Stephanie Santos Prata Is Rewriting the Rules of Social Media Storytelling

If you’ve scrolled Instagram lately and landed on a punchy, sitcom-style scene that feels unmistakably Rhode Island, chances are you’ve come across Pour Decisions. That was no accident.

Writer and director Stephanie Santos Prata built the fast-growing mini-series with intention, turning what began as a proof of concept into a creative playground for local talent. “Pour Decisions actually started as a new way to market businesses through entertainment instead of ads,” says Santos Prata. “I wanted to show that social media could feel like a show, not a sales pitch. But once it hit Instagram and started gaining traction, I realized it was becoming something much bigger.”

As the series gained momentum, it quickly became a hub for collaboration. Actors, influencers, and first-timers found space to experiment together. “It turned into a creative outlet – a playground – for both seasoned actors and people who had never stepped in front of a camera before,” she says. “Watching that mix come together and seeing people surprise themselves has been one of the most rewarding parts. Pour Decisions stopped being just marketing and became a community.”

Santos Prata didn’t stop there. She’s also the co-creator of Aftah Life, a short-form series that blends humor and heart in the great beyond. “I’ve always been drawn to afterlife stories, movies and shows that explore what happens after we’re gone,” she explains. “It’s something we know so little about, which makes it such a powerful space to play with humor, emotion, and big questions.”

Directing the Aftah Life pilot marked her first time behind the camera, and she approached it with equal parts excitement and self-checking. “I was constantly asking, ‘Was that funny?’ ‘Did that work?’ probably fifteen times a take,” she shares. “Thankfully, I was surrounded by an incredible cast and crew who believed in the project as much as I did.” She credits Coffee Milk Studios for trusting her with their space and co-creator Ian Brownhill for keeping her grounded. “He was a constant source of reassurance and energy on set, reminding me that the idea worked and that we were building something special.”

Off set, Santos Prata leans on a strong support system. “I couldn’t do it without my husband,” she says. “He’s my biggest supporter and somehow manages to hold everything together at home while encouraging me to chase my dreams.” She also gives major props to Ed Brady. “Ed simply does not allow me to fail. He doesn’t let me say ‘what if.’”

A proud Rhode Islander, Santos Prata makes a point to reflect her home state’s personality and talent in her work. “Big productions come to the Northeast and still cast from California, ignoring this little big state,” she says. “Creating my own projects became my way of saying, ‘Look what we have here.’”

That commitment shows up on screen. “We’ve had Rhode Island Housewife Kelsey Swanson appear alongside her sister Taylor Brady,” she shares. “We’ve featured comedian Alex Cureau, who opens for Matt Rife on tour. And we have an upcoming episode starring Mike and Sheena Cesaroni, who are hysterical and known for their couples content.”

For aspiring creatives, Santos Prata keeps the advice simple. “Write. It. Down. If you have an idea – write it down. If you want to pitch something – write it down. Make the script. It won’t be perfect, but the idea will exist. You’ll get better. Someone will connect with it.”

She’s already looking ahead. “Right now, we’re in pre-production on several branded social series after being approached by influencers and businesses,” she says. “We’re also actively looking for funding to fully bring Aftah Life to life and are scouting locations to begin filming.”

As Santos Prata puts it, “This is just the beginning.” Viewers can find all content on YouTube through Laughing Goose Media and follow along on Instagram at @stephaniesantosprata and @laughing.goose.media.