for us in military action because neither of us are “Michael Bay Fan Boys” but it turns out that’s exactly what made our voice special and stand out in the genre – because we write to the people, not just the technology or weapons. Between the two of us, we bring technical expertise, feminism, military accuracy, and tons of heart – which has helped us stand out and thrive.
What matters most to you? Why?
Professionally, it’s that I’m creating content that is simultaneously entertaining and thought-provoking. I want to challenge assumptions and stereotypes, especially for women, but in a way that feels fun and reaches the broadest audience. What we do are “red state shows with blue state values.” I currently have no interest in preaching to the choir.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @katiejstone91
- Twitter: @katiejstone91
- Other: Daitch & Sone are represented by APA, Management 360, and Ashley Silver at Brecheen, Feldman, Breimer, Silver & Thompson.
Image Credits
1) Media Entertainment Partners 2) David Daitch 3) USC Schwarzenegger Institute 4) Biden Campaign 5) We Are The Mighty 6) USC School of Cinematic Arts) 7) The Mint 8) David LaChapelle
