Mike Mills - Writer/Director: C'mon C'mon, 20th century Women, BEginners, Thumbsucker, Does Your Soul Have a Cold?
“It's hard to find someone who reads a script as deeply as Joan, and who researches a text with as many different tools: lots of emotions, running around a room, a broad knowledge of the history of stories, obscure classical music, perhaps a little psychic something, and on and on. Then, like a doula, it would be hard to find someone as sensitive and nurturing to the difficult process of having all these feelings, articulating them in a way others can relate to, even when you can't, even when it's beyond your present skill set...the questions and the wrestling bring me to a much richer understanding of what I'm trying to do."
WHAT IS IT?
A STEP BY STEP DIRECTING TOOLKIT.
Each Directing Lab takes concepts from Core Labs of The Technique™ and puts them into the rehearsal space with actors and scripts.
While it is recommended that you take these Labs in the order shown below, it is not a requirement! The JSFL Team can always assist you in a customized study plan that works for you and your schedule.
DIRECTING: SERIES 1
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 DIRECTING FEELING you will:
- Crack open the question “Who Am I?” in rehearsal, and discover how it plays out through Nugget, World, Character and Relationship.
- Observe Joan work with actors and directors in each rehearsal.
- 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!
Part 2 of a 3 Part Series
You've got the actors in the room to rehearse for a week prior to shooting, or for 10 minutes on set while the clock is ticking!
Building on the work done in DIRECTING FEELING, this Lab will unlock how to use your rehearsal time (however large or small) to dive even deeper into the exploration of your movie or episodic!
This one is all about ACTION!
In DIRECTING ACTION you will:
- Crack open the question “What Do I Do?” in rehearsal.
- Discover how this question plays out through:
- The Overall Action of the “Series/Film”
- The Overall Action of a scene
- Supporting actions
- Beats and blocking
- Observe Joan work with actors and directors in each rehearsal; something previously only available in a Master Class setting.
- Learn how to use these tools to have the clarity to manage your rehearsal time in the most productive way.
- 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!
Part 3 of a 3 Part Series
Now you're putting it all together - you're almost ready to shoot!
If you have not taken DIRECTING FEELING & DIRECTING ACTION, no worries! You do not have to study this Series in order and the previous Directing Labs are now available as Self-Guided study courses.
In DIRECTING JOURNEY you will:
- Take all the tools that you learned in DIRECTING FEELING & DIRECTING ACTION:
- Nugget, World, Character (Nature/Backstory) & Relationship (Literal/Feeling)
- Overall Actions
- Supporting Actions
- Beats & Blocking
- Expand your Toolbox by exploring:
- Camera Blocking
- Costume
- Location
- Plot Point (Literal/Feeling)
- Pace
- Journey
- Observe Joan work with actors and directors in each rehearsal; previously only available to those in a Master Class setting.
You will learn how:
- To prepare rehearsals using the tools that you have learned, and execute a deep exploration in a short rehearsal time.
- All the tools covered in DIRECTING FEELING & DIRECTING ACTION can be brought together to stage a scene.
- How these tools give you the clarity to have a productive rehearsal no matter how much time you have!
DIRECTING: SERIES 2
Part 1 of a 3 Part Series
You have the concepts - now it's time to:
- Keep building on what you learned
- Bring in more key scenes from your scripts
- Solidify your Directorial visual style and tone
- Learn how to polish actors performance
- Practice "Prep, Rehearse, Shoot!"
- Observe Joan work with actors and directors in each rehearsal; something previously only available in a Master Class setting.
- 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!
By the end of DIRECTING: Series 2 you will have prepped 4 out of the 5 Key Scenes of your Script!
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.
- Directors
- Writers
- Actors
- Producers
- Executives
- Financiers
- Production
- Designers
- Cinematographers
- Editors
Please See Films, Community and Quotes for Artists Joan has worked with and their thoughts.
WHEN / WHERE?
LIVE: ONLINE & IN-PERSON IN LOS ANGELES: DATE TBD
LIVE: ONLINE & IN-PERSON IN LOS ANGELES: DATE TBD
LIVE: ONLINE & IN-PERSON IN LOS ANGELES: DATE TBD
LIVE: ONLINE & IN-PERSON IN LOS ANGELES: DATE Dec 8-11, 2023
FRI 12/08 7:00PM - 10:00PM PT
SAT 12/09 1:00PM - 6:00PM PT
SUN 12/10 1:00PM - 6:00PM PT
MON 12/11 7:00PM - 9:00PM PT - ONLINE Q&A!
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.
or
NEW* ONLINE SELF GUIDED
REGISTER:
Live Hands On class size is limited. Apply Today!
Call us at (323) 803-5039 or email assistant@joanscheckel.com