Meet The FLMS Team

Writer/Director/Producer/Teacher Joan Scheckel is the internationally-renowned creator of The Technique™, the most influential new approach to writing, directing, and filmmaking craft in Hollywood today. Joan is known as the “director’s guru” and a master teacher in the tradition of Stanislavski, Strasberg, and Joseph Campbell. Joan’s groundbreaking work challenges our cultural addiction to conflict and calls for a new storytelling paradigm that embraces feeling and meaning. Her innovations inform every level of the Mise-en-scène, from writing, acting, and directing to visual style.

Joan trains and then teams with directors to develop, workshop, write, direct and produce material from the ground up. Including such iconic hits as: Niki Caro’s Oscar Nominee Whale Rider, Dayton/Faris’s Oscar Winner Little Miss Sunshine, Mike Mills’s Oscar Winner Beginners (Executive Producer), Joey Soloway’s Emmy Winner Transparent (Consulting Producer), Joey Soloway’s Golden Globe Nominee I Love Dick (Producer), Sarah Shapiro’s Peabody Award Winner UnREAL, Rupert Sanders’s Oscar Nominee Snow White and the Huntsman, Nick Jarecki’s Golden Globe Nominee Arbitrage, Sacha Gervasi’s Spirit Award Winner Anvil Story of Anvil, Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation, Mark Romanek’s One Hour Photo, Miranda July’s The Future, (New Yorker Magazine Best of the Decade List), Liz Feldman’s Emmy Award Winner, Dead To Me, Anna Winger and Alexa Karolinski’s Unorthodox, and many, many more.

Joan was also co-writer on The Vintner’s Luck, directed by Niki Caro (Mulan), starring Jeremie Renier and Vera Farmiga.

Overall, Joan has worked on 84 feature films and television shows. 74 came to her with unfinished drafts, no financing or cast, and with first-time or early-career writers/directors at the helm. 83 have been released, earning over 800 nominations and 406 wins including major category nods at the Oscars, Spirits, Golden Globes, Sundance, Cannes, Bafta, Emmys, PGA, DGA, etc.

Joan has been profiled and featured for her work and her influence on a generation of directors in many articles and publications such as: NYTimes, LA Times, Marie Claire, Deadline, Indiewire, Vox, IF Magazine, California Sunday, The New York Observer, and more.

Now, Joan and the FLMS team invite you to a brand new slate of Labs (live and online), books, films, podcasts and apps. 📧 email

Hi! I’m Sonia Gannon, Head of Filmmaking Lab Studios. I’m passionate about story, connection, and growth. I love supporting creative journeys and linking students with The Lab Series and each other. Ready to grow your craft? Reach out 📧 email

I am so excited to be here! My name is Erin Way and I'm inspired to be the first authorized teacher The Technique™. Since 2007, I've collaborated with Joan as an actor on scores of projects. Over that time I have worked with fellow artists such as Mark Ruffalo, Miranda July, Marianna Palka, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jake Scott, Rupert Sanders, and many, many others. After living in LA for over a decade, I decided to relocate to Portland, Oregon where I currently live with my husband Chris, son Finnegan and dog Maude. Being part of the team that brings The Technique™ into artists lives is a dream come true. I am passionate about meaning, storytelling, words and organizing. Reach out to me anytime 📧 email

Kia Ora, I'm Jackie Alixander, The Lab Series Production & Media Manager. I'm from Aotearoa (New Zealand). I'm a songwriter, writer, and film maker. My passions are music, performance, story, and all things creative. I love connecting with you and I am excited to support you in telling your story from your voice! Please reach out anytime 📧 email ~ he hono katoa

I am thrilled to be a part of this team! I am Chris Szajbert, FLMS Administrative Manager. As a writer, director, performer and JSFL alumni, I'm committed to supporting my fellow artists along their JSFL journey. My work in theater, experimental film and street performance has been supported by the The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, SPACES Urgent Art Fund, The Center for Performance and Civic Practice, and others. I also facilitate the development of original performance with members of my Cleveland community: youth living in public housing, immigrant and refugee teens, and adults in recovery. I am deeply passionate about learning and sharing tools that serve the artist with us all. Reach out to me 📧 email

Hey, I'm Dionysus Konstantas, Business Strategy and Product Development Consultant. I'm from Athens, Greece - graduate of The Athens University of Business and Economics. I love music, photography, dance, athletics, cooking, building business and enjoying life! The creative community at FLMS inspires me - and I loved designing the app that brings it all together. Reach out to me with your suggestions! 📧 email

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