You already have the science.
You already have the expertise.
But facts alone rarely change behavior. Stories do.
Fifty years later, we’re still talking about Jaws.
Not because of the shark.
Because of what the story made us feel.
We use Jaws as a lens through Cinema Therapy, a storytelling and communication framework using film, improvisation, and the Hero’s Journey, to explore how storytelling shapes public perception. Ocean leaders can use those same tools to create deeper connection, understanding, and impact.
What This Program Is
A 16-week Cinema Therapy experience to help you turn your work into a story people actually feel. No writing experience required.
Minimal time commitment. Maximum impact.
How it works
Why it works
The result
-
16 weeks total. 90-minute online sessions, once a week (live + recorded).
-
We'll watch clips of Jaws, listen to themed music, improvise to build the ensemble, and grow your craft.
-
Write ~1 page of your story per week
-
Because facts inform…
-
And stories stick.
-
A compelling personal narrative
-
A repeatable storytelling framework
-
A new communication tool for talks, media, fundraising, advocacy, and leadership
A shark attack is a headline.
A story about fear, courage, and transformation can
change the world.
That's the power of storytelling
Your Success Story™ will:
Move beyond facts into feeling;
Connect your lived experience to something universal;
Engage people who might otherwise never encounter your work.
A New Kind of Storytelling Experience
By exploring your data and lived experiences through the Hero's Journey of Jaws, you will discover new clarity, creativity, and emotional connection to your work.
A few previous Cinema Therapy students' testimonials:
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
This 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.
The Ocean needs better stories.
Let's tell them
Your Instructor
Robert Cochrane, PhD, studied the effect of improvisation and storytelling on the Parkinson’s community through the Interdisciplinary Health Sciences doctoral program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. What began as a focused exploration within the PD community has evolved into something broader: a recognition that the transformative power of storytelling through Cinema Therapy extends far beyond any one condition or group.
At its core, Cinema Therapy is a “yes, and” to the stories we already know and love. The "X" is the unknown and what we will discover together. It’s not about analyzing films or being told what they mean, it’s about finding what they unlock within you. Not just what the film says, but what you have to say because of how it made you feel. Your story, and your relationship to story, matters.
A lifelong ocean lover, Robert is a PADI-certified diver and bodyboarder who has lived to tell the tale of a session at Pipeline. His connection to the ocean runs parallel to his work: a deep respect for forces larger than ourselves, and a curiosity about how we relate to them.
Robert now brings his Cinema Therapy framework to new communities and conversations, pairing it with culturally resonant films like Jaws to help participants explore, discover, and share stories that can truly connect and inspire.
Robert’s father, Dan, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001. Together, they have created four films in the award-winning documentary series Boys of Summer. The fourth film, Third Base, will premiere at the World Parkinson’s Congress in May 2026.