💫 Welcome to Character Driven — where stories come to life 💫
Hi, I’m Joani.
I’ve been telling stories, lifting up voices, and helping kids find their spark through the arts for decades — from behind the lens, on the stage, and around the kitchen table. Whether as a filmmaker, photographer, stage director, or media mentor, my work has always been about people — especially the ones who don’t always fit neatly into a box.
Years ago, I left city life and moved to Gabriola Island to reclaim my health and rebuild after life threw a few curveballs. I’ve quietly kept doing what I love — mentoring young creators, developing workshops, and building a studio that blends storytelling, media production, and food (yes, food!) into something uniquely local.
Now I’m working toward a big goal: reclaiming the property where I’ve built this creative space — a little slice of inspiration on the edge of Pilot Bay. To do that, I’m leaning into everything I know: teaching, creating, and sharing the work with a wider audience.
In addition to offering workshops, we have a Patreon option which is a way to:
- Support youth filmmaking and storytelling workshops 🎬
- Help grow a sustainable studio and creative gathering space 🌿
- Keep The Moveable Feast (our food trailer) rolling to serve events and workshops 🍕
In return, I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, early access to new projects, and some heartfelt stories — the kind that spark hope, laughter, and the belief that it’s never too late to start again.
Thanks for stopping by. And if you decide to support, thank you from the bottom of my story-loving heart.
With gratitude,
Joani
The Character Driven approach is rooted in three core values:
🎯 Adventure: Taking risks without fear of failure, exploring new ideas, and embracing challenges with creativity and grit.
🧠 Imagination: Problem-solving through collaboration, improvisation, and inventive thinking. We encourage bold ideas and resourceful solutions — often using what’s already around us.
🤝 Honour: Respecting the process, the team, and ourselves. Each member of the production team is essential, and everyone’s voice matters.
…how it began
🎭 From Backstage to Behind the Camera
A Theatre-Grounded Approach to Filmmaking with Heart
Before I ever held a camera, I was in my dad’s darkroom watching the magic of an image forming from light. Soon after, I was behind the curtain — literally. My introduction to storytelling came through theatre, where I learned that great productions depend on more than just what happens onstage. They rely on what happens in the quiet moments — listening, watching, anticipating what’s needed before anyone has to ask.
As the youngest sibling I introduced theatre to my family. Subsequently, while still immersed in children’s theatre classes I was able to work under my brother older brother who followed my lead and became a Stage Manager with the theatre company. I was trained early to be useful: running props, fixing things that broke, staying quiet but alert. I didn’t realize it then, but those early experiences were shaping essential life skills — ones that now form the foundation of my work as a filmmaker and educator.
Theatre taught me how to observe closely, listen deeply, and respond creatively when things don’t go to plan. It gave me a respect for every role in a production — not just the stars, but the crew, the problem-solvers, the ones who make the magic work.
Those values are woven into the filmmaking workshops I run today. I work with kids who often feel out of step in traditional settings — kids who have big ideas, restless energy, or a different way of seeing the world. Through collaborative filmmaking, they discover how to use those qualities as strengths.
We learn technical skills, yes — but more importantly, we learn how to work together, adapt on the fly, and turn challenges into creative breakthroughs. Whether we’re solving a lighting issue with a desk lamp or reworking a scene because someone’s dog won’t stop barking, every moment becomes a lesson in resilience, resourcefulness, and respect.
This isn’t just about making movies. It’s about training a generation of storytellers who know how to listen, observe, and problem-solve — on set and in life.
….a tribute to a beloved islander, Dan, who left us in June. Dan created amazing digital art pieces highlighting members of the Gabriola Island community. This is how he saw me several years ago and it still resonates today. Thank you, my friend.
