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Day 1 Assignment
Post your Day 1 assignment here.
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8 Replies
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Josh Doerksen’s Analysis of Groundhog Day
1.
a.) CHANGE: Phil Connors looks inward to find true happiness.
b.) TRANSFORMATIONAL JOURNEY: Phil learns that his old ways of self-serving behavior are self-defeating and that he is not a happy person. We engage on a journey with Phil through sarcasm and humor in his interactions with people and watch him change in the pursuit of a meaningful relationship with Rita. Phil discovers his genuine self through the care and love of other people.
2. LEAD CHARACTERS
a.) CHANGE AGENT: Rita – she is the pure antithesis of the egotist Phil but a reflection of the genuine Phil.
b.) TRANSFORMABLE CHARACTER: Phil – he is loveable in his humor and sarcasm and has a great skill of connecting with people despite not being genuine.
c.) OPPRESSION: The Groundhog Day phenomenon.
3. We are LURED into the PROFOUND JOURNEY by the connections Phil makes with people despite not being genuine, and the prevailing idea that Phil is not happy with himself despite his egotistic front.
The CONNECTION to the story is caused by Phil’s desire for a meaningful relationship with Rita and his PROFOUND JOURNEY to become a better person.
4. PROFOUND JOURNEY: Find happiness within yourself.
a.) PHIL:
OLD WAYS – Egoism, Self-aggrandizing, Sarcasm, Protectionist/Promiscuous in relationship.
NEW WAYS – Genuine, Kindness/Compassion, Humor, Loving and Vulnerable in relationship.
b.) RITA:
OLD WAYS – Affable, Kindness/Compassion, Fear of Judgement, Protectionist/Fear of Vulnerability in relationship.
NEW WAYS – Loving, Kindness/Compassion, Non-Judgemental, Genuine and Vulnerable in relationship.
5. GRADIENT OF CHANGE
Phil transitioned from being narcissistic, egotistical and a generally unhappy person through steps of being:
– Perturbed and Dismissive
– Manipulative and Promiscuous
– Depressed and Hopeless
– Open and Intuitive
– Compassionate and Genuine
– Loving and Happy
6. The OLD WAY of being for Phil was challenged by his resistance to change which he was ironically forced to face through the Groundhog Day Phenomenon. Each morning he woke anew to the previous day reset which he had resisted. Phil was given the opportunity to experience learning by trial and error of who he truly was and what was truly happiness for himself, though he would only realize this through self-reflection. He attempted to utilize the opportunity for self-gain before learning that true fulfillment was something entirely different. Phil was able to change by embracing the human experience instead of denouncing it.
7. The MOST PROFOUND moments of Groundhog Day:
– Phil breaks the pencil and wakes to it new
– Phil realizes his true desire for Rita
– Phil & Rita do NOT kiss (first snowball fight)
– Phil tries to save the homeless man.
– Phil connects with Rita by telling the truth
8. The MOST PROFOUND lines of Groundhog Day:
– PHIL: “I’m a god. I’m not THE God. I don’t think.”
– PHIL: “Well maybe the real God uses tricks, you know? Maybe he’s not omnipotent, he’s just been around so long he knows everything.”
– PHIL: “Nobody loves me. I don’t love me!”
– NURSE: “Sometimes people just die.”
– PHIL: “What if there was no tomorrow?”
– PHIL: “I’m just trying to talk how normal people talk. Isn’t this how they talk?”
– RITA: “I’m amazed…How you can start a day with one expectation and end up so completely different.”
– RITA: “You’re not a god. Believe me. This is years of Catholic School speaking.”
– RITA: “Is this what you do with eternity?”
– PHIL: “The worst part is that tomorrow you will have forgotten all about this…”
– PHIL: “Do you know what today is?… Today is Tomorrow!”
9. The ending pays off the set-ups by showing the capacity for change in both Phil and Rita.
10. The PROFOUND TRUTH is that people can be very similar despite their outward differences, and are capable of positive change and love.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by Christine Cornelius.
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This reply was modified 4 years, 1 month ago by
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What I learned from doing this assignment is: my own script, written 20 years ago, lends itself to this module. This assignment offers guidance in what to cut, keep and add in the process of updating it. I will not be spending a lot of time writing out lengthy answers to assignment questions [been dealing with a lot of other detailed writing]. For me it will have to be jotting down my notes.
What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
1. Phil transitions from being an obnoxious, self-centered, unhappy man to a considerate, out-going, happy character with everything to live for
2. Rita is the Chang Agent. Phil is the Transformable Character. The Oppression is the repetition of the days.
3. Most people can relate in some capacity to weather forecasts , alarm clocks and boredom at work. Blowing the clouds in the forecast is profound and clever/cute and raises curiosity.
Phil and Rita’s tension/banter/contrasting personalities is a hook. What will happen?
Everyone relates to Ground Hog Day and many enjoy road trips.
4. Phil is changed the most–from totally disenchanted with life… to totally enchanted/smitten.
Rita is optimistic / totally nice / supportive / single. She ends up finding a partner in Phil, who has actually learned to be nice to her, from her.
5. The gradient of change is the progress/growth (emotional/psychological) Phil makes in dealing with his oppressing predicament.
6. obnoxious / self centered / mistreating people/ rejecting colleagues
fear raised by the repetition starts eroding his confidence
Bad Karma is getting him (snow / puddle /cold shower)
He starts using his predicament to manipulate people
But is still tortured to the point of suicide attempts.
He learns compassion from his own pain and panic
He begins to genuinely help people.
And becomes a better person trying to appeal to Rita.
7. Most profound moments:
When Phil realizes he longer has to live with the bad choices he makes and can do whatever he wants.
He skips the broadcast and confides in Rita.
Rita’s Sir Walter Scott quote
He concludes he’s a god
says he’s loved Rita all along
8. Most profound lines:
“How’s tomorrow for you?”
“Why can’t it be a better day?”
“My years are not advancing as fast as you might think.”
He’s a god, not The God.
9. Ending payoffs setups.
Phil’s trials have all been resolved and he’s a much better person from having gone through them. Through Rita’s influence Phil has actually grown to be an answer to her needs/desires/dreams.
10. Profound truth
Life’s challenges are an opportunity for growth. And things can change in an instant.
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Kristina’s analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned from doing this assignment is that even with this movie that I have seen many times, there is more to be learned when looking through a particular lens.
GROUNDHOG DAY
1. The Transformational Journey:
Going from being a misanthrope who only wants to use people
and is disliked:
to someone who genuinely takes pleasure in others, and
who is liked and loved in return.
For the audience:
Treat others with genuine compassion, and you will receive the same.
2. Lead Characters
Change agent: Rita
Transformational character: Phil
Oppression: time warp that relives one day over and over.
3. Connection with audience
We go on this journey because we think Bill Murray is salvageable,
and we want to see him transform.
Relatability
• We are also irritated by people’s small talk
• We are also irritated by the insurance salesman
• We also walk past the beggar on the corner
• We also find certain traditions to be ridiculous
• We understand wanting to have sex with no consequences
• We understand wanting to walk off with the money
• We would like to be able to drive down the center of the RR tracks
• We would like to have a day without consequences
• We would like to have do-overs for our mistakes
Intrigue
• What will he do with his foreknowledge of events? (and we ask what we would do)
• Can he wake up at 6am after dying the day before?
• How long will this go on?
• What is the key to his breaking this curse?
• Can he commit suicide and break the cycle?
4. Old Ways Versus New Way
Old ways: he’s unkind to others. He’s alone. Undeserving of love.
New way: He has earned Rita’s love. He appreciates and loves others.
5. Gradient of change
The Transformation: Phil must learn to appreciate and love others.
The Psychological Gradient:
1. Abusive, but lonely
2. All of his relationships are transactional
3. He longs for something more
4. Wants Rita’s love, but can’t manipulate her, which is his usual method
5. Becomes truly caring of others
6. Becomes truly talented in playing the piano, which gives pleasure to others
7. Becomes worthy of Andie’s love because he has really changed.
6. Beliefs Challenged
How is the “old way” challenged?
• At first, he can manipulate a woman into bed; know not to step in the puddle; punch the insurance guy in the nose; steal the money and buy a rolls royce.
• When all of his base needs are satisfied, he tries to kill himself.
• When none of that works, he sets about making others’ lives better.
7. Profound moments
• Phil tries to save the homeless man’s life on repeated days until he finally realizes that it really was the old man’s time to die
• Phil prevents a boy from injuring himself by catching him when he falls from a tree.
• Phil breaks the pencil in half at night, but it’s whole again in the morning.
• Phil breaks himself and dies, but is alive again at 6 am.
• Phil tells Rita the truth and she believes him
• Phil wins Rita over by being genuine
• Phil sculpts Rita’s face in ice, which he could do without even looking, he knows it so well.
8. Profound Dialogue
Lots of examples, but I didn’t write them down. Will pay attention to that on a future viewing.
A couple I remember: Phil describes other people with a dead-end life going nowhere, and one of his drunken buddies says about his own life, “That pretty much sums it up.”
The nurse says, “Sometimes people just die.” Phil says, “Not today.” But even he can’t intervene with that part of another person’s journey.
9. Profound Ending
Phil wakes up, it’s 6:00, the radio’s playing and we think he’s lost that wonderful day with Rita… but she’s there! And she’s still in love with him! And then they burst out of the door of the B&B and play in the snow, like lovers.
10. Profound Truth
Self-hatred and cynicism end when you learn to value, love and care for others.
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Paul’s Analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned about this movie is that profound journeys can take you to a new world, that may or may not exist in real life.
1) What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
That Phil grows to love the town and all the inhabitants of Punxsutoawney, and in doing so he also earns Rita’s love.
2) Lead characters:Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?What is the Oppression?
I think Rita is the change agent because Phil wants to get her into bed, but he can only do that by becoming a better, more well-rounded person.
Phil is the transformable character who goes from being a selfish dick, to becoming a thoughtful guy.
The oppression is that this day will never end, unless Phil can earn Rita’s love
3) How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
I think we are lured into it as Phil is a funny character placed in a quirky town and it’s fun for us to learn how he will cope with each new day. It might make us think what would I do if I were in that situation?
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</div>4) Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.” Identify their old way: Identify their new way at the conclusion:
Phil goes from being a selfish dick, to becoming a thoughtful guy who buys things for others and treats them with respect. He also learns new skills such as playing the piano.
5) What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
The gradient of change is slow as Phil has to repeat the same day and learn from his mistakes over and over. Phil tried a variety of combinations such as bedding other women, learning about people in the town, how to be thoughtful and new skills such as piano playing.
6) How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
The old way is challenged as Phil can’t get out of town. He can’t start a new day until he does everything right.
7) What are the most profound moments of the movie?
Phil trying to help others/save lives. Phil falling in love with the town and the people and in so doing becoming a better person himself.
8) What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Maybe they’re not all profound, but here are some that appealed to me:
– I’m a God.
– It’s still just once a year, isn’t it?
– Sometimes people just die. Not today.
– I’m not going to live by their rules anymore.
– Well, what if there is no tomorrow? There wasn’t one today.
– I’m going to give you a prediction about this winter. It’s going to be cold, it’s going to be dark and it’s going to last you for the rest of your lives.
– Standing here among the people of Punxsutawney and basking in the warmth of their hearths and hearts, I couldn’t imagine a better fate than a long and lustrous winter.
9) How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
That the song on the alarm finally changes after he wakes up to find Rita still in bed with him.
10) What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
Maybe doing good allows you to move on with your life.
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Brenda Lynn’s Analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned doing this assignment is learning to analyze movies for the transformation journey and the steps that the character has to go through to achieve this change. The changes can be subtle but have a new awareness, I am beginning to see the journey.
1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?
In order to live a fulfilling life, you must live in service of others. Phil, an egocentric man, learns that in order to be loved, he must love himself first and become loveable. When he learns to let go of himself and life in service of others, he finds love and moves on.
2. Lead characters:
– Who is the Change Agent (the one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause the change?
Rita, the producer. She’s positive, upbeat and enthusiastic. See the glass just plain full.
– Who is the Transformable Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right character to deliver this profound journey?
Phil, the weatherman. He is egocentric, it is his defining characteristic. He doesn’t even have a glass.
– What is the Oppression?
Day-to-Day monotony – Time
3. How are we lured into the profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?
With the device of Ground Hog Day repeating itself over and over.
4. Looking at the character(s) who are changed the most, what is the profound journey? From “old ways” to “new way of being.”
Identify their old way:
That life is predictable and mundane, because he views it from the outside in. How can the world service him?
Identify their new way at the conclusion:
How can he service the world? Once he sacrifices for others, he has a sense of purpose and becomes fulfilled and thus more lovable.
5. What is the gradient the change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they were changing?
1) Phil is angry that things have changed.
2) Phil uses the fact that he can remember and others can’t. He uses it to his advantage.
3) Phil tests his theory by dying over and over again.
4) He tries to win Rita’s affections by pretending to know what love is.
5) The slaps in the face wake him up to a new reality. He begins to actually get to know people in the town.
6) When he begins thinking of others, he learns to love himself.
7) Once he is lovable, he can be loved.
6. How is the “old way” challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to shift their perspective…and make the change?
Rita won’t fall in love with him no matter how hard he tries to fake love.
Phil’s belief that the world is there to service him is challenged.
When he learns that servicing others is the way to feel fulfilled and satisfied in life, then he begins to live again with the woman he loves.
7. What are the most profound moments of the movie?
When the homeless man dies. Death gives meaning to life. Phil begins saving others.
When they finally kiss and the snow begins to fall.
When he wakes up the next day with his beloved beside him in his bed.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Nothing that you did mattered.
Did you ever start the day with one expectation and end with something completely different?
Today is tomorrow.
Is there anything I can do for you today?
9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
When they finally kiss, it begins to snow.
10. What is the Profound Truth of this movie?
Living in service of others is the key to a happy life.
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Yun’s Analysis of “Groundhog Day”
I learned that the audience can believe an unbelievable conceit like being trapped in a repetitive single day when they are thoughtfully led step by step through a transformational journey that’s grounded in emotional truth. This is a brilliant script for us to analyze because every day repeats so there’s potential for no movement forward except for the protagonist’s transformation, so it really helps us to track the character’s changes. Great first assignment!
1. What is the CHANGE this movie is about? What is the transformational journey of the film?
Moving from self-serving narcissist, pessimist which leads to misery/negativity and being alone to being of service to others which leads to happiness and finding true love.
2. Leads:
Change Agent – new producer Rita who is always kind to others and genuinely happy and positive.
Transformable Character – Phil (same name as the groundhog). He’s the right one to deliver the profound journey because he’s initially likeable, relatable, identifiable to the audience and is skeptical of his current world and wants to leave for something else. Has difficulty with being intimate and vulnerable with others.
Oppression – repeating the same day and being stuck in the past/pattern
3. Connection to the story – humor, relate to being dissatisfied at a job that beneath one’s talents and having difficulty relating to co-workers. Pokes fun at the annual groundhog tradition which does seem ridiculous in modern era. Then intrigues us with a fascinating and original idea of reliving the same day over and over.
4. Profound journey: Old ways – self-absorbed, believing he’s superior to others, know-it-all, cynical
New ways – being interested in others, living to be of service, appreciating life and being happy
5. Gradients of change:
Psychological (similar to stages of grief) – denial, fear, bargaining, depressed, acceptance
Action – rude behavior, take reckless and selfish risks since he suffersno consequences, takes interests in others, physically intimate with women, multiple suicides, emotionally and physically intimate and vulnerable/honest with Rita
Emotional – annoyance and anger, fear, excitement, attachment, despair, happiness, joy, love
6. Old ways/beliefs challenged: his self-centered and materialistic ways which lead to emptiness and loneliness are challenged by 1) repeating the same day 2) Rita’s rejection.
7. Profound moments: Meeting Rita and observing her positivity, joy, and kindness to others, repeatedly helping the homeless man Phil affectionately calls “dad” who still dies no matter what Phil does to try to save him, being vulnerable with Rita who believes the bizarre phenomenon he’s undergoing and stays with him overnight despite her better judgement to help him move onto the next day, helping people around town and being appreciated for his kindness.
8. Profound lines in the movie: “Watch out for the first step, it’s a doozy.” (Ned)
“Glass ½ empty or ½ full, you’re a glass is ½ empty guy.” (bar friend)
“What would you do if you were stuck in one place and every day was exactly the same and nothing you did ever mattered?” (Phil)
“I’m not going to live by their rules anymore!” (Phil)
“You make choices and you live with them.” (Phil?)
The wretch, concentred all in self,
Living, shall forfeit fair renown,
And, doubly dying, shall go down
To the vile dust from whence he sprung,
Unwept, unhonored , and unsung. By Sir Walter Scott (Rita)
“If you only had one day to live, what would you do with it?” (Phil)
“Amazing how you can start with one expectation and end up with a completely different expectation.” (Rita)
“You don’t love anyone else but yourself.” (Rita)
“There’s no way this winter is ever going to end as long as he keeps seeing his shadow.” (Phil)
“He’s got to be stopped and I have to stop him.” (Phil is essentially talking about himself)
“Winter on his slow slumber dreams of spring.” (paraphrasing Phil, I don’t remember exact line.)
9. Ending payoffs the setup of the film?: The journey moves from self to selfless. For example, Phil starts by lying to himself and others by saying Rita is not his type but as he becomes more honest and humble, he realizes he’s in love with her, and ultimately wins her over by becoming selfless, thereby undergoing a transformational journey.
10. Profound truth: Be in service of others, not the self, to be truly happy, deeply appreciated/acknowledged by others, and find love.
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Scott Richards’ Analysis of Groundhog Day
What I learned doing this assignment is that if you have extreme character traits that the character needs to change at the beginning, the transformation is more keenly notice at the end.
1. The Transformational Journey: Going from a self-centered, inconsiderate, manipulative, hurtful and sarcastic jerk to someone who considers the wants, needs and feelings of others.
2. Lead Characters:
Change Agent: Rita
Transformational Character: Phil
Oppression: Stuck in a endless loop. (Reflects both the situation of the main character’s world and the main character’s modus operandi in social settings.
3. Connection with Audience:
Relatability: Stuck in a world without change. We all wish there was something we could do to change something around our own worlds.
Intrigue: I admit that I did not see any intrigue in this film. Unless you count the multiple times Phil deceived himself.
4. The Old Ways vs. New Ways:
Old Ways: Phil cares nothing for the feelings of others unless he can manipulate them to get what he wants.
New Ways: Phil learns that he can garner more happiness for not only himself, but for others if he considers the needs, wants and feelings of others.
5. Gradient of Change: Phil must change his attitude and thought patterns on a deep psychological level. His behavior worsens when he realized he can get away with anything.
6. Beliefs Challenged: He gets no where with his main objective to get into Rita’s pants. The old ways sends him into a deep depression where he kills himself numerous times in an attempt to escape. His minor, or incidental objectives are challenged in that even with success, they hold no real meaning for him.
7. Profound Moments:
– Phil admits that he loves Rita. It may be true, but to Rita it comes across as an insincere pick up line to have sex with her. We see the effect this has on Phil.
– during the first scene at 54 mins in, Phil begins to realize that learning new things should not be for easier manipulation of others, but for the sake of self-improvement.
– shows that he truly cares for Rita in the diner during the “God” conversation.
– he admits that he isn’t that smart, a jerk and that he doesn’t deserve someone like Rita.
– Rita shows him the ‘new way’: “Maybe it’s not a curse, depends on how you look at it.”
– When the old homeless man dies, it hits Phil hard and he spends the next several iterations trying to save the old man’s life. This really shows Phil’s turn around.
– When he finally wakes to a new day, the first question he asks Rita is “Is there anything I can do for YOU.”
8. Profound Dialogue:
“I have friends who live and die by the actuarial tables.”
“What if there is no tomorrow?”
“Sorry folks, six more weeks of winter.” – reflects that he is stuck in the same old way of doing things.
the half-full, half-empty conversation.
“What if there was no tomorrow, you could do whatever you want.”
“Sometimes you just have to take the big chances.”
9. Profound Ending: It’s a new day and the first question Phil asks is; “is there anything I can do for you?” He greets the day able to see the beauty in everything. He is no longer stuck in his old ways.
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