a 501(c)3 non-profit org.
Stand by Me
Stephen King has said Stand by Me is his favorite adaptation of his work. With heart, nostalgia and timeless friendships, the film continues to move audiences, nearly 40 years after it was released. We will explore these themes in the this class to help you see why it's one of your favorite films, too. Whether it's Gordie's barf-o-rama, Teddy's insane war rants, Vern's exploration of Goofy, or Chris' ability to pull them all together, these boys are us. Discovering why they move us will help us reframe our own lives and honor our deepest friendships.
How it works
We meet online once a week over the course of 16 weeks. We explore each week's theme through music, writing and a clip from Stand by Me. We'll put each stage of the journey up against Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, asking questions and pursuing the parts that speak to each of us. Every participant writes one page per week about the experience and shares it with the rest of the class via a password-protected Google Drive. We learn the most in what we see in our fellow classmates writing.
about your instructor
Robert Cochrane, PhD is a lifelong Stephen King Constant Reader. He has also adapted two of King's works into short films. You can get more details on his King connection in this series of blogs. Robert studied the effect of improvisation and storytelling on the Parkinson's community in the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences doctoral program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After several years of running these programs, it became clear that the universal positive effects of his unique form of Cinema Therapy extend beyond those with PD. Cinema Therapy helps us see the films we love differently. It's not just what the films say to you, it's about what you have to say because of what you feel about the film. Your stories, and your relationship to the stories you love, matter.
Robert now matches these programs with with some of his most beloved films adapted from King's work to help you explore, discover and share your stories.
Perry H., AZ
I would describe Dr. Robert's class as fun, challenging, imagination stretching, and deeply emotional. The Doc is amazing. I have surprised myself when I look over my own weekly assignments.
Shabbir L., CA
I think the most valuable thing I have learned is how much more of a storyteller I am than I thought I was.
The story telling, using metaphors, helps tremendously. They allow me to be more free to express my emotions. This has helped me to experience more freedom.
Stacy K., Italy
The Day One program has dramatically changed my life and reminded me of who I really am, what I’m made of, and where I want to go.