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Opening Teleconference – What did you learn?
Hello,
After you’ve listened to the opening teleconference (located under Your Classes), please post what you learned from it.
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18 Replies
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I am not able to open this teleconference. Can you help?
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Hi Lynn,
Can you go to: https://screenwritingu.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/requests/new
Put in a ticket and let us know exactly what error you’re getting and we can help you out.
~Cheryl
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I was able to open the teleconference but I can’t find The Matrix Map pdf.
I learned that the profound question must precede the profound truth, and the hero’s journey of transformation is suffering all the wrong answers first. I also learned that the story at the opening, it is more important to start with connection than big action.
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I learned is that what some people consider is Profound, might not be profound for someone else, and that profound could be in a variety of genres such as comedy, drama, sci-fi and action.
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Joseph Savage Analysis of Groundhog Day 20 Apr 21
1. The Change
Phil Connors goes from being a prima donna to an altruistic, caring man.
2. Lead Cast
The change agent is Rita and her repeated rejection, and Phil Connors is the transformable character. The oppression is the 6:00 am deadline. I will posit that the time loop only allows Phil the opportunity to experiment with change without irrevocable consequences, and he tells Rita this when she suggests hanging around with him. He responds with “as kind of a science project.”
3. Initial Connection
Suffering the annoyances of life on the road–not getting the right type of coffee, Ned Ryerson the insurance salesman’s pushiness, being asked for money, stepping in the slush hole, enduring Mrs. Lancaster’s morning chit-chat, being trapped in a hick town because of a storm, getting blasted in a cold shower, having to listen to the Pennsylvania Polka.
4A. The Old Ways
Being self-centered and caring only about his own job prospects, getting affirmation that he is a “celebrity” even if he has to force it on people – “Don’t you have a line for celebrities or emergencies? Well, I am a celebrity in an emergency.”
4B. The New Ways
The new ways are caring about others, performing meaningful acts of kindness, facing self and changing what’s in the morning mirror. But the biggest change was also the most subtle: accepting life on its own terms and learning to live within it. This occurs when he realizes he cannot save Pops, although he saves Buster from choking.
5. Steps of Change
Discussion of repetition with Rita > Medical Exam > Psychiatric Exam > Hedonism with Ralph & Gus, and then others > Interest in, and failure with Rita > Suicides with death of self but not body > Resurrection of self in the same body and admission that he is not that smart, that he is a jerk > Altruism > Death of Pops leads to death of expectation and resurrection to acceptance through art (piano, ice sculpture, poetry) > Art leads to compassion and finding happiness and meaning in life > becoming a compassionate man leads to attracting love.
6. Challenging the Old Way
The first challenge is testing the lack of long-term consequences of actions: it starts with the wild ride with Ralph and Gus, goes through eating and smoking, picking up Nancy, robbing the money bag, role-playing Clint Eastwood at the movies with a second girl
The second challenge is testing his relational skills with Rita. He starts with learning everything about her and parroting her likes off as their commonalities and ends with her constant rejection.
The third challenge is testing life itself by committing suicide repeatedly, goes through a middle stage of him thinking he’s a demigod, and ends with loss of self. Connors says this when he states “I’ve committed suicide so many times I no longer exist.” This, in turn, allows him to lose his narcissism. He admits it first when Rita asks him how he knows everything, and he says something to the effect that “I’m not that smart. I’ve just been around a long time.” He then later openly admits he is a jerk.
7. Profound Moments
The first time he experiences the loop, the drunken ride with Ralph and Gus when he tries hedonism, his developing interest in Rita and asking her what she would do if she had only one day to live, his newscast when he thinks that the winter will end only when he and the groundhog no longer see their shadows, the admission to Rita that he is a jerk, his admission that he didn’t deserve Rita, his acceptance of Pops death and his acceptance of no tomorrow, and the realization he is happy because he is able to give real love regardless of the lack of consequences or reciprocation.
8. Profound Lines
There are many. Nearly all of them can be summed up in this one line: “I don’t deserve someone like you, but if I could, I would love you for the rest of my life.”
9. Setups and Payoffs
The setups are the multiple, but they center on selfish haughtiness shown to everyone in the first half of the movie and then demonstrated in the incomplete change to altruism and art. But the final payoff comes when he accepts Pops death and in doing so, his own life. The payout is double. He gets the girl, but also, he finds his tribe – he stays in Puxatawny.
10. The Profound Truth
Love is not something we fall into. It is something built each day when we chose to be both our deepest and highest self.
This requires the dual death of desire and of hope, and dual life of altruism and art.
Buddhism. All the way down to reincarnation.
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There are a lot of levels on which to enjoy and appreciate entertainment that largely depends on the viewer’s own life experience, personality and at what stage they are in their life. The ride I take my audience on needs to hook them at their level so that it can take them to the next.
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I learned what is profound for me might not be profound for someone else. That, plus the fact that producers say the majority of scripts they read have little to no depth and that the films we are about to watch will, fingers crossed, open my eyes about how to add that desired depth to my screenplays.
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I missed a few questions because I got caught up in the movie, but here is my GROUNDHOG DAY ANALYSIS:
What is the CHANGE this movie
is about? What is the Transformational Journey of this movie?* Phil Connors changes from an
egotist who wants to sleep with Rita (and any willing woman). Her humility
and kindness to the people around her makes him realize he is actually in
love with her. He humbles himself and learns to be genuinely kind, which
ultimately breaks the spell.Lead characters:
Who is the Change Agent (the
one causing the change) and what makes this the right character to cause
the change?* Rita. She will not date, let alone fall in love with, the
selfish Phil.Who is the Transformable
Character (the one who makes the change) and what makes them the right
character to deliver this profound journey?* Phil Connors
What is the Oppression?
* The
clock resetting to Groundhog Day every dayHow are we lured into the
profound journey? What causes us to connect with this story?* We all know egotistical people
like Phil* We all wish we could relive
certain days of our lives, although most would want it to be a “perfect”
dayLooking 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: Self-centered, not “giving” of himself to others
Identify their new way at the
conclusion: Unselfish and kindly giving of himself to othersWhat is the gradient the
change? What steps did the Transformational Character go through as they
were changing?* He starts by “using” everyone
to get his way* As the novelty of getting his
way wears off, but waking again and again to 2 February, he grows discouraged* The discouragement leads to
despair and suicide attempts* At this point, he realizes he
is actually in love with Rita and not just wanting to sleep with her, when they do their “science experiment”
he tells her it is safe to fall asleep and promises not to touch her* He realizes he needs to act unselfishly
How is the “old way”
challenged? What beliefs are challenged that cause a main character to
shift their perspective…and make the change?
What are the most profound
moments of the movie?* All the suicide attempts of a
man who has not learned the importance of appreciating today* Realizing Rita is the kindest
person he’s ever met* Letting others show Rita what
a kind man he has become instead of force-feeding the ideaWhat are the most profound
lines of the movie?* Some day somebody’s going to see
me interviewing a groundhog and thinking I don’t have a future.* What if there is no tomorrow?
There wasn’t one today.* It’s gonna be cold. And it’s
gonna be grey. And it’s gonna last the rest of your life.* If I could, I’d love you for
the rest of my lifeHow does the ending payoff the
setups of this movie?*Phil finally learns to live unselfishly and, as a result, appreciate what he has today is a happy future
What is the Profound Truth of
this movie?* Learn to appreciate and make
the most of today because you don’t know what the future brings.
Your present will be better if
you appreciate the people around you and try to be a blessing to them. -
Suzanne Kelman Analysis of Groundhog Day
1. Overview of the characters Arc – What is the Transformational Journey.
In Groundhog Day, we watch the journey of Phil Connors, who goes from being a self-centered, career-driven prima donna to a man who cares more about other people’s needs than his own.
At the start of the film, I particularly liked the opening shot of him looking at a blank, blue screen as he describes the weather while the TV audience sees a map of America. It was as if the writer was giving us an insight into the world we were moving into. A world where the lead character saw nothing while the rest of the world (The small town) sees everything.
2. Lead Cast
In this movie, the change agent is Rita, his producer, though she is unconscious in that role. I feel that for so much of the journey the lead character goes through is watching how she interacts with the world. Noted by the dialogue later on when he reflects back to her who she is. I feel as if he has gone through life up to that point, totally self-absorbed and unable to see the value in people with her kind character, seeing it as a weakness. This is presented to the audience right at the beginning when he looks across at her playing in front of the blue screen and says, “She’s not my type.” He has a lot to learn from her, and it will take many days of being forced into observing to change him. The oppression is the 24 hours he has to get this right.
3. How are we lured into this story?
There isn’t one of us that wouldn’t want to go back and change one day in our lives, and the lure for me was the “what if” and the entrainment value of act two. It is very cleverly woven, so it doesn’t become repetitive (even though it is repeating). The only thing that never ever changes is that Sonny and Cher song and I believe that was to remind the audience it always starts the same way. The story continued to build even as the day is the same. Very clever. This was also done very successfully in the movie About Time.
4 – The Old Way of Being to the New Way
The main character Phil Conners goes through the most change. The journey is from a self-absorbed prima donna (they say that twice so we don’t forget) to a selfless and caring human being. But one thing I found interesting watching it for this class is the character of Larry. At the beginning of the story, Larry is seen as the opposite of Phil. Rita’s confident, but by the end, as the main character starts to change and become less self-centered, Larry appears more unauthentic. The clever way the writer uses that look from the barman to reflect that truth is brilliant. I believe Larry is in there for that reason. To help us measure the change of the Protag.
5. Steps of Change
I loved this change because the writers seemed to model it somewhat on the stages of grief. Denial – “Do you ever have Dejvu,” breaking the pencil in half, Medical exams, psychiatric appointments, etc. Anger – slamming pork chop against the wall. Punching the salesman – taking his frustration out on his co-workers and on the air with viewers. Bargaining “Why can’t I have that day over and over”- Driving on the railroad tracks, etc. Depression – attempting suicide and finally acceptance. Though in the middle of act two, it is a false victory. “He thinks he is a God” he is still ego-centric. It isn’t until act three, right before all is lost, that we see the shift. It is the moment with Rita when he has given up trying to sleep with her and starts to be honest with her about himself – knowing full well he can be vulnerable because tomorrow she won’t remember any of it. Then the death of the old man gives him a purpose, and from then to the end of the movie, we see him fulfilling that new destiny, helping others.
6. How the Old Way is Challenged
Up until now, he has always controlled his own life. Selfish, arrogant, etc., in this new world of act two, he has no control over his life. Though in the beginning, he enjoys living with no consequences. I think the most entertaining part of this movie is watching him throughout act two try to operate in his old ways, manipulate people and situations around him with no success. We see it through his desire for intimacy. The writers set us up with Nancy an easy one-night stand in a place where no one remembers you the next day. It is highlighted when he sees her outside the movie theatre. However, we then watch him try to get close to Rita with the same tactics. I think having her slap him in the face over and over, nine times in all, rather than just have different scenarios and the ending was genius. For a while, in act two, we had every day start with “I’ve got you, babe,” and the progression of his love life ends with Rita’s slap. Poignant and brilliant.
7. Profound Moments
I had always thought the major shift came after Pop’s death but watching it this time around; I realized it happens before that. When he and Rita are throwing cards into a hat, this is when he hints at how long he has been doing the same day. She thinks it would take her a year to learn the card throwing trick; he tells her only six months, 7 or 8 hours a day. He has also seen a particular film over 100 times. Then he says to her the worse part is that she will think he is a jerk the next day, which he admits he is. Later in the scene, he tells her how much he admires the way she is in the world. He then reveals his real feelings for her in that first scene—a totally vulnerable moment for him. I think one of the poignant moments is when he is talking to her, and she is half-asleep; he is bearing his soul and not trying to manipulate her for the first time. Then we hit that all is lost moment when he wakes up alone.
The next most profound moment for me is when he tries to save Pops and can’t. He then goes on to control his world (similar to the old way) but now, instead of him controlling in a selfish way, he is doing it for the good of others. What I liked about this is the writer didn’t finish the movie once he was doing this. We know there is more than one day of him helping people with him shouting to the boy he catches. “You never, ever thank me.” But it isn’t until after Rita decides she is going to pursue him that we get the ending. It ties all the payoff together.
8. Profound Lines
The most poignant line for me is when he tries to save Pops. And the nurse tells him that it was just his time. She goes onto to say, “Sometimes people just die,” and Phil answers, “Not today.”
9. Setups and Payoffs
Rita is not my type – She is exactly his type.
I control my world for my own good – He controls his world for the good of others.
He will never spend a minute longer than he has to in Punxsutawney – Let’s live here.
Ignores Pops – Tries to save his life.
He tries to dodge Ned – Ends up buying all his insurance.
Watch out for that first step. It a doozy – The setup for the journey we are about to take.
Goes from half-hearted sarcastic reporting – To a heart-felt one at the end.
Mocks Rita for quoting poetry – reading it to her when he has changed.
He becomes Rita’s checklist of the perfect man.
He’s too humble to know he is perfect – Highlighted at the end with the woman who tells her to hang onto him. And Rita asking what he did today, and he answers, “same old same old.”
Plays an instrument – He learns to plays the piano.
His courageous – we see him saving the man who is choking.
He loves his mother, kind – we see him changing the older woman’s tire. Buying the tickets for the married couple
He likes children – he saves the boy in the tree.
10. The Profound Truth
It is only when we are genuine can we live our best life. Otherwise, we are forced to re-live the same day every day.
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Suzanne,
Nice catch on Larry. I initially saw him as “Dr. Watson,” a character who acts as a natural intermediary for the audience so background information could be explained without appearing awkward. But I missed the second half of his equation – the contrast enhancement to Phil during his change. Thanks for that insight.
Joseph
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Lynn Heggen’s Analysis of Groundhog Day:
1. What is the transformational journey?
The change is from egotistical and narcissistic to compassionate and loving. From not caring to caring. From evil to good.
2. Who is the Change Agent?
Rita is the change agent. She is naturally good, caring, compassionate, fun-loving and optimistic. She teaches Phil these characteristics by living them.
The transformable character is Phil. Phil is egotistical and sarcastic. He loves only himself and doesn’t care about others. He is self-absorbed.
The oppression is the clock. He has to live the same day over and over again in a time loop until he gets it right.
3. What causes us to connect with this story?
We all make mistakes at times and would love a chance to learn from our mistakes and have a do-over.
4. Old ways to New ways:
Narcissistic and arrogant – glass half-empty – diva – only cares about himself to
Helping other people – interested in others – understanding others – caring – compassionate
5. What is the gradient change?
a. arrogant
b. tries to do things to benefit himself
c tries to seduce Rita just by memorizing facts
d. begins to do things for others
e. begins to become really interested in others’ lives
f. others brag on him in front of Rita
g. he loves Rita and Rita loves him
6. How is the old way challenged?
Phil only looked out for himself. Rita tells him is she had a chance to relive days that she would try and make herself better.
7. Profound moments in movie:
a Discovers no consequences will happen.
b. Hears that he is a glass half-full kind of guy by a drunk
c. Tries to commit suicide several times
d. Realizes people around him are very nice people
e. Tries to help people like homeless man and insurance agent and changing tire
f. Genuinely cares for others
g. Rita falls in love with him.
h. Rita is in bed with him because he has transformed and become a caring, compassionate, genuine person.
8. What are the most profound lines of the movie?
Rita states, “If I had the chance to live my days over, I would try and become a better person.”
He asks others, “What can I do for you?”
9. How does the ending payoff the setups of this movie?
He becomes a much happier person that genuinely cares about people other than himself and finds friendship with others and love with Rita. He becomes fulfilled.
10. What is the profound truth of this movie?
Look for the good in others. Be understanding, dig deep, build relationships and be honest. Appreciate the little, good things about people and accept people as they are. Rita falls in love with Phil. If you care for others, they will care for you.
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I learned the reason I’ve watched some movies over and over is that something “profound” is occurring and has penetrated my psyche, perhaps unknowingly.
I, also, am unable to find the Matrix Map.
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Frank Jordan Analysis of Groundhog Day
1. The change is Phil going from being self-absorbed to caring for others.
2. Rita is the change agent. She’s the subject of Phil’s desire. Phil is the transformable character. Deep down, he and Rita want each other. The oppression is the 6 am wake up call, I got you babe, and mundane routine.
3. Most people can connect with the wake up call and wondering what the day will bring.
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5. Gradient steps: egotistical Phil, mundane job, unhappiness with others, lying, deceiving, stealing, to taking risks, to seemingly “perfect day” with Rita to losing it all, kidnapping Pux Phil, in free fall, to wanting to believe in self and gaining Rita’s trust and affection.
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7. Profound moments: hit on head with snow shovel, interactions with Rita, Larry the driver, Ned the insurance salesman, stepping over the pot hole, Nancy the supposed former high school classmate, 6 am wake-up call, same song every morning, risking death on RR track, all the deja vu moments, the freefall (toaster in bath, step in front of moving truck, drive off cliff, jump off building, Rita’s face ice sculpture, Rita waking up with Phil at 6 am, etc.
8. Profound lines: Why couldn’t I get that day over and over? What if there were no tomorrow’s? If you only had one day to live what would you do? What do you want out of life? I want to believe in me. I’ve come to the end of me, Rita. Winter is just another step in life. Today is tomorrow. Music ending – Smile for the human race.
9. The ending pays off the setups with Phil and Rita getting what they want, each other and happiness.
10. Profound truth – treat everyone with dignity.
Apologies, assignment is incomplete. Burning the candle at both ends today.
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That transformation happens without telegraphing ‘the message.’ It is through character changes happening by interacting.
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Groundhog Day
1) Transformational Journey
TV Weatherman Phil Connors transforms while being trapped in Groundhog Day from a jaded, selfish, egotistical, insincere and cynical man, to a more giving, caring, honest – and even opens his heart to become a more loving and happier man.
For the audience: The journey through the movie helps audience experience growth, making the best of their sometimes jaded and overly similar lives by discarding selfish and cynical ways, and finding excitement and meaning while transforming to more giving, selfless people that allows them to open up their hearts to truly love.
2) Lead Characters
Change Agent: Rita, the Producer
Transformational Character: Phil Connors
Oppressor: Repetitive Groundhog Days
3) Connection with Audience
We go on this journey because we are intrigued with Phil as he struggles and tries to comprehend his daily repetitive Groundhog Day existence.
Relatability to audience:
*Bored going for the fourth year in a row to cover same story about “a rat,” audience can relate to often tedious work.
*Disdain and frustration with co-workers – or even and many others.
*Trying to find meaning in a tedious repetitive daily grind.
*Joy of learning to ice carve, play piano or learn a new language.
*Heartfelt giving and helping of others (changing tires, catching boy in tree, giving money to homeless man) bringing joy and meaning
Intrigue:
*Trapped in Groundhog Day
*Learning the limits and/or boundaries of being trapped
*The different stages and lengths in Phil quest to “win” Rita’s heart
*Rita’s different reactions to Phil’s different ploys to gain her interest, or ultimately love.
4) Old Ways Versus New Ways
Old Ways: Phil is selfish and egocentric, often jaded to the world, looking at others with disdain or a vehicle to gain what he wants.
New Ways: Phil becomes giving, loving and concerned about the thoughts of others.
5) Gradient of Change
The TRANSFORMATION: Phil must complete transformation in order to now longer be trapped in Groundhog Day.
1) Unaware and uncaring how he hurts or “turns off:” those around him.
2) Unaccepting of being trapped
3) Trying to make best of life if no tomorrow
4) Uses his special situation for self-gain, to steal money and have sex
5) Despair and hopeless, becoming unkempt and overeating
6) Frustration and anger: smashing clock, etc.
7) Attempting to escape by committing suicides without desired result
8) Broadening his personal interests spurred by pursuit of Rita, learning poetry, play piano, etc., to become a more well-rounded man
9) Slapped and humiliated when insincere with Rita
10) Opens heart to confess love to Rita
11) Begins giving to others, money to homeless man, brings coffee to crew, fixes flat tire
12) Gain Rita’s love thru sincerity and humility
Beliefs Challenged:
Phil’s focus has been completely on himself and career. In speaking with Rita, she speaks about her “perfect man” is humble, romantic and courageous, not egotistical like Phil
Despite saying and doing all the right things, Phil is unable to gain Rita’s trust and love due to a lack of sincerity.
7) And 8) Profound Moments and Dialogue
Here are a few of the Profound moments:
Despite telling Rita that her college major focused on 19<sup>th</sup> Century French Poetry is “an incredible waste of time,” Phil ultimately studies the poetry
Rita tells Phil: “I can never love someone like you because you’ll never love anybody but yourself.”
Phil: “That’s not true. I don’t even like myself.”
Phil only has the courage to open up and tell Rita his sincere feeling while she is asleep:
“I think you are the kindest, sweetest, prettiest person I ever met in my life. I’ve never seen anyone as nice as you. The first time I saw you, something happened to me but I never told you about it. I wanted to hold you as hard as I could. I don’t deserve someone like you. But if ever I could I swear I would love you the rest of my life.”
Takes elderly homeless guy to the hospital, then learns he died. H wants to see chart…The nurse tells him that “sometimes people just die.”
Phil tries to prevent him from dying by feeding him soup and sandwich prior to the evening, but the man dies anyway.
9)Profound Ending
In an auction, Rita outbids other women, paying $339.88 for Phil, He carves her face in an ice sculpture, saying he knows her face so well. She tells him it is the best day of her life. He promises that “No matter what happens,” he is now happy.
Then he wakes up and asks “if there is anything I can do for you.” They decide to live in the little town he initially said he hated.
10) Profound Truth
Stripping outer façade of ego and selfishness, may open a person to sincerity and maybe love.
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What I learned from the Opening Teleconference is that the process will add new layers and depths to my writing. If I take the step-by-step approach to building the story I can take the audience along with character’s transformational journey. Have to figure out how to present the change in an entertaining way. Adding insights to the script will add to the dimension and power of the script and to deliver the Profound Truth.
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Hi Cheryl,
I only just got access to the course tonight. I have everything but the pdf Matrix Analysis. Is there a link for this?
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I learned that the elements of the profound map all happens beneath the surface of the story, and thereby giving it depth and cause for repeated viewing. I’m exciting to take this journey! Thank you!
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