Joan Scheckel Filmmaking Labs

WANT TO START DIRECTING?

Learn how to immerse your Actors and Collaborators in the World of your Story.

Guide your team.

See your Vision Alive and Clear on Screen.

Learn how to use the tools of The Technique™ to design and run the rehearsals that will bring your movie or episodic to life!

In this Self-Guided Lab you will: 

1. Crack open the question “Who Am I?” in rehearsal, and discover how it plays out through Nugget, World, Character and Relationship.
2. Observe Joan work with actors and directors in each rehearsal.
3. Watch the rehearsal footage and learn how to identify Hot Coals, Scene Rhythms and Feelings that you can use to bring your film or episodic to life!

Day 1: Prep

Open your Technique Toolbox, learn what each tool does, and how you can use them to create and design a rehearsal that unleashes the emotional core of your story. 

You will learn:

1. The 5 things it takes to be a great Director.
2. How to create a Directors Pack that will clarify your vision to your team.
3. How to create structured improvisations that allow your actors to embody their characters and the world of the movie.  
4. How to create a cribsheet 
5. How to time manage your rehearsals effectively.

Day 2: Rehearse 

The 4 Hands On Scene participants will conduct rehearsals using the designs they prepared via the homework template. The day will be spent observing each rehearsal, with Joan coaching throughout.

The goal of these rehearsals is to use non-verbal, embodied exercises to sketch with the inner life, and allow the actors to explore the world of their characters and the story.

By observing this process, you will:

1. See how the embodied tools you've learned are specially applied to rehearsal technique. 
2. Discover how the tools of the technique work for actors whether they have studied The Technique™ or not.
3. Learn how to draw forward the essence of Nugget, World, Character and Relationship.

By the end of Day 2, you will have clarity on how to organize a rehearsal, so that no matter how little time you have, you can make real headway into the core issues of your film or episodic.

Day 3: View

The 4 Hands-On Scene students will share takes from their rehearsals, which will be viewed by all in attendance.  

You will learn:

1. How to identify Hot Coals that can be used to build the world of your movie. 
2. How the rehearsal work lands on the screen. 
3. How to use this footage to bring clarity to the emotional truth of your story!

Day 4: Online Q & A

After the weekend intensive, a Monday night Q & A via Zoom allows you to slow down and integrate the learning. This lively night is always full of surprises as the students connect with each other and the work!

Learn the groundbreaking tools that are utilized on hits such as Whale Rider, Transparent, UnReal, Beginners and more!

Recap all the new tools the Lab has delivered!

Watch the students ground as a group (both Live Hands On and Live Online students have a chance to meet in the Zoom Room!)