a 501(c)3 non-profit org.
Day One:
Deadpool
(seriously)
Ryan Reynolds did plenty of work before Deadpool but nothing had this level of impact. Unapologetically profane, vile and violent, Deadpool also has a heart. It is his love of Vanessa that gives him a reason to live and make this film irresistible to watch. For those who have faced a difficult, life-changing diagnosis, Deadpool knows you and feels you, too. So if cursing, superhero action, and bad guy blood are your cup of tea, Deadpool and this class are your Darjeeling.
"[Day One] surpassed the benefits of therapy."
Cinema Therapy works like this: We connect with certain films on a deep level because they reflect pieces of our own lives or deepest emotions back to us. We identify with the hero on the journey because we wish we could win the love of our lives and pulverize the bad guys. More than just passively watch a film, we take it apart scene by scene and put it up against Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey to see identify the human patterns. Seeing these things in others can help us understand our own longings and create a narrative where we, or a character that comes from us, wins. Come explore with us.
Make Today Day One For You
This new, evidence-based, clinically-tested writing program is open to everyone. While Yes, And...eXercise! is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving the Parkinson's disease community, these classes are designed for all. We meet online for 90 minutes, once per week over the course of 16 weeks. Participants will write one page per week about their experience and share it on a password-protected Google Drive with classmates. Each participant is also expected to read and leave feedback on two of their fellow classmates pages as this is an ensemble-based program. We will start each session by moving to music that is themed to the stage of the Hero's Journey, then play improvisation games that support our growth, understanding and connection to one another. We will also watch clips from Deadpool that demonstrate the Hero's Journey. All sessions will be recorded so that students who have to miss a session at its scheduled time can catch up at their convenience.
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.
Rewriting disability and trauma with superheroes
"...some of the best love stories start with a murder. And that's exactly what this is, a love story." - Deadpool
About the instructor & program creator
Robert Cochrane, PhD 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 some of his most beloved films to help you explore, discover and share your stories.
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Robert's father, Dan, was diagnosed with PD in 2001. The father and son have made three films in the award-winning documentary series, Boys of Summer. The fourth film in that series is planned to come out in 2025.