The Stockade Works Exchange
Mentorship & Professional Development for Film and TV Crew
In 2026, Stockade Works is proud to launch The Stockade Works Exchange, a new quarterly series centered on mentorship, professional development, and meaningful connection for film and television workers in the Hudson Valley and beyond.
The Exchange brings together working professionals, industry leaders, and emerging talent for hands-on workshops, conversations, and networking opportunities that support long-term, sustainable careers. Each event is designed to be practical, welcoming, and grounded in real-world experience, with space to learn, ask questions, and build relationships.
Whether you are early in your career, transitioning into new roles, or looking to sharpen your professional toolkit, The Exchange offers accessible, high-impact learning paired with genuine community.
Think you have the idea for the next great TV show but do not know how to pitch it?
Fear no more. Emmy Award–winning writers and producers Eric Stangel and Justin Stangel (Late Show with David Letterman) are here to help.
The Stangels have sold and developed live action single camera, multi camera, animated, competition, variety, and travel docu-series across the television landscape. In this two-hour, step-by-step workshop, they will walk participants through how to craft a compelling TV pitch and how to clearly communicate an idea in a way that resonates with buyers, producers, and executives.
Participants will learn:
What makes a strong TV pitch
How to clearly communicate your idea
How to structure and present a pitch with confidence
How to maximize your chances of selling your show
This workshop is ideal for writers, creators, producers, and anyone interested in developing or pitching television projects.
Date: February 28, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Stissing Center (Grace Note Cabaret) 2950 Church St, Pine Plains, NY 12567. Entrance is through the side door on the east side of the building.
Registration Fee: $50 (if you are a graduate or teacher of Stockade Works and would like a 50% discount, please email us at info@stockadeworks.org).
Stockade Works believes that the film, media, and tech industry should be accessible for all people. Should you have any accessibility needs for this event, please email us at info@stockadeworks.org
Eric Stangel & Justin Stangel
The Stangels got their start in television in 1995 writing jokes for Norm MacDonald on Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update.
In 1997 they got their dream job, being hired as Staff Writers for Late Show with David Letterman. They became Head Writers in 2000 and Executive Producers in 2001. They served as the longest tenured Head Writers in Late Night/Late Show with David Letterman history.
In 2008 the Late Show writers released the book “Late Show Fun Facts” published by Hyperion.
In 2012, Eric and Justin wrote an Ippy Award winning book, “Goodnight Husband, Goodnight Wife.”
Also that year they wrote for Billy Crystal for “The 84th Annual Academy Awards.”
After 17 years at Letterman, the Stangels consulted and produced programming for the comedy channels at SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
The Stangel Brothers started working with Harry Connick Jr. creating a multi camera comedy in 2015 and an Emmy winning daytime variety show, “Harry” in 2016.
Recently they sold an animated comedy to Fox called “Lyle & Caroline” starring Lisa Kudrow and a single camera comedy to TBS called “Final Wishes” with “Big Bang Theory” Executive Producer Bill Prady.
Eric and Justin, while having no athletic ability, have also signed one-day contracts with 13 minor league baseball teams and a minor league hockey team. They are currently developing it as a tv show.
The Stangels have won 4 Primetime Emmy Awards (Very impressive) but have lost 44 Emmys (Equally impressive).