Thank you for submitting episode suggestions. Below are your top picks. Whichever one gets the most votes, we'll do an episode on it at our next shoot!
Please note: even if your top choice doesn't win, the other suggestions will be saved for potential future episodes.
2024-10-02 16:00:17 +0000 UTC View Post
What does real heroism look like?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to the person who put the “glad” in “gladiator,” Hercules! They talk about the psychology behind the classic hero’s journey and why we always come back to those stories. Jonathan explains how Hercules and other heroes are just like us, and Alan talks about how a good character story doesn’t focus on what a character wants but what they need.
2024-10-02 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Each month, you get a random piece of exclusive bonus content as a thank you for supporting us on Patreon. October's Grab Bag of Mystery perk is this year's full panel from FanX SLC, a Cinema Therapy live show of Movie Family Therapy: Denethor and Sons from The Lord of the Rings!
Whether you were at the panel or you're catching it now, thank you for watching and for making this happen!
2024-10-02 15:04:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a recap of what we did last month!
We launched Cinema Therapy Reviews! What do you think of our new channel? So far we've reviewed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Speak No Evil, Transformers One, and The Wild Robot. We're looking forward to reviewing more new movies, especially as we get into holiday movie season! What would you like us to review?
The September shoot an...
How do you balance control and freedom in parenting?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to the family from The Croods. They discuss the family’s fears of everything new and how fear stifles their growth. Jonathan explains how the Croods family models present-day fear and control in parenting, and he shares how to encourage curiosity with healthy boundaries. Alan explains how subtle, clever filmmaking techniques serves the believable family dra...
2024-09-30 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Alan:
Hello Heroes!
It’s officially autumn up here in the northern hemisphere, and I couldn’t be more excited to get to pull out my sweaters, sip some warm beverages, and just get cozy as fuuuuuuun.
What I’m reading!
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower - by C.S. Forester. I’ve read the Hornblower books before, and they’re cracking-good adventure yarns set in one of my favorite historical periods (the Napoleonic Wars). But uh… There’s going to ...
2024-09-25 19:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post
How does anxiety help and hurt you?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright react to Inside Out 2, the whole movie this time! They discuss how becoming a teenager affects Riley’s emotions and what anxiety does to us. Jonathan shares how Anxiety’s message of “I’m not good enough” deeply affected him and how much that message comes up in therapy. Alan shares how Joy’s struggles resonate with him. And they both cry and curse Pixar.
2024-09-25 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
September marks our Patreon-iversary, so we're celebrating by offering the biggest discount possible on annual Patreon memberships. Sign up by the end of September and get 2 months free on any annual membership!
If you like this director's cut, join at the Movie Star tier or higher to get more. And stay tuned for a future director's cut ranking Disney parents - we're shooting it this week!
See the full Patreon anniversary post 2024-09-23 14:50:37 +0000 UTC View Post
September is our Patreon-iversary! Please consider joining our Patreon for all sorts of bonus and more of your Internet Dads. (If you're already a Patron, hi and thank you!!)
Do you want extended, ad-free director's cuts of each Cinema Therapy video? Deep dives on therapy and filmmaking topics? Grab bags of mystery, like bloopers and sketches? We've got all of that and more over on our Patreon!
Each year, we make previously paid content free. This year, check out the now FREE dir...
What is the difference between leadership and manipulation?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at group dynamics in Galaxy Quest. They’re talking about how the actors turned heroes work through frustration, insecurity, and ego and ultimately learn to be humble and accountable. Jonathan explains how “manipulation” in therapy, filmmaking, and life is used for good, and Alan talks about the brilliant cast and crew behind what he thinks i...
2024-09-20 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View PostHi, Patrons! Are you excited to watch a new director's cut LIVE with Jono and Alan? Pick which episode you want to watch with them in October. Then, we'll watch it together using Drops right here on Patreon. See you there!
For now, Drops is only available in the Patreon app, so make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
2024-09-19 14:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post
How do you grow in a relationship without changing who you are? Who is your favorite couple from The Office?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are hopping over to the world of TV to rank romances from The Office. There are so many relationships to rank, but they picked seven that represent the spectrum between least and most health relationships in the show. The couples are Dwight and Angela, Jim and Pam, Kelly and Darryl, Michael and Holly, Michael and Jan...
2024-09-18 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Thanks for submitting your questions! The live Q&A is scheduled for Wednesday, September 25th at 12pm MT (at the link above), but it will also be available to watch afterward so no one misses out! We'll be answering your pre-submitted questions (and maybe live questions in the chat if we have time). See you then!
Time zone converter here.
2024-09-18 14:53:16 +0000 UTC View Post
Why are we drawn to stories about heroes?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are talking about trauma healing and the psychological power of storytelling in Kubo and the Two Strings. Jonathan talks about working through generational trauma and why it’s not always helpful to label someone as evil. Alan talks about the uniquely eerie and beautiful style of LAIKA Studios. And they both share the meaning of storytelling for themselves and for a wider audience....
2024-09-16 16:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
When making a film, you have to find the locations to film the film you're filming. This is my first quick walkthrough of some possible locations for our little short.
Once we have our budget, we'll schedule a time to look at them with our producer and director of photography. There are a lot of logistical details involved.
Where will the crew park? Go to the bathroom? Can we move equipment around safely? Is it too close to where sirens will be driving by all the time? Lots of stu...
2024-09-13 19:20:46 +0000 UTC View PostWe enjoyed watching Avatar: The Last Airbender, and we now know it's feasible to watch a TV show for CT... every once in a while. It takes way more time and effort to cover a show and do right by it and its fans. We have some ideas for TV shows to cover, but we want your input!
2024-09-12 13:30:04 +0000 UTC View Post
Filmmaker Alan Seawright is joined by director of photography, Paul McKay Taylor, and producer, Loren Micalizio, to discuss the budget breakdown for Ashes to Ashes, next year's CT Studios short film. Find out what movie budgets look like and why movies can cost so much to make... which is why Ashes to Ashes got delayed!
2024-09-11 15:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post
Once a quarter-ish, we A your Qs! Please use the Google Form (linked above) to submit your questions for the Q&A. Your questions can be about Cinema Therapy, the guys, or anything in between. It's an AMA... or an AUA, ask us anything!
Note: do not put questions in the comments of this post. Please use the form above.
The live Q&A will premier on YouTube on Wednesday, September 25th at 12pm MT, and we'll only be answering pre-submitted questions. The l...
2024-09-10 14:30:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Is Forrest Gump toxic… or not?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright react to Forrest Gump and question if elements of the film are toxic or not. In this series, they investigate if movie relationships claimed to be toxic really are and what “toxic” actually means. Jonathan talks about the portrayal of Forrest’s intellectual disability as well as the healthy and unhealthy aspects of Jenny and Forrest’s relationship. Alan shares poignant lines and scen...
2024-09-09 15:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Each month, you get a random piece of exclusive bonus content as a thank you for supporting us on Patreon. September's Grab Bag of Mystery perk is a D&D one shot! Join Professor Chafey Butthole in his bafflingly ill-conceived attempt to play WIZARD BALL.
Alan Seawright as "Smuk"
Jonathan Decker as "Ulv"
Nathan Judd as "Stash"
Emily Colton as "Xed"
2024-09-04 15:00:13 +0000 UTC View Post
How do you become a team player? What does expansive growth look like?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are taking a look at one of their all-time favorite movies, Hot Fuzz. They’re asking if main character Nicholas Angel actually changes at all and if being a workaholic… works? Jonathan talks about how Nicholas learns to accept influence without changing who he is. Alan, noted Edgar Wright fanboy, explains how the tight script and distinctive editing ...
2024-09-02 15:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's a recap of what we did last month!
August had us focused on watching movies and prepping episodes for the September shoot. That shoot is always special because we have the shoot and FanX in the same week! Here’s an emoji hint for one of the episodes we're prepping: 🏠🎄
We announced a big change to our CT Studios short film plans. You can watch the update 2024-09-01 14:00:10 +0000 UTC
View Post
Hey Execs,
Our next livestream will be September 4 at 11:15am Pacific, 2:15pm Eastern. The producers will be going over the script with Alan (director), Rod Santiano (Cinematographer,) and Bradley Olsen (Editor) to figure out how we can make this movie for only $40,000. Which sounds like a lot of money, until you learn that most films spend $40,000 every day. Before lunch.
Anyway, we'll all be on Riverside, streaming to YouTube. I can't pre-post the link ...
2024-08-30 17:00:53 +0000 UTC View Post
How do you be yourself amid social pressure? Why do stereotypes exist?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are reacting to Disney Channel classic, High School Musical. They’re taking a look at being yourself in the face of social expectations. Jonathan talks about stereotypes and the dynamics of friendship. Alan points out legitimately good filmmaking elements of High School Musical, and they talk about why they unironically enjoy this movie.
2024-08-29 15:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Here's something you've probably never thought about: How exactly do people get their movie files from the editing software, into VFX software, and back out again?
And for that matter, which VFX software are you going to use?
And which tools in that VFX software?
This is why people leave the film industry. You have to love movies so much that you're willing to sit through meetings about this stuff. Shoot endless tests about this stuff. Write down and organize t...
2024-08-28 23:02:11 +0000 UTC View Post
Alan:
Hello Heroes!
August. The end. Of Summer. Of Freedom. Of glory. The beginning. Of FOOTBALL SEASON!!!
What I’m reading!
I really couldn’t tell you. I’ve basically been chilling? Just lots of watch time this month, but I’m starting a Chuck Wendig book! Looking forward to not sleeping well for the next week or two.
What I’m watching!
Twisters - I loved this movie. Was it a great movie? ...
2024-08-28 19:21:52 +0000 UTC View Post
In this Patreon-exclusive episode, licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are ranking relationships from Avatar: The Last Airbender, inspired by the David Does Grab Bag. If you haven’t seen that, you’re missing out. Your Internet Dads rank the following couples from least to most healthy: Sokka and Princess Yue, Sokka and Suki, Katara and Jet, Katara and Zuko, Katara and Aang, and Zuko and Mai. Enjoy this more boring version of David’s Grab Bag!
What is the difference between arrogance and confidence?
Licensed therapist Jonathan Decker and filmmaker Alan Seawright are joined by Bryson from Haminations to discuss Sokka from Avatar: The Last Airbender. They’re taking a look at his journey from arrogance and insecurity to confidence and humility. They acknowledge Sokka’s sexism, arrogance, and stupidity and how he changes… and how his imperfect and messy journey is relatable!
Check out Bryson's channel Hamination...
2024-08-23 15:00:00 +0000 UTC View Post
Tomorrow is a double ATLA day! Patrons at the Movie Star tier and above will get the director's cut of the Sokka episode (coming to YouTube next Tuesday) and an exclusive episode ranking ATLA relationships.
In the latter video, we reference the linked Patreon post. It's a Grab Bag featuring one of our brilliant editors, David. You may recognize him from the Treasure Planet episode! (That director's cut is extra long and extra awesome, by the way!)
In honor of the new ATLA episodes...
2024-08-22 14:14:14 +0000 UTC View PostHi, Patrons! Are you excited to watch a new director's cut LIVE with Jono and Alan? Pick which episode you want to watch with them in September. Then, we'll watch it together using Drops right here on Patreon. See you there!
For now, Drops is only available in the Patreon app, so make sure your app is updated to the latest version.
2024-08-21 15:52:11 +0000 UTC View Post