In November, we had the pleasure of welcoming Joan Scheckel and her team from Filmmaking Lab Studios from Los Angeles to Vancouver for a day-long workshop and to work with our inaugural Filmable Fellows.
Over an intensive day, Joan guided us through a series of practices designed to reconnect us with what she calls “self as source” – the idea that the most powerful stories don’t come from formulas, industry tropes, or commercial pressure, but from the inner life of the storyteller.
For many in the room, the experience was clarifying, grounding...and a little radical. After her visit, we sat down with Joan to continue the conversation.
On Filmmaking Lab Studios philosophy, ‘Words change worlds’
“You are the source. Any storyteller, any person, any human is the source of their own story. And that is the most powerful resource that a human being has. Because if you can tell a clear story, you can connect with other people on meaningful issues. And that's how change occurs. Words change worlds.”
Joan reminds us that story isn’t something we construct from the outside in.
“Story isn’t a bunch of cool concepts or ideas that we think of externally. Story is the inner life moving outward so it can be seen, known and shared. The story exists already inside you.”
On Identity & Finding an Audience
At Filmable, we often talk about redefining what it means to be a British Columbian storyteller.
Joan gently reframes the conversation:
Hollywood is decentralizing. The American film industry has been dominant for a long time, but now, it’s no longer about one or two networks. Instead, we are becoming a network of networks. All over the world there are distinct, forward thinking voices rising through new approaches and new delivery systems. Here in Vancouver, you have great technicians who are also great storytellers. You’re working all the time at a high level. You’re doing it. It’s the right time to step forward and tell your own stories. You don’t have to redefine what it is to be a British Columbian storyteller - you ARE a storyteller. Global audiences want and need your stories. Whether you’re British Columbian, Mexican, German, Maori - if you connect to yourself and to your own story, and it will inevitably BE expressive of your identity, however it is that you define that.”
And when it comes to waiting for the “right” conditions?
“You just have to do it. There’s nothing before doing it... You were born with permission. You were born with a soul. You were born with a voice. You were born with a mind. Use it.”
On Releasing Resistance
One of the most impactful parts of Joan’s workshop was the emphasis on presence, regardless of medium. As a screenwriter, actor or director – eye contact, breath, embodiment, and releasing tension are foundational to the process.
Her approach is meaning-based, not conflict-based. “The Technique is unique in that it centers on meaning, not conflict. Its tools help architect meaning through action, feeling and relationship. I do not use any tropes that engender conflict for conflict’s sake alone. The conflict based paradigm asks us to conceive of a story through oppositional wants which propel the story forward with goals that are “won” or “lost”. The conflict based paradigm is widely used in the American entertainment industry, and it's infiltrated out to everybody else, and it's kind of glommed over the individual voice, the Indigenous voice, any voice at all, that wasn't easily systemized for the commercial market. Because of that, stories have become repetitive, people aren't going as readily to movie theatres, or subscribing to streaming platfoms, because we don't go to stories just to see replicants of things we’ve seen before. We go to catch a glimpse of ourselves. We go to connect and have ideas and be expanded and be touched and be moved.”
On 21st Century Story
Joan often speaks about “21st century stories.”
“In the previous century, there was an incomprehensible amount of world war and human destruction. So I was curious about my role as an artist in the 21st century? Focusing on meaning, connection allows us to take on the issues of the world that faces us. Rather than always thinking about who's going to conquer or who's going to win or who's right or who's wrong. Because those are simply not things that I actually care about.”
And perhaps the most grounding reminder:
“If you can feel something for one second that’s real... that has an impact. That’s what we’re going for.”
As we continue to build space for bold, distinct voices here in British Columbia, Joan’s message feels especially timely: your story already lives inside you. The work is to trust it – and to do it. If you’re interested in going deeper into Joan’s meaning-based approach, Filmmaking Lab Studios offers ongoing online programs for writers, directors, and actors around the world. Their virtual labs focus on “self as source,” embodied practice, and developing story from the inside out — without relying on formula or conflict-driven models. The success of the model is unprecedented, with 123 Alumni nominated for major awards in key categories this year alone, including an Emmy Win for actress Britt Lower (Severance) and an Oscar Win for director Josh Seftel (All the Empty Rooms)
You can explore their upcoming online workshops and programs at Filmmaking Lab Studios. We’re grateful Joan joined us in November to work with our Fellows – and we’re excited to continue building bridges between BC storytellers and transformative story practices!A Special Monthly Subscription Offer for Filmable Members
If you’re ready to deepen your work, we’re inviting you into the Filmmaking Lab Studios process.
Start your first two months at a special Filmable member rate and receive your second month as our gift.
Use code FILMABLE2026 at checkout.
Enroll here | Questions? assistant@joanscheckel.com
