Oedipus

BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD - ACTOR: JURASSIC WORLD, THE HELP, TWILIGHT, TERMINATOR SALVATION, LADY IN THE WATER

"Joan Scheckel is one of those rare individuals who truly devotes her life's work to investigating the essence of Storytelling.  She has designed a technique that is brilliant, powerful, organized, rigorous, and shockingly transformative.  Working with her allowed for insight and clarity about concepts in storytelling that had previously never even occurred to me. She addresses the individual wholly, never allowing any separation between the person who is working and the work that is being created, therefore making the essential connection between our very humanity and the stories we tell.  Simply put, her level of dedication paired with the true genius she possesses, creates unprecedented results in the creative lives of her students and the work they are generating."

WHAT IS IT?

The Oedipus Lab is for you if you are interested in how meaning is brought to bear through plot actions. If you want  to tell visceral, sexy, elegant, pierce-you-to-the-core stories that change your life and call your audiences to truth. If you want to put feeling, meaning and self-hood at the center of your work - The Oedipus Lab will show you how. No one did it more clearly, thrillingly and universally than Sophocles in Oedipus, The King. This Lab reveals how 24 brilliant plot points can be used to create an inexorable, riveting journey from unconsciousness to consciousness. 
 
This intensive weekend will teach you how to:
 
  • Use Overall Actions to structure a meaningful plot
  • Write and deliver unexpected plot twists scene by scene
  • Craft ensemble scripts with equally strong arcs for every character
  • Deliver backstory through action, not exposition
  • Move through the mountain of meaning and fearlessly reclaim our forgotten truths

Crucial for writers and directors. Come learn the secrets of a rock solid plot!

WHAT DOES IT COVER?

Day 1: ACT ONE
 
During this Lab, we put Oedipus on its feet, one act at a time. The first night unpacks Act 1. Learn how to:
 
  • Set up the theme through Action not exposition
  • Deliver the theme through Overall Action and Relationship
  • Create Action that illuminates the Inner Life of the Characters


Day 2: ACT TWO 

Day 2 continues the structural investigation of Oedipus as we delve into Act 2. In this Act we learn how to structure through a crisis. Discover how to:
  • Build to a dramatic crisis through the actions of awareness, not conflict
  • Craft plot points that both advance the story and deepen the characters 
  • Develop Character Relationships that deliver the Theme
 

Day 3: ACT THREE

Day 3 moves you through the astonishing culmination of Act 3. Embody the play plot point by plot point, action by action. This Lab is a crash course on the most profound structure of all time. In the final act, Oedipus reveals how to:
  • Use Action to create a roller coaster ride through a truth
  • Craft a profound transformation
  • Write truly exciting, playable scenes that deliver on meaning

WHO GOES?

The Oedipus Lab 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.

  • Directors
  • Writers
  • Actors
  • Producers
  • Executives
  • Financiers
  • Production
  • Designers
  • Cinematographers
  • Editors

Please see See Films, Community and Quotes for Artists Joan has worked with and their thoughts.

WHEN / WHERE?

LIVE IN LOS ANGELES & ONLINE: 15-18 NOVEMBER 2024

Join Joan in-person for a hands-on experience in Los Angeles (Limited class size), or join the Live Lab via Zoom and participate remotely from all over the world. Online participants have the opportunity to see Joan demonstrate the embodied work with in-person students.
 

REGISTER:

In-Person class size is limited. Apply Today!

Call us at (323) 803-5039 or email assistant@joanscheckel.com

 

TAKE OEDIPUS