I founded the Story Incubator because I believe that everyone has a story to tell—and that better storytelling will bring about a better world. I work with writers, filmmakers, and CEOs to craft stories that can bring us together in the service of a happier future for all.
Testimonials
“I came to Erin with a documentary that I felt stuck on. I was too close to the material and needed to regain my perspective. Erin watched a rough cut [of Three Songs for Benazir] and immediately got what I was trying to say in the film. She was able to articulate things I had sensed but didn't know how to put into words. She gave me thorough notes and suggestions on the story that were of great help. She has a keen eye for character and nuance. She's truly a master storyteller of the kind that are hard to come by. My film is in a better place thanks to her insight, and I am eager to work with her again on another project.”
— Elizabeth Mirzaei, director, Three Songs for Benazir (2022 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary Short)
“I worked twice with Erin on my feature screenplay Shelter Animal, years apart. It was a script I struggled to wrangle into something manageable for a long time, but Erin and I both believed there was something special there, and with her guidance we took the script over the finish line, always focusing on the script's core characters and theme. The first time I worked with her I made Top 50 in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Nicholl Fellowship, out of roughly 8,000 script submissions. I had little progress working on the script myself for a time afterwards, but the second time we worked together I became a Nicholl Fellow, leading to dozens of requests from the top literary managers and producers in Hollywood to read. Their response has been phenomenal.”
— R.J. Daniel Hanna, writer/director, winner of the 2021 Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowship
“You know what it’s like to work with someone who is doing 100 percent exactly what they should be doing in life? That is working with Erin O’Connor. Erin has an absolutely brilliant mind for storytelling and structure, possessing the rare ability to offer concrete ideas to fix your problem areas rather than just giving vague critique. Erin has blink-like instincts—she quickly ascertains what’s working, what’s not, and how to chart a course for revisions. I’ve worked with her numerous times on my scripts and films, and can honestly say she has been a secret ingredient to my success.”
—Laura Waters Hinson, writer/director/owner, Image Bearer Pictures
“Since I began working with Erin, I’ve pitched a television series, written a short film, reworked my memoir-in-progress, and begun a novel. I’m writing every day, the work is flowing, and I’m having fun. Erin’s notes are insightful and on point, especially when it comes to structure. She also has a gentle but firm way of motivating me to write.”
— David Greenwalt, writer/producer, Grimm, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
“Erin makes anything she touches at least 50 percent better. When I'm making a video, I want feedback that clearly articulates how to make it better, furthers my vision for what I want the piece to be, and avoids (permanently) damaging my fragile artist ego. Providing that kind of feedback is an exceedingly rare skill -- and it's Erin's specialty. She's an essential, invaluable voice in our creative process.”
— Rob Montz, founder/CEO, Good Kid Productions
“I’d given up on my novel and was about ready to throw it away when I sent it to Erin. She not only showed me what was wrong, but what was right and how to tease that out. I would never have found a publisher without her.”
— James Carpenter, author, No Place to Pray
“Erin’s notes, articulation, sharp understanding and support have been the best I have ever received. If you need a clear insightful voice that speaks into the creative chaos we all experience from time to time, Erin is a true idea wrangler who can set you straight and elevate your work and process. You want this woman on your team and in your creative corner.”
— Maggie, writer/director
“I had the great fortune of working with Erin for close to five years on We the Internet TV. We collaborated on hundreds of releases. Throughout our working relationship, Erin's notes and insights always served the work. No matter your voice, no matter the genre you are working in—be it feature film, shorts, comedy sketches, or monologues—Erin is there to elevate it. I am a better writer and producer because of her.”
— Lou Perez, head writer, We The Internet TV
Goose. Copyright Erin O’Connor 2015
“I’ve worked with Erin for over a decade — her creative feedback and insight into my writing have frequently been invaluable. Erin has a sensitivity to character and story which pushes you to dig deeper and tease out the dramatic conflict and intentions within your work, and interrogate the wider themes. She has also been great in drawing my awareness of how to pitch and package a story across many narrative formats. I highly recommend working with this generous and generative consultant on your projects.”
— Toby Fell-Holden, writer/director, Balcony
“I have worked with Erin as a story consultant on several narrative scripts and documentary projects. She has the ability to clearly see the holes in story logic and the kindness to suggest them in such a way that weary filmmakers get excited about another rewrite or edit. Her feedback is effective because she is both a champion of good stories and a nurturer of the artist's spirit."
— Carolyn McCulley, writer/director/editor/founder, Citygate Films
“Erin is a masterful storyteller and one of the most effective written communicators I've ever had the fortune to meet. Few can cut right to the heart of a brand's story and connect with audience on an authentic emotional level like she can.”
— Carter Fowler, founder/CEO, Carter Fowler Creative