Press

Blur + Sharpen

JANUARY 2014 | HOLLY WILLIS

The Theme

Joan Scheckel and I are working on a book that will capture the techniques she teaches to filmmakers and writers. This week, we’re working through the chapter on the theme, or what Joan calls the nugget, and I’ve been struggling over the weekend to capture how the nugget can really be considered a theme, the theme as a combination of feeling and doing.

Citizens of Culture

DECEMBER 2013 | C20

Joan Scheckel: Sweat the Technique

At 6608 Lexington Avenue, in the heart of Hollywood, sits the home of Joan Scheckel Filmmaking Labs, a 4,000 square foot gallery, and creative sanctuary. Joan approached the highly sought-after property, now called the Space, as a person who could not afford it Joan explained to the landlord that what she lacked in financial assets, she made up for with her vision and work ethic. Thankfully, he beleived in what Joan was trying to create: a space for the cultivation of creative expression.

Tribeca

AUGUST 2013 | Emma Pearse

My Afternoon With Hollywood's 'Director's Guru'

I kept reading references to Jill Soloway's "Director's Guru" in interviews about her new film 'Afternoon Delight,' so I set out to investigate. Turns out many directors whose names you know are speaking a new language of storytelling thanks to Joan Scheckel's advice.

Spirit of Story

JULY 2013 | KARIN GUTMAN

A Conversation with Joan Scheckel

She believes that a film's human and financial profit is exponential if the audience connects to the story. The process moves from investigating the meaning of the story, building a dramatic structure that contains the meaning, and finally exploring how that meaning is expressed on all the other levels of the mise en scene (acting, directing, visuals etc).

ICG Magazine

APRIL 2013 | JAMES FROHNA

Seven Days at Sundance

James Frohna made his first visit to Park City with his first narrative feature, the dramatic competition entry Afternoon Delight. Here's his "week in review."

University Of Kent

MARCH 2013 | DR VIRGINIA PITTS

Writing from the body: Kinesthetics and entrainment in collaborative screenplay development

Collaborative Feature Film Development: Joan Scheckel. Beyond the practice of devising screenplays from actors' improvisations, the use of embodiment as a collaborative script development technique is unusual in narrative film-making. Scheckel, however, runs film-making labs in which music and movement are distinctive features of her method for developing feature-length screenplays.

Work Magazine

THE WORK MAGAZINE BLOG
FEBRUARY 2013 | elizabeth baudouin

Workaholic // Joan Scheckel

As Hollywood gets ready for its big night on Sunday, we’re spotlighting a true visionary in the film industry who inspires us everyday with her intense focus and passion.  Joan Scheckel and her Filmmaking Labs are known throughout Hollywood and the international film world as the crucial force behind the most exciting films being made today.

MTV

NOVEMBER 2012 | Michael John Warren

Nicki Minaj Gets Her Acting On

In the documentary "My Time Now", rap artist Nicki Minaj and director Diane Martel work with Joan Scheckel on her newest music video.

 

KCRW Guest DJ

AUGUST 2012 | DAN WILCOX

Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris host.

Joan Scheckel Filmmaking Labs alumni Directors Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris talk music and character. "It always starts with the two of us, if we agree on the feeling and a song and then it's like our road map, it's our non-verbal road map of what the movie is."

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