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.



WHAT IS IT?

Part 1 of a 3 part Series. 

Want to start DIRECTING?

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


BENEFITS:

  1. Rigorous professional upleveling and a rare chance to see original material come to life 
  2. Learn tools to clarify your rewrites, unleash your performances and create your unique visual style 
  3. Rare opportunity to watch fellow directors prep, rehearse and shoot
  4. Build a vibrant creative community that holds space and inspires each other
  5. Access to our exclusive, curated community of incredibly talented JFSL Alumni
  6. Find creative connections and support with like-minded artists from the Lab via Slack, Happy Hours, Ongoing Classes/Generators, and Alumni Meetups (both on Zoom and In-Person.)
  7. Dynamic, personalized, interactive experiences with your colleagues allow you to practice the tools you are learning, and apply them to your own work
  8. Access to all the curated documents to apply the tools to your own material
  9. Media links will be available for two weeks post Lab so you can dive deeper into the concepts and get the most out of your work


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!)


WHERE:

Live Online via Thinkific.


TUITION:

The Tuition per participant is: $1,625


ENROLLMENT:

Enroll directly at the bottom of the page

 

REFUND/CANCELLATION/MAKE-UP POLICY:

  1. There are no cancellations or refunds after booking.
  2. Students are responsible for payment in full whether or not they chose to attend all class sessions.
  3. Media links are available for one month. 
  4. Extender passes are available should you wish to access media links longer than one month.


DRESS TO MOVE:

  1. Sweats, yoga clothes (no jeans), and sneakers, as if you were going to the gym.
  2. No belts, earrings, or jewelry please. We want you to protect your bodies during floor work!
  3. Please note the lab is physical, you are free to observe at your comfort level. Please be respectful of your body and do not participate in the physical work if you have any physical injuries, illness, are on any medications, or are pregnant.


CLASS LEVEL:

  1. These are advanced classes for professional artists interested in exploring new practices, pushing their boundaries, and going deep.
  2. The Labs are physical.
  3. The work is feeling-based.
  4. Please note you may find the work to be uncomfortable. 
  5. There will be a mix of lecture and active exercises designed to investigate the meaning, structure and emotional core of your project.
  6. You are welcome to observe or participate according to your comfort level.


WHO GOES?

The Lab Series is designed for Film, Episodic, Commercial and all content creators. It may be attended individually by the Writer, Director or Producer... or by the entire Team.

  1. Directors
  2. Writers
  3. Actors
  4. Producers
  5. Executives
  6. Financiers
  7. Production
  8. Designers
  9. Cinematographers
  10. Editors


WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE™?


MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR - JOAN SCHECKEL

Enroll Here: