Niki Caro, Writer/Director “Whale Rider,” “The Vintner’s Luck”
I first worked with Joan Scheckel when she acted as script consultant on WHALE RIDER. We did not meet face to face for many months as I was in New Zealand, but during that time the script grew deeper and stronger under her influence.

She brings insight and clarity to every project she works on. She has a deep understanding of the architecture of a story and is as rigorous with structure as she is with character. She is both challenging and caring and is an invaluable partner on any project. Working with her is thrilling and I cannot recommend it highly enough.