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I'm Galen Stolee, a Brooklyn-based scholar, filmmaker, and journalist with a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard. My work sits at the intersection of research, media production, and visual storytelling, with a focus on global culture and storytelling and authentic representation. In recent years I’ve developed and produced content for Netflix Indonesia, conducted field research in Bali and Jakarta, and built a photography practice across the Bay Area. I’m passionate about bridging scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling. I’ve earned fellowships and grants, taught at Harvard, and directed community projects in Nepal and beyond. I work across NGOs, studios, and universities to navigate art, capitalism, and culture with care, and I speak Indonesian to collaborate effectively with local partners.…I'm Galen Stolee, a Brooklyn-based scholar, filmmaker, and journalist with a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard. My work sits at the intersection of research, media production, and visual storytelling, with a focus on global culture and storytelling and authentic representation. In recent years I’ve developed and produced content for Netflix Indonesia, conducted field research in Bali and Jakarta, and built a photography practice across the Bay Area. I’m passionate about bridging scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling. I’ve earned fellowships and grants, taught at Harvard, and directed community projects in Nepal and beyond. I work across NGOs, studios, and universities to navigate art, capitalism, and culture with care, and I speak Indonesian to collaborate effectively with local partners.

Galen Stolee

PRO

Screenwriter, Film Producer, Writer, +7

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I'm Galen Stolee, a Brooklyn-based scholar, filmmaker, and journalist with a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard. My work sits at the intersection of research, media production, and visual storytelling, with a focus on global culture and storytelling and authentic representation. In recent years I’ve developed and produced content for Netflix Indonesia, conducted field research in Bali and Jakarta, and built a photography practice across the Bay Area. I’m passionate about bridging scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling. I’ve earned fellowships and grants, taught at Harvard, and directed community projects in Nepal and beyond. I work across NGOs, studios, and universities to navigate art, capitalism, and culture with care, and I speak Indonesian to collaborate effectively with local partners.…I'm Galen Stolee, a Brooklyn-based scholar, filmmaker, and journalist with a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard. My work sits at the intersection of research, media production, and visual storytelling, with a focus on global culture and storytelling and authentic representation. In recent years I’ve developed and produced content for Netflix Indonesia, conducted field research in Bali and Jakarta, and built a photography practice across the Bay Area. I’m passionate about bridging scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling. I’ve earned fellowships and grants, taught at Harvard, and directed community projects in Nepal and beyond. I work across NGOs, studios, and universities to navigate art, capitalism, and culture with care, and I speak Indonesian to collaborate effectively with local partners.

Available to hire

Brooklyn, United States

I’m Galen Stolee, a Brooklyn-based scholar, filmmaker, and journalist with a PhD in Social Anthropology from Harvard. My work sits at the intersection of research, media production, and visual storytelling, with a focus on global culture and storytelling and authentic representation. In recent years I’ve developed and produced content for Netflix Indonesia, conducted field research in Bali and Jakarta, and built a photography practice across the Bay Area.

I’m passionate about bridging scholarly rigor with accessible storytelling. I’ve earned fellowships and grants, taught at Harvard, and directed community projects in Nepal and beyond. I work across NGOs, studios, and universities to navigate art, capitalism, and culture with care, and I speak Indonesian to collaborate effectively with local partners.

Skills

Copywriting

Script

Experience Level

Copywriting

Expert

Script

Intermediate

Language

Indonesian

Fluent

English

Fluent

Work Experience

Fact Checker / Copy Editor at Atlas Obscura (book project, US Southwest and West Coast)

January 1, 2025 - Present

Fact-checked and copyedited a book, verifying details on nuclear testing history, Native American cultural sites, and the land art movement. Conducted archival research and cross-referenced sources. Also fact-checked a longform article for Public Source Pittsburgh on eldercare technologies, cross-referencing technical specifications, clinical studies, and expert interviews to meet publication deadlines. Researched and verified claims using historical archives, academic sources, and government databases.

Music Data Analyst at Third Bridge Creative

January 1, 2025 - Present

Evaluated Apple Music search data for accuracy, relevance, and cultural sensitivity. Researched and verified music-related metadata, artist information, and genre classifications. Produced qualitative reports analyzing search performance and identifying data inconsistencies, providing editorial feedback to improve platform curation standards. Applied client style guides and editorial benchmarks to rank search results, ensuring consistency and quality across recommendations.

Doctoral Student / Teaching Fellow at Harvard University

January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2025

Designed and defended an innovative long-term dissertation project based on three years of participant observation at major Indonesian film studios and festivals across seven cities, involving 100+ interviewees. Won and managed research grants totaling $60,000, including Fulbright and Wenner-Gren. Developed syllabi and guided 1:1 tutorials and sections of 20-25 students; awarded Derek Bok Center award for distinction in undergraduate teaching. Presented research at five universities in the U.S. and Indonesia, and at the American Ethnological Society.

Showrunner / Executive Producer at Visinema Pictures

January 1, 2022 - January 1, 2024

Led research and creative development for an upcoming Netflix Indonesia drama-comedy series, conducting field research in Bali and Jakarta to ensure cultural authenticity and factual accuracy. Wrote pitch deck and series bible. Recruited diverse emerging talent for screenwriting, directing, and acting; oversaw writers room, managed script timeline, edited scripts, and wrote extensive feedback. Coordinated budget with line producer, organized feedback workshops and focus groups, scouted locations, and recruited local actors. Secured Netflix pre-buy offer through a successful pitch to multiple streaming platforms.

Primary Photographer / Sole Proprietor at Galen Stolee Photography

January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2015

Founded and operated an independent photography business for commercial, editorial, weddings, and events. Managed multiple secondary photographers for larger projects. Designed customized digital and print packages and conducted commissioned documentary work for NGOs (ActionAid in Nepal and Fonkoze in Haiti).

Executive Director at Sattya Media Arts Collective

January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2013

Developed and managed all programs for a media arts education nonprofit, led a staff of 15+ local and foreign employees, and planned 50+ events including workshops, exhibitions, fundraisers, and community forums. Designed traveling rural journalism projects across six districts and internationally funded mural and urban permaculture initiatives. Wrote grants totaling $100,000, directed budgets, and built donor outreach networks. Recruited and collaborated with 20+ international artists and institutions.

Lead Photographer / Contributor at The Word Magazine

January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2013

Produced articles and photo essays on arts, culture, business, politics, and the environment. Fact-checked and copyedited articles, evaluated sources, and verified key quotes. Shot and edited photos for print and online, assisted with design and layout, and managed proofing and archiving. Traveled on assignment to cover events in Indonesia and Nepal.

Photography Assistant at Dušan Reljin Studio

January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2011

Assisted a fashion photographer on editorial shoots for Elle, Vogue, and Marie Claire, and on advertising campaigns. Managed capture station and equipment; conducted archival research for shot references; organized files in Capture One and CMS; performed retouching and color correction.